Apple Quicktime Finds Support for Motion JPG CODEC

Industry Watch

Version 2.5 of Apple's Quicktime multimedia architecture will support the increasingly popular Motion-JPEG video CODEC. This will allow video editors and others involved in the creative process to view M-JPEG compressed files on any Power Macintosh with no additional hardware required. Also supported in Quicktime 2.5: the ability to render 3D objects in real-time within a Quicktime movie, and support for high-end professional multiprocessing hardware such as the Genesis MP from DayStar Digital. The Beta version of Quicktime 2.5 will be available for free download from Apple's Web site (http://www.apple.com) sometime this spring.

To facilitate the launch of Quicktime 2.5 in cyberspace, Apple has made two important maneuvers: they've granted Web developers an open license to embed Quicktime technology in their applications free of charge; and they've made an agreement with Netscape to provide a Quicktime plug-in that will ship with version 3.0 of the popular Navigator Web browser.

VDOnet

Corporation has recently announced that its VDOLive personal video server software will be bundled with Adobe's popular Premiere 4.2 nonlinear editor for Windows. "Until now, developers have lacked an easy way to produce and deliver real-time video on the Web," said Asaf Mohr, VDOnet's president. "Now, Adobe and VDOnet have combined to give web designers and video producers an end-to- end Internet video production and delivery solution."

VDOnet also recently announced intentions to offer its Internet video streaming services in the form of an Internet videophone. The new device, appropriately named the VDOPhone, will be available both in a stand-alone model and as an enhancement for America Online's Virtual Places live chat environment. With the VDOPhone, users will be able to hold two-way audio/video conversations over the Internet anywhere in the world for the price of a local phone call.

Among Hitachi's 1996 camcorder introductions are three models with flip-out LCD monitors: the 8mm VME625LA ($999), and two Hi8 units, the VMH725LA ($999) and VMH825LA ($1299). This confirms what we've expected since Sharp introduced the concept a few years back: the portable built-in viewfinder is a welcome trend that camcorder enthusiasts will continue to support.

Back from the edge of bankruptcy in 1995, Zenith touched off a stock market frenzy when it announced in early May that it was working with U.S. Robotics on a new cable-modem set top box. In one week, the company's stock tripled in value, making investors wonder whether the aged television manufacturer should be re-classified as an Internet startup. Cable modems, which make use of existing cable TV wiring to deliver super-fast Internet access, could provide Web surfers with enough bandwidth to watch high-quality digital video with no delays.

A recent survey of at-home information and entertainment reveals that consumers are embracing alternatives to traditional television. In addition to competing with cable television and pay-per-view services, traditional TV is now competing with direct broadcast satellite (DBS), VCRs, personal computers, multimedia CD-ROM, online services and other technologies for delivering entertainment and information. The survey, conducted by Odyssey, Inc., suggests that people are more and more willing to abandon traditional commercial-driven television for alternative video programming sources--good news for videomakers in search of an audience.

Web Watch

NAB Virtual Marketplace
http://www.pegasus.net/NAB/

This site, presented by the National Association of Broadcasters, offers a wealth of data about the broadcasting industry. Includes an impressive directory of products, services and industry contacts.

DV Update

Sharp has added a second DV ViewCam to its camcorder lineup, the VL-DC1U. 41% smaller and 26% lighter than its analog counterpart, the unit sports a 4" LCD monitor, 16-bit PCM stereo audio, 30:1 digital zoom and manual iris control. The VL-DC1U will sell for $3500.

Hitachi, meanwhile, has converted its VHS factory in Tokai to DV production. No details are available on any specific models yet, but the plant will have the ability to produce 10,000 DV camcorders per month for the Japanese market.

Quick Focus

Another Expo Success Story
Continuing a tradition established in 1994, the Third Annual Videomaker East Coast Expo arrived in Secaucus, New Jersey this past May. On the show floor and in the seminar rooms, the Videomaker staff, distinguished panelists, industry leaders and several thousand camcorder enthusiasts devoted the entire weekend to furthering the cause of consumer-level video.

If you missed out on the action, don't fret: there's another Expo coming in January, this time on the sunny West Coast. For up-to-date information on this and other Videomaker events, point your Web browser at http://www.videomaker.com.