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AAF Workflow Demonstrated The Advanced Authoring Format Association held a meeting on October 23 at the Burbank Hilton to update the Los Angeles production community on the latest advances in AAF, a computer file format designed to facilitate the transfer of projects among applications. Major companies involved in the development of AAF, including Adobe, Avid, BBC Technology, Digidesign, Kino, MetaGlue AAFixer, Nucoda, Quantel and SADiE, were on hand to demonstrate interoperability between their workstations, as a project was moved successfully from one system to another. This was a significant advance, because while individual applications had shown that they could handle AAF, the workflow between applications had not been fully demonstrated until this meeting. The evening also saw the introduction of the new AAF Edit Protocol, an important document that clarifies the technical specifications of the format and represents agreement among the format’s implementers on how it will be structured.
Euphonix and Steinberg Establish Connectivity Using EuCon Protocol Euphonix and Steinberg are working together to develop an end-to-end solution for audio post production. The architecture developed by the two companies will allow the Euphonix System 5 console to be used as a control surface for several Nuendo digital audio workstations. High-speed connectivity is achieved using the EuCon protocol, initially designed to allow System 5 to control Euphonix’s own DSP. The mixer will be able to bring up each individual track from any connected DAW on the System 5 control surface, as well as handle all audio patching between systems. Meanwhile, Euphonix is also developing the “MC” editorial controller, which will give users high-speed control of any application running on the host PC, not only those that are EuCon aware. The controller includes a 5.1 monitor section, a standard keyboard, trackballs, faders, knobs and switches. A small touch screen gives fast access to the unit’s programmable features. The MC will go into production in 2004. www.euphonix.com www.steinberg.net
Lightworks at Toronto Film Fest The recent Toronto Film Festival saw the premiere of a number of Lightworks-edited features including Veronica Guerin, edited by David Gamble (Shakespeare in Love, Cold Feet), Cheeky, edited by John Wilson (Billy Elliot), and Boys from County Clare, edited by Ian Crafford (Hope and Glory, Field of Dreams, Never Say Never Again). Wilson is now using Touch to cut Passer By for the BBC, while Crafford is using it on The Game of Their Lives. Other films using the system include Win a Date with Tad Hamilton, on which editor Scott Hill beta-tested Touch v1.5 software, The Aviator (Thelma Schoonmaker), Compleat Female Stage Beauty (Tariq Anwar), Little Black Book (John Richards), The Phantom of the Opera (Terry Rawlings), Proof (Mick Audsley), Godsend (Steve Mirkovich and Niven Howie) and White Noise (Nick Arthurs).
Avid Releases Xpress Pro, Avid Mojo and a New Version of Xpress DV Avid Technology has released both Avid Xpress Pro with the Avid Mojo Digital Nonlinear Accelerator, and a new version of Avid Xpress DV. As standalone software, Xpress Pro offers 24p film editing capabilities (without capture) and support for the Panasonic AG-DVX100 24p DV camera, as well as support for various Avid offline resolutions, including 15:1s, 35:1p, 28:1p, and 14:1p. The software also offers automatic color correction and advanced 2D and 3D OpenGL-based effects. The optional Avid Mojo accelerator provides Avid Xpress Pro with additional processing power, giving it capabilities such as real-time digital and analog output, and gives Xpress Pro the ability to reinstate standard 3:2 on output. Avid considers Xpress DV a new product, meant for different users than Xpress DV 3.5. It introduces a variety of features, including JKL trimming, OneStep automatic color correction, real-time equal-power audio dissolves, title rolls and crawls, real-time motion effects, AAF support (with forthcoming MXF support) and keyframable color effects. But it lacks some features available in the current Xpress DV 3.5, such as Avid LANshare connectivity, film support, 3D effects and professional-level DVD authoring. The program now comes bundled with Sorenson Squeeze 3 Lite, Boris Graffiti LTD, and Sonic DVDit! SE. All three products are available through Avid resellers and at the Avid store (www.avidstore.com). Xpress Pro costs $1,695; users of Xpress DV 3.5 and earlier can upgrade for $295. Avid Mojo, sold separately, is $1,695. Xpress DV retails for $695.
Discreet Releases combustion 3 Discreet announced the release of combustion 3, the latest version of its visual effects and compositing desktop software. The application’s new features include integrated editing capabilities that enable users to tweak effects sequences, JavaScript-based expressions, Flash output and built-in warping and morphing tools. The new version also has customizable brushes, saveable presets, timeline markers, DV capture and output through OHCI Firewire devices and more. Discreet has continued to work directly with third-party developers to ensure support of numerous plug-ins, including various Adobe After Effects and Photoshop plug-ins. Now available on the Windows platform, combustion 3 is priced at $995, with upgrades from combustion 2 or combustion 2.1 at $199. The Mac OS X version of the program is scheduled to ship in early 2004. Studios Unanimously Approve Development of Both 2K and 4K Projectors Digital Cinema Initiatives, a joint venture of Disney, Fox, MGM, Paramount, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Universal and Warner Bros. Studios, unanimously approved a “hierarchical architecture approach” for digital cinema, defining a delivery system that will be compatible with both 2K and 4K digital projectors. DCI’s primary purpose is to establish and document voluntary specifications for digital cinema and to facilitate the development of digital cinema systems in theaters. Created in March 2002, the group plans to deliver a final draft of its technical specifications in spring 2004. The next phase of DCI’s testing program will review a variety of compression techniques and systems capable of both 4K and 2K image delivery. DCI is continuing to encourage manufacturers to develop 4K projectors and related technology. Details of DCI’s hierarchical architecture
approach to digital cinema can be obtained by contacting Walt Ordway,
DCI’s Chief Technology Officer (walt.ordway@dcimovies.com).
The company, which is an IATSE signatory, will continue to focus on theatrical features but also plans to enter the television effects market, offering a combination of visual effects, optical services, title design and digital compositing. Moviola Digital Adds Night Classes Moviola Education Center in Hollywood has added night classes to its course schedule. Unlike the school’s day classes, which are targeted at professionals in the post production and motion graphics industry, Moviola’s evening classes will be primarily introductory-level courses on applications such as Apple Final Cut Pro, Avid Xpress Pro and Media Composer and Adobe Photoshop, After Effects and Illustrator. Soundelux Opens London Facility Soundelux has opened a facility in London, offering sound supervision and sound editorial services to international feature producers completing their films in the United Kingdom. The head of the new facility will be supervising sound editor Eddy Joseph, whose credits include Cold Mountain, Enemy at the Gates and Evita.
Namm An annual convention hosted by the International Music Products Association, the NAMM Show features musical instruments, state-of-the-art recording technologies and training sessions. It will take place at the Anaheim Convention Center from January 15 to January 18. |
