1. Avid is back in the game: Avid Media Composer 5 is a huge upgrade for Avid - native QT import via AMA - that includes all Pro Res flavors, Canon5D/7D footage and AVCHD (about time!). Also native RED R3D import and auto 4K to 1080P timeline scaling. They also added FCP-style drag-n-drop timeline editing.
More huge news for MC5 is official third party compatibility with the $449 Matrox MXO2 Mini for HD video output(!) Indie Avid users have been asking for something like this for years. The MXO2 Mini may become the new offline standard for laptop monitoring now that it supports both FCP and Avid (on the mac) and also accelerated H264 encoding if you get the Max version. HD-SDI import and playback/layoff via Avid still requires the Mojo DX which is rumored to get an official price drop.
2. DSLR rigs: now that the Canon 5D supports 24P and manual audio the HDSLR scene will become even more commonplace than it has been the past few months. Unfortunately, the camera is not quite video ready right out of the box. The central hall at NAB was full of vendors showing off workflow enhancements and rigs.
Here's the quick roundup:
- Zacuto - new Zfinders and other hand-held rigs. Im a big fan of the simple, yet effective "Target Shooter"
- Tascam: good quality double system recorders - the DR100, DR680 and the monster HS-P82. The folks at Tascam also recommended a cool FCP plug-in called Plural Eyes that auto syncs multi-cam and double system audio in the timeline!
- Red Rock Micro - wireless follow focus via iphone. pretty, pretty cool.
- LCDVF - low cost HDSLR Viewfinder that doesn't suck.
- Marshall - a 5" HDMI monitor w/ focus and exposure tools for $599.
- Lite Panels - hybrid video light/ still camera flash!
- Zeiss - the biggie which was announced a couple of months ago but finally shown - Cine-geared lenses with interchangeable mounts. PL, Canon and Nikon. Officially on everyone's wish list starting now.
3. Post Fun for everyone - Adobe CS5- how many times can you say Mercury Engine in a row? Ask a guy with an Adobe shirt on and youll find out!
The Question is now how much horsepower will you need on your machine to make M.E fly? 12-Core w/ a Quadro 4800 or 4-Core with a base model Quadro and Matrox Max accelerator? We'll have to see how it all plays out.
Blackmagic Design - announced a whole slew of I/O products revolving around USB3, but their biggest announcement was that DaVinci Resolve was now going to be offered software only on the mac for $995 (!) - talk about the high end being available to the masses. You'll be able to add the fancy Davinci panels for a $30K bundle or simply get a $1500 Tangent Wave
AJA - The Ki-Pro now supports Avid! or rather the other way around, but still - the Ki Pro will find its way on to even more sets now as it becomes cross platform. AJA also announced RS422 Control and gang recording multiple units via an upcoming software update. Also, the KONA3 becomes the KONA 3D with a plug-in from Cineform.
4. Workflow/Media Management/ archiving - was and will continue be a hot button as less and less acquisition begins with tape. Lots of manufacturers touted the ease of use and functionality of the Media asset system CatDV, including Facilis, who showed a complete workflow for File level (AKA multi-write) access across fiber and ethernet for both Mac & PC NLE clients, and Cache-A who lowered the cost of entry on ethernet based LTO4 and intro-ed LTO5 solutions for media archiving. Other software tools for archiving automation were hyped from Archiware Presstore and Atempo. Transcoding and online deliverable workflow solutions from Telestream and Rhozet were talked about all over this year at the show. Rhozet ain't cheap, but the companies who use it swear by it.
5. Stereo? - I say "?" cause yes everyone was showing it, and I mean just about everyone, but do we need it yet? Panasonic sure hopes so.
The "dont forget about the other me" award - goes to Canon for showing a new video camera! Yes, in all the HDSLR hype out emerged two new HD cameras from Canon with pretty decent specs - 50Mpbs, 4:2:2 recorded to off the shelf CF cards.
Future Award - goes to Panasonic for showing a balsa wood version of the AG-AF100, which will be a large sensor (4/3"inch) HD Video camera w/ DSLR-style DOF and interchangeable 35mm lens capability. This is the camera many people thought Canon would announce. The pre-specs look good (AVCHD, XLR audio input, HD-SDI out) but I can't help but wonder why this camera isnt using the AVC-Ultra P2 spec which would enable 4:4:4, 1080 60P and 2K.
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