Let’s hear it for the continuing wide availability of reasonably priced HD tools: proDAD’s Adorage Effects Package 11 is now out, providing a ton of travel-related transitions and flags of the world. It operates as a plug-in for many popular editing programs, including Premiere, Vegas, Liquid, Edius, etc.
We last reviewed Adorage in the October 2008 issue–it sufficiently impressed us that it won a Best Product of the Year award.
Full press release follows.
Read the rest of this entry »
SANYO North America Corporation introduces its high-end Dual Cameras, the VPC-HD2000A and the VPC-FH1A, as the world’s first camcorders to offer compatibility with iFrame, a next generation video format designed specifically to allow users to easily import, edit and share high quality videos. SANYO’s Dual Cameras have always been at the forefront for compatibility with computers as well as online applications and networking. The two models announced today feature the iFrame video mode, which records in the same format used to edit on a computer, dramatically speeding up the processes of importing, editing and sharing movies across multiple platforms and devices.
Sony Creative Software Inc., a leading provider of professional video and audio editing applications, today announced Vegas™ Pro 9.0c software, the latest update to its award-winning nonlinear HD video and audio editing (NLE) application. Vegas Pro 9.0c software features Sony® XDCAM® EX MP4 file rendering and the ability to Smart Render MPEG-2 video across different containers for faster, more seamless editing. New audio features, including exclusive élastique Pro timestretching and Import Stereo Audio as Dual Mono, offer provide even more professional depth to this award-winning NLE. Additional support for media filmed with the RED ONE video camera streamlines file access and efficiency for editors working with footage up to 4K resolution. Vegas Pro 9.0c software also includes additional card support for capture and output via SDI, HD-SDI and HDMI™. Read the rest of this entry »
Reprinted from an Blackmagic Design press release:
Blackmagic Design today announced DeckLink Studio, a new model capture card designed as a replacement for standard definition cards, with increased analog connectivity for older analog equipment as well as SDI/HD-SDI and HDMI connections for the latest cutting edge digital equipment. DeckLink Studio 2 replaces current model DeckLink Studio and adds 10 bit HDMI capture and playback for the same low price of US$695 or €545 from Blackmagic Design resellers worldwide.
DeckLink Studio features independent connections for SDI, HDMI, analog component, S-Video and composite video, so all types of external video equipment can remain connected without re-cabling. DeckLink Studio also includes SDI and HDMI connections that switch between SD and HD, as well as an SD only output that always outputs via a built in hardware down converter even when running in HD. The SD down converted output is great when you need to monitor your work in both SD and HD at the same time.
Reprinted from a Canon press release
LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., August 19, 2009 – Canon U.SA., Inc., a leader in digital imaging, has introduced a new flagship model to its 2009 VIXIA high-definition camcorder line, the VIXIA HF S11 Dual Flash Memory camcorder. For those video enthusiasts looking to capture the moment in breathtaking HD quality, the VIXIA HF S11 provides advanced HD features and professional-level manual controls. Additionally, Canon announced a new camcorder accessory, the RA-V1 Remote Control Adapter for professional-level functionality when shooting from a tripod.
The VIXIA HF S11 retains Canon’s core imaging technologies, but adds several new features that enhance operability and deliver unsurpassed image quality. The VIXIA HF S11 offers the ability to record up to 24 hours of crisp high-definition video to a 64GB internal flash drive and the option of recording video directly to removable SDHC memory cards for fast and easy sharing of memories. Two new features that help enhance the video capture and viewing experience are Canon’s new Dynamic SuperRange OIS system, which delivers the ultimate in shake correction by providing continuous adjustment throughout the entire zoom range, and an Advanced Video Snapshot Mode which allows you to create the perfect highlight movie to share with family and friends by recording a series of four second clips when in shooting mode as well as in playback mode.
Read the rest of this entry »
Reprinted from a Envivio press release
Envivio Inc., announced today the newest member of its Convergence Series video encoders/transcoders with the introduction of its 4Caster C4 HD. By increasing measurable video quality by as much as 35 percent over previous generations and substantially reducing HD bit rate requirements below 6 Mbps, the 4Caster C4 HD offers significant practical advantages to telcos, IPTV service providers and broadcasters. The 4Caster C4 HD will be on display at IBC 2009 in Amsterdam, Stand 1.D72, September 11-15 and SET 2009 Broadcast and Cable in Sao Paolo, Brazil, August 26-28, Booth 76.
Telco and IPTV service providers can use the increased quality at very low bit rates to deliver HD service across greater distances on DSL networks, thereby reducing the cost to upgrade their networks while delivering service to more subscribers. Broadcasters can use the 4Caster C4 HD to optimize the usage of their fixed bandwidth capacity, taking advantage of the lower bit rate requirements to add more channels to their offering or to increase the apparent quality of their existing channels. The push to lower bit rates is also the precursor for enabling true HD resolution Internet TV services.
Visit www.envivio.com for more information
It has been interesting to watch new and innovative cameras explore the world of video. Panasonic announced 3 new cameras today, 2 of which capture full HD!
Reprinted from a Panasonic press release:
Today, Panasonic announced the new LUMIX DMC-FP8 digital camera as part of its new FP-Series, which pursues excellence in both design and function. The LUMIX FP8, with 12.1 megapixels, features a high-quality 28mm wide-angle, 4.6x Leica DC lens with folding optics* – encased in a futuristic-looking stylish body.
In addition to its unique design, the FP8 also features advanced functions including high-speed Auto Focus (AF) and Panasonic’s Intelligent Auto (iA) suite of technologies. With a fast AF, combined with a high-speed start-up of only 0.95 seconds, the FP8’s fast response catches even the most fleeting shots. Panasonic’s iA, a popular feature on LUMIX cameras, now includes POWER Optical Image Stabilization (O.I.S.) which features double the repression power compared to the previous image stabilization system, MEGA O.I.S. The hand-shake generated when pressing the shutter button, or when shooting at night with a slow shutter speed, is significantly minimized by the improved POWER O.I.S. to help reduce blurry photos. Read the rest of this entry »
Reprinted from a LaCie press release
The First Mobile High-Definition Multimedia Player
• Enjoy HD movies on any HDTV
• One cable connection to HDTV via HDMI
• User-friendly graphical interface
• Shock-resistant and designed for mobility
LaCie announced today its LaCinema Rugged multimedia hard drive is now available in High Definition – LaCinema Rugged HD. The LaCinema Rugged product range has the most compact, reliable, and mobile multimedia players on the market. Now, with enhanced HD capability, the LaCinema Rugged HD is the first multimedia player in its class, to allow users to store and play High Definition content – on any HDTV in Full-HD 1080p resolution. Read the rest of this entry »
For those of you who were worried about the switch to digital and haven’t yet upgraded your television, it looks like you have another four months to choose one. Yesterday, the Senate voted unanimously to delay the switch until June 12. According to Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va.,“Delaying the upcoming DTV switch is the right thing to do, I firmly believe that our nation is not yet ready to make this transition at this time.” With the original date of Feb. 12, there was fear that viewers weren’t technically ready for the switch and the extension gives more people who have expired digital converter coupons, time to request new ones. Looks like penny pinching last minute consumers like myself, have at least four more months to pick out the right TV… Wait, that’s it?
According to a recent report from the good folks over at Nielsen, the number of households with an HD television has doubled over the previous year, to 23.3%. They predict with now almost one quarter of TV’s in the USA as HD, the demand for HD content will continue to expand dramatically.
What does this mean for independent video producers? Well, if you’re still shooting in SD, you may want to be looking at upgrading your equipment, not just as a future proofing idea, but in a 25% of my viewers will want to watch this in HD today idea. Even if you’re already shooting in HD, the picture is not so rosy when it comes to distribution. Blu-ray disc penetration is still at a paltry 8-9% and a large majority of those are Playstation 3’s. Standard definition DVD’s still are found in 91% of all US households, so you end up with the awkward situation of having an beautiful HDTV connected to a plain old DVD player in many homes.
Perhaps the future of HD distribution is not to be found on shiny plastic discs, but delivered at home directly via the internet? Openfilm, Vimeo, and now even YouTube have gotten into the HD distribution game, it will be interesting to see how the direct line into the home plays out.
One thing is for sure: twice as many people as last year are bringing HDTV’s into their homes, and they’re going to want to watch something pretty on it.
Recent Comments