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Avid Announces New Editing and Production Asset Management Solutions

Posted by Safe Harbor Staff
September 14, 2009

Avid® (NASDAQ: AVID) today introduced new versions of its Media Composer® (4.0), Symphony™ (4.0), NewsCutter® (8.0) professional editing software and Interplay® (2.0) production asset management system. Reinforcing Avid’s commitment to providing open and flexible solutions, these new offerings enable broadcast and post production professionals to lower production costs and enhance their productivity by:

Eliminating timely transcode processes with the capability to mix and match different frame rates and resolutions in an open timeline within the same project.
Expanding native support for file-based media with the addition of industry-leading formats such as Panasonic AVC-I and Ikegami GFCAM. GFCAM support is a result of Avid Media Access (AMA).
Empowering production teams to become more efficient by extending workgroup capabilities to the Wide Area Network (WAN) - allowing journalists, producers and assistants to work with media at any time, from any location.

What Customers are Saying
Emmy® and A.C.E. Eddie winning editor Steve Cohen has beta tested Media Composer 4.0 and said, "My first experience with AMA was eye-opening, largely because it's so trivially simple: no logging, no digitizing, no importing is required. Clips appear in a bin magically, with all the metadata available and ready for cutting. The fact that it's possible on a laptop with no extra hardware is also very impressive. And Avid's Mix and Match is one of those features that's so well designed that it's completely transparent. You simply edit as you would with any other material and the Media Composer does the right thing automatically, adjusting the speed as needed, without rendering."

Industry Standard Editing Tools - Fast, Reliable, More Native Formats
Media Composer (named the preferred tool for acclaimed editors by the American Cinema Editors (A.C.E.)), Symphony and NewsCutter software now offer customers a wide array of new features designed to streamline the production process including:

Improved Stereoscopic 3D editing: Enables customers to view 3D material side by side in addition to over/under - ensuring greater accuracy of editing decisions and a wider choice of cost-effective monitors for stereoscopic viewing.
Monitoring HD and SD cross-and-down converted formats from 1080p24 masters: Enables customers using Mojo DX or Nitris® DX hardware to view HD material on an SD monitor, eliminating the need to incur additional hardware costs.
Panasonic AVC-I encoding support: Allows customers to deliver final masters in Panasonic’s AVC-I format while working natively in the Avid editing system from acquisition to final delivery.
Mac support for Pro Tools® Video Satellite: Offers customers the ability to work with Mac or PC when using Media Composer as a video satellite with Pro Tools systems to deliver frame-accurate, synchronized and full resolution monitoring of video.
Mix and Match capabilities: Provides customers with the flexibility to use media sources of different frame rates and resolutions (SD and HD) in the same timeline - eliminating external transcoding and time-consuming frame-rate conversions.
Avid Media Access (AMA) enhancements: Delivers native support for the popular Ikegami GFCAM 100 mb/s format. Customers can now directly access GFCAM media, including full metadata, and begin their work immediately without transcoding, copying or re-wrapping the material.
New Production Suite updates: Include new versions of Boris Continuum Complete, Sorenson Squeeze and SmartSound SonicFire Pro to provide customers with more creative possibilities and media delivery options.

Production Asset Management – Extending Flexible Anytime, Anywhere Collaboration
With more than 600 Interplay sites deployed worldwide, Avid has enhanced its industry-leading production asset management solution by delivering the most significant update of the product to date: Interplay 2.0. The new version empowers broadcasters and post facilities to extend collaborative productions beyond the four walls of a facility - enabling customers to consolidate production operations as well as manage and contribute to projects when working remotely. Lower bandwidth streaming proxies enable Interplay workgroup members to work with media at anytime from anywhere, using a qualified Mac or PC with a 1Mb/s Internet connection.

Highlights of Interplay 2.0 include:

WAN Workflow with Interplay Access: Enables journalists, producers and editors to remotely search and work with media assets across multiple workgroups – no longer requiring them to return to the edit suite/news station to assemble stories. A new streamlined interface allows users to browse, log and shot list media in three unique viewing modes, via a single screen, and easily toggle between views -ultimately offering more time savings and reduced production costs. Additionally, station groups will now be able to consolidate functions by increasing the range of material available for users to share across geographically-dispersed newsrooms.
Final Cut Pro (FCP) workflow support: Offers check-in and check-out of FCP media with project links as well as media and metadata conversion of FCP-to-Avid and Avid-to-FCP projects - providing customers with more platform flexibility.Interplay Delivery: Simplifies a previously time-intensive process of media transfer by offering a one-step transfer of materials such as subclips and shot lists.
Interplay Transcode with new mixdown capability: Enables users to mixdown full audio and video sequences while transcoding to a specified output format, simplifying downstream processes such as archiving or publishing to formats such as mobile, the Web or digital signage.

Pricing and Availability
Media Composer, Symphony and NewsCutter systems will be available on September 30. Interplay 2.0 will be available on September 16. Media Composer 4.0 is just $295 USMSRP for educational institutions and students. Beginning September 30, 2009, students with academic versions of Media Composer software (versions 3.5 through 4.0 purchased on or after March 1, 2009) will qualify for complementary upgrades for four years from the date of software activation. For more information on qualifications and availability, please visit www.avid.com.

WEVA Partners With Universal Studios Florida For WEVA EXPO 2008 Tour

Posted by Safe Harbor Staff
April 17, 2008

WEVA International has partnered with Universal Studios Florida Production Group to plan an exclusive, behind-the-scenes tour of the Universal Studios Production Facilities for professional videographers in conjunction with the WEVA 18th Annual Wedding & Event Video Expo, August 11-14, 2008. WEVA EXPO 2008, the wedding and event video industry's largest convention and trade show will be held at Orlando Grande Lakes Resort, just 10 minutes from Universal Studios Florida.

The largest working motion picture and television studio outside of Hollywood, Universal Studios Florida boasts 9 state-of-the-art soundstages, multiple broadcast studios, and more than 100 backlot sets. Numerous feature films (including The Waterboy, Matinee, and Parenthood) have been shot on the studio backlot.

Home to cable network’s Nickelodeon, Universal Studios Florida has hosted TV programs as diverse as The Ellen Degeneres Show; The Food Network's Emeril, Live!; The Steve Harvey Show; America's Most Wanted; Fear Factor; BattleBotsIQ and TNA (Total Nonstop Action). TNA, today's popular contemporary wrestling show, is taped in Stage 21 - (adjacent to the park).

This summer, WEVA EXPO 2008 attendees will have a rare opportunity to take an optional pre-convention, behind-the-scenes tour of Universal Studios that is being planned for Monday August 11, 2008 (starting early afternoon, ending before the official WEVA EXPO 2008 Opening Night Gala at 5:45pm).

"As announced at our NAB event this week, WEVA is already at work with the Universal Studios Production Group (USPG) designing a backlot tour that is ‘professional to professional’ rather than the standard ‘visitor’ version normally presented to park guests," relates Dan Argenas, WEVA’s Director of Association Communications. "Our goal is to offer WEVA EXPO 2008 attendees an inside view of state-of-the-art television and film production that’s up close and personal."

The WEVA and USPG teams are finalizing details of the tour, including ground transportation (private busses will depart from the JW Marriott). Watch WEVA.com for more news on the Universal Studios Tour and continuous updates on all WEVA EXPO 2008 Wedding and Event Video Sessions, EXPO 2008 Trade Show, and EXPO 2008 Special Events.

Avid Delivers Ultimate HD Editing Experience With Next-Generation Systems

Posted by Safe Harbor Staff
April 16, 2008

Avid Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq: AVID) has unveiled a new family of professional digital video editing systems that offer greater speed, responsiveness, reliability and price-performance – delivering an exceptional HD editing experience to media professionals.

The new lineup, which includes next-generation versions of Avid® Media Composer® (v3.0), NewsCutter® (v7.0), and Symphony™ (v3.0) software, as well as new hardware configurations, Mojo DX and Nitris® DX, maximizes real-time performance for customers by intelligently using all available computing bandwidth to evenly disperse the processing of video and effects across the entire system. The result is an extremely fast and responsive HD editing experience that provides greater creative freedom and flexibility to end-users.

The increase in power and performance of Avid’s new editing systems is the result of an architectural design that tightly integrates Avid software and hardware with the CPU, host graphics card and PCI Express connection, to create a high-bandwidth, high-performance effects engine. This design eliminates the lag time in responsiveness that users often experience when working with HD material during the editorial process.

"For any project we begin, we need to know that our tools are going to help us work as fast as we can think and get the job done under budget, usually with intense deadlines," said Dave Ballard of LAB 601, Inc., a beta tester of the new Media Composer Nitris DX. "Lots of products boast the latest bells and whistles, but if the tools don’t allow us to perform flawlessly in high-pressure situations, none of the bells and whistles matter. The creative process can grind to a halt the moment that technology prevents us from trying something new – on the fly. Speed and performance rank at the top of any wish list for editors. I need a system that responds to the way I want to work and allows me to work more freely. The Media Composer Nitris DX is faster than any other Media Composer I have worked on in the past, and has been rock-solid reliable and flexible in all of our daily workflows."

Avid’s Next-Generation Editing Systems
Avid’s new editing lineup offers a range of new capabilities designed to enhance the HD editing process, including:

Real-time output of all major SD and HD formats, which eliminates the need for rendering with the Avid DNxHD® codec; customers will experience greater responsiveness during the output process.
A real-time effects architecture that closely ties multi-core CPU, GPU and PCI Express hardware into a single high-performance pipeline that increases the speed of the HD editing experience.
Improved codec and file-based format support including:Native support for "Thin Raster" formats including DVCPRO HD and XDCAM HD; with real-time output with multiple streams of HD;
Native editing support for AVC-I, which will be supported in 50 Mb/s and 100 Mb/s formats, via the same Avid workflow as P2/DVCPRO HD;
Sony XDCAM-EX (requires Sony Clip Browser software – currently available only on Windows); and
JVC 23.976p and 25p HDV codecs
Support for Mac Leopard OS and Windows Vista 32 and 64 bit operating systems.
A SubCap™ visible captioning tool for adding subtitles, with the import and export of EBU-N19 formats.
MetaFuze™, a new tool designed for quickly merging single-frame files (such as DPX and TIF) from film scanning or CGI systems into a single media clip on the Windows platform. MetaFuze enables users to create Avid DNxHD 36 files from DPX or TIF masters and use the files during the offline edit in a DI workflow – with final conform taking place on a DS system.
A real-time multi-window timecode burn-in tool, which enables customers to simplify the screening process by burning multiple timecodes and sequence information onto a video and superimposing the timecode over the picture during output and playback.
Blu-ray output with new Avid DVD by Sonic™ which makes it easier for PC users to create high definition DVDs.
XML export for sequences via Avid FilmScribe which enables all source and record side metadata to be exported as XML, including change notes. With this feature, transforms can be applied to create EDLs (e.g., scan lists, ASC color metadata, etc).

"This news represents another milestone in how Avid continues to drive ‘New Thinking.’ Our customers have told us that quality, performance and value are the most important characteristics in any product or solution. We’re glad to say that this new suite of offerings reflects these priorities," said Kirk Arnold, executive vice president and general manager of Avid Video.

System Configurations, Availability and Pricing
The new HD systems are expected to be available in Q2 2008 and will offer exceptional price-performance, with flexible hardware configurations designed to meet a range of professional production needs. In addition, both the new Media Composer and Symphony configurations are qualified to run on Mac OS X Leopard and Windows XP and Vista platforms, and NewsCutter configurations are qualified for Windows XP and Vista. All Media Composer and NewsCutter systems offer the same software toolset across their respective configurations – with additional capabilities coming from different hardware options. These configurations include:

Media Composer software – For independent or mobile film and video editors looking for a portable offline editing solution with support for file-based editing – priced at $2,495 USMSRP.
Media Composer Mojo DX – Ideal for small studios, production companies or customers looking to do on-location work – offering standard digital SD and HD I/O - priced at $9,995 USMSRP.
Media Composer Nitris DX – Geared towards post production facilities or anyone looking for a full feature edit bay – offering analog and digital I/O with Avid DNxHD encode and decode – priced at $14,995 USMSRP. Customers can also purchase configurations with an 8 core MacPro or HP xw8600 workstation starting at $21,995 USMSRP.
Symphony Nitris DX – Now available on both the Mac and Windows systems and ideal for online finishing facilities looking for all the features of the Media Composer plus secondary and relational color correction and universal mastering – priced at $35,995 USMSRP including an 8 core MacPro or HP XW8600 workstation.
NewsCutter software – News editing software ideal for field, tapeless and networked news environments – priced at $4,995 USMSRP.
NewsCutter Mojo DX – Ideal solution for full-featured suite-based news editing with real-time multi-format playback and effects and standard digital SD and HD I/O – priced at $19,995 USMSRP including an 8 core HP xw8600 workstation.
NewsCutter Nitris DX – Geared towards news operations looking for all of the options of NewsCutter with comprehensive analog and digital I/O with Avid DNxHD encode and decode – priced at $24,995 USMSRP including an 8 core HP xw8600 workstation.

Boris FX Ships Final Effects Complete 5.0 for Avid AVX

Posted by Safe Harbor Staff
April 16, 2008

Boris FX, the leading developer of integrated effects technology for video and film, announced that Final Effects Complete 5.0 for AVX (FEC 5 AVX) is now shipping.

This is the third release in the FEC product family that also included FEC 5.0 for AE (shipping since February 2008) and FEC 5.0 for FxPlug (shipping since March 2008). FEC 5 AVX adds support for Avid editing and finishing systems based on Avid’s proprietary AVX 2.0 plug-in interface running on Mac and Windows platforms.

"Final Effects Complete has been a long-time favorite of Avid editors, affording organic looks and increasing the production value of many high profile projects," comments Boris Yamnitsky, founder and president, Boris FX. "This latest release breathes new life into the legendary Final Effects Complete package with all of the modern amenities of AVX 2 as well as features transplanted from FEC’s sibling - BCC 5 AVX."

Final Effects Complete 5 for AVX is an update to FEC 4 AVX. FEC 5 AVX adds new support for 16 bit-color processing, AVX 2 real-time (RT) filters, native on-screen controls, multi-processor acceleration, Universal Binary support on Macintosh, and several new wipe transition filters. Hundreds of factory-installed presets provide quick starting points for new effects.

FEC 5 AVX is fully compatible with FEC 5 AE for Adobe After Effects and FEC 5 FxPlug for Apple Final Cut Studio. Individual filter presets can be saved and loaded across all NLEs and platforms for seamless, open-architecture workflow.

New FEC 5 AVX filters include:

Blur Dissolve: organic blur transition with apply modes and glows
Lens Wipe: zoom in with a lens effect
Rain Wipe: transitions using rain drops to wipe image
Griddler Wipe: zoom in with a griddler effect
Pin Wipe: ctransition with a 4 corner pin effect
Slant Wipe: transition with a slant effect
Spherize Wipe: spherize and undistort to complete transition

FEC 5 AVX Workflow Highlights

Host Support: Avid Xpress Pro, Avid Media Composer, Avid Symphony, Avid NewsCutter.
Universal Binary: supports Intel and PowerPC Macintosh computers
Supports Avid's Advanced Keyframing Mode
EZ Parameter display mode: view most commonly used parameters
Smart Parameter mode: view modified parameters only
Multi-processor acceleration boosts production speed
Boris Motion Tracker and PixelChooser borrowed from BCC allow users to selectively apply filters to specific areas of the image, greatly extending the compositing power of Avid editors.
Multi-processor acceleration boosts production speed
New FEC Native Parameter UI sports new control groups, contextual controls, on-screen widgets, custom controls and many other improvements. All parameter options are now readily available as native parameters without a need to open modal dialog windows.
Load and Save Presets feature allows users to exchange effects on all supported hosts on Windows or Macintosh.
The built-in Electronic Help system provides comprehensive information to maximize productivity.

Pricing and Availability
FEC 5 AVX is available today through the Boris FX worldwide reseller channel including Safe Harbor for an MSRP of $895.00 new or an upgrade price of $295.00 for existing FEC AVX users. FEC 5 AVX is also available as part of the Boris Box Set which includes all Boris products for an MSRP of $1995.

For more information, please visit the Boris FX web site at http://www.borisfx.com.

WEVA Announces Location for January Event

Posted by Safe Harbor Staff
October 9, 2007

Las Vegas’ legendary Imperial Palace, located "Center Strip" next to the Flamingo, has been named as the host hotel for WEVA’s Wide World of Weddings & Events the brand new winter convention and trade show for wedding & event videographers, co-presented by WEVA and PMA® with huge Trade Show exhibits being held at the Las Vegas Convention Center this January.

WEVA/PMA guest room rates at the Imperial Palace start at under $71/night. Rooms are limited. To be assured of getting low-cost rates, make your hotel reservations now through PMA Housing toll-free at: 800-248-8804 or 517-788-8100 or email: housing@pmai.org.

Register Online - Over 200 WEVA & PMA Sessions Included
Convention registration has already opened! WEVA sessions will start Tuesday afternoon January 29, 2008 at the Imperial Palace hotel. Open to all videographers, registration is only $199 for WEVA members and is all-inclusive. A special WEVA/PMA hotlink for WEVA member discount registration will be announced shortly.

Attend your choice of over 45 cutting-edge WEVA sessions for wedding and event videographers that will all be presented at the Imperial Palace Tuesday afternoon January 29 thru Thursday January 31 when the 2008 Trade Show opens at the Las Vegas Convention Center (use the Imperial/Flamingo Monorail for easy Convention Center access).

The Trade Show will be open 3 days: Thursday January 31 through Saturday February 2, 2008, and will feature special WEVA events for videographers on the Show Floor, including hands-on edit system training, and more (see below) on all 3 Trade Show days. At this year's convention, your WEVA/PMA registration also allows you to attend your choice of over 200 PMA '08 sessions (listed at www.pmai.org) at no additional cost.

Cutting-Edge Wedding & Event Video Sessions
WEVA sessions at the Imperial Palace will feature wedding and event video seminars, workshops, extended system training, New Worldwide Showcase of WEVA Award-Winning Wedding Video Creativity, Same-Day Edit sessions, all-new WEVA Latino sessions in Spanish, New Mock Wedding & Love Story Shooting Exhibitions, HD Technology Panels, and more.

Featured speakers will include leading wedding and event videographers from the US, Canada, Mexico and the Asia-Pacific region, and renowned marketing experts, including top business consultant Robert Gordman author of the best-selling book The Must-Have Customer and a contributing writer for WEVA's Wedding & Event Videography Resource Guide.

The complete WEVA program line-up and trade show schedule will be posted soon on the WEVA website and www.PMAI.org where you can also view all other group sections of programming including digital imaging production, marketing, networking, special events, parties, and convention activities that are available at no additional charge to all WEVA registrants.

More Videographer Events at the 3-Day Trade Show
At the huge 3-day Trade Show (Thursday January 31 to Saturday February 2nd), in addition to a whole new world of exhibits, there will be additional WEVA events for wedding and event videographers on all three days - all optional and all at no additional cost right on the Show floor at the Las Vegas Convention Center, including:

Free - Hands-On Edit System Training on Computer Workstations (Presented in Spanish & English).
Free - Live Demonstrations of Wedding & Event Video Shooting Techniques.
Free – All-new WEVA HD Camcorder Shoot-Out Using Live Bridal Models and Featuring Just-Released HD/SD Cameras Both Palm-Size & Full-Size.
Free – WEVA Mock Bridal Show Booth Exhibit
Free – New WEVA/PMA Exclusive 2,000 square-foot Pavilion Housing a State-of-the-Art, Industry-wide Event That Will be Announced Soon.

"There’s never been anything on a scale this large for event videographers. WEVA’s Wide World of Weddings & Events at PMA ’08 is an exciting ‘first’ for professional videography. It will mark the launch of a new era in the expanding worldwide digital memories industry," said Roy Chapman founder and chairman of Wedding & Event Videographers Association International. "This collaborative convention will give videographers the biggest competitive-edge in wedding and event video creativity, techniques, technology, networking – and business profitability — in the history of our industry."

Low-cost guest rooms at the Imperial Palace (available through PMA Housing are less than $71/night January 28-31. For Friday, February 1st (the start of Super Bowl weekend) you can obtain a special PMA registration discount coupon ($29) to apply to the Imperial Palace room rate, which increases to $160 on Friday.

Collaborate, Innovate - Profit!
"With low-cost registration and discounted hotel rates, this brand new convention is the season’s best value for wedding and event videographers – and it answers the call from our members for an international winter event that takes advantage of the impact, and the new profit centers, emerging from the convergence of digital video and imaging technologies," said WEVA Director of Educational Development John Zale.

"Videographers will be able to get together at WEVA’s Wide World of Weddings & Events to network and discover new techniques, cutting-edge concepts, and state-of-the-art technologies that are transforming not only professional videography, but the entire digital memories industry."

Teaming with PMA for an all-new winter convention in the U.S., Zale added, "is a natural, and progressive extension, as WEVA and PMA have had solid success collaborating on previous events for our industry worldwide. That includes our Australia conference for videographers in May, and our industry’s first-ever convention in Canada last month."

WEVA’s Wide World of Weddings & Events at PMA 08 will enable fresh advantages and a completely new professional development experience for wedding and event videographers, manufacturers, and sponsors.

"The advancements in digital technologies, including IT, portable video, DI technologies, and new media, combined with the rising demand for video content online have created a need for a collaborative, cutting-edge event in the winter season. One that recognizes, and utilizes, key changes in digital technologies and workflow so that professional videographers nationally and internationally can take their skills, and their profit potential, to a whole new level – faster," Chapman said. "And, it’s why WEVA will continue to provide professional development events in both winter and summer seasons."

Contact PMA Housing now to be sure of getting low-cost guest room rates at the Imperial Palace for WEVA’s Wide World of Weddings & Events this January!

About Photo Marketing Association International (PMA)
As an international professional trade association, PMA® helps the worldwide photo imaging community achieve business success and adapt to new technologies. Its commitment to 20,000 members in 100-plus countries is part of an 82-year legacy that connects business owners to a network of knowledge and support.

PMA furthers this purpose through the development of educational programs and business services, marketing research, publications, and trade shows. For more information, visit PMA online at www.pmai.org.

About Wedding & Event Videographers Association International (WEVA)
WEVA International is the largest professional videographers association and our industry's leading provider of education that's on the cutting-edge. WEVA is dedicated to advancing the professional interests of videographers worldwide through continuing education at events such as Wedding & Event Video Expo, technical support, group benefits, advocacy committees, new media, including Wedding & Event Videography Resource Guide and streaming video on WEVA-TV.

Join WEVA now to access valuable WEVA membership benefits that can help you succeed in your business, including weekday job opportunities through ImageSpan's CurbStream Platform, plus low-cost Visa/MasterCard Merchant Status, low-cost Equipment Insurance, E&O Insurance, the new Equipment Financing Program for Videographers, WEVA NEWS MINUTE videos, WEVA On-The-Air Podcasts, and more. Membership also provides opportunities for professional videographer (MPV) accreditation, and system-training at WEVA EXPO. For further details contact the association at 941-923-5334 or email: info@weva.com

Avid Unveils Liquid Chrome Xe with AJA Support

Posted by Safe Harbor Staff
April 16, 2007

Avid Technology, Inc. has unveiled Avid Liquid Chrome™ Xe, the newest member of the Avid Liquid family. With support for the AJA XENA LHe board, the Avid Liquid Chrome Xe system offers customers a powerful, low-cost SDI I/O option and support for uncompressed SD and HD video formats. Avid also announced version 7.2 software for all products in the Avid Liquid family, adding support for a variety of new camera formats from JVC, Panasonic, and Canon, as well as 24p support for JVC cameras. Using Avid Liquid products, videographers can create and output high-quality SD and HD video productions in a variety of formats for tape, DVD, the Web, cell phones, iPods, and PlayStation® Portable (PSP) devices.

"Many of my colleagues have switched or added Avid Liquid to their arsenal of editing apps. The price and the workflow are just too good to overlook, especially when working with JVC Pro HD," said Stephen Noe, owner of szn89productions, an independent production company based in Chicago. "With the new capabilities of Avid Liquid Chrome Xe, I can produce HD material and easily transfer it to HDCAM, while also previewing it in real time. My customers have been astounded at the high quality and the trouble-free editing I can do while they are there with me. I can make changes to the timeline in real time and play out sequences for their review right then and there. It's great, and saves a lot of time for me — and money for them."

The Avid Liquid Chrome Xe System
The Avid Liquid Chrome Xe system is software that works in conjunction with the AJA XENA LHe board. After installing the AJA XENA LHe board with the Avid Liquid Chrome Xe software, customers can easily work on uncompressed HD video projects. The Avid Liquid Chrome Xe system also offers a wide range of I/O capabilities including SD and HD analog and SDI I/O; analog composite/component video I/O; 10-bit broadcast-quality hardware HD to SD down conversion; TBC via analog inputs; analog and digital stereo audio I/O; 2-channel analog audio I/O; and 2-channel AES, and 8-channel embedded audio. Users can also preview their projects in real time from the timeline on an external monitor in HD.

"Videographers have long sought a low-cost/high-performance solution that would allow them to use a great editor like Avid Liquid to capture, edit and playback uncompressed HD or SD video or audio in real time, " said Thad Huston, Windows Desktop product manager for AJA. "With new support for our XENA LHe board, we’ve been able to give Avid Liquid users a way to do that. We’re excited to work with Avid to continue to deliver on the needs of video professionals."

Enhancements to the Entire Avid Liquid Family with Version 7.2 Software
Version 7.2 of Avid Liquid software offers a number of enhancements to the entire product family, including Avid Liquid – a software-only editing package; Avid Liquid Pro – the Avid Liquid software bundled with a USB-connected analog SD breakout box; and the new Avid Liquid Chrome Xe system.

Each Avid Liquid software package combines video, audio, DVD, and effects creation in a single application, supports a variety of new camera formats and equips users with enhanced secondary color correction, multi-cam support for up to 16 cameras, multiple streams of HDV in real time and Avid’s industry standard Open Timeline for editing and playing back different formats and resolutions in real-time.New enhancements to Avid Liquid v.7.2 software include:

Improved HD workflow capabilities, via new video format support, including:
- JVC HDV 720 24p/25p/60p – from the GY-HD 100 and 200 series of cameras, including native capture, editing and play back;
- Panasonic DVCPRO HD. Users can import via P2 and edit material in 1080 interlaced and progressive formats; and,
- Canon 1080 24F/25F/30F capture from the XL H1 camera; (supports four channels of audio).
Big Splash CD now standard, with three additional content creation applications, Title Deko® Pro, Hollywood FX Pro, and Magic Bullet Movie Looks.

"With support for the AJA board and an expanded array of cameras and formats, we're truly enhancing the openness of Avid Liquid as well as the entire media production experience for our users," said Hans Venmans, worldwide product marketing manager for Avid Liquid. "The Avid Liquid product family can meet the needs of a diverse range of customers, from the serious event videographer who wants to work with a variety of native HD formats down to the independent producer looking to output creative work to a portable device like a PSP. With a range of flexible configurations, the Avid Liquid family meets the needs of any type of videographer."

Pricing & Availability
Pricing for the Avid Liquid family of products begins at $499 USMSRP for Avid Liquid software. Avid Liquid Pro software with the analog SD breakout box is priced at $999 USMSRP. Pricing for the Avid Liquid Chrome Xe system requires two components: the Avid Liquid Chrome Xe software for $999 USMSRP, and the AJA XENA board — sold separately from AJA — for $1,790 USMSRP. All Avid Liquid configurations can be purchased through any Avid Liquid dealer. All configurations are expected to be available in Q2 2007.

Softimage Announces SOFTIMAGE|XSI 6

Posted by Safe Harbor Staff
November 30, 2006

Avid Technology, Inc. has announced that its Softimage, Co. subsidiary has unveiled SOFTIMAGE|®XSI® 6, the latest version of its flagship 3D animation and character creation software. XSI 6 software introduces new solutions for accelerated animation that simplify working with 3D characters and motion capture data. A new collaborative framework in XSI 6 software also allows 3D artists to work together non-destructively, in a studio environment that provides easy integration with other 3D applications.

SOFTIMAGE|XSI 6 will support the .NET framework and include integrated C#, an object-oriented programming language, popular with next-gen 3D game developers. The software also offers support for Python, a preferred scripting language used by technical directors for setting up film and visual effects pipelines. In addition, Softimage is working closely with industry partners to offer support for DirectX 10 hardware that will operate on Microsoft Windows Vista once it is available.

"At Blur, our animations and stories are becoming more epic and definitely more complex. We chose to fold SOFTIMAGE|XSI software into our established 3D pipeline for our latest animated short film, ‘A Gentlemen’s Duel.’ We needed a very organized structure for the complex 3D character rigging and a solid animation package," said Tim Miller, President and founder of Oscar®-nominated BLUR Studio. "By introducing XSI software into our pipeline, our artists were able to bring our characters to life while effectively managing over 1800 parts to each human rig. XSI performed like a champ," added Miller.

Creating animated 3D visual effects, characters and 3D game titles for next-gen consoles – like the Microsoft Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii and Sony PLAYSTATION 3 – is becoming increasingly complex. Because it is built on the newest code base of any comprehensive 3D application on the market, XSI software is best suited to operate with next-generation hardware and 3D game development and visual effects pipelines.

Additional highlights of XSI 6 software include:

Crosswalk – a dedicated toolset that offers extensive asset transfer to and from other 3D software, ideal for today’s mixed pipelines;
MOTOR – a streamlined way to transfer and move animation and motion capture data between arbitrary XSI rigs and other 3D software character rigs;
Delta Referencing – a new lightweight production-level referencing solution that streamlines the process of working with and making changes to 3D models and scene set-ups;
Elastic Reality Warper and Morpher – built into the Illusion compositor in XSI 6 software, this intuitive solution allows artists to ‘distort’ and ‘morph’ images and sequences;
Quick Shade – a fast way to preview rendering elements with large scale materials management and support for mental ray® 3.5 and an new open framework for integrating third-party renderers.
A full feature list for Softimage XSI 6 can be found at: www.softimage.com/xsi.

"With a next-generation scalable architecture, and the ability to easily fit into existing 3D pipelines, XSI software offers a collaborative workflow environment that underlines our dedication and sole focus to offer the best 3D solutions for the entertainment market," said Marc Stevens, vice president and general manager for Softimage.

Pricing and Availability
SOFTIMAGE|XSI 6 is expected to be available by the end of December 2006 in the following configurations:

SOFTIMAGE|XSI 6 Foundation will sell for $495 USMSRP from the Softimage web site (www.softimage.com/store) or from authorized Softimage resellers.
SOFTIMAGE|XSI 6 Essentials will sell for $1,995 USMSRP from authorized Softimage resellers.
SOFTIMAGE|XSI 6 Advanced sell for $6,995 USMSRP from authorized Softimage resellers.
Once shipping, all versions will be available for download for upgrades from existing licenses or first time 3D customers at www.softimage.com/download.

WEVA Announces Wedding & Event Video Expo 2007 Set For August 13-16

Posted by Safe Harbor Staff
November 27, 2006

Save the dates! "Wedding & Event Video Expo 2007, the WEVA 17th Annual International Convention & Trade Show for Professional Wedding & Event Videographers will be held August 13-16, 2007," said WEVA International Chairman Roy Chapman who made the special announcement Tuesday evening in Philadelphia, PA where he served as a video competition judge for the GPVA 3rd Annual Film Festival, presented by the Greater Philadelphia Videographers Association.

Chapman announced that WEVA EXPO 2007, the wedding and event video industry’s biggest convention and trade show of the year will be held at Bally’s/Paris Las Vegas located in the center of famous Las Vegas Boulevard in Las Vegas, NV, the "entertainment and convention capital of the USA."

The 2007 convention, open to both WEVA members and non-members, will officially kick off Monday night August 13, 2007 with a special (and complimentary) grand-opening dinner reception planned for videographers at "An Evening in Paris" in the glittering ballroom of the Paris Las Vegas hotel where the winning videos in WEVA’s upcoming 17th Annual Creative Excellence Awards Competition will be announced and screened.

WEVA EXPO 2007's state-of-the-art conference sessions and new technology exhibits will be held in the Bally’s Las Vegas Convention Center, which directly adjoins Paris.

"Over 70 cutting-edge technical and creativity Seminars, ‘Camera Clinics,’ New Equipment Demonstrations, product-specific Editing Workshops (Avid, Apple, Adobe, Canopus, Vegas, etc.), "Battle Of The Videographers!" Video-On-The-Web, Production Technique Workshops, plus new Wedding Video Marketing Strategies and top Business Sales Boosters will be presented by leading wedding and event videographers from across the US and worldwide, and by other top industry experts," said WEVA International’s Director of Educational Development John Zale.

Videographers will be also be able to stroll through the world-famous Bally’s and Paris Las Vegas hotel complex to attend fun and exciting activities, including WEVA's industry-wide networking party Tuesday night August 14 at the spectacular roof-top pool of Paris Las Vegas, next to the hotel’s glowing Eiffel Tower replica overlooking the dazzling lights of the Las Vegas Strip.

"For EXPO 2007, WEVA is raising the bar once again and setting a new standard in higher education and professional development training for wedding and event videographers nationally and internationally that is unmatched and on the cutting-edge of new industry trends, techniques and technology," said Dan Argenas WEVA’s Director of Association Communications.

"And, WEVA EXPO 2007 will be affordable for all videographers to attend. Guest room rates will be only $104 per night at Bally’s, and just $139 per night at Paris. Hotel reservation operators will start accepting room reservations for WEVA EXPO 2007 next month by toll-free numbers and online."

Argenas added, "A key reason EXPO is held in late summer is that it enables videographers to be best prepared for the biggest period of new wedding season bookings, which traditionally starts the first week in January. Videography has come such a long way since our first convention and trade show back in 1991. The EXPO continues to have an enormous impact on videographers each and every year. WEVA EXPO 2007 will be an amazing, and groundbreaking, show that wedding and event videographers won’t want to miss!"

About Wedding & Event Videographers Association International
The largest professional videographers association, WEVA International is dedicated to advancing the professional interests of videographers worldwide through continuing education, technical support, group benefits, advocacy committees, and professional development training. You can contact them at www.weva.com.

Avid Ships New Version of Avid Studio Toolkit

Posted by Safe Harbor Staff
October 16, 2006

Avid Technology, Inc. has announced the availability of version 5.6 of Avid® Studio Toolkit, which delivers significant enhancements to a set of tightly integrated, industry-leading software applications, including Avid 3D, Avid FX, and Avid DVD by Sonic™. Avid Studio Toolkit is the first multi-format solution for simultaneous DVD and Blu-ray Disc™ authoring, designed specifically for professional film and video editors looking to create and deliver projects in high-definition (HD).

"An end-to-end HD workflow for independent professionals is finally here," said Patrick McLean, senior product manager for Avid. "With increasing numbers of professional editors looking to create content and output finished projects in HD, this release of Avid Studio Toolkit comes at a perfect time. With Blu-ray™ support, Avid is offering the first editing solution to make it very easy for independent professionals to deliver their projects in a beautiful HD quality, on a low-cost distribution medium."

The Blu-ray Disc format, now supported in Avid Studio Toolkit 5.6, will enable recording and playback of HD video, and has more than five times the storage capacity of traditional DVDs – holding up to 25GB on a single-layer disc. Plus, with more than 1,500 customizable title, effects and transition templates, Avid Studio Toolkit is ideal for content creators who want to infuse their work with powerful 3D effects and sophisticated visuals, using any system in the new Media Composer® family, as well as Avid Xpress® Pro or Avid NewsCutter ® systems. With Avid Studio Toolkit, professionals will be able to expand the range of creative services they offer to their customers by delivering more compelling graphics, composites, titles, and effects, and distributing completed projects to tape, DVD, Blu-ray Disc or the Web.

New features in Avid Studio Toolkit v 5.6 include:

Integrated Blu-ray support in Avid DVD by Sonic – allowing Avid Xpress Pro, Media Composer and NewsCutter users to output HD projects to Blu-ray Discs. Avid DVD by Sonic offers new HD and 16:9 menu support, enabling customers to make the most of the next generation of DVDs.
Updated UI, new paint engine and more for Avid FX – offering professionals the ability to create visuals with integrated 2D and 3D compositing, titles and animation. With Avid FX version 5.6, editors can benefit from:
- AVX™ 2 plug-in support for 16-bit color rendering;
- A streamlined UI for improved integration and ease-of-use;
- A new paint engine for touch up and rotoscoping;
- A Raster-to-Vector conversion tool for easily bringing corporate logos and other graphics into a vector-animation environment, including 3D extrusion;
- A new motion key feature, to remove unwanted objects from the frame;
- Several new filters - in addition to the 110 existing filters - such as color match, half-tone, median, noise map, and turbulence; and
- A new subtitle workflow that converts EBU format subtitle files to a flat movie with alpha channel.
Updated UI, new title features and more for Avid 3D – delivering more powerful "3D for the Video Guy," via an updated UI that allows any editor to import, animate, and light 3D models and create compelling text animations with greater ease. It includes directly accessible controls for camera and model animation, task-oriented workflow, and new title creation features. This makes it easier to create text animations, create unique 3D looks, and export back to the Avid editor.
Expanded I/O with Avid Mojo® SDI – providing digital and analog SDI I/O to expand interoperability with mastering quality SD cameras and decks.

Avid Technology Names New General Manager, Avid Video

Posted by Safe Harbor Staff
October 16, 2006

Avid Technology, Inc. has announced the appointment of Graham Sharp as vice president and general manager, Avid Video, effective immediately. Sharp joined Avid Technology in 2001 to lead sales, marketing and support operations for the Avid Video division in Europe, Africa, the Middle East and India. Under his leadership, Avid's Video division has more than doubled revenue and significantly improved gross margins across these geographies.

"Graham Sharp has done a terrific job over the past five years building our professional broadcast and post production businesses in a range of international markets. We believe he is the right person to chart a new course for growth and profitability for Avid Video," said David Krall, president and chief executive officer at Avid Technology. "In addition to delivering solid financial performance, Graham has also led a successful brand transition throughout Europe, enabling customers to view Avid as not just a provider of point products but as a solutions and service partner who offers invaluable consulting expertise over and above software and hardware tools."

Before joining Avid Technology in 2001, Sharp held the position of managing director at Post Impressions Ltd., a company formed in 1998 as the result of a management buyout from the hardware division of Discreet Logic. From 1996 to 1998, Sharp served in executive posts at Discreet, including the role of senior vice president, where he was responsible for the company's worldwide sales, marketing, product management, and customer support operations. Prior to Discreet, Sharp worked at Avid as a Regional Broadcast Manager in Asia, and also held sales roles at Tektronix, Alpha Image, and Dynatech.

Charles L. Smith, the former General Manager for Avid's Video division, who will be leaving the company following the transition of his responsibilities to Sharp over the next several weeks, said, "I've had the opportunity to work closely with Graham over the past five years and the results he's delivered speak for themselves. I'm pleased to see Graham take the helm of Avid's Video division and believe his leadership and industry knowledge will be key ingredients for guiding the company forward."

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About This Blog

Safe Harbor's video and post production news blog offers you the latest announcements and updates from the industry.