Editorial Assistant Andrew Burke and myself are now testing the roughly 60-minutes of 1080i 60i footage we shot with the Canon XL-H1 by capturing it with a number of programs including Final Cut Pro 5 (pictured below), Canopus Edius 3.6, Adobe Premiere Pro 2.0 and other editing software programs. Stay tuned for the results.
Hot off the FedEx truck is our review copy of Sanyo’s new VPC-HD1EX “Xacti” high definition camcorder. We saw this little unit at CES earlier this year and were blown away with the small size and claims of full 720p HD resolution video recording nearly 30 minutes of high quality video directly to a 2 gig SD card. As you can see in the photo below, these are big claims for such a small camcorder. Look for more details in an upcoming vidcast and an in-depth review in the mag.
from a Panasonic press release
ORLANDO, FL (February 27, 2006) – The Panasonic Projector Systems Company introduced at the Photo Marketing Association (PMA) convention the ultra-portable, ultra-versatile PT-P1SDU, a projector that’s perfect for the in-home viewing of digital photos and movies and just as adept for displaying business presentations on the road and in the office.
The PT-P1SDU is the world’s lightest and smallest LCD projector, weighing a mere 2.9 pounds with the
ultra-slim dimensions of 9-3/16” W x 2-17/32” H x 7-3/8” D (smaller than a sheet of letter-sized paper). The unit delivers 1,500 ANSI lumens of brightness and an array of time-saving display features.
The PT-P1SDU is the modern, multi-purpose version of the mechanical slide projector that was once highly popular with families for re-living vacations, events and treasured memories. The PT-P1SD has a built-in SD card slot for the big-screen display of digital still images (or moving video shot with a digital camera). When the user slips an SD card into the projector’s card slot, the PT-P1SDU automatically turns on and is ready to display images. All the photos in a folder can be viewed automatically as a slide show, and several different transitions between slides are available, including Wipe, Fade Split, Blind, Checker, Slide In, Random and Off. Viewers can run a slide show of favorite images in the projector’s Direct Print Order Format (DPOF), and automatic photo rotation is also standard. In addition to digital still images, the PT-P1SDU has the inputs to easily connect a TV, VCR, DVD player, laptop PC or gaming system.
Getting down to business, the PT-P1SDU facilitates the delivery of PowerPoint presentations with and without a laptop for exceptional executive mobility. Panasonic’s Image Creator software converts the Microsoft PowerPoint file to a JPEG file, so laptops can be left at home or the office. The projector also features a presentation mode that starts a slide show automatically when an SD card is inserted into the card slot.
The space-saving projector slips easily into a briefcase or travel bag, making it highly portable even when carrying it along with a laptop PC. Thanks to its high-performance optical system and high-efficiency 130 UHM lamp, the PT-P1SDU produces high contrast (400:1 ratio) images at a sharp 800 x 600 native SVGA resolution (while providing advanced resizing technology to support UXGA).
The PT-P1SD boasts Panasonic’s exclusive Daylight View technology, achieving a substantial improvement in image performance. The projector’s ambient light sensor detects changes in a room’s light intensity and significantly enhances perceptible colors. Because Daylight View achieves a superb level of color perception, users will experience less of a difference between PC display images and projected images. It also provides white balance adjustment settings for both fluorescent and incandescent lamps to match the room lighting.
www.panasonic.com/projectors
from a Dell press release
Round Rock, Texas, February 28, 2006- Dell today announced two notebook computers offering performance and multimedia features to help keep mainstream users productive by day and entertained at night.
The Inspiron E1505 and Inspiron 6400 extend Dell’s commitment to provide technologies previously available only on high-end systems, in a slim package weighing about six pounds.1
Shipped with Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005, the Inspiron E1505 is designed for entertainment-minded consumers who want to enjoy TV2, music, movies and photos from room-to-room or on-the-go.
The Inspiron 6400 offers home-office and small-business customers the performance needed to help run demanding office applications for untethered productivity.
Both notebooks support Intel Core Duo processors, resulting in uncompromised performance even when users concurrently play videos and rip music files or edit spreadsheets while running virus-scans. A 15.4-inch widescreen display with optional DellTM TrueLifeTM technology delivers high contrast and vivid detail for viewing movies or photos.
Without having to start Windows, Dell’s innovative MediaDirect technology saves time via one-button access to digital media stored on the computer or attached devices. In addition, an integrated 5-in-1 media card reader enables fast transfer of media files, and an ExpressCard slot can support next-generation high-speed peripherals.
The Inspiron E1505 and 6400 systems are available immediately in the Americas. The $929 starting configuration includes an Intel Core Solo T1300 processor, Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005, 512 MB DDR2 memory, 40 GB2 hard drive, six-cell battery, and one-year limited warranty.7 A similar configuration with a Core Duo T2300 processor starts at $979. All Dell notebooks are RoadReady , designating that they meet Dell’s rigorous standards for durability and reliability.
For additional details, visit www.dell.com. Photos are available at www.dell.com/photos.
from a Sonic press release
Santa Clara, California (February 24, 2006) — Roxio, a division of Sonic Solutions (NASDAQ: SNIC), the leader in digital media software, today released MyDVD 8 Premier, which introduces significant enhancements including advanced video editing capabilities and authoring tools, high-quality transitions and effects, customizable menu templates, and support for high definition (HD) video. MyDVD 8 Premier will have particular appeal to the tens of millions of existing MyDVD users looking for more creative control and greater authoring flexibility. MyDVD 8 Premier is available today at www.roxio.com and www.sonic.com for $69.99.
"MyDVD has become a household brand and an accepted standard in consumer DVD authoring software thanks to its wide deployment in OEM hardware solutions worldwide," said Stan Wong, general manager, Roxio division, Sonic Solutions. "Roxio MyDVD 8 Premier enables Sonic to capitalize on this wide distribution by offering existing customers a compelling upgrade path that will substantially enhance their current capabilities and allow them to achieve Hollywood-style results at home."
MyDVD 8 Premier includes everything users need to present personal photos and videos in a professional fashion. Automated video editing features allow users to create polished video productions in a few mouse clicks, while straightforward authoring tools enable them to generate DVDs with attractive motion-video menus, animated buttons, and Dolby Digital sound. MyDVD 8 Premier’s DVD engine is built on the same technology that is trusted by Hollywood studios and high-end post-production facilities to ensure DVDs created will play back on the widest possible selection of set-top players and computers.
Wanna know how to take the stress off of your CPU? Check out the new bit on using multiple (four!?!) graphics cards.
Sony announced it’s second consume-focused HDV camera, the HDR-HC3. The HC3 is even smaller and lighter than it’s predecessor, the HC1, which it is rumored to be replacing. Prosumer users will most likely want to look towards the FX1 which can be found for around $3,000 street price. The HC3 lacks a manual focus ring (but can still be manually focused with a shared dial) and headphone jack but gains the Easy Handycam button and a built-in lens cap. With HDMI support for direct connection to high definition television sets, the HC3 looks to be aimed at consumers who want to get HDV to their TVs without all the complicated buttons and menu options. Recently reduced MSRP is now $1,500.
from a Canopus press release
SAN JOSE, Calif. and LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y. (February 22, 2006) - Canon U.S.A., Inc. and Canopus today jointly announced that the Canopus EDIUS Pro v3.6 and EDIUS Broadcast realtime video editing solutions support the new Canon XL H1 affordable, lightweight 24fps HD camcorder.
"Canopus’s EDIUS Broadcast editing software is an excellent solution for imaging professionals," said Yukiaki Hashimoto, senior vice president and general manager of Canon U.S.A., Inc.’s consumer imaging group. "Its compatibility with Canon’s XL H1 HD camcorder will provide a streamlined solution for capturing and editing 24 and 30 fps video."
The Canopus EDIUS Pro 3 and new EDIUS Broadcast solutions provide realtime capture and processing of 1440 x 1080 resolution video at 24fps, 30fps and 60i via an IEEE 1394 interface, making it ideally suited for the 24F, 30F and 60i formats featured with the new Canon XL H1 camera. EDIUS Pro 3 and EDIUS Broadcast are also the only NLE solutions that deliver full frame-rate realtime HD playback from the timeline directly to an external HD video display when using the company’s tightly integrated software and hardware solutions, such as EDIUS NX with HD Expansion, EDIUS SP and EDIUS HD nonlinear editing systems.
As Canon’s first HD camcorder, the XL H1 High Definition (HD) camcorder and 20x HD video zoom lens with Genuine Canon Optics provide broadcasters with a low-cost 1080i resolution option for ENG, Documentary or Reality TV production. Filmmakers also appreciate the extensive Cine controls and 24 Frame rate option the XL H1 camcorder offers.
Canon’s "professional jackpack" features include uncompressed digital HD-SDI output for seamless integration into broadcast studios or high-quality image transfer to non-linear editing systems. The Genlock feature allows movie sets to easily synchronize camera settings across multiple camcorders and SMPTE time-code in-and-out allow for streamlined tape and edit management.
"Canon’s affordable HD camcorder is an attractive solution for broadcasters and indie film producers who are making the transition from SD to HD," said Hiro Yamada, founder and CEO of Canopus. "Add EDIUS Pro 3 and EDIUS Broadcast’s realtime mixed SD/HD format editing, full frame rate resolution output, scalable design and a fast, flexible interface, and professionals have the perfect companion for this outstanding HD camcorder."
EDIUS Pro 3 and EDIUS Broadcast nonlinear editing software provide realtime, mixed format editing of uncompressed SD, HD, HDV, DV, MPEG-2, and MPEG-1 formats. EDIUS Pro 3 and EDIUS Broadcast deliver increased quality and realtime performance through the company’s acclaimed variable-bitrate Canopus HQ codec, including realtime HQ batch capture from 1080i and 720p HDV cameras and decks.
EDIUS Pro v3.6 and EDIUS Broadcast are available now from Canopus and its authorized resellers and system integrators for a suggested retail price of $699 and $999 respectively. The v3.6 upgrade, with support for Canon XL H1 and 720p YUV component out is available free for all current users of EDIUS Pro 3 from the company’s Web site at www.canopus.com. EDIUS Broadcast is currently shipping with the support included.
from a SONY press release
SAN DIEGO, Feb. 20, 2006 — Changing the notion that high-definition video recording is for "advanced videographers only" Sony today announced the HDR-HC3 HDV 1080i Handycam camcorder.
Compared to its predecessor, this new, high-def camcorder is 25 percent more compact, packed with easy-to-use features, and more affordable.
"People are more savvy about high-definition television, have experienced its visual impact, and now they want the same ‘wow factor’ for their own home movies," said Linda Vuolo, director for camcorder products at Sony Electronics. "Sony has made great strides in creating the consumer HDV market over the past two years and now we are expanding it even further."
Perfect Integration Into Your Living Room
The camcorder will snuggle up comfortably next to your high-def TV with its HDMI output. Now the de facto standard in the consumer electronics industry for transferring high-def content, HDMI offers simple, one-cord connection to display devices so you can just plug and play instead of struggling with multiple cables.
Your own home movies recorded with the HDR-HC3 will stand up proudly next to your pre-recorded high-definition video. The new camcorder delivers superb high-definition picture quality and lighting detail on both video and digital still images.
from an Digital Anarchy press release
SAN FRANCISCO, Feb 21, 2006 Digital Anarchy, a leading provider of cost-effective special effects software for Adobe, Apple and Discreet products, today announced that all of their plugins for Adobe After Effects are now compatible with After Effects 7.0. Digital Anarchy is
committed to providing support for the host applications and platforms that their customers use. All plugin sets have been fully tested under After Effects 7.0 on both Mac OS X (not OS 9) and Windows 2000 and higher.
Update for 3D Assistants Pro
Once of Digital Anarchy’s most popular products, 3D Assistants Pro, has been updated to run under After Effects 7.0. The 3D Assistants Pro are a set of sixteen keyframing tools for After Effects’ 3D space. The 3D Assistants Pro update is free for existing customers. More information about this upgrade is available at www.digitalanarchy.com/3Dassist_upgrade.html