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MillimeterHDV@Work
Jul 25, 2005 5:00 PM
CineForm's Aspect HD supports RM's M2 35mm lens adapter
CineForm, Inc. today is announcing that version 3.2 of Aspect HD is now available. Version 3.2 supports Redrock Microsystems' innovative M2 35mm lens adapter, plus adds numerous enhancements to its CineForm Intermediate post-production codec technology. Further, CineForm and Redrock Microsystems announced a collaborative partnership that leverages the product strengths of each company to offer improved post-production workflows for filmmakers using the new HDV recording format.
Redrock's M2 35mm lens adapter enhances fixed-lens camcorders such as Sony's new HVR-Z1U to include the incredible depth-of-field, angle of view, and focus techniques of high-end film productions. CineForm's Aspect HD v3.2 addresses the resulting "upside down footage" by automatically capturing footage into proper orientation, ensuring a seamless workflow while retaining the desirable "filmic" visual quality.
"We're enthused about our partnership with CineForm," said James Hurd, CEO of Redrock Microsystems. "Together our goals are to deliver a seamless end- to-end HDV workflow for independent filmmakers that matches the quality of much more expensive productions, yet at a fraction of the cost. We think the combination of Redrock's M2 lens adapter for production shoots and CineForm's Aspect HD for post-production editing offers independent filmmakers the best HDV workflow available."
Aspect HD v3.2 also introduces numerous algorithm enhancements to CineForm Intermediate that further increases its acclaimed video quality. These include: 1) improved visual quality during processing of complex motion sequences while simultaneously lowering compressed bit rates, 2) improved quality of DVD exports from an HDV-resolution timeline, and 3) enhanced chroma processing algorithms which improve fidelity observable in color-rich images.
"Our partnership with Redrock, plus the visual quality enhancements that are now part of Aspect HD v3.2 extends our commitment to the independent film and videography communities," said David Taylor, CEO of CineForm. "At CineForm we strive for innovation in all things related to HD post-production. This has driven our new release of Aspect HD v3.2, and sets the stage for new features we're currently working on."
Independent filmmakers and industry luminaries share the enthusiasm and excitement generated by this announcement. "Sundance Media Group is always looking for great new technology to help deliver compelling media," said Douglas Spotted Eagle of the Sundance Media Group. "We have used both CineForm's software and Redrock's M2 adapter, and we think this is a great partnership to help advance the state of HD workflow to create film-like results."
Aspect HD v3.2 is available for purchase from CineForm's expanding network of resellers or from CineForm's website www.cineform.com. The retail price of Aspect HD is $499. A bundle with Aspect HD v3.2 that also includes Adobe Premiere Pro 1.5, Adobe Audition, and Adobe Encore DVD is priced at $799. Existing CineForm customers may upgrade to Aspect HD v3.2 without charge. A new version of Connect HD that supports these same features will be available shortly.
The Redrock Microsystems' M2 35mm Lens Adapter is available from Redrock's website http://www.redrockmicro.com at the introductory price of $500.
Aspect HD enables Adobe Premiere Pro to achieve unprecedented real-time editing performance for HD post-production. On a modern desktop PC, Aspect HD will edit up to four 1080i HDV streams simultaneously, including over 40 HD-optimized transitions, effects, and color corrections, plus graphic and title overlays - all without the need for specialized hardware. Aspect HD is built on patent-pending CineForm Intermediate software components including CineForm's Visually Perfect post-production codec and CineForm's real-time video effects and processing pipeline.
About CineForm
CineForm, Inc., located in Carlsbad, Calif., develops software technologies and products for use by media professionals in high-resolution post-production applications. CineForm's acclaimed products provide unmatched video quality and real-time performance within an editing environment while enabling an online compressed Digital Intermediate workflow that runs on affordable Windows desktop PCs. For more information, contact CineForm at 760-804-5905 x306, or visit CineForm's website at www.cineform.com.
About Redrock Microsystems LLC
Redrock Microsystems is committed to the express purpose of bringing cinema-quality accessories to independent filmmakers at revolutionary prices. Redrock Microsystems designs and sells a line of high-quality cinema accessories for independent filmmakers, film educators and students, and budget-conscious moviemakers. Redrock Microsystems can be reached at www.redrockmicro.com.
JVC and Sony showcase Focus Enhancements' FireStore DTE digital disk recorders at DV Expo
Focus Enhancements Inc., a worldwide leader in video production and conversion technology, displayed its popular FireStore family of Direct To Edit (DTE) disk recorders in several video production workflow demonstrations by prominent industry leaders, including Canon and Sony, at DV Expo East in New York. The full FireStore lineup was on display in Focus Enhancements' booth in the Jacob Javits Convention Center.
When combined with DV25 or HDV-based camcorders, Focus Enhancements' industry standard DTE recorders enable users to record SD or HD content directly to disk in native NLE file formats. When finished, users simply connect FireStore to their computer to instantly edit in the timeline without having to first capture, transfer, or convert their video—maintaining the chosen native NLE file format throughout the entire production process. The unique FireStore camera-mount and portable models are the only truly portable DTE recorders available today for time-sensitive, in-the-field applications including independent films, sports, news, and live events.
"DV Expo brings together innovative products from leading manufacturers to video professionals at every level of the production workflow," said Matt McEwan, product manager, video production, at Focus Enhancements. "FireStore continues to dominate in the tapeless acquisition market because it provides a high-performance, ultra-portable, and reliable solution for direct-to-disk and tape-to-disk backup video applications. By aligning with industry leaders such as Canon and Sony, video professionals will have access to the best productivity tools on the market to significantly reduce production time from capture and editing to distribution."
The recently announced DR-HD100 is designed specifically for use with the much-anticipated JVC GY-HD100 HDV camcorder, while the FS-4 HD/FS-4Pro HD was demonstrated to work with the popular Sony HVR-Z1U HDV camcorder. Both solutions displayed tapeless high-definition acquisition from the field to the editing suite. The FS-4/FS-4Pro was partnered with Sony's new HVR-Z1U to demonstrate real-time tapeless acquisition of standard definition as well as HDV.
The new FireStore FS-4, FS-4Pro, FS-4 HD, and FS-4Pro HD, DTE recorders are the first disk-based recorders for DV and HD handheld camcorders. The FS-4 combines a small, rugged, shock-proof chassis with full DTE technology performance, converting any IEEE 1394 (FireWire, iLink) drive into a high-performance digital disk recorder/player.
For more information, visit www.focusinfo.com.
ProCon showcases HDV version of its QuickCapture recorder
At DV Expo East in New York last week, ProCon Technologies showcased the new nNovia QuickCapture HDV hard-disk recorder, designed for HDV camcorders.
With all the standard features of the QuickCapture, the new QuickCapture HDV adds HDV recording format, time-lapse recording, and 8 second pre-record. HDV is recorded in native format with file extension MT2. QuickCapture HDV provides 99 Bins and allows AVI Type 2, MOV, and now MT2 to coexist on the same drive in their respective bins.
Designed for all video professionals, the nNovia QuickCapture streamlines your workflow by eliminating the lengthy video capture process. The QuickCapture records up to 7.5 hours (100GB models) of video in sync with any DV camera through its built-in IEEE 1394 interface and creates edit-ready AVI or MOV files that can be imported directly into top-flight editing software including Apple Final Cut Pro, Adobe Premiere Pro, Canopus Edius, and Avid Xpress DV. All QuickCapture models feature front-panel deck control and a 99-slot Virtual Tape system for video organization. Stop playing tapes into your computer and start saving time and money by using QuickCapture.
For more information on nNovia products, visit www.proconusa.com.
