Wednesday 8 May 2013

BeachTek MCC-2 – Unleash Your Sound

LOW COST, COMPACT AUDIO ACCESSORY

The Beachtek MCC-2 is a two-channel, audio adapter / bracket combo that lets you mount, connect and control two audio devices for camcorders or DSLR cameras. This adapter is designed to easily attach wireless mics and small, self powered, camera mounted microphones such as the popular Rode VideoMics that have unbalanced mini-plug connectors. Since the adapter is a passive device, it is completely noise-free for superb audio. The adapter is also virtually unclipable and offers an extremely wide dynamic range. No power or batteries are required to operate the adapter.

The MCC-2 is very easy to set up and use. The dual trim controls allow you to adjust the signal levels independently and the output switch lets you select mono or stereo operation. The rugged extruded aluminum chassis has 3 integrated mounting shoes to securely attach the wireless mics and shotguns. Its compact size fits neatly on top of any camcorder or DSLR camera that has a standard mounting shoe.

Ideal for use with DSLR cameras such as the Nikon D800 that have a headphone jack to allow you to monitor the audio.

MCC-2

Now Shipping – RRP $129 inc GST

Tuesday 9 April 2013

NAB 2013 Exhibition Product News - Blackmagic Design

This week the NAB exhibition in Las Vegas USA has been a huge event for many of our suppliers releasing new products, product updates and showcasing “soon to be released” products. Below we have summarized all the latest news into a quick and easy overview to get you up-to-speed quickly:


Blackmagic Design:
•    Pocket Cinema Camera  RRP $1075 AU$ (Due July 2013)
•    Production Camera 4K Camera  RRP $4285 AU$ (Due July 2013)
•    DaVinci Resolve 10   From RRP $1085 AU$ (Due Q3 2013)
•    ATEM Production Studio 4K   RRP $2145 AU$  (Due April 2013)
•    Audio Monitor  RRP $1605 AU$ (Due April 2013)
•    SmartScope Duo    RRP $1095 AU$ - Available NOW
•    ATEM Studio Converter 2    RRP $2145 AU$  (Due April 2013)
•    MultiDock   (Due May 2013)
•    DeckLink Mini Monitor / DeckLink Mini Recorder  RRP $165 AU$
•    World’s First 6G-SDI Products Are Shipping!
•    Ultra HD Recording for HyperDeck Studio Pro    RRP $2175 AU$
•    New Low Prices for Universal Videohub Family  - Available NOW
•    Autodesk & Blackmagic Announce Technology Collaboration 
•    Support for Adobe Premiere Pro Next and After Effects Next

Thursday 7 March 2013

Manfrotto launches the 500 – the latest Bridging Technology™ fluid video head

The new 500, which replaces the 701HDV, is a lightweight video head featuring a wider platform to
accommodate both HDSLR and interchangeable lens camcorder, as well as a sliding plate that ensures the appropriate balance even when shooting with very long lenses.
The 500, the entry level of the Bridging Technology™ series, ensures smooth shots and fine control of up to 5kg of equipment. Its brand new side lock allows fast, secure and easy camera attachment.

The 500 is available as a stand-alone head or in pre-matched kits with twin-leg or single-tube tripods.

Head only: flat base (MVH500AH) or 60mm half-ball (MVH500A).

Kits: MVK500AM with aluminium twin-leg tripod; MVH500AH,755XBK with aluminium single-tube tripod; MVK500C or MVH500AH,755CX3 with carbon fibre single-tube tripods. These
kits include a padded carrying bag.

The 500 head will also be supplied in a special kit with our patented fluid monopod (MVM500A).

Beautifully smooth shots.
The 500 has professional fluid cartridges on both pan and tilt axes to ensure that every camera movement is smooth, controlled and precise.

Better camera support and balance thanks to the Bridging Technology™ structure.
Our Bridging Technology gives the 500 a great advantage: a wider platform for HDSLR bodies, and more sliding plate travel for balancing the latest cameras used with interchangeable lenses.

Faster, easier and safer to use 
The new side lock system allows the camera and sliding QR plate to click quickly into the head from above,instead of needing to be aligned and slide in from the back. No secondary safety lock is necessary.The side lock system also makes it quicker and simpler to lift the camera out of the head from above.

The 500 has a pre-set counterbalance of 2.4kg (5.3 lbs), but is able to support equipment of up to 5kg (11lbs). The 500 has one Easy Link 3/8” connector to allow an external monitor or other accessory equipment to be fitted.

Shipping April 2013









Monday 21 January 2013

RØDE MICROPHONES ANNOUNCES iXY™ MICROPHONE FOR iPHONE® AND iPAD®

Tuesday January 8th, Las Vegas, USA – Australian-based audio company RØDE Microphones has announced the iXY, a stereo microphone for iPhone and iPad with 30-pin connector that allows high quality recording at sampling rates up to 24-bit/96kHz, the only microphone on the market to do so. Appearing at the International CES (ConsumerElectronics Show) in Las Vegas for the fi rst time, the company has unveiled the innovative device to an expected audience of over 150,000 visitors.




At the heart of the iXY is a matched pair of ½” cardioid condenser capsules, fi xed in a perfect 90 degree ‘near-coincident’ alignment resulting in immersive and true-to-life stereo recordings, captured in incredibly high detail. The iXY uses its own high-fi delity analogue to digital conversion ensuring all recordings are rich, smooth and accurate.

The iXY’s small form factor and incredibly detailed performance makes it the perfectmicrophone for recording live music, meetings, lectures, reporting, dictation and sound design, and also is ideal for use on-camera as a dual-system recorder for DSLR. A foam windshield is provided for outdoor recordings, as well as a rugged zip pocket to ensure the mic is always around when you need it.

“I’m more excited about iXY than any other product in RØDE’s twenty year history,”
commented Peter Freedman, RØDE’s Founder and President. “The audio quality of the iXY is breathtaking and really affirms RØDE’s commitment to providing the very best audio products available at a price that’s accessible to the general public.”

Released in conjunction with the iXY is RØDE Rec, an app for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch designed to be the ultimate companion to RØDE’s new microphone. When used together the iXY and RØDE Rec transform an iOS device into a fully featured field recorder.

RØDE Rec allows for complete control of the iXY’s continuously adjustable input levels for recording in loud and quiet environments, as well as the high pass fi lter to cut out low frequency rumbling such as air conditioning or outdoor traffic noises.

The RØDE Rec App is available for purchase from the App Store on iPhone, iPad and iPod touch or at www.itunes.com/appstore. The app provides a full suite of features including multiple sampling rates up to 96kHz, equalization effects (compressor/expander, high-pass fi lter, low pass fi lter, parametric EQ), non-linear editing, geo and photo tagging, and one touch publishing to SoundCloud, Dropbox, email, FTP and iTunes. RØDE has also announced a feature-limited free version of the app, simply titled RØDE Rec LE.

Available Now at Videoguys Australia: http://www.videoguys.com.au/Shop/p/28213/rode-ixy-stereo-microphone-for-iphone-ipad-1-rodixy.html

Thursday 25 October 2012

SONY HXR-NX5 V4.00 Firware release

Attention All Sony HXR-NX5 Owners



Sony is offering a firmware update for NXCAM Camcorder “HXR-NX5”.

[Applicable model]
NXCAM Camcorder “HXR-NX5”

[Applicable firmware version]
The applicable products are those with firmware version “Ver3” or earlier.

[Contents of update]
“720/60p HQ” for NTSC version or “720/50p HQ” for PAL version selectable at the REC FORMAT on the MENU.


Go to the NXCAM folder, select NXCAM software, select V4.00 and there are 2 files, NX5_Update_E_V4 121015.pdf is a document outlining how to perform the firmware update, the .exe file is the other file to implement the upgrade. It is recommended to make sure you have plenty of charge on the camera battery or run the camera from mains power so the update isn’t interrupted by loss of power to the camera while updating.

http://www.saus.com.au/index.php?d=NXCAM/NXCAM Software/HXR-NX5/V4,00

Friday 19 October 2012

GoPro Hero 3 Black Edition captures 4K video

GoPro pulled the wraps off of a new generation of its line of Hero sports camera packages built around the smallest, most powerful camera that it has ever offered: the GoPro Hero3.

The GoPro Hero3 Black Edition is the flagship model that will retail for AU$489. This new model features a chassis that is 30 percent smaller and 25 percent lighter than the outgoing Hero2 model and is only 20mm thick when removed from its plastic shell. The plastic shell itself is also smaller (obviously) and features a new flat lens. The case also features a double lock that ensures that the rear plastic door isn't going anywhere once it's sealed, unless you want it to -- even then, it's sort of tricky to deal with.

Where the rubber meets the metaphorical road, you'll find a new lens that captures images that are 2x sharper than the Hero2's, offers 2x better low-light performance, and reduces distortion. (GoPro tells us that a bit of the trademark ultrawide angle distortion has been left in the Hero3 to maintain the "signature GoPro look.")



Behind that lens, you'll find a new video processor that is twice as fast as the Hero2's, which gives it the capability to capture some serious resolution. The Hero3 is able to capture up to 4K video at up to 15 frames per second, a new 2.7K video resolution at up to 30fps, and an oddball 4:3 aspect ratio 1440p video at up to 48fps. Of course the standard HD resolutions also make return appearances. The Hero3 Black Edition fleshes out its list of formats with 1080p full HD at 60fps, 960p tall HD at 100fps, 720p HD at up to 120fps, and WVGA 480p at up to 240fps. You may think that 4K video is overkill, particularly at the low 15fps frame rate, but being able to capture more-conventional HD video resolutions at ridiculously high frame rates can make for some sweet slow-motion video.
Still photos can be captured at 12 megapixels at up to a 30fps burst and in time-lapse intervals ranging from 0.5 to 60 seconds.

The Hero3 uses the improved LCD that debuted on the Hero2 and the same two-button interface for power/mode and shutter release of every GoPro model that's come before it, but there's a new Wi-Fi button on one side that betrays the fact that every new GoPro Hero3 features built-in Wi-Fi connectivity. Out of the box, you get compatibility with the GoPro app for smartphones and the GoPro Wi-Fi remote. In fact, the Black Edition even comes with that Wi-Fi remote in the box.


GoPro Hero3: Black Edition


The bank of connections and ports has been simplified. You only get Micro-HDMI for video output, Mini-USB for charge and sync (it also works for USB audio out and analog video out with optional adapters), a microSD card slot (as opposed to the full-size SD cards of the previous generations), and the proprietary BacPac connection for adding additional hardware such as extended batteries and the new LCD Touch BacPac. Alongside the new Hero3, GoPro is launching a new Battery BacPac and an LCD Touch BacPac that offers brighter video, clearer sound, and touch sensitivity over the previous generation LCD BacPac.

In addition to the Black Edition, GoPro will also offer the GoPro Hero3 Silver edition for AU$379, which offers the same small form factor as the Black Edition, but loses the capability to capture 4K, 2.7K, or 1440p video. The Silver also has lower frame rate caps on the 1080p, 960p, 720p, and 480p video capture modes and a lower maximum still photo resolution of 11 megapixels. Finally, there's the entry-level GoPro Hero3 White Edition for AU$269, which has even lower frame rate caps on the video modes and a maximum of 5 megapixels for its still photos.

All Hero3 models feature a new smaller waterproof housing to accommodate the smaller Hero3 chassis; the flat lens cover offers better underwater image quality with lower levels of distortion. The Silver Edition, and White Edition, along with a new range of accessories and BacPacs, go on sale October 22., while the Black Edition goes on sale end of November 2012.



Thursday 26 July 2012

Canon's EOS M The First Mirrorless Camera

The new Canon EOS M is first mirrorless EOS camera. Combining the imaging quality of a DSLR with the convenience of a point and shoot, it features an 18 MP APS-C sensor, a DIGIC 5 image processor, and a 3.0" 1,040k-dot touch-screen LCD.

 The EOS M is quite the interesting beast, and sets itself apart from most of the other cameras of this type on the market. Developed concurrently with the EOS 650D, like best friends, the two cameras share almost everything. The 18-megapixel APS-C sensor is the same, so too is the Digic 5 image processor and the hybrid AF system. The 3-inch touchscreen is also identical.

The big difference is the exterior body design. It comes in three colour options (black, red or white), and is compact enough for comfortable one-handed shooting. The look-and-feel is pretty refined as well, with a smooth plastic exterior and the same sturdy buttons and dials as found on a range of Canon compacts. This camera is just 298 grams with a battery and memory card, and if you add on the 18-55mm lens, the total package is 508 grams.


Canon is targeting the EOS M towards photographers who want to be able to take high-quality images, but without the bulk and weight of an SLR. From the design of the EOS M, point and shooters will enjoy using the simple menu options. At the top of the camera is a mode switch to change between full automatic, a number of more manual modes and movie mode. The touchscreen LCD makes it easy to adjust exposure on the fly, as well.

All the additional shooting modes available in the 650D make their way over to the EOS M, including the handheld night scene mode and HDR backlight control. The EOS M can shoot at 4.3fps in continuous mode, or at 1.7fps with tracking focus using the 18-55mm lens, and 1.2fps with tracking focus and the 22mm lens.

It offers yet another lens mount (EF-M) to confuse the masses — no standardisation here — though there is an optional adapter available, which lets users mount existing EOS lenses on the camera. On the topic of lenses, the EOS M launches with two new models on its mount, the 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM and 22mm f/2 STM pancake. Full HD video recording at 30, 25 and 24 frames per second (fps) is available, along with a built-in stereo microphone and 3.5mm jack. The EOS M is compatible with all regular EOS accessories, including Speedlites. There is a dedicated new flash unit for this camera to make the most of its small size, the 90 EX. Unfortunately, there's no way to attach an electronic viewfinder to the EOS M.

The EOS M will be available from October 2012.