Gear

Sony has a new way to transfer digital still photos from their new DCR-TRV10 Mini DV camcorder to a computer--using a 4MB or larger Memory Stick (you can see it under the strap). In addition, the new camcorder sports an i.LINK (IEEE 1394) port for digital video transfer. (800) 222-7669

Suggested retail price: $1,799

Fluid Video Head

Bogen Photo Corp. is offering a new video tripod head, the Gitzo G1380/10 Pro Video Fluid Head. With six specific counter-balanced springs, the head will accommodate camcorder from 2.2lbs to 22lbs. And features separate pan/tilt drag and lock controls. The G1380/10 has a 75mm ball leveling base and includes a sliding camcorder platform for quick mounting and balancing and a built-in safety release lock to prevent the camcorder from accidentally falling off. (201) 818-9500

Suggested retail price: $1,060

Film Look for Video

The Macintosh version of CineMotion for After Effects has been released by DigiEffects. The core of the CineMotion package is the Film Motion plug-in that gives video footage the look of film transferred to video. The tool set offers users more advanced controls over the motion effects of After Effects, according to DigiEffects. The plug-in offers selections to tune the look of individual shots and offers controls over shutter blur and artifact density. (415) 841-9901

Suggested retail price: $295

Vacation Video Value

The new Canon ES300V is a handy 8mm camcorder for international travelers. The ES300V can convert the NTSC video output to play on the PAL 60 television standard, according to Canon. The camcorder features a 16x optical zoom, 240x digital zoom, seven digital effects, digital fader and a titler. The ES300V uses new low-power consumption circuitry for longer battery life, and a high-resolution 3.5-inch color LCD view screen. (800) 828-4040

Suggested retail price: $799

Maxell Jumps into DV

"Maxell firmly believes in the digital future for all home entertainment formats," said Peter Brinkman, director of marketing for Maxell. To demonstrating its commitment to a digital future, Maxell Corporation of America has introduced a new Mini DV camcorder cassette. Maxell's new Mini DV cassettes come in 30- and 60-minute lengths. (201) 794-5900

Suggested retail price: 60 minute tape $13

Paint and Effects for Mac

A new paint and effects tool, created by Scott Squires, the video effects supervisor at Industrial Light and Magic, is available for the Macintosh platform. According to the manufacturer, Puffin Designs, Commotion LE features a SuperClone brush to clone pixels from any section of any frame; video field-based painting; filter effects including keys, blurs, sharpens, and noise; and a Rotospline Tool for creating animated mattes. (415) 331-4560

Suggested retail price: $795