The
New York Time's own David Pogue has put
together a review of the new Sanyo Xacti HD1, pocket Hi-Def camera. The HD1 is the first ever pocket sized solid
state camera to record full HD resolution footage, though like most new technology it still has some kinks to be worked
out. The camera's video quality is not up to par with even the lowest priced full sized HD camcorders but its size and
value help to improve the camera's overall mark. The camera only shoots 720P (no 1080i) and faces storage issues with
the capacity of the SD cards it uses for recording. The camera is certainly not for the serious shooter or even the
enthusiastic hobbyist but for the point and shoot user who needs a small package it may be worth a look.
If you have tuned into the Olympics over the past week and been wondering what it takes to put it all together, you
can now get an insiders look courtesy of an anonymous NBC engineer who has decided to launch a blog filled with his Olympic experiences. The blog provides a
behind the scenes look at what it takes to produce all of the HD Olympic coverage on location in Torino. The posts are
filled with numerous pictures of all the super technical and extremely expensive equipment which has be set up
throughout the city. There is also a lot of behind the scenes info and pictures that you probably won't be able to find
anywhere else, definitely a site worth checking out.
FresHDV has just put up an interview with Josh Oakhurst, an editor and indie filmmaker who works almost exclusively in
HD. The interview covers a number of HD related topics including work-flows and hardware. Josh has some good advice for
all the indies out there looking to get into the HD game, though if you are a big supporter of Panasonic's P2 format you
may want to skip over some of his quite pointed remarks on the future of the format. This is just part one of the
interview though look for part two later this week.
The art of color correction is
certainly one of the more complicated processes that take place during the production of any film, because of this Ripple Training has released an entire training DVD to help
you out during your next production. The 4-hour DVD is aimed directly at Final Cut Pro users and is packed with a
number of video tutorials. I took a look at some of the sample tutorials from the disk and they looked extremely
informative and were easy to follow. The DVD will run you $99 and should help you brush up on or learn a bunch of new
techniques for getting the look you want out of your next project.
Serious Magic has released Vlog It a new all in one software package for vloggers
which aims to help simplify the process of putting together a video blog for the web. The software has a number of
unique features including a software teleprompter, customizable graphics and simple video compression settings. The
software looks like it should be a useful tool for new vloggers who want to produce a simple talking heads type vlog
though for seasoned vloggers who like to get away from the PC, the software will certainly not replace you non-linear
editor. The software will only run you $49 which is good news for all the vloggers on a tight budget.
Toshiba has announced their first entries into the world of hard-drive based camcorders with the
Gigashot R30 and R60. As the names imply the cameras will come in two flavors, both a 30 and 60 gig model.
Other specs include a 2.5" LCD, Dolby Digital sound recording and MPEG-2 compression. The cameras will only shoot
standard definition footage, but with up to 55 hours of recording time they certainly won't lack in capacity. No word
on when the cameras will be available, though the top model should be priced at just over $1,000.
Video Systems Magazine managed to get their hands on the hard to find Panasonic
HVX200 for a quick hands on review of the new hi-def camcorder. The camera's DVCPRO HD recording ability scores good
marks for its improved band with over HDV and the camera's low-light tests showed positive results, which contradicts
some early user reports of noisy low light footage. The tape-less work flow along with the numerous shooting modes and
frame rates also helped to boost the camera's overall performance. The review sums up the new camera by calling the
HVX200 the first real compact and affordable HD camcorder, which should be good news to all the shooters still waiting
to get the camera in their hands.
It
looks like someone over at Sony may have leaked a new manual for the yet un-announced HDR-HC3 HDV camcorder. The new
camcorder looks as though it is a follow up to the HDR-HC1, which
is Sony's current low cost HD camcorder. The new HC3 sports many of the same features including a single CMOS sensor,
1/3" CCD's and will shoot 1080i HDV video. The camera also has a number of new features not seen on the HC1
including new manual controls, higher still picture resolutions and a HDMI output which should be a great feature for
all the HDMI equipped HDTV owners. No word on pricing or even when the camera is expected to be officially announced
though with a full manual already leaked, its safe to expect an official answer any day now.
Digital Producer has a quick review of the Matrox DualHead2Go which we covered back in November. The DualHead2Go
is a graphics break out box that allows you to run two additional displays with your laptop or desktop. The device
supports displays up to a resolution of 1280x1024 which should significantly improve your screen real estate which can
be hard to come by on most laptops. During the review the box ran as advertised with the only drawback being that no
digital connections are offered, only VGA. The DualHead2Go looks like a good option for all the video editors out there
stuck on a laptop and is available now for $169.
Showreel Magazine has an incredibly interesting article which takes a look at
HDV and its place in the world of network TV dramas. In the article two of the current DP's from Fox's 24 decided to
take a look at some of the current HDV offerings and see if they could hold their own next to the 35mm film cameras
which Fox currently uses to shoot 24. The article talks in-depth about the pros of cons of working with HDV and how it
could be used on the show. As just part one of the report only the Sony Z1 and JVC HD100 were tested on set, though
both DP's plan on bringing in the newly released Panasonic HVX200 and Canon XL H1 for a full test in the coming weeks.
It will be interesting to see how the whole test turns out though part one is certainly a good read especially for all
the 24 fans and HDV shooters alike.
If
you thought that with the release of the Panasonic HVX200 your old DVX100 had gone the way of Hi8, ReelStream now has a solution to take your camera into the era of HD.
Using your existing DVX100(A,B) as a base, RealStream modifies the internal components of the camera to allow for the
capture of uncompressed HD 4:4:4 video directly from the CCD's. In non-tech terms it allows you to capture full HD
resolution footage directly to disk from the new USB 2.0 port they add to the camera. It certainly looks like a
interesting product for all the DVX users out there who want to shoot HD but don't want to give up their DVX quite yet.
The entire upgrade is available now for $3,000 (send them your camera) or $6,500 for a new DVX100B with the upgrade.
We
have mentioned a couple of these widgets before but a new comprehensive list put together by the Self-Reliant Filmmaking blog gives digital filmmakers a good place to check
out to for all the latest helpful widgets. Also remember you will need an Apple system running the OS10.4 to be able to
take advantage of all the applications. Here are some of the most useful widgets from the list, though be sure to check
out the link for the full round-up.
With the official start of the Sundance Film Festival now underway,
Wired has put together a piece looking at the effect the digital video revolution has had on the festival in recent
years. The article take a look at a 19 year old high school drop out turned movie maker who's film Moonshine will be playing at the big show. The film was made
for a measly $9,200 with the help of a Panasonic DVX100a and a G4 Mac. With the growing popularity and quality found in
digital video the festival has seen the number of digitally projected works double since 2004 and expects the number to
keep growing.
Also for all things Sundance, be sure to head over to our sister blog Cinematical for their on going coverage live from the festival.
The first reviews of some the new applications that make up the Adobe Production Studio bundle have begun to hit the web so
if you are thinking about dropping the cash on the new software you may want to check them out before the big
purchase.
Digital Producer
Premiere Pro 2.0 Review: They like the new more powerful color correction feature along with new multi-cam
capabilities and give it their highest rating.
As you
know by now Ajit got the scoop
earlier this week and now Adobe has made it official by announcing their all new production studio bundle. The new
package includes all of Adobe's top post-production apps including Adobe After Effects 7.0, Adobe Premiere Pro 2.0,
Adobe Audition 2.0, Adobe Encore 2.0, Adobe Photoshop CS2 and Adobe Illustrator CS2.
Both After Effect and
Premiere Pro have received a complete overhaul, with Premiere Pro 2.0 now featuring native HDV editing and support for
DVCPRO HD/P2. The new bundle comes in two different packages with the premium version running $1,699 and the standard
coming in at $1,199. If your not quite ready to pony up the cash for the whole package, each application is still
available for purchase separately or you can try giving them a test run (not up just yet, though it may be by
the time you read this) for free.
The
New York Time's own David Pogue has put
together a review of the new Sanyo Xacti HD1, pocket Hi-Def camera. The HD1 is the first ever pocket sized solid
state camera to record full HD resolution footage, though like most new technology it still has some kinks to be worked
out. The camera's video quality is not up to par with even the lowest priced full sized HD camcorders but its size and
value help to improve the camera's overall mark. The camera only shoots 720P (no 1080i) and faces storage issues with
the capacity of the SD cards it uses for recording. The camera is certainly not for the serious shooter or even the
enthusiastic hobbyist but for the point and shoot user who needs a small package it may be worth a look.
The art of color correction is
certainly one of the more complicated processes that take place during the production of any film, because of this 
It
looks like someone over at Sony may have leaked a new manual for the yet un-announced HDR-HC3 HDV camcorder. The new
camcorder looks as though it is a follow up to the 
If
you thought that with the release of the Panasonic HVX200 your old DVX100 had gone the way of Hi8, 
We
have mentioned a couple of these widgets before but a new comprehensive list put together by the 
With the official start of the 
The first reviews of some the new applications that make up the 
As you
know by now Ajit got 
