VideoMaker 2004

Spot|DSE wrote on 1/22/2004, 8:28 PM
Here at Videomaker folks, and it's incredibly fun. Smaller than usual regarding vendors, and much, much larger than usual in terms of attendance. Does this mean more folks are in video than ever before? I guess so....
Hung out a bit with Jay Mitchell from the SoCal Vegas Users group.

It was a hell of a lot of fun poking at the Sonic Solutions rep here who on a large panel, commented that "You can't burn anything larger than 720 x 480 to a DVD, without our new WMV-HD technology that we invented for MS......We invented DVD authoring." Huh? For a 25K product, you'd think he'd know better.

First, Sonic didn't invent WMVHD, they've just incorporated support for it. And nothing currently plays it back, albeit that this will soon change.
Second, you can indeed burn larger images on a DVD.
Third, DVDA was able to do this long ago, not just a few weeks ago.
But the intensity of the discussion in front of about 300 people nearly appeared to be fodder for Jerry Springer, except none of us tore our clothes off and chased each other. Good thing, because Steve(Muratore, editor of VM) is a pretty small guy. I think between myself, the Ulead guy, and the Adobe guy, the disgust of the panel was pretty clear for the guys comments about how great Sonic Solutions non-solutions are. The guys from Intervideo, Ahead (Roxio) and 321 didn't know quite what to do, because they only make consumer-level authoring softwares and I don't think they quite understood some of what the discussion was about. One of the panelists wasn't even sure that the PC could author AC3 audio or MPEG4. Ouch!
Canon is hoppin' busy, so is ADS, same with Photoflex. Sony's not exhibiting here, nor is Ulead, Canopus, Adobe, Apple, or other big players, but that's due I think, to all companies having just returned from CES, Macworld, NAMM...But; I'm here showing Vegas for Sony, and on an NLE panel tomorrow against the industry's best. Hope some of you can show up here in Burbank in case I get into another face-fight. :-)

Photoflex has a couple new boxes and mounts that I'm really liking, most of the rest of the stuff here at the show is old news. Edirol has some new video switchers that DON'T work with DV cams...I tried them today. m(someone earlier said they would) But, their new little V-1 is very cute, and for those needing an S-Video switcher, it's quite nice, and even has some FX on the transitions.

Overall business seems to go to Canon and Photoflex here at the show. There are 2 resellers of Sony cams and they are getting lots of attention too, particularly the ones mounted on a variety of vehicle mounts on a Lincoln Continental outside the event center.

Great seeing everyone here, and hope to see more of you.

Comments

busterkeaton wrote on 1/23/2004, 4:56 AM
That SPOT, always getting into trouble.

By the way, do you Ahead (Nero) and not (Roxio)?
p@mast3rs wrote on 1/23/2004, 5:21 AM
Hadnt the panel speaker ever heard of PAL? Isnt PAL 720 x 576? That would definitely seem larger than 720x480.

Funny he said they invented WMVHD since I have been upscaling video to HD since early last year.

As far as DVD authoring inventing, didnt they buy Scenarist (which to my knowldege was how it all started though i could and probably am wrong.) Seems if I am right, purchasing does not equal inventing.

i am sure glad that MPEG4 and AC3 can be done on the PC. Sounds like that arsehat Sonic dork needs to be fired and re-trained big time.

I Look forward to your updates.
MarkFoley wrote on 1/23/2004, 5:52 AM
Spot,
Any mention at the Canon booth about the XL2 or whatever they will call it?
Grazie wrote on 1/23/2004, 6:01 AM
Why?
Randy Brown wrote on 1/23/2004, 6:43 AM
Why "why?" Grazie, don't you think that's a good question? I'm sure curious.
Randy
FuTz wrote on 1/23/2004, 6:50 AM
LOL! Hey, about about a tour as opening act for WWF ?!!


Good to hear from people who stand up for "the user" and not only for "what the company says"..! It's like these vendors who will try to sell you these speakers because "since they got 40watts, they're twice as much powerful as those ones who just got 20watts"

Next time, bring your camera! lol!
cheroxy wrote on 1/23/2004, 6:56 AM
Thanks for your updates Spot. It is nice to vicariously experience the shows that happen too far away to attend.
Spot|DSE wrote on 1/23/2004, 7:57 AM
No mention of an XL2, or GL3, which seems to be the question du jour at the trade shows lately. Canon will sell no line before its time....:-)
Seriously, that's being asked about a lot. What's interesting is that their responses give off the impression that HDV is more on the plate than anything. I overheard one rep say "Just when you felt knowledgeable about one format...and now the industry is gonna change on ya." Little comments here and there...Plus some Cineform stuff laying around, makes a strong suggestion. Now I'm even more curious.
p@mast3rs wrote on 1/23/2004, 8:01 AM
I would definitely welcome a GL3 with HDV. GL2 is an awesome camera and HD is definitely the future.

Damn, I need a cold shower now.
RafalK wrote on 1/23/2004, 8:48 AM
SPOT, can you ask Canon about an anamorphic attachment made specifically to fit the lens on the XL1S?

PLEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSSSSEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE !!!
eejackson wrote on 1/23/2004, 1:58 PM
Hi all: The VideoMaker Eastern conference is coming to the Chigago area in June. Even though we are Metro Detroiters, husband and I are contemplating making the three hour trip to attend. The conference will include:Basics of Video Production and, or, Computer Video Editing. Has anyone out there attened either of these seminars by VideoMaker and if so, could you tell us your opinion?
Thanks,
Lori J.
JJKizak wrote on 1/23/2004, 2:11 PM
I received an "E" mail from Canon asking how I felt about my XL-1s now that I have used it for a while and in the questionar it asked if I would purchase an HD canon camera if available and I said yes. The price ranges started at $5000 and went to $20000.00.

JJK
Spot|DSE wrote on 1/23/2004, 8:00 PM
Well.......after seeing how their training went here in LA, I personally would be hard pressed to pay for their training. Good magazine, no doubt. But the powerpoints, quality of media, and approach wasn't as useful as I thought it might be. I did sit in on two sessions, and felt it was not up to the quality of many of the training events I've attended, even at the basic level.
epirb wrote on 1/24/2004, 7:11 AM
Not to get too off topic, but is there gonna be any Vasst tours in the S.E. (namely Fl.)
this year?
Spot|DSE wrote on 1/24/2004, 4:02 PM
Yes.
We're announcing 2 Sony-related VASST tours fairly soon, just waiting for some details to be ironed out, plus our PPT tour is going back out again, as well as a couple other tours for other companies.
Plus, the VASST book series starts shipping just before NAB, they are at the printers now, and our VASST DVD series is starting to ship with Rich Harrington's Photoshop for NLE....
cheroxy wrote on 1/25/2004, 10:55 AM
Do we get on any kind of mailing list to recieve notice of these VASST events when we sign up for file sharing at the Sundance site? If not, is there a way?
thanks