The advent of multiple file-based recording formats and camera systems necessitates a new generation of efficient data management tools like the Nexto DI, which can accommodate, off-load, and store a range of data protocols and media types. From Alexa and SxS to XDCAM EX and P2 today’s shooter/filmmaker working project to project and (often) from producer to producer may frequently use a variety of cameras from just as many manufacturers.... »
The biggest news for editors when Avid began shipping Media Composer 6 last November was the NLE's transformation into a very modern, 64-bit application. Along with that came other great updates, including the support of third-party hardware options (several of which I tested with this review). This is a big release in terms of the software's overall internal plumbing, though it may or may not be a big release for users in terms of overall functions, depending on what features they need. I still think it may be one of the most important releases of Media Composer ever, as 64-bit lays the foundation for every upgrade to come.... »
Amid the hype and hoopla leading up to the camera’s introduction at Paramount Studios on November 3, one fact seemed inescapable: the Canon EOS C300 camera will usher in a new era of simple, versatile, high-performance tools for filmmakers.... »
When I took my first look at the feature details inside GenArts' new Sapphire Edge plug-in package, I admit my first reaction was to roll my eyes. Do we really need another set of canned looks/film damage filters? Throw a rock at a FCP plug-in maker and you’re also bound to hit one that does film damage or lens flare. But as I started working with the quality effects in Edge I slowly changed my tune.... »
Panasonic's new flagship 3D camcorder, the AG-3DP1, will not be released for another few months but that hasn't stopped a flood of speculation, since its unveiling at NAB, about the camera’s capabilities. Barry Braverman sorts through what they will mean for the stereo filmmaker.... »
For the past five years, Autodesk has been busy developing Mudbox alongside its other well-known suites of animation and modeling software. As a result, Mudbox 2012 ships with an even better 3D paint system, better posing, new sculpting options, interface improvements, and critical performance updates.... »
You may still need a dedicated encoder for high-end applications like premastering DVD and Blu-ray, but short of that, Squeeze 7 is a one-stop shop for whatever you have up your digital distribution sleeve.... »
Maya is without a doubt the best animation suite available, and this release, with key animation enhancements, keeps Maya on top. Still, Maya had lacked a critical tool part of many other animation suites for years: Editable Motion Trails. Until now.... »
For the past several releases of 3ds Max users have been teased with what the Excalibur (XBR) project had in store for the future of 3ds Max. The full impact of XBR is now clear in 3ds Max 2012. The upgrade has a completely new viewport system and a new dynamics infrastructure that may rival Maya’s Nucleus.... »
We all know the drill: We spot what appears to be a great price on a name brand, U.S. made computer product, only to discover later the manufacturer has since joined the march offshore to China and elsewhere, and thereby realize vastly increased profits from markedly inferior products. The (still) U.S. manufactured Sonnet F3 is an extremely robust RAID SATA storage system for serious industrial and rack-mounted applications.... »
After using FCPX for a few weeks I still believe what many initially thought upon first seeing FCPX back in April: This is just the first version of a new application and in this form is iMovie on steroids. There are just too many things that Final Cut Pro 7 users will be missing when they really dig into FCPX. It's not that we won't be able to make cool effects and pretty video, it's just that we'll do it in a much different way without some tools that we now take for granted. Word from people who are smarter than I am say that FCPX isn't built off of current iMovie code. If they aren't based on the same code then Apple made a very conscious, very clear and very targeted decision to copy an awful lot of what's in iMovie now. Some of it is actually for the better but a lot of it is for the worse.... »
You've no doubt been reading a lot about Final Cut Pro X. So have I. On Thursday I met with Apple and brought with me the litany of concerns voiced by current FCP 7 users.... »
Industry infatuation with Apple’s ProRes continues to build, from ARRI’s adoption of ProRes for its Alexa digital cinema camera to AJA’s unveiling at IBC last September of its latest ProRes field recorder, the Ki Pro Mini. Using this tiny, 10-bit recorder is like having an HDCAM deck in the palm of your hand.... »
Chico Marx in all his eloquence couldn’t have said it any better. You don’t have to believe some sketchy magazine reviewer; you can see very easily for yourself: the Panasonic BT-LH910, which began shipping in April, is the king-of-the-hill of compact sub-9-inch field monitors.... »
With new support for a range of capture formats, expanded After Effects capabilities and the introduction of Adobe Audition for Mac, Adobe CS5.5 has a lot to offer a wide gamut of new and emerging content creators.... »
