Wearable Display Prototype

Apple has applied for a patent for a heads up display built into seriously modern iWear.  iWear, I just made that up.

Now, Olympus has joined Apple and Google and even Epson in the race to come up with a wearable display.  Stylish.

They remind me of a pair of glasses I had back in the day with a tiny LED monitor built in.  Of course, it wasn't WiFi or Bluetooth, just a composite video connector.  But did I mention how tiny and how close the LCD monitor was to your eye?

You had to have really good close vision to see the LCD screen that close.  I wonder how the makers of all these glasses are solving that problem?   Maybe Google has the best idea which shines a projector right into your eyeball.

Not holding my breath to get a pair of these.  Been there, done that, got the t-shirt.

http://techcrunch.com/2012/07/05/olympus-yells-me-too-with-the-meg4-0-wearable-display-prototype/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Techcrunch+%28TechCrunch%29&utm_content=Google+Reader

http://news.doddleme.com/equipment/apple-patents-iglass-is-a-wearable-mac-in-our-future/?utm_source=Daily+News+Template+version+7%2F6%2F12&utm_campaign=7%2F0612+us&utm_medium=email

http://news.doddleme.com/news-room/google-takes-wraps-off-web-based-digital-glasses-video/

Robotic DSLR Cameras at Olympics

Still guys have been using remotely triggered cameras at sporting events for years.  Now, they've gone even further by using robotic DSLR cameras to shoot from places they're can't be.

They can tilt, pan and zoom to follow the action and mount a variety of cameras with different lens combinations.  Wait until video producers figure out you can shoot HD with these...

http://www.petapixel.com/2012/07/05/reuters-to-use-robotic-dslr-cameras-for-olympic-coverage/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+PetaPixel+%28PetaPixel%29&utm_content=Google+Reader

iENG: Electronic News Gathering App for the iPhone & iPad

iENG is an app for news professionals to be used on both the iPhone and iPad.  iENG allows the focus, exposure and white balance to be locked and the image can be mirrored for solo stand-ups.  Wired mics are supported.

Once recording is stopped a screen appears prompting you to send it in the appropriate fashion (FTP or email) back to the TV station servers for immediate use by the editors.  It can also send to social media sites but you have to choose a lower quality setting for transmission.

Makes you wonder how long microwave trucks will be around.  And news camera ops.  And even reporters.  Is the real beginning of Viewer Created Content on the news?  

Here's the website:  http://getodd.com/iENG/iENG.html
And the iTunes store: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ieng/id528051358?mt=8

A Suitcase Full of Magic for $2900 Bucks?

Lensbaby has put just about everything they make into a Pelican case and dubbed it the "MovieMaker Kit".

It comes with Composer Pro PL, Composer Pro EF, Muse PL, and 7 optic swaps including Double Glass, Fisheye, Pinhole, Plastic, Single Glass, Soft Focus and Sweet 35, plus more.

This kit will keep your A/C busier than a long tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs!

Check out how to use all of this with instructional videos on the Lensbaby site:  http://lensbaby.com/videos-instructional
And a video about the MovieMaker kit: http://hdslrshooter.com/hdslrshooteradmin/?p=3755

ISO & GAIN: How to compare them

Here's a link for this interesting blog on ISO, ASA, EI and Gain sent to me by Lighting Cameraman extraordinaire Ted Baker.

I'll cut to the chase:  Basically 6db of gain amplifies a signal twice as much or equal to doubling the ISO.  So, if you figure the basic ISO of your Canon 5D is 100 then when you set the gain to 204800 ISO you're basically putting in +48db of gain.  Yikes!

There is also an interesting test with the 7D showing that ISO noise in these cameras may not be linear and why.

http://www.creativeplanetnetwork.com/dv/feature/dv101-iso-ei-asa-and-you-understanding-and-interpreting-iso-ratings/59739

Zacuto Great Camera Winner: The Panasonic GH2

According to results of the Zacuto's "Revenge of the Great Camera Shootout 2012" the lowly $700 Panasonic GH2 is the Best Camera in the world.  Twice as good as an Alexa.  Yeah, right.

Why am I suspicious of these results?  Well the third place camera (Sony F3) and the last place camera (Sony FS100) have the same exact chip.  You'd think the scores would be a wee bit closer.  And that the iPhone was there at all... I wouldn't use my iPhone to shoot my kid's birthday party.

What it does prove is with enough work you can light any camera to look good.  I don't think I'll bother to watch the video...

http://news.doddleme.com/equipment/the-winner-of-the-revenge-of-the-great-zacuto-shootout-will-shock-you/?utm_source=Daily+News+Template+version+7%2F17%2F12&utm_campaign=7%2F1712+us&utm_medium=email

LA SOC Underwater Camera Op Workshop

The Society of Operating Camera Operators are offering their 2nd Annual SOCO Underwater Camera Workshop August 18 & 19, 2012.  You MUST be SCUBA certified to participate.

The workshop is sponsored by HydroFlex underwater camera housings and light and Tank One Studios, where the workshop will be held at:

Tank One Studios

2549 N. Palm Drive

Signal Hill, CA  90755

$150/$65 for SOC Operators/Assistants
$350/$200 for non-SOC Operators/Assistants
I guess it's more expensive for Operators because we eat more and there's a free lunch.
BYOT - Bring Your Own Tank
Or just come by and watch for free.

For more info contact Mark August at:  events@soc.org

http://www.soc.org/
http://tankonestudios.com/index.html
http://www.hydroflex.com/

Panavision Woodland Hills is Relocating

In August, Panavision is moving down the street so if you have a cart there move it or lose it!

The new address will be:

Panavision Woodland Hills
6101 Variel Avenue
Woodland Hills, CA  91367

Please make a note of it...

Lightworks: A Free NLE

I've posted about Lightworks before but maybe it's time to re-visit this non-linear editor.  Lightworks has been used to edit films like Gangs of New York, The King's Speech, Bruce Almighty, Notting Hill, Pulp Fiction, Scream, Con Air and the list goes on and on.

As you can tell, Lightworks has been around for years.  What's new is the cost structure is almost like a iPhone app.  The basic editor is free (and always will be!) but to make it competitive with other NLE's you need to license the PRO version for $60 bucks a year.

Lightworks can handle 2 RED Rocket cards in one system so you can edit with 5K playback.  Lightworks also supports DPX, 3D, multicam, real time keyer plus you can get a cool controller based on a flatbed film editing table.

Supposedly a new 64-bit beta version is available now.  Maybe it's time to look seriously at Lightworks.

http://www.lwks.com/

IATSE Motorcycle Poker Ride SundayJuly 15

Local 80 is inviting all other IATSE members to their annual Motorcycle Ride on Sunday July 15, 2012.

Registration opens at 7:30am at Simi Valley Harley Davidson and departs at 9am.  This is a 3-stop poker run ending at Ventura Harley Davidson.  $45 for riders and $25 for passengers.

And here's a little something for reading my blog. I may have to go back to riding a bike...

http://iatselocal80.org/events/motorcycle-ride/untitled-2.html

The World's Ugliest Photo of Michael Phelps

Do you ever wonder how your work stands up against others?  Joe Klamar doesn't.  America has voted and they hate his work.

It's like your worst nightmare.  He was hired to take shots of American Olympians and this is what he came back with.  One blogger went as far as saying they are so bad it's an intentional subversive act to undermine our Olympic team.

Probably not.  But the torn paper?  It just goes to show how much of picture taking is prep.

And post.  Sure, they're not the best photos but where were the editors to fix them?  Joe was hired by the AFP wire service who passed them to Getty Images and then on to CBSnews.com.  Someone along the line didn't say to themselves, "Wow, these are rough, we better Photoshop them."?

Read this interesting article by a photo editor who is happy that finally ordinary people who take millions of crappy, out-of-focus snapshots and post them on facebook are finally noticing what happens when photo budgets are slashed to the bone.  And the article includes an interview with another photographer who knows what happened...

http://www.slate.com/articles/sports/photography/2012/07/bad_olympic_photos_how_terrible_shots_of_olympians_went_viral_.single.html

BBQ & Memorial for Larry Goldsmith

MCAI and PVN are hosting a BBQ and celebration in memory of Larry Goldsmith on July 11, 2012 at the OC SoundStage.

Larry Goldsmith, owner of Starlight Video and the manager of the OC SoundStage, passed July 2nd.  This event was originally going to be a mixer and AV equipment swap meet.  The two groups were going to cancel the entire event but with the encouragement of his wife, Olivia, they tone of the event has changed to a memorial and there will be no swap meet.  Please wear your best Hawaiian shirt in honor of Larry.

For non-members it's $15 dollars at the door for food and the program and only $12 bucks if you pre-pay on-line) at http://www.meetup.com/newmedia-82/ 
It's free for MCAI and PVN members.  PVN members should RSVP Peggy Patterson: Memorylanevideo@cox.net

The event will be at the OC SoundStage:
17518 Von Karman
Irvine, CA  92614

http://www.meetup.com/newmedia-82/
Media Communications Association International - OC http://www.mcai-oc.org/
Professional Videographers Network: http://www.pvn.org/

AVID Sells It's Consumer Video & Audio Business

Avid has sold off it's consumer video and audio businesses and cut it's workforce by 20% and the CEO is stepping down.

The consumer video products being sold includes Avid Studio, Avid Studio App for the iPad and Pinnacle Studio.  Avid paid $462 million for Pinnacle in 2005 and the combined sale price of both the video and audio business today is $17 million.  Did I mention the CEO is stepping down?

Avid reported a net loss of $23.5 million in 2011 and a $13 million loss for Q1 2012.  Avid hopes the restructuring will save the company $80 million a year.

Avid says it will continue to support Pro Tools and will focus on Media Enterprise and Post & Professional products.

http://www.tvtechnology.com/article/avid-sells-consumer-a/v-and-cuts--jobs/214174

And here's some interesting ideas for Avid:  http://news.doddleme.com/blogs/post-production/five-ways-avid-could-stay-alive/?utm_source=Daily+News+Template+version+7%2F5%2F12&utm_campaign=7%2F0512+us&utm_medium=email

Crews Control Video Trend Tracker

Crews Control is one of those companies that matches crews with producers... mostly for out of state productions.

Every month they track what is being asked for and being used by their clients.  Here's the list and what's amazing is what I don't see...

CAMERA FORMATS
53% - XDCAM EX & HD
29% - DVCPROHD & DVCPRO HD EX
  5% - DVCAM
  4% - XF
  3% - HDV
  2% - AVCCAM
  1% - HDCAM

MEDIA
47% - SxS Card
23% - P2 Card
16% - Tape
  6% - Optical Disc
  4% - CF Card
  3% - SD Card
  1% - Other

MANUFACTURERS
64% - Sony
31% - Panasonic
  4% - Canon
  1% - Other

To see all the results:  http://newsletter.crewscontrol.com/June-2012/How-to-Integrate-Video-Into-Your-Corporation

Unruly Headgear Cage for the GoPro

What started as a Kickstarter campaign is now a product available at EVS.  If you've ever used a GoPro you know the funky connector for attaching the GoPro to various mounts.

If you need a more secure way of mounting a GoPro you need something like the Headgear with plenty of 1/4 20 threaded holes for both mounting the GoPro with traditional mounting gear and attaching all the normal accessories.  Plus, the Headgear is built from a solid block of aluminum to protect the camera.

Be sure to check out the video on the Kickstarter page.  And see what else Unruly is coming up with for the GoPro like the Beartrap and the S Lens Ring that doesn't distort underwater and will accept 2x2 filters.  Red filter for underwater?  ND filter for dry land?

http://www.lifeisunruly.com/
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jimlclark/unruly-headcase-headgear-cases-for-gopro
http://www.evsonline.com/unruly-headgear-gopro-protective-cage.html