New Wiebetech FW Drives
 

Wiebetech has recently introduced a 120Gb 7200rpm -bus-powered- Firewire drive called the "Super DesktopGB". That is, the drive is powered by a 6-pin 1394 connection from a Mac or a PC adapter featuring powered pass-through.

The drive has an aggressive introductory price of $299.95 until Sept 21 and $329.95 thereafter. (Smaller capacity drives of the same model are also available.)

I have a Wiebetech MicroGB drive (and also just ordered a Super DesktopGB) and can say that these folks make high-quality equipment. If you're looking for high-performance external storage (and who around here isn't?) you should take a look at Wiebetech. (weibetech.com) While you're there, take a look at their Firewire RAID systems...interesting.

And, no, I am not an investor in, or promoter for, the company <g>.

Contributed Stock DV
 

This was discussed for awhile on another thread, and now it has happened. Inevitable, I guess.

--DVfootage.com Launches as Stock Footage Portal
"The launch of DVfootage.com, in September 2002, makes available
digital asset management and e-commerce solutions to a wider
audience, enabling independent stock footage suppliers to place
digitized media for sale online."

There was a patch...
 

Apple stopped one of its vendors from giving away a patch (with the sale of the drive) that allowed you to connect an external drive to iDVD(?), an Apple product.

The story I read suggested that the vendor has a good relationship with Apple, so if Apple plans to release one, maybe it won't take too long.

IBM Ultrastar 146 gb 10K rpm drive
 

IBM has also recently released the new Ultrastar 146 gig 10K drive now available.

IBM Part Number: 08K0322

Model Number: 146Z10

Does anyone know of any issues with the Ultrastar line. I just lost 60 gigs of data from 1 of 2 drives due to a sudden crash that was found to be a mechanical failure. This is the danger of using striping RAID 0. If only ONE goes out, you're screwed. Data recovery started at $8,000-$20,000. I guess I'll have to do without that for a while! Luckilly, the drive is still under warranty but that won't get my data back! I will be backing up with DVD in the near future.

James,
No, I do not have first-hand experience with these drives. We should note for clarity, however, that the Ultrastar drives require a Ultra320 SCSI interface for top performance (and are also compatible with an Ultra160 SCSI interface).

Pioneer has uncovered a bug
 

Pioneer has uncovered a bug and posted a fix. The DVR-A03 and some early DVR-A04 drives will lock up when 4x media is put in them. A drive left locked up for over 5 minutes can damage the media and the drive. This firmware patch fixes this issue. It allows 4x media to work properly.

PLEASE NOTE THIS DOES NOT MAKE THE DRIVE 4x. All specs remain unchanged. It is simply a compatibility fix.

Here is the official Pioneer press release: As the DVD Forum releases the specifications for new high-speed discs for DVD recording, Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. announces that many of its DVD-R/RW computer drives and DVD recorders will require a firmware update in order to avoid potential damage to the units and discs.

The update process is free and relatively simple, and it is extremely important for owners of these products to make sure it is completed prior to using any new high-speed discs for recording. The DVD Forum has established new standards for high-speed recordable discs (4X for DVD-R and 2X for DVD-RW). Various media manufacturers have begun production of these discs that will soon be available in the marketplace.

The source of the problem is a firmware “bug” in certain Pioneer DVD-R/RW recorders and drives, and not with the high-speed media itself. As a result, use of the new high-speed discs for recording on these particular Pioneer products may cause damage to both the loaded disc and to the drive/recorder. The following drives and recorders may be affected:

Pioneer DVR-A03, DVR-103, DVR-A04 & DVR-104 computer drives
Pioneer DVR-7000 DVD recorder and the Pioneer PRV-9000 Professional DVD recorder In addition to the above models, certain OEM computer systems containing Pioneer DVD-R/RW drives are affected.

Anyone who owns or uses any of the above-listed products should conduct the free firmware update immediately. Download from http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/hs/pioneer.html

Yup, already applied it to my 104s.

The Future is here- well in Tokyo anyway
 

I'm currently in Yurakacho in down town Tokyo at a shop called Bic P Kan or Bic camera for us non Japanese. I've just finished looking at the begining of the future - 2 DVD cameras - one from Panasonic and the other from Hitachi.

Both cameras use a 1.4M pix CCD and record native MPEG2 onto DVR/DVD RAM and DVD/RW Cost wise they run about USD$1200. I realise that native MPEG2 isn't anygood for broadcast work but it's just a glimpse at what is happening herre in Techno Central.

You have to wrong on that price. Maybe you need another zero
$12,000 Ok now that sounds more like it. I saw these cameras in the Sep Vidoegraphy mag. Well at least the Hitachi. I wonder how these cameras hold up while running or bumpy roads. Will they skip like a CD. Just kidding. I am sure the bid boys have a solid system, but it is somthing to think about.

Here is a link

http://www.hdal.com/products/products.ihtml?step=subcat&parent=51&subparent=69&sortedby=model

Adrian,
I ought to head out the Bic Camera in Namba and play around with those cameras. Can't wait for the day when the XL-1 has a DVD drive built into it.

Personally I can't wait for the day when camcorders got disk drives in them. That way you could record uncompressed on 360 GB drives (in theory). I think DVD's is the wrong way to go. Just another format to keep track of - like CD, MD, miniDV, MX, Digital8...

Yeah, get us out of the compression wars. MPEG-2 is a step backward from the DV format, so that's not going to help.

Free DV Revolution Seminar Tour
 

For those of you interested in seeing an entire project shot, edited, and compressed for the web in just 2 and 1/2 hours, come to the Free DV Revolution Seminar Tour. We'll be coming to most every major US city.

You'll see Canon cameras, Tiffen Filters, Lowel lighting, Pinnacle Edition DV editing software, Artbeats stock footage, Sonicfire Pro soundtrack creation software, and Cleaner 5 for exporting your project to the web, CD-ROM or DVD.

Learn more at:

http://www.editionplanet.com/
http://www.dvcreators.net/

Identical to a previous post by Gary Bettan, see:

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3740

ahem
 

Don't forget about Anchorage, Alaska. 280,000+ people in the latest census. <;)

Isn't it a bit cold up there ? :)

Hello Guy,
I attended one of your DV Rev seminars in Chicago last year. You did a really fine job. At that time you (DV Creators) were focused on FCP as the nle medium. Now it looks like you're picking up the new Pinnacle line. Just curious as to why? Pinnacle must be putting on a hard press to get their product on the shelf.

New Toys from Canon: Powershot & EOS digicams
 

Drool alert:

Powershot S230, replaces S200: now 3 megapixels, same great super-compact Elph size and shape, vastly improved movie modes (30 sec VGA w/audio, up to 3 minutes at smaller sizes):

http://www.powershot.com/powershot2/s230/index.html

Powershot G3, replaces G2: now 4x optical zoom, still 4 megapixels, enhanced movie mode, better signal processing, better ergonomics:

http://www.powershot.com/powershot2/g3/index.html

EOS-1DS, nothing special, only 11.1 megapixels, yes you're reading that right, this one goes to 11, which is one louder, isn't it. The CMOS chip is the same size as the 35mm image plane! And you can buy it for pocket change, only $9000, which is just chicken feed really:

http://www.usa.canon.com/templatedata/pressrelease/02_sept_eos_1ds.html
http://www.canon.co.jp/Imaging/EOS1DS

Go scrape those quarters off the dresser,

That 11 megapixel camera is mind-boggling, isn't it? And you're right. A $9,000 expense in a professional environment is very modest if it can produce the quality of images that this camera's specs suggest.

Well, I must admit to being somewhat tongue-in-cheek about the price, but any serious journo working for a respectable publication isn't going to bat an eye at that.

Many folks unable to justify a $2000 EOS-D60 (myself included) are wondering about a digital version of the EOS Rebel... it will happen, probably 4 or 5 megapixels at around $1000; only a matter of time I think.

The other big thing about the EOS D1s is that we are finally seeing 1:1 CCDs. Who knows, mabe this means we might see increases in video camera CCD sizes in the not to distant future.

If a video camera were able to use a 1:1 CCD, that would greatly enhance the feasability of using film camera lenses, would it not?
What is the likelyhood of seeing a descendent of the XL1 with an EF mount lens in the future, at a price hopefully less than $9000?

That'd make a lot of people happy. Including me.

Dylan,

When that happens would you please come visit me at the home and let me hold you new camera? I promise not to drool on it. You're not only going to need 1 chip that size, but 3 and a prism to go with it. CMOS chips use much less power, but still a 10 to 15 pound camera by the time you add batteries and all. Even more with a big pro lens. The cameras get huge just going to a 2/3 inch chips.

Jeff

MPEG 2 compression is definitely backwards... since it is also
compressed indeed. And I hope it is I-frame only because it
will be a pain to edit otherwise. I'd suggest uncompressed
or lossless compressed too. That shouldn't be too much of a
problem.... But I would be happy with variable fps, 4:4:4
DV stream on a harddisk.... Ah, throw in a higher resolution
too... Who says we can't dream. But that will not happen anyway
since the DV specs don't allow for any of that.

Now if you would come to Holland..... heh

Trust me, I know this group... if Guy and crew make it to Amsterdam, well, the whole thing comes to a stop and you couldn't make them leave that town for a week or two.

;-)

So I should just keep saving for a Mini35, huh? :)

Re: Free DV Revolution Seminar Tour
 

<<<-- Originally posted by Guy Cochran : For those of you interested in seeing an entire project shot, edited, and compressed for the web in just 2 and 1/2 hours, come to the Free DV Revolution Seminar Tour. We'll be coming to most every major US city.

You'll see Canon cameras, Tiffen Filters, Lowel lighting, Pinnacle Edition DV editing software, Artbeats stock footage, Sonicfire Pro soundtrack creation software, and Cleaner 5 for exporting your project to the web, CD-ROM or DVD.

Learn more at:

http://www.editionplanet.com/
http://www.dvcreators.net/ -->>>

Guy,

I have been trading emails with Jim T. regarding your upcoming Houston event. We are looking forward to your group heading down to Texas. Look forward to meeting you if you make the trip.

Hi Ken,

I do indeed remember the Chicago workshop with you. Lot's o' fun at 10 South Wacker. I remember you were the one who also has done presentations and said not to drink too much coffee...

If you recall Day 1 of the DV Revolution Workshop is shooting, Day 2 Editing, Day 3 Delivery. Since anyone can take any single day of the workshop, we would have twice as many people on Day 1 as Day 2. Why you ask? Half of the attendees use a PC solution. Up until now, we could not find a powerful, reliable, yet inexpensive NLE on the PC side that could be on the same level as Final Cut Pro.
Well, now we have, and we are proud to be showing off - and hosting workshops on Edition DV. We still have the best Final Cut Pro workshops across the country, and now we have the best coast-to-coast PC workshops as well. This gives everyone a chance to join the Revolution at a killer price point and with professional tools to boot.

I look forward to seeing you all out there on the Free Tour.... and Rob... I really, really wish we were touring Europe!

Guy Cochran
DVcreators.net

FCP 3 vs. Avid Xpress DV....The Winner is....
 

Check out the review on http://www.digitalvideoediting.com/2002/09_sep/features/cw_fcp_vs_xdv_shootout.htm Very complete review by an experienced Avid editor. Unlike many reviews this one names a winner.

Jeff

For a change, this is a DMN article *not* written by Charlie White (ugh) but instead by Peter May (hooray).

Wow, that's quite an exhaustive and unique review. I don't think I've ever seen sluggish audio noted in any review of XDV.

Great review. I wish more reviews cold be this "hands on". I come from an Avid background and have been doing FCP since 1.0 and have the same feeling of being old whenever I go back to Avids. Theres a lot more "next generation EDL" connected to FCP.

Me too Guy.... workshops and such are almost nowhere to be
found around here. And if they are I am highly doubting them and
there quality (and price vs. quality for that matter). Oh well,
perhaps I can sometime attend a workshop in the US.

Thanks anyways for doing this and bringing it to our attention.

The World's first consumer HD cam!
 

JVC has announced a new cam. It is a hand-held, digital HD cam with 3, 1/3" CCDs. (It looks like a Sony PD100A, but brown in color). For a picture and the JVC link, go to the news section here:

www.dvfreak.com/links.htm

From what I could decipher from the japanese text (my japanese
isn't that good -- ie, non existent)

- It will record DV and MPEG2
- Records the following resolutions:

720x480 or 720x525: interlaced, DV
720x480 or 720x525: progressive, MPEG2
1280x720 or 1280x750: progressive, MPEG2

All on miniDV tape? Probably will *NOT* be standards
compliant though. I hope they have a very good NLE
that can handle MPEG2 and that the MPEG2 is I-frame
only.

Anyone else found some interesting information on this?

JVC announced a few years ago their plans on making a new HD camera. They proposed (along with Panasonic) the DV100 spec.
720x1280 8bit 4:2:2 color at up to 60p. I think Pana got the jump on them with the veri cam, but didn't make it to the specs originally laid out. By the looks of the picture, they have a new, wider tape based system. If it works, I don't care if it's proprietary.

Most of us use the dv25 spec for mini-dv and DVCAM tapes. 8bit 4:1:1 NTSC 4:2:0 PAL

A step up is DV50 which is what D9 and DVCPRO50 comply with.
8bit 4:2:2 NTSC or PAL
This is the next thing they were talking about..


Nice thing is, DV100 still works within the the 400mb spec of 1394.

Its not going to affect what I buy in the next couple of weeks, but if it's any good, I'll get it in the future.

Well... what I understand from that japanese site it seems like
they are only using DV with their standard DV25 compliant
signal. Everything else seems to be using MPEG2 (stored on a
DV tape???)

We will see where it all goes.....

Okay Rob, I don't read japanese, so I'll take your word for it. I've emailed a query to JVC to find out more. If it's high quality i-frame only mpeg, that might be alright, but traditionally mpeg2 is not a great format to edit in.

Unfortunately, for me anyway, and I suspect for at least a few others, FCP isn't even in the picture because it's only available for the Mac, and I don't want to blow all my money on the hardware. I wish they would widen their horizons and port it to windows (I know, it will never happen!). In the meantime, I am using XDV3 and I like it a lot.