Need a sunshade or top flag for your camera, but not quite willing to jump into a full-featured mattebox solution? Here’s a Do It Yourself solution that works with camcorders equipped with a hard lens shade. With a little time, epoxy glue, a inexpensive universal shoe mount, and this el-cheapo french flag, you should be able to put something together without much hassle. Here are the full-size images and a few brief assembly notes. It’ll run you around $31 for the parts, before shipping. Not bad for a simple shade solution.

When Redrock Micro announced development of the MicroX flip unit for the M2 35mm adapter at NAB 2007, the online community was abuzz. Since then the market has been all about flip units; a properly oriented image is rapidly becoming the de-facto standard for 35mm lens adapters. Redrock was pretty quiet about the MicroX while it was in development, but we are happy to report that FreshDV has obtained new information, an exclusive image of the finished product, and a final ship date. With a debut price of $345 for M2 owners (must provide serial number) and $445 for 3rd-party adapter owners, the MicroX begins shipping on March 24th, 2008. Redrock claims the unit provides improved image and edge sharpness and a universal achromat for both SD and HD camcorders. The kit will include the following:

* The microX image flip accessory,
* A new high performance optical achromat designed specifically for the microX
* A riser plate for adjusting your existing microX rod support system to the correct height
* A newly designed reinforced hard mount kit that also provides a “lock down� once your microX is correctly configured
* Access to a step-by-step video tutorial on how to upgrade your system

Redrock has not recommended the MicroX for use with Sony HDV cameras with a filter size of 72mm+ (like the Z1, Z7, FX1, and EX1). A 2nd version of the MicroX is in development specifically for these camcorders, expect a release date to be announced soon. The MicroX is fine for use with the Sony V1, A1, and other - 72mm Sony HDV cameras. For more information on the MicroX, stay tuned at Redrock’s website.

Techthoughts has pointed out a handy little audio tool that can help save 3.5mm audio ports from death by cord snaggage. Whether it’s a laptop, camera headphone jack, or the front of your Mac tower, 1/8″ mini jacks can be particularly susceptible to damage when cords are accidentally yanked. We’ve all done it. The Replug device is a $18 break-way inline adapter that might just save your ports. Looks like a great solution to a common problem.

At long last Redrock Micro has announced a ship date for the MicroMattebox. They have stated that production units will start shipping on April 15th to the first 50 “ticket” reservation holders (I believe that means those who paid the deposit last fall), and remaining reservation holders would get “priority access and preferential pricing to the microMatteBox before it becomes generally available.”

Here’s my take on that; the demand for a relatively low-cost mattebox with this sort of featureset is undoubtedly very high, and has been for years thanks to the explosion of 35mm adapter use. Couple that with the fact that RED One reservations are currently being fulfilled and shipped at a high rate, and the spike of MicroMB orders that is likely to follow NAB 2008…what this adds up to is that Redrock Micro is going to be very busy getting these units out. Here’s hoping they hit their announced ship dates without any further delays. Final specs on the unit can be found here, it’s looking like a very well thought-out and useful mattebox design that offers a host of features previously unheard-of at this price-point.

UPDATE: Full reservation-holder pricing details and info from the press release can be found below: Continue reading ‘Redrock Announces MicroMattebox Ship Date’

“Annnnnnnnd wake!” This is pretty far off-topic, but I had to share it. The Directors Edition Digital Alarm Clock from ChinaVision is a digital clock designed to look like a high-end film slate. And yes, you mark the slate to stop the alarm. Sweet!

Specifications:
* 24 Hour Clock Display (Military Time), Hour, Minute, Second, Deci-Second Display
* Date Display (Day, Month, Year) 10 Minute Alarm Length
* Clapper Motion to End Alarm
* Built in Wall Mount and Destop Hinge
* Dimension: 185 x 225 x 26mm (LxWxD)

I must have one. Get yours here for $36. Oh, and a FreshDV t-shirt goes to the first person to hack the clock to display real data for use on-set.

(via PVC)

Sony’s HVR-Z7U is finally in stock at B&H, pre-orders should ship out in the order they were received. We have previously covered this camera thoroughly here. And if you’ve missed the first Z7U user reports you should definitely read the comments on this recent post, particularly in regards to it’s reported lack of rolling shutter vertical skew. That is good news indeed.

I just noticed that B&H dropped their price on the PMW-EX1 camcorder. It was previously listed at $6699.00 and has been recently reduced to $6,449.00 (and is currently marked “In Stock”). This is a great development for a camcorder that is still in high demand. New EX1 buyers should also remember to take advantage of the 8GB SxS card rebate (PDF) and also the EX1 + Accessories rebate. We’ve been been doing a series of EX1 reviews and tests, click on over for more info on our results.

The Sony HVR-Z7U and HVR-S270U interchangeable-lens camcorders are two very interesting offerings for 2008. Offering 1080/24p HDV to tape as well as to CompactFlash media via an accessory recorder, they look to be a great way to bridge the gap between the reliability and simplicity of long-format tape production and the convenience of solid state media.

B&H is now accepting pre-orders on the Z7U, listed at $6,299.95. At this time you can also pre-order the S270U, listed at $9,299.95. As with the EX1 release you should note that orders will be filled in the order they are received. And as with the EX1 release, I anticipate an initial shortage of camcorders.

Both record 1080 HDV @ 24p and 30p via three 1/3-inch ClearVid CMOS Exmor imagers with a claimed 1.5 lux rating. Other recording formats include 1080i, DVCAM, and DV. Both downconvert HD to SD via Firewire and can simultaneously record to CF card in either HDV or SD resolutions. Additional output options include HD-SDI/SD-SDI (with embedded audio and TC) on the S270U and uncompressed HDMI output on the Z7U. If you’d like to keep tabs on these two unique camcorders, watch our continuing coverage here.

Apple has announced updated MacPro computers with eight-core standard configurations and a new system architecture. The systems consist of two Quad-Core Xeon chips running at up to 3.2GHz. The case will handle up to 4TB of internal storage. No high-definition burner option from Apple yet. They state in HDV rendering tests that the new 8-core 3.2GHz Mac Pro is:

* Up to 1.8x faster than Power Mac G5 Quad
* Up to 1.4x faster than Mac Pro Quad-core 2.66GHz
* 1.2x faster than the previous-gen Mac Pro 8-core 3.0GHz

Stated performance gains are even higher for HDV Encoding, ProRes Rendering, ProRes Encoding, and AE CS3’s Nightflight benchmark. See for yourself here. The Apple Store is updating right now, but I imagine will repoen soon for those that are looking to upgrade soon. A standard eight-core config will cost $2799.

Thanks to a tip from Joel Peregrine, I just ran across the Modo Steady 585 multi-purpose device from Manfrotto. This thing is a very unique little stabilizer/tripod/gizmo for sub-2 lb camcorders. It weighs just over a lb and supports up to 1.7lb max capacity. You can use it as a “gliding” stabilizer (reminds me of the Steadicam Merlin), a chest brace, and in low and high tripod modes. There is a video of the Modo in action at modo.manfrotto.com.

Guess what killer camcorder weighs 1.2 lbs? Yup. The $689.95 Canon HV20. To enhance the gliding effect, pick up the Schneider Optics .55x Wide Angle Adapter. The lens weighs just 4.8 oz and can be reversed and used as a fisheye. Sweet! You’ll just need a 58mm-43mm ring to adapt it to the HV20.

A slightly cheaper (and much heavier at 1.1 lbs) option is Canon’s WDH43 0.7x WA lens for the HV20. Note that you would be technically overloading the Modo Steady device with this lens on the HV20. Since the lens reportedly weighs over a pound, I am unsure if it would work at all with the Modo Steady + HV20.

Sony’s whole-lotta-not-much camera in “professional” shoulder-configuration camouflage is in stock at B&H for $1600. Just in time for Christmas, kids!

We mentioned the paper launch back in August when real specs and numbers seemed shaky. Unfortunately, those specs don’t seem to have improved in the ensuing months. The HD1000U is still an uuuugly, underpowered 4 lux behemoth that looks walks and talks like a pro shoulder camera, but doesn’t even include basics like XLR or full-size cassettes. To be fair, I suppose there may be a place for this model in some applications (particularly considering the price point). However, I personally feel the camera has been basically crippled out of the gate and (with the exception of DVCAM) doesn’t include any real tools or features that shooters demand.

Are we missing the boat here? Where do you see this camera taking hold in the industry, if at all?

UPDATE: Apparently no DVCAM.

The guys over at Letus have had a very busy fall. First they announced the shiny new Letus Extreme, a 35mm adapter with built-in prism flip and a mere half-stop of light loss. By most reports, the Extreme has been very well-received in the video community. Not content to rest there, Letus has just announced the Letus35 Mini, a 1lb 9oz compact lens adapter designed for small cameras with a filter size under 43mm. Weighing just half of it’s big brother Extreme, the Mini should be able to be used without rods or additional support, though a custom support bracket is available. As with the Extreme, Letus states that this adapter has “absolutely no vignetting” and excellent edge to edge sharpness. Mount options include the Canon FD, Nikon AI, Canon EF (EOS), Pentax K mount, Minolta MD or the optional PL mount and OCT19 mounts. Check out this image for a side-by-side size comparison of the Mini vs. Extreme.

I’m told that a supply of adapters are currently in stock and available to ship in the next 3-5 days, the price is listed at $1,099.00. Just in time for Christmas…you can put it on your shiny new Canon HV20 camcorder. Put those two together and you’ve got a 35mm lens adapter and HD camcorder for under $1900.00. That is incredible. Independent filmmakers rejoice!

We previously mentioned the Extreme here. If you are interested in seeing some beautiful Letus Extreme footage, definitely check out what Phillip Bloom shot recently on the EX1.

Just like our previous XDCAM EX1 coverage, we’ve got continuing coverage here on the new HVR Z7U and HVR S270U HDV camcorders from Sony. Check back here for regular updates and news. Note that newer links and notes will appear at the top.

B&H has the Z7U in stock at this time, listed at $6,299.95 $5,399.95 (simply add to cart to see this lower price reflected). At this time you can also order the S270U, listed at $8,499.95 $7,950.00. All purchases made via those links help support FreshDV at no additional cost to you.

* Shawn Lam reviewed the S270U for EventDV here.

* Here’s a great video overview of the Z7U compliments of Midtown Video.

* EX1 vs Z7U vs Z1U lowlight framegrabs are up here. The EX1 has the clear edge in noise and brightness with the Z7U not far behind. That’s down in the PD170 low light levels, folks!

* Sony has released an import utility plugin for re-joining split M2T files from the CF Card Recorder. The plugin for Final Cut Pro users enables the use of the Log and Transfer import utility to acquire footage from CF Cards. Get it here. (Update: The download link now works)

* This thread at DVinfo has a few user-submitted M2T clips.

* Per DVinfo, Sony is offering a rebate for a free 8GB CompactFlash card with the purchase of a Z7U or S270U. The rebate link is not yet active, so check back soon.

* Jordan Oplinger wrote in to mention that the Sony HVR-Z7U user manual is in the wild, we have a copy mirrored here.

* Here’s a user report from Shawn Lam on his brand new HVR-Z7U. Several very interesting details.

* HVR Z7U User footage is beginning to surface. Here is one such clip at Divx Stage6. Recommend muting the music, it’s a bit overbearing. There is a mirror at Youtube. Could be my browser, but it plays back a bit jerky for me as if pulldown cadence is “off.” Thanks for JO for the tip!

* Digital Content Producer has posted a first look review of the S270 and Z7U.

* Here are a number of pictures of the prototype Z7U on display at GV Expo. You can see how the flash recorder unit hooks up, the interesting placement of a tape transport, and the free-spinning iris ring.

* Another article by IEBA about the new Z7U and S270U, this was a summary of the updates and features for EventDV Magazine.

* Anthony over at IEBA/Techthoughts has added several videos in the past few days:
- A seminar on the new models by Sony’s Juan Martinez.
- Demos of the TC/UB, Memory, In/Out, and Others menu systems.
- A demonstration of HVR S270 and HVR Z7U lens operation.

* IEBA blog has the display menus up now. (For more info on “Cam Leveling”, check out the product brochure linked below. Interesting feature.)

* Anthony Ajit passed on this link to the PDF brochure for Sony’s HVR-Z7E and HVR-S270E versions of the HDV cameras, and it offers more concrete specs and details. For instance, it becomes clear here that in addition to 1/3″ interchangeable lenses, you can also utilize standard 1/2″ and 2/3″ HD lenses using adapters. The camcorders feature standard ENG 12-pin lens connectors. Note that there is a zoom factor when adapting lenses, namely: 2x focal length for a 2/3-inch lens adapter, 1.3x with a 1/2-inch lens adapter, and 7x with a Sony Alpha DSLR still lens adapter. You should also check pg8 for some interesting features called “Camera Leveling” and “Focus Marking”…yes the camera can detect it’s horizon and display that on the LCD. Sweet. And the Skintone detail feature is now fully configurable…you can set the color manually. I should also note that the CompactFlash recorder automatically syncs with the camera when attached…it does all the recording start-stops without manual intervention. And here’s the answer to a question asked by a friend the other day…YES, you can record HDV 1080 to tape while also recording downconverted DV to card for short term SD delivery.

* Anthony Burokas has screencaps of the camera menus and audio menus (others to come).

* We previously were hoping that you could simultaneously record to tape, CF card, and firewire out to a hard disk recorder. It appears that you cannot as the Flash recorder covers up the Firewire port.

* Our initial coverage of the camcorder announcements. Features, specs and preliminary info from the press-releases.

As always, keep the links and comments coming.

Paul Harrill over at SRF has a nice list of light dimmer solutions, including the Harbor Freight Router Speed Controls we’ve recommended previously. Cheap and effective. He’s also got directions for building your own dimmer boxes, if perchance you happen to be into the DIY thing.

NOTE:
Harbor Freight dimmers can really only support up to around 1,500 Watts per line on a dimmer over that and you risk burning them out they work great just don’t overload them

-Kendal

Mike Curtis notes that 90,000 HD-DVD players were sold over the weekend due in part to the limited-time $99 HD-A2 sale price at major retailers Wal-Mart, Best Buy and Circuit City. 90K units in a single weekend. Wow.