Research software automatically de-shakes video

Here’s a sweet little bit of research in the works…Adobe and some folks at the University of Wisconsin have come up with a software solution to automatically remove shakes and wobbles in amateur video footage. Their solution automatically 3D tracks the footage, then selectively distorts the frame to compensate for wobbles and shake. Watching the video demonstration, it appears that this technique might also be effective at removing CMOS skew and jello/wobble as well. Read on below…

Netflix vs Redbox rivalry shaping up

Have you seen those red kiosks at Walmart and McDonalds locations across the US? If not, you probably will soon enough. With about 15,000 existing locations in operation, Redbox is currently rolling their $1 DVD rental kiosks out at a rate of one per hour. Cinematech’s Scott Kirsner has a post about Redbox and their competitor, Netflix.

Both offer DVD rentals, but using distinctly different approaches. Netflix’s DVD title selection is extensive, with over 100,000 titles to choose from. In contrast, a Redbox kiosk carries around 200 titles at a given time. The difference is instant gratification…Redbox is an impulse purchase, made at a location you are likely shopping or frequenting. While Netflix does offer instant internet streaming options, it’s not always the same for folks who don’t have a computer hooked up to their entertainment system. I’ve used both services before, and while I wish the instant selection of Redbox was more extensive, there is no denying the price point and convenience. They also allow you to order a DVD online in advance (ala Netflix), for later pickup at your local kiosk.

I honestly did not see Redbox as that useful when I first used the service, but am finding that we use it more and more. Regardless of which you personally use, I think there is one thing we can all agree on…the good ‘ole fashioned Video Store is all but dead.

Music Video shot on iPhone 3GS

The other day I wrote a short post about a new product from the prolific gearheads at Zacuto…they had just announced their latest product, a support rig for the iPhone 3GS and it’s new 30fps video mode. I wondered at the time if people would take the iPhone’s video mode seriously enough to drop $295 for the Zacuto support solution.

I was almost immediately rewarded with email linkage to a music video shot entirely on the iPhone 3GS, and it’s very well done. The filmmakers also created a behind the scenes video (shot on the 5D MKII, how’s that for irony), that shows the process, and how they worked around the iPhone’s limitations. Very cool stuff. Watch both videos below…

Blackmagic Design offers SDK for Linux Developers

Blackmagic Design has announced an SDK for software creators who want to work with DeckLink Intensity and Multibridge products on the open-source Linux platform. Combining the low-cost of the Linux OS with Blackmagic’s extensive line of hardware ingest and playback solutions should be an attractive combination for developers. Full press release below…