MacEdition Pro News : April 4, 2003
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It’s action time at NAB2003
by MacEdition Staff (feedback)
Media 100 rolls out new wares at NAB
Media 100 rolled out a new video editing suite for High Definition television and announced plans to upgrade its Media 100i software during the kickoff off the National Association of Broadcasters show in Las Vegas.
The new HD/SD suite was rolled out as a technology preview at NAB2003 where the company expects to have the system evaluated by its clientele before releasing it to market. Media 100 hopes to be selling the system before the year is out at a per unit price of US$9,995.
“We’re hearing from more and more of our tens of thousands of Media 100i editors that they are facing jobs with source material originating on HD,” said Mike Savello, vice president of dual stream systems at Media 100. “Their requirements include mixing HD source with SD source and even mixing HD source acquired in multiple different HD formats. Unfortunately the only systems that support this today are priced significantly above $100,000. By incorporating our new HDX Technology into Media 100 iHD, we can meet these challenges at an affordable price point we think will engender broad adoption.”
The Media 100 iHD system is resolution-independent and works in real time with 10-bit uncompressed HD video and supports real-time scaling, cropping or letterboxing to allow editors to convert to 3:2, 4:3 or 16:9 aspect ratios at any SMPTE rate they wish to use.
Media 100 also announced an upcoming revamp of their Media 100 i software for Mac OS X. The upcoming 8.2 version of the company’s software will feature an expanded range of toolsets for editing, effects creation and media management. Media 100 is also promising better integration with its 844/X compositing system, which offers unlimited layers and quick rendering speeds.
“Last year, as part of redesigning the Media 100 i software for Mac OS X, we established a new software architecture for the fast processing of advanced editing and content design functions using Apple’s host system,” Savello said. “Now with Version 8.2, through close collaboration with many among our tens of thousands of installed-base users, we have further expanded the Media 100 i software with important workflow, usability, and effects features that our users need and value everyday.”
Media 100 will offer the new version of the software at no charge for those who purchased their systems after April 2. The software would normally sell for anywhere from US$1,995 to US$14,995 depending on configuration.
More buttons and lights
If there’s anything a gadget grabber likes it’s buttons and lights, especially when those nifty do-dads actually do something productive.
Contour Design is using their space at NAB2003 to show off ShuttleXpress, its new five-button jog and shuttle media controller.
The new controller features a new control panel, support for multiple devices, and plug-ins for 17 new audio and video programs. The new software will also have support for English, Dutch, German, Portuguese, Spanish, Italian and Japanese languages.
Save your slots
ADS Tech is rolling out a new line of combo cards and cases which support both USB 2.0 and FireWire 400.
The company’s new case features dual connectors for each standard and the container is large enough to accommodate both 3.5" and 5.25" drives. The chipset used in the case will support data transfer rates of up to 35MB/sec. and the unit ships with INTECH Software’s SpeedTools for both Mac OS 9 and OS X. The US$99 case should be on the shelves sometime this month.
ADS is also shipping the dual USB 2.0 and FireWire cards for PCI and PC CardBus. The PCI card comes with three USB 2.0 ports and two FireWire 400 ports. The US$99 card is now shipping to retailers. The PC CardBus card comes with two USB 2.0 ports and one FireWire port. It too sells for US$99 and is now shipping to retailers.
Griffin controls the wave
Griffin Technology released a new version of its PowerWave Control software which adds volume, input gain, bass and treble controls to the external USB audio device.
The PowerWave desktop amplifier can be used to control input levels from an analogue audio source as well as be used as a output controller for external speakers.
The software update is available free of charge from Griffin’s Web site.
One clipboard for many items
StupidFish Programming has released and updated version of shadowClipboard, a multi-item clipboard enhancement for Mac OS X.
The new version of the CDN$23.58 (about US$15) shareware title adds the ability for the user to paste directly into the clipboard and improves icon and thumbnail displays. A number of minor bug issues and interface issues were also addressed by the update.
A memo to myself
Hog Bay Software has released a notebook utility that uses a hierarchical interface for better organization and an embedded search engine to help users quickly find their notes.
Use Hog Bay Notebook to quickly record and organize your thoughts and ideas; start a journal; store recipes, email addresses, URLs, serial numbers, and more. Then find what you want when you need it by using the unique and powerful search function.
The new 1.2 version of the US$19.95 program now has a better history display, support for Asian languages, a floating window option and a collapsible interface. The program is available for downloading from the Hog Bay site.
Mariner sets sail
Mariner Software has released their new version of Mariner Write.
The key new feature to the US$79.95 program is that is compatible with Microsoft Word and uses available RAM for document processing rather than continually accessing the hard drive. The feature makes the program more responsive for the user. Mariner Write also uses as little as 2MB of RAM to run.
“In the two months that Mariner Write 3.1 has been in the beta stage, we have intently listened to our customers feedback,” said Michael Wray, President of Mariner Software. “This release combines the significance of major feature implementation while keeping consistent to our business philosophy of giving our customers exactly what they are asking for.”
Mariner Write is available as a single program or bundled with Mariner Calc, the company’s spreadsheet program for US$139.95. Both titles are available through Mariner’s online store.
Aspyr revs their engine
Aspyr Media is cranking their pistons on a new version of NASCAR 2003.
NASCAR Racing 2003 Season showcases new dynamic 3D graphics including a populated pit row, team war wagons, pit signs, aerial objects such as planes, helicopters, blimps, and more. In addition, the enhanced AI automatically adjusts to match the player’s driving ability, allowing both rookies and veterans the opportunity to trade paint with the pros. Inspired by the exhilarating world of actual NASCAR Cup racing, drivers can also choose to compete against a full field of 42 NASCAR drivers online via Internet or LAN in NASCAR Racing 2003 Season.
Aspyr is working with Westlake Interactive to finish off the new version, which is expected to blast out of pit row shortly with a US$49.95 sticker.
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