The new Adobe Video Collection, both standard and professional editions, comprise new versions of Premiere Pro, After Effects, Audition, and Encore DVD. The Professional edition of the collection delivers tools for editing digital images, designing motion graphics, and visual effects, real-time video and audio editing, and DVD authoring. The Standard edition includes After Effects for basic video and audio production, but doesn't include Photoshop. Both versions offer a significant cost savings and allow users to expand their knowledge by adding new tools to their digital toolbox. For information about other language versions, pricing and support policies visit: www.adobe.com/motion.
Axonix announces SuperView, an all-in-one full-screen, full-motion video on-demand server that allows users to record, store, and stream hundreds of videos to hundreds of users over any LAN, WAN, or Internet network. The product's integrated programmable Tuner lets users schedule the recording and sharing of any TV show broadcasted over cable, satellite, or the air. Among SuperView's applications are distance, learning, digital video libraries, robotic video camera recording, and video on-demand storage and delivery systems as well as Web conferencing. Models start at $3195.
Curious Labs is now offering Poser 5 for the Mac OS X platform. This 3D animation tool for artists and animators delivers ease of use along with a broad range of professional options that make character posing and animation available to high-end and first time users alike. New key features for the Mac OS X include: 3D motion blur; displacement mapping; procedural textures; dynamic hair with growth, styling, and physics controls; photo-based facial mapping; and more. Poser 5 lists at $349 and will initially be available from Curious Labs as an electronic download with pricing comparable to the street value of the current Poser 5 for Windows.
DeskShare released Video Edit Magic 2.7, a Windows video editing application that offers high-end power at an entry level price. A drag-and-drop interface and an editing timeline make it easy to assemble a movie quickly. Also provided are professional scene transitions such as fade-ins and fade-outs, background music, and title effects. Additional features allow you to edit and combine file formats on the same timeline and change volume. Program registration is $49.95.
DJI Interprises rolled out NewsBin Professional 4.1, a Windows application that automatically downloads and reassembles multimedia files across multiple newsgroups and multiple news services. NewsBin will search your favorite newsgroups, identify files you want to add to your collection, combine the pieces into single files and download them onto your hard drive. Photos, videos, and music can be downloaded without users having to understand the structure or foibles of Usenet. NewsBin runs under Windows 98 and costs $35.
DVArchive.com is a new Web site offering high quality, royalty-free DV stock footage over the Web. At DVArchive.com users can search, store, and download thousands of clips in QuickTime DV format at the click of a mouse and integrate them directly into the majority of DV NLE 720x480 and 720x576 timelines without rendering. DVArchive's search engine allows you to browse by category and subcategory, by collection, and by keyword. Clips are displayed against a matte black background and stream from the DVArchive.com server. Clips are priced between $50 and $199 per individual download, with the majority within the $85 and $99 price range.
Edirol, which offers a variety of tools for desktop multimedia production, has released a number of software updates for current products. These updates include: OS X support for the SD-80 sound module editor; a new, simpler installer for the UA-20, UA-700, and PCR keyboards; version 3.23 of the Virtual Sound Canvas for Windows, optimized for Intel Hyper-Threading Technology; and downloadable control maps for the UR-80 for Abelton Live 2, Cakewalk SONAR 2, Digidesign Protools LE, MOTU Digital Performer 3, and more.
Intervideo's family of WinDVD Creator Platinum 2 software video editing products has been enhanced with a new Dolby Digital Consumer Encoder. With the new two-channel Dolby Digital audio encoder, users can now create DVDs with high quality Dolby sound for a more in-depth listening experience. Dolby Digital also features the same technology specified by the DVD formats for stereo or multichannel surround audio on both PAL and NTSC DVD discs. This means Dolby Digital-encoded files created with WinDVD Creator 2 will be compatible with the broad range of consumer electronics players and recorders that support the DVD format.
O'Reilly's Digital Video Pocket Guide by Derrick Story is a complete guide to shooting videos, understanding digital video technology, and selecting the right camera for your needs. The guide explains both the internal and external components of today's entry-level and higher-end prosumer camcorders, explains how they work, and helps readers choose the best settings to get the shots they want. The book covers everything from A/V terminals to exposure compensation controls to image stabilization to zebra patterns, with full-color examples throughout. The price is $14.95.
Panasonic is shipping the new PT-L78OU portable XGA LCD projector with 3200 ANSI lumens and a 500:1 contrast ratio. Weighing only 12.8 pounds, this projector incorporates three TFT Active Matrix Polysilicon LCD panels and a 270 W UHM lamp. The Panasonic is also HDTV-ready and can automatically synchronize to display 1080i, 720p, 480p, and 480i video in either standard 4:3 or widescreen 16:9 aspect ratio. In addition, the unit supports most worldwide video standards, including NTSC, PAL, and SECAM. Current suggested list cost is $6199.
SmartSound Software recently released Edge Volume 6: Chill-Out / Cool Moods / Lounge. The product features music appropriate for scoring any footage that needs a fun yet hip sound, and is perfect for people who are frustrated with the quality of music found in most stock libraries. The fully produced songs feature a level of smoothness and polish that loop-based music libraries just can't match. CDs from SmartSound music and sound library are available in two sampling rates: 44 kHz ($99.95) and 22 kHz ($49.95).
Xequte DVD PixPlay is an inexpensive and easy-to-use solution that allows digital camera users to share their photos with friends and family through the use of image slideshow CDs that can be played back on TV using a DVD player. With a thumbnail wizard, images can quickly be retrieved from image folders, scanners, or digital cameras. These slideshow frames can then be edited and reordered, and together with a selection of background music tracks, converted to VDC format and written directly to a CD-ROM. DVD PixPlay is priced at $19.70. For further information, including free evaluations.
Educators Education Opportunity
DV Expo West, December 9-12, 2003, in Los Angeles, will feature a free seminar for educators on how to teach communication skills to students through traditional studies combined with digital video technology. The class will be held on December 10, from 10:30 a.m. to noon, and attendance counts towards Staff Development/Continuing Education Hours. DV Expo West will also feature exhibits of the latest offerings from leading makers of DV gear, including Adobe, Apple, Avid, Sony, Panasonic, JVC, and many more. The conference program includes the full- and half-day DV Expert Series intensive sessions on Lighting, DV Cameras, Type Design for Video, Photoshop for Nonlinear Editors, DVD Authoring, Color-Correction, and Compression, presented by world-class experts.
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