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May 1, 2006 12:00 PM
At NAB 2006, Grass Valley introduced its Infinity camcorder. Part of its Infinity product line, the new gear touts nonproprietary standards like Linux, a JPEG2000 codec, and Gigabit Ethernet, along with off-the-shelf Flash RAM and Iomega REV drives for storage.
Will open standards define video’s future?
By Dan Ochiva
As computer technology has become more deeply a part of production and postproduction over the past few years, it's become apparent that major trends in the computer industry will have direct consequences for video production.
For years, video production revolved around proprietary products. Now, however, users and manufacturers alike realize that proprietary systems can lock them into technologies with limited growth potential.
Today, 50 to 75 percent of Internet activity uses open-source software; open-source software is embedded in everything from mobile phones to video recorders. Linux is perhaps today's most disruptive open-source technology. Everyone from top studios to computer industry giants knows they must figure their future business plans in relationship to the open-source operating system.
Last year, Grass Valley became the first major video manufacturer to embrace open source software and nonproprietary standards such as embedded Linux, Gigabit Ethernet, JPEG2000 codecs, and off-the-shelf hard drives to create its Infinity Series of acquisition, recording, and storage devices.
At NAB 2006, Sun Microsystems announced a number of strategic alliances and products that support open standards, such as Sun's Java-based technology and Solaris 10, its highly regarded OS. Although Java and Solaris 10 aren't fully open-source technologies in the same way that Linux is, the company is aggressively pushing the products for collaborative development within the computer and video industries, and has opened the specs for all to see. Solaris 10 is now available as a free download.
At the show, Sun sponsored the High-definition Audio-video Network Alliance (HANA) in its booth to demonstrate the next generation of connected home entertainment systems based on HD products, along with open standards-based networking. Sun also presented updates on its collaborative development of an open standards reference architecture for digital asset management systems, a project that it's been working on in collaboration with Boston's WGBH/PBS since 2002. The reference architecture is available for free. WGBH now has a DAM system that integrates with its editing, production, trafficking, and broadcast systems, and that gives station employees web-based access to millions of content files.
Sun also announced at the show that HBO has upgraded its entire digital broadcast architecture using Sun's workflow and storage technologies, transitioning the broadcaster from videotape-based systems to a server-based storage and playout system. Meanwhile, an open standards digital rights management project is in the works.
“Today, [video system] interoperability is key, and open standards is the basis for that,” says Juan Dewar, vice president of Internet services, media, and entertainment at Sun Microsystems. “With open standards, the evolution of video production will be defined by the entire community.”
Tech Envy: Sling Media's SlingPlayer Mobile
Isn't it time to take charge of the media that's streamed to your cell phone? You'll soon be faced with many delivery options, as companies like Verizon, Cingular, Harris, and Qualcomm — along with content owners like Disney, CBS, and NBC — are rolling out networks able to deliver live video over next-gen cell phones and personal media players. (A rumored Apple cell phone may soon join the fray.)
But why resign yourself to just another passive viewing experience when Sling Media gives you the means to create your own pocket screening room? The San Mateo, Calif.-based company's Slingbox device works in conjunction with a remote laptop, enabling a traveler to watch what's on live TV back at their house, or what a video recorder — ala TiVo — has recorded. To do on-the-road viewing, you'll need high-speed Internet connections (at both ends), a home network, and a Windows computer — usually a laptop — to watch on. (A Mac version comes later this year.)
But now, Slingbox owners can eliminate even the laptop requirement by installing new SlingPlayer Mobile player software on Windows Mobile palmtops and cell phones. You'll still need high-speed Internet access, but that's available wirelessly via WiFi, as well as anywhere new high-speed cellular data networks go, like Verizon's EV-DO. SlingPlayer Mobile users can also control their home DVR to set recording, or fast forward through to pull up a specific section. So, even if you can't take it with you, you're still just a cell phone call away from showing a prospective client your latest reel.
www.slingmedia.com/mobile
digitalcontentproducer.com/newsletters
Digital Content Producer Newswire
enews.prismb2b.com/enews/digitalcontentproducer/newswire/current
Timely updates on important industry news and events from the viewpoint of Digital Content Producer editors and contributing editors. From the latest newsletter: What was new at NAB 2006? Lots. While many will claim that there weren't enough big, breakthrough items, after walking the show floor and sitting through an engaging back-and-forth discussion with our writers as we worked on our best of show awards, we can say it's been a very good show indeed. While I won't use the term “breakthrough,” so many cool and important upgrades made prior products more usable, so many companies dropped their prices, and, all the while, new gear solved production problems. …
HDV@Work
enews.prismb2b.com/enews/digitalcontentproducer/hdvwork/current
For the HDV professional. Alongside HDV product news, contributing writer Steve Mullen tackles practical and philosophical issues related to HDV. From the latest newsletter: JVC's HD1 was the first HDV camcorder to come to market, and it introduced the world to both low-cost HD and MPEG-2 Transport Stream video recorded to MiniDV tape. Because of the HD10's origin in JVC's consumer group, it lacked the controls that many felt were necessary. Nevertheless, those of us who invested the effort to understand how to shoot low-temporal-rate progressive video have obtained — and continue to obtain — stunning HD video from the first-generation JVC camcorders. …
HD Focus
enews.prismb2b.com/enews/digitalcontentproducer/hd_focus/current
Michael Goldman reports on HD production, postproduction, and presentation. From the latest newsletter: Superman Returns director Bryan Singer and DP Newton Thomas Sigel, ASC, offered their insight into how the Genesis performed in the field, as compared to their expectations. Sigel says Genesis performed exceptionally well in low-light situations, as anticipated. But, he adds, he eventually learned to bend the camera to his needs, rather than trying to tailor the imagery to Genesis' perceived strengths. …
Corporate AV
enews.prismb2b.com/enews/soundvideocontractor/corporate_av_systems_integration/current
Trends and practical advice for those working with audio and video in a corporate setting, including information on presentation, systems installation, and production. From the latest newsletter: Corporate AV users and their integrators are increasingly focused on “one-box solutions” for controlling their presentations, conferences, and other multimedia activities, and they are finding ever-simpler ways to do more with basic systems. One trend is to put audio digital signal processing (DSP) to work doing more than just adjusting speakers and other audio components. …
Houses of Worship
enews.prismb2b.com/enews/soundvideocontractor/how_focus/current
Focuses on the fast-growing area of audio and video production and presentation in houses of worship. Covers a wide range of issues from technology to personnel. From the latest newsletter: “The biggest change I've seen over the years,” notes Derick Hill, himself a former church technical director, “is that when I was a technical director, churches were really looking for the guy who pushed buttons better than anyone else. They were getting these really great people, but also finding that their volunteers were going down.” …
Skillset
Lighting for Video Film Style Seminar and Hands-on Workshop
June 6-7, Chicago
$369
www.videolightingclass.com
An eight-hour lecture with demonstration, “Lighting for Video Film Style” teaches video, HD, and DV professionals to light different types of setups using the equipment they might already have. The hands-on workshop picks up where the first day leaves off, with more attention given to lighting applications, such as moving cameras on a dolly and lighting larger sets.
Advanced Adobe After Effects 6.5
June 7-9, Washington, D.C.
$1,295
ledet.com
Designed for experienced graphics professionals who want to enhance their motion editing and compositing skills, this course will provide students with tips, tricks, and special exercises to help them master the latest version of the powerful software tool for visual effects and motion graphics. Students will learn many advanced features of the program.
Autodesk Maya Level
I June 24-25 and July 1-2
Los Angeles
$1,195
www.moviola.com/edu
Moviola's Digital Education Center offers this four-day course in Autodesk Maya. Throughout four days (9 a.m. to 6 p.m.), participants will develop a working knowledge of the 3D modeling, animation, effects, and rendering software through real-world exercises and examples. Students will also leave with an understanding of the theories, philosophies, technologies, and basic techniques of modeling, animation, rendering, and lighting.
Displays: Technology Topics
LEDs in LCDs
digitalcontentproducer.com/displaypres/revfeat/video_leds_lcds
Benchmark Today…Park Bench Tomorrow?
digitalcontentproducer.com/displaypres/revfeat/
Benchmarking_monitors110805
HD Displays
digitalcontentproducer.com/how/prods/avinstall_hd_displays
Is There an SED in Your Future?
digitalcontentproducer.com/displaypres/revfeat/SED_TV
New Life for CRT Displays?
digitalcontentproducer.com/displaypres/revfeat/New_Life_for_CRTs
Inbox
digitalcontentproducer.com/cameras/revfeat/
video_sony_hvrau
Low-light performance and the Sony HVR-A1U
I'm a filmmaker from Brazil. I am interested in the Sony HVR-A1U, but I became worried about some details I read about in your review (Shoot review, January). I am really worried about the low-light performance of this camera. Can you tell me how it compares to the old Sony DSR-PDX10?
Andre Hallak
Barry Braverman responds: While your concerns are justified regarding the low-light performance of the Sony HVR-A1U, be aware that this shortcoming is inevitable to some degree in all small-format cameras, including the DSR-PDX10, which had an even smaller 1/5in. three-CCD imager. Forcing more and more pixels into a given image area must logically lead to reduced pixel size, which, like finer film grain, results in lower film speed and reduced light sensitivity. In 1/3in. camcorders like the A1U, a significant loss in low-light performance is inevitable given the tiny size of its relatively high-resolution 16:9 CMOS imager.
Despite all this, the heightened risk of noise, especially in underlit shadow areas, is an ongoing challenge for HD/HDV shooters with 1/3in. camcorders, and this would appear to be true, regardless of the camera or camera manufacturer.
