And that represents just the titling and credits (which I'm sure are beautifully rendered). ;-)

Yes, Nikon became badly tangled by its (1980's) decision to enter a portion of the semiconductor industry, which has seen breathtaking troughs with few intervening peaks during the past decade. Nearly every move in that business costs a player $1bil. That, coupled with a Japanese economy still-swooning from nearly 40 years of self-delusion and a moribund management has really weakened Nikon. It's particularly regrettable because they own the preeminent name in photography.

Japanese companys' financial statements are notoriously opaque and clouded by interpretations. So it would be impossible for anyone except an financial analyst skilled in following Japanese companies to assess Nikon's true position. But, as a layperson, I do not see their aquisition as a viable way forward through. I'd bet that Nikon's whole right now is worth much less than the sum of its parts and that aquisition would certainly lead to demolition. Rather, perhaps overly optimistically, I see them freeing themselves from their millstones and building on their still-powerful consumer and commercial brand identity in the optical spheres.

Digital Projector Theater Search
 

The best thing from the article was using the site's search engine and finding out that there are 3 theaters in town that use digital projectors, now I know where I'm seeing Spy Kids 2.

I was just looking at the Hitachi dockable DVD deck. It is being sold as a broadcast deck and connects to their camera head. I have not found out yet what it will take to connect it to other docable cameras. It appears to be small and lightweight. It is supposed to ship in the next month or so. There are hard drive units that connect to DV so it seems to make sense that DVD field units can't be far away.

Using a Hard Drive to Show Films in Theaters
 

Nice story by By Amy Harmon in the NY Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2002/11/14/movies/14DIGI.html

Dan,
Thanks so much for posting a link to this very interesting article. I've taken the liberty of moving it to this forum since we've had several other "digital cinema" threads here recently.

217 GFlops . . . I wonder if it does RT Effects
 

Saw this article about parallel processing and 33 Dual Processor G4 servers http://daugerresearch.com/fractaldem...Benchmark.html

Jeff

Naw, still requires an add-in proc. <g>

This is pretty impressive performance. It will take a while for the price/performance relationship of Apple's XServe platform to penetrate the corporate world...if it ever does. But in the scientific world, such as JPL and NOAA, where computing horsepower is of preeminent importance it should be quite a boon.

WiebeTech Intros A 250Gb Firewire / USB Drive
 

Well it looks like WiebeTech has been busy lately. On the heels of introducing a 200Gb drive in October, they've now topped themselves by offering a 250Gb Firewire / USB drive. That's one heckuva big drive! But unlike their 200Gb SuperGb drive, this big drive is not bus-powered. Also, the product data sheet indicates that it's not a 7200rpm drive, suggesting that it's a 5400rpm unit.

Still, it's a landmark for such a unit. To learn more see their site at:
http://www.wiebetech.com/

"Personal Veolcity"
 

Recently saw this feature, from InDigEnt, shot on a PAL PD150. It was beautiful although it had the markings of the brown-y/green-y Sony look, which I'm not a fan of personally, but it was otherwise beautiful and clear. I think there's a slight color difference in shooting between Sony MiniDV and Canon MiniDV. It's probably just me. Good luck to you all on finishing your films. You can find out more about InDigEnt at http://www.indigent.net/.

Christian
www.nebunule.com

Trigger Street Productions
 

My wife saw Kevin Spacey discussing this organization, which he founded. I found it interesting and thought others might as well.

From their site's "About Us" page:
http://www2.triggerstreet.com/gbase/Trigger/Homepage

There's a really nice announcement page at Yahoo with sample videos from the big boys.

http://movies.yahoo.com/movies/featu...gerstreet.html

It appears that TriggerStreet is really taking off. They have already recieved a ton of short film entries. I've watched several and there is some good stuff being submitted.

Yep, Tenth was very good. However there are some not so good ones. I'd rather see some sort of qualification to get in.
Also watch "Superman" vs...something I think, can't rememeber. It's in the sci-fi fantasy I think. Search for Superman. Keith and I know the guy that did it. Let me know what you think.

PocketPC Teleprompter?
 

Here's an interesting site. The vendor has developed a teleprompter that uses a PocketPC that clips onto the cam's lens for portable use. I did not see details on how one control the scroll rate or how immune the system is to sunlight, but it is interesting. The URL is http://www.pocketprompter.tv/

Clever. Although clearly aimed at the under-40 crowd <g>. Also a bit pricey for what it represents, don't you think?

Reporting from COMDEX
 

So far I've seen two things that really got my attention. One is Dell's new PDA, the Axim X5:

http://www.dell.com/us/en/gen/topics/segtopic_axim.htm

...and the other is Canon's DV Messenger software (turn your DV camcorder into a webcam):

http://www.canondv.com/dvmessenger/movie.html

Tenth was good wasn't it. What is the name of the guy who did the Superman thing?

His user name is bulent_hasan Try searching for that. He's got 4 movies up there now. Busy little beaver.

I'd like to point out I hate the design of triggerstreet.com Very clumsy to use. Maybe it's not finished, but when I hit back, I want the last screen I looked at, and not have to wade through their menus again. Also, the reviwing thing is a major PITA to submit a review. I did one and it said I had to write at least 50 words. So I did, but then it wouldn't let me submit it.
I hope they fix it soon. Also the registration takes way too long for someone with a short attention span like me.

The world's first DVD-Ram Professional Camcorder
 

Picture & Info

http://www.dtvprofessional.com/2002/...chi_dvdcam.htm


Article:
Quantel and film and television production online information service leader creativePLANETcommunities today announced the launch 2-popHD.com. This new online offering serves as a companion site to creativePLANET's 2-pop.com portal, which services DV filmmakers. The new site will provide a comprehensive resource of information on HD acquisition, production, post and distribution. It is an ideal platform for the creative community to discuss and learn more about the rate of acceptance HD acquisition and finishing is experiencing in the marketplace. Industry experts from the manufacturing and service provider side of the business will be monitoring the site to maintain continuity and credibility. "As someone who spends a lot of time online and a lot of time writing about digital production and post, I am very happy we have been able to work with Quantel-which is sponsoring this site-to create such a comprehensive Web resource for HD information," said Cristina Clapp, editor of creativePLANETcommunities. "Together we have loaded the site with breaking news, feature articles, forums, white papers and event listings-with plenty more to come." "The move to HD represents the next exciting evolution in our industry," said Tom McDonald, director of market development for Quantel. "The rapid adoption of 1080/24P acquisition by the networks this season is a clear indication that HD is finally here. As advancing technologies and economies of scale move HD into the mainstream, we'll work with our partners to make 2 popHD.com an information portal that will provide answers, track industry developments, highlight success stories and provide the traditional 2-pop forum for discussion and debate." In addition to being the leading site for HD industry news, 2-popHD offers visitors access to white papers, technical guides and select articles from creativePLANET publications. The site also features "Square Pixels," a monthly guest column by industry professionals including NLE designer/author Tom Ohanian, UK-based freelance writer and expert on digital television production Bob Pank, Digital TV Magazine editor Michael Silbergleid and Digital Cinema Magazine editor Brian McKernan. About creativePLANETcommunities Founded in 1997, the creativePLANETcommunities, a division of United Entertainment Media, offers online resources for the film and television production professional. Updated daily, the CPC sites
offer news, articles and discussions forums for the creative community. The company's network of sites includes 2-pop.com,
DesigninMotion.com, VFXPro.com, Cinematographer.com, Videography.com and DigitalCinemaMag.com. For more information, visit creativePLANETcommunities. About Quantel Quantel is dedicated to creating new tools for the new digital age, covering everything from terrestrial and satellite television to broadband internet, DVD and D-cinema. Quantel's generationQ is a radical, all-encompassing new concept that offers total scalability in both hardware and software across post-production, graphics and broadcast for multiple resolution,
team-working production environments.

Fight Like a Girl Club is a freaking riot!

Yes the design of Triggerstreet.com needs some major work. I am curious what Kevin Spacey is getting out of this. Just a bit sceptical that he is doing it for the good of all indie filmmakers.

Re: Reporting from COMDEX
 

<<<-- Originally posted by Chris Hurd :
...and the other is Canon's DV Messenger software (turn your DV camcorder into a webcam):

http://www.canondv.com/dvmessenger/movie.html -->>>

Now this is a VERY cool feature. Anybody else out there downloaded this yet?

Fight like a Girl Club is good, but just a little too familliar with Slap Fight Club, which was done by Saturday Night Live or Mad TV (can't remember which).

There was another few good ones I saw today.
Backseat Driver creeeeepy
Random Acts of Violence martial arts and comedy

Hmmm....never saw Slap Fight Club. All though that sounds like it could be funny. Did you ever see Film Club? Now that is a funny little short.

Trigger Street
 

At Paul Sedillo's urging I checked out Trigger street. It's a pretty amazing site from a technical perspective to be sure. The first film I watched was "Tenth" I loved it! The acting was superb as was the cinematography, and the subject was quite poignant. I was however dissapointed at some of the reviewers who bashed the filmmaker for using 9/11 to advance thier career. I don't aggree with them at all, in fact quite the opposite. I can see the total reality of the story, and that made it even more dramatic.
my 2 cents

Also check out "Real True History"...so simple, but really funny.

Yeah, I thought $o.
 

Yes and it looks like at $695 you have to supply the palm top.

It is nice, however, to have such a lightweight, portable system. I do wonder if the display will washout in strong light.

The only thing I dislike is that it is for Messenger and Win XP only.
Would be a lot sweeter if they had made a VFW interface and/or
HTML publishing method.... Oh well.

Thanks for the heads up!

DV Expo West,
 

The P+S Technik Mini35 Digital Adapter will be demonstrated at a special session sponsored by Canon at DV Expo West. DV Expo West runs December 9 through 12, 2002 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. This year, the DV Expo West Film Festival and the special Canon sessions will run December 10 and 11, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Room 301B.

Brad Embree, Director of the short film, "Phreakers," shot with the Canon XL1 and the Mini35 Digital adapter, is entered at the festival. In August he won an award for the film at the Atlantic City Film Festival.

Jon Nixon, cinematographer and videographer, recently shot five PSAs for the American Film Institute with the Canon XL1S and the Mini35. Both Jon and Brad will be on the Canon panel with Guy Genin, head technician at ZGC, Inc. to demo the equipment and relate their experience with the set-up, respectively.

Barbara Lowry
ZGC, Inc.
Watchdog Sponsor

Bogen LANC Controller
 

I'm not sure when this Press Release was published, but came across it while searching for something else on the Bogen website.

http://www.bogenphoto.com/news/right...home&newsid=80

Has anyone used this controller?

Huh! I didn't know Manfrotto was making such a controller. The page has a date of November 4, 2002 so it must be pretty fresh. Very interesting Ed. Thanks for sharing this.

Sigma now has a digital SLR body employing this new Foveon chip... the 10 megapixel SD9:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sigmasd9/

The hard copy images I've seen are very impressive.

Jeff

They might be, but it seems like a step backwards to be using such a small chip (1.7x mag) and such a low spec camera. It looks like a bandwagon camera to me.

If you have streaming video on your site, just wait until you get the letter from Acacia Technologies claiming that they own the patent on that and that they want you to pay a license fee. They are going after lots of sites right now.

Not only will Texas gain control of all media as we know it, we'll have all ya'll saying howdy and eating chicken fried steak before you can say lickity-split.

Better start practicing your line dancing now.

It's small for a DSLR camera, not-so-small for a videocamera. Boy, somebody has to be working on a videocam using a version of that chip. It has the potential to make 3-chip performance in a much smaller camera.

In the meantime, I love my GL2.

What is the adapter supposed to do? Sorry for the novice question.

This gizmo enables you to use 35mm prime lenses on an XL1/XL1s. See ZGC's site for more info.
http://www.zgc.com/html/p_s_technik_mini_35_adapter.htm