Cinevate Pre-Production Ballare Dolly Review [6:25m]: Download

We recently had the opportunity to check out Cinevate’s Ballare dolly solution. The Ballare is almost entirely constructed of aluminum, and as such is quite rigid. It breaks down into a relatively small size for transport, and weighs around 45 lbs. It can run on schedule 40 PVC pipe, or any other 1″ or 1 1/4″ track. This was a pre-production model, and it is my understanding that since our test Cinevate has integrated a few of our suggestions into the production model, like a more robust pushbar design. For a detailed look at the dolly system, download the attached video or watch online at FreshTV.

The following article is a review by FreshDV guest contributor Eugenia Loli-Queru.

Geeks.com sent us over a Kodak Z885 for a review, one of their 8 megapixel digital cameras they carry on to their store.

Description
The Z885 is an 8.1 MP camera, with a 2.5″ LCD screen. It features a 5x optical zoom, 32MB internal flash storage, SDHC support, digital stabilization, JPEG capture, MPEG4-SP VGA capture, A/V output. It uses two AA batteries to power. In the box we found the camera, batteries, a USB cable with a proprietary port on the camera side, a hand-strap, a dock for Kodak’s printers, a CD, and a getting started guide.

The top of the camera has a dial button where you can select between “Favorites”, “video” mode, scene mode, auto mode, manual mode, ISO mode and image stabilization mode. Next to the dial you will find the on/off button, the flash, the burst/timer button and a mono speaker. On the back side you will find the zoom in/out rocker button, a “delete” button, an “info” button, the 5-way operational joystick, menu, review and “share” button. On the side you will find the USB port and the SDHC port. A mono microphone with no windscreen is found next to the 36ñ180 mm (35 mm equiv.) f/2.8ñ5.1 lens and the flash.

Usage
The usability of Kodak’s cameras has been improved a lot in the latest generation of their cameras. It’s very easy to figure out what is what and how to get there. The software allows for presets of white balance (although no custom white balance is possible), several algorithms for focusing and exposure, sharpness levels, redeye removal support, sensor orientation, power management and color mode (high color, natural color, low color, sepia, black and white).

There are over 20 scene modes for those who can trust the camera to pick the right settings, although the true benefit of using the Z-series from Kodak is their manual mode. In it, you can select focusing distance, ISO, exposure, aperture and shutter speed.

HDR photography
My favorite feature of the Z-series is exposure bracketing. With it, the camera captures three images with a single shutter click, but at different exposures. Then, you bring these images to applications like Photoshop or Photomatix and with some lite manipulation you can add new details to your picture. Or, you can artistic with it and create some crazy looking pictures like the one below. I believe that this Z885 camera is the cheapest camera on the market that supports exposure bracketing. You will have to pay $450 to get the Powershot G9 if you want the same feature from a Canon, for example.

Before and after:

Video
The Z885 only shoots VGA video at 30fps, or at QVGA resolution. Quality is not too bad and it has the added bonus to save the video in MPEG4-SP of 3.5mbps instead of MJPEG. This means that you will fit more VGA video with this camera than any other camera in the market that uses MJPEG. Unfortunately, there is no exposure compensation for when shooting video. If VGA is not enough for you, you can consider upgrading to the Z1085 or the Z1285. These 10MP and 12MP versions of the Z-series have all the features of the Z885, plus 720p 10mbps HD recording (the Kodak V-series have a 13mbps high quality HD mode, but they don’t have any manual settings).

Conclusions
The Z885 is a good camera especially for the mere $110 it costs. Picture quality is pretty good, it has manual controls, battery life is acceptable, stabilization, and even exposure bracketing. You can’t go wrong with all that and at that price. The only feature we would have liked added (except HD video with exposure compensation support), would be custom white balance.

Rating: 7.5/10

FreshDV guest-contributor Eugenia Loli-Queru is a Senior News Editor at www.OSNews.com. You can catch up with her online at eugenia.gnomefiles.org.

 Carrion LCD Field Monitor [6:10m]: Download

Also showing at Redrock’s booth at NAB 2008 was the Carrion LCD field monitor from LS Design. This 8.4″ LCD production monitor features 1024 x 768 resolution, a 500:1 contrast ratio, anti-reflective coating, and a ton of standard input/output options (yes, HD-SDI is an option as well). Get the full scoop here. Download the attached video or watch online at FreshTV.

FreshDV’s coverage of NAB 2008 is made possible by the support of the following companies:
Cinevate | DSC Labs | Imagineer Systems | Letus | Redrock Micro | Videoguys | Zacuto

 Nila LED Lighting Systems [6:02m]: Download

At NAB 2008 we dropped by Nila’s booth for a demonstration of their impressive line of production LED lights. Very impressive. Download the attached video or watch online at FreshTV.

FreshDV’s coverage of NAB 2008 is made possible by the support of the following companies:
Cinevate | DSC Labs | Imagineer Systems | Letus | Redrock Micro | Videoguys | Zacuto

 Redrock Micro Cinema Accessories: Download

Redrock Micro has been gradually expanding beyond their 35mm adapter system roots into the area of cinema accessories. They have provided a fantastic follow focus system for quite some time, and now with the introduction of a full-featured mattebox they are really rounding out their product line. At NAB 2008 they also introduced a handheld camera support system called the microShouldermount. We actually had the chance to test out the system while shooting some of our NAB coverage, and in this video segment you’ll get a look at our run-n-gun HVR-Z7U rig built on the microShouldermount. Watch via the attached download link or at FreshTV.

 Zylight LED Lighting Systems [4:54m]: Download

In the NAB 2008 Central Hall we took a look at Zylight LED lighting options. This compact dimmable light is amazingly configurable, with switchable Tungsten, Daylight, or Gel modes (no filters required). The lights can be dialed into a variety of colors to match other lighting or environments, and they include a wireless link mode that allows multiple Zylights to be linked and controlled as one unit. Watch via the attached download link or at FreshTV.

FreshDV’s coverage of NAB 2008 is made possible by the support of the following companies:
Cinevate | DSC Labs | Imagineer Systems | Letus | Redrock Micro | Videoguys | Zacuto

 Redrock microFilters [0:57m]: Download

While shooting a NAB 2008 segment at the bustling Redrock Micro booth, Brian Valente pulled us aside to drop a tasty little hint at an upcoming announcement that should go nicely with their new microMattebox. It’s a set of all-glass 4×5.65 filters that include a ND, Circular Polarizer, and ND Grad. Download out the attached video or watch online at FreshTV for the scoop.

 EX3 Interview with Bob Ott: Download

When Sony announced the XDCAM EX1 at NAB 2007, we were very excited at the possibilities. When they shipped the camera in late 2007, we were impressed by it’s mature featureset and capabilities. With such a robust camera on the market, nobody seems to have seen the PMW-EX3 announcement coming, FreshDV included. In the following segment, Sony’s Bob Ott discusses the EX3 and accompanying SxS VTR/Deck, addressing specific user questions and detailed capabilities of the system. We also got our hands on an EX3, and take a close look at the ergonomics and camera layout. Download the attached video or watch online at FreshTV.

Update: Just like the EX1, the EX3 does in fact output 4:2:2 from the SDI spigot. We confirmed this with Bob Ott. The video segment has been updated to reflect this correction.

FreshDV’s coverage of NAB 2008 is made possible by the support of the following companies:
Cinevate | DSC Labs | Imagineer Systems | Letus | Redrock Micro | Videoguys | Zacuto

 3ware Sidecar Video Podcast: Download

We stopped by 3ware’s booth at NAB 2008 and spoke with Thor Wixom about their external SATA RAID external enclosure storage solution for 2k/4k editing workflows. With a 300mb/s sustained speed from the 3ware Sidecar, it provides more than enough for multiple streams of 2k and 4k Cineform RAW. The system can also easily handle uncompressed 1080p RGB. Download the attached video or watch online at FreshTV.

Update: Via Thor on the Reduser forums, there is a group buy discount available for the Sidecar. Add it to your cart and use the discount code thorwixom during checkout to get the system for just $595.

FreshDV’s coverage of NAB 2008 is made possible by the support of the following companies:
Cinevate | DSC Labs | Imagineer Systems | Letus | Redrock Micro | Videoguys | Zacuto

 Matrox MXO 2 [5:06m]: Download

At NAB 2008 we stopped by Matrox’s booth to get a look at the new MXO 2 for Mac editors. This upgrade to the popular MXO adds multiple ingest options as well as previous output options. Additionally, Matrox has built in support for powering the unit from industry-standard camera batteries, so this unit truly offers portable I/O for editors in the field. Check out this video for the full scoop. Watch via the attached download link or at FreshTV.

Update: Videoguys is taking pre-orders on the MXO 2 here.

FreshDV’s coverage of NAB 2008 is made possible by the support of the following companies:
Cinevate | DSC Labs | Imagineer Systems | Letus | Redrock Micro | Videoguys | Zacuto

 Imagineer Systems Mogul VFX Architecture [12:14m]: Download

Imagineer Systems made a huge announcement at NAB 2008 with the introduction of their completely new VFX architecture called Mogul. Not only is it an entirely new software pipeline, but they are offering it under a very unique subscription pricing model. Imagineer’s Allan Jaenicke gave us the scoop on the new suite of tools, and we later take a short look at how one of Mogul’s modules called Mogul/Review can help streamline VFX workflows. Watch via the attached download link or at FreshTV.

 Unique Products and Solutions [8:01m]: Download

Here’s a sampling of crisp and crunchy new gear from NAB 2008. The Bartech Utility Zoom (BUZ) bridges the gap between traditional wired LANC controls and cine-style zoom motors. Swit showed off a number of new HD monitors with HD-SDI input options, HD-SDI converter boxes, and a new Sony L-series battery replacement with charge indicators and an accessory power tap (we show it with the S2010 LED light). Hoodman’s WristShot is a arm/wrist support for small handheld camcorders. Hoodman also showed off their line of 300x “zero-defects” CF media and USB/FW card reader for Red One users. Watch via the attached download link or at FreshTV.

FreshDV’s coverage of NAB 2008 is made possible by the support of the following companies:
Cinevate | DSC Labs | Imagineer Systems | Letus | Redrock Micro | Videoguys | Zacuto

 Misc Lighting Solutions [6:30m]: Download

There was no shortage of options for lighting on display at NAB 2008. In this segment Bron Kobold showed off their all-weather HMI lighting solutions with an impressive display in which the light kit is continually doused with falling water. Finally, Flolight walked us through their low-power lightweight flourescent lighting solutions, available in daylight and tungsten-balanced with dimmer options. Watch via the attached download link or at FreshTV.

FreshDV’s coverage of NAB 2008 is made possible by the support of the following companies:
Cinevate | DSC Labs | Imagineer Systems | Letus | Redrock Micro | Videoguys | Zacuto

 New JVC Storage Options [5:56m]: Download

JVC announced a new solid-state recording option at NAB 2008, and FreshDV was on the scene to break the news. The MR-HD200 module is JVC’s hard-drive and SDHC (SD High Capacity) media recording solution for the HD200-series of camcorders. Watch via the attached download link or at FreshTV.

FreshDV’s coverage of NAB 2008 is made possible by the support of the following companies:
Cinevate | DSC Labs | Imagineer Systems | Letus | Redrock Micro | Videoguys | Zacuto

 Blackmagic Design NAB Updates [5:47m]: Download

Blackmagic Design was of course exhibiting their latest at NAB 2008, we got a quick rundown on all the latest offerings and developments in their line, including the new Decklink HD Extreme card. Watch via the attached download link or at FreshTV.

FreshDV’s coverage of NAB 2008 is made possible by the support of the following companies:
Cinevate | DSC Labs | Imagineer Systems | Letus | Redrock Micro | Videoguys | Zacuto