Category Archives: Information

Jockey Motion 4-Axis Gimbal Stabilizes Video

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Jockey 4Axis GimbalNeed an easy way to stabilize the video for your cinematic production? You might want to check out the Jockey Motion 4-Axis Gimbal. Or, maybe the 4th-Axis Jockey Upgrade for Ronin, Ronin-M, and AllSteady gimbals would be a better choice for you. They are currently on Kickstarter, have reached their pledged amount, and can be backed for 6 more days.

The True 4-Axis Jockey Technology is described as “the Holy Grail of cinematic stabilization”. The 4-Axis technology stabilizes the vertical axis, a critical deficiency of traditional 3-axis gimbals in addressing bouncy videos.

While Turbo Ace engineers were developing the revolutionary Jockey Motion 4-Axis gimbal, they also adapted a seamless 4th-axis Jockey upgrade for Ronin, Ronin-M, Movi M5, Movi M10, All-Steady-6Pro, and AllSteady-6Plus gimbals. It provides easy transition between existing 3-axis and new 4-axis stabilization.

Turbo Ace engineers integrated a proprietary custom suspension system with 4 synchronized Hydraulic Shocks to absorb and slowly dissipate energy in the vertical axis. This puts a stop to the endless up and down oscillation from the main spring. The idea is very similar to the suspension system found in an automobile.

This new, innovative, gimbal set couples the Jockey with the Super Light Weight Support Rig, which is less than 20% of the weight of a normal shoulder rig. It transfers the gimbal and camera weight to your hip instead of your shoulder and at the same time allows for a higher range of movement.

Lumapad V2 LED Lights are on Kickstarter

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Lumapad V2 LED LightsLumapad V2 LED production lights are the newest version of the Lumapad LED lights from Lumapad. The new version is described as the brightest, highest quality, lowest cost production LED lights available. They are currently on Kickstarter and have 22 days to go in order to reach their funding goal.

The Lumapad V2 LED production lights come in two versions: The LP-14 “Little Guy” and the LP-28 “Big Bro”. The frames that go with each one are color coded. The “Little Guy” uses frames that are black and blue, while the “Big Bro” uses frames that are black and orange. This makes identification of color temperature faster and easier.

The “Little Guy Basic” is a good choice for a small budget production company. As a person’s business and experience grows, it is possible to upgrade to the heavy duty dimming power supply that gives you the same features that come with the standard LP-14 and its “Big Bro” the LP-28.

Another option for small production companies with higher budgets is to start out with the “Little Guy Deluxe” light or lighting kits. They come feature packed with the 5000 lumen LED panel (daylight or tungsten), heavy duty dimming power supply, gel holder, and all other necessary cables for either 120VAC or 240VAC. The “Big Bro” is the perfect choice for the very picky and discerning production company.

Features:
* Indestructible polycarbonate drop guards and accents.

* Easy color temperature identification using blue (5600K) and orange (3200K) accents.

* Separate power supply to reduce weight in the lighting head.

* Dimming control is mounted on deluxe power supply so it can be easily reached below the light or even placed on the floor as a separate unit.

* Heavy duty, professional power connectors for convenience and safety.

* Worldwide automatic voltage sensing with choice of EU or USA wall plug cables.

* Highest CRI possible in an LED lighting system.

* Standard 5/8” (0.625”) yoke for mounting to any light stand.

* Available with Tungsten (3200 Kelvin) or Daylight (5600 Kelvin) LED’s

* Remote phosphor version available for even greater color control and higher CRI.

Rode i-XLR is a Microphone Adapter for iOS Devices

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Rode logoElectronic media gathering in remote locations has become increasingly easier in recent years, mainly due to the versatility of mobile smart devices. Unlike a simple camera or digital audio recorder, a smart device can run apps that allow it to become a fully functional production studio. But most of these devices aren’t equipped with professional-level microphones. Equipment manufacturers have stepped in to bridge that gap. The latest to do so is Rode with the announcement of its i-XLR Lightning adapter that works with iOS devices.

The i-XLR connects any microphone to a Lightning-enabled iOS device using a three-meter long shielded audio cable. Having a cable this long allows the user to easily store their iOS device in a pocket or bag while having the mic out and ready to use. The i-XLR comes with a built-in headphone output for live monitoring and the device carries an additional 20db of input gain which is especially handy for use with dynamic microphones. The i-XLR also has a built-in record button as well as LED’s that show the record/pause status of a recording while being used with compatible audio apps.

The i-XLR is expected to ship later this year. Pricing has not yet been determined.

Light’s L16 Camera Uses 16 Built-In Lenses

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light logoPhotography startup company Light recently unveiled its L16 digital camera. The L16 is about double the size of a typical smartphone but still much smaller than a standard dSLR camera. The L16 uses a series of 16 built-in lenses when it takes a photo. The lenses capture a wide range of information that result in 52 megapixel images. Having images made from so many different lenses actually allows L16 users to change aspects of the image like depth of field, focus and exposure after a photo is taken.

L16 cameras have built-in Wi-FI, making it easy to transfer photos to off-device storage. The camera runs on the Android operating system, which means it may be possible to extend its usability thru third-party apps and services. The L16 comes with an integrated 35mm-150mm optical zoom lens. It also has a five-inch touchscreen display.

The L16 is available now thru November on pre-order for $1299.00. The price jumps up to $1699.00 after that.

Cerevo Announces LiveShell 2 Video Streaming Device

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LiveShell 2The market for all-in-one live video streaming devices has really taken off over the last year. It’s definitely easier than ever to create, capture, encode, and stream live video. The latest device in this ever-expanding vertical was just Announced by Cerevo. It’s named LiveShell 2 and it’s the followup to the company’s original LiveShell product.

LiveShell 2 can broadcast video and audio encoded in H.264+AAC, with a resolution of 720p and a bitrate of up to 10Mbps. Streaming is possible via wired LAN or Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac). The addition of 5GHz Wi-Fi support means stable streaming is possible even in bandwidth-congested areas.

LiveShell 2 doesn’t require a computer in order to operate. You can connect a camera direct to LiveShell 2 via HDMI. Also, LiveShell 2 supports several live streaming services, such as Ustream, YouTube Live, Twitch, and RTMP servers. LiveShell can also be used in Local Mode which allows LiveShell 2 to broadcast sound and video to a specific RTMP server in a completely closed LAN environnment. In addition, the RTSP mode can be used for direct delivery of video using the LiveShell 2 as a server.

LiveShell 2’s internal rechargeable Li-po battery provides up to 3.3 hours of broadcasting time. It can be recharged via the included A/C adapter or a mobile USB battery charger.

The Cerevo LiveShell 2 is expected to retail for $299. It is not yet available for purchase.

Newtek Announces NDI Protocol for Video Production

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NewTek LogoNewtek, the Texas-based technology company best known for its Tricaster line of products, recently announced the development of a new protocol for connecting video equipment to Ethernet networks. The protocol is named Network Device Interface (NDI). From the Newtek press release:

…a new open standard for live production IP workflows over Ethernet networks. NDI allows multiple video systems to identify and communicate with one another over IP, and to encode, transmit and receive many streams of high quality, low latency, frame-accurate video and audio in real-time. This new protocol can benefit any network-connected video device, including video mixers, graphics systems, capture cards, and many other production devices.

NDI will be available as a free, open-source SDK in Q4 of 2015. Newton expects many software developers and hardware manufacturer will begin adopting NDI, helping to ensure it’ll become the new standard for connecting video equipment to IP networks. Also, the NDI protocol should work with most existing video applications and hardware products from the beginning. NDI is also compatible with SDI equipment as well as many other established network technologies.

This should prove to be a real game changer for media producers going forward, as it’ll improve video production workflows and make it easier to integrate different types of equipment in different locations.

Tri-Caster Mini Now Available in HD-SDI and HDMI Models

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NewTek TriCaster Mini family got biggerNewTek has announced that the Tri-Caster Mini family just got bigger. The most portable complete multi-camera production system just got more professional. Tri-Caster Mini is now available in HD-SDI and HDMI models.

The Tri-Caster Mini family is great for people who want to create videos without having to lug around a lot of complicated equipment. It is designed to be easy to use for those who are amateurs, but is good enough to attract professionals as well. The HDMI version of the Tri-Caster Mini lets users transform their ordinary presentations into engaging multimedia content that looks like network-style TV.

Tri-Caster Mini provides a solution that includes a complete suite of tools for creativity, control, and content publishing, all in one turnkey package. Plug in some cameras, a mouse, and a keyboard and you can create video content and stream it live in minutes.

The Tri-Caster Mini HD-4sdi gives customers a choice between SDI I/O and the highly popular ultra-portable HDMI version of Tri-Caster Mini. You can choose between the two based upon your preference.

It includes an integrated display screen and system storage capable of recording approximately 45 hours of footage. This product is now available for $9,995 USMSRP. International pricing may vary.

Shure Pushes for Dedicated Wireless Spectrum in UK

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shure logoAlmost anything from common household toasters to large commercial audio systems can be wireless these days. And while this may simplify some things in terms of setup, and it does offer a certain level of convenience, it also creates a problem with signal congestion across the wireless spectrum. And when wireless frequencies begin to interfere with each other, this can cause the products that depend on those frequencies to malfunction. In an attempt to stem the tide of frequency encroachment, microphone manufacturer Shure is pushing the UK government to devote a portion of the wireless spectrum specifically to audio gear.

Shure believes that the best spot on the wireless spectrum for this type of gear is UHF bands IV and V or 470 – 854MHz. In recent years, much of this spectrum became available as UK television broadcasters switched from analog to digital. The UK government has already given the 700 MHz and 800 MHz bands over to mobile phone companies for use in their 4G networks. A spokesperson from Shure was quoted as saying that this wireless spectrum should be treated like any other kind of natural resource, and that it’s necessary for the government to put some kind of controls in place so all of the spectrum doesn’t get completely used up for things like cell phones. Preserving this part of the spectrum for wireless microphones and related devices would ensure that future live events can happen without any worry of electromagnetic interference ending the show.

PreSonus Releases Studio One 3 Prime for Free

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PreSonus Studio One 3 PrimePreSonus is offering its Studio One 3 Prime audio and music production software for free. It is a feature-rich digital audio workstation that comes with some bundled content. Those that are new to audio production, and those who are seasoned audio producers who are unfamiliar with PreSonus, may want to check out this free version of PreSonus’s cross-platform DAW.

Unlike other free versions of software, this one does not time out, does not have a nag screen, and does not limit the number of songs that you can create. It is based on a the full version of Studio One.

In addition, this deal comes with bundled content. The Presence XT Sample ships with a 1.5GB library. It gives you access to 9 PreSonus Native Effect plugins (including Ampire, Beat Delay, Chorus, MixVerb, and more.)

Studio One 3 Prime offers an elegant single-window work environment that has drag-and-drop functionality and multi-touch support. (A multi-touch enabled monitor is required for touch operation). It comes with unlimited audio tracks, MIDI buses, and FX channels. It also has the new Presence XT expandable sampler with essential sound library.

Studio One 3 Prime requires Mac OS X 10.8.5 or higher, and requires an Intel Core 2 Duo processor. Intel Core i3 or better is recommended. On a PC, the software requires Windows 7 x64/x86 SP1 + platform update, or Windows 8.1 x64/x86. It also requires an Intel Core 2 Duo or AMD Athlon X2 processor. An Intel Core i3 or AMD Athlon X4 is recommended.

Studio One 3 Prime requires 4GB Ram (but 8GB or more is recommended). It also requires 278 MB hard-drive space for the application, and 1.56 GB hard-drive space for additional content. Monitors must have 1366 x 786 resolution, and a high-dpi monitor is recommended.

Flickr Pro is Back!

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Flickr logoFlickr has announced that Flickr Pro has returned and that it comes with some improvements since the previous version. Their blog post that announces it is titled: Hey there Flickr Pro, nice to see you again!

The new Flickr Pro is available for both existing members of the Flickr community, and those who are brand new to it. It offers improved stats. The Pro badge is making a return. Those who subscribe to Flickr Pro will get a discount on Adobe software. The things that professional photographers may have been missing since Flickr Pro went away are coming back.

The Flickr blog gives more details about what Flickr Pro includes. Subscribers get new and improved stats, including improved navigation for viewing data on your photos. These improved stats will provide better insight on your most popular and impactful photos.

Those who subscribe to Flickr Pro will have a Pro badge highlighted on their accounts. They also will have an ad-free experience on Flickr, on when they view their own photos and also when they view everyone else’s photos.

Some Flickr Pro subscribers, those who subscribe to the $49.99/year plan (instead of the $5.99 monthly plan) will receive a 20% discount on Adobe Creative Cloud Photography plan. That same group also will receive free standard shipping (within the United States) on Flickr merchandise, or 50% off international shipping. (Those shipping deals require a $25 minimum purchase).

Flickr members who already have an existing Pro account will be automatically upgraded to the new Pro. You will keep your existing pricing and unlimited space. Existing Flickr Ad-Free account holders will be automatically upgraded to the new Flickr Pro with no change in price or renewal date.