All posts by Shawn Thorpe

About Shawn Thorpe

Shawn is a freelance media technician and podcast consultant living in San Luis Obispo, CA. | Blog | Twitter

Line 6 Releases Mobile POD 2.0 for iOS



Line 6 LogoMusic and audio equipment manufacturer Line 6 revolutionized the guitar effects industry with the release of its POD effects processor nearly two decades ago. The company hasn’t stopped innovating since. When it was clear that iOS, the operating system that runs Apple’s mobile devices, could be used for more than just placing phone calls and sending text messages, Line 6 began developing a special POD-inspired app for iOS. Hence, the Mobile POD app was born. Mobile POD was recently updated to version 2.0.

The app comes packed with 65 classic amps and effects for dialing in the perfect guitar tone, Users can save preferred custom tones or choose from presets designed by Line 6 engineers. Updated UI combines ease of use with fast interaction, and features a dynamic layout that adapts to any iOS screen. Updated ergonomics offer immediate on-screen access to all parameter settings while simultaneously allowing for precise editing with a single finger.

With Mobile POD 2.0 and an iOS device and it becomes possible to practice, jam, or record anywhere. Need to lay down some guitar tracks at 2AM without waking the neighbors? Maybe head out into the wilderness (or just the backyard) to do some inspired composing? It’s all possible with this app from Line 6.

Mobile POD 2.0 is available as a free download from the App Store. To unlock all of the app’s features, a $19.99 in-app purchase is required.


New Teradek COLR Products Let You Fine Tune the Image



Teradek logoWorking with different cameras in different environments can be a real challenge for video producers. There’s no way to know for sure if the camera you’ve got is the right one for the job until you’re on scene. And by then, it might be too late to get the optimal shot. Teradek is hoping to make this problem a thing of the past with its new line of COLR devices.

COLR is a real-time LUT box, camera control bridge, and HDMI/SDI cross-converter in one tiny package. COLR integrates with Pomfort LiveGrade Pro, allowing DITs and colorists to give everyone the right look. There are a total of three products in the COLR line. The first is the COLR Lite and it boasts these features:

  • Perfect for GoPros or DSLRs/Mirrorless cameras, COLR Lite offers real-time color grading with 3D LUTs and a CDL or 1D LUT.
  • HDMI in / 3G-SDI out.
  • USB port for Camera Control and auxiliary power.
  • 802.11ac WiFi.

Next up is the COLR Duo:

  • All the functionality of the original COLR with a second 3G-SDI output, allowing a unique 33-point 3D LUT and CDL or 1D LUT to be applied to each output.
  • 3G-SDI in / 2x 3G-SDI out.
  • Gigabit Ethernet and USB ports for Camera Control and auxiliary power.
    802.11ac WiFi.

And finally the COLR Pro:

  • The world’s first 4K real-time color grading system. Support for two simultaneous 12G-SDI inputs and up to four 12G-SDI outputs, with 2 independently applied 33-point 3D LUTs with a CDL or 1D LUT. Designed to be mounted in a rack or on a DIT cart.
  • 2x 12G-SDI + HDMI in / 4x 12G-SDI + HDMI out.
  • Gigabit Ethernet for network connectivity.

COLR pricing begins at $1190. Teradek will have demo units available at booth C6025 during NAB Show 2016 in Las Vegas.


HOFA Offers New Freeware 4U+ DynamicTiltEQ Plugin



HOFA TiltEQAudio-production software developer HOFA has released a new plugin called 4U+ DynamicTiltEQ. HOFA is billing it as “the world’s only available freeware TiltEQ,” boasting that users can “use just one knob for the perfect balancing of low and high frequencies on the highest audio level.”

HOFA came up with a “wish list” of all of the features they’d like to see in a TiltEQ plugin, and then proceeded to include all of them in 4U+ Dynamic TiltEQ:

  • Gain/cut up to 24 dB
  • Variable tilt width for transparent adjustments as well as musical sound shaping
  • Splittable bass and treble tilt
  • Low and highcut filter (6 & 12 dB/octave)
  • Individual routing for stereo, mid, side left and right processing
  • Up to 32x oversampling

The 4U+ Dynamic TiltEQ plugin is freeware and can be installed thru the free HOFA-Plugins Manager. The plugin works with Windows 7/8/10, Vista and Windows XP, as well as Intel Macs running OS 10.6 or later. HOFA provides AU, VST, VST3, RTAS and AAX versions of the plugin in both 32 and 64 bit configurations. HOFA has tested the plugin and confirmed it works with Steinberg Cubase/Nuendo/Wavelab, MOTU Digital Performer, Ableton Live, Apple Logic, Magix Samplitude/Sequoia, Avid Pro Tools, Cakewalk Sonar, Presonus Studio One, and Cockos Reaper digital audio workstations.


RTW Will Showcase Entire Line of Loudness Solutions at NAB



RTW SoftwareWhen it comes to media production, “loudness” means more than just volume. These days, there are a number of different loudness targets for media, depending on a large number of factors. It can be a challenge for producers to keep track of all of the various requirements. That’s where software production company RTW comes in with its full range of loudness solutions.

RTW will be demonstrating its new Continuous Loudness Control (CLC) software at this year’s NAB Show in Las Vegas. This signal processing software allows users to constantly control and regulate to a given program-loudness value, along with a definable loudness range with minimal obstacles. The major advantage of CLC’s complex adaptive morphing algorithm is its realtime capability. The CLC algorithm “learns” during processing about the dynamic structure and intention of the sound signal and adopts its processing constantly to predict for what comes next. The software is also able to handle most common DAW applications and meets EBU-R128 and all major global loudness standard specifications.

RTW is also announcing the release of version 4.0 of its Loudness Tools and Mastering Tools software. The new version adds support for Mac OS X 10.11 and provides user requested features like a selectable 12thoctave RTA, cinema loudness (TASA and SAWA), and free scalable instrument size. In addition, the new version allows the Loudness Tools and Mastering Tools software to be operated as a stand-alone version. RTW will also present software version 1.5 for TM3-Primus and USB Connect. With this version, RTW adds support for Mac OS X 10.11 and supports the recently released standard changes in the EBU Loudness Recommendation (EBU R 128). Users can now select to read both Smax and Mmax values. Short-term loudness measurement is a parameter to characterize and control the loudness of commercials, promos, etc.. RTW offers both functions as a freely selectable feature. Users may turn on or off one or both measurements, as needed.

RTW will be demonstrating these products and more at Booth C2336 during NAB Show 2016.


JVC is Bringing a Robotic PTZ Video-Over-IP Camera to NAB



KY-PZ100W cameraVideo-production systems are becoming equally as compact as they are sophisticated. That’s great news for producers, as it gives them new opportunities to extend their abilities. JVC is helping to further the process with a new camera it’ll be showing off during this year’s NAB Show in Las Vegas. The camera is compact, powerful, and can be controlled remotely.

JVC’s new KY-PZ100 is the company’s first-ever robotic camera. Here’s a list of important features:

  • Ideal for studio or field applications
  • 3G-SDI and HDMI outputs
  • Features JVC’s unique IP-based communications engine that provides streaming HD video at a variety of bit rates with minimal latency
  • Streams up to 1080p/60 video with two-channel audio using SMPTE 2022 forward error correction
  • Integrated Zixi technology delivers reliable streaming performance with forward error correction and automatic repeat request

One of the KY-PZ100’s coolest features is its ability to be controlled remotely using JVC’s new RM-IP100 remote control panel, a web browser, or a variety of remote units that support VISCA protocol. JVC’s RM-IP100 controller can memorize more than 100 preset settings and positions. For installation versatility, the camera is available in black (KY-PZ100B) or white (KY-PZ100W) housings and can be mounted upside-down, if necessary.

JVC will have demo units of this camera at Booth C4314 during the NAB Show. The KY-PZ100 is expected to retail for $3995.00.


Wirecast 6.0.7 Can Live Stream to Facebook Video



Wirecast logoIt seems like only a matter of time until every possible mode of communication is built into Facebook’s ever-expanding platform. The monolithic social network’s latest frontier to conquer is native video. Last year. Facebook began allowing users to upload longer-form static videos. Now, the company is offering live-streaming video to all users. Time will tell where Facebook will stand against competitors like YouTube in the online video space. Still, more producers are trying out Facebook as a video platform, and that prompted Telestream to update its popular video production suite Wirecast to work with Facebook video.

Wirecast users who upgrade to the latest version will be able to take advantage of all of the application’s standard features with Facebook video, including using multiple cameras, text overlays, transitions, and more. There are some Facebook-specific features, too. Wirecast users will be able to log in and send a video stream to Facebook from directly within the Wirecast User Interface. Once a stream is started, users will be able to see the number of live viewers, the names of followers who are watching, and a real-time stream of comments throughout the live broadcast. Once the broadcast is complete, the video will stay on users’ timelines like any other video post.

Wirecast 6.0.7 is available now. Learn more about the software with the latest release notes or get general information on Wirecast here.


Telestream Bringing New Apps, Cloud Service to NAB 2016



telestream-logoVideo products and services provider Telestream will be bringing several new products to this year’s NAB Show in Las Vegas. Lightspeed Live Stream and Lightspeed Live Capture are two new applications that deliver real-time, enterprise-class streaming and capture for media creators. Telestream Cloud is a video encoding SaaS (software as a service) designed to meet the needs of video production and post-production professionals.

Lightspeed Live Stream solves the problem of preparing real-time content for adaptive bitrate live streaming while Lightspeed Live Capture can independently record multiple channels of SD, HD, or a single channel of UHD video. Both applications can operate stand-alone on Telestream’s Lightspeed Live server but the greatest benefits are realized when coupled with Telestream’s Vantage platform for complete workflow orchestration. Users can concurrently stream, capture and process live content for consumption on a wide variety of platforms.

Telestream’s Cloud service offers high quality video transcoding for all formats and codecs, and dynamically scales in response to customer needs. The service utilizes an easy yet powerful API to automate and integrate workflows. File transfer and encoding times can be optimized from any location since Telestream Cloud uses multiple cloud service providers including Google Cloud, Amazon Web Services and Rackspace.

Telestream Cloud features certified ProRes presets to deliver high-quality video files that conform to Apple standards and ensures trouble free post-production on Apple’s Final Cut Pro platform, as well as other popular editing software packages.

Telestream will be demonstrating all of its new products and services at booth SL 4525 during NAB 2016.


JVC Will Bring Updated News Gathering Camcorders to NAB



JVC CameraJVC Professional Video recently announced two new upgrades to its 600 series of ProHD camcorders. Both of these cameras, the GY-HM660 and the GY-HM620 will be on display at this year’s NAB Show in Las Vegas.

The GY-HM660 is the industry’s first streaming camcorder with an integrated IFB return audio channel. Both the GY-HM660 and the GY-HM620 also feature new CMOS image sensors for greater sensitivity and a brighter LCD display for improved daylight viewing. The GY-HM660’s integrated IFB function will make it easier for remote camera operators to communicate directly with the news room during a shoot. This camcorder also has SMPTE 2022 forward error correction for increased stream reliability.

The GY-HM660’s built-in video-over-IP technology delivers high-quality streaming with a choice of resolutions, bit rates, and formats. The camcorder can be paired with a 4G LTE modem in order to stream live. No backpack transmission system or other portable gear is necessary. The camera also includes support for Real Time Messaging Protocol (RTMP), which allows for direct connectivity to a number of content distribution networks (CDNs) including Ustream and YouTube.

Both of these cameras feature three new 12-bit CMOS sensors with improved F12 (60Hz) sensitivity for superior low-light performance. The cameras also come with an upgraded 3.5-inch LCD display, which can be swiveled for use as a talent monitor, as well as a 1.22 MP LCOS color viewfinder.  The two cameras can record HD and SD footage in a variety of file formats – including 1080p/60 and XHQ with virtually lossless 50 Mbps H.264 (.MOV) – to SDHC or SDXC media cards. With two card slots, both cameras support relay mode for uninterrupted recording or simultaneously recording to both cards for instant backup or client copy.

The GY-HM660 will be available in April 2016 with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $5,495, and the GY-HM620 is expected to ship in June 2016 at an MSRP of $3,195. JVC will have the cameras on display at Booth C4314 during the 2016 NAB Show.


ATSC 3.0 Will Be Featured at NAB 2016



ATSC LogoThe Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) 3.0 protocol will be on display at this year’s National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Show in Las Vegas. ATSC 3.0 is the newest version of this protocol that covers both broadcast and internet-based transmissions. ATSC 3.0 is important because it allows for both 4K and high dynamic range (HDR) video.

Live transmissions using the ATSC 3.0 protocol will be on display at the Broadcast Pavilion and Consumer Experience sections of the NAB show. These transmissions will originate on the NAB floor and sent to prototype receivers. There will also be plenty of ATSC 3.0-ready equipment on display, including encoders, signal analyzers, multiplexers, and more.

The committee responsible for creating ATSC 3.0 approved it as the new standard just last week:

The Advanced Television Systems Committee(ATSC) developing the Next Generation Broadcast Transmission Standard (ATSC 3.0) has voted to approve as a Full Standard the key element of the Physical Layer, the so-called “Bootstrap” or the Discovery and Signaling feature of the standard. The Bootstrap includes the designs developed by ONE Media and supported by other broadcasters and equipment manufacturers, including notably the Pearl TV consortium of broadcast companies and the largest global television manufacturer, Samsung. With this approval, the first essential piece of the new paradigm in broadcasting is set.

If you’re attending the 2016 NAB Show and you’d like to learn more about ATSC 3.0, you can find related exhibits and vendors by using this predefined search on the NAB Show website.


Progo is a Revolutionary Backpack Designed for Cameras



Progo bagTraveling with photo gear can be a real challenge. You need something that’s as rugged as it is portable. This can be a difficult balance to achieve. Fortunately, the designers of a new backpack called Progo (not to be confused of course with GoPro) have stepped in to try and solve this problem.

Progo is billed as a carryon backpack that’s specially designed to haul and protect your sensitive (and expensive) photography gear. It also doubles as an efficient way to carry personal items like clothing and other essentials onto an airplane without having to check the bag. Progo comes packed with some cool high-tech features. It has a Bluetooth anti-loss device that’ll warn if it gets too far away from a paired device. Progo also has a built-in power bar you can use for charging all of your devices. Simply plug them into the power bar and then connect Progo’s power cord to an A/C outlet. Imagine not having to unpack all of your accessories in order to charge them! Progo also comes with a removable “camera divider” for camera accessories and a removable shelf. The shelf can be expanded when you arrive at your destination to store things in a closet or on a counter top.

Progo is being launched thru Indiegogo. The campaign has already reached 368% of its initial goal. A pledge of $239 plus shipping will get you your own Progo bag after they go into production.