Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Apple Updates Aperture (2)

Scott Gentry | 02/12- 06:31 AM

Major Upgrade Features Improved Interface, Faster Browsing and Enhanced Image Processing

CUPERTINO, Calif., Feb. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/—Apple(R) today introduced Aperture(TM) 2, the next major release of its groundbreaking photo editing and management software with over 100 new features that make it faster, easier to use and more powerful. With a streamlined user interface and entirely new image processing engine, Aperture 2 also introduces new imaging tools for highlight recovery, color vibrancy, local contrast definition, soft-edged retouching, vignetting and RAW fine-tuning, and lets users directly post their portfolios on the .Mac Web Gallery* for viewing on the web, iPhone(TM), iPod(R) touch and Apple TV(R). At a new low price of $199, anyone 
can easily organize, edit and publish photos like a pro.
"Many of the most respected photographers on assignment all over the world trust Aperture to organize, edit and deliver their images,” said Rob Schoeben, Apple’s vice president of Applications Product Marketing. “With its simpler interface and lower price, anyone can take full advantage of Aperture’s power."
"At the end of the day, it’s all about the quality of the image,” said Sports Illustrated contributing photographer David Bergman. “Even before I begin making adjustments, Aperture’s new RAW processing gives me better images with more visible detail and better color rendering than any other program 
I’ve tested."
"I used to have so much stress about post-production on a shoot, having to juggle multiple applications to make sure they all worked,” said Bob Davis, PDN Top Knots Wedding Photographer 2007. “With Aperture that’s no longer a factor. I can do everything all in one application."
Featuring a new, easier user interface designed to be more intuitive and accessible, Aperture 2 now lets users navigate between Viewer and Browser modes with a single key command. Screen real estate is maximized for images with an all-in-one heads up display that allows users to toggle between
library, metadata and adjustment controls in a single tabbed inspector. The All Projects view, modeled after iPhoto’s Events view, provides a poster photo for every project and the ability to quickly skim through the photos inside, and the integrated iPhoto(R) Browser offers direct access to all the events 
and images in the iPhoto library.
Performance has been enhanced in Aperture 2 so it’s faster to import, browse and search large volumes of images. Embedded previews let photographers caption, keyword and rate images as they are being imported, and with the 
ability to export images in the background, photographers can continue working while images are processed to JPEG, TIFF, PNG and PSD file formats. Quick Preview allows users to browse RAW images in rapid succession without having to wait for files to load, and the Aperture library database has been
re-architected to provide fast project switching and near instantaneous search results, even when working with extremely large libraries of 500,000 images or more.
Aperture 2 delivers powerful new imaging tools for getting the most out of each photograph. Apple’s next-generation RAW image processing is at the core of Aperture 2 offering uncompromising image quality and precision controls that let users fine-tune the image profile for each of their cameras. New 
tools for improving and enhancing images include Recovery for pulling back “blown” highlights, Vibrancy for selectively boosting saturation without adversely affecting skin tones, Definition, which offers local contrast for adding clarity to images, Vignette & Devignette filters for providing professional visual effects and a true soft-edged Repair and Retouch brush for quickly and easily removing blemishes, cleaning up sensor dust and cloning away problem areas.
Aperture 2 works seamlessly with Mac OS(R) X, iLife(R), iWork(TM), .Mac and Apple print products, so any image in the Aperture library can be accessed directly from within other applications, such as iMovie(R), Keynote(R) and Pages(R), and even from within Leopard(TM) Mail. Now with .Mac Web Gallery 
support, Aperture users can publish their photos once to view them on the web, iPhone, iPod touch and Apple TV. Books in Aperture 2 feature new theme designs, layout tools, customized dust jackets (including full-bleed) and foil stamped covers.

Pricing & Availability
Aperture 2 is available immediately for a suggested retail price of $199 (US) through the Apple Store(R) (http://www.apple.com), Apple’s retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers. Owners of previous versions of Aperture can upgrade to Aperture 2 for just $99 (US). Full system requirements and more information on Aperture 2 can be found at http://www.apple.com/aperture.

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Monday, February 11, 2008

Avid Technology Appoints EVP and GM of Professional Video Unit

Scott Gentry | 02/11- 07:54 PM

Kirk Arnold to Lead Company’s Efforts in Broadcast and Post-Production Markets

TEWKSBURY, Mass., February 11, 2008 – Avid Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq: AVID) announced that Kirk Arnold has joined the company as executive vice president and general manager of Avid’s Professional Video business unit, reporting directly to Avid Chief Executive Officer Gary Greenfield. In this role, Arnold will be responsible for all of Avid’s products and services for the professional video market – broadcast television, post-production and media enterprises.

“Kirk is a proven leader, with a successful track record in helping customers to transform their businesses,” said Greenfield. “As a former CEO of a $900 million dollar consulting company and president of a similarly-sized division of CSC, Kirk’s experience in running complex businesses and her customer-centric approach will serve her well as she takes Avid’s professional video business to the next level of success.”

Arnold comes to Avid with more than 25 years of management experience, leading both multi-national corporations and ground-floor start-ups. Prior to joining Avid, she served as vice-chairman and CEO of Keane, a leading provider of business transformation and outsourcing services. Before that, she was executive vice president of product development and management for Fidelity Investments, where she was responsible for marketing and consulting services in addition to product management and development. Prior to joining Fidelity, Arnold was president and CEO of NerveWire, Inc., a venture-backed services business which she helped to launch in 2000, and grew to $40 million in revenues and 300 employees. Before launching NerveWire, Kirk spent 6 years at Computer Sciences Corporation, where she was president of CSC Consulting, a $1 billion business with over 5000 professionals servicing companies across the globe.
Arnold started her career at IBM where she served in a variety of sales and sales management positions. 

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Monday, February 11, 2008

WGA Strike Vote Scheduled for Tuesday

Scott Gentry | 02/11- 04:57 AM

The WGA East Council and the WGA West Board both voted Sunday to recommend ratification of the proposed contract with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. If you’re a WGA member, It’s your chance to be heard Feb. 12.  Should you vote “yes”, you’re effectively ending the strike that has shut down production in Hollywood and the TV communities since Nov. 5.

Full details on the WGA site.

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Friday, February 08, 2008

dvMatte Studio 3 and The Conduit Suite

Chris Meyer | 02/08- 11:34 AM

Major updates to a pair of innovative plug-ins.

dvGarage has made major updates to their innovative dvMatte keying plug-in and Conduit nodal compositing plug-in and stand-alone application. dvGarage claims the new version of dvMatte is 20-30 times faster than before and includes a new Screen Correction feature, while Conduit has sprouted Adobe After Effects and Photoshop versions (in addition to GPU-accelerated versions for Apple FCP and Motion), scopes, and other features. Conduit also comes with a 3-month subscription to the training guild, the Pixel Corps. Oh - and they’re both on sale through February 20. An email from dvGarage’s Alex Lindsay follows with more details:

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Friday, February 08, 2008

WGA Strike to End Next Week?

Mark Christiansen | 02/08- 08:34 AM

“It’s over,” says Michael Eisner

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Thursday, February 07, 2008

New Century HD Lens Accessories for Sony PMW-EX1

Scott Gentry | 02/07- 09:25 PM

Schneider Optics introduces a new line of Century HD lens accessories created especially to complement Sony’s new PMW-EX1 camcorder. These top-of-the-line optical attachments provide unprecedented image clarity, while enabling the camera to go wider, reach further, and move in closer than the lens alone will allow.

Available in March 2008, new Century accessories for the Sony PMW-EX1 include the .6X HD Wide Angle Adapter (#0HD-06WA-EX1), .75X HD Wide Angle Converter (#0HD-75CV-EX1), 1.6X HD Tele-Converter (#0HD-16TC-EX1), Super Fisheye HD Adapter (#0HD-FESU-EX1), and the Extreme Fisheye HD Adapter (#0HD-FEWA-EX1).

Produced by the top maker of professional add-ons, Century Pro Series HD lens accessories employ state-of-the-art optics to produce high-resolution images with low distortion, and superior contrast edge to edge. Multi-coated glass elements provide sharp images free of unwanted distortion or chromatic aberration. Units are equipped with a bayonet mount for quick and easy installation and removal from the front of the camera lens.

U.S. MSRP starts at $490.00. For more information on all Century accessories for popular DV, HDV, and broadcast cameras, contact: Schneider Optics, 7701 Haskell Avenue, Van Nuys, CA 91406, telephone (818) 766-3715; fax (818) 505-9865; or at: 285 Oser Avenue, Hauppauge, NY 11788, telephone (800) 645-7239/(631) 761-5000, fax (631) 761-5090; http://www.schneideroptics.com

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Thursday, February 07, 2008

New Petrol Camlap Trolley Bag

Scott Gentry | 02/07- 02:57 PM

Petrol, a Vitec Group brand, introduces the Camlap Trolley Bag for professional camcorders. This versatile new roll-away camera bag features three separate padded chambers for maximum storage and equipment protection. The front main section has room to hold a Sony HVR-AU1, Canon XH G1, Panasonic AG-HSC1, or similar size camera. A cushioned rear pocket easily holds and cradles a laptop computer with up to a 17” screen. The bag’s lower compartment, equipped with four removable dividers, is ideal for stashing important accessories. Other features include zippered side pockets for additional storage, an exterior front pocket with personal organizer, Petrol’s smooth-gliding wheel and tote assembly, and a convenient top rubber carrying handle. The exterior is constructed of heavy duty blue and black Cordura and ballistic nylon. 

U.S. MSRP for the Petrol Camlap Trolley Bag (#PCTB-2) is $259. For further information on other Petrol products please go to http://www.petrolbags.com or contact: Petrol, 709 Executive Blvd., Valley College, NY 10989, Phone: 845-268-0100, Fax: 845-268-0113, Email: 

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Thursday, February 07, 2008

PANASONIC SHIPPING NATIVE 1080i AK-HC3500

Scott Gentry | 02/07- 02:49 PM

2/3” 2.2M 3-CCD HD STUDIO CAMERA

SECAUCUS, NJ (February 7, 2008) - Panasonic announced the immediate availability of its full native resolution, 1080i AK-HC3500 2/3” 2.2M 3-CCD high definition studio camera. The HC3500 is equipped with exclusive image processing and color reproduction functions for the highest quality in 1080/59.94i and 1080/50i image acquisition.

Designed for direct-to-air broadcasting applications, the high performance HC3500 camera delivers the purest native image in its class. The HC3500 features three 2/3” 2.2-megapixal IT-CCDs with an advanced single-channel transfer system, 14-bit A.D converter, an advanced 38-bit digital signal processor LSI and spatial offset processing for exceptional sensitivity, resolution (1100 horizontal lines), as well as reduced aliasing. Its digital signal processor also features a dynamic range function that assures detailed, high quality images even when shooting scenes in a high contrast environment. The HC3500 maintains an impressive signal to noise ratio of 60dB at F10.0 sensitivity and has a vertical smear level of less than -130dB.

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