Tag Archives: camera

Windows 10 Update Breaks Support for Many Webcams



Win10 logoMicrosoft has endured a lot of criticism lately over its aggressive policy of pushing software updates onto customers. This was probably demonstrated most noticeably over the company’s unwillingness to let users of Windows 7 and Windows 8 stay with their current operating systems, and constantly badgering (and in some cases, forcing) them to upgrade to Windows 10. Now it looks like the Redmond, WA-based tech monolith is about to receive a new round of hate, as its recently released Windows 10 Anniversary Update is causing many webcams to stop working:

Microsoft made a significant change with the release of Windows 10 and support for webcams that is causing serious problems for not only consumers but also the enterprise. The problem is that after installing the update, Windows no longer allows USB webcams to use MJPEG or H264 encoded streams and is only allowing YUY2 encoding.

And:

Because of this change, which Microsoft tried to defend but then realized the scale of the impact this change has caused, means that when a webcam tries to use MJPEG or H264, the device will freeze. If you use Skype and your webcam freezes after about a minute, this is the reason.

Microsoft is hoping to deploy a fix for this problem next month. If you’re experiencing webcam issues after the Anniversary Update and you can’t wait until then, check the bottom of the article linked in the above paragraph. One resourceful user has found a registry hack that should make your webcam usable again.


Wolffepack Capture Is a Retractable Backpack For Photographers



WolffePack CaptureHow many times have you been moments away from that opportunity for a perfect photo but your camera was packed safely away in a backpack pocket? By the time you removed the backpack, opened the necessary compartment, and got the camera ready, that prime photographic moment was gone. And while there are solutions available for making it easier to quickly access a camera (neck straps, etc.), those options can be a hassle. Fortunately, the developers of a new “retractable backpack” called Wolffepack Capture may have the item that’ll ensure you never miss another chance for a great photo.

Wolffepack Capture is a continuation of the company’s original award-winning Wolffepack backpack. Wolffepack was released after a successful Kickstarter campaign. Since then, fans of the original Wolffepack have been asking its makers to create a similar bag designed with photographers in mind:

Since launching Wolffepack, the original revolutionary backpack, people have told us over and over that they’d love us to apply our patented technology to a camera bag. We’ve worked with professional photographers and listened to our existing users’ suggestions, and we haven’t just come up with the ideal bag for camera access, but a fantastic backpack for everyone.

With the Wolffepack’s patented expetoSYSTEM, you can lower and bring your gear round to the front in one simple action. Get to your camera and your gear when you need it. Don’t miss a shot just because your gear is stowed away on your back and its just a bit inconvenient to get it out, all over again.

The designers of Wolffepack have once again turned to Kickstarter to raise the funds needed for the Capture backpack. They’ve already beaten their desired funding goal by $10,000 with more than a month left to go. An early bird pledge of $115.00 will get you a Wolffepack Capture at a $55 discount from the expected retail price.

 


SportPod Is a Monopod For Smartphones, Tablets, and GoPros



SportPodWhether it’s for personal use or as part of a large-scale production, getting the right shot is crucial to any video. But if you’re in a situation where set up time is at a minimum, you don’t want to be strapped down with loads of gear that will require a lot of time and energy in the teardown/set up process. What if getting the perfect shot for the next scene was as simple as putting a small pole into the ground, mounting and adjusting your camera, and pressing record? That’s exactly what the SportPod is designed to do.

The inspiration for SportPod is right in the name. SportPod’s inventor wanted to find an easier way to record his own golf swing so he could analyze the footage to make improvements in his game. SportPod could certainly be used for a lot of different sports-related activities. But given its ease of use and adaptability, videographers across the board will likely find plenty of good uses for SportPod.

SportPod is a monopod (as opposed to tripod) that can be adjusted from two to four feet off of the ground. It comes with a ball mount that can be used with smartphones, tablets, GoPros, and most point-and-shoot cameras. This mount offers a 360-degree range of motion, making it easy to get the right shot in the moment. SportPod is easily broken down so it can be moved quickly from one location to the next.

The inventor of SportPod is running a Kickstarter campaign to get the device into production. The campaign is about 30% funded with 22 days left to go. Pledges starting at $35 entitle backers to a SportPod with smartphone attachment. Prices go up from there, depending on what type of SportPod attachments you’d like to use.


Mevo Is the 4K Live Event Camera



Mevo cameraSometimes the best practice for capturing a live event is to have multiple cameras. But setting up these kinds of shoots can require lots of extra (not to mention costly) equipment. It can also be technically challenging to set up a multi-cam rig, as different manufacturers and models may have their own requirements for audio-video connections that may or not match each other. Could it be possible to deliver a robust multi-angle video presentation that uses only one camera? The new Mevo camera proves that this is indeed possible.

Mevo is a 4K camera that is controlled with an attendant iOS app. The app allows users to select specific sections of a live video and then “cut” to those sections as closeups, creating a multi-cam experience for the viewer. Filming a concert and you’d like to cut between a wide shot of the stage along with closeups of invidicual players? No problem. Just tap on one of the performers in the Mevo iOS app and the camera does the rest for you, switching seamlessly from the wide shot to the closeup.

Mevo makes it easy to cover remote events. The camera can stream over Wi-Fi or LTE internet connections. Mevo can also be connected via USB to a host device such as a laptop computer for further processing. Mevo is compatible with Livestream and Facebook Live right out of the box. Mevo is available for preorder at a special price of $299. That includes a $100 discount that expires once the preorder period ends.


Slick Stabilizer Is A Motorized Camera Steadycam



Slick StabilizerNobody likes watching video that’s bouncing and jerking around the frame. Some cameras come with built-in stabilizers to try and solve the problem. But those kinds of stabilizers can only do so much. There are high-end solutions like the Steadicam harness. But they’re very expensive and require special training to operate. Wouldn’t it be great if there were a middle ground between these two solutions? That’s where the new Slick Stabilizer comes in.

Slick Stabilizer is compatible with GoPro cameras. Using standard GoPro mounts, users can attach Slick to any of their favorite accessories – like a helmet, a pole, a dog, a chest mount, a drone, or even a surfboard. Slick is also the world’s first waterproof stabilizer. Slick can be used with water sports like surfing, sailing, kayaking, and kitesurfing. Here’s how Slick works:

SLICK uses motors and sensors: each of the camera’s motorized three axes is driven by a micro-controller, so that the camera stays perfectly level regardless of the kind of terrain you’re moving on.

SLICK is compact and very simple to use:

1) Attach your GoPro camera to SLICK

2) Attach SLICK into your favorite GoPro mount — they are all compatible

3) Switch it on and kick off the action!

Slick was launched thru a successful Indiegogo campaign. The product is currently in development and Slick’s designers are hoping to unveil a prototype soon. It’s still possible to preorder a Slick thru the Indiegogo page at an early bird price of $229.00.


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.


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.


Light’s L16 Camera Uses 16 Built-In Lenses



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.


Fuji Has 4K 2/3 Lenses at NAB



Fuji Film LogoFujinon is a well respected manufacturer of camera lenses. Fujinon was recently tied more heavily to its parent company, Fuji Film. It’s a small change in name only. The Fuji folks are still hard at work creating new top of the line products.

Thom Calabro from Fuji Film stopped by to speak with Don Baine about Fuji Film’s latest 4K lenses. These lenses were designed with 2/3 sized camera bodies in mind. The company has developed both handheld and box lenses that were on display in the Sony, Hitachi and Grass Valley booths at NAB.

These new 4K lenses are built sturdy and will last for years. They also use Fuji Film’s new high transmittance encoding to ensure the best image reproduction.


Brinno Brings Time Lapse Cameras to NAB



Brinno logoThis post kicks off a series of video presentations recorded at this year’s National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) trade show in Las Vegas. These videos showcase new products that may be of interest to professional media producers.

In this clip, Don Baine met up with Chris Adams from Brinno. Chris arrived with three different products to display.

The first is the PeepHole Viewer, or Front Door Security Cam. This camera mounts onto an existing door peephole. It uses a motion sensor to detect when someone’s at the door and it records time lapse video of whoever (or whatever) is there. This device would be great for anyone who wants to know if that parcel was really dropped off when the courier said it was or for anyone who just wants some added security on an exterior door.

Next up, Chris showed off the Brinno TLC200Pro. This is a small but powerful time lapse camera capable of recording short bits of HDR video over extended period of times. It’s optimized to run for months off of one set of AA batteries. The TLC200Pro would be a great way to capture time lapse footage of something like a construction site. The device has an articulating lens and can be used with an optional weatherproof acrylic case so it can be left outside in any environment.

Chris’s final demonstration came in the form of Brinno’s latest version of the TLC200Pro. The new version is smaller and the camera itself is weatherproof, meaning it doesn’t need a case like the TLC200Pro. This new version of time lapse camera works with a smartphone app to set up shots and control the camera. Media recorded by the camera is then sent via Wi-Fi to the smartphone where it can be further transferred and manipulated. Like the TLC200Pro, this camera can run for months at a time on a single charge. This camera would be perfect for anyone who wants to record nature scares over an extended period of time.

The TLC200Plus is expected ro retail for $269.00 while the newer version is expected to sell for $299.00.