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Posts from ‘February, 2009’

Sony upgrades 3G HDV camcorders to universal, for a small fee

Feb 10th, 2009
by Allan Tépper.
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Now you can upgrade your Sony 3G HDV camcorder to 25p and world-class compatibility!

Readers of my recent articles in ProVideo Coalition, past articles in Latin American magazines, and those who have attended my seminars are aware of the many 25p production advantages over “24p” (23.976p) production, especially when the video is shot on HDV and the workflow is to take advantage of HDMI or HD-SDI capture. Up until now, producers in the USA (and other 60Hz American countries) who have chosen progressive Sony HDV cameras and appreciate the advantages of 25p had no choice but to go through “unofficial channels” to purchase the 25p/50Hz version of the camera. The ones I know are all very happy with the choice and with the workflow. However, they aren’t so happy that after spending so much extra for the camera and optional worldwide warranty, they still don’t have the flexibility of the 60Hz (59.94Hz) modes, in order to be able to shoot at “30p” (29.97p) or even “60i” (59.94i) for a slow-motion shot. Although most of them prefer 25p for their own productions, some of them are also often subcontracted to “shoot only” for other producers who aren’t so informed about 25p, and often request video to be shot at “30p” or “60i”. Fortunately, Sony USA has now recognized the need for a universal version of their 3G (3rd-generation) of HDV camcorders, which now encompass the HVR-S270, HVR-Z5 and HVR-Z7. Read this entire article free in ProVideo Coalition magazine.

Choose Apple’s Spanish keyboard, even if you only type in English

Feb 5th, 2009
by Allan Tépper.
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Apple’s wonderful Spanish ISO keyboard is the absolute best tool, even if you write mainly or exclusively in English. It is truly a case where you get all of the advantages, with none of the often “perceived disadvantages”, as you are about to learn. Many people didn’t know that Apple offers the Spanish ISO keyboard at no extra cost even in the USA, whenever you order a built-to-order computer on the Apple Web Store. Yes, the Apple Spanish ISO keyboards are available with the iMac, MacBook, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and even the Mac Pro tower… and they won’t cost a penny extra! Beyond that, but I have seen several cases where resale value of used Apple laptops earn up to US$300 more when they have the Spanish ISO installed. It is really a win-win situation. Oh, but I haven’t even told you the advantages of the Apple Spanish ISO keyboard itself yet. Read this entire article free in ProVideo Coalition magazine.

Discover DisplayPort’s untapped power for pro video

Feb 2nd, 2009
by Allan Tépper.
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You’ve probably heard or read that Apple recently changed the video outputs on all of the new laptops from DVI to Mini DisplayPort, and has stated that all desktop models will begin offering DisplayPort outputs as they are updated. At first, some people think the DisplayPort just a nuisance and requirement to purchase another adaptor… but there is much more to it! Together with DisplayPort come additional capabilities, which in some cases will potentially eliminate the need to purchase an expensive peripheral device from AJA, Blackmagic Design, or Matrox, especially when the only goal is to achieve proper color evaluation on an external video monitor (not to capture or output to to high-end videotape formats).

The goal: Make Apple’s Digital Cinema Desktop proper

Way back in 2005, Apple launched Final Cut Pro 5, together with a new feature called the “Digital Cinema Desktop”. The purpose was to allow FCP editors to preview full screen video on an independently connected computer monitor. However, together with the launch of the Digital Cinema Desktop feature, Apple warned us that it was for content only, and was not to be trusted for color correction purposes. This warning was stated both verbally at NAB 2005, as well as in writing in Apple’s support article TA27705. (The same article also explained the importance of viewing interlaced video on an interlaced monitor, but that is much less of an issue nowadays, thanks to the greater awareness about the advantages of shooting progressive video, and the popularity of the progressive mode in both consumer and professional camcorders.) The reason for the color precaution has to to with the accuracy of the conversion between RGB and component video.

Read this entire article free in Apple’s channel in ProVideo Coalition magazine.

BoinxTV: “Say goodbye to post-production”

Feb 1st, 2009
by Allan Tépper.
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BoinxTV is a new product from Boinx Software Ltd. in Puchheim, Germany. You may have seen other products from Boinx, like FotoMágico, iStopMotion, iVeZeen, Mouseposé, and PhotoPresenter. BoinxTV was first launched in November 2008 and was quickly updated to 1.1 at the beginning of December. Like the infamous Video Toaster from NewTek, BoinxTV offers to convert your computer into a live production studio. One of the first noticeable differences is that BoinxTV is for the Mac. Read this entire article free in ProVideo Coalition magazine.