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MillimeterHDV@Work
Jul 11, 2005 5:40 PM
HD playback on today’s DVD
Steve Mullen
Most folks think of WM9 as a format they burn and then play on a PC. Now Flip4Mac (www.flip4mac.com) has released an OS X package with two important components. The first is a high-quality WM9 player. This enables you to successfully play video encoded to WM9 HD.
The WM9 Player is a plug-in to Apple’s QuickTime player. Unfortunately, multi-channel soundtracks play back only in stereo. Likewise, multi-channel soundtracks are not transcoded to Dolby 5.1 and output via a PowerMac’s optical port.
The second component supports the encoding of WM9 media under OS X. It is a plug-in that works with Final Cut Pro and QuickTime Pro. The plug-in encodes both 5.1 and 7.1 multi-channel audio. However, FCP 5 does not truly support 5.1 surround sound. Nevertheless, you can create 6-track audio and then output them as 6 “non-stereo pairs.” (The Low Frequency Effects channel should be low-pass-filtered at 80-120Hz.) Flip4mac encodes these using WM9 audio codecs.
Track 1 – Front-Left
Track 2 – Front-Right
Track 3 – Front-Center
Track 4 - Low Frequency Effects
Track 5 – Rear-Left
Track 6 – Rear-Right
Flip4mac now provides a way for Mac folks to create WM9 movies and play them back on their Macs. Thus both Windows and OS X users have a way to burn WM9 HD disks the same way they now do when they burn NTSC DVDs. SD DVDs, however, can be played around the world on low-cost DVD players. Now there is a way to play WM9 HD recordings on a DVD player.
I-O DATA (www.iodata.com/usa/products) is shipping a low-cost ($250) WM9 HD DVD player. The DVD player is compatible with HD Windows Media Video (WM9) as well as DivX HD.
When connected by LAN (10 BaseT/100 BaseTX) to your PC or Mac, the player lets you view various formatted files. The IR remote enables you to control playback of media in your My Photos/Photos and My Movies/Movies folders on your PC/Mac. Note, that the maximum LAN transfer rate is 12Mbps.
Although the I-O DATA LinkPlayer will play MPEG-2 Transport Stream data (which is what raw HDV is), only SD is supported because the maximum supported data rate is 12Mbps. JVC will ship a version of the LinkPlayer which will support a data rate of 19.2Mbps, so HDV can be played back from red-laser DVDs.
When in HD mode, you can view movies up to 1080i - not 1080p. The maximum WM9 data rate from a DVD or LAN is 8Mbps.
A digital camera, hard disk, or USB memory can be connected directly through a front-panel USB port to display JPEG, BMP, GIF, and PNG files. Photos up to 2048x1532 can be displayed.
LinkPlayer has composite and S-Video as well as HD analog component connectors. Audio outputs include analog (L/R), digital output (coax), and digital optical. (LinkPlayer is scheduled to receive a firmware upgrade that will enable multi-channel WM9 audio to be transcoded to Dolby Digital 5.1 audio and output via the coax and optical digital ports.)
I expect more red-laser HD players will come to market. Hopefully these will support AVC (MPEG-4) HD playback as well as WM9.
Canopus offers free trial version of Edius Pro 3
Canopus Corporation, known for its realtime video editing solutions and video codec expertise, today launched its Edius Pro 3 30-day trial version, which gives customers access to the full catalog of Edius Pro 3 features, including realtime HDV and mixed-format editing. Canopus today also launched its free Edius Pro 3 Training DVD to help customers get the most from their Edius Pro 3 realtime nonlinear editing software. Customers can download the software trial (also available on CD) and order the free training DVD from the company's Web site and get to know Edius Pro 3.
"Just one look will get editors enthusiastic about Edius Pro 3," said Ray Brooksby, vice president of sales and marketing at Canopus. "This 30-day trial, along with the training DVD, will show video professionals that Edius Pro 3 is an ideal solution for high-volume production houses that require the highest quality output, yet need to produce finished, edited content quickly."
Edius Pro 3 nonlinear editing software provides native editing and realtime processing of uncompressed SD, HD, HDV, DV, MPEG-2, and MPEG-1 formats. With its seamless realtime workflow, Edius Pro 3 lets professionals mix and share video content in multiple formats and work with unlimited video, audio and effects layers, while providing realtime high-quality, on-screen display. Edius Pro 3 delivers increased quality and realtime performance through the company's acclaimed variable-bitrate Canopus HQ codec. Edius Pro 3 includes professional features, such as realtime HQ batch capture from 1080i HDV cameras and decks, advanced audio tools, and precise color correction controls, designed to help editors create the highest quality productions. Edius Pro 3 is also included with Canopus's line of Edius hardware and software editing solutions, including the new HDV offering, Edius NX for HDV.
Canopus Corporation, based in San Jose, Calif., is a subsidiary of Canopus Co., Ltd, headquartered in Kobe, Japan. Canopus designs and markets award-winning digital video and graphics solutions for video professionals and enthusiasts. The company combines innovative hardware and software designs to set new standards in performance, functionality and reliability. Industry leaders worldwide recognize Canopus's advanced HD, HDV, DV, and MPEG codec technologies, which are featured in the company's acclaimed video editing solutions, transcoding products and network-based video distribution systems. Canopus also has offices in the U.K., Germany, Italy, Australia and China in addition to an extensive worldwide distribution network. For more information contact Canopus at (408) 954-4500 or visit the Web site at www.canopus.com.
Mammoth HD adds HD titles to MHD Footage Library
Mammoth HD announced that it is adding 10 new high-definition titles to the MHD Footage Library, bringing the library to 163 collections. Mammoth HD's new titles include:
Basic Kauai
Tropical Flora
Tropical Sunsets
Monsoon Vol.1
Monsoon Vol.2
Aerials: Kauai Canyons
Aerials: Kauai Coast
Aerials: Kauai Waterfalls
Wild Waves
Life on a Southern River
All the new collections are available in HD and SD versions.
For more information on these collections and the Mammoth HD High-Definition Footage Library, and to see the previews of all the Mammoth HD collections and clips, please visit the Mammoth HD website at www.mammothhd.com.
Mammoth HD's Production Partners include Bogen Imaging Group ( www.bogenimaging.us) and Iconix ( www.iconixvideo.com).
About Mammoth HD
Mammoth HD is a new resource for HD, SD, 3D animation, and motion graphic stock footage. Formats include 1080i, 1080/24p, 720p, HDV, and SD. Mammoth HD is producing royalty-free collections in an all-digital pipeline - from HD cameras through leading-edge 3D and motion graphics applications in HD formats. Mammoth HD adds new material to the library monthly. The MHD-represented talent base comprises award-winning cinematographers, videographers, photographers, 3D animators, and motion graphics artists from around the world.
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