Digital Video Editing has posted a decent article on how to use a camcorder, "What do you need to know to effectively communicate your ideas to your audience? If you're just starting out, there will be lots of tips in this article that will help you avoid the distractions that can ruin even a well-thought-out video presentation. If you're a seasoned veteran, read along anyway, while smugly assuring yourself that you're doing everything exactly right. Whatever your level of experience, I'm here to help."  [ more... ]

Stephen Schleicher writes, "If you missed out on Apple’s NAB unveiling of Final Cut Pro 5, you didn’t get to behold the new wonders of this great editing application.  What you didn’t see in the event was one of the more requested features of Final Cut Pro .

The wonders of multicam editing are now easily within your reach with Final Cut Pro 5.  For several years now, I and thousands of other Final Cut Pro users have been begging for multicam editing in the application.  Personally, I usually end up editing four or five multicam programs every three months.  These range from sports shows, to on location events, to the rare multimedia event.  Previously, I would have to sync all these cameras up in the Timeline (see Final Cut Pro Quick Tip #28 to read how I do it), and then spend time with the Blade Tool slicing out the parts of each track I didn’t want.  Tedious certainly; a pain for a client to sit through to be sure."  [ more... ]

Press Release: "JVC's newest ProHD models demonstrated at NAB 2005 and delivered soon after include the truly original GY-HD100U 3-CCD HD Camera Recorder and the BR-HD50UHD Video Cassette Recorder. These ProHD models offer:

• HD recordings in the HDV™ format
• Compatibility with numerous supporting NLE systems
• Full resolution High Definition Progressive recording
• 24 frame true Progressive (same as film) recording with smooth motion performance previously available only in more costly products.
• Optional Dual Media recording, enabling simultaneous recording, instant backup and Direct To Edit™ in the native formats of popular non-linear editing systems. DTE™ eliminates the file transfer process and allows editing instantaneously—never before possible with any HD system, at any price.

ProHD is a dynamic concept that adapts to changing needs and technologies of the future. The ProHD concept currently includes tape, hard drive and solid state media and in future products, ProHD will have the capability of 1080 recording in non-tape media. The current ProHD concept does not enable 1080 recording on tape."  [ more... ]

Inlet Technologies, a provider of professional encoding solutions for next-generation content distribution and THX Ltd., the leading provider of technologies, certification programs and quality assurance standards for the entertainment industry announced today that they will work together to define quality assurance standards for VC-1 post-production.

VC-1, the proposed SMPTE standard based on Windows Media 9, is quickly gaining momentum as a leading codec for post-production. VC-1 offers a 2x quality improvement over the existing MPEG -2 standard with significantly reduced file size, making the format suitable for many next-generation content distribution methods including Blu-Ray, HD- DVD , video-on-demand and digital dailies.

"We believe encoding is a critical step in preserving the quality gained by using an advanced compression format, such as VC-1," said Joseph Lias, president of THX, Ltd. "By collaborating with Inlet, the leader in advanced encoding for post-production, THX is achieving its mission of maintaining the integrity of content throughout the post-production process."   [ more... ]

Sony introduces another high-end gadget in its Qualia line. The Qualia 002 is a digital HD video camera dubbed Q002-HDR1.

The Qualia 002 looks similar and is also based on the the Sony HDR-FX1 HDV video camera, that they announced a year ago. The Q002-HDR1 of course looks a bit more shiny and is more pricey. The price for the new Qualia is 570,000 yen, which is about $5,325. The Qualia 002 ships today.

This 3CCD video camera records HDV with 1080i resolution. It has a 3.5 inch LCD screen. The microphone features a special noise reduction design.
More details in Sony press-release (Japanese). First seen on AkihabaraNews.  [ more... ]

"At NAB 2005, Adobe Systems, along with Dell, HP, Intel, Microsoft, and Sony were touting OpenHD as a solution that will help potential buyer's of HDV and HD editing system to wade through all the confusion and potential incompatibility issues that the formats possess. Unlike DV which is a mature format for editing, HD and HDV solutions are relatively new, and these companies hope that users will gravitate toward a standard (at least by the participating companies), that will ease the buying process for those who will add HDV and HD format workflow solutions to their growing editing toolsets"  [ more... ]

At a press conference at the National Association of Broadcasters annual convention in Las Vegas today, Panasonic announced the AG-HVX2000 High Definition camcorder for $5,995. The new camcorder records DVCPRO50, DVCPROHD and DV video to solid state P2 flash media cards at a 16:9 aspect ratio. The camcorder can also record a standard DV signal to MiniDV tapes. The AG-HVX200 features three 1/3 in. CCDs and can record 1080 lines of resolution high definition video at 60 frames per second interlaced, 30 frames per second progressive as well as 24 frames progressive video. The camcorder can also shoot 720 lines of resolution high definition video as well as standard definition video.

San Diego-based Tarari said yesterday at NAB that a total of five OEMs are now shipping its Windows Media accelerator. The company said that 1 Beyond, Boxx Technologies, Digital Rapids, Root 6 and Zetools have all signed up to include the Tarari Encoder Accelerator for Windows Media in solutions for movie studios, post production houses, and the IPTV industry. The company had earlier announced relationships with all of these compoanies. The PCI-bus based accelerator card works on Microsoft Windows Media 9 Video and accelerates encoding of the video content. Tarari is a developer of hardware acceleration devices for media and XML processing.  |  Source: socaltech.com

Digital Video Editing reports that, "Sony Media Software [has] announced upgrades to its award-winning Vegas(R) nonlinear video and audio editing system and DVD Architect(TM) authoring program.  These two applications form the core of the new Vegas+ DVD (TM) Production Suite, specifically upgraded for HDV , which also includes a Dolby Digital(R) AC-3 multi-channel encoder for 5.1 surround output. Both products retain the same progressive editing interfaces as their predecessors, but offer many technological advances that cater to production professionals involved with independent films, documentaries, corporate and professional event videography, as well as feature and broadcast productions."  [ more... ]

Press Release: "Inlet Technologies demonstrated at NAB today its Fathom 2.0, real-time VC-1 high-definition video encoding system, in combination with Sonic's new authoring solutions for HD-based disc formats. Fathom 2.0 is a comprehensive solution that combines a hardware-based encoding engine with workflow and analysis software to make asset creation for next-generation distribution methods such as WMV HD DVD-ROM, Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD accessible, efficient and affordable.

"VC-1 is an important codec in the high-definition format authoring process, offering superb image quality and price performance to professional content creation facilities," said Rolf Hartley, senior vice president and general manager of Sonic's Professional Products Group. "We are delighted to be working with Inlet Technologies to offer their real-time Fathom 2.0 in combination with our HD-based title development systems."

A Microsoft Windows Media technology, VC-1 is one of the selected codecs supported in the upcoming HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc formats, as well as a key component of Microsoft's WVM HD DVD-ROM format. Inlet's Fathom 2.0 adds important performance and quality enhancements including support for main and advanced profile encoding modes within a dedicated hardware platform designed to maximize efficiency during the encoding process. The combination of Fathom and Sonic's authoring systems such as DVD Producer HD provides professional content creators and high-end title creation facilities a complete workstation environment to deliver their HD content to consumers and high-definition video enthusiasts."  [ more... ]

Press Release: "Avid Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVID - News) today unveiled the newest offerings in its Avid Xpress® family of content creation tools - the Avid Xpress Studio HD all-in-one production suite, and the Avid Xpress Pro HD PowerPack. The Avid Xpress Studio HD system, which now starts at just $3,495 USMSRP, is the industry's first HD content creation suite to include highly integrated HD video editing, audio production, 3D animation, compositing and titling, and DVD authoring software applications combined with professional video and audio production hardware. The new Avid Xpress Pro HD PowerPack brings together two offerings - the Avid Xpress Pro HD software and the Avid® Studio Toolkit HD - in a powerful software bundle at the breakthrough price of $2,495 USMSRP.

"When we introduced Avid Xpress Studio last year, we did what others in our industry couldn't - we delivered seamless interoperability between an unprecedented group of content creation applications and hardware, all within a single, affordable package. With Avid Xpress Studio HD, we're raising the bar again," said Tim Wilson, senior product marketing manager for Avid. "We've packed this new version with tons of functionality, including native DVCPRO HD and Avid DNxHD(TM) support, groundbreaking 24p editing capabilities, and tighter integration between the software apps - all at an even more affordable price. Plus, with the new PowerPack option, we're giving Avid Xpress Pro HD customers a wider range of choices so they can select the toolset that's best suited for their needs - and will give them the biggest bang for the buck.""   [ more... ]

Tom's Hardware Guide has posted a VERY helpful CPU Performance guide for those of you trying to figure out which platform works best on a given game or encode job. 

Note: benchmarks do not take Windows XP 64bit benchmark speeds into account.

"Telestream, the leading provider of multiformat media encoding solutions, today announced exciting new Flip4Mac digital media tools for the Mac. For the first time, the new Flip4Mac components enable Macintosh OS X users to make, edit, and play Windows Media from within QuickTime-based media applications. Telestream's Flip4Mac products bridge gaps between Microsoft Windows Media format and the Apple Macintosh platform.

Until now, viewing Windows Media files on a Mac required downloading a separate player, importing Windows Media for editing was not possible, and until the recent introduction of the Flip4Mac WMV Export Component, making Windows Media 9 files was challenging.

"Telestream is in the business of removing roadblocks from digital media workflows. We've done that in other markets, and now we're bringing our solutions to Macintosh content creators and to the media viewing consumer," said Dan Castles, president and CEO of Telestream. "With our Flip4Mac products we recognize the unique strengths of two industry leaders. Apple maintains a strong-hold in video editing , while Microsoft Windows Media has become a popular distribution and Web video format. Our new Flip4Mac components now enable Mac users to play and import Windows Media in a Mac-friendly way.""  |  Source: Digital Video Editing

Focus Enhancements Inc. has announced that, "Panasonic will offer an enhanced version of FOCUS' industry-leading file conversion software, FireStore DV File Converter Pro, which adds MXF P2 support for Panasonic's broadcast DVCPRO P2 products. The FireStore DV File Converter Pro offers increased support to the Panasonic P2 Partner Program, which includes other leading hardware and software companies such as Apple, Avid, Pinnacle, Thomson/Grass Valley and Quantel, by allowing users to bridge P2 with DV-based solutions.

The P2 Series of equipment is based on Panasonic's new PCMCIA-sized solid-state memory card, offering cost-effective media-less operation. The P2 Partner Program was created to provide broadcast video professionals with seamless P2 compatible video and technology solutions from a variety of suppliers.

"P2 is the integration of the very best in AV and IT worlds, transforming news and production workflows and introducing a new era in non-linear acquisition," said John Baisley, President of Panasonic Broadcast. "FOCUS is a recognized leader in the professional DV hardware and software markets, and its FireStore DV File Converter Pro provides a critical software bridge that allows our users to edit and distribute their footage in all of the most popular formats using solutions they already have in place."

"Panasonic's P2 solutions offer enhanced, in-the-field capabilities which, in conjunction with the P2 partnerships, greatly reduce production time -- ultimately helping crews and shooters excel," said Brett Moyer, President and CEO of FOCUS Enhancements. "The FireStore DV File Converter Pro enables video professionals to quickly and easily convert the Panasonic MXF video for editing and broadcast, bringing unprecedented mobility, performance and convenience to news gathering and production.""  [ more... ]

Thomas Hawk writes, "Hardware MPEG2 TV tuner comparision - The Tech Report - Page 1 Today certanily seems to be the day for TV tuner coverage. First the story from AnandTech and now the Tech Report has a review out as well. The tech report reviews the ATI TV Wonder Elite, the eVGA NVTV and the Hauppauge PVR-150MCE l.p. all running on MCE. The Tech Report review gets a good Slashdotting here".

REDNOVA reports that BOXX Technologies and Tarari(R) Inc., have announced that, "BOXX will offer the Tarari(R) Encoder Accelerator for Windows Media(R). The Tarari Encoder Accelerator for Windows Media, a PCI-bus card that installs in any Microsoft Windows XP based workstation, offloads and accelerates the most processor-intensive algorithms in the Windows Media encoding application.

BOXX will demonstrate its workstations on multiple booths: the Adobe booth (#SL313), the AMD booth (#SL2543), the Avid booth (#SL600), and the Microsoft booth (#SL332) at the National Association of Broadcasters Show (NAB2005) in Las Vegas, April 18-21, 2005."  [ more... ]

"As service providers expand their offerings, maximizing bandwidth usage is critical to their success. Broadcasters and enterprises can use Envivio systems to efficiently deliver video services over their existing networks," said Julien Signes, President and CTO of Envivio Inc. "Whether a provider is delivering broadcast video to a mobile device, educational or business content to a desktop or an HD television stream to a subscriber's home, the Envivio MPEG-4 systems will allow them to increase service offerings and quality over time."

The 4Caster Mobile encoder series serving broadcast mobile (DVB-H, DMB) and 3GPP applications are optimized to deliver live feeds to hand held receivers such as cell phones. 4Caster systems were selected for the world's first satellite digital multimedia broadcasting service for mobile devices by the Mobile Broadcasting Corporation (mbco) for its MobaHO!(TM) service in Japan."  [ more... ]