Apple Intros the New 17” MacBook Pro

This introduction is really no surprise.  Given that Apple has moved to this type of unibody construction across their entire laptop line.  I personally have the 15” and love it.  While I suspected the 17” would be announced at MacWorld when I purchased this a few months ago, I couldn’t wait.

• 1920 x 1200 display
• 700:1 contrast ratio
• 60% greater color gamut
• Matte display
• $50 anti glare option

Inside we have a new generation of C2D CPUs—up to 8GB of RAM… new NVIDIA graphics options, discrete graphics onboard....You can upgrade to a 256GB SDD.”

the Battery
There was rumor that the battery in this bad boy would be non-removable.  The rumors were correct. 

“We’ve designed a battery that will last 8 hours on a charge, and can be charged 1000 times...The key to building a longer battery is making it bigger… the challenge is where to find the space to put it… in a removable battery there’s a lot of wasted space.”

“It comes in one config—$2799.” 2.66GHz, 4GB RAM, 320GB hard drive… it starts shipping at the end of this month.

Explaining the Yellow Line in NFL Coverage

MacWorld ‘09 Predictions

As we prepare for the last Apple attended MacWorld tomorrow, I thought I’d throw my hat into the ring with predictions what Phil might be presenting us with.

17” MacBook Pro
This is a no-brainer.  We already have the MacBook, and 15” MacBook Pro in new clothing, it’s time for the 17” to join the party.  I’d bet we’ll see upgraded video processing in the 17”, and slight performance increases across the entire notebook line.

New Cinema Displays
Another no-brainer seems to be an updated 30” cinema display along the same line as the recently released 24”.  The jury is out as to whether a third display will be introduced.

New Mac Mini
The internet is buzzing about the new Mini and I’d bet we’ll see a new version even able to handle the 30” display listed above.  This be billed as the “Home Server” which will manage all of your music, movies etc.

New iPhone
I think there is a 50/50 chance we’ll see Phil talk about a new phone to be introduced in late Spring.  He’ll likely also talk about how it will be open to other carriers, or just plain unlocked.  Why now?  Because like the first go around, Apple may want to introduce it as opposed to FCC leaks.  I’d bet in the future we’ll see as many as three iPhone variations.  A “Pro”, a “Nano” and a “classic”.

New iPod Touch
While I really, really want this to be launched at MacWorld this year, it will likely be in the Fall before we see such a beast.  And by beast, I’m suggesting a 7” diagonal iPod Touch Pro.  This Pro version would potentially be able to run mobile versions of iWork and iLife.  It would also be able to wireless sync with the small Apple bluetooth keyboard, and have a kickstand in the back to allow for the display to stand on it’s own.

New iLife and iWork
I think it’s likely we’ll see some refreshes here.

Final Cut Pro Studio
Alas, I don’t think we’ll be seeing any updates just yet, however, I’m hopeful we’ll be seeing a refresh by NAB at the latest.

Anyone else care to throw some predictions at the wall?

Forums, Newsletters, Google Friends, Oh My!

Forums
Launching a website forum in 2009 is no easy prospect.  There are already some great forums and lists out there, and most folks have already made a home, and a habit at returning and exchanging ideas, asking questions, and getting inspired at their favorite forum watering hole. We’d like you to consider PVC Forums.  For forums to be successful, there needs to be critical mass of people and postings.  PVC has the critical mass, and now we’re ready to start promoting the forums as an excellent place to exchange ideas, ask those questions, and of course...get inspired.  The experts writing at PVC will also be tuning in on occasion and perhaps answer to respond with commentary.

Live Chats are also coming in 2009.  Stay tuned for live product manager chats with the leading vendors.

Newsletters
Newsletters are coming soon.  Real soon.  To get on the newsletter distribution list, you’ll need to register here.  You can also use the forums here, to let us know what newsletters you’d like to see first.  Cameras?  Motion Graphics? Web Video?

Google Friend Connect
If you noticed the bottom of the homepage, we’re jumping on the Google Friend bandwagon.  Similar to our Linkedin Group, and Twitter, it’s one more way to connect with fellow users, and follow PVC.

FaceBook
Lest we forget FaceBook, and the fact that we haven’t been promoting that at all...until today. PVC Facebook Group

If you’re still reading, check out our community on Ning: http://community.provideocoalition.com

More ways to share community that you can shake a dead (insert least favorite animal here) at.

Happy Holidays

So take this time and click on over to the forums and start foruming…

The End of an Era

Print is (near) dead, trade shows are on life support
Most people know that I ran DV magazine, DV Expo, and the like, for ten years.  From there I went on to AV Video, and with the help of a very talented team, turned that into Studio Monthly and StudioDaily.com.  Back in the day each of those magazines were easily doing 160+ pages per issue, with about 60% of those pages going to advertising.  Yes, because they are trade publications and offer free subscriptions to those that can fog up a glass, um qualify, they run their business from advertising.  Creating an editorial environment that can separate advertising form editorial (also know as Church and State), proved to be a challenge, but always paid off in the end.

The world has changed.  Publishing has changed, and the models that support a successful publishing business have also changed.  Many of my favorite magazines in this market, and others, are no longer able to deliver what they used to.  It’s not their fault, there isn’t enough ad revenue to support it.  The lack of advertising supporting print means that there are ultimately fewer pages to read.  As a publisher you may only get 12 issues a year, and of course you need to cover everything.  When times and markets were flush with cash, you simply printed more pages and made the 2 page review, a 4-5 page review.  Gone are those days, at least in print.

Online of course is much different, we can electronically “print” another page at will, without the printing, postage and associated costs of ink, etc.  If a review needs to be 12 pages long, it can be without costing and arm and a leg.  In fact, multiple online pages provide more advertising inventory by allowing for more page loads.

Introduction to the 5D Mark II’s Video Feature

When it comes to the Canon 5D MKII, we have a ringer at our sister site – ProPhoto Coalition.  Bruce Dorn is the guy Canon hired to show off it’s glory.  A still photographer showing off the video prowess you ask?  Well you haven’t heard of Bruce then have you?  Bruce could very well have his own channel on ProVideo Coalition with the career and experience he’s had in pro video.  After you’ve digested the 5D article, peruse his bio here.

We’ve only just launched PPC, but as the video and photography markets continue to coalesce, we expect a lot of articles to be of value to the PVC reader.

Nikon’s Top DSLR Is No Video Camera

Why write about a DSLR on a pro video site?  With the Canon 5D MKII all the rage, as well as the fervor mounting over the new RED cameras, it’s almost surprising that the new top of the line Nikon isn’t touting video as a prowess.  This camera is no slouch by any means.  It sports a full frame sensor and lots of Nikon love.  Check out the camera, more images, and the press release on our sister site, ProPhoto Coallition.

Newly developed Nikon FX-format CMOS sensor (35.9 x 24.0 mm sensing area)

24.5 million effective pixels

Superior-resolution image quality equivalent to medium-format digital cameras

High-speed continuous shooting of up to approx. 5 frames per second in FX format (24.5 megapixels) / 5:4 (20.4 megapixels); 7 frames per second in DX format (10.5megapixels)*1

Wide ISO sensitivity of 100 to 1600 at normal setting, with low noise performance

Two Live View modes — Handheld and Tripod

High-density 51-point (world’s largest number*2) AF system

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