Macvideo Expo
19th Oct 2010
MacVideo Expo will be the major "shoot and edit" event for the UK digital video community in 2010.
MVA
Don't miss out on great exclusive content and special discount member deals.
Join NOW and be part of the MVA community.
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.
Interview with Bruce Sharpe - creator of PluralEyes
23/08/2010
in Features
Rick Young
For anyone who has ever struggled with getting cameras to sync up in a Multicam Sequence, PluralEyes is software which will take this pain away. Created by Bruce Sharpe, former Rocket Scientist and Mathematician, Plural Eyes has seen a tremendous boost in popularity due to the DSLR phenomenon. However, the use of Plural Eyes is for any situation where dual system sound is needed or where multiple cameras are recording at the same time. In this interview we talk to Bruce Sharpe who explains how this software came into being and where it is going next.
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: Walter Murch, History of Editing
15/08/2010
in Features
Rick Young
Walter Murch has worked in feature film production since the 1960's and has seen many changes in the technology behind feature film production. In this interview he talks about how it used to be before computer non-linear technology existed.Murch has earned a reputation as being innovative and daring with his approach to technology. Murch used Final Cut Pro to edit Cold Mountain in 2003, at a time when Final Cut Pro still had to prove itself.
From the MacVideo Archive: Ramy Katrib - the guy who put the word 'Pro' into Final Cut Pro
08/08/2010
in Features
Rick Young
When FCP hit the world back in 1999 it was regarded as a video editing application. For those wishing to work with film, this was a formidable challenge. Those at an Los Angeles based edit facility were pioneers who broke through the wall of expensive post production and made film editing using FCP possible.
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: M dot Strange - Ultimate Independent Filmmaker
02/08/2010
in Features
Rick Young
A look inside the mind of M dot Strange. Hear from the man himself, just what motivates him, the tools he uses and how this self taught 3D animator has become known for producing a full-blown animated feature film single-handedly. What M dot has achieved would normally take a team of people months or years of work.
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.
AVID Media Composer 5: Interview with Deepraj Sandhar
26/07/2010
in Features
Rick Young
Media Composer 5 represents a major step forward in the evolution of the AVID editing platform: key features include, AMA (Avid Media Access); full-quality 4:4:4 HD-RGB color space; monitor video externally using the Matrox MXO2 Mini; ProRes support; access low-res XDCAM proxies for offline work; use RTAS audio processing plug-ins.
AVID Media Composer 5: New Features
26/07/2010
in Features
Rick Young
AVID set the standard for non-linear editing when it exploded onto the editing world in 1989. Since then post-production has been defined by this system- and while there are competing systems today, Media Composer remains the system most used for high-end television and features film production. Media Composer 5 is a major upgrade and offers serious competition for the editing market.
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.
Bill Warner - The man who "made" AVID (part 3)
18/07/2010
in Features
Rick Young
Bill Warner is the man who had the vision, he's the man who made AVID happen. In this, the third episode of a five part series, Bill explains the frustration he felt at the linear editing process in a tape-based world and how he, turned this frustration to find a solution to the problem. As a result the world of editing has never been the same. Where once tape-based suites and film cutting rooms dominated, now the electronic non-linear way has become the accepted process.
Kevin Monahan - speed tools in Final Cut Pro 7
10/07/2010
in Features
Rick Young
Kevin Monahan co-founded SF Cutters, which is widely regarded as being the first and longest running Final Cut Pro user group on the planet. In addition to this Kevin has worked as an editor, been employed by Apple, and is the author of "Motion Graphics and Effects in Final Cut Pro (Peachpit Press). In this demonstration Kevin shows how to effectively work with the new speed tools in Final Cut Pro 7. Inside of a 10 minute demo Kevin unlocks the secrets to making these tools work for you.
Richard Shackleton - The Foundry
10/07/2010
in Features
Rick Young
The Foundry is regarded as being world leading innovator of visual effects and image processing technologies that boost productivity in motion picture and video post production. The Foundry's products support a wide range of award-winning host platforms including After Effects, Autodesk® Media and Entertainment Systems, Avid DS, Nuke, Shake and Final Cut Pro. In 2007, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences awarded a Sci-Tech Award® to The Foundry's development team for the Furnace image processing suite.
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.
