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SYPHAnews - 27th November 2001
Welcome to SYPHAnews - a newsletter designed to keep you up to date with
nonlinear audio and video news, as well as developments at http://SYPHAonline.com
(incorporating http://NLEguide.com and http://DAWguide.com).
We will deliver this service to you free of charge every month - unless
there is some major news or event which we think you should know about
sooner.
New at SYPHAonline.com
STOP PRESS!! We have just launched our redesigned website which, thanks
to your input, is simpler and faster to use - as always we look forward
to your feedback.
We have introduced a number of features as part of this redesign, including
all-inclusive manufacturer and system name fields on the search pages,
'buy from' and 'associated products' pages, and a partnership scheme to
fill in the gaps that we don't cover - not to mention new advertising
opportunities. Watch out for these to become active over the next few
weeks.
For the DAW Buyers Guide we have a new full details listing for:
- SoundScape by Mackie - Mixtreme & Mixtreme 2000/8000 Digital PowerPAK
and a updated entry for:
For the NLE Buyers Guide we have an updated full details listing for:
- Canopus - Storm SE, Storm SE Plus & Storm Rack
and updated entries for:
- Accom - Abekas 6000 On-Air Production Server
- Accom - AFFINITY & AFFINITY/san
- MacroSystem Digital Video - Casablanca Kron
- NewTek - Video Toaster [2].
NLE news
Avid Announces Repackaging and Repricing of its Digital
Media Solutions
Avid has repackaged and repriced its Avid Xpress, Media Composer, Avid
Symphony, Avid|DS HD and Avid NewsCutter product lines. The entry points
on Avid|DS standard definition and Avid|DS HD systems have been repositioned
and all SCSI-based Avid|DS products now ship on HD-ready hardware platforms.
Symphony has been consolidated into a single product that now includes
Universal Mastering as standard, and the system has been repriced with
a 24 percent reduction overall. Changes to the Media Composer family include
price reductions of up to 29 percent, plus simplified model offerings.
For Avid Xpress the Plus, Deluxe and Elite bundles are no longer available.
Instead the new basic Avid Xpress has various options, including the newly
available Real-time Dual-stream Uncompressed Video Option (this requires
the Real-time 2D Effects Option), giving more functionality. See http://www.avid.com.
Pinnacle Announces Windows 2000/XP Drivers for Pro-ONE
and the Pinnacle Switch Promotion
Pinnacle Systems has announced that Windows 2000/XP drivers will be available
for its Pro-ONE DV-based editing and authoring solution as of the end
of November 2001. This will allow reverse playback in real time with no
flickering or artefacts, smoother movements of video and graphics windows,
and optimised picture quality during real time video output using a new
algorithm. The price of Pro-ONE has also been reduced to GBP£749 (excluding
taxes). Pinnacle has also announced the Pinnacle Switch promotion for
selected products, which runs until January 31 2002. This allows you to
trade in your old editing solution, regardless of the brand or model,
and receive EUR20 for buying Pinnacle Studio, EUR50 for Studio DVplus
and EUR100 for DV500plus. See http://www.pinnaclesys.com/switch.
Matrox Ships Release 3.1 and Announces Windows XP
Support for RT2500 and RT2000
Matrox Video Products Group has announced the availability of Matrox Video
Tools release 3.1 for the RT2500 and RT2000 real time video editing cards.
New features include multi-language support, Matrox TurboDV software engine
with dual-processor support for ultra-fast DV exports, Intel Pentium 4
support, a new Matrox audio mixer, and additional control over colourisation
settings. Matrox has also announced that Microsoft Windows XP has been
validated for use with RT2500 and RT2000 (Matrox Video Tools release 3.1
is required). Release 3.1 is available as a free download to registered
users. It will also be available on CD from the Matrox web store at a
nominal shipping and handling charge. See http://www.matrox.com/video.
Quantel Launches New Website and iQ Workshops
Quantel has launched a redesigned and restructured website featuring the
latest software versions to download for its system owners and users.
Also as part of its regular roadshow programme, Quantel is running iQ
workshops worldwide enabling you to catch up on the latest developments
and partnerships as demonstrated at IBC 2001. See http://www.quantel.com/roadshows.
Canopus Bundles Sonic Solutions DVDit!
Canopus has announced that it will bundle Sonic Solutions DVDit! with
its line of digital video editing and MPEG encoding solutions. DVDit!
allows you to publish interactive content in DVD-Video, DVD-ROM, and cDVD
formats. Canopus DVRex RT Professional, Amber and DVBooster Pack will
include DVDit! SE. The DVRex RT Mega Bundle and EZDV will include DVDit!
LE, and Storm SE, Storm SE Plus and DVRaptor-RT come with a trial version
of DVDit! SE. See http://www.canopus-uk.com.
Edifis Announces Format-Independent Signal Store
and Interface
Edifis announces Gearbox, a multi-role toolkit which comprises high capacity
non-compressed video storage and data interfaces. Its applications include
recording new television material, versioning clips, dubbing, storing
pre-formed inserts such as colour bars and tone, archiving, playout and
recording commercials or features with closed caption text. See http://www.edifis.com.
IPV Launches QuickTime Plug-Ins for Working with
Video over the Internet
IPV has launched a range of QuickTime plug-ins aimed at broadcast professionals
who want to work remotely with video over the Internet. FMA (Flexible
Media Architecture) provides immediate access to the complete footage
allowing users to begin browsing and editing timecode/frame accurate video
across the Internet at broadcast qualities and above, whatever the Internet
connection. FMA Flexbuilder is a management tool that prepares FMA video
material for viewing, and FMA Flexviewer provides the playback of FMA
enhanced video. See http://www.ipv.com.
DAW news
SADiE Tests its Super Audio CD Mastering Editor
Since its debut at the AES Amsterdam in May 2001, the SADiE Super Audio
CD Mastering Editor has been undergoing Beta testing. The hardware design
has been finalised and the authoring functions have now been fully integrated.
The authoring capabilities have been verified with a test pressing produced
in Japan of a single layer disc which was recorded, edited and authored
on the system. The first commercial master, Angel in the Dark by Laura
Nyro on the Rounder Records label in the USA, has also been produced.
See http://www.sadie.com.
Merging Releases DSD Multitrack Recorder/Editor/Mixer
for Pyramix
Merging Technologies has released Version 4.0 software for the Pyramix
audio workstation. This supports 8 simultaneous channels of DSD recording,
editing and mixing as well as stereo and/or surround mastering. Plans
include increasing this to 24 tracks later in 2002. Existing Pyramix users
can upgrade by purchasing an additional Mykerinos DSP card and DSD I/O
daughtercard and adding the SACD software option pack. See http://www.merging.com.
CreamWare Announces Special Offers
CreamWare has announced two holiday specials until 31st December 2001.
Firstly, the Pulsar II with Luna 2496 I/O Box package comprising the Pulsar
II DSP card with version 3.0 software and Z-Link I/O board, giving a total
of 28 I/Os (stereo analogue, stereo S/PDIF, one ADAT interface, two Z-Link
interfaces) and the Luna 2496 I/O Box external converter unit with 8 analogue
inputs/ outputs. The suggested net retail price for this package is EUR1,595
(down from EUR 2,070). Secondly, the Luna 2496 I/O Box for users of Luna
II, Elektra or PowerSampler systems, or Pulsar II and SCOPE systems with
the optional Z-Link daughterboard, has a suggested net retail price of
EUR380 (down from EUR570). See http://www.creamware.com.
DAR Goes Live with Trigger
Digital Audio Research (DAR) has launched the Trigger audio replay system
for live television productions, radio and theatre. It features record,
edit and replay functions, 4 stereo outputs, 4 separate playlists, 32
instant play Trigger keys, and can be triggered by external events. It
is supplied with an 18GB internal hard drive, plus removable media options
including DVD-RAM, MO and Zip, and can be used as a standalone system
or in a networked environment using the DAR D-net protocol. See http://www.dar.uk.com.
Digidesign Ships Pro Tools 5.1.3, DigiTranslator
2.0 and FilmFrame Upgrades
Digidesign is shipping Pro Tools version 5.1.3 software and DigiTranslator
2.0 for enhanced video and interchange functionality (the audio feature
set remains the same as Pro Tools 5.1.1). Pro Tools 5.1.3 and DigiTranslator
2.0 is free of charge to all registered Pro Tools/Avid Unity users. DigiTranslator
2.0 is available as an upgrade to DigiTranslator 1.0 registered owners
for US$95, or has an MSRP of US$495. FilmFrame is a software enhancement
for AVoption systems, which adds support for true 24fps picture media.
FilmFrame is available to registered owners of AVoption and AVoption|XL
for US$995, or has a list price of US$4,995. See http://www.digidesign.com/sypha.
Digidesign Ships Digi 001 Factory
Digidesign is shipping Digi 001 Factory. Similar to Digi 001, the Factory
bundle features the 1176, LA-2A compressors and the moogerfooger lowpass
filter from Bomb Factory, Supertap, Metaflanger, Q10 EQ from Waves, Dynamo
001 Edition from Native Instruments, as well as the DigiRack suite of
plug-ins already included in Pro Tools software. The Digi 001 Factory
also includes the iLok USB Smart Key, the new way to store authorisations
for Digidesign and Development Partner products. The Digi 001 Factory
has a MSRP of GBP£1,009 (saving more than GBP£1,600 over the retail cost
of the individual components). See http://www.digidesign.com/sypha.
Fairlight Adopts VST Plug-In Format
Fairlight has announced the incorporation of VST Plug-ins into its Fairlight
Plug-ins Manager. Recently introduced, the Plug-ins Manager is an independent
CPU that provides plug-in functionality without the reliability issues
traditionally associated with third-party software integration. A selection
of VST plug-ins may be accessed by Fairlight users at pro audio or MI
retailers or on the Internet at http://www.cubase.net.
TC Works Ships SparkLE for Mac OS X
TC Works is shipping the SparkLE real time audio editing and authoring
software which supports Mac OS X Core Audio functionality. SparkLE is
also compatible with Mac OS 9, and includes a plug-in bundle. Key features
are unlimited real time crossfading, export in Roxio Toast format for
CD-burning, and enhanced QuickTime movie support. SparkLE costs US$49
and is available as a download from http://www.tcworks.de.
Digigram VXpocket Now Compatible with SoundCheck
Software
Digigram has announced that its VXpocket laptop sound card is now compatible
with the SoundCheck electroacoustic test system by Listen Inc. Distributed
by Brüel & Kjær, SoundCheck software is designed for the production
line testing of loudspeakers, microphones, hearing aids, telephones and
other acoustic transducers. Brüel & Kjær will offer SoundCheck
bundled with VXpocket v2. See http://www.bkhome.com.
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