reprinted from a Panasonic press release:

SECAUCUS, NJ (October 31, 2007) – Panasonic announced the expansion of its professional AVCHD product line with the introduction of the AG-HMC70 AVCHD camcorder. As the industry’s first shoulder-mount AVCHD camcorder, the HMC70 records high-quality 1080i images onto readily available SD/SDHC memory cards.

Like Panasonic’s full production quality solid-state P2 HD recording system, this AVCHD camcorder eliminates the need for and cost of a special deck, as well as the time required to transfer content from a tape or optical disc to a PC for editing or content distribution. Since it uses a standard SD or SDHC card, the HMC70’s recording capacity will increase and media cost decrease as the industry announces new higher capacity cards.

Joining the small hand-held AG-HSC1U in Panasonic’s AVCHD camcorder line-up, the HMC70 utilizes the industry standard H.264-based Advanced Video Codec High Definition (AVCHD) video format to deliver crisp HD images. AVCHD delivers twice the recording efficiency of older MPEG-2 codec technologies like HDV, and it is supported by a growing number of nonlinear editing packages including Apple’s Final Cut Pro Version 6.0.1 and i-Movie, Grass Valley EDIUS Software Version 4.5, Pinnacle Studio Plus 11, Nero 7 Premium Reloaded, Ulead Video Studio 11 Plus and Ulead DVD Movie Factory 6 Plus.

The HMC70 features three native16:9 progressive ¼” CCDs to record, or provide a live feed of, widescreen 1440 x 1080 HD resolution images of weddings, sports, concerts, or other events. It can be used by law enforcement agencies for training or surveillance, by schools for use in video production, live staging and documentation, or by broadcasters and newspapers for web journalism. The camcorder is equipped with a 12X 38.5mm to 462mm* Leica wide-angle zoom lens, one-push auto focus, and integrated Optical Image Stabilization (O.I.S.) that ensures stable images, which are most critical when displaying high definition video. The camera also provides excellent color reproduction and inherits the exceptional color rendition of Panasonic’s other professional HD cameras.

The camcorder brings the benefits of solid-state recording to budget-conscious professionals. Like digital still photography, recording onto an SD/SDHC card offers a fast and simple IT-compatible workflow, and ensures ultra-reliable performance because the HMC70 uses no moving parts (unlike tape or disc-based camcorders) in the recording process. The HMC70 is resistant to shock, vibration, temperature change and extreme weather conditions and because it is solid-state, users have instant access to the recorded footage without the need to ingest or digitize. In addition, SD and SDHC memory cards are inexpensive, widely available, and can be reused repeatedly. Since AVCHD records video as digital data files, content can be transferred and stored on affordable, high-capacity hard disk drives(HDD) and optical storage media and transferred to new ones as advanced technology is introduced in the future.

The flexible camcorder provides professionals with continuous record time for long-form HD video production. With just the touch of a button, users can choose to shoot in one of the camera’s three recording modes – 6Mbps, 9Mbps or 13Mbps. Using the new 16GB SDHC memory card (available in November 2007), the HMC70 can record for up to 360 minutes at 6Mbps quality and up to 160 minutes at 13Mbps, the camera’s highest quality mode.

The HMC70’s lightweight, shoulder-mount design facilitates stable shooting and better balance during long recording sessions. The camcorder’s 3-inch 16:9 LCD monitor offers thumbnail display of recorded images so videographers can monitor or delete clips. Professionals can also capture 2.1 Megapixel still images with the camcorder onto the SDHC memory card – even during video recording. The SD card content can be played back directly on a growing number of large HD flat screen displays, front and rear-screen projectors, and PCs that offer an SD card slot with AVCHD decoder software. AVCHD content also can be played back on the Panasonic DMP-BD10AK Blu-ray Disc™ Player and on the PlayStation 3 game system. Using NLE software, content can also be rendered in various formats and delivered on a wide range of media.

Unlike entry-level cameras, the HMC70 offers professional audio capabilities including two XLR Mic/Line switchable inputs with attenuation, +48V Phantom Power, and both Auto & Manual level with Rec level dials. This allows flexible, high quality audio recording using a wide range of wired and wireless microphones and mixers.

Professionals can instantly transfer content from the HMC70 camcorder to Mac or PC computers with an SD/SDHC card reader or by connecting the camcorder directly via its USB 2.0 interface. Other connectors that provide even greater flexibility include HD/SD component and composite (BNCs), HDMI and RCA audio jacks.

The HMC70 will be available in April 2008. Options will include a VW-VBG6 5,800-mAH Battery,
VW-W4307H Wide Conversion Lens, and VW-T4314H Tele Conversion Lens.

reprinted from a NVIDIA press release:

SANTA CLARA, CA—OCTOBER 30, 2007—Broadcast, video and film professionals engaged in editing, compositing, and color grading can now benefit from the advanced features of new NVIDIA Quadro® FX 5600 SDI and Quadro™ FX 4600 SDI graphics cards. These next-generation graphics-to-video-out solutions from NVIDIA, which allow real-time rendering to become an integral part of the production work flow, feature 8-, 10- and 12-bit uncompressed SDI output in SD, HD, or 2K formats, Genlock support, improved 2D video compositing capabilities, 3D graphics and graphics processing unit (GPU) programmability, and more.

The NVIDIA Quadro FX 5600 SDI and Quadro FX 4600 SDI graphics solutions now also offer:

-2D Video Pass-Through Compositing—enables incoming video to be passed through and alpha composited, luma keyed or chromakeyed with the Quadro rendered graphics image on the outgoing SDI video
-Large Frame Buffers—768 MB to 1.5 GB ultra-fast graphics frame buffer memory delivers high throughput for interactive visualization of large models and high-performance for real-time processing of textures and frames while enabling high-quality, full-scene antialiasing (FSAA)
-8K Texture and Render Processing—offers the ability to texture from and render to 8K x 8K surfaces
-Next-Generation Vertex and Pixel Programmability—provides a higher level of performance and ultra-realistic effects using the Shader Model 4.0 standard, supporting OpenGL and DirectX 10 applications
-Ancillary Data Support—allows an ancillary data channel for audio, timecodes, and more

Pricing and Availability

The Quadro FX 4600 SDI GPU has a MSRP of $5999 and the Quadro FX 5600 SDI GPU is being offered at a MSRP of $6999. NVIDIA Quadro technology solutions are widely available through leading system manufacturers, workstation system integrators, and NVIDIA channel partners such as PNY Technologies (US and EMEA), Leadtek (APAC) and Elsa (Japan). For more information about the complete lineup of NVIDIA Quadro GPU professional solutions, please visit www.nvidia.com/quadro.

San Jose, California, USA - October 26, 2007 - Today, Blackmagic Design Inc. released Multibridge 6.6, DeckLink 6.6 and Intensity 1.8 software for the new Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard. This software release also includes support for Adobe’s Mac version of their highly popular Premiere Pro CS3 version 3.1.

Blackmagic Design users can now quickly find and preview their video media files, using Cover Flow and Quick Look, now featured within the new Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard.

With added support for Premiere Pro CS3 v3.1 for Mac OS X, Blackmagic Design customers can also:

- Use project presets for capture and playback using Apple’s uncompressed codecs in high definition and standard definition, and Apple’s DV compressed codec in standard definition. Also included are project presets for standard and widescreen support in standard definition using both Apple’s uncompressed and DV codecs.
- This new release features project presets for capture and playback using Blackmagic’s 10-bit RGB codec for 2K film and high definition 4:4:4 video providing Mac users full film editing capabilities with Premiere Pro CS3 v3.1. Featured on all Multibridge PCIe and DeckLink HD cards.
- Other features for Premiere Pro CS3 v3.1 users include Insert and Assemble edit-to-tape for decks which support these features, and RS-422 device control. Featured on all Multibridge PCIe and DeckLink cards.

These software updates are for Blackmagic Design’s Multibridge, DeckLink and Intensity families of products.

Availability and Price
These new software updates are available now free of charge for all registered Multibridge, DeckLink and Intensity customers from the Blackmagic Design web site at www.blackmagic-design.com

We can’t help but flaunt the world’s first Blu-ray Disc camcorder that arrived in our office today. Say hello to the Hitachi DZ-BD7HA Blu-ray Disc camcorder, their flagship model that squeezes in an additional 30 GB hard drive. We’ve only had time to unbox it and take in a short moment of joy knowing this could be a significant change in consumer video formats. Or, it could just fade away like any other not-so-much-adopted technology. But, we won’t let that destroy our moment for now.

Check back in with us as we’ll be taking more snapshots and running the DZ-BD7HA Blu-ray Disc camcorder through its paces next week. Our full review will be published to our website and in the January issue which will reach newsstands and mailboxes weeks before the format war ends according to that Panasonic Exec at CEATEC.

reprinted from a Lensbabies press release:

New York, NY – (October 18, 2007) PhotoPlus Expo 2007 Booth #1046 – Lensbabies, LLC disclosed today the Lensbaby 3GPL, a PL mount version of its acclaimed selective focus (SLR) lens, Lensbaby 3G. The Lensbaby 3GPL is a unique prime lens specially designed for use with motion image capture. The retail price is $490. Lensbaby 3GPL lenses and sample clips are available now at www.lensbabies.com/movies.

With fixed or flexible “tilt and swing” positioning, the Lensbaby 3GPL allows for highly creative focusing effects on any 16mm or 35mm PL mount movie camera, as well as several PL to video camera adapters such as the P+S Technik (http://www.pstechnik.de/en/index.php), Redrockmicro M2 (http://www.redrockmicro.com/), Brevis35 (http://www.cinevate.com/) and SGpro (http://www.sgpro.co.uk/).

“The PL Mount Lensbaby 3G brings to cinematographers the unique ability to produce selective focus footage in-camera that is different from what is possible with existing tilt-shift lenses,” says Craig Strong, the inventor of the Lensbaby and Co-Founder of Lensbabies, LLC. “With the Lensbaby 3GPL the photographer is able to choose between a spontaneous focus-and-tilt-on-the-fly technique or a fixed tilt with a manual far-to-near focus technique similar to traditional PL mount lenses. We created the Lensbaby 3GPL to provide cinematographers with a new tool that extends their creative range by allowing them to create unique imagery.”

Like its still camera predecessors, Lensbaby 3GPL allows filmmakers to bring one part of their frame into sharp focus; a ‘sweet spot’ surrounded by gradually increasing blur. Photographers can move the sweet spot of sharp focus anywhere in the photo by bending the flexible body of the Lensbaby. When not bent, the sweet spot remains in the center of the image with the blur equally distributed around the edge of the image.

“Lensbabies is thrilled to be introducing a new selective focus lens for movie making. Our lenses have become quite popular in the still photography market, but we think that some of the most exciting applications will happen in the movies, where the dreamy, ethereal look of selective focus is going to knock people’s socks off,” said Strong.

“When I first learned about the Lensbaby concept, I was intrigued with the possibilities for moving images,” said Christopher Hart, Cinematographer with Eastman Kodak Co. “I tested the Lensbaby 3G with the PL mount on my Arri 35-3 with great success. Its inherent distortion created evocative images that were both moody and playful. Outside of the ‘sweet spot’, the de-focused images had a wonderful organic feel to them. I’ve always been frustrated with using swing and shift lenses, but the 3G was actually enjoyable to use. Having a small specialty lens in my kit that can help create beautiful, atmospheric images will be perfect for certain applications.”

Focusing the 3GPL is simple: by compressing and bending the lens manually the area of focus can be determined and simply locked into a fixed position by pressing a button. Then, using a traditional manual focus mechanism, camera operators are able to follow focus or fine tune the focus at a fixed position. Likewise, similar to the Lensbaby 2.0 and Original Lensbaby for still SLR cameras, the photographer has the option of focusing freely without locking their Lensbaby 3GPL for a spontaneous selective focus effect.

The Lensbaby 3GPL features a multi-coated, low dispersion, glass optic, a flexible lens body, and three threaded metal rods that emerge from the camera mount and pass through the focusing collar. A trigger button on the focusing collar releases three pins that engage the threaded metal rods and lock the Lensbaby 3GPL in a bent position to permit precise focus and complete control.

Photographers can also mount onto the front of their Lensbaby 3GPL a variety of 37mm or 52 mm threaded accessories, such as wide angle and telephoto conversion lenses, filters, and hoods. Please note that the Lensbaby Macro Kit will not work on the Lensbaby 3GPL.

reprinted from a Red Giant Software press release:

San Francisco, CA, October 18, 2007 – Red Giant Software has released Magic Bullet Looks, its highly anticipated and revolutionary color correction tool. Looks’ powerful tools can be used on-set or in the edit suite to subtly adjust tone, color and focus to simulate the appearance of classic films or duplicate specific production conditions. Users can choose from more than a hundred Look presets, all neatly organized into 10 categories, to help set the mood for anything from a wedding video to the next Sundance original.

Magic Bullet Looks includes Magic Bullet LooksBuilder, a stand-alone application to pre-visualize looks anywhere. LooksBuilder’s intuitive interface models the way light moves through a camera with simulated filters, lenses and film stocks that can be adjusted on the fly. Look presets are portable and load into any of the supported editing hosts, so the same Looks created on set are the ones used to finish in the editorial suite. Hundreds of look options are available with one click right in your editor, without having to go to a separate finishing system.

“When you shoot on location, you’re often stuck with what nature gives you. Often the lighting is poor and you have to make do. Magic Bullet Looks lets me re-light my shots and make my talent look great all with a few simple clicks.” said Eric Escobar, filmmaker at Kontent Films in San Francisco.
• For detailed Product Information, visit: http://redgiantsoftware.com/magicbulletlooks.html
• For answers to Frequently Asked Questions, visit: http://redgiantsoftware.com/magicbulletlooksfaq.html

What’s New?

• A brand-new interface for creating and customizing looks easier and more intuitively • More than 100 Look presets that offer popular looks like Crime Scene, Blue Bleach, or Subtle Film • 36 powerful new tools expand upon the 10 simple functions of Magic Bullet Editors’ Look Suite

Pricing and Availability

Magic Bullet Looks is the next generation of look tools for Magic Bullet Editors and Magic Bullet Suite, customers and includes:
• A plug-in for Adobe After Effects, Final Cut Pro, Avid, Adobe Premiere Pro, & Motion • A stand-alone LooksBuilder application that runs on laptops for Looks generation anywhere • Magic Bullet Misfire adds film damage such as dust and scratches to artificially age a film

Magic Bullet Looks is available for $399 USD. Existing Magic Bullet Editors or Magic Bullet Suite customers may upgrade to Magic Bullet Looks for $99 USD.

Customers who purchased Magic Bullet Editors or Magic Bullet Suite on or after April 11, 2007 are entitled to a free upgrade and should complete this form: http://redgiantemail.com/survey_form.cfm?ID=35