What New: Video Technology
Nov 1, 2005 12:00 PM
INTERFACE
Livid Instruments’ Virtual V-4 Element hardware “plug-in” gives the Edirol V-4 video mixer direct access to Livid’s Union realtime video performance software, allowing third-party developers, artists, and students to create custom plug-ins for Livid software. Users can assign hundreds of effects parameters to the V-4’s knobs, trigger thousands of video files, and manipulate live camera feeds. With one MIDI cable, the plug-in, and a laptop, Livid has significantly decreased the amount of gear and cables needed for live video production, while doubling the output capabilities.
▪ Livid Instruments
www.lividinstruments.com
MONITORING SYSTEM
Leitch‘s Videotek SQM module, the SQM-STM, uses Videotek Remote Management software to stream one analog video channel and two analog audio channels to a user-supplied PC across network or Internet connections. The module provides realtime, unattended monitoring of common audio and video formats including analog, digital, and MPEG, detecting errors in the signal path and pinpointing the exact location of the error. Inputs include two composite analog video and four channels of analog audio. Bandwidth, picture resolution, and frame rate are adjustable to ensure high quality, even with bandwidth limitations.
▪ Leitch | www.leitch.com
EDITING SOFTWARE
Ulead‘s MediaStudio Pro 8 video editing software provides extensive HDV support; a streamlined workflow; and the Smart Compositor feature, a new tool for quickly creating professionally composited opening sequences or segues. Other features include a new single-track editing interface, Smart Proxy mode for efficient HDV editing, advanced color correction, and 5.1 surround audio editing.
▪ Ulead | www.ulead.com
CONVERTER
Kramer‘s FC-20 SDI/DV converter is a portable, bidirectional transcoder for use with NLEs and broadcast SDI sources and destinations. The unit features embedded AES/EBU digital stereo audio and supports NTSC and PAL, as well as DVITC timecode in the SMPTE 259M datastream. The converter can operate in DV decoding/encoding modes as selected by the NLE or by the user via the front panel. Audio group and channel can also be selected via the front panel. A front-panel LED indicates SDI lock status.
▪ Kramer Electronics
www.kramerelectronics.com
DISPLAYS
AOC Displays‘ new Envision A17UX231 and A15X221 multifunction LCD displays measure 17in. and 15in., respectively, and incorporate standard TV tuners and cable, video, and PC inputs. Both models are wall-mountable and come with built-in speakers, headphone output, and remote control. The A17UX231 features 1280×1024 resolution, a 700:1 contrast ratio, and a response time of 8ms. The A15X221 features 1024×768 resolution and a 400:1 contrast ratio and provides for optimal space savings for use on crowded countertops or desktops.
▪ AOC Displays | www.aocdisplay.com, www.envisiondisplay.com
PROJECTORS
Epson‘s PowerLite 750c and PowerLite 755c projectors weigh less than 4lbs. each and feature the company’s three-chip LCD technology for smooth, artifact-free motion video without a moving color wheel. Proprietary lamp technology enables the “Instant Off” feature, which eliminates the need for additional cooling time after the user turns the projector off. This allows the projector to be immediately unplugged and packed up for the next meeting without the noise or delays often associated with cool-down cycles.
▪ Epson | www.epson.com
LCD MONITOR
Panasonic‘s BT-LH1700W 17in. HD/SD LCD monitor features two auto-switching SDI/HD-SDI inputs, high-speed response with no blurring, an image-processing circuit that converts interlaced signals into progressive signals with no visible delays, a waveform monitor that graphically displays luminance levels from zero to 110 IRE in any of the monitor’s four corners, and a split screen/freeze frame function for scene comparison and critical color matching (live input vs. freeze frame). The multi-format, self-contained unit is outfitted with a 1280×768, WXGA panel and reproduces up to 16.7 million colors, providing selectable color temperature. Cine Gamma compensation is included for monitoring with Panasonic’s VariCam HD Cinema camera.
▪ Panasonic Broadcast
www.panasonic.com/broadcast
PROJECTOR
Christie‘s DW30 native 16:9 format projector incorporates the latest 720p-resolution DarkChip3 single-chip DLP technology for use in small conference rooms, control rooms, nightclubs, and home entertainment systems. It offers quiet operation and a filterless optical engine with sealed components for reliable, dust-free operation. Features of the projector include brightness up to 2500 ANSI lumens (dual lamp), a contrast ratio of up to 5000:1, 10-bit image processing, onboard Christie edge-blending, and built-in ChristieNet networking. ChristieNet Wave and ChristieNet Wave-DVD are optional. The projector also provides picture-in-picture and picture-by-picture functionality and allows seamless switching between input sources.
▪ Christie Digital
www.christiedigital.com
IMAGE PROCESSOR
Analog Way‘s Di-VentiX image processor is equipped with two SDI/HD-SDI inputs and one DVI input, as well as two DVI and two HD-SDI outputs. The processor offers three operation modes: mixer mode, built-in vertical or horizontal edge-blending mode, and native-matrix mode. In mixer mode, the unit scales all sources and performs seamless switching transitions between any two inputs. In edge-blending mode, the system drives two video projectors for horizontal or vertical soft edge. In native-matrix mode, the unit switches any of the eight inputs to any of the two outputs.
▪ Analog Way | www.analogway.com
RECORDER
Focus Enhancements‘ new FS-4 HD recorder allows videographers to record HDV or DV streams directly to disk from HD video camcorders and decks via FireWire for editing. The recorder accepts NLE file formats including standard-definition Avid OMF, Canopus AVI, Matrox AVI, and high-definition 720p or 1080i MPEG-2 transport streams. The unit can be easily mounted on videographers’ belts or camcorders using the optional hot-shoe clip-on adapter. The recorder features a 40GB internal disk drive, 16 front-panel buttons with VTR-like controls, a backlit status LCD display, a six-second retro-cache, user-definable function keys, extensive playback features, and support for HDV- and DV25-based DTE.
▪ Focus Enhancements
www.focusinfo.com
