Macvideo Expo
19th Oct 2010
MacVideo Expo will be the major "shoot and edit" event for the UK digital video community in 2010.
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Recent reviews
Impressions of the Panasonic HPX-171
Just spent most of the last week shooting with Panasonic's HPX-171. For those unfamiliar with the Panasonic camera range the HPX-171 is the European model, the equivalent of the US model, the HPX-170. This camera shoots DVCPro HD, or standard definition DVCPro, or DV to P2 card. There is no tape drive on the camera, therefore the only option is to record to card. For those want the ability to record to tape, Panasonic also offer the HVX-201A.
Video Material
The Streets of San Francisco - investigating NanoFlash
31/08/2010
in Features
Rick Young
On the streets of San Francisco we test out NanoFlash. The miniature device capable of recording a full 4:2;2 color signal at bitrates much higher than any of the affordable camcorders are capable of. NanoFlash provides a small box which accepts SDI or HDMI as the video input. Recording at high bit rates the result is better, sharper 4:2:2 images, which is of much higher quality to the compressed images at 25 or 35mbps.
NanoFlash Investigation with Ben King (parts 1 and 2)
31/08/2010
in Features
Rick Young
Broadcast Editor Ben King, investigates Convergent Designs NanoFlash. The aim is to see just how much difference it makes working with full 4:2:2 image processing and at higher bitrates. The NanoFlash is is a portable device which accepts video in via SDI or HDMI. It can be used to record a full broadcast signal out of affordable cameras, bypassing the image compression which these cameras natively employ.
Craig Yanagi talks about CCD technology in the HM series of camcorders
23/08/2010
in Features
Rick Young
The JVC HM series of camcorders use CCD sensors. Craig Yanagi, National Marketing Manager, JVC, USA, explains the benefits of using this proven technology.
Craig Yanagi talks about the JVC GY-HM100
23/08/2010
in Features
Rick Young
The JVC GY-HM100, is a handheld camcorder which natively records QuickTime files directly to inexpensive SDHC media cards ready for direct ingest into Apple Final Cut Pro and 35Mb/s data-rate recording ensures class-leading quality.
JVC introduce the GY-HM790
23/08/2010
in Features
Rick Young
The JVC camcorder range evolves with the latest model in the line-up: the GY-HM790. This is the flagship of JVC's ProHD camcorders. This GY-HM790 offers features for both studio and ENG applications. In the studio, its modular design and full complement of accessories provides clean integration, while out in the field, its three 1/3-inch CCDs allow a lighter, more compact form factor for excellent manoeuvrability. The GY-HM790 records to low-cost, non-proprietary SDHC solid-state media cards, in ready-to-edit file formats for fast workflow with Apple Final Cut Pro (.mov) and other major NLE systems (.mp4).
From the MacVideo Archive: Making Music Videos
15/08/2010
in Features
Rick Young
Greg Hawkes is the famed keyboardist and co-founder of The Cars (1977-1987), who helped define the sounds of the 80's with his signature keyboard style heard on The Cars' "Let's Go" and "Just What I Needed," as well as his arpeggiated and syncopated synth lines on "Shake it Up" and "Heartbeat City." The Cars were pivotal in the shaping the genre of music videos - their best known videos "You Might Think" and "Drive" were both ground-breaking for their time.
From the MacVideo Archive: War Cameraman - Claudio von Planta
08/08/2010
in Features
Rick Young
For close to 25 years Claudio von Planta has been traveling the world and documenting the stories of those in conflict areas and hidden corners of the planet. This piece provides an overview of some of the Claudio's work including footage filmed in Iraq, Afghanistan, Sierra Leone, the Congo, Turkey, Kurdistan and West Papua.
From the MacVideo archive: Sony PMW-EX1R Investigation
02/08/2010
in Features
Rick Young
Here we road test the PMW-EX1R. This is the successor to the PMW-EX1, Sony's first professional memory-based camcorder, launched in 2007. The PMW-EX1R adds a number of new features that Sony says were requested by users, including DVCAM recording, an HDMI output, a higher-resolution viewfinder, and one-push Auto Iris, cache recording and easy access to S & Q motion.
Three in one: CoreMelt; Red Lightning Software; Rotolight
18/07/2010
in Features
Rick Young
3 products on show this week: CoreMelt demonstrate Lock'n'Load and some of their other effects software; Red Lightning Software demo Shot Logger Pro - designed to speed up the logging process by enabling quick on-site logging which will reconnect back to media once loaded on drive; Rotolight is an innovative low-cost on-camera light which slips over the shotgun mic. These three are a mix of effects creation and practical workflow software, and a different kind of camera light.
Panasonic integrated twin-lens 3D high definition camcorder
05/07/2010
in Features
Rick Young
Current 3D systems are large-scale setups in which two cameras are fitted to a rig in parallel, or vertically intersect across a half-mirror. Separate recorders are also required. In Panasonic’s new Full HD 3D camcorder, the lenses, camera head, and a dual Memory Card recorder are integrated into a single, lightweight body. The camcorder also incorporates stereoscopic adjustment controls making it easier to use and operate.
Game changer - Panasonic AG-AF100, 4/3” AVCHD camcorder
05/07/2010
in Features
Rick Young
The filmmaking community has been crying out for a camera manufacturer to release a traditional shaped camcorder with a large sensor - Panasonic have listened to this call and in late 2010 the AG-AF100 is to be released. This records AVCHD using a 4/3” imaging sensor. This promises the depth of field, quality and lens choice which a DSLR offers, with the ease of use, audio controls and functionality of a traditional video camera.
Shooting and editing on iPhone 4 (so who needs an NLE?)
27/06/2010
in Features
Simon Walker
Since iPhone 4 lets you shoot video and stills, and iMovie for iPhone lets you edit clips and add music, text, transitions, rostrum moves and lower thirds, perhaps I can now abandon Premiere, FCP and AVID for a new hardware editing platform which lets me cut 720pHD H.264 in real time without rendering!! A competitor to the Mercury Playback Engine perhaps..??
Dedo Weigert: Ledzilla
27/06/2010
in Features
Rick Young
Dedo Weigert, inventor of the Dedolight, talks about Ledzilla - a portable camera light which is amazingly flexible. This high output light can be focussed to either spot or flood; features in-built tungsten and diffuser filters, and is fitted with a solid pair of barn doors. Battery powered, one can get over 5 hours of continuous light. The ability to add specific attachments, designed by Dedo, makes this a camera light like no other.
AJA KI Pro: real-world operation
26/06/2010
in Features
Sidney Lobb and Rick Young
Recorded in Rome, this interview with Project Engineer, Sidney Lobb, gives insight as to how AJA's Ki Pro can be used in a professional situation. Designed as a ProRes recorder, the Ki Pro can be used to replace traditional decks, and also to enable up conversion, down conversion, cross conversion of video signals. One can use the Ki Pro to bypass the compression of the affordable cameras and achieve superior results to highly compressed codecs.
Stunt filming with Dougie Lampkin (part 2)
21/06/2010
in Features
Rick Young
Part 2 of the filming of a video project which required many extreme filming setups. The man at the centre of the action is Dougie Lampkin - 12 times World Trials Champion, credited as being Britain's most accomplished sports person. Filmed on location on the Goodwood estate, this piece features extensive use of multi-cameras and some bizarre filming situations such as motorcycling across a stadium roof and over fire trucks.
Stunt filming with Dougie Lampkin
21/06/2010
in Features
Rick Young
This piece shows the filming of a video project which required many extreme filming setups. The man at the centre of the action is Dougie Lampkin - 12 times World Trials Champion, credited as being Britain's most accomplished sports person. Filmed on location on the Goodwood estate, this piece features extensive use of multi-cameras and some bizarre filming situations such as motorcycling across a stadium roof and over fire trucks.
Garrett Brown shows off Steadicam Tango
14/06/2010
in Features
Rick Young
Steadicam Tango - an extension arm which connects to a compatible Steadicam to provide crane movements from floor to ceiling.
2 different Steadicams: Steadicam Smoothee and Steadicam Tango
14/06/2010
in Features
Rick Young
Two very different Steadicams on show: (i) Steadicam Smoothee - for ultra-light cameras such as Apple's iPhone (ii) Steadicam Tango - an extension arm which connects to a compatible Steadicam to provide crane movements from floor to ceiling. Both these models show just how far Steadicam has come - from ground-breaking technology which changed the world of feature film production forever, to light-weight consumer device for anyone to take advantage of.
Garrett Brown; Jerry Holway - Steadicam Tango
14/06/2010
in Features
Rick Young
The lightweight Steadicam® TANGO™ provides floor-to-ceiling boom range with lateral reach, full stability, and simple, economical construction. TANGO™ is a Steadicam accessory for use with today’s miniature HD cameras. “There are no electronics, gyros, wiring, connectors or power-hungry components,” said Garrett Brown, inventor of the Steadicam. “It also has a large-aperture, interior cable-path for camera/CCU interconnection. With your eyes closed, it feels like a normal Steadicam.”
Shane Hurlbut - Getting excited about DSLR technology - Part 1
07/06/2010
in Features
Rick Young
Shane Hurlbut has been one of the pioneers of using DSLRs in feature films with a 15 camera system which he tells us all about in the presentation recorded at NAB 2010
