Camcorder & Computer Video articles from November 2004

Camcorder & Computer Video archives from November 2004

You (don't always) get what you pay for.(EDITOR'S REPORT)
November 1, 2004... When buying a camcorder, you've got lots of choices. Almost every manufacturer has a broad range of digital models with the low end starting out at around $350 and the high end topping out at over $1,000. These, of course, are the consumer...

Mini DVD discs.(ZOOM in: Cool Gear To Take Your Videos To The Next Level)
November 1, 2004... What are they? Verbatim's latest 1-4X Mini DVD-R and 1-2X Mini DVD-RW discs. What do they do? Can store up to 1.4GB of home videos, digital images, MP3 files and other data. Use them with standard DVD recorders and most DVD players that...

EyeHome.(ZOOM in: Cool Gear To Take Your Videos To The Next Level)(digital media player, Elgato Systems)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... What is it? A digital media player from Elgato Systems. What does it do? Lets Mac users access their digital photos, videos and games stored on their hard drive, and watch or play them on TV. Special features? What you see on TV appears...

Portable DVD player travel backpack.(ZOOM in: Cool Gear To Take Your Videos To The Next Level)
November 1, 2004... What is it? A new DVD player case from Targus. What does it do? Stores and protects almost all portable DVD players (up to nine inches). Special features? You can transform the backpack into an instant and inexpensive viewing center in...

MFR.(ZOOM in: Cool Gear To Take Your Videos To The Next Level)(Multi Function Recorder)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... What is it? A new Multi Function Recorder from Addonics Technologies. What does it do? Use it as a standalone flash media back-up system, DVD/photo/MP3 player, an external USB 2.0 DVD burner, and flash memory reader/writer. Special...

NeoTec.(ZOOM in: Cool Gear To Take Your Videos To The Next Level)(automatic self-regulating tripod)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... What is it? The world's first fully automatic self-regulating tripod (available in two models--458B tripod and 684B monopod) from Manfrotto. What does it do? The new mechanism lets the user easily extend each leg to the desired height by...

PODZ.(ZOOM in: Cool Gear To Take Your Videos To The Next Level)(disc storage cases)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... What is it? Sealed disc storage cases from Greywolf Marketing. What does it do? The company says these cases offer additional protection than standard plastic jewel cases because of its trademark Surround Seal Technology, which keeps dust,...

GoDVD!(ZOOM in: Cool Gear To Take Your Videos To The Next Level)(digital video duplicator)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... What is it? A new digital video duplicator and back-up solution from Sima Products. What does it do? Use it to copy between VHS and DVD formats, and to back-up digital files. Special features? Easy connection to any DVD recorder, four...

DVD Workshop Express.(ZOOM in: Cool Gear To Take Your Videos To The Next Level)(DVD-authoring software)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... What is it? DVD-authoring software from Ulead Systems. What does it do? Designed for corporate and advanced users who want to create professional-quality DVD productions with a minimal learning curve. Special features? Built-in design...

Ezybalance.(ZOOM in: Cool Gear To Take Your Videos To The Next Level)(collapsible lighting solution)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... What is it? A collapsible lighting solution from Lastolite. What does it do? It provides a white surface where users can perform a white balance; flip it over and its gray side is ideal for adjusting the camera to get an accurate exposure...

Solitaire.(ZOOM in: Cool Gear To Take Your Videos To The Next Level)(Casablanca, stand-alone non linear editor)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... What is it? Casablanca's newest stand-alone non linear editor. What does it do? It delivers a powerful range of features and easy-to-use SmartEdit software for creating professional videos, graphics and effects. Special features?...

Glimmerglass/Smoque.(ZOOM in: Cool Gear To Take Your Videos To The Next Level)(lens filters)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... What is it? A new line of filters from Tiffen Company. What does it do? Glimmerglass is a new type of diffusion filter that softens facial details while adding subtle highlights. Smoque produces a smoke-like effect or haze without the cost...

DVD530I.(ZOOM in: Cool Gear To Take Your Videos To The Next Level)(DVD writer)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... What is it? HP's latest DVD writer with double-layer technology. What does it do? Lets users store, back-up and transport up to 8.5GB of digital content on one double-layer disc, compared to the standard 4.7GB on a single-layer disc. ...

We preview Panasonic's hottest pro DV cam, Sony's new DVD cam, and more DVD news.(CAMCODER INSIDER)
November 1, 2004... Panasonic has announced the AG-DVC60, a 3-CCD Mini DV camcorder that employs a wide-angle, high-performance 16X optical zoom lens and delivers the stability of shoulder-style shooting. The AG-DVC60 ($2,795 MSRP) joins four other camcorders in...

Canon XL2: the wait's over! The hottest 3-CCD camcorder sets new standards for mini DV cams yet again.(Cover Story)
November 1, 2004... It's been about six years since Canon introduced the XL1, with its unusual shape and pro features that set the standard for DV acquisition. In 2002, Canon then came out with the enhanced version, the XLIS, that slaked the thirst for an improved...

Demystifying DVD formats: plus: breakthrough DVD cams from Sony, Panasonic and Hitachi.(DVD: Everything You Need To Know)
November 1, 2004... DVDs are unquestionably the hottest new medium ever introduced in the consumer electronics field. Indeed, the adoption of DVD players by consumers was faster than for any other format ever, including VHS VCRs. Today, about 35 percent of...

Shaping the trends: the top 6 video technologies.(DVD: Everything You Need To Know)
November 1, 2004... Numerous technologies are already impacting how we will capture video and audio, as well as other technologies that are just beginning to emerge. New hardware and software continue to get more powerful, while at the same time easier to use....

Set-top DVD recorders: what to look for before you buy.(DVD: Everything You Need To Know)
November 1, 2004... Over the next few years, look for VCRs to go the way of the proverbial 8-track. This is in no small part due to the emergence of the DVD recorder. Since the introduction of DVDs, the one advantage VHS and VCRs had over DVD was recording. DVD...

Canon Optura 500: one of the first consumer cams with manual audio control, the Optura 500 shoots 2MP digital stills and captures professional-level, 3-CCD-like video.(CAMCORDER REVIEW)
November 1, 2004... Priced at $1,200 list, the Canon Optura 500 delivers a lot of features and capability. You'll like its small size and light weight, plus you 11 be quite satisfied with its image quality. If you are in the market for a camcorder, you will want...

Internal DVD recorders: outfitting your PC.(DVD: Everything You Need To Know)
November 1, 2004... Home DVD creation or "burning" has become the number one most popular activity among videographers today. If you've been waiting on the sideline, deciding if the time was right to jump into this world, why wait any longer? All of the recordable...

Handle with care: making your DVDs last.(DVD: Everything You Need To Know)
November 1, 2004... How long will my DVD last? Industry hype has told us that DVDs were virtually indestructible and that we could expect them to last 80 years to 100 years. Well, maybe you've heard that version of Murphy's Law, "If something sounds too good to be...

Canopus Imaginate 2.0: basic DVD editing and more.(Software review)
November 1, 2004... I had a real blast playing with Imaginate 2.0 from Canopus. I found Imaginate best suited to making animated menus for DVD projects, as well as animated transitions in some of my experimental work. Thanks to Imaginate's audio import...

Sonic DVDit: customize your DVDs.(Product/Service Evaluation)
November 1, 2004... In the past couple of years the DVD-authoring tools market has developed two separate tiers: entry-level/personal tools at prices around $50 to $100, and corporate/professional tools at around $500 and up (ignoring higher-end professional tools...

Sony's Vegas Video 5: great video and awesome audio!(Software review)
November 1, 2004... Have you been to Vegas lately? I'm not talking about Las Vegas, but Sony Pictures Digital Vegas Video 5 for video and audio editing. It's not much of a gamble; you won't lose your shirt, but all the flashy new features and capabilities that...

Make a DV movie on a budget.(HOW TO)
November 1, 2004... Allan Saulnier is living out his dream of making movies for a living in his hometown. His journey has involved some hard work, determination and a strong sense of community. Local newspapers picked up his story, quoting him, "I just want...