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INDUSTRY & COW NEWS:
News: Blackmagic Design announces the immediate availability of DeckLink for Mac OS X v4.8
Today Blackmagic Design announced the immediate availability of DeckLink for Macintosh v4.8 software, which includes new features for all users of the company's popular DeckLink family of standard definition, and high definition broadcast video card cards. New features include HD down conversion on capture for DeckLink HD models, Photoshop plug-ins that directly integrate 8 or 16 bit video frame capture and output via DeckLink cards in the popular graphics application. Also included in this release is single field pause, 12 channel HD-SDI audio support on DeckLink HD models, and improvements in compatibility with the voice over tool in Final Cut Pro HD.DeckLink for Mac OS X v4.8 is available now to all DeckLink users at no charge, and is downloadable via the Blackmagic Design support web site.
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News: Panasonic AK-HC900 High Definition Cameras to Provide Critical High Definition Scientific Imagery for NASA's Return to Space Program
Panasonic Broadcast announced today that the National Aeronautics and Space Administration has taken delivery of 30 of its AK-HC900 compact high definition progressive scan cameras. These HD cameras are to play a critical role in capturing the space shuttle's return to space this May.
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News: Nattress launches updates Film Effects and Standards Converter for Apple's Final Cut Pro
Nattress releases Standards Converter V2.0, a new update to the powerful plug-in that allows users to convert between PAL, NTSC and 24p inside Apple's Final Cut Pro video editing software.
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News: 21st Century 3D updates the 3DVX stereoscopic motion picture camera system
Today 21st Century 3D announced the immediate availability of the 3DVX.2, a significant update to the recently developed 3DVX stereoscopic motion picture camera system. The latest round of revisions updates the 6 CCD progressive scan, digital 3D video camcorder, refining its ergonomics and adding important new features. A reduced interaxial distance of 3.65” brings the stereo base of the camera closer to that of natural human vision. Direct to disk recording, 24p mode and “instant sync” have also been added. Zoom and focus are now mechanically synchronized.
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News: Panasonic Offers $300 Rebate On AG-DVX100A Purchases Thru April 30th
Magic Bullets Editors Software and The DVX Book/DVD Also Free With Purchase
Now through April 30, 2005, Panasonic Broadcast is offering a $300 rebate, plus Magic Bullet Editors software and Barry Green’s The DVX Book free, with a AG-DVX100A purchase .
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News: Biscardi Creative adds HD Post to services
Biscardi Creative Media is pleased to announce the purchase of a Panasonic AJ-HD1200A DVCPro HD Player / Recorder. This VTR supports all DVC Pro and DVC Pro HD production including Varicam HD projects.
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NAB 2005
News: Vizrt Introduces Highly Localized Version Of VIZ|WEATHER™ For Broadcasters At NAB 2005
Vizrt, the world’s leading producer of real-time 2D and true 3D graphics systems for TV, will unveil a new version of its Viz|Weather™ 3D real-time weather software for the creation and playout of weather-related graphics, at NAB 2005. The new Viz|Weather, Version 1.6, meets the specific demands of stations reporting local weather events. Through strategic partnerships with localized weather data service providers, Viz|Weather 1.6 provides unrivalled design and up-to-the-minute graphics support to local weathercasters.
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NAB 2005
News: Vizrt Debuts Version 2.2 Of Cost-Efficient Character Generator System, VIZ|TRIO, at NAB 2005
HD CG supports all HD formats and features powerful internal compositing tool and NLE integration
Vizrt, the world’s leading producer of real-time 2D and true 3D graphics systems for TV, will debut Version 2.2 of Viz|Trio™, its breakthrough, cost-effective real-time 3D character generator and graphics system, at the NAB convention this year. Viz|Trio 2.2 features a new, easy-to-use internal compositing tool and integration of several major nonlinear editing systems. It maintains the same powerful features as the original Viz|Trio, including its revolutionary “Look Ahead” transition logic and support for all HD formats.
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NAB 2005
News: Newest Version Of Vizrt’s Content Management Software To Be Unveiled During NAB 2005
Viz|Content Pilot 4.1 Includes New Multi-User Playlist, Broader Newsroom System Access, and Integration with Proximity’s Xenostore
The next generation of Vizrt’s successful Viz|Content Pilot™ content management and control software, Version 4.1, will be among the highlights in Vizrt’s NAB booth this year. Viz|Content Pilot Version 4.1 includes more playlist features, an improved newsroom interface, and a new user interface for Viz|Object Store. Also new is integration between Content Pilot and Proximity’s Xenostore content management software, providing Vizrt customers direct access to Proximity’s advanced asset management capabilities.
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News: LightWave 3D® Visual Effects Dominate Sci Fi Friday
NewTek's Award-winning Application Helps Artists Meet Busy Schedule with Andromeda, Stargate SG-1, Stargate Atlantis, and Battlestar Galactica
NewTek, Inc., manufacturer of industry-leading 3D animation and video products, today announced that artists from Andromeda Productions, Rainmaker Digital, and Zoic Studios rely on LightWave 3D® for the production of content and shots for all four shows comprising the Sci Fi Channel’s Friday night line-up. NewTek's Emmy®-winning 3D application is being used extensively for the visual effects for Andromeda, Stargate SG-1, Stargate Atlantis, and Battlestar Galactica.
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News: BOXX to Offer Discreet combustion 4 Software on High-Performance Workstations
BOXX Technologies, Inc., the leading workstation company offering systems that are as powerful as they are easy to integrate, announces today it has validated Discreet combustion® 4 software as an add-on across its family of high-performance desktop and mobile workstations optimized for digital media creation. Version 4 of combustion is the software’s most substantial upgrade to date, featuring interface improvements, new paint tools and enhanced interoperability with most 3D animation software. Key features include Diamond Keyer, Time-Warp, more powerful rotoscoping, optimized Fast Gaussian Blur, and much more.
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News: Serious Magic announces free Closed-Captioning for Visual Communicator 2, its award-winning video creation software
Closed-caption feature allows government agencies to be ADA compliant
Serious Magic, Inc. announced today the immediate availability of closed-captioning for its award-winning Visual Communicator 2 software. This feature currently outputs for Windows Media and is available as a free download from Serious Magic's website. It will enable government agencies, educators, and professional trainers serving the government to be in compliance with Section 508 of the Federal Rehabilitation Act, which requires that Federal agencies' electronic and information technology be accessible to people with disabilities.
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News: Telestream Unveils New Software Solutions for NAB2005
Bridging Format and Platform Gaps and Simplifying Media Access
Telestream, the world's leading provider of automated encoding and IP delivery solutions for the media and entertainment industry, announces new solutions to simplify access to digital media. The company's highly successful FlipFactory workflow automation solutions for broadcasters will be featured at NAB2005 alongside a number of innovative new Flip4Mac and MAP software solutions for content owners and creators. These exciting products reaffirm Telestream's commitment to simplifying network-based access to digital media for video professionals by removing format and platform compatibility challenges in ways that are transparent to the user. Telestream solutions will be demonstrated in Booth SU-11404.
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News: Contour Announces RollerMousePRO, Complementing the "Classic" RollerMouse
In enthusiastic response to Customer feedback on how to make the award-winning RollerMouse even better, Contour is now shipping the RollerMousePro
Contour Design is proud to announce the immediate availability of its latest version of the extraordinarily popular "Classic" RollerMouse, the all-new RollerMousePRO. Designed to perpetuate the enhanced health and safety features and increased productivity capabilities of the original, the PRO has substantial added functionality!
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Photoshop World Conference & Expo West 2005
News: Record Registration at Photoshop World
March 8–10, 2005 – Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, Las Vegas
Organizers of Photoshop World Conference & Expo are pleased to report that registration for its March 8-10 convention in Las Vegas is at record levels with just four days to go until the early bird registration deadline expires and a little less than a month to conference kick-off in Las Vegas. This all-time high registration pace is attributed to the heightened excitement in and interest for digital products and imaging techniques.
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More News Items Available Here... |
Final Cut Pro
 | Travel Mattes: Enhance Your Interviews
In this short video tutorial, Walter Biscardi demonstrates the basics of travel mattes in Final Cut Pro. In this third lesson in a 3-part series, Walter will show us a real world application -- one of his favorite uses to enhance an interview.
Final Cut Pro |
After Effects
 | Building the Logo and Putting it Together
In this final lesson of a 5-part tutorial from Motion Graphics Trainer, Dean Velez, we'll build the logo and put it all together. The entire 5 part tutorial explores creating complex backgrounds using a Photoshop still with the 3D properties of After Effects. We'll also create high end transitions using path tools and various effects as well as eye catching 2D animation using parented layers and resolving text using the track matte features.
Adobe After Effects |
Final Cut Pro
 | Travel Mattes: Animation and Drop Shadows
In this short video tutorial, Walter Biscardi demonstrates the basics of travel mattes in Final Cut Pro. In this second lesson in a 3-part series, we'll learn some simple animation and drop shadows.This is a basic level tutorial.
Final Cut Pro |
Avid Xpress Studio
 | Basic DVD Authoring with Avid Xpress Studio
The goal of this project by Alex Alexzander is to provide a very simple overview which describes how to go from the Avid Xpress Pro timeline to finished DVD using tools available in Avid Xpress Studio and Adobe's Photoshop.Avid Xpress Studio, DVD Authoring |
Final Cut Pro
 | Travel Mattes: The Basics
In this short video tutorial, Walter Biscardi demonstrates the basics of travel mattes in Final Cut Pro. Learn what travel mattes are and the difference between alpha mattes and luma mattes. This is a basic level tutorial and is lesson one in a 3-part series.
Final Cut Pro |
After Effects
 | Building the Spider
In this 5-part tutorial, Motion Graphics Trainer, Dean Velez explores creating complex backgrounds using a Photoshop still with the 3D properties of After Effects. We'll also create high end transitions using path tools and various effects as well as eye catching 2D animation using parented layers and resolving text using the track matte features. In lesson four, we'll build the animated spider.
Adobe After Effects |
If you'd like to submit a tutorial for the COW Library, please write me.
For More Great Tutorials at the Cow, Click Here
Discreet Combustion
|  | A First Look at Combustion 4
Creative Cow's Ken LaRue explores the just announced Discreet combustion 4. Packed with many new features that Ken enthusiastically describes as "Hot!" and which include quite a number that many users have had on their own personal wish lists, C4 is drawing a lot of attention and discussion here in the Creative Cow forums. In this article, Ken helps us explore many of the reasons why...
Discreet Combustion, Product Reviews
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After Effects
|  | After Effects in Production
In this article, CreativeCOW.net contributing editor Jim Harvey reviews After Effects in Production 2nd edition for AE 6.5 by Trish Meyer & Chris Meyer and published by CMP Books, 382 pages, Dec 10, 2004; Copyright 2005, ISBN: 1578202647 and writes... "When people first become aware of After Effects, the one question that is most often asked is 'What is the best way for me to learn this program?' The answer most often given is 'Pick up anything by Trish & Chris Meyer'. The book most often recommended is After Effects in Production. There is a good reason for this recommendation. The Meyers are two very talented people who completely grasp the inner working of After Effects. The plus is that they are also extremely adept at taking their knowledge and imparting it to the rest of us."
Adobe After Effects, Book Reviews |
Using Vegas, Excalibur & SD-Connect to Edit the 2005 Stellar Awards
|  | Using Vegas, Excalibur & SD-Connect to Edit the 2005 Stellar Awards
In this article, Creative Cow's Timothy Duncan explores how Northstar Studios used Sony Vegas, the Excalibur plug-in's multi-cam wizard for Vegas and Convergent Design's SD-Connect video converter to help create this year's 20th Annual Stellar Awards broadcast -- a ten camera shoot recorded January 15th in Houston, Texas. With a deadline of delivery by 8:30am on January 20th, Timothy had his work cut out for him to edit and fine-tune the show's pacing using these three tools to quickly offline and then finish online using an Avid|DS system. How did these tools perform together? Read on for the complete story...
Sony Vegas, Excalibur, SD-Connect |
After Effects
|  | Creating Motion Graphics with After Effects
CreativeCOW leader John David Hutton reviews Trish and Chris Meyer's Creating Motion Graphics with After Effects...Volume 1: The Essentials, published by CMP Books, 496 pages, 3rd Book & DVD edition (September 10, 2004), ISBN:1-57820-249-3, and writes, "Affectionately referred to by After Effects evangelists world-wide as "The Bible," the "Meyers books" or "CMG" have become not only the standard for Adobe After Effects training but also the de facto standard for all training books to live up to. The design and layout as well as the graphical elements make this set of books not only candy for the mind and eye but great learning tools to aid the reader in understanding the vast field of motion graphics and After Effects."
Adobe After Effects, Book Reviews |
Multicam Lite
|  | Peter Wiggins reviews Multicam Lite
What is one of the most frequently asked questions on the Final Cut Pro forum here on Creative Cow? “What’s the best way to cut multi camera material on FCP?” Well up until now there have only been workarounds, like shrinking pictures so all are visible or even just guessing at edits using the razor blade tool to slice through multiple video tracks! In this article, Peter Wiggins reviews Multicam Lite, a custom designed realtime multicamera editing tool for use in conjunction with Final Cut Pro. This exclusive first review should give you an insight into the powerful and time saving features of Multicam Lite, along with the amazing creative freedom and effortless handling of multicamera material. We will also have a quick look at Livecut.
Final Cut Pro, Multicam Editing, product reviews |
DVD Authoring
|  | Designing DVD Menus
In this article, CreativeCOW leader Alex Alexzander reviews Designing DVD Menus: How to Create Professional-looking DVDs written by Michael Burns and George Cairns, and published by CMP Books, 191 pages, December 2004, ISBN: 1-57820-259-0, and finds that... "Designing DVD Menus is a book that fills exactly the gap left by the software publishers. This book doesn't specifically teach us to author DVDs using any one authoring application. Instead, this book is all about how to create professional-looking DVDs...This book is a lesson in creative design and intuitive navigation."
DVD Authoring, Book Reviews |
For More Great Reviews and Features at the Cow, Click Here
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 Interested in joining the Cow Team?
For those of you who are interested in joining the Cow Team, you can do so by becoming a host in one of our forums or by reporting on news, penning a tutorial or a review. We are always looking to add new areas to the Cow and new members to the team, so if you want to discuss any interest you may have in joining the team, please feel free to write me at kathlyn@creativecow.net.
All the best,
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