Hey Everyone I thought you might like to know Apple has just updated their line of Macbooks today it doesn’t appear that the “pro” line has changed. Check out the website directly.

Here are some new changes prices (via ExperCom)

Apple released a new, faster MacBook lineup today. Now each new MacBook has up to a 2.16GHz Core 2 Duo processor and larger standard hard drives. Every MacBook has the features that we have come to love, from a 13.3-inch glossy display, built-in iSight, and just 1.08 inches thick.

Here are the basic configurations and some with extra RAM:
$1094 MacBook White 2.0Ghz 1GB/80G/Combo Drive/iSight
$1294 MacBook White 2.16Ghz 1GB/120G/SuperDrive/iSight
$1494 MacBook Black 2.16Ghz 1GB/160G/SuperDrive/iSight

$1379 MacBook White 2.16Ghz 2GB/120G/SuperDrive/iSight
$1499 MacBook White 2.16Ghz 3GB/120G/SuperDrive/iSight
$1575 MacBook Black 2.16Ghz 2GB/160G/SuperDrive/iSight
$1699 MacBook Black 2.16Ghz 3GB/160G/SuperDrive/iSig

Check out their pricing here.

Okay guys we live in world daily pushing the technological envelope but sometime the most ingenious solutions come in places that use technology that has been around for years. One such project I recently encountered was a guy who setup his own telecine transfers using his home computer and an inkjet printer. While the picture quality was shall I say, less than optimal at best. I found the entire process very interesting. Perhaps I’m just drawn to people who creatively come up with solutions to problems. Anyways to see some results and exactly how he accomplished this check it out here. While an Oscar isn’t in his future for technical achievements he gets a FreshDV leaf from me for creative thinking :)

For all of those who have been closely following the developments of the HPX-500 you know this camera is looking to be a major contender. For everyone else who is unaware of what this camera brings to the table I suggest you check it out. You will want to check out this first hands on article with Jason Ramsey over at DVXuser.com. Its a great little article detailing his scoop on some of the features the camera offers. For those of you interested in the HPX-500 you may also want to check out our FreshDV Podcast from NAB showcasing the camera.

Is there a new trend in the air? With the increase of internet bandwidth and the higher market penetration of high speed access a new trend in software developing is becoming prevelant, online software. Enter Adobe Remix, a new internet based stripped down version of Premier Elements that allows you to edit your footage online. While this has its obvious limitations, it is interesting. Will we see more of this? Rather than buying software of the future for a one time use, will you have the option of paying a weekly licensing fee to use the software? As bandwidth continues to grow and increase the options for software use and licensing will continue to increase as well. While it may be down the road it is definitly on its way to becoming more of a part of our everyday lives. I’m interested in seeing what you guys think about this? Is this more of a benefit for us as users or simply a way for software companies to control software without every actually giving it to the consumer? For more information on Remix check out webware’s video tutorial and walkthorugh on the software.

(Via Webware.com)

Paul Harrill of Self Reliant Filmmaking has shared his take on the new Oscar qualifying rules for Doc submissions. He adds his thoughts to a lengthy and insightful post on the same topic over at All These Wonderful Things. Some filmmakers are concerned that the submission regulations are somewhat unfairly-weighted against the indie filmmaker. One such rule was previously noted in An Open Letter to the Academy, and states in part; “In addition to the Seven-Day Qualifying Exhibition, feature documentaries must complete a Multi-State Theatrical Rollout consisting of fourteen other exhibitions…of at least three consecutive days each, at least twice daily, in any standard commercial format….distributed among ten or more states…” Tons more info and juicy nuggets in both articles, I recommend taking the time to read them both.

After years of campaigning by health organizations and child advocacy groups, the Motion Picture Association of America has decided to take a harder stance against cigarette smoking in the movies.

“In the past, illegal teen smoking has been a factor in the rating of films, alongside other parental concerns such as sex, violence and adult language,â€? the MPAA said in a statement. “Now, all smoking will be considered, and depictions that glamorize smoking or movies that feature pervasive smoking outside of a historic or other mitigating context may receive a higher rating.”

So that pretty much guarantees that every cliche’d student film will get a higher rating, right? Variety has the scoop.

Ping Magazine highlights 5 different concept-to-realization storyboarding case studies, with examples of original conceptual sketches as well as the finished product. This particular article deals specifically with concept visualization;

“…it’s all about how to make the idea as clear as possible as storyboards are often used to convince clients about your ideas. However, a storyboard is not a shooting board. So a storyboard is more about the idea then how to shoot it. It’s better to give a director some kind of creative room, which will benefit the end result.”

Very interesting reading.

Another fan-created music video contest, only this one actually might be worth looking into. Bjork will personally judge entries, the winner will work with her to make the official video. Contest details are spelled out in the typical rambling fashion.

“We will for conveniance sake call this a competition as it will be Björk who will choose the video and maker to work with…The timeline is that the video needs to be ready at the beginning of August, when Björk will collaborate with the winner to completion of the video…The video needs though to be sent in the first week of July, so they can be viewed and chosen. Even though creative tools are provided, it is not an necessity to use them. We just love the sculpture!!!”

One of the creative tools provided is a 3D file of the sculpture, ready for use in XSI, Maya, 3dStudioMax or Blender. Nice. And if you’re looking for creative ideas, take note that director Michel Gondry has worked extensively with Bjork in the past. His “Director’s Series - Work Of“ ($17 @ Amazon) DVD is excellent, I revisit that one consistently.

The guys behind movie fan site IESB recently snuck around the set of “Iron Man”, an upcoming film from Paramount starring Robert Downey Jr. They managed to get some video of the cybernetic Mark III suit used in the film, and posted the the video online (warning, take a dramamine first). Paramount lawyers didn’t even mess around with a takedown notice, but had the main site page taken offline immediately. (Strangely, the link to the video still works.) Anyway, just another indicator of how studios and content providers are becoming increasingly aware of the speed of information online.

You may remember a in-depth Build Your Own HD Workstation feature article in DV Magazine recently by Mike Curtis. In it he dissected HD editing systems, and listed recommended system configurations. Great article, tons of insight. No sense in re-inventing the wheel, right? Well, he’s taken it a step further now and partnered with Silverado Systems to make those systems directly available to end users. So you can save the time you would take to “build your own.” There are Uncompressed HD editing options at nearly every price point, from just under $9K to all the way up to $23K.

Another service HD4NDS just launched is Mike’s Amazon Affiliate Store. He’s done a really good job of listing a wide variety of categories. Something for everyone. If you are shopping Amazon anyway, it’s a win-win for everyone involved. HD For Indies has been a wonderful resource for me personally, I’ll be making all my Amazon purchases through Mike’s store. Thanks Mike!

Disclaimer: We also list Amazon Affiliate items in our AStore and various articles here at FreshDV from time to time, and have found it a great way for readers to support their favorite sites without really having to pay anything extra. We are also a Videoguys and B&H affiliate. Any purchases made through those two last links directly benefit FreshDV, and ultimately you the reader.

Never mind, it’s a “haha gotcha” hoax. The hoax creator Walter Biscardi says “I guess this is how rumors get all over the internet: run the story first, check facts later.” Ironically, Walter’s good name and reputation in the industry was one major reason I trusted the claims.

I’ve left my original post intact below for posterity. I will say that I remain positive and hopeful about the use of the iPhone as a dailies conduit between remote set and editing suite. -Ed.
Continue reading ‘Edit Video on Set in FCP…on the Apple iPhone (HOAX)’

Dynamic Range and Lattitude are both sometimes used interchangeably to describe the range of exposure a given camera is capable of handling before clipping occurs either in the highlights or the shadows. However these terms are not necessarily synonymous. Juan Pertierra of Reel-Stream has authored a pretty extensive document offering an in-depth look at both Lattitude and Dynamic Range covering what the terms both mean and how they apply to shooting in a digital world. An excellent must read for the digital cinematographer of today. Now go read it. For more information on Real-Stream and their Hydra 2K modification to the HVX200 check out our NAB podcast covering Hydra.

Flowseeker Blog has a few excellent After Effects related posts.
*It seems that certain motion trackers (*cough*Matchmover*cough*) don’t include all the data AE needs when exporting .ma files. Here are a few tips on dealing with that issue.
*The “Mythbusting” series of posts is a discussion on the viability of Adobe After Effects as a “high end” tool. Sub-question; “Is After Effects the software of choice at most high-end visual effects houses?” Read Part1, Part2, and Part3 then join the discussion.

Apple Insider reports that Apple is moving to certify LED-backlighting for 13″ Macbook laptops. It has been reported previously that the 15″ Macbook Pro will most likely get the upgrade first, speculation is that we’ll see the new displays shipping Q2 or Q3 of this year.

Here’s a few interesting threads and discussion on the forthcoming camera from Red Digital Cinema, all gleaned from the Red 23 blog.
*White Balance Discussion/Summary.
*Behind the Scenes of Crossing The Line.
*Red One Recording Media Options.
Feel free to add any pertinent linkage in the comments.