While much of the online community salivates over recent RED One announcements, Silicon Imaging’s proven SI-2K digital cinema camera has quietly gotten some very interesting upgrades. For starters, they have a film camera-style optical viewfinder option now, as well as an OLED EVF option (with secondary HDMI tap). There is a new MINI-Rig for handheld/shoulder mount use, and of course the beautiful (and upgradeable) enclosure designed by P+S Technik (shown here in our NAB Expo coverage).

Other new features include the option to frame-accurate synch multiple SI-2K cameras for multi-camera or stereo 3D applications. This feature would also be useful with multiple SI-2K MINI heads for Matrix-like effects and shots. There is also now the option to record CineForm RAW directly to QuickTime format as well as a few other handy user-configurable capabilities (like extended shutter durations).

The SI-2K currently lists for $28,500, the remote MINI head can be had for $17,500. You can obtain the optional new OLED viewfinder for $4000. This fall will see the release of the B4-mount optical viewfinder, with a PL-mount version coming early next year. You can find more info on the SI-2K at www.siliconimaging.com

Meridian today announced an iPod Video dock that can upconvert low-res video to 1080p, reportedly without undue noise, artifacts, or jaggies. It accomplishes this with a brand new “QuietVideo” processing chip from Marvell called “Qdeo” (sounds like “q-dee-oh”). Qdeo supposedly has a number of features that suppress image noise, clean up artifacting, and intelligently scales low-resolution video up to 1080p. It uses “per-pixel vector interpolation” to intelligently scale the video, and is capable of “locally adaptive contrast enhancement”, which basically brings up the gain on an image while maintaining the highlights and shadow detail. “Wide intelligent color remapping” enhances Rec709 sources and reportedly improves vivid color while preserving image reference colors (like skin tones). The results of this particular feature are visually impressive. There is a remote controlled onscreen UI that basically transfers the iPod interface to TV screen. Connection options include component, HDMI, S-Video, composite, coax and optical audio, 1/8″ headphone and analog line out. There is an HDMI input for pass-through and a USB port for iPod syncing. Sounds too good to be true? It very well may be. I did speak with Qdeo engineers yesterday, and they were convincingly thorough in their knowledge of the product, it’s capabilities and video processing in general. That is at least a comfort (though a useful device it does not necessarily make…sound like Yoda I do!). The Meridian iRIS is expected to hit market this fall, for around $379. Likewise, Marvell is working with other manufacturers to integrate the new Qdeo chipset in TV’s, DVD players, and other home entertainment devices.

Why am I writing about this gizmo? I’m glad you asked…if this thing delivers on it’s tall promises (and that would be a big “if”), it could potentially be a simple, convenient way to showcase work to clients on the road. Or for the event crowd, play a photo montage or video presentation at a wedding. And it begins to make iTunes Store content an option for watching on today’s HD home theater systems. We shall see…

Simon Wyndham has written an excellent hands on review of the Panasonic HPX-500 well worth the read if you’re interested in learning more about this camera, go ahead and take a look.

SIMON SAYS:
With Blu-Ray discs managing to break into the top selling echelons of Amazon.coms’ charts, high definition has entered a new phase of mass adoption. This has meant that the demand for camera operators with their own high definition cameras has increased drastically even in the space of the last year or so. To enable owner/operators a way into professional high definition shooting Panasonic initially released the HDX900.

The 900 offered a good route for those who already owned or used the standard definition SDX900 and who were established in a DVCpro workflow. While the HDX900 offered a smooth upgrade path it was still a tape based camera, and as anyone who hasn’t been living underground for the last 5 years or so knows tapeless is the way the industry is going.

Thus we arrive at the new HPX500 camcorder. The HPX500 has been designed once again to allow a smooth upgrade path for those wishing to get into low cost HD production. One set of customers Panasonic appear to be targeting with the 500 are existing operators of HVX200’s who may be looking to move to a more professional style of camera.

READ THE REST OF THE ARTICLE

The Guardian has an article on a television solution from Phillips that allows you to experience 3-Dimensional content without the annoying glasses.

“The technology works by throwing a different image to each eye and angling them so that one eye picks up one and the other picks up the other. There are in fact eight separate images, the technologists having added more after early users reported feelings of nausea and dizziness.”

Some very interesting things being developed. Here’s the link to Phillip’s WoWvx 3D products.

JVC and other manufacturers are rolling out a new standard of HDTVs that will natively run at 120Hz . The change from NTSC’s 60Hz should smooth out playback of 24 / 23.99 fps DVDs, as 24 divides evenly into 120. This means that the content can be played back without the fugly 3:2 pull down, so there are no added motion artifacts or characteristics. A little napkin math reminds us that 120 is also a multiple of 30 / 29.97 fps.

From what I understand, the new LCD displays don’t actually play back at 120 fps, but refresh internally at that rate. The only change you see is a smoother moving image.

In related news, self-professed “frame counter” David Bordwell has a unique essay on the topic, and how the differences in formats effect the impact of an edit. A fascinating read (found at DVGuru).