Reprinted from a SmartSound press release

NORTHRIDGE, CA–(Marketwire – August 25, 2009) – SmartSound Software, Inc., the leading innovator of creative music solutions for the video industry, announced today that its popular Sonicfire Pro 5 plug-in supports Apple Final Cut Pro 7, released last month. The groundbreaking plug-in, which was unveiled at this year’s NAB show, allows Final Cut Pro users to seamlessly add complete customized soundtracks to their Final Cut Pro projects in a few simple steps.

At this year’s Final Cut Pro Users Group (FCPUG) NAB Supermeet in Las Vegas, world-renowned Final Cut Pro expert, Larry Jordan, was greeted by an energetic crowd of over a thousand Final Cut Pro users waiting in anticipation to watch a private demonstration of SmartSound’s new plug-in. In an exclusive video of the event, only recently released to the public by MacVideo.tv, Jordan explains how Final Cut Pro users can save valuable time and resources by utilizing SmartSound’s patented software, Sonicfire Pro 5.

Using SmartSound’s Sonicfire Pro 5 plug-in, users are able to import the markers and in/out points from a Final Cut Pro video sequence. Any track and arrangement selected from the entire SmartSound music library will already be perfectly timed to fit within any markers on the sequence. In addition to fitting the track perfectly to length, users can take advantage of Sonicfire Pro 5’s many innovative features such as Timing Control and Mood Mapping, which allow users to easily adjust the timing of specific beats and control individual instrument volume levels, instantly mapped to their video. After customizing music to match their visuals, users can then simply click “Send To” and their music track will be added directly into their Final Cut project. Later, if users need to make changes to their music, they can simply choose a track on their Final Cut Pro timeline and use the “Open in Editor” command for full roundtrip editing.

SmartSound’s Sonicfire Pro 5 and Final Cut Pro plug-in can be purchased together for $249.85 at www.smartsound.com. Current Sonicfire Pro 5 users may add the plug-in for as low as $49.95. For a limited time, as an extra bonus, each plug-in purchase will include a SmartSound exclusive multi-layer music album, “A New Era” ($99.95 value) free of charge. The Final Cut Pro plug-in works with Final Cut Pro 6.0.2 or later. For more information visit: http://www.smartsound.com/finalcutpro.

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 »