Archive for January, 2006

Streamload offers free 25GB video sharing service

by | January 23rd, 2006


Reprinted from a Streamload press release

SAN DIEGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–January. 16, 2006 – Streamload, a leading provider of online digital media services, today announced worldwide availability of Streamload MediaMax, the world’s largest online media center. Streamload MediaMax offers a suite of services that allow users to centrally store, organize, access, and share their personal media collections online. As of today, subscribers can now get the standard Streamload MediaMax account with 25 GB of online storage and access to five integrated media-sharing and locker services free. Users may upgrade to industry leading 250 GB of online storage space for $9.95 per month.

Among its new offerings, Streamload MediaMax features VideoShare, the first full-quality video sharing service of its kind. It enables users to create video albums, preview their videos via automatically created thumbnails, and share full-quality video files (including high-definition video) as easily as they send email. For the first time, people have the freedom and tools to share their home videos and photos in full-quality original formats and also securely access their music, TV shows and movie recordings remotely via an Internet-connected TV, PC, or Personal Media Center device.

"Many camcorder users are frustrated when it comes to sharing videos due to capacity and file-size limitations and steep learning curves," said Steve Iverson, president and CEO of Streamload. ";We have removed capacity limits and created a service that is so easy to use that anyone can better enjoy and manage their entire digital media collection in one central, secure, and always accessible place. Our free service, powered by our proprietary file storage technology, is more compelling than any paid-subscription service available today."

Streamload MediaMax runs on Windows, Mac OS and Linux. The standard service is free and comes with 25 GB of online storage. The premium service gives subscribers full-featured access with 250 GB of storage for $9.95 per month (when paid annually.) Streamload MediaMax subscriptions and more information can be found at http://www.streamload.com.

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Blackmagic’s new offering for Adobe products

by | January 23rd, 2006


Reprinted from a Blackmagic press release

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, USA – January 20, 2006 – Today Blackmagic Design
announced the immediate availability of a new software update with support
for Adobe Production Studio and Adobe Premiere Pro 2.0. All of Blackmagic
Design’s DeckLink series editing and compositing products feature the new
enhanced Blackmagic software, which enables post-production, effects and
video editing professionals to work with uncompressed HD and SD video with
Adobe Production Studio applications.

Blackmagic’s new software, the first available with 4:4:4 10 bit RGB video
capabilities, also supports real time effects in HD resolutions and a full 10
bit workflow within Adobe Production Studio applications. This enables
seamless transition between the video and graphics applications, including
Adobe Premiere Pro 2.0, Adobe After Effects 7.0 and Adobe Photoshop CS2.

Key points

  • Every DeckLink card shipped can now take advantage of Adobe Production
    Studio;
  • Multibridge Extreme is the only PCI Express solution for Adobe Production
    Studio – allowing customers to use the latest high speed Windows PCs with
    PCI Express slots;
  • Only Blackmagic supports dual link RGB 4:4:4 for feature film editors
    working with Adobe Production Studio;
  • Only Blackmagic has products compatible with Adobe Production Studio
    that feature both analog and SDI digital video connections;
  • Blackmagic supports a full 10 bit rendering pipeline for Adobe Production
    Studio;

“The Adobe Production Studio has really come of age in this release, and
is perfect for the high end television, post production and broadcast industries&quot
said Grant Petty, CEO of Blackmagic Design. &quotWe worked very closely with
Adobe to provide a flexible, affordable end-to-end Dual Link HD 4:4:4 10
bit RGB workflow straight out of the box – a world first that can not be
matched in picture quality, price or workflow on the Windows platform today.&quot

Availability
Blackmagic’s latest software driver is available for download immediately
from the Blackmagic Design support web site located at www.blackmagic-design.com/support/software/.

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Blu-ray drives completed by Samsung

by | January 23rd, 2006


Reprinted from a Samsung press release

San Jose, CA –January 19, 2006 –TSST Korea (Toshiba Samsung Storage Technology Corporation) announced today that it has completed the technical development of its Blu Ray Disc Drives. These revolutionary products for the Optical Disc Drive market offer a massive storage capacity up to 25GB at a single layer disc.

"As a global technology leader, Samsung is always on the forefront of cutting-edge technologies, working to provide consumers with best-of-breed products" said Albert Kim, national sales manger, Storage Systems for Samsung SSI. "Samsung’s announcement of the completion of its Blu Ray disc drive is a major step ahead in the ODD technology battleground. "

Better Performance

The demand for high-definition and large storage capacity is taking off and both Blu Ray and HD-DVD are next generation optical disc formats.

In the Blu Ray drive, the Blue laser is the core factor that enables the next generation optical disc format. Current DVDs uses the red laser (650nm) to read and write data, while Blu Ray and HD-DVD use a shorter wavelength, blue laser (405nm). As a result, the Blu Ray beam can focus more precisely, enabling it to read information recorded in pits that are only 0.16 microns long, which is more than twice as small as the pits on a DVD. Also the smaller pit length allows for the storing of up to 25GB in a single layer disc — about five times more than can be stored on a standard DVD disc.

Elegant Design

The enhanced design that was first incorporated into Samsung’s External DVD Writer is being adapted to the Blu Ray Drive as well. Samsung’s Blu Ray Drive has the sophisticated black and silver color design of a high-end A/V product that would look perfect even in a living room.

More Applications

Blu Ray offers an outstanding 50GB of storage capacity on a double-layer disc (25GB on a single- layer disc). A single-layer Blu-ray Disc can hold 25GB, which can be used to record over 2 hours of HDTV or more than 13 hours of standard-definition TV. There are also dual-layer versions of the discs that can hold 50GB. Moreover, consumers can enjoy High Definition Blu Ray ROM movies at home, and record Digital Broadcast Programming.

Like all the other Samsung ODD Drives, the Blu Ray drive is eco-friendly and supports Firmware Live Updates that allow users to ensure they always have the latest Blu Ray firmware version.

Samsung Electronics is a member of Blu Ray Association and will launch internal and external Blu Ray drives simultaneously in 2006 under the Samsung Brand name through the Samsung Electronics distribution channel.

For more information about Samsung’s Optic Disc Drive products, visit http://www.samsung.com.

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Imation buys rival Memorex

by | January 23rd, 2006


Reprinted from an Imation press release

Imation agreed to buy Memorex for 330 million cash, marking a return to its AV roots dating to its spinoff from 3M 10 years ago. The Oakdale, Minn., optical storage supplier also will pay up to 45 million over a 3-year period in buying a combined 67 percent stake in the company from Hanny Holdings and Investor Asia. Under the proposed acquisition, Memorex will emerge as a Imation subsidiary based in Cerritos, Cal., under the direction of Pres. Mike Golacinski, a onetime Maxell executive. In addition to Hanny and Investor Asia, Memorex media suppliers Ritek and CMC Magnetics also own a stake in the company. After the sale closes in mid-2nd quarter, Memorex will emerge as Imation’s brand at retail, while its own banner focuses on business-tobusiness, Imation CEO Bruce Henderson told analysts in an earnings conference call Fri. Imation will acquire $90-$100 million in net tangible assets and $230-$240 million in intangible assets,Imation officials said. After the purchase closes, Imation will have $175 million cash and no debt, CFO Paul Zeller said. It will seek to increase its revolving credit facility to $200-$250 million from $100 million, he said. The acquisition will be "highly accretive" to Imation’s earnings starting in 2007, following a year of integration,Henderson said. Imation expects to incur $13-$17 million in restructuring charges as a result of the Memorex acquisition, company officials said.

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Imation to make Blu-Ray and HD-DVD Products

by | January 17th, 2006

Reprinted from an Imation press releaseOAKDALE, Minn. (January 11, 2006) – Imation Corp, a worldwide leader in removable data storage

media, today announced it has begun its scale-up of manufacturing for HD DVD and Blu-ray optical

recordable media in preparation for product introduction in early 2006. The company invested more than

$10 million in 2005 in research, development and modular manufacturing capabilities to position

Imation among the industry leaders delivering the newest high-capacity optical formats to customers.

A member of the Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA) and DVD Forum, Imation has dedicated teams

completing technology development and final product refinements for single layer and double layer

advanced optical formats. With more than 25 years of optical disc technology expertise dating to the

introduction of the first video disc in 1982, Imation continues to pioneer superior optical media

production technologies. To enable flexibility in responding to market requirements for both Blu-ray

and HD DVD products, the company will utilize modular manufacturing processes and leverage key Imation

technologies at its Oakdale, Minn. facility, including:

  • Patented Exacting High-Density Mastering. A proprietary, first-of-its-kind "reverse

    mastering and inverted stamping" process helps create the next generation of optical formats of

    HD DVD and Blu-ray optical media with track pitches less than 425 nanometers (at these densities more

    than 250 tracks would fit across the width of a human hair). Imation’s patented mastering techniques,

    used in conjunction with its state-of-the-art deep UV and custom UV mastering systems, ensure this

    first, and most critical, stage of manufacturing creates a HD DVD or Blu-ray master with recording

    tracks of extremely high precision, resolution and consistency, resulting in cost-effective

    manufactured discs with superior recording quality.

    • p>

  • Nano-Replication and Precision Molding. Imation pioneered the use of advanced photopolymer

    nano-replication for stamper production, the next manufacturing stage for optical discs. Combined with

    the advantages of Imation’s exacting high-density mastering technology, its unique nano-replication

    process creates precision stampers with extremely high consistency and fidelity. Imation’s precision

    molding processes ensure the excellent mechanical and replication characteristics necessary to

    consistently create the best possible discs for recording and playback.

    • p>

  • High-Performance Thin-Film Composition. Imation’s historical experience and leadership in

    thin-film engineering led to the design of thin-film information storage layers in its rewritable

    disks. These thin-film information storage layers are composed of a precise mixture of germanium,

    antimony and tellurium that deliver both very low jitter and excellent data retention – ranking among

    the best of all Blu-ray media manufacturers. Imation’s new state-of-the-art thin-film production

    coater, located at its Oakdale Discovery Technology Center, is capable of manufacturing all

    thin-film-based optical recording formats including single layer and double layer rewritable and

    write-once discs.

  • Vacuum-Bonding Process. Imation uses a vacuum-bonding process for the final and critical

    manufacturing stage of bonding the 100 micron cover layer on Blu-ray discs and the 0.6 mm substrates

    for HD DVD discs. Through vacuum-bonding, Imation achieves excellent uniformity and adhesion in this

    cost-effective bonding technique, ensuring consistent high-performance and reliable media. Hard

    Coating. A protective disc coating that provides scratch-resistance, anti-static dust resistance and

    smear-resistance provides a more durable, protected media surface.

  • Industry Compatibility. Through participation and contribution in the DVD Forum and BDA

    testing and verification processes, all Imation Blu-ray and HD DVD media will be manufactured to meet

    format and content protection specifications to achieve compatibility with industry hardware that also

    meets these standards.

    • "Producing both Blu-ray and HD DVD recordable optical media requires advanced manufacturing

    processes and technology savvy," said Richard Weiss, vice president of research and development,

    Imation. "Imation’s continued technology inventions and innovative approaches to modular

    manufacturing at our Discovery Technology Center position us well to scale-up both new optical

    formats. "

    Throughout 2006, Imation plans to launch the BD-RE (rewritable) and BDR (recordable) 25GB single

    layer and 50GB double layer Blu-ray formats. Also in 2006, Imation plans to launch the HD DVD-R

    (recordable) and HD DVD-RW (rewritable) 15GB single layer and 30GB double layer HD DVD formats. Select

    formats will be available starting the first half of 2006, based on drive and recorder availability.

    For more information, go to www.imation.com.

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    Manfrotto introduces new versatile tripod line

    by | January 17th, 2006

    Reprinted from a Manfrotto press releaseLas Vegas (January 16, 2006) – Manfrotto, the world’s most renowned brand for professional photo and video accessories, introduced the Modo family of tripods – the world’s first photo and video tripod designed for everyday use – earlier this month at CES 2006.

    Manfrotto has taken the professional features from their best-selling products and incorporated them into the Modo to create a high-performance, ultra-compact and lightweight tripod that packs into any bag or backpack. Now, even the amateur photographer can utilize the techniques of professionals and take high quality photographs and video.

    All Modo tripods feature a number of innovative design elements that come together to create a unique blend of stability, portability and ease of use. Developed with a versatile hybrid head, the Modo can be used with both digital camera and video equipment. With the touch of the safety button, the quick-release plate allows the user to easily switch between cameras and equipment, making capturing family, vacation and everyday moments simple.

    When stored, the Modo can fold down to fit almost anywhere. Extremely portable, the highly compact Modo 785SHB folds to a mere 14 inches while the larger 785B is only 4.1 in. longer when collapsed, measuring 17.1 in.

    However, while these tripods are compact, they can stand tall when needed. The compact 785SHB has a maximum height of 45 in. Towering over the 785SHB, the larger 785B is the tallest tripod in the Modo line with a maximum height of 59.2 in. All Modo tripods feature quick flip leg locks that allow the user to easily open, close and adjust them to any intermediate height.

    Modo tripods not only have a high reach, but they can also get low. For low angle images, the bottom of the innovative center column is designed to twist off, and the three variable leg angles allow the tripods to reach 6.1 in. (the 785SHB model) or 6.9 in (785B model) from ground level.

    As is the case with all Manfrotto tripods, the Modo was designed for quick, easy and reliable use. The black, aluminum alloy tripods feature a sleek oval leg shape, making adjusting them even easier by preventing the legs from rotating.

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    Adobe Releases New Production Bundle

    by | January 17th, 2006

    Reprinted from an Adobe press releaseSAN JOSE, Calif. — Jan. 17, 2006 — Adobe Systems Incorporated today unveiled Adobe Production Studio, an extension of the Adobe Creative Suite family of products. The most complete post-production software solution available today, Adobe Production Studio combines full new versions of Adobe’s world class video and graphics applications—Adobe After Effects 7.0, Adobe Premiere Pro 2.0, Adobe Audition 2.0, Adobe Encore 2.0 and the latest versions of Adobe Photoshop CS2 and Adobe Illustrator CS2—with time-saving innovations such as Adobe Dynamic Link that deliver a highly efficient workflow experience. Adobe Production Studio also integrates Flash Video (FLV) export capabilities to provide video professionals with a new, fluid method of delivering content to the Web using this ubiquitous Web video standard.

    "From individual creatives and videographers to high-end production studios, our customers create award winning work that engages audiences worldwide," said Shantanu Narayen, president and COO of Adobe. "With unparalleled integration between milestone releases of After Effects, Adobe Premiere Pro, and Photoshop CS2, the workflow productivity that Dynamic Link delivers, and new Flash Video support, Adobe Production Studio saves users time so they can focus on their creative challenges."

    Adobe Production Studio delivers ground-breaking workflow improvements that allow users to maximize their productivity. Adobe Dynamic Link allows users to move After Effects compositions directly into Adobe Premiere Pro and Encore DVD, without having to render them first. Changes are automatically updated, so users can instantly see refinements in context. Other productivity-enhancing workflow features include: a new unified interface; the ability to capture footage using Adobe Premiere Pro from within After Effects; and Adobe Bridge, a full-featured file browser that can be launched independently or accessed from any Production Studio component. With Adobe Production Studio, users can maintain creative momentum within an integrated post-production environment.

    "Adobe is clearly committed to the video and post-production professional," said Lance Bachelder, Supervising Editor for O Entertainment! "Adobe Production Studio will excite a lot of people and give those looking for a totally integrated workflow for editing, motion graphics, effects, sound design, and DVD authoring a true pro solution."

    The Adobe Video Bundle couples Adobe Production Studio and Flash Professional 8 for an estimated street price of US$1999. For more detailed information about new features, upgrade policies and pricing, please visit: www.adobe.com/productionstudio .

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    Maxtor adds new OneTouch drives

    by | January 10th, 2006

    reprinted from a Maxtor press release

    Consumer Electronics Show (CES) – LAS VEGAS (Suite # N227-N228) – January 5, 2006 – With the goal

    of making data backup and protection effortless, Maxtor Corporation (NYSE: MXO) announced today a new

    family of Maxtor OneTouch III external storage and backup solutions that offer a range of features,

    capacities and performance for home users, creative professionals and business executives. Available

    on retail shelves starting this month, the line of Maxtor OneTouch III storage solutions, with

    capacities from 100GB to one terabyte (1,000 GB), provide easy-to-use, automated backup and restore

    capabilities for PC and Mac users. New software tools, including the ability to synchronize data

    between two or more computers and a System Rollback feature that helps return PC systems to a

    healthier state after a damaging spyware attack, are now integrated into the entire Maxtor OneTouch

    III family of products.

    The Maxtor OneTouch III solution, with a triple FireWire 800/FireWire 400/USB 2.0 interface, was

    selected as a CES 2006 Innovations Design and Engineering Honoree in the Computer Accessories

    category. It was chosen for its engineering qualities, the product’s intended use/function, unique

    features, and aesthetic and design qualities, among other reasons. To meet the needs of mainstream

    creative and business professionals, Maxtor is offering the Maxtor OneTouch III with dual interfaces,

    FireWire 400 and USB 2.0, for quickly and easily backing up photos, music and data. For the home PC

    market, the company is offering a USB 2.0-only interface model that provides basic file-level backup

    capabilities.

    Like the 1TB Maxtor OneTouch III, Turbo Edition launched in October 2005, the expanded Maxtor

    OneTouch III family sports an innovative new industrial design, an improved consumer friendly user

    interface and a redesigned retail package from award-winning consulting firm frog design inc. Built to

    last, the Maxtor OneTouch III family features improved acoustics, an inner disk drive casing and shock

    mounts for additional durability and drive protection. The entirely new user interface is simple to

    navigate for both Mac and PC users, making it easier to set up and manage data backup, file archiving

    and system settings. All Maxtor OneTouch external storage and backup systems come with an added data

    security feature called Maxtor DriveLock, which provides a password protection option to safeguard

    contents if the drive is ever lost or stolen.

    " Digital entertainment and data have become absolutely integral to our everyday lives, for

    people and businesses, but the vast majority of us still don’t protect valuable files by backing them

    up," said Stacey Lund, vice president of marketing, Maxtor Branded Products Group. "At

    Maxtor, we strive to bring innovative solutions to market that make it simple to expand, share, and

    protect your digital life. Our new Maxtor OneTouch III family is designed from the inside out to be

    the easiest, most trustworthy way to back up and store photos, videos, games, music, business data and

    personal information."

    Based on customer feedback and innovative technologies, Maxtor has added Sync, the ability to

    automatically synchronize files between two or more systems on the same operating platform, across its

    new family of Maxtor OneTouch III storage solutions. Increasingly, customers want to share data easily

    and automatically between home and office, synching files and folders in both computers. Also, to

    combat spyware, adware and computer registry issues that can slow a system to a crawl or even a

    screeching halt, the new Maxtor OneTouch III product family includes a System Rollback feature that

    reverts the system to a healthier point in time while preserving the most current user data in Word

    and Excel documents, photos, music and other digital files. System programs that can be rolled back in

    time include operating system, settings and applications.

    Maxtor OneTouch III external storage and backup solutions will be available starting in January at

    major retailers, distributors and online stores, as well as at www.maxstore.com. Worldwide

    availability varies by region. The Maxtor OneTouch III with a triple interface will be available late

    in Q1 2006. Please visit www.maxtor.com for local distribution channels and retail outlets.
    Manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) for the Maxtor OneTouch III family ranges from $159.95

    for the 100GB USB 2.0 only version to $479.95 for the 500GB triple interface solution. MSRP for the

    1TB Maxtor OneTouch III, Turbo Edition is $899.95.

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    Imagine Products to offer road show

    by | January 10th, 2006

    reprinted from an Imagine Products press release

    Continuing our road show demonstrations into 2006, Imagine Products, Inc. cordially invites you

    to attend one of the following live presentations of our Macintosh video logging products:

    Jan 10 – Nashville FCP Users Group www.NAProViG.org NEXT WEEK!
    Jan 25 – Los Angeles FCP Users Group www.LAFCPUG.com
    Jan 26 – Miami (So. FL) FCP Users Group www.fcutpro.com
    Feb 1 – Seattle FCP Users Group www.dbug.org
    Feb 22 – Chicago FCP Users Group www.chifcpug.org
    Feb 28 – Indianapolis FCP Users Group www.indy-fcpug.org

    We’ve been making deluxe cataloging solutions for 15 years. Our newest and best Mac OSX

    applications, HD Log and Mac Digital Clip Library, are for anyone that’s ever lost a clip or works

    with others.

    See how you can digitize directly onto X-Serve, transcribe, print, database, web share clips, and

    provide full screen "video assist" playback instantly without rewinding your HD camera or

    deck.

    HD Log www.Imagineproducts.com/hdlog.htm supports many different workflows, scene detection

    methods, acquisition formats and hardware-and works seamlessly with Final Cut Pro.

    Let us show you how to get more out of your time and editor.
    Imagine Products, Inc. is a registered Apple Developer.

    http://www.apple.com/finalcutstudio/finalcutpro/resources.html

    PS: Not close to any of the above locations? Drop us a line if you’d like us to present to your

    user group. Look for other upcoming events in your area and where we’ve been on our news page:

    http://www.ImagineProducts.com/news.htm

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    Cooke Optics enters consumer market

    by | January 10th, 2006

    reprinted from a Cooke Optics press release

    Las Vegas, NV (CES/January 5, 2006) – Cooke Optics, the world’s leading manufacturer of optics and

    lenses for the motion picture industry, has announced the formation of an exploratory business unit to

    investigate partnership opportunities with leading consumer electronics companies, for the purpose of

    supplying Cooke-branded precision optics for consumer-level digital video camcorders. The announcement

    was made at the 2006 International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nevada.
    Cooke lenses are used by Hollywood’s most successful and respected directors of photography and

    cinematographers to shoot many of the most acclaimed and profitable motion pictures seen on the big

    screen every year, including recent releases Jarhead, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, and The

    Wedding Crashers. The decision to commercialize the renowned Cooke lens technology for consumer-level

    digital camcorders is a natural extension for the brand that should add significant value, prestige

    and consumer demand to the products on which they are utilized.

    "This is an extraordinary opportunity to integrate the collective strengths of world leaders

    in their respective fields, to create an exciting and profitable product offering," notes Les

    Zellan, Chairman of Cooke Optics. "Studies tell us that today’s consumers are highly attuned to

    quality; they recognize and reward companies that they perceive as providing a superior-quality

    product, and are willing to pay premium to attain it. We believe that when consumers look ‘down the

    barrel’ of a digital camcorder at the retail counter, and see the Cooke name on the lens of a

    camcorder from a known CE manufacturer, it will become a significant tipping point in their buying

    process."

    Zellan notes that some CE companies have already seen the benefit of partnering with a premium lens

    supplier for both digital still and digital video cameras, and have realized significant benefits from

    the association. Zellan sees this as a growing industry trend, and predicts a greater "separation

    " in the minds of consumers who will make choices based on their brand and quality

    perceptions.

    " Moreover," continues Zellan, "The revolution in consumer display technology – as

    evidenced by plasma screens, LCD monitors and HD and ED televisions – creates a need for higher

    quality content. While this need is being met by the entertainment companies who have moved rapidly to

    digital and HD broadcast, it has been somewhat neglected in consumer-generated content. Every picture

    originates through a lens. It only stands to reason that the better the lens, the better the final

    product. We are confident that this fact will not be lost on consumers at the retail point of

    purchase."

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