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HDV@Work

May 9, 2005 4:50 PM

Convergent Design unveils HDV-Connect; wins two industry awards

Convergent Design unveiled the HDV-Connect, a high performance HDV/DV to HD/SD-SDI converter, at NAB. Intended for both broadcast studio and NLE applications, the stand-alone converter supports 1080i, 720p as well as standard definition applications in both PAL and NTSC.

Convergent Design was presented this week with two top industry awards for the HDV-Connect: “The Vidy” award from Videography Magazine, and Television Broadcast’s “Top Innovation Award."

HDV-Connect includes two HD/SD-SDI outputs with embedded audio and time code for direct connection to HD/SD-SDI based editing systems. Furthermore, with switchable HD/SD video reference input, HDV-Connect can be used with SDI-routers for transmission of HDV/DV material over HD/SD-SDI coax of up to 100/300 meters in length. Additionally, the HDV-Connect outputs linear time code (LTC) over a coaxial connection, enabling video, audio and time code transfers from HDV to HD based decks.

HDV-Connect includes a full-complement of outputs including HD/SD-SDI, component video (in either SD or HD resolutions) and DVI for direction connection to analog monitors or an LCD panel. Audio I/O is available via two channels of 48KHz AES in addition to embedded audio over SDI. This versatile converter supports HDV to HD-SDI, bidirectional DV to SD-SDI as well as uncompressed (10/8-bit 4:2:2) SD video, 24-bit audio and time code over 1394.

Michael Schell, president of Convergent Designs and creator of the HDV-Connect states, “One of the most unique features of HDV-Connect is the ability to translate RS-422 deck commands to 1394 AVC for control of an HDV/DV deck from a NLE application. Workflow is improved because users can ‘drive’ their deck directly from the HD/SD-SDI based application and perform log and batch capture operations. Additionally, when used with Firewire-based editing programs, deck control can be ‘turned-around’ with the translation of 1394 AVC to RS-422 deck control. ”

The cost-to-value ratio makes the HDV-Connect a excellent choice, providing a wide array of features at a moderate price point of $2495.00. Michael Schell also adds, “Users contemplating the purchase of a DV to SDI converter will likely find the incremental cost of HDV-Connect a wise investment. HDV-Connect is much more than a converter: it features an impressive list of unique, powerful tools in one box."

HDV-Connect supports internet-enabled firmware updates (with version roll-back) and web-based control via a 10/100 Ethernet port. Additionally, the box can be locally controlled via a 128x32 vacuum florescent display and rotary knob. The lightweight (3 lbs), small (12” (W) x 7”(D) x 1.7” (H)) box can be easily carried with a laptop computer for Firewire-based field editing or rack mounted (via add-on ears) for studio users.

Convergent Design, manufacturer of the all-in-one SD-Connect converter is a leading supplier of stand-alone media converters. The Colorado Springs, CO based company has an extensive background in both analog and digital video technologies.

BOXX introduces HDVPAK HDV certified workstations

BOXX Technologies, the leading workstation company offering systems that are as powerful as they are easy to integrate, introduces HDVPAK, the BOXX Professional HDV Application Kit, designed to help customers purchase optimized workstation platforms for HDV editing and finishing.

“HDV was the buzz at NAB 2005, as companies from Adobe to Sony unveiled new products and technology dedicated to this exciting new format,” said Reese Gautschi, director of marketing, BOXX Technologies, Inc. “However, all the excitement can also create confusion when it comes to choosing the right workstation platform, which is why we created the BOXX HDVPAK certification program. Now, BOXX customers can easily identify and select pre-tuned and optimized workstation configurations for HDV. Unlike competitive options, where the vendor may not even know how to spell “HDV," BOXX has certified our HDVPAK workstation configurations for all leading video applications. The HDVPAK logo is our promise of industry-leading price-performance, dependability and an outstanding user experience for desktop DV and HDV editing and finishing.”

HDVPAK configurations simplify the process of choosing an HDV editing platform by including everything a creative professional needs to get the right hardware configuration-- right of the box. The HDVPAK validation program is supported across a wide range of BOXX workstations – from single processor systems to dual-core, dual processor – for AMD and INTEL, there’s an option for every budget and project requirement. HDVPAK optimized workstations can be found on the BOXX website, where customers can click on the HDVPAK logo to be directed to a pre-configured hardware kit for their preferred workstation.

For optimized HDV, BOXX offers the NVIDIA Quadro® FX540 by PNY Technologies, which is designed specifically for HDV, by offering outstanding bandwidth, OpenGL graphics acceleration and simultaneous real-time HD component, S-Video and composite video connections through an external breakout box. The NVIDIA FX540 PCIe graphics board provides independent, full-screen video overlay output for remarkable high-definition preview of real-time effects, video editing timelines and source clips on video monitors.

HDVPAK Specification
HDV requires more power because the video resolution is higher at the 1280 x 720 and 29.97 frame rate (HDV 30p), pushing 19.2 Mbps and consuming 8GB of storage per hour of footage. BOXX's HDVPAK specification requires that a HDVPAK qualified workstation have at least an AMD Athlon 64 3200+ processor or Intel® 2.8GHz Pentium® 4 processor with a minimum of 1GB of RAM and two disk drives - an 80GB SATA system drive for your OS and application software and a second 250GB SATA data drive for HDV footage.

Additional HDVPAK Features
• Optimized graphics – PCIe x 16 128MB frame buffer, 128-bit precision with outstanding OpenGL performance • Memory Options – 1 GB or more of DD2 dual-channel support with low latency • I/O – Multiple Firewire and USB 2.0 ports • Dual-drive SATA Storage – Upgradeable to 5TB of internal RAID protected storage • Preview and Multi-Monitor Support – PNY break-out box with DVI-I/RGB standard – support for S-Video, Component • Support for Adobe, Avid, Pinnacle, Canopus, Discreet, Leitch, Matrox or Sony DV software • Three year limited warranty

Get a BOXX Workstation with HDVPAK
BOXX workstations with HDVPAK are available for purchase via the BOXX web site at www.boxxtech.com or by calling toll free at 1-877-877-BOXX in the U.S. and Canada or 512-835-0400 (outside the U.S.) View BOXX customer videos and testimonials at www.boxxvideo.com.

Serious Magic introduces HDV PowerPak add-on for DV Rack

At NAB 2005, Serious Magic, Inc. announced its HDV PowerPak for DV Rack. This solution allows videographers who own HDV cameras to capture, display and analyze high-resolution HDV content seamlessly into DV Rack. The HDV PowerPak for DV Rack will be available for $195 in late June.

"HDV PowerPak for DV Rack should enable users to extract extremely high production value out of their Sony HDV cameras delivering high-quality results for their productions," said Bob Ott, vice president of professional audio and video products in Sony Electronics' Broadcast and Production Systems Division. "It's an invaluable complement to Sony's HVR-Z1U which is making its debut at NAB this year."

A multi-award winner, including Best of NAB 2004, DV Rack is the first software of its kind designed to help serious videographers avoid shooting disasters in the field by offering ten essential production tools to assist them in generating superior quality video. Along with being able to monitor video and audio signal quality in real time, DV Rack empowers users to instantly review a clip, scrub to any frame, zoom in, check levels, see audio peaks, compare shots in a split screen, and more. DV Rack assures producers that they are maximizing the quality of their footage and saves time by allowing lighting, video, audio and continuity problems to be identified and quickly addressed while still on location. Additionally, DV Rack works with Intel's Hyper-Threading Technology which allows the software to perceive two processors instead of one.

"We are pleased to be working with Serious Magic through the IntelR Early Access Program to optimize DV Rack software for Intel-based platforms and to help developers as they begin moving to multi-core processor-based platforms from Intel," said Melissa Laird, general manager of Intel's Developer Relations Division. "Innovative Intel technologies coupled with advanced multimedia software like DV Rack help replace multiple devices such as scopes, monitors and recorders with the convenience of a laptop computer."

Pricing and Availability
Current owners of DV Rack will be able to upgrade to the HDV PowerPak via electronic download or through distribution for a suggested retail price of $195 in late June. A list of resellers and distributors are available on Serious Magic's website, www.seriousmagic.com.

About Serious Magic, Inc.
Serious Magic, Inc. was founded in early 2001 by a team of industry veterans to create the next generation of visual communication tools. Award-winning products include Visual Communicator, empowering non-technical users to create stunning videos and presentations that captivate audiences, deliver key points, and compel action; ULTRA, a software breakthrough that transforms chroma keying into an incredibly easy and practical tool for all types of video producers; and DV Rack, the first PC-assist, video production software designed to work with videographers while shooting to help improve video quality and prevent shooting disasters. The name Serious Magic was inspired by Arthur C. Clarke's observation: "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic." For more information, please visit www.seriousmagic.com.

© 2008 Penton Media, Inc.