June 22, 2009
This past April, we scoured the multiple exhibit floors of the 2009 NAB Show for the latest and greatest innovations for our readers. Sixteen exemplary items were selected as winners of our annual Vidy Awards, the longest-running NAB awards program. Products were nominated by a jury of editors and contributors to Videography and DV magazines. For an item to be given a Vidy Award, it must be a new product, receive a unanimous vote of the judges and have a significant relevance to the Videography readership.
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AJA Video Ki Pro
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AJA Video
Ki Pro
With its extensive analog and digital connectivity, Ki Pro provides a new way of connecting production and post; virtually any video and audio source can be fed into Ki Pro to record 10-bit Apple ProRes 422 media that is then immediately available to edit within Apple's Final Cut Studio.
Ki Pro will allow users to record hours of Apple ProRes 422 media to removable storage modules with either spinning disk or SSD media with built-in FireWire 800, or to 34mm ExpressCard Flash-based media, for immediate editing and file access. The unit can connect to any digital camera via SDI or HDMI, or any analog camera with multiple input options.
Ki Pro is a standalone unit that includes the Ki Pro Recorder, Ki Pro HDD Storage Module and an AC adapter. Product options include Exo-Skeleton for mounting between camera and tripod, Ki Pro SSD storage module, extra Ki Pro hard drive storage modules and AJA Lens Tap Cable Accessory. Ki Pro is priced at $3,995 and ships in June.
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Anton/Bauer Solar Charger
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Anton/Bauer
Solar Charger
The Solar Charger battery charging system efficiently charges any battery in the Anton/Bauer product line through solar cell technology. Weighing 0.5 lb., the charger case connects to a 1.76 lb. soft, foldable panel (59" x 43") of solar cells capable of bringing a battery to full charge nearly as quickly as those chargers connected to AC mains.
The Solar Charger is capable of charging the Anton/Bauer Dionic 160 battery in four hours when full sunlight is available. The Dionic 90 battery reaches full charge at 3.5 hours, while the HyTron 140 reaches peak performance in three hours. The Pro Pac Logic Series charges in 1.5 hours, HyTron 50 in two hours and the TRIMPAC Logic Series in one hour. The Solar Charger is expected to ship in the fourth quarter.
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Avid Media Composer 3.5 Stereoscopic Editing
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Avid
Media Composer 3.5 Stereoscopic Editing Tool
Avid Media Composer 3.5, launched in March, delivers full support of stereoscopic workflows, enabling customers to acquire, edit and display stereoscopic (3D) material. Content can be displayed with stereo monitoring capabilities in both the composer window and full-screen playback, eliminating the need for costly conforms previously required to screen 3D material.
Typically, stereoscopic content employs an "over/under" mode—placing the left- and right-eye images one above the other in a horizontal split-frame. In MC 3.5, you can choose to monitor either the left- or right-eye view or one of the various stereo image display formats. Avid's stereoscopic 3D tool displays content in a proxy resolution that uses half of the vertical lines, therefore conforming projects for finishing on another system utilizing full resolution.
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Blackmagic Design UltraScope
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Blackmagic Design
UltraScope
UltraScope is a PC-based waveform monitor with features designed for creative professionals that includes both SDI and optical fiber SDI inputs. Comprising a PCI Express card and software package, UltraScope is designed to work in a low-cost PC with 24-inch monitor for display. The large monitor allows simultaneous display of six waveform views: RGB/YUV parade display, composite waveform, vector, histogram, eight-channel audio meters, stereo audio scope and picture view. The six scopes all update at the same time and are grouped within an elegantly designed UI. UltraScope auto-detects among SD, HD and 3Gb/s HD-SDI video standards; it also automatically selects between regular SDI and optical fiber SDI inputs. Blackmagic UltraScope ships in June for $695.
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CineForm Neo3D
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CineForm
Neo3D
Neo3D enables Apple Final Cut Pro users to edit 3D projects in real time with full-frame-rate playback to an external 3D monitor. Traditionally, 3D projects are edited in 2D as independent left and right eyes, with a final 3D conform after the entire editorial process is complete. CineForm Neo3D simplifies this costly, time-intensive process by enabling the editorial team to view in full 3D while editing. This technique allows many projects to eliminate 3D conform entirely and print directly from the Final Cut Pro timeline to electronic 3D distribution or projection files.
CineForm stereo files are created such that all QuickTime-based applications interpret the stereo files as if they were traditional 2D HD files, yet Neo3D includes dynamic controls to define playback of the file as left channel, right channel or full 3D presentation. A further workflow enhancement is the ability to adjust convergence—horizontal, vertical or rotational—dynamically during editorial. For those without 3D monitors, or for those viewing dailies on a laptop or traditional 2D LCD panel, Neo3D can present anaglyph, which it will generate in real time. Neo3D is available for both Mac OS X and Windows for $3,000.
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Digital Rapids TouchStream
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Digital Rapids
TouchStream
TouchStream is a live video streaming appliance in a fully self-contained, portable form factor. Though intuitive enough for use by novice operators, TouchStream portable systems are powerful enough to meet the demanding expectations of experienced streaming media users. Streamlined software controls are accessed through a touchscreen interface with integrated live video monitoring and audio VU meters, eliminating the need for laptops, keyboards, mice and separate monitors. Additional features including sophisticated pre-processing, video adjustments and graphic overlay let users refine the incoming source for optimal quality and add branding to the outgoing stream.
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JVC GD-463D10 3D LCD Monitor
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JVC
GD-463D10 3D LCD Monitor
The 46-inch GD-463D10, slated for release in July, is 1.5" thick and uses JVC’s 3D visual engine to deliver a natural, flicker-free visual experience. The full-HD LCD monitor provides flicker-free 3D images by adopting the Xpol polarizing filter method and battery-free passive-type circular polarizing filter glasses. JVC’s 3D decoder circuit translates images into the optimal Xpol display format and demonstrates the ability to accommodate subtle gradations and shades of color.
(Xpol is a registered trademark of Arisawa Manufacturing Co.)
The GD-463D10’s three HDMI input terminals are compatible with standard HD video signals, including 1080/24p, 50p, 60p, 50i and 60i. Input signals in line-by-line or side-by-side format can be displayed as 3D images (50i and 60i for side-by-side format only).
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JVC GY-HM700 ProHD Camcorder
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JVC
GY-HM700 ProHD Camcorder
JVC’s GY-HM700 is a compact, shoulder-supported professional camcorder with interchangeable lenses that records directly to inexpensive SDHC memory cards in the QuickTime (.mov) format for Final Cut Pro, and optionally to SxS media compatible with Sony's XDCAM EX format.
The camera provides two SDHC memory card slots, for a total of up to 64GB of on-board storage—enough for more than six hours of continuous HD recording. The camera automatically begins recording on the second card when the first card fills up. When the second card fills up, the camera reverts to recording to the first card slot, allowing for virtually unlimited recording time.
With the SxS adapter installed, the GY-HM700 can record in the XDCAM EX .mp4 format onto either or both SxS memory and SDHC memory. It is also possible to split formats and record .mp4 to the SxS card while recording .mov to the SDHC memory card. The GY-HM700 base model, which records only on SDHC cards, is $7,995. The GY-HM700UXT, which includes the KA-MR100G SxS Media Recorder, is available for $8,995.
- JVC Introduces FCP-Ready Solid-State Camcorders, Videography.com, Jan. 9, 2009
- JVC Introduces GY-HM700 ProHD Camcorder, Videography.com, Feb. 13, 2009
- JVC ProHD GY-HM700—An In-Depth First Look, DV.com, Feb. 24, 2009
- JVC Shows GY-HM700 ProHD Camcorder at NAB, Videography.com, April 20, 2009
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Matrox CompressHD
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Matrox
CompressHD
The CompressHD accelerator card provides faster-than-real-time high-definition H.264 file creation. Matrox MAX technology uses a dedicated hardware processor to accelerate the creation of H.264 files for mobile devices, the Web and Blu-ray discs. By using specialized hardware acceleration, jobs are finished quickly and system resources are liberated for other tasks. Matrox CompressHD works in systems with or without a video I/O device.
Ease of use is ensured through direct integration with Apple Compressor on the Mac. As an added benefit, the Matrox MAX technology allows direct export to higher-quality H.264 Blu-ray-compliant files from Compressor. On the PC, CompressHD is integrated with Adobe Media Encoder software. CompressHD is available now for the Mac and this summer for the PC, each for $495.
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NVIDIA Quadro Digital Video Pipeline
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NVIDIA
Quadro Digital Video Pipeline
The NVIDIA Quadro Digital Video Pipeline is an integrated GPU-based platform for broadcasters to acquire, process and deliver virtual effects to video. By providing a direct path for image processing into and out of the GPU, it allows professionals to incorporate higher-quality, graphic-rich broadcasts in real time. It also offers a fast path for capturing and transcoding HD broadcast-quality video for use in real-time Internet streaming services.
The solution integrates a Quadro SDI capture card, a Quadro SDI output card, a Quadro FX professional GPU (either Quadro FX 3800, 4800 or 5800) and the Quadro Digital Video Pipeline SDK. NVIDIA Quadro Digital Video Pipeline will ship in August for $5,000 to $8,000, depending on configuration.
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Panasonic AJ-HRW10 P2 Rapid Writer
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Panasonic
AJ-HRW10 P2 Rapid Writer
The AJ-HRW10 P2 Rapid Writer is a portable workflow tool that simplifies access to P2 content and incorporates RAID 1 mirroring support. With slots for two 3.5-inch removable hard disk drives and a built-in AJ-PCD35 five-slot P2 memory drive, the P2 Rapid Writer can automatically transfer data from up to five P2 cards. With the touch of a button, it can copy material simultaneously to two separate RAID drives for backup.
The HRW10 features a 5-inch LCD with simple touchscreen operation and controls to preview content on disk or P2 cards. It provides clip preview, clip sort and filter, P2 thumbnail display and P2 metadata display. The unit supports AVC-Intra (100/50) and DVCPRO HD, DVCPRO50, DVCPRO and DV recording formats. Other features include a Gigabit Ethernet port to move content rapidly across an IT network, and an internal speaker and headphone jack for audio playback. MSRP of the P2 Rapid Writer is $9,995.
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Petrol Inflatable Airline Bag
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Petrol
Inflatable Airline Bag
The Petrol Inflatable Airline Bag is uniquely designed to safeguard a camera against accidental damage from other cargo or jostling during a flight. The top of the duffle-style bag unzips smoothly and opens wide to accommodate a full-size broadcast camera without disturbing the viewfinder and lens. An exterior side pocket holds a coiled tube that connects to an exterior inflation valve.
Once on board the plane, the passenger inserts the camera in the duffle and blows into the tube to fill the bag's internal inflation system. The camera is then surrounded by a firm, protective cushion of air, ready to be safely stored in the airplane's overhead compartment or inside a hard case or standard camera bag. List price of the Inflatable Airline Bag is $259.
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Sony SRW-9000 HDCAM SR Camcorder
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Sony
SRW-9000 HDCAM SR Camcorder
Designed for television, commercial and motion picture production, the SRW-9000 HDCAM SR camcorder combines the format’s image quality with the versatility of a one-piece camera. The full-HD (1920x1080) resolution camcorder uses 2/3-inch CCDs with a 14-bit A/D converter and digital signal processing to capture up to 1080/60p images with a high level of detail. In standard configuration, the camcorder is capable of 4:2:2 10-bit recording at 1080/23.98p, 24p, 25p, 29.97p and 1080/50i/59.94i. It can also record 4:2:2 1080/50p/59.94p.
A range of option cards is available. The HKSR-9001 option board adds Dual Link HD-SDI outputs and an extra AUX input port. The HKSR-9002 picture cache board allows the camcorder to capture and record images with variable speed (1-60fps) and adds a three-second video cache. The HKSR-9003 RGB 4:4:4 processing board enables full-bandwidth digital 4:4:4 high-definition RGB recording and output, and adds S-Log gamma. The SRW-9000 is planned to be available in December.
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Transvideo CineMonitorHD 3DView
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Transvideo
CineMonitorHD 3DView
The CineMonitorHD 3DView is a versatile tool for stereoscopic filmmakers, facilitating the alignment of cameras as well as the preview of 3D images with anaglyph or shutter glasses. The first 3D HD-SDI monitor for field use, the CineMonitorHD 3DView includes functions to help the operator correlate cameras (3D B&W mode and vertical grid generator) and a Pseudo Anaglyph mode that allows 3D images to be previewed from two HD-SDI inputs. Other features include vertical and/or horizontal reverse for the second SDI input for use with a beam-splitter 3D rig, and measurement tools showing the two signals simultaneously for black level, white level and flicker adjustment. The CineMonitorHD 3DView is available in 6-, 12- and 15-inch models for MSRPs between $9,200 and $13,200.
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Vinten Vision AS Head Series
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Vinten
Vision AS Head Series
Vinten's AS series offers, for the first time ever, infinitely adjustable counterbalance in fluid heads for smaller cameras. These inexpensive heads are crafted specifically for the smaller camera world and offer the flexibility of larger, professional fluid heads that will meet nearly any situation.
The Vision 3AS, the smallest in the family, has a 75mm bowl mount and is capable of handling loads up to 11 lb. The 10AS, the largest, has a 100mm bowl and can support loads up to 32 lb. Each of the four heads (3AS, 5AS, 8AS and 10AS) features infinite counterbalance adjustment as well as a sleek, non-reflective black design with illuminated bubble level placed at the back of the head—where it should be! The heads also feature side loading, an attribute most commonly seen on larger professional heads, for faster mounting of the camera onto the head.
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Zaxcom QRX100 Receiver
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Zaxcom
QRX100 Receiver
Zaxcom's QRX100 RF audio receiver will accept four channels of audio from up to two Zaxcom stereo or mono digital transmitters, allowing ENG audio professionals to leverage the full capabilities of today’s four-channel cameras. By bundling an optional timecode receiver (QSYNC50) and IFB transmitter (QTX50) in a single, lightweight package, the QRX100 offers the added benefit of reducing equipment costs, RF bandwidth requirements and power demands.
With an industry-standard mounting kit, the QRX100 integrates quickly and easily with any broadcast camera. The QRX100 can receive two separate transmitter signals on two separate frequencies simultaneously and can output the channels in both analog and AES digital formats.
A group of 12 multicolored LEDs is recessed into the side of the QRX100. They are visible with the QRX100 mounted in its Zaxcom camera mount and provide the sound mixer with visual confirmation of audio reception at the camera.
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