Well, just keep in mind that there was a time when people were calling the JVC HD Cam total Vaporware...and now look, a lot of people had to eat big crap sandwiches. Also, one also needs to remember that Sony has already announced plans for a HD camcorder, so my speculation isn't that spacey. If one doesn't like speculation threads, one should stay away from them.

I'll see if I can get more information now. I'll have to e-mail someone who works---, and get back.

Chill out Boys. Some folks can spread third-or-fourth-party rumors and some folks can comment on them. That's one of the things I like about this country.

Thanks Frank for taking the time to follow-up. Who knows, there may be exciting news after all.

Nick :)

New Sony Cam has 24p
 

A fella over at DV.com pointed this interesting information out. The new optical cameras from Sony have 24p.

http://bssc.sel.sony.com/Professional/webapp/SubCategory?m=0&p=2&sp=20132&sm=0&s=&cpos=

Yeah, but did you read the last line, it's an optional card that will no doubt add a little more on the the US$19 000 and $34 000 price tags

Hey, I didn't say anything about Sony changing their ways lol. What's also interesting is how this camera converts IMX to DVCAM....almost as if Sony is jumping ship from their IMX Post equipment.

Based on specs and price, these cameras are no threat to the new 480p from Panasonic, which supports 4:2:2 color space, unlike DVCAM.

Very sad news. I wish especially him but also his family the best
and hope he will recover.

Hi Def DV format announced. XL2HD?
 

New HDV Format Proposed

By Elina Shatkin

Aug 13, 2003, 18:31 PST



Canon Inc., Sharp Corporation, Sony Corporation, and Victor Company of Japan, Ltd (JVC) announced a joint proposal of basic specifications for "HDV" (tentative name) format, which realizes recording and playback of high-definition video on a DV cassette tape. The HDV format includes 720p (progressive) and 1080i (interlace) specifications and enables the development of products conforming to the global high-definition infrastructure. The four companies will actively promote the specifications throughout the industry and plan to finalize the specifications around September 2003.

BS digital high-definition broadcasting, which started in December 2001, and digital terrestrial broadcasting, scheduled to commence in December 2003, have increased anticipation toward the expansion of high-definition broadcasting in Japan. Growing sales of high-definition television sets and the introduction of digital high-definition video recorders, such as D-VHS and Blu-ray Disc recorders, have enriched customer enjoyment of high-definition video in the home.

The HDV format specifies the data recording of MPEG-2-compressed high-definition signals based on the DV format, which is internationally accepted as a consumer digital VCR format. Because the new format employs the same cassette case, tape speed and track pitch as the DV format, it can utilize mechanical parts based on the DV format. It also makes it easy for manufacturers to undertake the development of products that are highly compatible with the DV format.

The 720p specifications in the HDV format are the same specifications as adopted in the "GR-HD1" high-definition digital video camera that JVC introduced to the market in March 2003. By adopting both the 720p and the 1080i specifications, the HDV format will enable users to record high-definition video and further disseminate the enjoyment realized of high-definition video.

The HDV format records both video and audio through compression by MPEG encoding. Video signals are compressed by MPEG-2 encoding (inter-frame compression) as BS digital broadcasting, making possible the recording and playback of high-definition video at a bit rate equivalent to the DV format SD (standard definition) specifications (intra-frame compression). Audio signals are digitized with a 48kHz/16-bit quantization sampling frequency and compressed to 384 Kbps by MPEG-1 Audio Layer II encoding.

HDV format key characteristics
1. Ability to record and play back high-definition video on internationally accepted DV format cassette tapes
2. Adoption of 720p/1080i formats to comply with progressive and interlace specifications for high-definition recording and playback The HDV format complies with both the 720 scanning lines (progressive)/1280 horizontal pixels 720p format (60p, 30p, 50p, 25p) and the 1080 scanning lines (interlace)/1440 horizontal pixels 1080i format (60i, 50i). This ensures the recording and playback of high-resolution video for the high-definition era.
3. Improved error correction By changing the error correction method from error correction within a track, as specified in the DV-SD format, to error correction among multiple tracks, the HDV format offers improved error correction capability and enhanced resistance to lost data caused by dropout.
4. Data for special playback Video signals compressed by MPEG encoding do not support image display during special playback such as fast search. The HDV format records specific data for special playback on a dedicated tape, enabling the display of video images during special playback such as fast search or slow-motion playback. (Video image quality during special playback will differ from that during normal playback.)

Hi Jacques,

We have several threads currently going about this; please see http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...threadid=11605 for starters... thanks for this update though,

Sharp announcement
 

Anybody see today's announcement from Sharp? They claim to have created a 1/4" ccd (for use in cell phone still cameras) that can capture 1144 X 880 images at 7.5 frames per second -- 5 frames per second at 2 lux. Production is said to begin in October. They have also developed a chip "featuring macro functions" that enables close-up photography. Don't know what the chip has to do with focusing range, but that's what they say.

Marco, do you have a link?
This sounds interesting, but when they are talking about Lux rating, what's their lens?
Also, 5fps is a pretty slow speed. I think many cameras have slow shutter mode with even better lix rating. For instance GL2 claims 0.3-0.4Lux in that mode.

Here it is.

http://www.sharpsma.com/sma/pressroom/press.htm?newsid=75

The CCD is intended for still photos in cell phones. To me what's interesting about it is that its HD. If Sharp can create a CCD that can do HD video (even if it is crappy 5 fps) for cell phones -- which are basically disposable products -- can you imagine what Sony and Canon must have in the works?

Marko, thanks for the link.
This sensor looks interesting indeed. Their lens is pretty slow, just f2.8. Win f1.4 lens they could go down to 0.5Lux probably with slow shutter. However, I believe the image quality criteria on camera-phone market are quite different.
By the way, Sharp and Sanyo together own 80% of Japanese market of camera-phone sensors, while Sony yet have to dent it. I'm not aware of Canon sensors for video or camera-phone applications though.
As for macro mode, they are offering a module, consisting of CCD, image processor and lens. Their lens probably has something for macro focusing.

An unfortunate risk associated with covering war. Too bad. Hopefully he died while "doing what he loved".

New Low Cost (under 2k) HD Capture Card for G5
 

http://www.filmandvideomagazine.com/...g_uncomphd.htm

This is revolutionary news

Sadly, this is bound to be a repeating occurence.

40" Samsung TV
 

http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.c...icleID=1443%20

Would be interesting to see how this technology holds up against plasma screens.

I saw a 20-inch Panasonic LCD television at Sam's Club yesterday. Image quality was impressive and the viewing angle was surprisingly wide.

Also, according to the power supply, it draws about 60 watts of power, about half that of a similar-sized conventional CRT television.

Too bad it was nearly $1000.

Dean Sensui
Base Two Productions

Videoguys Insider
 

Just wanted to let you know that the latest issue of the Videoguys Insider E-newsletter just went out. It is a great way to stay on top of all the latest technology and promotions in the industry.

Check it out - http://www.videoguys.com/Insider_Vol3_Issue5.html - and Subscribe today!!

Gary

Sony Sound Forge
 

I got a promo email today introducing Sony Sound Forge 7.0 today... I wondered if they were going to keep the Sonic Foundry brand name after the buyout, but apparently not. I suppose the next incarnation of Vegas will be the same.

DVCamps Launches Shoot & Edit Intensive Workshop
 

Los Angeles, CA. (Sept 24, 2003)--A two-day hands-on Shoot & Edit intensive workshop is slated for October 11-12 at the Berkeley Hall School, 16000 W. Mulholland Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90049.

A complete hands-on weekend dedicated to the production & post-production methods of creating a short film. Attendees learn Camerawork, Lighting, Sound and Directorial tips all using the latest production tools and digital technology. Learn by doing all this under the guidance of top Hollywood professionals like writer-director-visual effects supervisor Robert Grasmere, Arriflex gaffer John Gresch, Matthews key grip Bob Kalesh, director of photography Geoff Zimmerman, and sound recordist Tom Staninis.

Sunday is all about hands on post-production. Attendees sit at individual computers and along with Apple Certified Instructor Jeffery Morse, learn to edit the previous days footage using iMovie3 and Final Cut Pro 4. Attendees lean cool edit tricks plus how to prepare content for multi-media release using Sorenson Squeeze.

The course fee is $349

Call for more info (805) 640-7122 or visit www.DVCamps.com

I think it's Sony Vegas already.