Telestream, provider of digital media tools and workflow solutions, today announced a major release for its ScreenFlow screen recording and video editing software. ScreenFlow 4 optimizes full-screen recording for Apple Retina displays, adds chroma key support, nested clips, media library tools, additional video and audio effects, closed caption support, and more.
Final Cut Pro X, a radical re-thinking of professional video editing that initially sparked more a revolt than the revolution Apple intended, has gone on to win PC Magazine's "Editor's Choice" award after a review of the program and the features restored and improved by its third free update. The latest version, released at the very end of January, restored multi-cam editing, broadcast monitoring and richer XML support to the suite, enabling Final Cut Pro 7 projects and third-party plug-ins. In doing so, it has begun to silence its critics.
Two different pro-video editing software companies have released new plug-in versions for Final Cut Pro X and other editors that bring new abilities to their respective platforms. Singular Software has updated its PluralEyes clip-syncing program for FCP X, while FxFactory plug-in developer Nattress has added Levels and Curves, a filter pack that lets users color-grade in the film log, to FCP X and earlier versions, along with Motion and Adobe After Effects.
Snapstream, a company that offers a hardware-based TV broadcast monitoring server and integrated software, has released a Mac version of its web player, letting Mac users search, view and save clips on various subjects. The Mac version, a first for the company, is limited compared to its Windows counterpart but is expected to gain support for additional browsers, video formats and playback options over time. Mac compatibility greatly helps those who rely on Mac workflows for video editing.
Boris FX has added 64-bit support and a large group of new filters in its video effects plug-in suite, launching its Boris RED 5 update today. The program offers transitions, pro-level text and advanced composites for video editing software from Adobe, Apple, Avid and others. The new version extends support to 64-bit editing programs such as Sony Vegas 9 but also supports Mac and Windows video editing programs in 32-bit versions as well. Version 5 includes filters from the Boris Final Effects Complete VFX plug-in collection to Boris RED, including Ball Action, Bubbles and Wiggle Edges.
Mac video developer Aquafadas has created a new video- and slideshow-creation program aimed specifically at kids called KidsMotion, featuring bright, colorful themes and easy-to-click controls that allow kids the pleasure of assembling their own presentations based on photos or videos made of them or made by them. The software uses animated transitions and music to make putting together a short video or slideshow very easy.
Re:Vision Effects, who make plug-ins for many of the most popular video editing software packages such as Apple's Final Cut Studio, have updated their ReelSmart Motion Blur (RSMB) and Twixtor plug-ins for Eyeon Software's Vision and Fusion compositing softwares. The main new feature in each is speed, with RSMB v4 for Fusion performing 1.3 to 2 times faster than v3, while Twixtor v5 for Fusion is 130 to 150 percent faster than v4.
Synthetic Aperture has unveiled Color Finesse 3.0, an update to its color correction software. The utility works as an Adobe After Effects and Final Cut Pro plug-in, with a variety of tools for altering highlight and shadow effects. The update brings 64-bit support in Adobe CS5, a feature that helps to reduce out-of-memory errors during effects rendering. Other changes include integrated Auto Color and Auto Exposure buttons, along with additional controls for image saturation via the new Vibrance setting.
Creaceed has released a new beta version of Elasty HD, its motion tracking and special effects application that was previously labeled Magnet 1.x. Elasty HD 2.0 is designed for video editing, with tools for distorting images and changing colors. The upgrade adds rotate, flip and cropping effects, as well as new image-stabilization technology with customizable levels of strength. The app now supports separate rendering for images and sound, allowing users to export the audio alone.
iSkysoft Studio has upgraded its DVD burning software, DVD Creator. Version 2.0 adds support for additional output options including DVD Disc and DVD Folder, which can be used with most popular video formats. Other features include animated menu templates for creating DVD menus, along with the ability to save imported files to the Project File for later editing or re-burning.
Moyea has released its self-titled DVD Ripper for Mac. The application is used to rip DVDs into numerous video formats for devices such as the iPhone, iPod, Apple TV, Zune, PSP, Xbox 360 and PS3. Editing features allow users to trim and crop videos, add images, replace the audio track, or add sound effects. The editing tools can also be used to adjust contrast, brightness, saturation and volume, as well as add video effects such as a Gauss blur, greyscale, inverted color, and aged film.
Boris FX has released the full version of Boris Continuum Complete 6 AVX. The plug-in adds nearly 200 filters to video and film editing programs such as Final Cut Pro, Motion, and Adobe After Effects. The software is based on the Avid video editing and finishing architecture, and as such supports Avid Media Composer, NewsCutter and Symphony. The upgrade provides 15 new filters including Extruded Text, Cartoon Look, Lightning, and Swish Pan.
Boris FX has released a beta version of its video and film effects software, Boris Continuum Complete 6 AVX. The plug-in is used to add a host of approximately 200 filters to a variety of video editing programs, such as Final Cut Pro and Adobe After Effects, while still preserving After Effects keyframes. Notable additions to the beta include 15 new filters, along with the ability to restore and enhance images or generate 3D text animations.
Two versions ago, iMovie HD 6 offered powerful video editing for novices. For iMovie ‘08, Apple completely rewrote the program to focus on making video editing simpler, but at the sacrifice of its more sophisticated editing features. When users howled their disapproval, Apple quickly made the original iMovie HD app available as a free download. Now with iMovie ‘09, Apple has combined the simplicity of iMovie ‘08 with the powerful editing capabilities of iMovie HD.
In brief: SmartSound has announced that it will now begin to bundle its software with video editing programs from Adobe, Roxio and Serif. David Pogue, a tech columnist for the New York Times has released a new book that is supposed to help photographers learn the basics of digital photography. The book covers topics that range from what to look for when purchasing a new digital camera to basic editing functions. Limit Point Software has announced that they will be offering a software bundle that will give users the ability to buy Mailings and iForm together at a 60% reduced price.
Adobe on Tuesday unveiled Photoshop Elements 7, and Premiere Elements 7, two major version upgrades to its consumer photo and video editing applications, including Photoshop.com memberships with either app. Photoshop Elements 7 introduces several new tools and utilities, including several one-step Quick Fix tools. Quick Fix allows users to remedy common problems with sky color, or teeth whitening, while the Smart Brush can quickly improve lighting, add textures, or apply over fifty effects to a specific area.
Boris FX on Thursday announced three families of Boris Continuum Units, allowing users to piecemeal the Boris Continuum Complete set to meet their editing needs. Boris is offering Pan and Zoom, UpRez, and Chroma Key as separately purchasable components, with the option to apply the purchase price towards the full cost of Boris Continuum complete. Boris FX is selling Pan and Zoom for $200, while UpRez is $100, and Chroma Key is available for $300.
EditShare this week introduced a software solution that creates a single media file type which can be used in both Avid and Apple Final Cut Pro video editing applications. Used in conjunction with Editshare's Flow Ingest software, the Universal Media File technology allows the seamless acquisition of media in one format, and simultaneous output to multiple other formats. In shared workflow situations, the Universal Media File promises to add a new dimension to work environments by eliminating the need for file conversion, file duplication or the congestion of valuable ingest channels.
Aero Quartet has released version 3.7 of SimpleMovieX, the lightweight Mac OS X movie editor. Offering a feature set roughly similar to QuickTime Pro, SimpleMovieX extends editing capabilities to other popular video formats AVI, MPEG-1, MPEG-2 and MPEG-4, the company said. "The main advantage of native editing is speed and quality, since no re-encoding is required to save edited movies." The new version improves support of iTunes library, as movies metadata, languages and artwork are now preserved through editing and saving. It also brings a significant speed increase to editing and chapter tasks. The software offers the ability to split movie into clips, a Batch Converter, an Audio Waveform tool to make sharp audio editing and synchronization, and more.
Apple on Thursday said that it has no plans discontinue its popular Final Cut software for video editing and post-production, after rumors began circulating at NAB that the company had plans to sell the software. Moving to quash rumors, the company told TVB Europe that the Apple had sold its millionth Final Cut Pro license and that its new Final Cut Server software is the company's latest addition to the product family: "I can categorically state, on the record, that is not the case," said Richard Townhill, Apple's director of marketing for professional video applications. The report also cites research by SCRI noting that Apple took 49 percent of the US professional editing market in 2007, while Avid took just 22 percent.
At NAB Adobe also announced native support for the Sony XDCAM EX camera format in its Premiere Pro CS3 video editing and production software. Premiere Pro delivers a file-based workflow without transcoding or rewrapping, providing a software-only, tapeless High Definition (HD) workflow—from capture to output. Adobe will demonstrating the Sony XDCAM EX editing workflow during The 2008 NAB conference at booth SL3220.
At NAB in Las Vegas, Adobe on Monday launched a new effort for an industry-wide open file format for digital cinema files, initiative to define an industry-wide open file format for digital cinema files to streamline workflows an ensure easy archiving and exchange. Built on the company's Digital Negative Specification (DNG) file format for photos, Adobe said it plans to work with a broad coalition of leading camera manufacturers, including Panavision, Silicon Imaging, Dalsa, Weisscam, and ARRI—along with software vendors, including Iridas and The Foundry, and codec provider CineForm—to define the requirements for an open, publicly documented file format that it plans to call CinemaDNG.
Telestream on Sunday announced announced its Episode 5.0 encoding software which expands format support to a greater number of specific digital media workflows: the high-performance Episode Engine server software adds input support for RED camera, Cineon and DPX formats and for its core content repurposing to Web and mobile workflows, the entire Episode family adds support for the latest Flash 8, Flash 9 and Blu-ray formats. In addition, for Apple's new Final Cut Server media asset management and workflow automation software, Episode expands format choices beyond QuickTime and brings high-end 10-bit 4:4:4 processing.
Ahead of next week's NAB conference, Apple on Thursday released its updates to its professional video editing applications with Pro Applications Update 2008-01. The company said that the update, which includes the Apple HDV Codec v1.4 for 4:2:2 support in Final Cut Pro, improves reliability for Apple's professional applications; it is recommended for all users of Final Cut Studio, Final Cut Server, Logic Studio, and Shake and includes an update to Final Cut Studio 2.0, including Final Cut Pro 6.0.3, Compressor 3.0.3--both of which address specific customer issues, installation issues, compatibility updates, general performance issues and improves overall stability. It is a 63.7MB download.
Media 100 on Thursday announced that it will unveil version 12.5 at the NAB 2008 exhibition held in Las Vegas next week. Media 100 v12.5 will feature HDV support for capture through Apple native FireWire and also the ability to input and edit multiple audio tracks. Using Media 100's user-friendly interface, the video editing package allows editors to easily and quickly assemble segments with very high picture quality using 2D/3D compositing features, professional-grade effects tools, and more. The company says that new Media 100 version 12.5 release expands on the systems workflow acquisition options and finishing capabilities with support for HDV formats and multi-channel audio input.
Red Giant Software has announced it will show five new products at the upcoming NAB convention in Las Vegas, including Trapcode Horizon, Instant HD Pro, Radium Glow, Magic Bullet Steady, and Primatte Keyer Pro 4. Trapcode Horizon is a new plug-in designed specifically for After Effects users doing 3D work. Due in the second quarter of 2008, the plugin is designed to help video editors match the camera with any virtual background, enabling the generation of motion in 3D in a true 3D space. It is priced at $100.
Synthetic Aperture this week announced Test Gear 2.0, a new version of its video and audio monitoring software specifically designed for Adobe After Effects CS3. Expected to be demoed next week at NAB in Las Vegas, Test Gear offers a waveform monitor, vectorscope, and other diagnostic displays that are now fully integrated into After Effects CS3's user interface. Version 2.0 also adds Universal Binary support for Intel-based Macs. Version 2.0 enhances all of the test instruments by adding full support for 32-bit floating-point projects. Test Gear provides motion graphics artists and video editors with a variety of test instruments to make objective measurements of their visual and audio work, all from within Adobe After Effects. Test instruments include waveform monitor, vectorscope, histogram, image slice display, and audio tools.
Norrkross Software has released version 1.2 of its video editing, compositing and effects application that offers realtime, non-destructive video effects and unlimited layers with transparency compositing. Norrkross Movie 1.2 improves the audio control, user interface and adds a new French localization. The software can be used to edit video in multiple layered tracks, add movie titles, or use the green screen effect. Leveraging a simple user interface that can be used with little or no training, Norrkross Movie can be used to quickly put together a video clip for YouTube or to make an advanced animated multi-track movie.
Mien Software has released MediaEdit 3 for the Mac, a consumer-level video editing tool, which edits virtually all QuickTime readable formats and supports unlimited layers. The new release adds support for nlimited media layers can add video, audio and text and uses non-destructive editing. I talso sports multiple levels of undo, live previews and background rendering and can capture video and audio. MediaEdit 3 has a timeline, can resize and position clip display region and comes with standard effects, filters and transitions. Completed videos can be exported to QuickTime, DV, MPEG-4 and to the web.
Globalstor Data Corporation today unveiled the ExtremeStor-DI REDe drive array, an addition to its popular line of storage servers designed specifically to offer complete compatibility for RED Digital Video footage. The RAID system is capable of streaming 2K format video at a full 24 frames-per-second across Fibre Channel, to use with a video editing system such as Apple's Final Cut Studio 2. Pricing for the ExtremeStor-DI REDe was not available.
Kinemac today released Kinemac 1.6, an update to the 3D real-time animation and presentation software for Mac OS X. Kinemac plays animations in real-time at full screen, and exports those animations to QuickTime movie files or to a series of single still images. Users simply drag images, text, movies, and songs onto the Kinemac stage. The software supports creating 2D and 3D objects via a menu option, and is priced at $250.
Adobe today released several updates to its software applications for professionals, including After Effects, InDesign, and InCopy. The Adobe After Effects CS3 Professional software 8.0.2 update provides Panasonic P2 format support, Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard compatibility fixes, Mac OpenGL support for supported video cards under Mac OS X v10.4.10 and v10.5, and other important fixes. The update for its professional video editing solution is 106.3MB and is available online. Adobe also noted that the Adobe InCopy CS3 5.02 update, for its provides key fixes in the areas of character alignment, undo and redo, text and fonts, dictionaries, import/export graphics, and others; the installer includes fixes from all previously released InCopy CS3 5.0.x updates (and previous InCopy CS3 5.0.x updates are no longer available separately.
Sonnet Technologies has launched its Fusion F2 portable RAID storage system, which provides storage for on-location video capture or remote use when grid power is unavailable. Fusion F2 features 640GB of storage using two 2.5-inch drives mounted side by side in a rugged enclosure. Offering a low-profile, compact design measuring (5.9 x 6.2 x 0.72 inches). The compact Fusion F2 delivers high performance with data transfer rates up to twice as fast as a pair of FireWire 800 drives. Using FireWire for power only, the Fusion F2 features two eSATA data connections and is designed for use with the Sonnet Tempo SATA ExpressCard/34 adapter (MacBook Pro). By connecting via SATA interface, Fusion F2 easily supports portable video capture in conjunction with an AJA Video Systems' Io HD, which requires dedicated use of FireWire bandwidth.
Boinx Software recently announced that all of its products – iStopMotion, Fotomagico, Mouseposé, and iVeZeen – are all compatible with Leopard, while offering a new version of iStopMotion. The update to iStopMotion 2.1 introduces improved Leopard integration, and some new video input features. Users can now use Firewire HD cameras with iStopMotion, but it can be a costly process due to the requirement of Final Cut Studio, since the MPEG2 format carries several licensing issues. If the camera has an HDMI connection, it can be used without requiring Final Cut. iStopMotion can now use multiple video sources, allowing users to cover multiple camera angles without needing to re-film the scene. iStopMotion is available in three tiers: Home ($50), Express ($100), and Pro ($500), all of which are available now through Boinx' web site.
Microspot today released Interiors Professional, an application that provides interior space and modeling space with a shared library. Interiors Pro includes a raytrace renderer as well as built-in modeling tools to create realistic designs and animations. Microspot's Interiors Professional is priced at $250, while upgrades for registered users of Interiors and Interiors/Modeler are priced at $115 and $55, respectively. The software requires Mac OS X 10.4 or later.
Noise Industries has released the second edition of FxFactory, its supplement for Final Cut Studio and Express. The program manages plug-ins in Apple's FxPlug format, and in its latest incarnation, supports Mac OS X Leopard as well as the recently-released Final Cut Express 4. A new interface improves the browser, displaying relevant plug-in status information; also provided is an option to search for all transitions within a plug-in's package.
Roxio today updated its digital movie optimization and video DVD copying software, Popcorn 3.0.2, adding in Leopard compatibility, as well as a few bug fixes. The update resolves an issue where DVD chapters were not correctly preserved as bookmarks, and DTS audio now has the correct label. PAL and NTSC video settings can now be adjusted for output to DVD, and users should no longer receive error #1634955892 when trying to use a DVD as the physical source, nor should exporting from a DVD cause the erros -43 or -206. There are some miscellaneous fixes as well, pertaining to Fit-to-DVD compression, TiVo, and 3G formatting, and can be seen on the Popcorn update page. Popcorn requires a G4, G5 or Intel processor, and Mac OS 10.4.10 or higher, and is available for $50.
Red Giant Software has released Trapcode Form, an organic 3D shape generator enabling users to create a wide variety of animations ranging from text logos to billowing smoke. Users can drive all of the 3D designs by audio to create visualizations that move with the beat of whatever music is playing. Trapcode Form comes with 61 customizable presets, and offers full integration with After Effects’ 3D environment which allows users to fly cameras through as well as around the animated forms. Trapcode Form is priced at $200 and works with Adobe After Effects 7.0/CS3, while the entire Trapcode Suite 2007 collection is available for $950.
Apple on Wednesday released a plethora of updates to its professional applications for Leopard compatibility, including Soundtrack Pro 2.0.2 [70MB], Final Cut Pro 6.0.2 [38MB], DVD Studio Pro 4.2.1 [12MB], Motion 3.0.2 [21MB], Color 1.0.2 [80MB], Cinema Tools 4.0.1 [10MB], Compressor 3.0.2 [96MB], and Pro Applications Update 2007-02 [9MB]. The updates require Mac OS X 10.4.11 or Mac OS X 10.5 and are available via Mac OS X's Software Update or via the Web.
Toon Boom Animation today announced that its Storyboard Pro, Digital Pro, and consumer version of Storyboard software all work with Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard. The Toon Boom team says it is also currently working on making the Harmony network solution as well the consumer software Studio compatible with Leopard in the near future. Toon Boom Storyboard Pro is priced at $900, while the company's Toon Boom Digital Pro and Storyboard applications are available for $3,000 and $400, respectively. Toon Boom Studio requires Mac OS X 10.4.7 or later, while both Toon Boom Storyboard and Toon Boom Digital Pro require Mac OS X 10.4 or later.
Cycore Systems today released CycoreFX HD 1.6, an update to the plug-in collection for Adobe After Effects that adds seven new plug-ins. CycoreFX HD 1.6 features a total of 71 plug-ins with 16 bpc support. The upgraded bundle includes nine plug-ins with support for 32 bpc (float, while several other plug-ins boast added functionality like built-in support for AE lights and new user interface options. All the plug-ins are Universal Binaries that run natively on Intel-based Macs, and every plug-in is compatible with Adobe After Effects CS3. The update is free for all current CycoreFX HD owners, with new licenses priced at $300 (system requirements were unavailable.
After two years of development and a lengthy public test phase, iStopMotion 2 is ready for Apple's forthcoming Mac OS X Leopard operating system. The stop-motion animation software features virtual stages that allow animators to place objects into a pre-recorded background, as well as "rotoscoping" which supports loading a video that guides animators in the animation. The update also enables users to record a certain number of frames in real time, and boasts support for high-definition (HD) cameras. The software comes in three varieties designed for different users which include the Home edition ($50) for families, the Express edition ($100) for serious hobbyist animators, and a pro version ($500) for animators who aim to or who already earn a living with stop-motion animation.
Maxon today released an enhanced version of its Cinema 4D 10.5 software. Sporting a wealth of new features, the update includes nearly a 100 enhancements that have been made to Cinema 4D's optional modules as well as its core engine. Maxon said that the update offers new tools for MOCCA and MoGraph as well as major enhancements to HAIR. Using the new DWG import filter, Cinema 4D users now have access to one of the most widely used CAD exchange formats on the market. it supports AutoCAD versions 13 to 2008, including layers, blocks and references. Architects can also enjoy the new connection to Allplan 2008, which guarantees loss-free transfer from Cinema 4D R10.5.
Pleasant Software has released PiP 1.0, a freeware tool that enables users to show video from any Webcam on the desktop. The software integrates video as a picture within a picture, making it useful for live presentations or screencast recordings. PiP automatically places itself in the menubar after launch to reduce the number of items in the dock, and allows users to define a keyboard shortcut to smoothly fade video in as well as out. The application supports changing the video device along with its settings, and can rotate the video picture by 180-degrees. PiP is available for free and requires Mac OS X 10.4 or later with a Mac-enabled Webcam.
Interactive Solutions has announced a Universal binary version of MediaWorks. In addition to running natively on Intel-based Macs, the new release includes more than 100 minor improvements and bug fixes, including new menu options to export to iPhone and Apple TV. The Mac version of MediaWorks Animator now supports drag and drop of multiple files, free rotation and has a new checkbox to show an outline of the previous frame. The help system has been revised, and there is a new getting started document as well as 15-day Trial versions. The update is free for registered customers of version 6.0 or higher, and is otherwise priced at $80.
B-l-a-c-k-o-p Design is now shipping CamCamX, a broadcast quality video mixer for Macs that uses 8-bit uncompressed 4:2:2 component video as its native video format. "CamCamX takes a fresh approach to live video mixing on the desktop; just as with traditional video mixers any two camera sources, QuickTime movies, and still images can be used as inputs and mixed in real time. What sets CamCamX apart from other existing video mixers is that the video mix is re-routed back into the Mac as an emulated iSight (Web cam) camera." The CamCamX emulated camera is simultaneously available to all traditional Webcam and video recording applications as a live camera input. The software is priced at $30, though a lifetime subscription is also available for $100. The company also offers an AppleCare-like 3-year warranty (system requirements were unavailable).
Vlogsnapz has changed the name of vmovie -- an application that allows users to record video live with effects -- to vlogsnapz.producer, and shipped it. The tool can post-process movies to add titles, and then upload them to almost a dozen services from within the application. Supported services include YouTube, vimeo, blip.tv, and dailymotion. Uploading to .Mac, FTP and re-encoding for transmission to iPod, iPhone, and the Apple TV are also included. Background encoding and upload of multiple clips simultaneously is supported. vlogsnapz.producer is priced at $30, and a 15-day trial period is available. The program requires an Intel-based Mac, Mac OS X Tiger, and QuickTime 7.x.
Apple has released a maintenance update to its controversial video editing application iMovie '08, introduced August 7th alongside in major revamp of all the iLife applications, bringing the program to version 7.0.1. The new release addresses issues associated with publishing to the .Mac Web Gallery. It also improves overall stability and addresses a number of other minor issues, on which Apple has yet to elaborate. An updater is available through Software Update or as a 9MB Web download.
