Video News

On this week’s really big show (oh, alright, Ed Sullivan I ain’t…), we begin to take apart the new animated Videomaker open by showing you how we shot the running man footage. You will also get to experience the strange joy of seeing Mr. Videomaker, Matt York, wearing a ski mask… There are a ton of tips crammed into this episode, so keep your finger on the rewind button–you’ll almost certainly be pushing it at least once.

Enjoy the show!

reprinted from a Sony Creative Software press release:

MADISON, WI — August 30, 2007— Sony Creative Software, a leading provider of professional video and audio editing applications, today announced Vegas Pro 8 software, the newest version of its award-winning nonlinear editing (NLE) software. Vegas Pro 8 provides professional editors with precise control over complex DV, HDV and XDCAM projects through powerful tools for editing material shot in multi-camera environments. Vegas Pro 8 will be available September 10, 2007.

“Vegas Pro 8 solves many of the technical challenges creative professionals are currently facing as they are tasked with producing content for platforms as varied as the mobile screen to high definition, broadcast-quality video,” said Dave Chaimson, vice president of marketing for Sony Creative Software. “Equipped with a new 32-bit floating point video engine, Vegas Pro 8 delivers increased quality and accuracy of final output while handling a 10-bit serial digital interface (SDI) at full capacity, which is used for transmission of uncompressed, unencrypted digital video signals.”

Now fully Microsoft Vista-compatible, Vegas Pro 8 software expertly delivers broadcast-ready, high definition content through its flexible user interface and extensive professional toolset. Vegas Pro 8 now features a ProType titler for superior vector-based title generation and automation. New specialized template support for developing digital signage provides tools and features for portrait style video authoring required for enhancing visual displays at retail shops, tradeshows and other events requiring compelling imagery at the 9:16 resolution.

The software also offers enhanced scripting capabilities for automating complex workflows in addition to providing new capabilities for editing and delivering Sony AVCHD content. Sony Vegas Pro 8 also introduces a new channel-based mixing console and other audio enhancements, continuing its legacy as the most optimized solution for integrating audio within the video production environment. Also included with Vegas Pro 8 is DVD Architect 4.5, which has been updated with a total of 44 professional design themes.

“The Vegas Pro 8 designers seemed to have heeded well the wish-lists of both professional and amateur videographers alike in crafting this generation of the software,” said Richard Doherty, research director and co-founder of digital media analyst firm the Envisioneering Group.” No other standalone video editing suite delivers both the power and flexibility demanded by professionals along with an ease of use and enthusiast-friendly learning curve which makes amateurs feel professional - fast!”

Sony Creative Software is also introducing interactive tutorials with the release of the Vegas Pro 8 application. These tutorials allow users to learn more effectively by taking an active role in training, while actually accomplishing the task at hand as they complete the lesson. The interactive tutorials provide an easy transition for users adapting from a more traditional nonlinear editing system to the new and progressive workflow of Vegas Pro 8.

Vegas Pro 8 software features:

Vegas Pro 8 New Video Features:
- ProType titler
- Multicamera Workflow
- 32-Bit Floating Point Video Processing
- Digital Signage and Portrait style video editing
- Thought Equity™ Motion Footage Search – An exclusive, integrated plug-in designed to streamline the acquisition of stock footage. Includes content from Sony Pictures, National Geographic, HBO and more with a special section provided for registered Vegas Pro 8 users

Vegas Pro 8 New Audio Features:
- Audio Mixing Console
- Audio Routing Enhancements
- Tempo-based audio effects
- Support for opening and rendering FLAC files

Vegas Pro 8 New Format Features:
- No recompression when rendering long-GOP video formats
- Sony AVCHD Read and write Support
- Burn timeline to Blu-ray discs
- XDCAM FAM mode trimmed conform

Vegas 8 Pro New General Features:
- Single-monitor full screen video preview
- Extensive Scripting Extensions programming API
- Interactive tutorials
Vegas Pro 8 software will be demonstrated at the Sony Creative Software booth #9-131 at the IBC 2007 tradeshow, September 7-11. Visit the Sony Creative Software booth for a complete schedule and session overviews.
Price and Availability
Vegas Pro 8 professional software will be available on September 10 from the Company’s extensive worldwide network of retail and academic dealers, as well as from the Sony Creative Software website: www.sonycreativesoftware.com. Localized versions in German, French, Spanish and Japanese will be available in November 2007. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the software is U.S. $699.95. Upgrade pricing is available for current Vegas users.

Sony Vegas Pro 8 was revealed this afternoon much sooner than anticipated, as it was scheduled to be announced at IBC next week. Some have called it a “leak.” Well, if posting the event in detail on your IBC booth profile constitutes a “leak” than that’s what we have here. Maybe they’re trying to build up some hype for the IBC showing. Who knows?

We’ve had the beta version for several weeks with our reviewer and we hope to provide some pre-gold version insights soon. So stay tooned.

reprinted from a Sanyo press release:

CHATSWORTH, CA, August 30, 2007 SANYO, a world leading digital cameramanufacturer, introduces the Xacti HD1000, the world’s smallest and lightestfull HD digital camcorder*1. The sleek and simple-to-usedevice records video in Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels) and also takes 4-megapixeldigital still images. The HD1000 utilizes the advanced MPEG-4 AVC/H.246 videoformat and features a 10x optical HD lens and a large 2.7-inch widescreendisplay.

The SANYO Xacti HD1000 will beavailable in the U.S.A.in September, 2007, and has an MSRP of $799.99*2.

“The SANYO Xacti line has gained a reputation for excellence andinnovation,” said John Lamb, SANYO’s Senior Marketing Manager for the Xacticamcorder series. “The new Xacti HD1000 continues our pioneering approach bycombining full 1080i HD video recorded in the advanced AVC/H.264 standard witha massive 2.7-inch widescreen display and a simple hardware and softwareinterface for file saving and TV playback.”

SMALLEST, LIGHTEST, FULL HD CAMCORDER
The new SANYO Xacti HD1000 weighs only 9.5 ounces and has a totalvolume of only 16.6 cubic inches, making it the world’s smallest and lightestFull HD recording (1920 horizontal and 1080 vertical pixels) digital camcorder*1.It incorporates advanced MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 video compression, enabling up toapproximately 85 minutes of Full HD (1920 x 1080) video recording or up to fivehours, 14 minutes of TV-quality (640 x 480) video recording onto an 8GB SDHCMemory Card (memory card sold separately).

SANYO developed a new high-speed image processing engine to handle the highcapacity demands of Full HD data. This engine utilizes SANYO’s proprietarycodec, enabling Full HD compatibility with the AVC/H.264 format, and makes itpossible to do with one simple yet powerful chip the complex processing whichpreviously required two separate chips. The required high compression ratio isgracefully achieved due to optimization of the image process algorithmactuator, while consuming a mere 4.2 watts of power

NEW ERGONOMIC DESIGN

Designed for easy,one-handed operation with all key conveniently functions thumb-operable, theHD1000 is comfortable to hold, even for extended periods. The device is thefirst to incorporate ergonomic results based on collaborative research betweenSANYO and Japan’?s Chiba Universityin regard to optimizing the lens-to-grip angle to minimize strain on the musclegroups used while holding and recording. Testing focused on muscle responses insix places on the arm, as well as surveysasking for individual assessments and evaluations. As a result of these testsand responses, it was discovered that a lens-to-grip angle of 105°, the angle subsequentlyused on the HD1000, was optimal.

Aspart of its stylish and thoughtful new design, the HD1000 also adds a distinctlyuseful feature frequently requested by users of previous Xacti camcorders theability to have the lens level with the ground when the device is used with atripod.

FULL 1080i HD SENSOR

Incorporating the latesthigh-definition CMOS sensor, the SANYO Xacti HD1000 camcorder captures full1080i high-definition video (1920×1080) at 60 frames-per-second. Designed torecord the rich and vibrant colors of real life, the HD1000 also captures thesubtle tones to provide a natural-looking result. The HD1000′?s CMOS sensorprovides the quick responsiveness needed to capture fast moving subjects and SANYO’?snoise reduction technology helps obtain the cleanest signal from each pixel.

NEW “XACTI LIBRARY” FUNCTION FOR EASY FILE SAVING AND PLAYBACK*3
The large data size of Full HD movies, alongwith demanding file saving and playback processing usually requires specialhardware and/or burning video to a disc. The HD1000’s new “Xacti Library” featuremakes it exceptionally easy to save video and image files by simply connectingthe included USB cable*4 from the docking station to an externalhard disk drive*5 (hard drive not included). After connecting thedocking station to an external hard drive and to a television (via an HDMIcable), the user places the camera into the docking station and using the menu that appears on thetelevision screen can search through the thumbnails and choose either to playthe file or save it to the external hard disk.

10X OPTICAL HD LENS

At the front of the acommanding 10x all-glass HD lens. The HD1000’s fast f/1.8-2.5 lens is capableof allowing almost four times more light through to assist in lower lightvenues. Consisting of eight groups and eleven total lenses with a built-inneutral density filter, the HD1000’s lens provides a spectacular field-of-viewwith a 38-380 mm range (35 mm equivalent). Combined with the 10x digital zoom,the HD1000 provides up to 100x total zooming capability.

LARGE 2.7 INCHWIDESCREEN DISPLAY

The HD1000 features a large 2.7 inchwidescreen Liquid Crystal Display (LCD). The display flips out from the cameraand rotates up to 285 degrees on axis, allowing you to take great video orstill images even from difficult-to-view positions, which is especially usefulwhen shooting in large crowds or in small rooms.

FOUR MEGAPIXELDIGITAL IMAGES

The Xacti HD1000 enablessimultaneous shooting of 4-megapixel still images and HD movie clips, with asimple press of the shutter button during the recording of a video clip. Usersneed never miss another precious photo opportunity. (Depending on the mode usedto take still images, simultaneous video clip shooting may be interrupted.While shooting video clips, using the digital image stabilizer may change theangle of view for still images.)

HDMI HIGH-DEFINITIONOUTPUT

It’?s easy to view and sharehigh-definition video on your HD television with the HD1000. Using the HDMI(High-Definition Multimedia Interface) terminal built into the base station,just one cable connects your camcorder to your TV for a totally digital output.HDMI carries both the video and audio signals in digital form for the highestquality playback.

RECORDS TO CONVENIENT SD/SDHC MEMORY CARD

The SANYO Xacti HD1000 recordshigh-definition and photos directly to a standard SD or SDHC Memory Card. Infact, the HD1000 is capable of recording up to 85 minutes of 1080ihigh-definition video on a single 8GB card (sold separately). The SD MemoryCard’s compact size and weight makes it ideal for the diminutive HD1000. Theminimal power requirements of the SD card also contribute to longer recordingand playback times. When connected to the computer via the USB cable, theHD1000 acts as a standard card reader. Transferring images and videos to yourcomputer has never been easier.

IMAGESTABILIZATION

High-definition can’t hide shaky orerratic camera movement. That’s why SANYO’s HD1000 comes with a sophisticatedimage stabilizer for both stills and video. This handy feature operates in bothwide-angle and telephoto modes, giving every shot a solid, professional-lookingfeel. For video-compatible anti-shake correction, SANYO further developed thedigital stabilizer based on previous proprietary image stabilizer technology,and advanced the technology to be more accurate in its correction, increasingthe image area detection function. Also, SANYO newly developed its proprietary “Superposition function” for higher still image quality. This function allowsfor clear pictures of the subject even when moving or rotation occurs.

AUTOMATIC “FACECHASER” FUNCTION FOR STILL IMAGES

The HD1000 includes a new “FaceChasera” function that automatically detects and isolates faces to assist thecamera’?s exposure and auto-focus. The HD1000 is capable of detecting up to 12independent faces at a time.

MANUAL CONTROLS

The HD1000 features versatile manualcontrols for advanced shooting. The following settings can be manually adjustedaccording to the shooting situation: Manual focus adjustment (16 settings);aperture adjustment (6 stops); exposure compensation (1.8 EV, 0.3 EV steps);shutter speed (13 settings); and image-quality adjustment (for sharpness andcolor saturation).

ADDITIONAL HD1000 FEATURES:

RandomAccess: Each video is recorded as an individual MPEG-4 and each still as a JPEG so you can have true randomaccess allowing you to review a specific image or video quickly and easily, without waiting for tape rewindingor fast forwarding.

EasyCamera to PC Connection: One of the more frustrating aspects of working withany digital media camera is jugglingall the wires and connections necessary when you want to use it with external components for viewing or to downloadfiles. SANYO’s HD1000 streamlinesthe whole process with an innovative docking station that provides an instant HDMI, component, composite or S-videoconnection to a TV and a USB connection for a PC.The HD1000 even recharges its internal battery when nested in the dockingstation.

Superfast Startup: With its tapeless design, the HD1000 eliminates the need to queueup a tape deck or get a DVD orhard drive spinning, allowing the HD1000 to begin shooting in as little as two seconds! When theHD1000 is powered on, closing the LCD display putsthe HD1000 in standby mode. Simply open the display and the HD1000 automatically powers up and can beginimmediately recording in as little as two seconds.

§ Equippedwith “SIMPLE” mode so even beginners can create high quality, beautiful high definition movies

§ Defaultsfor automatic settings can be accessed quickly with the Full-Auto button

§ Adoptsnewly developed 2.7 inch 230,000 pixel, widescreen TFT-LCD monitor designed for viewing HD footage.

§ Bundledwith ?Nero 7 Essentials for playback and Ulead DVD MovieFactory 5 SE for editing.

§ Newlydeveloped and long-lasting 1900 mAh Lithium-ion battery (DB-L50)

§ Allows useof external accessories such as an external strobe, video light, microphone, etc.

§ Optionaladapter lenses for increased telephoto or wide-angle conversion

§ Sixselectable video resolution modes and eight selectable still photo resolutions

§ ContinuousStill Image Shooting function at 7 frames per second*6

§ Able to takestill pictures while in the middle of Full HD movie recording*7

§ 9-imagequick display function

§ In-cameraediting

§ 48 kHz,16-bit, 2-channel sound

§ HeadphoneJack

In our WEVA brief we teased that Panasonic is developing a new DVCPRO camcorder to fit between the AG-HPX500 camcorder model ($14,000) and the AG-HVX200 camcorder model ($5,995). What we know at this moment is that it’s likely to be a shoulder-mount camcorder. Other than that initial information we gathered at WEVA, despite several failed attempts to contact our Panasonic peeps via emails and phone calls, we have no more news to report from Panasonic. But hey, we didn’t start the fire, so let’s just fan the flames a bit and see if we can’t get this topic noticed. Thus, we begin our conversation of wild speculation. This should be good.

Panasonic’s Opportunity
What we do know through a multitude of interactions with our readers is that there are small to medium-sized studios out there looking for a versatile HD camcorder with some professional fixings (i.e., HD SDI, interchangeable lens, shoulder-mount, etc.). Panasonic (as you can see from the image we manipulated above) doesn’t have a horse in this race. Well, at least not one with DVCPRO P2 technology at this price point. The Panasonic AJ-SDC615 ($9,995) is the closest we come in terms of price, but it’s a standard definition camcorder and without P2. Needless to say, Panasonic has an opportunity here and it will be interesting to see what they develop.

Product Spec-Speculation
We can’t help but speculate what this opportunity-of-a-camcorder might look like, and for the humor of revisiting this post 6-18 months from now (even more speculation), we’ll let you explore this further. Feel free to comment and let us know what you think might be the best solution for a shoulder-mount camcorder somewhere between the HPX500 and HVX200 camcorders. We’ll keep you informed if we see or hear any official information following this very unofficial post.

Live Earth, a global campaign for climate change, converges an International, environmental consciousness through entertainment while streaming every moment of it (140 hours of video content) to anyone with a high-speed Internet connection. How does Spinal Tap in London, Ludacris at Giants Stadium, a presentation from Naomi Campbell in South Africa, Linkin Park in Japan and other entertainers from concerts across the globe make it to your PC all in one day? It’s the task Incited Media took on, amounting to this temporary video village (top image), tent-staked in a parking lot in Los Angeles, California.

The Backend of Live Earth
Incited Media was receiving 10 live feeds (9 stages, plus a world feed) from a satellite tying together seven continents. Each feed was encoded and streamed live and then each music performance broken down (captured and encoded) into separate tracks for On-Demand. Preparing for this 24-hour event took Joe Einstein and Ben Rolling, the co-founders of Incited Media, three months on non-stop planning. Although this was the most amount of content they’ve ever processed in such a short time, it was essentially the same technical beast that Einstein and Rolling have faced in prior projects.

The Back-story of Incited Media
Incited Media’s back-story, which includes their ironic launch a few months after the dot-com burst (mid-2001), really begins to pick-up with their work on Live 8, a series of benefit concerts distributed via AOL. Rolling notes that the AOL webcast of Live 8 really showed for the first time that webcasting this type of an event could be done. And, not just in terms of the technical issues and getting the numbers right (finding your audience and mixing in the advertising). Einstein adds that what made the Live 8 event successful was the coverage, most importantly, un-moderated coverage.

Back to Live Earth
During our discussion with Incited Media, we touched on some recent events in webcasting where moderated coverage had it’s own setbacks. Rolling tells us that Live Earth decided on running disclaimer slates to warn viewers of potentially unsuitable material. But, un-moderated coverage is more than a topic on censorship, it’s about letting viewers choose their own experience within multi-path/multi-camera events. Leaving decisions for the end user about what they will experience. Rolling says how unusual this can seem, “when the band is done playing you have a shot of an empty stage,” as opposed to Broadcast TV where the viewer at that moment is swept away to the next predetermined program. At that moment for the webcasting viewer, maybe the experience is to continue that live feed or move onto other performances or interviews perhaps taken moments earlier via On-Demand, or move to another live stage in a different part of the world. This idea of interaction is not a revelation, but a realization that this is the nature of webcasting as a medium. That’s where the greatest gains will be for webcasting. This is especially true, as Rolling points out, with un-moderated, multi-camera sporting events. That’s something for the future, but could become a reality much sooner than expected.

The future of webcasting as a dominant medium for mass communication remains somewhat uncertain, yet it’s proving to be area of tremendous growth. There maybe a time in the near future where the corporation you work for, or your production company, or your local broadcaster will be webcasting themselves. So we asked Einstein and Rolling to kindly share a few simple tips with us so that anyone breaking into the webcast realm will be standing on their feet at the end of the day. Einstein stresses that the key to webcasting is building your strategy for content management, down to the specifics of what your naming convention should be, all the way to what player the viewer will be using. When building your strategy you should also consider how viewers will get to that content. A strategy for using metadata or some other tool for managing enormous amounts of information is also critical. Einstein highly recommends finding a consultant who can pick out those trouble areas before they become week long headaches. Additionally, Rolling stresses, to all things related to asset management, the importance of quality control. “So many people publish without ever checking their work,” Rolling states. This leads to broken links among other things that ultimately keep the viewer from seeing your content. In the seemingly infinite possibilities of a webcast, a dead end is as good as dead air.

SIDEBAR
After our brief chat with Joe Einstein and Ben Rolling we were looking at several pages of notes, dominated with jaw-dropping numbers from the Live Earth webcast. We’d thought we’d leave you with the list.

Live Earth webcast by the numbers:
3 months of non-stop planning
24-hour webcast event
80 technicians, editors, programmers and translators
9 Live Stages
1 Live World Feed
140 hours video
700 tracks of on-demand video
30 machines to encode video
26 live encoders, each doing a Windows Media and a QuickTime format
a team from EVS
90 servers at the encoding farm (not a single server crashed, by the way)
2 billion estimated world-wide audience (source: Live Earth)
15 million video streams during the live event (source: Live Earth)

From a Sony Press Release:
SAN DIEGO, Aug. 24, 2007 − Sony will introduce the world’s first HD Video WALKMAN, a compact, portable device to view and playback both high-definition HDV video and standard mini DV tapes.

The GV-HD700 features a WVGA (1,152k dots), 7-inch widescreen (16:9) LCD screen for monitoring video and still images. Its all-scan function ensures that 100% of the recorded frame area is displayed on the screen for accurate reviewing of shots. It can also record HDV and DV signals from an external source for use as a back-up deck as well as transfer still images from tapes to Memory Stick media cards.
For convenient operation, any of fourteen commonly-used functions, such as search, index mark and playback zoom, can be assigned to three function buttons. Users can customize the LCD screen by storing up to six set-ups. The unit’s status check mode gives handy on-screen confirmation of key audio, output, assign and LCD settings.
The model is equipped with multiple ports for recording and playing tapes from a range of sources, and also has HDMI output for connection to a compatible HDTV or computer monitor.
It also incorporates Sony x.v.Color™ technology. Based on the new international xvYCC color standard, Sony x.v.Color nearly doubles the data range of colors that can be displayed accurately on xvYCC-compliant displays, such as Sony BRAVIA® televisions.
Supplied accessories will include an AC Adaptor, wireless remote controller, component cable and AV Multi Cable (without S Video). For extra versatility the GV-HD700 can be used with InfoLITHIUM® L and M Series batteries.
The GV-HD700 will be available in September for about $1,300 at Sony Style® retail stores (www.sonystyle.com/retail), and at authorized dealers nationwide. Pre-orders are currently available at www.sonystyle.com.

reprinted from a Sony press release:

PARK RIDGE, N.J., Aug. 22, 2007 – Sony is introducing an entry-level professional HDV™ camcorder with a shoulder-mount design, bringing the benefits of HD production to a wider range of users.

The new HVR-HD1000U model is targeted toward wedding videographers, freelancers and educational video creators, offering them more versatility and more opportunities for generating business with a moderately priced camera.

“Our professional HDV camcorders are designed to offer customers high-definition shooting capability, along with maximum revenue-generating opportunities at a modest investment,” said Bob Ott, vice president of marketing for professional video products at Sony Electronics. “With its shoulder-mount design, this new camera brings affordable HD capabilities to a broader range of pro shooters.”

The HVR-HD1000U model supports both the HDV and the standard-definition DV formats. In DV mode, the unit can work exclusively as a DV camcorder, allowing users to maintain their current DV workflow without any disruptions. When needed, the camcorder can be instantly switched to high-definition mode.

The HDV format allows users to shoot approximately 60 minutes of HD video on a 6mm cassette tape. Sony’s highest-quality 6mm videotape, DigitalMaster™, is the recommended professional media for HDV applications. These 63-minute cassettes (model PHDVM63DM) use Sony’s AME (Advanced Metal Evaporated) II technology and features dual-active magnetic layers.

The new camcorder also has several down-conversion modes that output converted standard-definition signals to users’ current SD production systems, including displays and DV non-linear editing systems, while retaining an HD master tape for future use.

The camcorder adapts to a wide range of shooting situations and features a high-end Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonner T* 10x optical zoom lens to help reduce reflection. The Super SteadyShotâ„¢ (optical) feature of the unit is an image stabilizer using an active optical lens method that helps avoid any deterioration in image quality. The lens itself shifts vertically and horizontally to compensate for the polarized light axis in real-time.

The HVR-HD1000U camcorder uses Sony’s 1/2.9-inch ClearVid™ CMOS sensor system with its unique pixel layout rotated 45 degrees to provide higher resolution and sensitivity.

The camcorder’s photo creation functions can produce photo data for DVD jacket designs, website content, news, photo albums and other applications.

Users can capture up to 6.1 mega-pixel still images in Photo mode. In addition, it can capture up to 4.6 mega-pixel still images even while HD video is being recorded. For added flexibility, the new camera can capture still images from any moment of HDV recording in print-ready quality of up to 1.2 mega-pixels.

The camcorder also has a new configuration with an LCD monitor and an electronic view finder (EVF). The LCD monitor is in front of the camera operator when the camcorder is shoulder-mounted, and it is attached to the EVF level. This unique layout enables traditional EVF monitoring, as well as LCD monitoring for the operator even while the camcorder is held on the shoulder.

“The 180-degree tilt mechanism allows for LCD monitoring when the camcorder is held in a high- or low-angle position,” Ott said. “The 360-degree swivel mechanism will allow LCD monitoring from the front, right or even left of the camcorder so that a reporter or a director can monitor what is being captured by the camcorder.”

The “Smooth Slow Rec” function allows users to perform slow-motion playback by capturing images at four times faster than the normal field rate (240 fields/s). In this mode, quad-speed images are captured for three seconds, stored in the camcorder’s built-in buffer memory, and then recorded to tape (in either the HDV, DVCAM™, or DV formats) as slow-motion pictures lasting 12 seconds. When using this function, Ott said the resolution of the camera image is decreased.

The Super NightShotâ„¢ function of the new model uses a built-in infrared light emitter to record objects in zero lux light levels and to allow night-time monitoring and surveillance.

A multi-function assignable lens ring is located on the lens unit, and any one of the following functions can be assigned to the ring for easy adjustment: focus (default), zoom, brightness, shutter, auto exposure shift and white balance shift.

Other features include up to 10 hours operation using an optional NP-F970 battery, a range of digital I/O (HDMI, i.LINK®, USB, Memory Stick Duo™ slot), supplied external stereo microphone (ECM-PS1), and a multi-language menu.

The HVR-HD1000U camcorder is planned to be available in December, at a suggested list price of less than $1,900.

Our latest Tips and Tricks is up and running. Learn one of the simplest ways to color correct footage with bad color balance. Watch it now.

reprinted from an Adobe press releas:

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Aug. 21, 2007 — Adobe Systems Incorporated (Nasdaq:ADBE) today announced the latest update for Adobe® Flash® Player 9 software, code-named Moviestar, which includes H.264 standard video support - the same standard deployed in Blu-Ray® and HD-DVD® high definition video players - and High Efficiency AAC (HE-AAC) audio support, as well as hardware accelerated, multi-core enhanced full screen video playback. These advancements will extend Adobe’s leadership position in Web video by enabling the delivery of HD television quality and premium audio content through the ubiquitous Adobe Flash Player and pave the way to expand rich media Flash experiences on the desktop and H.264 ready consumer devices. The latest update for Adobe Flash Player 9 will be available in beta for immediate download later today on Adobe Labs at http://labs.adobe.com .

With H.264 encoding already available in Adobe Premiere® Pro and Adobe After Effects® software, H.264 playback is now enabled in Adobe Flash Player, and will be supported by the Adobe Integrated Runtime (AIR) and applications developed with Adobe AIR™ software, including Adobe Media Player™. Adobe AIR is a cross-operating system application runtime that enables developers to use their existing skills to build and deploy rich Internet applications to the desktop. The Adobe Media Player, which leverages Adobe’s Emmy® Award winning Flash architecture, delivers engaging video experiences to viewers while offering content publishers new abilities to distribute, track and build businesses around their media assets.

“Adobe is committed to providing a seamless creation-to-playback solution that allows creatives and developers to produce video and rich-media once, and then deploy that content across the widest array of distribution and playback environments,” said John Loiacono, senior vice president of Creative Solutions at Adobe. “Already a broadly adopted industry standard, the inclusion of the H.264 codec in Adobe Flash Player, Adobe AIR, the Creative Suite® product line, and the upcoming Adobe Media Player will accelerate customer workflows, enabling the creation and repurpose of high-quality Web video content without extra development costs.”
Broader Reach for Video Consumers

Adobe Flash Player content reaches over 98 percent of Internet-enabled desktops, as well as a wide range of devices. Today, both live and on demand television shows are being delivered online with video that can be viewed using Adobe Flash Player, and the technology also powers the video capabilities of social networking sites such YouTube and MySpace. As Adobe expands Flash experiences outside the Web browser, content can be shared across different devices and people can get great video experiences on the video players of their choice, including the upcoming Adobe Media Player. Consumers can also stream user-generated content such as home movies from Adobe Premiere® Elements with Adobe Flash Player and play video movies on handheld, portable devices.

“MTV Networks has consistently led the industry in making its popular music, entertainment and comedy programming available everywhere so our audiences can stay in touch with all the great content they love from CMT, COMEDY CENTRAL, Logo, MTV, Nickelodeon, Spike and VH1,” said Nick Rockwell, senior vice president and chief technology officer for MTV Networks. “Flash is an important part of that strategy and Adobe’s support of H.264 in Adobe Flash Player, Adobe AIR and the upcoming Adobe Media Player will ensure that we continue to deliver high-quality video to our diverse audiences who expect it.”

Content developers can reduce the cost of encoding and preparing data for distribution with H.264 and HE-AAC support in Adobe Flash Player, since these standards are already integrated into their existing authoring workflows. In addition, Adobe is working with an ecosystem of video encoding partners to expand rich media Flash experiences that already support these standards.
Availability

The public beta version of the update to Adobe Flash Player 9 software, code-named Moviestar, which includes H.264 and HE-AAC functionality, will be available later today as a free download from Adobe Labs at http://labs.adobe.com . The final release is expected to be available via update in the fall. Demonstrations of Adobe Flash® Media Server and Adobe Flash Media Encoder supporting the new codecs will be held during the IBC 2007 at the RAI Exhibition and Congress Center in Amsterdam, September 7- 11 (Stand 7.721) and again at the Adobe MAX conference in Chicago, which begins September 30th.