Litepanels™ Announces New Broadcast Lighting Division

Scott Gentry | 03/31- 11:27 PM

Litepanels™ announces the launch of its new Broadcast Lighting Division. The company incorporates its proprietary light-emitting diode (LED) technology into HD-friendly broadcast lighting fixtures that requires a small fraction of the electrical energy used by conventional lighting equipment.

“The needs of television are very different from the motion picture industry, where we cut our teeth,” says Ken Fisher, Litepanels’ co-founder. “The new division allows us to concentrate on the unique needs of broadcasters.”

Litepanels is no stranger to the requirements of broadcasters. ENG crews began using the on-camera Litepanels Mini because of its inherent soft-projected output, low battery-drain, and ability to be dimmed without affecting color balance. Litepanels is also lighting newsroom studios and other venues, including the White House Briefing Room. In addition, the highly-portable Litepanels are ideal to illuminate live news remotes.

“High Definition presents real lighting challenges to the broadcaster,” adds Fisher. “The older light fixtures that most stations have are not designed to yield flattering images of on-air talent with the higher resolution cameras used today. The unique, soft quality of light provided by Litepanels, along with their full-control dimmers, is exactly what’s needed.”

As energy prices continue to rocket to new highs, broadcasters doubly benefit by lighting with Litepanels. First, the fixtures themselves draw about 5% of the electrical power of tungsten-lamped fixtures. Moreover, because Litepanels’ LEDs generate practically no heat, there are additional, substantial savings in air conditioning costs.

The extended life of Litepanels’ LEDs provide over 10 years of life. Contrasted with the much-shorter lamp life of incandescent lights and the hazardous, mercury-based fluorescent tubes, Litepanels is for a green-minded broadcaster who wants a rapid return on investment.

For more information about Litepanels’ LED next-generation lighting solutions, visit http://www.LitepanelsBroadcast.tv.  NAB attendees will have a first-hand look at Litepanels in a studio-lighting application in the company’s 2008 NAB booth, # C10014. Contact your favorite dealer or Litepanels, Inc. at: 818-752-7009, web: http://www.litepanels.com, e-mail: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Boris Releases Free 3d Relief Plug-In

Janet Lafleur | 03/27- 05:03 PM

As part of a promotion for the recently released Final Effects Complete 5, Boris FX is offering one free, fully-licensed plug-in from the set - 3D Relief, a text and logo treatment effect that ICE added to the original FEC package. You can download 3D Relief here. The plug-in works with Adobe After Effects and Premiere Pro, and Apple Final Cut and Motion. The offer expires April 8, 2008.

Photoshop Express Public Beta Begins

Janet Lafleur | 03/27- 04:41 PM

Adobe announced the public beta launch of Photoshop Express today. It’s a gutsy move lending the Photoshop name to a first generation online application. Anyone familiar with Photoshop won’t recognize Photoshop Express. With the exception of the crop tool, nothing looks or acts the same. Photoshop Express is definitely a tool aimed at the Flickr and Picasa crowd. But that doesn’t make it any less exciting. This first baby step online heralds a future where our tools will be available wherever we go.

It’s impressive that only about a year has passed since the public launch of Google Apps. I expected it would take longer than that for Adobe enter the fray. It’s a laudably proactive move. Photoshop is the only software application I use daily the has become a verb in the popular lexicon.

Media 100 Mac Intel Codecs Available

Janet Lafleur | 03/25- 11:46 AM

After customer complaints, Media 100 relented and and is offering its latest codecs for Intel-based Macs as a free download. With these free codecs, editors and graphics professionals can playback and render modern and legacy Media 100 media files in any QuickTime-based application. The codecs include Universal Binary versions of the Media 100 i and Media 100 HD codecs as well as the PowerPC Instant Media 844/X codec. Download here.

Perhaps Flash Not Coming to iPhone Anytime Soon?

Scott Gentry | 03/19- 07:52 PM

Man, I’m getting tired of the on again, off again, will they, won’t they Flash on the iPhone posts.

According to Adobe [via AppleInsider.com]: “Adobe has evaluated the iPhone SDK and can now start to develop a way to bring Flash Player to the iPhone,” the statement reads. “However, to bring the full capabilities of Flash to the iPhone web-browsing experience we do need to work with Apple beyond and above what is available through the SDK and the current license around it. We think Flash availability on the iPhone benefits Apple and Adobe’s millions of joint customers, so we want to work with Apple to bring these capabilities to the device.”

I promise a moratorium on iPhone - Flash posts for at least…um, a week.

Update - Flash Coming to iPhone

Scott Gentry | 03/19- 08:51 AM

It was only last week when there were public remarks from Apple CEO, Steve Jobs saying Flash wasn’t ready for the iPhone.  We reported earlier this week, about Adobe’s initial reaction to Jobs coments.  What a difference a week makes huh? 

This week it was announced that Microsoft has licensed Flash technology for Windows Mobile Devices.  Today, Adobe CEO, Shantanu Narayen announced during a conference call regarding Adobe’s first-quarter earnings, that Adobe “will work with Apple” to make sure that Flash applications can run on the iPhone.

As developers, this should further expand our mobile delivery options.  That has to be a good thing.

Toon Boom Releases Storyboard 1.5 and Storyboard Pro 1.5

Scott Gentry | 03/17- 06:45 PM

Emmy award-winning Toon Boom Animation Inc. today announced its partnership with Final Draft ’Professional Scriptwriting Software’ to offer end-to-end solutions to the pre-production market. Both Toon Boom and Final Draft products will offer greater integration with file format compatibility to ensure a smooth process between script writing and storyboarding. 



Geared towards the entertainment industry at large, Final Draft and Toon Boom Storyboard Pro make a perfect combination to embark on live-action, advertising, animation as well as storytelling projects. Schools and educators can also fully appreciate the academic benefits of using these award-winning applications, as part of their film, animation and design programs.

“Final Draft is natural partner when it comes to cater to the needs of pre-production teams. We look forward to a great response in the market place as our products truly deliver efficiency and quality” shared Joan Vogelesang, President and Chief Executive Officer at Toon Boom.



A Final Draft-Storyboard Pro bundle is available at $999 US in the Toon Boom online Store. Final Draft is also available at the special price $ 199 US, valid until March 31, 2008.

Avid lowers Media Composer price, will drop Xpress

Jim Feeley | 03/17- 08:05 AM

[Press Release]

Avid Unveils “New Thinking” for 2008
First phase of multi-tiered campaign includes simplification of product line, new software pricing, updated support services and new online community resources

Tewksbury, Mass, March 17, 2008 – Avid Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq: AVID) today announced that its Video division has unveiled “New Thinking” – a customer-focused campaign designed to improve the way the company connects with all of its users and prospects. Shaped by extensive customer feedback, New Thinking underscores the company’s more than 20-year commitment of empowering film and video professionals with tools that enable them to work more efficiently, productively and creatively.  The new campaign revolves around four main objectives:  increasing the value of Avid’s products, workflows, and services; advancing technical and customer support programs; investing in the community of media professionals; and fostering an open, two-way dialogue with customers. With a wide range of initiatives planned to roll out throughout the year, the company has today announced the following:

• The consolidation of software editing applications – merging Avid Xpress Pro software into the Media Composer product line, with new lower pricing to increase the accessibility of Media Composer to a wider range of users.  The company will offer existing Avid Xpress Pro customers a pathway to upgrade to Media Composer software;

• New student pricing for Media Composer software – enabling any student at an accredited college or university with a valid student I.D. to purchase Media Composer software for $295 USMSRP;

• A new online community – introducing new ways for industry professionals to access and share tips and tricks, demonstrations, tutorials and media content; as well as opportunities to connect with both Avid and industry peers; and,

• Enhanced online customer support – delivering Avid® support customers easier access to more accurate and personalized answers to important product and service queries, 24/7, without having to call Customer Support.

“The launch of New Thinking represents the first in a series of important steps we’re taking to change the way we serve our customers,” said Kirk Arnold, executive vice president and general manager of Avid Video. “Building on our rich history of innovation and leadership in the digital media production industry, we are shifting every aspect of our business to focus more explicitly on the needs of our customer community so that we can deliver new programs that offer greater relevance, appeal and value. Today is just the start of a longer-term effort to re-connect with customers and restore their confidence in our commitment to deliver what we promise.”

Simplified Product Line, Greater Value
Based on feedback from customers to simplify the product line and make Avid’s industry-standard tools more accessible to a broader audience, the company has merged its Avid Xpress Pro software into its flagship Media Composer software product line and established a new price point of $2,495 USMSRP for Media Composer software.  Customers who purchased Media Composer software at the prior $4,995 USMSRP price after January 1, 2008 are eligible to receive a credit towards future purchases.

Existing Avid Xpress Pro customers can upgrade to Media Composer software for $495 USMSRP.  Avid will continue selling Avid Xpress Pro software through the end of Q2 2008, and offer support for the product through March 17, 2013.  However, effective today, Avid will no longer sell support contracts or offer any further software upgrades for Avid Xpress Pro.

Additionally, students interested in owning Media Composer software can now purchase Media Composer Academic software for just $295 USMSRP, via their college bookstore or a local Avid academic reseller. To be eligible, students must attend a fully accredited academic institution and have a valid student ID.

A More Dynamic Community – By Customers, For Customers
As part of Avid’s commitment to the digital media production community, the company has launched a new online environment where customers can connect with peers, share ideas, contribute content and receive recognition for their contributions. The first phase of the launch includes a new interface, industry and Avid-authored blogs and customer-submitted tips, tricks and tutorials. 

Over the next few months, the Avid Community will expand further to offer:
• A video exchange – where customers can upload, share, rate, and comment on the work of their peers;
• Community portfolios – which allow customers to create personalized pages to share bios, resumes, and samples of their work;
• A blog network – that presents the latest thinking on industry topics in one place;
• Social networking features – that allow customers to interact and communicate more directly with one another from right within the Avid Community interface; and
• A job marketplace – to help connect industry employers with talented customers who are looking for employment.

Advancing the Online Customer Support Experience
In an effort to begin enhancing its customer support programs, Avid has made a significant investment to improve the company’s important online support experience (announced today in a separate release.)  Through a completely redesigned user-interface, customers can quickly get answers to technical questions on Avid.com.  During the improvement process, Avid technical experts reviewed and updated more than 10,000 pieces of content with the goal of making it easier for customers to search for information and effectively resolve technical issues.

Fostering an Open, Two Way Dialogue with Customers
In addition to collecting information through ongoing customer meetings and surveys, Avid is establishing a number of initiatives designed to enable the company to regularly receive input from customers. During the NAB convention, scheduled for April 14 – 17, 2008, in Las Vegas, Avid has planned a number of customer meetings and appreciation events and will conduct a series of focus groups with users throughout the week. 

To receive e-mail alerts about the latest New Thinking programs that Avid expects to roll out this year, visit: http://www.avid.com/newthinking.

About Avid Technology, Inc.
Avid is a worldwide leader in tools for film, video, audio, 3D animation, gaming and broadcast professionals – as well as for home audio and video enthusiasts. Product features, specifications, system requirements and availability are subject to change without notice.  Promotions and discounts are subject to availability and change without notice.  All prices are USMSRP for the U.S. and Canada only and are subject to change without notice. Contact your local Avid office or reseller for prices outside the U.S. and Canada.  Avid professional and consumer brands include Avid, Digidesign®, M-Audio®, Pinnacle Systems®, Sibelius®, Softimage® and Sundance Digital®. The vast majority of primetime television shows, feature films, commercials and chart-topping music hits are made using one or more Avid products. Whether used by seasoned professionals or beginning students, Avid’s products and services enable customers to work more efficiently, productively and creatively. Avid received an Oscar statuette representing the 1998 Scientific and Technical Award for the concept, design, and engineering of the Avid® Film Composer® system for motion picture editing. For more information about the company’s Oscar®, Grammy® and Emmy® award-winning products and services, visit http://www.avid.com.
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Red Giant releases Primatte 4

Mark Christiansen | 03/13- 12:43 PM

Red Giant Software this morning released Primatte 4 for After Effects and Avid, as well as (now) Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro. This version also adds an automatic matte selection feature which Red Giant claims is useful with many well shot and lit, straightforward blue and green screens. Performance has been improved up to 3x on Windows in addition to new support for MacIntel systems. Upgrade price $199, full version $499 from Red Giant Software.

Look for a more in-depth review of Primatte 4 and how it compares to the competition on this site soon.

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