Archive for August 9th, 2012

Digital Vision will exhibit on the MWA Nova stand: 7.E30

Digital Vision is the leading supplier of colour grading, restoration and film scanning solutions for the broadcast, film, commercials and archive industries.

At IBC 2012, Digital Vision will present the next generation of Nucoda and Phoenix, the industry’s best, end-to-end colour and restoration systems. They will also introduce Vintage Cloud, their unique semi-automated film digitisation and preservation workflow.

New for IBC 2012:

European debut:

Phoenix Video restoration: on view for the first time in Europe, Phoenix Video offers highly-automated restoration and enhancement of analogue video content from any tape source.

Extremely cost effective, Phoenix Video provides restoration facilities, broadcasters and archive holders unrivalled image restoration software that presents expanded revenue opportunities.

Phoenix Video is available as a standalone system or integrated with Digital Vision’s flagship restoration system, Phoenix Finish: combining a powerful film and video restoration in one system for the first time ever.

Recent examples of customers who are using Phoenix with stunning results include the restoration by Deluxe 142 of “Hitchcock 9″, the Technicolor Film Foundation restoration of Méliès’ classic film, “Voyage dans la Lune” and Eque 4K restoration of “The Beatles Yellow Submarine.”

Nucoda grading and mastering solutions: At IBC, Digital Vision will demonstrate its latest versions for Nucoda with extended dailies toolsets and colour workflow capabilities, and DVO options. This includes:

Nucoda Look – Latest addition to the Digital Vision’s grading and finishing platform: new pre-grade assist station and deliverables platform with LUT export.

ACES workflow – Full support for ACES (SMPTE 2065) throughout the Nucoda product line. This includes ACES IDT support for non ACES images, and direct output from RAW Arri Alexa RAW R3D images into ACES Colour space. ACES RRT and support for various Nucoda ACES ODT’s including direct support for the Dolby PRM4200 Monitor.

Stereo 3D tools – The new, automated “S3D Colour & Align tool” are now part of Nucoda’s stereoscopic workflow. These tools enable users to automatically match 3D cameras, with advanced motion estimation technology providing morphing and colour matching capabilities.

New deformable shape tracker – Advanced and totally unique shape tracking concept. Instead of tracking and then moving a shape, the new tracker actually deforms the shape to match the changes occurring to the object underneath.

Vintage Cloud: Digital Vision will unveil its unique, semi-automated digitisation solution that will enable archive owners to preserve their film assets using a highly cost-effective end-to-end workflow, which includes all elements of the film digitisation process from scan through to delivery.

Based on Digital Vision’s years of experience in film restoration, archive and file-based workflows, Vintage Cloud answers the needs of content owners housing hours of valuable material stored in film archives.

For information on the full range of Digital Vision products including the Golden Eye Film Scanner for DI restoration and archive, visit www.digitalvision.tv.

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Company details:
Digital Vision
11 Wardour Mews
London
W1F 8AN
United Kingdom

Contact: Alexa Maza
Tel: +1 (818) 769-8111
Email: alexa.maza@digitalvision.se

Press contact:
Jump PR
Contact: Kate Ford
Tel: +44 (0) 1932 240001
Email: kate@jumppr.tv

Newport, RI – August 9, 2012 - The last weekend of July, audio specialist Sennheiser, in conjunction with event partner Paste Magazine, hosted a live broadcast / recording studio session housed in an alcove of an 18th century fortress, located on the site of this year’s Newport Folk Festival®. By simply donning a pair of Sennheiser RS 120 wireless consumer headphones, music fans were able to experience true-to-life, intimate performances artists from festival artists, including Of Monsters and Men, Tom Morello, Jonah Tolchin and 26 others.

Wherever possible, the entire audio chain consisted of Sennheiser related technology — including microphones from subsidiary Neumann and Sennheiser, preamplifiers from distributed brand TRUE Systems and wireless RF technology from Sennheiser.

The two-day recording session was not without its challenges. These included a live sound stage located just 100 yards away and an extremely reflective — and somewhat leaky — recording environment. Despite all this, the wireless headphones delivered a clean and quiet performance, faithfully representing the artists’ sounds for the duration of the two-day event.

Microphones on stage and in the room included several Neumann TLM 49s and KM 184s, two U 87s and a pair of Sennheiser e 906s. The microphones were connected to a pair of TRUE Systems Precision 8 preamplifiers, which — through a special feature on the back panel of the unit — split the signal and subsequently routed it to both a multi-track recording rig as well as a live mixer. Each of the Sennheiser wireless headphones received a live stereo mix of the multi track recording sessions courtesy of Nashville-based veteran engineer Steve Ledet. A Sennheiser A5000CP antenna was strategically placed in the rear of the grotto, providing a generous amount of RF coverage both inside and outside the grotto.

In addition to having many pairs of wireless headphones on hand, Sennheiser set up a special VIP seating area where listeners could audition an assortment of Sennheiser’s audiophile and professional headphones, including the HD 600, HD 650, HD 700, HD 800 and the new Amperior.

“Each of the performers we hosted at the Sennheiser Sound Lounge at the Paste Ruins takes an enormous amount of pride in the craftsmanship and honesty of their songs — this is of paramount importance to them,” commented Tim Moore, artist relations manager, Sennheiser. “By selecting a complete signal path of Sennheiser family gear before and after the mixing console, we were able to ensure the integrity of the audio at almost every stage. As a result, the performers were able to establish a more direct and honest connection with their fans.”

Singer/songwriter/guitarist Jonah Tolchin, who performed on the second day of the festival, found the Sennheiser Sound Lounge at the Paste Ruins particularly inspiring. “This is just incredible,” he said. “In this environment, with all these great mics, you are so zoned in and focused with all your heart and soul.” Tolchin recently released his debut album entitled Criminal Man, which was recorded using Neumann microphones. “The sound was very crisp and clear — I got true sound out of these mics and my music is true. So it was a good pairing!”

Clips of the performances will be made available for viewing via Sennheiser’s social media outlets over the next several weeks.

Photo captions:
1. Jonah Tolchin sings through a Neumann U 87 microphone, while being filmed at the Sennheiser Sound Lounge at the Paste Ruins.
2. A Sennheiser e 906 was used on many instruments, including a variety of percussion.
3. Four Sennheiser wireless rack units and a TRUE Systems Precision 8 preamplifier were among gear used in the Sennheiser Sound Lounge at the Paste Ruins.
The Neumann U 87 was used on cello and many other strings, and served as the primary vocal microphone throughout the sessions.

Digital Audio Recorder Captures Sounds of World-Class Athletes in Action

LONDON, AUGUST 9, 2012 — Sound Devices, experts in portable audio and video products for field production, is pleased to announce that its 788T digital audio recorder captured the sound of world-class athletes in action for Beat 2012, a documentary chronicling Mark Ronson’s creation of Coca-Cola’s anthem for the 2012 Summer Games. Ronson, along with Location Sound Recordist Diego Sanchez, relied on the 788T to record the sounds of the five different athletes from five different countries and five different disciplines selected for the film. more

AUSTIN, TEXAS, AUGUST 8, 2012—Autoscript, part of Vitec Videocom, a Vitec Group company, and a world-leading teleprompting company, is demonstrating several of its innovative prompting solutions for broadcasters at the 2012 Texas Association of Broadcasters Annual Convention & Tradeshow (Booth 107) this week.

“From LED prompters to software and wireless controls, attendees can expect to see the very latest in prompting technology at this year’s show,” says Greg Prentiss, sales director for the Americas, Autoscript. “We look forward to meeting with local broadcasters and introducing them to our solutions, which were designed with their production needs in mind.”

Autoscript is showcasing its compact, entry-level prompter, the ELP15 Plus. The perfect prompting solution for schools, colleges, universities and broadcasters, the ELP15 Plus offers a 15-inch monitor that is energy efficient—ensuring longevity, performance and reliability, and it contributes to green energy savings. It boasts 400 nits of brightness, composite, VGA and s-video inputs and the image-reversal capabilities necessary for prompting. Weighing just five pounds, the ELP15 Plus is an ideal teleprompter for entry-level users, while also offering great performance in the newsroom.

Also on site is the company’s line of LED teleprompters, ranging in size from eight to 19 inches. These on-camera prompter systems incorporate the latest in Autoscript’s illumination technology, the TFT (thin-film transistor) LED system. Unlike CCFLs (Cold Cathode Fluorescent Tubes), which take many minutes to reach full efficiency and light output, the company’s LED prompters offer instant warm-up to full brightness. In addition, these on-camera teleprompters come with a wide-angle hood, making them optimal for news- or studio-based productions.

For those looking for software, Autoscript is highlighting its +WinPlus-News+ software with the XBOX ULTRA. Compatible with all leading newsroom systems, including ENPS and iNEWS, +WinPlus-News+ offers users an all-in-one solution for show rundowns, cues and prompting. In addition to its enhanced features and capabilities, the XBOX ULTRA is ideal for portable prompting, as it can be plugged into a laptop or PC via its USB 2.0 interface. The video output is standard composite PAL or NTSC, but is also available in an SDI version.

Autoscript is also exhibiting its range of hand, foot and wireless scroll controls, including the new Magno Wireless Foot Control. This control allows presenters to control the speed of the script anywhere within the studio location, without the need to run cabling. Using RF technology on the 400-MHz license-free range, the Magno Foot Control will not interfere with any other devices and can be used up to 100 meters from the receiver module. The Magno Foot Control can be seamlessly added to existing Autoscript installations.

For more information and to find an authorized Autoscript dealer, please visit www.Autoscript.tv or contact ussales@autoscript.tv.

About Autoscript?
Established in the UK in 1984, with headquarters in the US and the UK, Autoscript is the world leader in the prompting industry. Autoscript provides a complete range of teleprompters for PC and the i-Series, the best designed and built hardware, PC cards and software, and—with its expanding line of intuitive accessories—is the new definition in prompting. Autoscript is a member of the Vitec Group. For more information visit www.autoscript.tv.

About Vitec Videocom
Vitec Videocom brings together some of the most respected, most innovative and most sought-after brands in the industry: Anton/Bauer, Autoscript, Litepanels, OConnor, Petrol Bags, Sachtler, Vinten and Vinten Radamec. It acts as an endorsing brand for these market-leading broadcast, film and pro video products, encouraging multi-brand system sales and simplifying the way that customers worldwide do business.

Vitec Videocom is an operating division within the Vitec Group, an international business serving customers in the broadcast, photographic and military aerospace and government markets. Vitec is based on strong, well known, premium brands on which its customers rely on worldwide.

Vitec Videocom – innovative products around the camera.

Advertising competition and New Directors Showcase slated for September 11 in tandem with LA Shorts Fest.

Hollywood, CA. – The NXT STAGE Hollywood International Awards, a global competition honoring creative excellence and innovation in advertising, has extended the deadline for submissions to its inaugural Film Advertising Craft Awards, to Tuesday, August 14th. This will be the final deadline. more

SAN FRANCISCO: With more Gold and Platinum credits than The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Elvis and Elton combined, “The Wrecking Crew,” is the most storied, yet anonymous group in recording history. Session players behind hit records for superstars ranging from The Beach Boys to Sinatra, Jan & Dean, The Mamas & The Papas, Simon & Garfunkel, The Byrds… And ‘The King himself,’ this mythic amalgam of obscure artists is now the subject of an almost impossible to find documentary. AES Convention Special Events Christopher Smith has coordinated a rare screening of this elusive film for the 133rd AES Convention, which will be held in SF’s Moscone Center October 26-29.

“Although gargantuan music licensing fees temporarily preclude wide distribution for ‘The Wrecking Crew,’ numerous international Film Festival screenings have created a compelling ‘must see this’ buzz for it,” explains AES Convention Committee Co-Chair Jim McTigue. “We are extremely fortunate to have arranged a special screening for our 133rd Convention Attendees. In fact, we may want to add a word to our ‘Listen… Learn… Connect…’ AES mandate. I suggest ‘Enjoy…’”

Produced and directed by Denny Tedesco, son of legendary, late Wrecking Crew guitarist Tommy Tedesco, the film features interviews with Brian Wilson, Cher, Roger McGuinn, and many Wrecking Crew members, including Glen Campbell, a durable superstar, in his own right. Christopher Smith reports that Tedesco will hold a Q&A (with special guests) following the screening.

Also highlighting the 133rd AES Convention Special Events Program is:

GRAHAM BLYTH ORGAN CONCERT: On Friday, Oct. 29th from 8:00 until 9:00PM, SF’s historic, 160-year-old St. Marks Church will provide the indelible acoustic setting for a performance by perennial AES Convention favorite, Graham Blyth. An internationally recognized Organist and accomplished professional audio equipment designer, Blyth has performed at AES Conventions around the world since 1993.

Photos:

1. Beach Boy Brian Wilson with Wrecking Crew drummer Hal Blaine
2. Wrecking Crew guitarists Tommy Tedesco and Carol Kay 3. Wrecking Crew Documentary Logo

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The Audio Engineering Society was formed in 1948 by a group of concerned audio engineers. The AES counts over 14,000 members throughout the U.S., Latin America, Europe, Japan and the Far East. The organization serves as the pivotal force in the exchange and dissemination of technical information for the industry. For additional information visit http://www.aes.org

XL Video, working with Live Nation Spain, supplied LED, cameras and PPU for the inaugural Ibiza 123 festival.

Ibiza 123 is the first music festival to be held on the island, and played host to a diverse line-up of artists featuring global superstars Sting, Elton John and Lenny Kravitz; live performances from chart stars Labrinth and Tinie Tempah; plus sets from some of the hottest DJs on the planet including Tiesto, Fatboy Slim, Chase & Status, Luciano, and David Guetta!

For the three day festival, held on the San Antonio coast, XL Video was asked to provide an LED package which would highlight not only the first 123 Festival but also herald the first ever full music festival in Ibiza.

To achieve this XL Video specified an LED backdrop measuring 16m wide by 9m high, made from PIXLED’s F-30. F-30 was selected due to its suitability for outdoor use.

Three circular LED displays of decreasing size were flown above the centre of the stage to create a spiral effect. These were formed from PIXLED’s lightweight, outdoor FX-11 LED.

For the DJs, the booth was clad in XL Video’s new PIXLED F-10 product, giving each DJ a completely custom look for their set, with DJ booths constantly changing size and format.

XL Video supplied two 6 x 6 metre Mitsubishi DV8 screens either side of the stage which displayed live footage of the artists performing plus additional video throughout the event. IMAG came from XL Video’s cameras situated at the front of the stage, with additional video content fed on from a broadcast truck on site.

The screens allowed the public to enjoy the live shows as well as a very memorable Euro Champions football match coinciding with the first day of the festival.

The final effect – a stage set covered with LED, coupled with a superstar lineup – ensured that the first Ibiza 123 festival will be remembered as a shining highlight of the 2012 season.

Tempo(TM) SSD and Tempo SSD Pro Let Users Select and Mount Their Own 6Gb/s SSDs on a PCIe(R) Card for Use in a Computer or Thunderbolt(TM) PCIe Expansion Chassis

IRVINE, Calif. — Aug. 9, 2012 — Sonnet Technologies today announced the release of its Tempo(TM) SSD and Tempo SSD Pro 6Gb/s SATA PCI Express(R) (PCIe) 2.5-inch solid-state drive (SSD) cards, the newest members of the Sonnet Tempo family of high-performance 6Gb/s SATA host controllers. The Tempo SSD and Tempo SSD Pro allow users to purchase one or two SSDs separately and then easily mount them on PCIe cards. Unlike other PCIe SSD cards, the Tempo SSD Pro and Tempo SSD utilize widely available 2.5-inch SATA SSDs (sold separately), giving users great flexibility in selecting the SSD capacity and performance that best suit their needs and budget, as well as the option to upgrade easily as required.

Delivering performance that cannot be matched by spinning-disk drives, SSDs have become important components in systems requiring extremely fast data transfer speeds and large numbers of I/O operations. Instead of relying on proprietary SSD modules, Sonnet chose to support standard 2.5-inch SATA SSDs to allow users access to the widest variety of SSDs and hard disk drives (HDDs), which are generally available at better prices than proprietary SSD modules.

The Tempo SSD card uses a high-performance 6Gb/s SATA controller and a PCIe 2.0 interface, and it features a unique modular design that supports one SSD with the card at half-length or two SSDs with an included bracket that extends the card to full length. Tempo SSD supports sustained read speeds of up to 470 MB/s from a single SSD or up to 660 MB/s from two SSDs configured as a RAID 0 set.

With Sonnet’s full-length Tempo SSD Pro card, users can mount two SSDs in a full-length PCIe slot. The Tempo SSD Pro features a higher-performance 6Gb/s SATA SSD controller that supports sustained read speeds of up to 900 MB/s from two SSDs configured as a RAID 0 set.

The Sonnet Tempo SSD and Tempo SSD Pro cards install into a Mac(R) or Windows(R) computer’s PCIe slot or into a Thunderbolt(TM) expansion chassis for PCIe cards such as Sonnet’s Echo(TM) Express or Echo Express Pro, respectively. SSDs attached to these Sonnet cards can be configured as boot drives under Windows. With SSDs attached, both cards are narrow enough to occupy the space of only a single-width card. Installed in a Mac Pro(R), the Tempo cards offer twice the bandwidth of the native 3Gb/s SATA bus for superior performance.

Both cards include an optional PCIe bracket that supports the installation of two BNC connectors for HD-SDI output like those supplied with RED(R) Digital Cinema’s RED Rocket(TM) card. This bracket enables users to add a Tempo SSD and a Red Rocket card in two slots and route the HD-SDI out the back without needing a third slot.

“Our Tempo SSD and Tempo SSD Pro cards offer a fresh twist on high-performance storage, supporting the performance of the fastest 2.5-inch SSDs and providing our customers with complete price/performance flexibility,” said Robert Farnsworth, CEO of Sonnet Technologies. “We believe these products will appeal to both Mac Pro and Windows workstation and server users, as well as PCIe Thunderbolt expansion chassis customers, who will find it very convenient to add extremely fast SSD storage directly into the chassis.”

Compatible with OS X(R) 10.6.8+ (including Mountain Lion), Microsoft(R) Windows 7, Vista(R), and Server 2008, the Tempo SSD (part number TSATA6-SSD-E2) is available now at a suggested retail price of $149.95, and the Tempo SSD Pro (part number TSATA6-SSDPR-E2) will be available in late August at a suggested retail price of $299.95. More information on both cards is available at www.sonnettech.com/product/tempossd.html.

More information on Sonnet and its products is available at www.sonnettech.com.

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About Sonnet Technologies
Sonnet Technologies Inc. is a leader in providing storage systems, media readers, and Thunderbolt(TM) technology PCIe(R) expansion products for professional users of Mac(R), Windows(R), and UNIX(R) systems in the film, video, and broadcast industries. The company’s product line features a range of high-performance, cost-effective, and reliable desktop and rackmount RAID storage solutions ranging from two- and four-drive portable units, to eight- and 16-drive desktop attached storage with advanced RAID controllers, to 16-drive, 16-port, 8Gb Fibre Channel shared storage systems that are expandable to 384TB. Celebrating 26 years in business, Sonnet has pioneered and brought to market numerous innovative solutions that enhance the performance and connectivity of Mac, Windows, and other industry-standard computers. More information is available at www.sonnettech.com.

All trademarks appearing herein are the property of their respective owners.

Image Links: www.wallstcom.com/sonnet/tempo_ssd_w_ssds.zip
www.wallstcom.com/sonnet/tempo_ssd_pro_w_ssds.zip