Category Archives: videocast

skreens HDMI Video Mixing Box at 2016 CES

February 21, 2016HDMI, Twitch, video, videocast, YouTubeblogging, Gaming, HDMI, mixer, skreens, streaming, Twitch, video, YouTubetomwiles

Scott Ertz interviews Marc Todd about the Skreens HDMI video mixing box.

The concept of the skreens video mixing box is that it takes multiple HDMI sources such as an X-Box, Roku, Apple TV, etc. and mixes it in user-configurable windows on a single large screen via HDMI. The individual video screen input sizes are controlled in real-time via iPad and Android tablet apps. The skreens box will be coming in two versions, a 2 HDMI port version, and a Pro version with 4 HDMI ports. Both versions have an integrated web browser.

The 4 HDMI port skreens Pro box is also capable of streaming the mixed 1080p video live to Twitch or YouTube.

Both models of the skreens boxes should be available in the second half of 2016. Final pricing has yet to be set.

You can sign up for product updates at the skreens.com website.

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Datavideo Delivers for Video Producers

February 5, 2015ces, Interview, Special Media, video, videocastaudio-visual, broadcast, ces, Datavideo, Interview, videoAndrew

The Datavideo Corporation produces a wide range of gear for the audiovisual professional including all the equipment needed for live production, from cameras to switchers and encoders. The Gadget Professor takes a keen interest and interviews Craig Moffat from Datavideo on its own brand products.

Although Todd at GNC broadcasts out of a real studio, some of the independent producers use virtual sets to make the presenter appear in newsroom or similar. It’s a step beyond the well known “green screen” as the whole environment is reproduced, not just the patch behind the presenter. Datavideo’s TVS-1000 Virtual Studio provides a virtual set for one camera at $5,995 and is aimed at the school and education markets.

For those out-and-about, the portable HS-2200 Studio in a Box might be of more interest. With 2 HDMI and 6 HD-SDI inputs it can handle multiple cameras and additional extras, such DVR storage, can increase the functionality of the unit. Cost is around $7,000. There’s plenty more in the video.

Interview by Don Baine, the Gadget Professor. There’s some comedy gold in the background from 7’40” onwards…I think it might be Todd’s mother…

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Lightworks by EditShare

April 8, 2013application, Information, video, videocastediting, EditShare, film, Lightworks, Linux, mac, NAB, WindowsKL Tech Muse

EditShare is introducing the Mac version of Lightworks. Lightworks is a cross–platform film editing software. Lightworks has been used by some of the best film makers over the past two decades. It now works seamlessly on Mac OS X. Film makers who love their Mac’s, will now have the option of using it for their film editing. EditShare will be showing off the Mac version at NAB and will be starting the new alpha program in the near future.

EditShare is also releasing the full version of the new Lightworks version 11.1 for Windows on April 30, 2013. The Linux version has successfully completed the Alpha program of version 11.1 and will begin the public beta on April 30, 2013.

EditShare is already working on Lightworks version 11.2 which will add:

Added support for AJA I/O hardware
Support for screen capture using the record panel
An improved import panel: now behaves similarly to bins, mark/park clips before import
Native H.264 MOV playback
Added curve effect to FX color correction effects

If you are or want to be a film maker you owe it to yourself to take a look at Lightworks, by EditShare. If you are at NAB they will be at booth SL9010 showing off the new Mac version of Lightworks.

V-Studio looks to enhance your video recording

January 27, 2013ces, video, videocastDarim, V-Studio, videoAlan

V-Studio, short for “virtual studio”, is a new setup from Darim that is designed for those looking to record professional style video for a podcast or YouTube show.

Camera angles and zooming can be easily controlled and a whiteboard can be inserted onto the screen as it is being recorded. The V-Studio comes in both consumer and professional versions. The Pro version packs in even more features, enabling the user to create a studio on a par with stations like CNN.

Pro:

Instant create and manipulate a unique virtual in real time!
Virtual studio production means a lot more than just mixing and switching videos.
Gain full control over production.
The world first Hybrid Camera Tracking System.

You can find out more at iStudio 3D. A word of warning though — this technology comes at a price.

Interview by Andy McCaskey of SDR News and RV News Net

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Blackmagic Cinema Camera

April 17, 2012Information, Photography, video, videocastBlackmagic Cinema Camera, videoKL Tech Muse

The Blackmagic Cinema Camera is one of those cameras, that makes me wish I was a cinematographer. If when you think of a video camera, you think of a bulky device that sits on your shoulder then you need to take a look at the Blackmagic Cinema Camera, What makes the Blackmagic Cinema Camera special is what they concentrate on. When video cameras are being sold many times they are sold based on how many megapixels they have. More megapixels just create a larger image, it does nothing to improve the quality. The Blackmagic Cinema Camera focuses on capturing a wide contrast range rather than more megapixels. This allows them to capture more detail at the black and white level. The ability to capture a wide contrast range plus the EF and ZF lenses produces a high quality video that looks like film. Being able to capture at a wide contrast range is great but if the data is compressed it will still produce an inferior result. To solve this problem the Blackmagic Cinema Camera has an integrated SSD recorder which allows you to record full 2.5k raw sensor data completely uncompressed CinemaDNG files. It also allows you to record at DNxHD or ProRes for HD resolution files that are compatible with Avid Media Composer and Apple Final Cut Pro X.

There is a standard auto jack which allows you connect a microphone and record high quality audio uncompressed. To add metadata you simply tap on the LCD screen and add it like you would on a smart phone. The metadata is saved and is available as a file in Final Cut Pro X and DaVinci Resolve Format. You can also change many of the camera setting by the LCD touch screen.

I could tell you about the specs all day, but sometimes seeing is believing and this maybe one of those cases. John Brawley an award-winning photographer was able to get a hold of a Blackmagic Cinema Camera for testing and he put up some videos on his site showing off it’s capabilities. It is a handheld and made of blocked aluminum. Making it perfect for a professional trying to produce high quality videos. These Blackmagic Cinema Camera will run about $2995 and ship in July.

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Panasonic and LiveU Announce Further Collaboration

April 16, 2012Information, video, videocastAJ-HPX600 P2, live stream, LiveU, LU40I, panasonicKL Tech Muse

In today’s connected world where many people and organization want to stream their video live. One of the problems that must be dealt with is trying to watch how the transmission is running plus maintaining the quality of the streaming video, while still shooting the video. This requires at least two people, something that small operations cannot afford. This is the problem that LiveU and Panasonic is trying to solve with the announcement to cooperate on using LU40I video uplink and the AJ-HPX600 P2 camcorder. The LU40I video uplink will integrate with the camcorder’s interface. It will give the camera operator a real-time look at the transmission and video quality. The camera operator can manage video uplink while continuing to shoot. Allowing a one man crew to transmit high quality live videos over the Internet.

Michael Bergeron, Business Development Manager for Panasonic System Communications Company of North America (PSCNA) “When the operation of the LU40i is integrated with the camera, the complete system provides a high-quality video feed with the easiest remote operation yet.”

This is a continuation of the cooperation between LiveU and Panasonic which began at IBC in Amsterdam last September. Where they agreed to collaborate on HD 3D live mobile broadcast over cellular networks.

Samuel Wasserman, LiveU’s CEO, said, “We’re thrilled that Panasonic, a world-leading camera developer and manufacturer, has partnered with LiveU to develop this next-generation camera uplink solution using our cellular-based technology. We are confident that ‘live cameras’ symbolize the future for broadcasting and online media, and will open up new market segments for live video transmission around the world.”

Further details are expected when the AJ-HPXL600 launches.

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Miro 4.0

May 24, 2011application, Information, video, videocastMedia Player, Miro, Open SourceKL Tech Muse

Miro just came out with version 4.0. and its a clear hit. If you believe in supporting open source application, you have to try Miro. Miro is a open-source music and video player. It has been around since 2005 and was originally known as the Democracy Player. It is a part of The Participatory Culture Foundation a nonprofit foundation. You can use it download, watch, and listen to video and audio podcast. You can also add sites such as YouTube and Ustream and watch them within Miro. It is available for the Mac, Windows, and Linux.

With the newest update to Miro 4 it has become even better. The ability to buy mp3 and applications directly from the Amazon or the Google store within Miro has been added. Music stored in your Amazon Cloud Player can also be played within Miro. You can also add your iTunes music and movie library to Miro. Adding these libraries to Miro has no effect on ITunes, Miro simply points to the appropriate folders. If you have an Android device you can convert and sync music and applications to these device from Miro. I can see Miro being use with any Android device as iTunes is used with iOS devices. You can play almost any video format within Miro including HD video. You can also use Miro to convert videos into mp4/h264 formats which are playable on most portable devices. If you have Miro installed on multiple computers within the same network you can now stream and transfer media between these computers. YouTorrent is built right into Miro and is really fast. You also have access to media that is available from ClearBits which provides hosting and distribution for open license media. These are just some of the features that are available within Miro.

When upgrading from Miro 3.5 to Miro 4 I did run into a problem, when I added my ITunes library. It imported the library itself rather quickly, however it did take awhile to import the metadata. In fact it froze up a couple of times, if you have a slower machine like mine (Mac Mini 1.66 Ghz Intel Core Duo) I would recommend deleting the application and then downloading Miro 4. This seemed to fix the problem. Before you do this make sure you export your podcasts as an opml file, so they are easy to add back in. I have been using Miro since before it was Miro and I have always liked it, and it gets better with each version.