Here's a more interesting iPod accessory: the iProjector is a special video projector with a docking station to directly connect your video iPod for screening videos and photos. It features a 800x600 native resolution, 24-bit color, 1000 ANSI lumens brightness, and a projection size of 30 inches by 90 inches. The device will be introduced at CES 2007 by manufacturer ION Audio. No word on the actual performance and quality of the device just yet. Intriguing.

(via CinemaTech)

CNet, the tech news & review site, has listed the top hardware in five different categories: Budget PC's, Mainstream PC's, Media Center PC's, Performance PCs and Business PC's. The Macs do really well on the list coming in first or second in most of the listings. I point this out to not only say that Macs are good machines but how well Apple is doing with its product line. From the Mac Mini to the Mac Pro, each product is distinguishable and serve different purposes. Anyways, if you are wondering what desktop computer to get, take a look at the reviews.

Update: Added more links

Adobe thinks it is important for kids to develop multimedia skills in the classroom, along with selling units of Photoshop to eager kids. That is why they've announced the Digital School Collection. The bundle, aimed at K-12, featuresPhotoshop Elements, Premiere Elements, Acrobat, and Contribute. Included for teachers are lesson plans and tutorials to better integrate digital learning with their curriculum. When I was in school, we never had audio/video courses but if we did, I believe I would have found my calling earlier. Digital content creation is an important skill to have because this technology is becoming more prominent in our lives everyday. And it is about time we see a big push in digital media; the teachers have a lot of catching up to do since the kids seem to pick up digital video/imaging like the ABCs. Just check out YouTube, MySpace, and these kids for example.

Did/do you have video courses at your school? What are they like?

You know what my favorite days were in elementary school? Filmstrip days! That's right, I am old enough to have watched filmstrips... although I think that's more a commentary on lack of funding for education, than my age (only 28.) But, lest we wax political here at DVGuru, lets move on.

My teacher would wheel in the AV cart from down the hall, pull down the projector screen, and fire up the old flicker show. It was a mixed bag at best. If we were lucky, maybe a Disney character doing math problems. I'm not sure why, but my favorite part was the Tick-Tick-Tick of of a reel that had reached it's end. I doubt many schools use filmstrips these days, but in my experience, most are still in the digital dark age. The Library Video Company hopes to change that.

A new product called Safari Montage offers a broadcast quality, plug & play, video-on-demand server for schools and public libraries. It comes pre-loaded with 1000 shows targeted at a specific age group, and offers subscriptions to additional content. Because the video is stored locally on the server, It supports up to 55 instances of simultaneous playback for the same clip, and offloads much of the stress placed on a library's current broadband connection. It also helps avoid many of the problems associated with streaming.

We use a service very similar to this at the local television station I work for. It's nice to see it being adopted in a place where more people can have the on-demand experience. Now if they could just tack that Tick-Tick-Tick noise on at the end.

Click "Read" for a link to the press release, or click here for a video demonstration.

It was no surprise that Lucas would donate money to USC because he is a Trojan from the start but $175 Million?! Damn... that's a lot of dough. The donation is the largest in the history of the university, and will fund the building of a new film school. The new 137,000-square-foot facility will merge Hollywood storytelling skills with emerging digital technologies. If you're heading off to USC film school, you know who to thank!

I agree with video analyst John Ferrick and his assessment of the current state of high definition products. Consumers are drawn to products with the term "HD" and don't really understand what they need, which leaves them at the mercy of a sales associate. Heck, I'm trying to sort it all out myself. In Ferrick's article, he discusses the different options available for camcorders, players, TVs and how everything got so confusing. If you are struggling to understand what HD, HDV, Blu-ray, HD DVD, AVCHD, 720p, 1080p and 1080i are all about, this article might help you. Or, it might confuse you even more.

As for me, I haven't upgraded to HD to yet. I am sitting on the fence, waiting...

The folks over at MIT's Media Lab have done it again, their latest creation turns a simple paint brush into a powerful multimedia device. With the help of a small video camera and other sensors embedded in the brush, the device is able to record textures, colors and movements, which can then be painted onto a "canvas" which is actually a large touch screen monitor. The brush's unique capabilities make for some interesting and unique looking artwork. To get a better understating of just how the brush works and to see its full capabilities be sure to check out the demonstration video at the bottom of the page. Definitely some cool and innovative stuff.

[Via Camcorderinfo.com]

Here is a novel idea, how about a film festival where all the entries are shot via cell phone, well that is just what the CellFlix Festival is aiming to do. The festival is being put on by Ithaca College (a place I am quite familiar with) and is backed by a $5,000 prize for the best entry. The rules are simple, put together the best 30 second film with nothing more than a video enabled cell phone and enter it via the festivals website. The deadline for entries is January 10th so get out there and start shooting, well until you get interrupted by an incoming call.

Here are some sites that offer classes on various topics related to film:

CMI is focused on Graphics. Their method of training is modular training, which means that as the different programs continue to grow and new features are added on, the training DVD's will focus on these new elements. Almost like continuing education for graphics. They also offer the classes that can be downloaded and watched on the iPod or PSP.

Boards U is a full-day training event for agency producers and creatives about the art and process of commercial production. With an interest in informing this generation of producers and creatives, top international experts from different disciplines in the commercial production sector will develop presentations and take-home packages outlining the fundamentals of their business.

Moviola, located in Los Angeles, "is the industry's premiere resource for post-production, motion graphics and digital arts training. With more than 80 years of history in Hollywood, Moviola has become known around the world for our innovation, expertise and personalized service." This seems like the traditional college method, it works for a lot of people.

These are just some that I have run into, there are a lot more scattered the web and States. Randall has been asking whether it helps. I guess, it all depends on what you prefer and what works best for you.

Here is a novel idea, how about a film festival where all the entries are shot via cell phone, well that is just what the CellFlix Festival is aiming to do. The festival is being put on by Ithaca College (a place I am just a little familiar with) and is backed by a $5,000 prize for the best entry. The rules are simple, put together the best 30 second film with nothing more than a video enabled cell phone and enter it via the festivals website. The deadline for entries is January 10th so get out there and start shooting, well until you get interrupted by an incoming call.