Unfortunately I didn’t get the chance to go to NAB in Las Vegas this week. Had looked at making the trip but a combination of work on the new studio (still ongoing!) and some consultancy meant it just wasn’t possible. But with all the various sources it could be that following the show on the internet may actually give you a better overview of what was announced than if you had been there!
The following announcements caught my eye:
Apple
While not actually at NAB Apple took advantage (and took over the stage) at the Final Cut Pro User Group Network Supermeet to preview the upcoming Final Cut X. Release date is June priced at $299 via the App store.
The program has been totally re-written as a 64 bit application and key features include new interface, background rendering (hooray), audio syncing of multiple video tracks, increased use of metadata and lots more. By all accounts Apple are still making changes so the released version is likely to have even more in it.
There are no official videos or information available yet, but there is a great write up from Larry Jordan on his blog here. Larry is a film maker, editor and Final Cut instructor, his blog is well worth reading!
BlackMagic Design
There were several announcements from BlackMagic Design!
One of several Thunderbolt enable devices announced this week the UltraStudio 3D allows connection of 2 HD SDI, 1 HDMI and 1 analogue inputs. This looks an ideal device to be combined with a fast MacBook Pro and Telestreams Wirecast (once suported of course!).
Priced at $995. Check it out on the UltraStudio 3D page.
The most exciting announcement from any of the exhibitors was the ATEM Production Switcher range, to quote BlackMagic, the ‘world’s most advanced broadcast grade production switchers’.
These hardware based switchers range in price from $995 to $4995 and then, if the PC/Mac interface isn’t felxible enough for you, you can add one of the two models of a hardware control panel priced at $4995 or $14,995!
These units look like they will give the Tricaster serious competition, especially at the lower end where Newtek appear to be giving up on the market. Software only solutions such as Telestreams Wirecast (which we like and use) may also face competition from the low end of the range.
There are lots of open questions about how they handle titling, chroma keying and how you would stream from them but these could revolutionise the market.
The ATEM Television Studio which uses a PC or a Mac as the controller, up to 6 video inputs from 4 HD SDI and 4 HDMI, is a 1U rack unit and is priced at $995.
Check out the rest of the full ATEM Production Switcher Range.
Am hoping that my contacts at BlackMagic will answer some of the questions and even provide a unit for review!
Matrox
The popular MX02 devices are used by many people including those with MacBook Pros (17″ or the older models) with an express card slot. The new MacBook Pros all have a Thunderbolt interface which is capable of handing 2 or 3 HD inputs at the same time – but until NAB there were no video interfaces for Thunderbolt announced.
Matrox announced the ability for existing and new models of MX02 products to connect via Thunderbolt. The actual product details are not yet available.
Telestream
As a happy Telestream Wirecast user a new release of Wirecast is always exciting. Telestream announced version 4.1 with some interesting new features, especially around capturing multiple skype inputs.
- LiveU support
- Teradek Cube support
- Matrox’s new 4 HD-SDI input card
- Osprey cards on Windows
- Desktop Presenter with Audio support
Check out the press release.
