No - the Format War is Just Beginning

Let’s face it, we all saw the Blu-Ray battle won some time ago.  Perhaps a far more interesting battle is heating up between rivals Microsoft and Adobe on delivering content via a graphical open run-time platform or via a web browser.

Adobe has tremendous distribution in Flash technology as it’s nearly everywhere.  Microsoft’s Silverlight leverages the graphical ability of their browser.  Adobe’s Air, is a distributable runtime platform that’s no longer in beta as of this morning.  You can download it here for Windows and Mac.

*Updated*

While perusing the net this evening I ran across something interesting on Tim Sneath’s blog.  Never been there before but was searching for Silverlight and MTV.  Actually trying to track down a rumor that Microsoft is offering Silverlight around and folks - prominent folks like MTV, are passing in favor of Flash.  So as I read his blog post about Silverlight and MTV I then clicked over to his example, which is Jackass 2.5 the movie supposedly being hosted by Limelight Networks and Microsoft.  Well, interestingly enough, it’s Flash.  Hmmmm.  Looks like I have more digging to do.

We’ll be watching this very closely as you can imagine not only here, but also in our soon to launch WebDevCoalition.  For more info, check out BetaNews.com

As a disclaimer - Adobe is paid advertiser of this site, and Microsoft isn’t…yet.  (maybe never now)

New Software From Vara Software

Best may be piling it on too much for certain.  Never heard of it, now that may be likely.  Vara Software has been one of my favorite companies since I first encountered VideoCue.  If you don’t know VideoCue, go to their site right now and download it.  It’s an entire TV studio in an inexpensive package.  In fact, I often use the teleprompter alone when necessary.

Ok, enough love, but they do have a new product that does have me equally excited, and it’s called ScreenFlow.  It gives very good flexibility in creating screencasts, tutorials, etc.  You can use your built-in iSight (Mac only folks) and also bring a window of yourself into the mix where necessary.  I downloaded the demo and created a brief tutorial on a SSD MacBook Air.  Yes, only the 1.8 processor, and the software still worked flawlessly.  Needless to say, I whipped out the plastic and you’ll have a full on demo here shortly. 

The “Air” Apparent

First things first, I completely agree with Mike Curtis, that the MacBook Air isn’t for us.  Except that….

Excuse me while I hit the way-back machine and meander down memory lane to the days of yore, when if you wanted a great NLE machine, it made sense to make that machine, your only machine.  If you planned to do any business, script writing, Quickbooks, spreadsheets, well then you must have another machine my friend, as the NLE will likely crash if things aren’t just so.  Perhaps you remember those days?  Or perhaps you’re lucky enough to only live using a new MacBook Pro (or insert top of the line PC here), with the latest Office, Logic Pro, FCP Studio, After Effects, Photoshop, InDesign, etc.  I could go on and on, but you get the point.  Today’s top end PC or Mac could run a small country, and at the same time, slice bread, produce the next Grammy-winning album, er CD, er, MP3, oh - and concurrently output the next top grossing feature film.  Perhaps I want my ultra-portable computer to write scripts, handle my day to day email on the road and not have to worry about lugging around my editing machine, when maybe my next trip is finding the right client, not editing on the airplane.

Bear with me here….

The Big News at MacWorld SF is What Wasn’t Introduced

A lot has been written about the MacBook Air.  For good reason too.  The laptop is clearly targeting folks who need connectivity above all else.  It’s also damn cool.

But the real news for video and creative folks is what wasn’t announced.  Penryn chips are on the loose, but not in MacBooks or MacBook Pros…yet. Also, have you noticed how long in the tooth the MacBook Pros really are.  I mean, yes the design may be timeless, but the time has come for an overhaul.  We all know it’s due, and yet nothing at MacWorld.  Mac Pros saw a nice bump during CES.  But remember what Steve said, it’s only been 2 weeks into the year so far and look what’s happened.  That sounds like a lot more stuff to come to me.

Here’s a forecast that will likely be wrong.  But I’ll go for it anyway. 

Clapboard Alarm Clock

Yes this is way off the path knowing that this is an alarm clock, not a functioning clapboard.  However, as the holidays are upon us, and the fact that this is too cool, I have to post this.

The coolest part of course is that you clap the clapboard to silence the alarm.  I want one.  $36

via [Gizmodo]

Tripod Articles

Not sure that you’ve noticed, but tripod articles aren’t to plentiful out there.  When I was with DV magazine and then Studio Monthly, I spent a good deal of time trying to get the staff to write about tripods.  The first time I tried to push the subject, it was because I was personally looking for a tripod in the $1,500-$2,000 range.  I couldn’t find a lot of good info.

Fast forward to today and now I’ve decided that my focus on the PVC will be on Tripods, Lighting and all-around production accessories and gear.  Stay tuned…

It’s a shame the latest issue of StudioDaily.com misses the mark a little in my opinion for a cover story.  Yes it’s on Tripods, but it’s more of a discussion on how they’re built.  An interesting read mind you, but not so much as to why a $2,000 tripod is better than a $1,000 and why.  However, check out this issue, where Will Holloway talks a little bit about various accessories.

So in the end, we’re going to be review some tripods here.  Look at lighting, kits and stand-alone lights, and of course we’ll also look at gear, grip equipment and more.  I’m also looking for a writer to help me with this column.  If you’re interested email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

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