Studio Monthly articles from May 2005

Studio Monthly archives from May 2005

Get up and flow.(editor's note)
May 1, 2005... As technology and client awareness grow ever more sophisticated, an organized, well-designed studio that lets you work in ordered isolation--as well as in the company of your clients--becomes a necessity. The first step to a better...

Gearing up.(feedback)
May 1, 2005... I just subscribed to your magazine today. A friend copied and mailed me the HDV article that appeared in your February issue. I liked the article, and, in the next two weeks. I will be purchasing a camera, microphones, tripod, lighting, and...

SD rocks!(feedback)
May 1, 2005... Don't be trying to shove HD down our throats when NTSC digital still looks great, and please don't turn your back on what the vast majority of people are using. There are tons of Casablanca digital editors in use in this area, for example. I...

Sounding much better.(feedback)
May 1, 2005... The "new" magazine looks good. I had considered writing to you to suggest that you spend more time on audio in future issues, but after reading your column in the recent issue [Editor's Note, 3/05], I see you have it covered! Dan Daley's "Loop...

Hoffman-LaRoche's prescription for change: go digital; Thomson Grass Valley, Miranda and apple gear fuel a complete facility overhaul.(quick cuts)
May 1, 2005... Some say a picture is worth a thousand words. For Ed Davenport, it was worth a whole lot more. While attending an NAB trade show several years ago, the multimedia communications technology manager for Hoffman-LaRoche, the U.S. affiliate of the...

The name game: Grass Valley brand returns.(quick cuts)
May 1, 2005... Thomson has just announced that it will change the name of its Broadcast & Media Solutions business division to Grass Valley, arguably one of its most-recognized brands. With a long history in the broadcast and film production markets, the...

Avid to acquire Pinnacle Systems.(quick cuts)
May 1, 2005... THE EDITING MARKET SHRINKS AGAIN. AVID TECHNOLOGY ANNOUNCED IN MARCH THAT IT planned to acquire Pinnacle Systems in a cash-and-stock deal that is expected to close by this summer. Pinnacle's MediaStream broadcast playout server and the Deko...

Laptop editing goes one step beyond.(DETAILING YOUR STUDIO)
May 1, 2005... The 1 Beyond 3817 HD nonlinear editor has been optimized for HD editing and delivery (including 720p and 1080i) and features a number of industry firsts for a laptop. These include up to 3.8 GHz Pentium 4 processor with Hyperthreading...

Updating the 'Q'.(DETAILING YOUR STUDIO)
May 1, 2005... Leitch is offering a new software update for its VelocityQ standard-definition nonlinear editing system. Version 9.1 features new tools for color correction, collaborative workflows and audio processing, plus broadened media format support and...

Studio in a box.(DETAILING YOUR STUDIO)
May 1, 2005... NewTek has taken all the main ingredients of a live video production suite and put them into its new TriCaster portable studio. TriCaster features support for PowerPoint, easy template-based creation of graphics and titles and television...

Pocket-sized projector.(DETAILING YOUR STUDIO)
May 1, 2005... Clearly designed for the presentation on the go, Mitsubishi Digital Electronics has pulled out a mini-sized 14-ounce projector from its Presentation Products Division small enough to fit into the palm of a hand or a coat pocket. The...

A sweet audio suite.(DETAILING YOUR STUDIO)
May 1, 2005... Tascam is now distributing Nomad Factory's Essential Studio Suite plug-in bundle, comprised of nine audio plug-ins for creating professional projects from tracking to mixing to mastering. Tools include: Multiband Compressor, Essential Channel,...

Dynamic duo.(DETAILING YOUR STUDIO)
May 1, 2005... Medea's VideoRaid FCR2 and FCR2X Fibre Channel RAID storage arrays are now compatible with the Kona 2 dual rate HD/SD capture card from AJA Video Systems. The Kona 2 capture card supports uncompressed 8- and 10-bit SDI, HD-SDI and dual link...

Toshiba TDP-SW80U: a wireless projector that won't bust your wallet.(ROI reviews)
May 1, 2005... Wireless video projection? Seems like it's always just around the corner, or too expensive for mere mortals. Fortunately, two trends are making this a real possibility. Prices have fallen dramatically for projectors with a brightness rating of...

Eovia Carrara 4 Pro: a potent 3D graphics and animation application.(ROI reviews)
May 1, 2005... The first noticeable thing about Carrara 4 Pro is the interface and the way it takes over the screen. Don't be afraid--underneath the non-standard sliding drawers and overly designed color scheme lies a potent 3D graphics and animation...

Adobe Photoshop CS: It's big, it's deep and it's remarkably functional.(ROI reviews)
May 1, 2005... We've probably all used Photoshop, the professional's standard. But if you think you really know it, take a closer look at CS. At first glance I was disappointed because the interface is deceptive, hiding new tools. In truth, CS is a major...

Primera Signature Z1 CD/DVD printer: a lot of bang for not a lot of bucks.(ROI reviews)
May 1, 2005... Anyone who has attended one of my DVD classes or seminars knows that when someone asks about using "sticky labels" on their DVDs, I throw up my hands and run from the room shouting "NO LABELS, NO LABELS!" So what can DVD creators use instead of...

Create an interactive movie with Flash MX and QuickTime.(how)
May 1, 2005... STEP 1 Import your QuickTime movie With your QuickTime movie finished, create a new Flash project. Import the QuickTime movie to the Stage (File [right arrow] Import [right arrow] Import to Stage). When importing, choose to "link" to...

Tune up your Audio Post Suite on the cheap.(how)
May 1, 2005... STEP 1 Keep cables short Keep cable runs short if they are unbalanced. Long unbalanced cables invite noise. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] STEP 2 Position speakers Measure speaker placement so that your listening position is...

Adjust texture and bump maps with Softimage/XSI FX Tree.(how)
May 1, 2005... STEP 1 Customize your XSI view You'll need to call down some of the paint controls from Application [right arrow] Views, including, FX Color Selector, FX Operator Selector, FX Paint Brush, List and FX Viewer. [ILLUSTRATION...

Steal Adobe Photoshop Filters for After Effects animations.(how)
May 1, 2005... STEP 1 Batch your AE sequence in Photoshop One way to apply Photoshop filters to After Effects frames is to render a sequence, then batch that sequence within Photoshop, applying a Photoshop Action script to each frame in the...

Create time-warp effects in Autodesk Combustion 4.(train up)
May 1, 2005... STEP 1 Open your clip The new time-warp operator in Combustion 4 allows for fast and easy frame motion animation. First, open any multi-frame clip. I'm using a 45-frame clip of an in-line skater and dropping it into a composite to apply a...

Taking 2K to the masses: native 2K imaging is ready to shine, but vendors need to make it more affordable first.(issues)
May 1, 2005... Over the past 12 months, there has been a lot of talk about 2K imaging, both among the home theater and professional and commercial markets. There's no question that native 2K (1920 X 1080) front projectors will be very popular across all...

I'd rather be mixing: why I record audio rather than operate a camera.(issues)
May 1, 2005... One of my favorite documentary filmmakers, direct cinema pioneer Robert Drew, frequently directed as half of a two-person crew, and usually while holding a microphone, not a camera. Although I like to shoot, when I'm working with just one other...

Designing your dream studio.(TECHNOLOGY: DREAM STUDIO)
May 1, 2005... You know you want one, and you know you need to attract better talent-and clients-to your facility. Isn't it time you drew up the plans? Get started with inexpensive software packages designed specifically for mapping out production and...

Value central.
May 1, 2005... cameras AG-DVC60 Shoulder-Mount Mini-DV Camcorder More than $360 in free accessories with purchase of DVC60 [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The rock-solid, shoulder-mount AG-DVC60 Mini-DV Camcorder just got even more appealing thanks...

Case closed? In a world of off-the-shelf, nonlinear everything, closed editing systems carve out their niche.(TECHNOLOGY: CLOSED EDITING SYSTEMS)
May 1, 2005... So you're in the market for an affordable edit DV system that can handle a wide variety of multi-layered projects. How about a closed system with a proprietary operating system and no ability to work with third-party software programs? ...

Getting it together.(ultimate kit)
May 1, 2005... Ready to take Sony's new HDV pro camcorder out for a spin? Here are two different rental kits-for two different budgets-that outfit the HVR-Z1U for action kit 1 The "Basic SD" HDV Package (about $300 a day) * Sony HVR-Z1U camera and...

Leading the charge: is accepting credit cards a good move for your company?(the biz)
May 1, 2005... For me, as a consumer, the benefits of credit cards are obvious. Frequent-flyer miles from "charging it" have gotten me free trips to Seattle, London, Montreal and even Africa. For others, a credit card affords them the chance to buy or do...

Promos from the EDGE.(STUDIOS ON THE RISE)
May 1, 2005... THE COOL FACTOR Who says you can never go back again? Sure you can, and you may even meet your future business partner when you do. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Jim Barrett and Chris McKinley, co-founders of Burbank, CA-based EDGE...

Dealing with the client that wasn't.(WEIRD BUT TRUE TALES FROM THE STUDIO)(Cartoon)
May 1, 2005... Tom Beland is a cartoonist based in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He is also the creator of the Eisner Comic Industry Award-nominated series, True Story: Swear to God, published by AIT/Planet Lar, www.ait-planetlar.com. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...