Discount on Avid Symphony
Avid is offering a discount on its editing, grading and mastering suite Symphony to Avid Media Composer and Apple Final Cut Pro users.
This offer is designed to provide a way for Final Cut Pro, Avid Media Composer, Avid Xpress Pro, and Avid Xpress DV users to crossgrade or upgrade to Avid’s professional editing, color correction, and mastering solution at a significantly reduced cost.
“With Symphony 6 software, customers get all of the same features, tools, and workflows of Media Composer 6 for editing, plus the advanced and secondary color correction tools and Universal Mastering they need for finishing,” said Avid.
This limited-time offer expires June 15, 2012. For eligibility requirements and more information. http://www.avid.com/US/
Canon EOS-1D C 4K DSLR Launch
We’re still waiting for the EOS-1D X, but while we do Canon have announced the 1D C.
Yes, I know this is fairly old news but quite significant and I wanted to put a reference into our blog. This DSLR will be available in October 2012 and will retail for around $15000. Canon tell us that they have been in discussions with Hollywood and other filmmakers to ensure that they have added the features that they need. This machine will capture 4K video at 24p. It will also capture 1080p at 50/60 fps and output it uncompressed over it’s HDMI connection. The 1D-C will also share some features of the C300, such as it’s Canon Log Gamma to give a flat image that is easily cut with footage from other cameras.
Canon say that the 1D-C is quite significantly different to the 1D-X as the internal components had to be re-worked due to overheating issues caused by transfering the huge amounts of data required for 4K video.
4K video is not quite widespread yet (although Adobe CS6 and Final Cut Pro X support it), but there is no harm in archiving for the future.
Sony FS700 Camera Announced at NAB 2012
In the summer Sony are to relase the latest in Sony’s line-up of NXCAM interchangeable E-mount camcorders. The new Super 35mm model is designed for high-speed shooting and is capable of capturing footage at up to 960 frames per second. The camcorder also features a range of capabilities such as 3G HD-SDI output and built-in ND filters. Additionally, it also offers several creative options, shooting styles and enhanced ergonomics The NEX-FS700, with its super slow motion mode, should be ideal for pop promos, commercials and documentaries as well as sports
The NXCAM’s E-Mount flexibility is designed to accept virtually all SLR and DSLR 35mm lenses, with the use of simple, inexpensive adapters without optical degradation. FS series owners can make use of their existing lenses and add more lenses without being forced on a brand or mount.It seems that internal recording is to AVCHD (oh well) and only 4:2:0 but 4K raw out of the 3G/HD-SDI port will be enabled later via a firmware update so you can use an external recorder.This camera should sit above the FS100 and below the F3. So should make a good B camera for the F3. It looks as though Sony have really listened to user comments and requirements from the FS100 and implimented some great features. We look forward to getting our hands on one!
Looks set to ship for under $10 000
Sony PMW-100 Announced at NAB 2012
Another compact video camera from Sony was announced at NAB and is available on pre-order from Jigsaw and Proactive Broadcast at £3234 inc vat. It looks fairly similar to the EX1 but Sony have fired a definite shot over the “Canon X105 bow” with a direct response of 4:2:2 colour space and HD broadcast standard 50Mbps instead of the 35Mbps of the EX1 and EX3. The PMW-100 records to S*S cards and the workflow remains the same. It’s marketed as an excellent partner for b-roll etc to the PMW-500 and borrows some cool features from the EX3 such as over and under-cranking. Unfortunately the PMW-100 has a fixed lens, but what do you want for just over 3K!? There are also genlock and SDI connections so all seems present and correct.
Video Production for Children England
We’ve just completed two videos for Children England. They were shot at their Manchester Conference held at the Midland Hotel in March. One describes the benefits of being a Children England member. The other describes the importance of children’s rights within their work.
Pleasure to work with Emily, Monique and Nick on this.
Adobe CS6 Launch Today!
Yes, it’s that time again. A bit like Christmas (although it doesn’t come around quite as often) where you don’t know what you’re going to get but you know you probably don’t really need whatever it is, and you know that the rest of whole occasion is likely to cost you a lot of money. The new full version of Production Premium (the one you want if you live in video land) is going to set you back £1810.80 precisely. If you’ve already got CS5 then the upgrade is £714.00 inc vat.
But wait…..there’s a new way to pay! In this downtrodden, cash-strapped climate we are all suffering at the moment Adobe is the new Brighthouse! – just pay for your software suite in several simple monthly installments and when you fall behing on the payments just give it back….just like the plasmay! – I like it.
It’s called Creative Cloud http://www.adobe.com/uk/products/creativecloud.html
Apparently you can download any Adobe software you like once you’re in the scheme. Pricing is about £70 month to month or about £47 a month if you sign up for a year. So £564 for the year isn’t bad if you need loads of Adobe apps. It should only take you 12 months to work out how to use a few of them too. Can’t wait for CS7.
To be honest I’ve been an avid (please excuse the pun) Adobe Premiere user since 1996 and yes it has it’s little annoyances, but overall it gets the job done fairly simply and cheaply and it looks as though Adobe are heading for world domination in all things production. See the launch here:
http://www.adobe.com/uk/special/ccevent/index.html?trackingid=JSEEF
New camera from Blackmagic Design
NAB 2012 saw the launch of a brand new cinematic camera from Blackmagic Design. Clearly aimed at the indie film producer and possibly wedding videographers, this machine looks set to change the game and give Canon, Sony, Panasonic, and even Red a great deal to think about. A brief overview of the specs should tell you why, 2.5K image sensor with a wide 13 stops of dynamic range, a built-in SSD recorder, uncompressed RAW and compressed file formats, compatibility with quality EF and ZE mount lenses, a touch LCD monitor, professional quality onboard audio (1/4 jack not XLR) a headphone socket (Canon take note), and it even comes bundled with Blackmagic’s Da Vinci Resolve! Shipping date is July 2012 and list price is £1925
Blackmagic are also supplying a steady rig/handles for £125
As far as I know this is Blackmagic’s first attempt at production of a camera of this kind and let’s be fair, this is amazing at this price if it does what it says on the can. There is a lot of discussion on the web regarding this camera at the moment and it’s easy to find should you wish, but one thing is for sure, even if Blackmagic have not made a perfect camera first time around the foundations have most certainly been laid. This is really going to shake up the major players and that’s only going to be good for the consumer. Personally, my view is that there is a schoolboy error in the batery department (it is fixed/internal), I don’t like touchscreens for monitors (how can you see what your shooting with fingerprints all over it?), and the form factor looks a bit “domestic”, but apart from that….brilliant. Well done Blackmagic, long live the revolution.