Silicon Imaging has posted a video tutorial on how to use the SiliconDVR software to record from the SI-2K to hard drive.

(Via HD For Indies)

Update: Readers were quick to point out some issues with the informal test. Frank retested, and ProRes 422 has been vindicated.
“Using the ProRes 422 (HQ) codec as intended… it delivers as promised and a bit better than expected…..Further, I have been able to determine that most of the difference spotted in the Difference mode tests in After Effects was due to some sort of a gamma shift.”

Frank Capria whipped up a quick codec compression test pitting Avid’s DNxHD 175 and DNxHD 115 codec flavors against the similar Apple ProRes 422 and ProRes 422 HQ codec options.

“After re-importing the results in After Effects, I placed each file in a composition along with the Uncompressed 10-bit 4:2:2 version and used the Difference transfer mode to illustrate where the compressed image varied from the uncompressed. The results were quite surprising. The DNxHD 175 file’s difference from the uncompressed was barely visible to the naked eye, but the ProRes 422 (HQ) codec showed significant differences. In fact, in my test, the DNxHD 115 codec also outperformed the ProRes (HQ)”

Obviously this was a very quick and informal test, as Frank himself is quick to note. But the differences are striking…Avid’s codec is absolutely killing ProRes in these examples. It will be interesting to see how ProRes performs in more extensive testing.

(Via Editblog)

Microsoft’s long-rumored Project Milan has been revealed, and it’s pretty sweet. The technology previously known as “PlayTable” and “Table” is a $10,000 multi-touch, gestural interface technology in a flat 30-inch display table format. I understand it is now being called “Surface” and is sort of an incubated technology demonstration at this time, as it seems that MS is still deciding how to best utilize the tech and in what markets. They are selling it to some casinos and other commercial clients at this time (look for it this fall), but it feels like they haven’t really decided what to do with it yet…right now it’s a very expensive and fun tabletop toy.

The Microsoft Mobile and Entertainment Division (MED) is primarily responsible for development of the Milan Project, so it follows that we’ll likely see this sort of tech trickle down to the Zune, Windows Mobile devices, and the XBOX. I understand that they are interested in other venues of distribution as well, so perhaps it’s use as a hands-on editing display isn’t too far-fetched (though likely to be prohibitively expensive in the short term). The other big company pushing multi-touch at this time is of course Apple, with the iPhone announcement. It will be interesting to see how use of the tech plays out between the two brands in the next several years. I’ve included a short demonstration video of the interface below…
Continue reading ‘Microsoft Reveals the Minority Report Table’

The Final Cut Studio 2 (FCP 6) upgrades have been shipping for about a week now, so a lot of your folks are probably getting ready to upgrade your editing boxen. When you do, consider backing up your old FCP app (and maybe Compressor and other tools you can’t live without) using the advice of editors Scott Simmons and Shane Ross.

Shane Ross has the scoop.

Apple Compressor offers an option in the Inspector window to run a Applescript on that file following the encode process, called “Execute action on output.” And if you’ve never considered how to take advantage of that feature, here’s a handy tutorial. The author includes an example Applescript that will automatically upload the freshly-encoded file via FTP. Too cool.

Thanks Mitch!

Flowseeker Blog has a few excellent After Effects related posts.
*It seems that certain motion trackers (*cough*Matchmover*cough*) don’t include all the data AE needs when exporting .ma files. Here are a few tips on dealing with that issue.
*The “Mythbusting” series of posts is a discussion on the viability of Adobe After Effects as a “high end” tool. Sub-question; “Is After Effects the software of choice at most high-end visual effects houses?” Read Part1, Part2, and Part3 then join the discussion.

We reported back in February on the latest HD-DVD and Blu-ray encryption cracking efforts by the Doom9 forum members. At that time a AACS encryption media key was discovered, a key that can be used by unapproved software to identify itself as a validly licensed player of HD-def discs. The argument is often presented that without such keys, users of linux and unsupported OS platforms have no options for playing the new AACS encrypted media. So there is a valid fair use argument, similar to the DeCSS issues of yesteryear. The AACS keys can of course also be used to decrypt discs and copy/redistribute them illegally. Personally, I believe fair use entitles you to a personal backup copy, but that’s another argument entirely…
Continue reading ‘AACS Issues HD-DVD Key Takedown Notices, Hilarity Ensues’

This Deal Memo looks like a good document template to keep handy. Simple, straightforward, effective.

(Via The Editblog)

The latest version of Adobe Photoshop has a two new interesting features…one is called Import Frames as Layers and we quickly covered it in our NAB 2007 Video Podcast on After Effects. The other is called Auto-Align Layers, and is a carry-over from Imageready. John Nack posts about a very cool and very creative MIS-use of these two features combined.

“After attending NAB this week, however, Photoshop engineer Mike Clifton came up with a crafty (and, to be honest, not “as-designed”) use for the Auto-Align Layers command: stabilizing a chunk of video. First, he shot some deliberately horrible footage out the window on our floor. He then used Photoshop’s new Import Frames as Layers command* to turn the video frames into Photoshop layers. Lastly, he selected all the frames and chose Edit->Auto-Align, telling Photoshop to line them all up. To our surprise, the results are not half bad…”

You can view before and after comparisons here. Pretty sweet results, actually.

 Freshdv's NAB 2007 Expo Video Coverage [1:05m]: Download

Myself, Matt Jeppsen and fellow Freshdv editor Kendal Miller will be sharing daily video podcast coverage of the NAB 2007 Showroom floor. We’ll be on the scene to bring you in-depth footage and info of the latest innovations and product offerings. We’ll also be sharing interviews with some of the leading industry pros. It all starts on April 15th, so subscribe now to the iTunes podcast feed and stay tuned. Podcasts will also be posted at www.freshdv.com/nab/

We have lined out a very busy schedule of booths and interviews to cover, but are open to additional suggestions for specific products or people to check out. We will do our best to be the eyes and ears of those who can’t make the trip to Las Vegas. Feel free to leave us your suggestions and requests in the comments below.

Coverage of NAB 2007 is presented by Videoguys, DV Info, and with the assistance of the good people at NAB.

David Newman of CineForm has been conducting some greenscreen testing of their codec vs HDCAM SR (everything shot on a Viper). The results of the informal blind quality poll have been revealed, along with some more in-depth mathematical analysis.
Continue reading ‘CineForm vs HDCAM SR Shootout’

Bruce Allen and Mike Curtis have done a pretty good job of summing up the featureset of the various apps in Adobe’s new Video Collection (which will soon be available cross-platform).

It’s exciting to see Premiere coming back to the Mac, I’m a firm believer in the concept that competition drives innovation. But I agree with Bruce when he makes the statement “I think we all wished for more features than we got here. The value here is in the bundling and integration, methinks. And, of course, it all being Intel-native if you’re on Mac.”

Today Reel Stream, famous for their Andromeda modification for the DVX100, announced that they would infact be offering a modified HVX200 called Hydra. While the lattitude is not announced the two features that JUMPED out at me where the 2K frame size as well as the 86DB S/N Ratio. I am interested to see how they can get that clean of a 2K signal from the HVX200. Also impressive was the 14BIT color space. Should be interesting, check out more information at their website.
Continue reading ‘Reel-Stream Mods the HVX200′

Graeme Nattress has released the latest plugin package for FCP users, this one called the “Big Box of Tricks“. The title says it all. Steve Douglas has a rundown of what plugins and features the Big Box of Tricks package will net you for a paltry $100. And owners of the discontinued Nattress Set 1 and Set 2 are eligible for a special upgrade rate. Rejoice! Why? Because Nattress plugins rock the casbah.