Videoguys' Insider Vol 6 Issue 9

[Gary Bettan]

We’ve been very busy over the past few weeks putting together new articles and reviews for the Videoguys website. We’ve also got some very exciting new preducts to tell you about from Focus, Avid, Bella and more!

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Videoguys DIY5 – Intel Core 2 Duo Strikes Back!
Intel regains the top spot for NLE workstations

This summer Intel began shipping their new Core 2 Dual CPUs (code name Conroe). I’d been watching and following the leaks and reports about the new Conroe chips for months. All my favorite hardware websites – Tom’s Hardware, ExtremeTech, Anandtech and many others were posting articles on the remarkable performance of these chips. I knew I had to have one. I would make my own personal dream machine, to use in my new home editing suite. I called my dream machine the Vaporizer, and I could not wait to get it built.

Overall we are seeing such great performance and responsiveness that there is no doubt in our minds this is the way to go for any and all NLE programs we sell!

http://www.videoguys.com/DIY5.html

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Videoguys User Spotlights

One of the benefits of being a leader in our industry for over 20 years is that we have built up quite a list of customers. Many of you guys & gals are really talented and using our products in the production of some great videos, movies and more. We wanted to give you the chance to share your experiences with our readers, and at the same time review the products you use. So we created our User Spotlight series of articles. The first three of which are now posted on our website

http://www.videoguys.com/userspotlights.html

User Spotlight: Wes Cardone - Founder of W. Cardone Productions.
Wes shares his story as a testament to how technology can help you create a truly professional DVD with just a modest budget. He uses the Adobe Production Studio to create professional videos & DVDs for the Encore Horse Trials. Products used:

Adobe Production Studio Premium

* Pixel Pops PopDrops Volume 1
* SmartSound Sonicfire Pro 4 Mega Bundle
* Rimage 360i

http://www.videoguys.com/wescardone.html

User Spotlight: Alex Alexzander
Alex has worked with non-linear editing software since 1996, and specifically with Avid for the last 3 years. He is an active member of the Avid Community Forums and co-founder of two Avid user groups, based in San Francisco and Los Angeles. He has published many how-to articles. He shares his experiences with the new Avid Studio Toolkit 5.6.

* Avid Studio Toolkit 5.6
* Avid Xpress and Mojo POWERPACK with Studio Toolkit 5.6
* Avid DVD by Sonic BD
* Avid FX
* Avid 3D

http://www.videoguys.com/alexalexzander.html

User Spotlight: Edit-1-Media

Chris and Laura Randall have become known as one of the best high-end Event Videographers in the Seattle area. They currently shoot with Sony PD-170’s and rent Sony Z1U’s for HDV productions. They edit with the Adobe Production Studio Premium and Matrox RTx2 and RTx100 systems.

* Matrox RT.X2 with Adobe Production Studio Premium
* Adobe Production Studio Premium
* Matrox RT.X2
* Adobe Premiere Pro 2.0

http://www.videoguys.com/edit1media.html

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Focus Enhancements Releases New Line of High Definition FS-4 Portable DTE Recorders Featuring Extended Recording and HD Support as Standard

The new FS-4Pro HD models feature higher capacities, with 60GB, 80GB, and 100GB versions providing between 4.5 and 7.5 hours of DV/HDV recording. The FS-4HD ships with a 40GB disk drive allowing 3 hours of DV/HDV recording. In addition, all FS-4 models include HD recording capabilities and have a sleek, all-black enclosure.

The new FS-4Pro HD models are capable of recording in either the M2T file format as well as the unique QuickTime HDV format for Direct To Edit use with Apple Final Cut Pro.

“We are seeing much higher demand for HD recording capabilities from our customers as well as a requirement for longer record times,” said Matt McEwen, senior product manager for Focus Enhancements. “Our new FS-4 line-up allows videographers to record in either DV or HDV, as well as provides more options in terms of record capacity. Focus Enhancements delivers the most comprehensive solution for recording SD or HD formats for Direct To Edit connectivity, which streamlines workflow, increases productivity, and saves production time and money.”

http://www.videoguys.com/FireStore.html

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Avid Ships Latest Version of Avid Studio Toolkit
Enhanced solution delivers Blu-ray authoring tools and enhanced 3D and FX capabilities

Avid Studio Toolkit 5.6 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.

http://www.videoguys.com/avidstudiotoolkit.html

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Bella Starts Shipping Next Generation of Keyboards

Now in their third generation, Bella's latest keyboards all feature USB 2.0 for high-speed connectivity to demanding devices such as iPods, flash disks and even hard drives. Additionally, Bella has added the NeoLite, an innovative task light with dual LEDs to help illuminate the work space. Featuring a twelve-inch flexible stalk and three connection points in the keyboard, the NeoLite provides maximum configurability.

We had hoped to have these new units in stock the end of October. Unfortunately they did not make it and we would like to apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused you. We hope to have our first units in stock next week. Initial supplies will be limited, so get your back orders in now. We will not process your credit card until we have a unit to ship you.

http://www.videoguys.com/EZkeys.html

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Matrox Extends Promotions on RT.X2 and Axio LE

We are pleased to announce the Matrox RT.X100 loyalty discount has been extended from October 31, 2006 to December 31, 2006! RT.X100 owners can save $200 off the price when they purchase a new RT.X2, without trading in their RT.X100!

If you're a professional video editor concerned about getting the most from Adobe Premiere Pro and Adobe Production Studio, you need Matrox RT.X2. It's ideal for corporate communicators, event videographers, project studios, educational facilities and digital filmmakers. Designed primarily for real-time native HDV and DV editing, Matrox RT.X2 lets you capture other HD and SD formats using RT.X2's analog inputs and mix all types of footage on the timeline in real time. No matter what your desired workflow, Matrox RT.X2 delivers maximum real-time productivity. No other platform gives you so many ways to get the job done in record time.

In addition Videoguys will continue to offer our RT.X2 Adobe Production Studio bundles which allow you to purchase the RT.X2 with either the Adobe Production Studio Standard ($2,495) or the Production Studio Premium ($2,995). Each of these bundles includes FREE training DVDs. Even better, RTX.100 users can combine the $200 loyalty discount with these bundles for even more savings!

http://www.videoguys.com/rtx2.html

Purchase the Matrox Axio LE before December 31st and get a FREE upgrade to the Adobe Production Studio Standard.

When you need even more real-time performance and the ability to work with both compressed and uncompressed SD & HD footage, you need Axio LE. Axio LE makes Adobe Premiere Pro the foremost real-time HD and SD editor for demanding broadcast and post-production environments. It features no-render HD and SD finishing in compressed and uncompressed formats, superior real-time color correction tools, advanced real-time effects, and a full complement of analog and digital audio and video inputs and outputs. It also lets users work seamlessly with the other Adobe Production Studio applications, fully supporting Adobe Dynamic Link and providing WYSIWYG video output support for Adobe After Effects and Adobe Photoshop.

http://www.videoguys.com/axio.html

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Gary