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SYPHAnews - 27 February 2004
Welcome to SYPHAnews - a free newsletter designed to keep you up-to-date
with nonlinear audio and video, and digital video camera news, as well
as developments at http://SYPHAonline.com.
We will deliver this service to you every month - unless there is some
major news we think you should know about sooner. To unsubscribe, please
follow the instructions below.
New at SYPHAonline.com
STOP PRESS!! We are in the process of spring-cleaning the NLE Buyers
Guide - everything will be renewed in time for the NAB Convention. If
you know of a nonlinear video product that isn't already in the guide,
including turnkey systems and hardware and software packages, then please
let us know.
Following its success last year, we are producing a print edition of
this newsletter, that will be distributed at the NAB Convention, as well
as being available as a PDF online. Please make sure you send us your
NAB announcements as early as possible.
Camera news
JVC Launches New Cost-Effective Studio Camera
JVC has launched the KY-F560 compact general-purpose camera. With the
addition of accessories, it can be used as an efficient and cost-effective
studio camera for those in a space-restricted environment and it weighs
only 900g. It has 3 x 1/2" progressive scan CCDs offering 440,000 effective
pixels, widescreen capability, 12-bit DSP and has a signal-to-noise ratio
of 62dB. It produces 850 lines of horizontal resolution with a high sensitivity
of F13 at 2000 lux, and will produce 100% video in a minimum illumination
of F1.4 at 0.5 lux. It is fully compatible with all JVC KY-F32 series
options including 1/2" bayonet lenses. The KY-F560 has composite output
and genlock input. Options include SDI output and remote control with
the PTZ kit. See http://www.jvcproeurope.com
JVC Introduces Portable HD Player/Recorder
JVC has introduced the CU-VH1, a portable high-definition player/recorder.
It is an ideal complement to the JVC HD camcorders and offers multi-format
playback and a range of recording options. It features a 3.5-inch LCD
monitor, an iLink interface and a USB connection, component outputs for
multi-format playback, and an SD card slot for capturing stills from tape.
It records and plays back Mini DV cassettes, and for high-definition recording
and playback, adheres to the HDV format. The CU-VH1 plays back 720/30p
(MPEG-2), 480/60p (MPEG-2) and 480/60i video, including any footage shot
with either of the JVC GR-HD1 and JVC JY-HD10 camcorders. It includes
up- and down-conversion so that HD recordings can be viewed on virtually
any television or monitor, and it frame doubles 30fps 720/30p HD recordings
for viewing on progressive 720/60p analogue HD monitors, or converts 480/60p
or 720/30p signals to 1080/60i HD. It can also down-convert to 480/60p
or 480/60i for playback on progressive or NTSC monitors, and 16:9 HD,
SD or DV footage can be played in 16:9 or 4:3 letterbox modes. Footage
can also be viewed on its built-in 3.5-inch, 240,000-pixel high-resolution
LCD monitor. See http://www.jvcpro.com
Panasonic Introduces Ultra-Compact Camcorder with
an Array of Shooting Styles
Panasonic has introduced the AG-DVC30, an ultra-compact, 2.4lb Mini DV
camcorder. It is equipped with three 410,000-pixel CCDs, and offers four
shooting styles. It has a detachable handle, large focus ring and 3.5"
LCD monitor. The range of automatic controls include focus, iris, white
balance and neutral density. The AG-DVC30 offers Super Night Shooting
(SNS) recording in black-and-white. Its infrared capabilities support
near-field acquisition, and with the addition of its optional IR light,
recording distance is extended, allowing people or objects to be viewed
in complete darkness. It also provides a movie-like mode that combines
a cine-style gamma curve and a 30fps frame recording function that electronically
interpolates interlaced images to create frames. There is a Lumi Flick
menu item for generating an old-time movie effect. Its slow shutter function
uses image accumulation to allow shutter speeds of up to one-fourth the
normal frame rate for higher sensitivity in colour recording. The show
shutter can also be used to capture artistic motion effects. It is equipped
with a newly-engineered, wide-angle 16x Leica Dicomar zoom lens with Optical
Image Stabilizer (OIS) and a focal length of 39.5 to 632mm (35mm still
camera equivalent). This lens has low-dispersion glass to substantially
reduce chromatic aberration, flare and ghosting. It also includes digital
stamping of date and time into the image. Standard features include synchro-scan
shutter recording (1/60.3 - 1/250s), a built-in SMPTE timecode generator/reader,
and SMPTE compliant colour bar display and recording. The AG-DVC30 will
be available in March 2004 with a suggested list price of US$2595. The
optional infrared light has a suggested list price of US$380. See http://www.panasonic.com/dvproline
NLE news
NAB Launches New Post|Production World Conference
and ICE Awards
The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) has announced The NAB Post|Production
World Conference, to be held during NAB2004. Co-produced with Future Media
Concepts, the conference will feature over 160 sessions on a large variety
of topics including digital video and film editing, news editing, compositing
and special effects, 3D animation, web design, DVD authoring, video encoding
for DVD and streaming, sound design, digital imaging, tech support for
digital facilities and DV production tips. The sessions are designed for
intermediate to advanced users who wish to enhance effectiveness and creativity
and learn power tips that they may apply to future projects. Software
covered in the sessions will include Avid Media Composer, Avid Xpress
Pro, Avid Xpress DV, Avid|DS, Pro Tools, NewsCutter, Apple Final Cut Pro,
Shake, DVD Studio Pro and Logic, Adobe Photoshop, After Effects, Premiere
and Encore, Macromedia Flash, Dreamweaver and Fireworks, Discreet Combustion
and Cleaner, and Boris Red and Continum. As part of the Post|Production
World Conference, the Individual Creative Excellence (ICE) Awards will
recognise those who stretch creativity and craft outstanding works in
production and post-production. Editors, graphic artists, sound designers,
web designers and videographers from any entity that uses the medium of
digital art to produce exceptional work are eligible to enter. At an awards
ceremony held during NAB2004, five finalists and then one winner in six
specific crafts will be announced. The crafts are: editing, graphics &
animation, audio production & sound design, producing & directing, interactive
design, and videography & photography. Each craft is further classified
into the broadcast, non-broadcast or student industries, and then into
additional specific genres. The Judging Committee for the 2004 NAB ICE
Awards consists of an elite group of distinguished industry professionals
representing various disciplines. The entry fee is US$125 for the first
piece of work submitted, and US$100 for each additional piece of work
or for consideration of the piece in additional categories. Students with
a valid student identification may submit their entry for the Student
Category for a US$35 fee. The deadline for entries is 5 March 2004. NAB2004
will take place 17 - 22 April 2004 in Las Vegas (exhibits open April 19).
See http://www.nabshow.com
and http://www.nabshow.com/iceawards.asp
Sony Announces Interoperability Between XDCAM and
Avid Nonlinear Editing Solutions
Sony has announced that content captured on Sony XDCAM Professional Disc
systems will be compatible with the Avid Technology native MPEG IMX (30/40/50Mb/s)
and DVCAM nonlinear editing systems, including Avid NewsCutter and Media
Composer. This seamless interoperability will allow more users to realise
the workflow benefits of the XDCAM system, including its ability to store
A/V data and metadata on high-capacity, random access discs. According
to Avid, initial support for XDCAM format content will allow users to
transfer high-resolution A/V clips across IP networks at high speed, greatly
accelerating and streamlining the process of acquiring A/V material. Journalists
and producers can begin assembling EDLs almost immediately following acquisition.
Metadata compatibility will also be provided through Sony and Avid support
of the Material eXchange Format (MXF) media file format. See http://www.sonybiz.net
Quantel Certifies generationQ Systems with SGI InfiniteStorage
Solutions
Quantel and Silicon Graphics have announced that the Quantel iQ Digital
Intermediate system and eQ HD editing system are now both certified for
integration with SGI InfiniteStorage solutions that feature the SGI InfiniteStorage
Shared Filesystem CXFS. The combination of the two technologies offers
a post production environment that allows the efficient handling and networking
of terabytes of data. The key to the interoperability is the SGI heterogeneous
shared filesystem that supports all the leading operating systems used
in contemporary post production, namely IRIX, Windows, 32-bit and 64-bit
Linux, and Mac OS X. CXFS provides the software infrastructure to allow
simultaneous shared access to that storage. All systems have direct access
to all data and are no longer bottlenecked by slow, congested networks
or overloaded file servers. See http://www.quantel.com
Pinnacle Systems Lowers Barrier for Professional
Network Editing
Pinnacle Systems has introduced Liquid Editing for Workgroups, a complete,
low-cost networked editing solution using the Pinnacle Palladium Store
100 (PS100). Liquid Editing for Workgroups offers the plug-and-play simplicity
within an entire system that has been engineered, tested and qualified
by Pinnacle. No additional hardware is required on client PCs - users
simply attach a network cable between their PC and the PS100's built-in
Gigabit Ethernet connections and they are ready to go. Liquid Editing
for Workgroups is aimed at local broadcast, corporate, boutique post-production,
government, and educational operations. Facilities that already own Pinnacle
Liquid Edition seats can purchase a complete package, including an environment
qualified for up to 16 Liquid Edition editors, 2TB of usable storage (enough
for 140 hours at DV quality video), ultra-secure RAID 10 mirroring, Pinnacle
Liquid Project Server for collaboration and scheduling flexibility, Gigabit
Ethernet switches, and the Pinnacle Media Access Server (MAS) for guaranteed
network performance for 49,995 Euros. Liquid Editing for Workgroups with
ten Pinnacle Liquid Edition PRO clients costs 59,995 Euros. See http://www.pinnaclesys.com/ps100
Leitch Introduces New Model of VelocityQ NLE
Leitch has announced the VelocityQ 2x4, a new lower-cost model of the
VelocityQ multi-stream nonlinear editing system. Like the existing model
of VelocityQ, now known as VelocityQ 4x4, the VelocityQ 2x4 combines the
Velocity software interface with the Quattrus multi-stream realtime hardware.
Both models feature guaranteed realtime, full-quality playback of four
streams of video in any combination of compressed or uncompressed, and
up to six graphics streams. The VelocityQ 4x4 features the Q3DX4 quad-channel
3D DVE module, enabling four channels of simultaneous realtime 3D effects,
including perspectives, warps and rotations. The new VelocityQ 2x4 model
features the Q3DX2 dual-channel 3D DVE, providing two simultaneous channels
of these effects. While the VelocityQ 4x4 includes as standard a rackmountable
audio/video breakout box, I/O connections to the VelocityQ 2x4 are provided
through the included breakout cable, with the breakout box available as
an option. VelocityQ 2x4 is available as a boardset-and-software bundle
for Windows 2000 or Windows XP workstation, while VelocityQ 4x4 is available
as a boardset-and-software bundle or as a turnkey solution. See http://www.leitch.com
Aurora Ships New PipePro and Pipe Video Capture and
Editing Cards
Aurora Video Systems is now shipping the PipePro and Pipe video capture
and editing for Mac systems and QuickTime applications. The PipePro supports
the RT Extreme's capabilities within Final Cut Pro and editing in a variety
of formats ranging from uncompressed to DV. It offers 10-bit inputs and
outputs across the board, an SDI input, two SDI outputs, and an RS-422
serial port. It can simultaneously output analogue video via composite,
S-video, and YUV connections. As well as two-channel output of 24-bit
48kHz analogue audio, the PipePro features four channels of 48kHz SPDIF
(AES/EBU-compatible) digital audio I/O. The Aurora Pipe card is aimed
at offline editors working with uncompressed applications that do not
require the power of hardware-accelerated realtime effects. It works with
Final Cut Pro, and provides realtime preview compatibility with Adobe
After Effects and Discreet combustion. It offers composite and S-video
I/O and 16-bit 48kHz dual-channel RCA unbalanced audio, with perfect synchronisation
between the Mac desktop and NTSC/PAL video display provided by True Colour
Filtering for enhanced colourspace conversion. Both upper- and lower-field
PAL are supported with no rendering required to operate in an upper-field-first
PAL timeline. The PipePro costs US$799 and the Pipe card costs US$499.
There is a 25% reduction with the turn-in of a competing product. See
http://www.auroravideosys.com
Matrox RT.X100 Xtreme Pro Offers Compatibility with
Canopus and Pinnacle Video Files
Matrox Video Products Group has announced the availability of an updater
for the Matrox RT.X100 Xtreme Pro driver set that provides file format
compatibility with selected Pinnacle and Canopus products. After installing
the updater, users can play back Pinnacle and Canopus DV AVI files in
realtime on a Matrox RT.X100 Xtreme Pro system with no need to re-encode
the original video files. Registered Matrox RT.X100 Xtreme Pro owners
can download the updater free of charge. The updater has been validated
with files captured on Canopus DVStorm and DVStorm2, and Pinnacle DV500,
DV500 Plus, DV500 DVD, Pro-ONE and Pro-ONE RTDV. See http://www.matrox.com/video
ATI, Intel and Pinnacle Systems Demonstrate HD Video
Editing on PC
ATI Technologies, Intel and Pinnacle Systems have demonstrated high-definition
(HD) video editing on the PC. The demonstration used the ATI PCI Express
visual processing unit (VPU) with the PCI Express interconnect incorporated
directly into the graphics chip. The ATI PCI Express VPU, in conjunction
with the advanced realtime HD engine being developed by Pinnacle, takes
advantage of the enhanced data transfer capabilities offered by PCI Express.
The demonstration showed how PCI Express can bring HD video editing to
the consumer and prosumer-level. OEMs are expected to transition systems
to the PCI Express standard. ATI has sampled its PCI Express solution
to OEMs and system development partners. As motherboard and chipset vendors
make their PCI Express solutions available, ATI will deliver a full family
of PCI Express products. See http://www.ati.com
FOR-A Introduces New Multichannel Digital Disk Recorder
FOR-A has introduced the LDR-4 multichannel digital disk recorder. It
provides recording of four input streams, and with a 120GB hard drive,
has enough capacity to record 30 hours of DV-quality material per channel.
It is suitable for multicamera live digital sports production and broadcast
- both remote and in studio, as well as studio production and postproduction
applications. It allows simultaneous record and playback, so that up to
four channels can record a live event while any one of them can be played
back simultaneously. There is also a remote control feature via RS-422
(4:2:4) protocol and optional Ethernet 10/100baseT networking support.
The LDR-4 can be operated in NTSC or PAL standards, and it includes time-lapse
recording, automatic detection of video loss, on-screen titling generation/display
(up to eight characters per channel) and intelligent alarms features that
alert users to pending problems. Once recorded, images can be randomly
accessed across all the channels using simple time of day, alarm events
or start/end points. I/O support includes analogue composite inputs and
analogue composite-Y/C output. See http://www.for-a.com
DAW news
Digidesign Announces Bigger Savings with Mix-to-HD
Hardware Exchange
Digidesign has announced bigger savings with the MIX-to-HD Hardware Exchange
program. Until 30 June 2004, owners of a Pro Tools|24 or Pro Tools|24
MIX system can exchange their system for a Pro Tools|HD 2 or 3 Accel system
and save an additional US$2000 off the regular Hardware Exchange list
prices, or exchange for a Pro Tools|HD 1 and save an additional US$1500.
After June 30, 2004, these exchanges will return to their previous pricing.
Along with the Pro Tools|HDpack plug-in bundle which will be automatically
included, those who exchange by 31 March 2004 will receive a collection
of the Bomb Factory plug-ins for free: seven plug-ins with Pro Tools|HD
1 (a US$1952 value); ten plug-ins with Pro Tools|HD 2 Accel (a US$2600
value); and sixteen plug-ins with Pro Tools|HD 3 Accel (a US$3940 value).
Pro Tools TDM 6.2 or higher software for Mac OS X and Windows XP is required
for support of the HD Accel card, and is included with all Hardware Exchanges.
Exchanges to Pro Tools|HD and Pro Tools|HD Accel systems continue to be
available for registered owners of Pro Tools III, Pro Tools LE products,
and even older non-TDM Digidesign systems (these Hardware Exchanges do
not qualify for the promotional Bomb Factory plug-ins). See http://www.digidesign.com/exchange
Tascam Announces 24-Track Workstation
Tascam has announced the 2488, a 24-track recording workstation for under
US$1500. The 2488 records 24 tracks of audio at 24-bit resolution, with
250 virtual tracks, powerful editing and looping functions. Its 36 mixer
inputs mix 24 playback tracks, eight analogue inputs, a 64-voice MIDI
tone generator and stereo effects processor. Three-band EQ is provided
for all 24 channels, plus the eight inputs and tone generator channel.
Three aux sends - one for each mixer channel except for the effects return,
send to a loop effect with effects such as reverb and delay or external
devices. Up to eight dynamics processors can be used while recording or
mixing, and an additional stereo compressor is dedicated to the stereo
output. The 2488 can also master and burn a CD using the built-in CD-RW
drive, or transfer a track to a computer using the high-speed USB 2.0
connection. See http://www.tascam.com
Tascam Unveils New DAW Controller
Tascam has unveiled the US-2400, a 25-fader DAW controller for under US$2000.
The US-2400 features 25 touch-sensitive 100mm moving faders for full mix
control without patching together multiple expanders. Each of the 24 channels
has an assignable encoder with an LED ring that shows the current value,
that doubles as a signal meter. A full transport section is also included
for DAW control, as well as a joystick for surround panning. It was co-developed
with SaneWave. See http://www.tascam.com
Roland Announces 20-Track Workstation
Roland has announced the VS-2000CD Digital Studio Workstation, its first
V-Studio with plug-in support. The VS-2000CD offers 20 recording tracks,
320 virtual tracks, eight XLR inputs, an optional VGA output with mouse-based
graphical editing, plus a 40GB hard drive, CD-RW drive, and USB 2.0. With
the optional VS8F-3 Plug-In Effect Expansion Board, it supports plug-in
effects from Roland and optional third party plug-ins from Antares, IK
Multimedia, Massenburg, Universal Audio and more. The VS-2000CD offers
16 or 24-bit recording, a 40-channel digital mixer, 17 faders and dedicated
Channel Edit knobs, plus four knobs for controlling the dynamics and four-band
EQ for any input or track. Onboard effects include all the studio essentials,
plus COSM Guitar Amp and Microphone Modelling and a new Harmony Sequence
function for adding realistic harmonies to a vocal. Tracks can be mastered
with the Mastering Tool Kit and burned to CD using the internal CD-RW
drive. It also comes with a new Rhythm Track feature, which lets users
program stereo drums on tracks 17-18 using high-quality PCM sounds. A
variety of preset patterns are included, or users can create their own.
A chromatic tuner is also included, making it easy for guitarists to tune
up before recording. The VS-2000CD includes Roland V-LINK technology for
integrating audio and video. See http://www.RolandUS.com
Sonic Studio Ships DSD.1 Eight Channel Assembly System
Sonic Studio is shipping all-new DSD.1 processing hardware that records
and plays 8 channels of Direct Stream Digital audio with crossfades via
SDIF-3 on BNC connectors. The single full length PCI card may be operated
on its own as a standalone DSD assembly system, or may coexist with a
Sonic Studio HD system to form a combined DSD/PCM system on a single computer.
DSD.1 recording and editing is performed entirely within the DSD domain
at 64fs using the Sonic Studio editing environment, complete with four-point
cut and paste editing and the Edit Fade Mode crossfade editor. DSD.1 also
imports pre-existing DSD files as long as they are compliant with the
DSD-IFF standard file format. DSD.1 will recreate the necessary waveform
graphics with no need to recapture. The Sonic Studio DSD.1 is available
in two configurations: DSD.1-Base and DSD.1-with Authoring. The DSD.1-Base
configuration consists of the DSD.1 processor card and the Sonic Studio
DSD Assembly application software. The system also includes a BNC terminated
breakout cable for SDIF-3 and DSDraw. The DSD.1-with Authoring configuration
adds full SACD authoring equivalent to the Sonic Studio SACD.1 standalone
application. With this tool, final SACD compliant cutting masters are
written to Sony AIT Type 1 tape cartridges for delivery to the manufacturing
plant. Also included is full DST encoding for authoring SACDs in six-channel
surround. The introductory price for the DSD.1-Base configuration is US$8995.
Existing HD owners will receive an additional discount of US$1000 making
the base configuration price US$7995. The DSD.1-with Authoring is priced
at US$11,995 and also features the US$1000 loyalty discount for existing
HD owners. See http://www.sonicstudio.com
BIAS Announces Peak 4.1 with Bundled Mastering, CD
Burning and Special Effects Software
BIAS has announced that Peak 4.1 will include Roxio Jam professional Redbook
standard CD burning software for Mac OS X and SFX Machine LT - a limited
edition of the multi-effects sound design plug-in. Peak users can easily
create regions and playlists within Peak, then save them as Jam Images
for easy burning with Jam. In turn, Jam features the ability to launch
Peak as an external audio editor. This integration offers a flexible workflow
between both applications. The addition of Jam to Peak enables users to
include track indexes, track names, ISRC codes, and additional information
necessary for the production of commercial replication-ready CDs. The
addition of SFX Machine LT adds to Peak's sound design power by including
21 appropriately-named presets such as Multi-Vox 3, RoboTalk, BackwardsFragment
5, Jimi Echo, Triggered Wah+Dist, and more. A popular Randomize feature
is also included and customers may upgrade to the full edition of SFX
Machine at a discount by selecting the upgrade link within the plug-in.
Peak 4.1 will be available Q1 2004 for an SRP of US$499. See http://www.bias-inc.com
PreSonus Debuts 24bit/96kHz Recording Studio
PreSonus has debuted the FIREPOD, a complete 24bit/96kHz recording studio
including eight PreSonus microphone preamplifiers and Steinberg Cubase
SE 48-track recording software. It is compatible with Windows XP and Mac
OS X, and is also compatible with both ASIO and WDM-based applications
including Cubase SX, Nuendo, Deck, Peak and Logic software. The interface
features a headphone output on the front panel, as well as a mix knob
to balance monitoring levels between mixed input and main output signals.
A level potentiometer on the front panel controls the input level of each
preamplifier. Inputs one and two of the FIREPOD can switch between microphone
and instrument level, while inputs three through eight can switch between
microphone and line input. Phantom power (+48V) is available on every
channel (in groups of four) and dual-input Neutrik connectors are used
for all eight inputs. The FIREPOD is also equipped with eight balanced
TRS line outputs, as well two balanced TRS main outputs, two channels
of S/PDIF input and output and MIDI input and output. The additional FireWire
port makes it possible to daisy chain multiple FIREPODs together. FIREPOD
is priced at under US$700. See http://www.presonus.com
CreamWare Audio Continues Development of CreamWare
Products
CreamWare Datentechnik GmbH, makers of DSP based audio products such as
Pulsar and Noah, filed for insolvency in June 2003. A new company, CreamWare
Audio GmbH, can now continue development of existing CreamWare products,
technology and customer relations. This new start became possible after
CreamWare Audio reached an agreement to purchase all major assets from
Dirk Obermueller, the insolvency administrator of CreamWare Datentechnik
GmbH. CreamWare Audio will continue to provide technical support, repair
and warranty services for CreamWare's existing user base. See http://www.creamware.de
Contact us
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Expo Entertainment Technology World
Conference:
3-6 March 2004
Expo:
4-6 March 2004
Penn Plaza Pavilion/
Hotel Pennsylvania, NYC, USA
NAB2004
Conferences:
17-22 April 2004
Exhibits:
19-22 April 2004
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
AES
116th Convention
8-11 May 2004
Messe Berlin, Germany
Broadcast
Production Show
18-20 May 2004
National Hall, Olympia,
London, UK
BroadcastAsia2004
15-18 June 2004
Singapore Expo,
Singapore
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