R.I.P, VHS Distribution

Today’s NAB SmartBrief points out that the last major supplier of pre-recorded VHS tapes stopped shipping them to retailers in October. They reference a story in the L.A. Times (registration may be required), and The Register also notes the ending of an era.

Though 2006’s “A History of Violence” was the last major VHS release, tapes have been circulating through the supply chain ever since. Not bad for a format introduced ‘way back in 1976 (Japan) or 1977 (USA). But all things come to an end… anyone wanna buy a couple of perfectly good working AG-1960 decks?

[Graphic derived from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Berlin_Kleistgrab.jpg, protected under the GNU Free Documentation License. You may reuse the image freely as long as it, and any derivatives, are also covered by the GNU FDL.]

Dissenting from Depresso

Mike Curtis has made the case that indie features aren’t a viable business. Sad, perhaps (Nate Van Dusen said Mike was “serving up hot cups of depresso"), but that doesn’t mean that indie films as a whole are dead. Documentaries, for example, remain alive and well.

Zacuto’s Great Camera Shootout ‘08

Zacuto (the folks in Chicago who make those mix’n’match camera support systems, as well as selling and renting camera packages) have put together a video comparing “35mm motion picture, RED, EX3, HVX200, HPX170, HPX3000, Sony EX3, Nikon D90, Canon 5D Mark II, Letus35 Ultimate and Elite DOF adapters, RedRock Micro and more.” They shot a test of a single scene with all of these combinations, and discuss the results.

If the embedded video isn’t working, or if you only see the small thumbnail, it’s available at http://vimeo.com/2437826

If you want to cut to the chase, the test description is at 5:20, and the minute-long comparison footage starts at 6:24.

Interesting, eh? 

SlashCAM’s Camcorder Database

Our minders here at PVC have been gently encouraging us to write up “holiday lists”. They say, “people love lists—so publish a list already, or we’ll send the holiday ravens ‘round to peck out your eyeballs!” Well, I ain’t got no list (yet), but the folks at slashCAM have posted a database of over 80 camcorders, so you can compare and contrast ‘em based on your own particular criteria, and make your own danged list.

Calibrated Codecs

Need to use MXF media (P2 DVCPRO/50/HD and AVC-I, IMX, XDCAM) natively in Final Cut Pro, or in Windows NLEs? Need to play FCP-captured or FCP-generated Quicktimes with HDV, DVCPRO50/HD, or XDCAM/HD/EX content on Windows machines, or on Macs without Final Cut Studio? Check out http://www.calibratedsoftware.com/welcome.html.

Importers and codecs available singly or in bundles, from $60 - $110 (with free, watermarked demo versions so you can see if they solve your problems before you spend your hard-earned). I haven’t tried ‘em myself but thought I’d pass on the info, because if this is the sort of thing you need, you really need it.

(With a tip of the hat to Rich Young on the SF Cutters FCPUG mailing list for pointing these out!)