Editor Daniel Hollister used to hate iMovie. But from his recent Why iMovie ‘08 Matters article, it sounds like the latest version in iLife ‘08 is begining to grow on him. He makes a good case for using iMovie for simple productions; “For anyone needing to edit video extremely quickly, this is a godsend.” For a slightly different viewpoint, Mike Curtis wrote a detailed review of iMovie ‘08 for Macworld.

The latest version of iLife is available for $79 at the Apple Store.

 NAB Expo '07 Day 3 Misc 2 [8:02m]: Download
 NAB Expo '07 Day 3 Misc 2 [8:02m]: Download

NAB Show 2007 has come and gone, we have been slowly but surely working through the hours of footage we captured on the Expo floor. I believe that this video is the last of it! Here is part two of our Day 3 compilation.

*We stopped by the Loon Audio booth and got a demo of their beautiful audio boom poles. These are really well thought out designs, constructed of lightweight aluminum and composite materials, and they come fully wired with a unique basemate and wireless “wing” to protect your transmitter.

*Danny at DVTec gave us a quick demonstration of the DV Multi Rig, an affordable lightweight camera support system.

*Greg Prentiss of Anton Bauer gave us the complete rundown on the Elipz 10K Battery and power system as well as the ElightZ, EgripZ, HUBZ and SpokeZ accessories (I personally have used the EgripZ for some time now, and really appreciate the way it eliminates wrist strain when shooting handheld HDV).

Click a Download link above or watch via our FreshDV iTunes Podcast Feed.

 NAB Expo '07 Day 3 Misc 1 [6:09m]: Download
 NAB Expo '07 Day 3 Misc 1 [6:09m]: Download

NAB Show 2007 has come and gone, but we are still working through the hours of footage we captured on the Expo floor. We’re getting very close to the end of it, thankfully. Here is a compilation of interesting info that we captured on Day 3 in Las Vegas.

*Jim Bartell of Bartech Engineering demonstrates the Bartech BFD Wireless Focus Device (which uses the powerful M-One Motor from Palomar Engineering). The Bartech + M-One combo is one of the more affordable wireless focus/iris systems on the market, and they are built rock-solid. Stay tuned for FreshDV’s feature review of the BFD.

*One of the issues we ran into at NAB was wireless/internet connectivity. It was always a challenge to wrangle a reliable and fast internet connection. In particular the wifi at the Expo was abysmally slow, we were having a very difficult time getting the videos out to you guys. Fortunately, we ran into the nice guys at Stratos Global out in the parking lot. They had a Hummer setup with a few BGAN Satellite connections, and uploaded a number of completed video podcasts that day for us. Their self-contained satellite uplink/streaming unit is a really unique solution, and surprisingly affordable for what it does. Check it out.

Click a Download link above or watch via our FreshDV iTunes Podcast Feed.

 GPVA NAB 2007 Roundup [10:43m]: Download
 GPVA NAB 2007 Roundup [10:43m]: Download

Recently myself and fellow FreshDV editor Kendal were live video guests at a Greater Philadelphia Videographers Association meeting. We did a short Q&A with GPVA members and also presented a 10-minute NAB 2007 “Roundup” video. The video features many of the interesting, unique, and essential products we ran across at the tradeshow. Stuff that is highly relevant and timely for independent videographers and production companies. It was a tall order to cram all that info into such a short timeframe, so we figured it would be a waste not to share it with our loyal FreshDV readers. So here it is. I’ve listed a summary of all the products we covered in this clip after the jump.

I would be remiss not to also mention two companies that very kindly created promotions for readers in association with our NAB Roundup. Videoguys donated a complete Edius Pro 4 Wedding Editors bundle as a doorprize for the May GPVA meeting, and have also generously created a Free Shipping discount. And Nattress provided members with a 15% discount off ANY filter package purchases at nattress.com. Both of those promotions are still available.

Click the Download links above or watch via our FreshDV iTunes Podcast Feed.
Continue reading ‘NAB Video Podcast - GPVA 10-Minute NAB Roundup’

 NAB 2007 Wrapup [1:17:44m]: Download

Mike Curtis, the high-definition guru behind HD For Indies recently sat down with FreshDV to discuss the big trends and what he found exciting at NAB this year. We also delve into Mike’s unique consultancy work for filmmakers and common (perfectly-avoidable) digital filmmaking and acquisition mistakes.

NAB discussion topics include the Red One camera, Red Digital Cinema’s 4K projectors and pocket cam, the Apple Final Cut Studio/Color/Motion updates, ProRes 422 and conversion options, Sony XDCAM EX and other low-cost tapeless options vs HDV, AJA IO-HD, Avid’s DNxHD and Scriptsync, Dalsa Origin camera, SI-2K camera, and the new Canon-specific adapter from P&S Technik. Plus you get to hear Mike’s soliloquy on Codecs and Flowers…

Click the Download link above or listen via our FreshDV iTunes Podcast Feed.

 NAB Wireless Audio Challenges [2:52m]: Download
 NAB Wireless Audio Challenges [2:52m]: Download

During the course of our experience at NAB 2007 we received a lot of positive feedback on the interview audio quality of our video podcasts. I wish we could somehow take credit as the NAB Audio Gods, but we can’t. All the praise goes to the Sennheiser Evolution Wireless G2 system we used (and abused) during our extensive coverage of the NAB tradeshow. In the video attached to this post we talk about the challenges of the shoot, and how the G2 handled them with ease. In particular, it’s ability to quickly auto-scan for open frequencies and multiple banks of frequency ranges were essential…the tradeshow floor is like the wild west of wireless traffic.

The EW100 (EW112PG2) package comes with a wireless transmitter beltpack, lapel mic, and a camera-shoe mountable receiver unit with adapter cables for both XLR and 1/8″ mini audio jacks. The optional handheld microphone we used primarily for our NAB interviews is the Super-Cardioid SKM545G2 handheld transmitter. It does a wonderful job of rejecting off-axis noise and was essential for obtaining usable audio on the noisy and distracting NAB showroom floor.

Note: Before purchasing a G2 Evolution wireless system, you should use the Frequency Finder to determine the correct range for your needs…A, B, or C. You can also check out the official specs at Senn’s USA site.

Click the Download links above or watch via our FreshDV iTunes Podcast Feed.

 Reel Stream Hydra Overview [5:22m]: Download
 Reel Stream Hydra Overview [5:22m]: Download

We’re still chewing through our coverage of the last few days of NAB Expo 2007. Here’s another one you guys have been clamoring for…
Juan Pertierra of ReelStream gives us a good overview of the new HVX-200 modification they are offering. The mod enables you to capture 2K 14-bit RGB linear data via a gig-ethernet cable (up to 325 ft. long), and supports all the standard HVX200 frame rates. Check out the video for all the details. Reel-Stream has been doing a similar mod on the DVX100 called Andromeda for a few years now, so it’s great to see them finally support this new camera.

Click the Download links above or watch via our FreshDV iTunes Podcast Feed.

 P+S Technik Update [10:41m]: Download
 P+S Technik Update [10:41m]: Download

At NAB Expo 2007, P+S Technik gave us the scoop on the new Mini35 Compact lens adapter which has been designed specifically to mate directly with HDV camcorders equipped with an interchangeable relay lens. It is significantly smaller than the original Mini-35, and makes a great combo with the Canon XL-H1. They also showed off their new rehoused Zeiss ZF lens line, with features that rival cine lenses at a very reasonable price point. And finally, we got a look at the new housing they have created for Silicon Imaging’s proven SI-2K Digital Cinema Camera. P&S partnered with SI to create a solid, usable housing that works well with existing cine accessories and workflow. It also features the Technik interchangeable lens mount, which greatly simplifies swapping between PL, Canon, Nikon, and B4 lens mounts.

Click the Download links above or watch via our FreshDV iTunes Podcast Feed.

 "Crossing The Line" excerpt [0:35m]: Download

An excerpt from the short film recently created by Peter Jackson (with pre-production cameras from Red Digital Cinema) is online at long last. We have a mirror of the 1K resolution 91MB clip here, courtesy of reduser.net.

 DP Richard Bluck Interview [6:39m]: Download

Richard Bluck is the Director of Photography who shot Peter Jackson’s 15-minute short film with the Red Digital Cinema dev cameras. And we’ve got an exclusive interview with him. He talks about the challenges of the shoot, how the Red alpha-version cameras performed, and where he sees digital cinema headed. Check it out.

UPDATE: In the interview, Richard suggests that he saw about 9 stops of Dynamic Range in the camera. Graeme Nattress addresses that in this reduser.com thread, stating that Stouffer wedge charts show 11.3 stops of DR.

Framegrabs from the short film are shown below, courtesy of reduser.net. More images can be found at red.com, they will also be making the film available for download at 1K resolution in the near future.
Continue reading ‘NAB Video Podcast - Peter Jackson DP Richard Bluck Interview’

 Ted Schilowitz Interview [17:13m]: Download
 Ted Schilowitz Interview HD 720p [17:13m]: Download

At long last we bring you a video podcast on a company that took the NAB Expo by storm. Whether or not you agree with their camera system or philosophy, you have to respect their notable achievements as a company. Red Digital Cinema represents the very heart of what NAB is really about, breaking technological paradigms and forging into new realms in an effort to develop new and innovative gear. I think it is truly phenomenal what they have achieved, particularly in such a short period of time. I sincerely hope other companies are challenged to step up and serve their customers with the care and integrity that Red has to this point.

In our lengthy interview with Ted Schilowitz, we cover the history of Red One development as well as some of the features it now offers. Red Drive firewire ports (with direct edit capability), full Redcode raw support in FCP forthcoming, workflow options, additional ingest options for FCP (transcode right into ProRes codec from Log and Transfer tools), lots more.

In addition to our standard web resolution, we thought it would be fitting to provide a HD viewing option of this interview as well. So here it is in high-bitrate 720p.

Click the Download link above or watch via our FreshDV iTunes Podcast Feed.

 Dedolight Demo [5:15m]: Download

Allen of Visual Departures demonstrates the award-winning line of Dedolight lighting systems, and explains what makes the lights so unique and efficient. If you aren’t aware of Dedolight, you really should check this out. They use advanced optics to gain major efficiencies in lighting so you can maximize your available space and power. An added bonus is that you get to see Allen slam a light head down, with no ill effects. Really cool stuff.

Click the Download link above or watch via our FreshDV iTunes Podcast Feed.

 NAB Day 2 Misc [10:26m]: Download

Yet another Day 2 compilation video podcast from the 2007 NAB Expo floor.

*We demonstrate wide angle and telephoto lenses from 16×9 Inc on a Sony HDV camera (with comparisons to stock FX1 lens).
*Frezzi gave us a nice little demo of the Frezzi Mini-Fill (with LED bulb option) and their camera support.
*A demonstration of the Techno-Dolly motion control system. This was fun to watch.

Click the Download link above or watch via our FreshDV iTunes Podcast Feed.

 Adobe After Effects CS3 New Features [12:00m]: Download

We snagged one of the Adobe trainers on the Expo floor and got a great rundown of all the latest features and additions to After Effects CS3. Some pretty amazing stuff, like simple frame-accurate video editing in Photoshop, and embedding that video within a PSD (which then shares seamlessly between AE and Photoshop). Some other additions of note…the Brainstorm “randomizer” jump starts project, a really cool morphing tool, using Vanishing Point to generate 3D comps in AE, and much more. Really innovative stuff that looks VERY useful in real-world applications.

Click the Download link above or watch via our FreshDV iTunes Podcast Feed.

 Colorspace Inc Interview [6:35m]: Download

We’ve been talking with the crew at Colorspace for a while, and took some time at NAB ‘07 to get a look at the upcoming Icon and Indie uncompressed recording system. We initially mentioned the recorders from Colorspace last month, here’s a chance to see what they’ve been up to and hear the developers dish on their vision first-hand.

Click the Download link above or watch via our FreshDV iTunes Podcast Feed.