Sony recently announced new XDCAM models at Inter BEE 2007 in Japan. The new PDW-700 camcorder and PDW-HD1500 VTR support “MPEG-2 422P@HL codec, 50Mbps video data rate, Full HD (1920 x 1080) recording and 4:2:2 color sampling.” Nice. Look for these offerings to be available in Japan May 2008. They also mention a F23 Digital Cinema camera variation called the F35.

The latest update on the much anticipated and long-awaited Cineporter camcorder storage solution is that it will tentatively be available in late 2007. The project was announced over a year ago, most recently Specialized Communications has completely reworked the chassis and electronics. On one forum, a SpecComm rep stated “…the shipping unit will be like buying V.2, even though V.1 never shipped.”

We understand that the Cineporter will feature:
*160GB / 320GB options (one or two drives)
*Internal 2.5″ SATA hard drive(s), fan-cooled, options for RAID
*PCMCIA-like interface that plugs directly into the HVX P2 slots
*6 ft cable extensions will also be available
*Under 2.5lbs

More info on features at the Cineporter site.

 Pro Gripper Quad Review [9:28m]: Download
 Pro Gripper Quad Footage (Mustang GT Concept) [1:40m]: Download

FresHDV Test Bench
VFGadgets Pro Gripper Quad Camera Mount Review
By Matthew Jeppsen & Kendal Miller

$500
VFGadgets
877-686-1452
www.vfgadgets.com
Fresh Score: 3 (of 5)

The VFGadgets Pro Gripper Quad is a camera mounting system that allows you to stick a small camcorder on a moving vehicle in a variety of configurations. We had a chance to road test the system on a hot Mustang GT, and decided that a video review would be the best way to present our findings.

Pro Gripper Quad Video Review

(Right-click to download 50MB or 110MB H.264 MOV)

The following is a short spec that we made with the Mustang GT footage.

(Right-click to download 20MB H.264 MOV)

You wouldn’t think that Mike Curtis would have any free time for such matters…but apparently he liked the Apple iPhone announcement enough to whip up a little photochop action (more available here)

I expect a detailed and well-thought out treatise on the new device once he has time to post one. In the meantime he’s posted some thoughts on the iTV/Apple TV announcement.

UPDATE: ytmnd.com has a humorous take on the iPhone announcement.

Josh Oakhurst has a detailed interview with Kevin Knoblock, the creator of Border War: The Battle Over Illegal Immigration. The filmmaker shares some of the technical and financial challenges behind the project. They largely utilized Sony HDW-F900 HDCAM and JVC-HD100U HDV cams for acquisition. Some Mini-DV SD camcorders were used for various pickup shots.

For most of the Los Angeles shoots (Lupe Moreno, Teri March) we used a Sony HDW-F900 HDCAM. Emmy Winner Jody Eldred was my Los Angeles cameraman. I’ve worked and traveled the world with Jody on various shows since we met at KABC in the mid 1980’s. His setup - with wide angles lenses - was over $125,000 in gear.
It might seem crazy to intercut a $125,000 setup (the Sony) with a sub $10,000 camera (the JVC). We were amazed at the results - and so were our colorists.

Everything was converted to 720p DVCPRO HD for post production (HDCAM downconverted). After editing in FCP, the footage was hardware upconverted for DaVinci color correction, and some 35mm prints created. After showing a 20-city self theatrical distribution run across the country, the DVD distribution rights were acquired by Genius Entertainment. Lots more details and nuggets in the interview, many thanks to Josh for putting this all together.

The upgrade to the iPod Video and the long-rumored new iPhone have been announced…and they are the same device.

Hardware
*3.5″ widescreen touch sensitive display
*11.6 mm thin
*Onboard 2 megapixel camera
*Motion sensitive accelerometer, ambient light and proximity sensors
*Quad-band GSM with EDGE, WiFI, Bluetooth 2.0
*16 hr audio playback, 5 hr talk/video/other

Software offers a slew of handy features like 3-way conference calls, iChat-like multiple SMS sessions, Safari, Widgets, Google Maps, etc. Supposed to be shipping in June of this year, and pricing starts at $499.00

Remember when The Matrix came out? Remember…barely minutes into the film, and you had to retrieve your jaw from the theater floor after Trinity showcased the first example of “bullet time”.

Nowadays, there are a number of options for filmmakers who wish to use a similar effect. You can fake it with a few cameras and some patience. You can hire the pro’s to come in with either fully digital or film camera rigs. And of course there’s always the “do it in 3D” approach.

If turnaround time is limited, you’ve got another option. Mark Ruff’s fully digital “Time Splice Mac Rig” utilizes up to 60 DSLR cameras tethered to dedicated Mac Mini computers. Custom Applescripts pull everything together and are capable of processing and producing a watchable time-slice in seconds. The rig can be setup and ready to shoot within an hour of arrival. Don’t care to rent? Mark will sell you a turn key solution (along with exclusive rights to a geographic area).

UPDATE: Once more, Bruce Allen offers additional helpful links. Another option is Timetrack, or it’s digital equivalent Movia. Thanks again, Bruce!

What the Heck is Bokeh? Rick Denney takes the time to explain, and in plain english. Why should you care about bokeh? You probably don’t, unless you’re a still photographer or happen to own a camcorder with interchangable lenses or 35mm lens adapter system.

There is much written on the net about this elusive subject, and I won’t attempt to provide the etymology of the word (is it Japanese or not?) to compete with it. Suffice to say that different lens designs have an effect on the appearance of the out-of-focus areas in photographs.

Some photographic styles commonly use selective focus to bring the viewer’s attention to the subject. That means the subject is focused but the non-subject areas are not. If those unfocused areas are busy and distracting, the objective of bringing attention to the subject is lost. That’s why portrait photographers in particular care about bokeh.

Don’t miss the wrapup at the end of the article.

UPDATE: Alert reader Bruce Allen suggested another excellent article on the subject. Thanks Bruce! -MJ

Hitachi is the first to market with a Terabyte hard disk drive, the Deskstar 7K1000. The drive will be shown at the 2007 CES in Las Vegas.

“According to Hitachi, the drive ships in the first quarter of 2007, and will cost $399–less than the price of two individual 500GB hard drives today.

The company also plans to offer a CinemaStar version of the drive, for use in DVR and set-top boxes, as well as an enterprise version with a certified mean time between failure rating. Both of those versions are expected in the second quarter of this year.”

*begins slow clap* This is a Good Thing, folks.

If your the type of person that doesn’t know a cucoloris from a crank-o-vator, maybe it’s time for you to devote some serious study time to the Filmmakers Griptionary. It contains all the common (and not-so-common) definitions of terminology and equipment slang you might hear around a production set. There will be a test, so start cramming!

Adobe Systems announced today that the next version of Adobe Production Studio will be available for both the Macintosh and Windows platforms.

Film, video and web professionals currently using Adobe After Effects, Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator on the Mac will soon be able to harness the power of completely new Macintosh releases of Adobe Premiere Pro, Adobe Encore DVD and Adobe Soundbooth — all key components of an upcoming milestone revision to Adobe Production Studio. The software will have its first public demonstration during the Macworld 2007 Conference and Exhibition at The Moscone Center in San Francisco, January 9 - 12 (Booth 901). The next release of Adobe Production Studio is expected to ship in mid-2007.

Thanks for the heads-up Dan!

In an unanticipated move, Jim Jannard president of Red Cinema One, announced this afternoon that Red will reopen reservations for RED for three days this January. On January 21-24th you will have one last opportunity to place a reservation for the coveted RedOne. So if you drug your feet the first time around now is the time to act. If you are unaware ground zero for the Red team has been moved from dvxuser to reduser.net Apparently reservations will be able to be placed via the Red.com website when reservations re-open.

Can’t really add much to this image, it pretty much speaks for itself. It’s beginning to take form, people.

Thanks for the headsup and commentary, Mike. Beautiful images, Jarred.

A pair of filmmakers based in Sydney, Australia have organized a very unique collaborative documentary project that spans the globe and aims to involve YOUR New Years Eve celebration plans.

We are actively seeking footage (from either video camera, movie function on digital camera or mobile phone video) of how you celebrate YOUR New Year’s Eve. This is your chance to get your footage to 30 million homes in the US

Simply shoot a maximum of sixty seconds worth of video (to help expedite the delivery of media) and upload it to Current TV by 9AM PST New Year’s Day. I know this will mean a very late night for some of you! There are several ways to upload your video, and instructions are here; www.current.tv/pdf/upload_instructions.pdf

The documentary will be aired at 8pm New Year’s Day, followed by an encore the following day at 11pm. More info here.

Digital Juice has a section of their site devoted to general videography tips and tricks. It’s called DJTV, and they share a new video tip each month. I’m finding that the material presented does a pretty good job of covering a wide range of skills…even experienced pros may find a few nuggets of useful info. A recent “Take 5″ clip that deals with interview setup tips is a good example. Check it out.