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Recently Videocraft provided a four camera OB solution with edit suite and EVS recording for some of Australia’s most prestigious cycling events. The events were produced and coordinated by one of Australia’s leading television services companies, Editrix.

Editrix Executive Producer Ian Gates explained, “Editrix has a long history of hiring facilities from Videocraft. The unique side to the relationship is that their MD James Taylor has a keen interest in cycling and understands exactly what I need to do the job properly. This year our brief to Videocraft was that we needed to provide fast turnaround daily highlights packages for all the events and to achieve this we would utilise their newly refurbished OB truck. As all the events I hire Videocraft’s production truck for are same day turnaround programmes for on-air, this requires a facility that can have a team of editors and producers efficiently working and sharing media.” The volume of work Editrix hired the Videocraft production facility for over the summer of 2015 included the Mitchelton Bay Cycling Classic (4 x 1 hour programmes), the Road National Championships (3 x 1 hour programmes + 1 x 1 hour combined highlights programme), the Subaru Track Championships (3 x 1 hour programmes + 3 x live stream telecasts) and the Jayco Herald Sun Tour (5 x 1 hour programmes + one international highlights programme). Gates continued, “Videocraft met all our technical, editing and production requirements but the star factor of the production is James Taylor’s knowledge as that enables us to get all the extras done. James and I have spoken about what is required to make the production less stressful and it basically means we need an extra editor and a clone of James who can split the, up to 18 hour, shifts!” Gates sees Videocraft’s newly equipped OB truck as essential to meet his tight deadlines and deliverables. The fully internally and externally refurbished, ten seat IP-based OB truck now has new air conditioning, racks, ergonomic production furniture and electrics throughout. The truck also has the ability to be configured as either a mobile edit facility complete with Avid edit suites, Isis storage and Avid Interplay, an EVS facility or as a traditional OB truck. As a facility for Videocraft’s clients the OB truck is a proper extension of what the company does best, post production integration featuring the latest in smart, IT-centric connectivity. Ian Gates concluded, “I honestly don’t think there is another mobile production facility to match Videocraft’s which would meet our needs in the market. The production values we were able to achieve by using the truck on this summer’s races were the best yet. Videocraft’s expertise, service and support were excellent. It’s a real labour of love for them and with James Taylor there to personally oversee each production we couldn’t ask for a better solution. We are very much looking forward to working with Videocraft on the next series of cycling events.”   Videocraft’s mobile editing, production and OB truck will be at this year’s SMPTE exhibition held at the Entertainment Quarter in Moore Park, NSW from 14-17 July.   For more information on Editrix go to: www.editrix.com.au

Convergent Design Odyssey7Q+ and Odyssey7Q Will Support Canon C300 MKII With 4K60p in both RAW and Apple ProRes, HD120p Support in Apple ProRes

Convergent Design announced support for the new Canon C300 mkII camera. The Odyssey7Q+ and the Odyssey7Q with the new Odyssey RAW Bundle, allow recording in 4K & UHD in RAW up to 60p as well as 4K & UHD processed and converted to Apple ProRes up to 60p. 4K "half RAW can also be recorded up to 120p. Without the Odyssey RAW Bundle, the Odyssey monitor/recorders can record 1080p video up to 120p, as well as 12-bit or 10-bit 4:4:4 RGB video in Uncompressed DPX up to 60p. Direct capture of 4K & UHD ProRes is also possible up to 30p. So What’s this RAW bundle?, well Convergent Design has combined All Odyssey7Q+ and Odyssey7Q RAW Record Options Into Odyssey RAW Bundle. Convergent Design announced at NAB, all of the five separately available RAW Record Options for the Odyssey7Q+ and Odyssey7Q will now be combined into the Odyssey RAW Bundle. While the individual RAW Record Options totalled USD$6775 when purchased individually, the Odyssey RAW Bundle is only USD$995. A daily rental rate of just USD$99 is also available. Cameras covered by the Odyssey RAW Bundle include the ARRI ALEXA, Canon C500 and soon to be released C300 MK2, Sony FS7 and FS700, IO Industries Flare 2KSDI, Indiecam indieGS2K, and upcoming support for the AJA CION and IO Industries Flare 4KSDI. As new RAW cameras are supported by the Odysseymonitor/recorders, they will be added to the Odyssey RAW Bundle. Convergent Design Introduces Dual-Stream Functions on Odyssey7Q+ and Odyssey7Q Monitor/Recorders Convergent Design also announced that it will soon introduce Dual-Stream monitoring and recording functions on Odyssey7Q+ and Odyssey7Q monitor/recorders. Dual-Stream monitoring with the option to record a single stream will be included as a free update in our April 2015 firmware release. The two HD video signals can be viewed as a pair of equally sized Side-by-Side images, as overlapping large and small images in a Picture-in-Picture configuration, or the two signals can be switched between full screen. HD video signals up to 1080p60, 1080i60, or 720p60 SDI or HDMI can be accepted. Frame rates and resolution must be matched between the two sources, but genlocking is not required. In a future firmware update, the Dual-Stream Record Option will be made available. This Record Option will allow capture of two HD video inputs of the same resolution and frame rate to a pair of separate Apple ProRes files. Genlocking of the two inputs is not required. The Dual-Stream Record Option is scheduled to be available for purchase for USD$995 or rental for USD$99/day. Later Convergent Design will also offer a Quad-Stream Record Option, which will allow recording of up to four HD video inputs, along with other functions such as Live Switching. Clients who purchase the Dual-Stream Record Option who wish to expand to the Quad-Stream Record Option when available will be able to do so without penalty, only paying the difference in price. Convergent Design Introduces Custom 3D-LUT Display and Routing to the Odyssey7Q+ and Odyssey7Q Monitor/Recorders The upcoming April 2015 free firmware update for the Odyssey7Q+ and Odyssey7Q will include fully integrated custom 3D-LUT functionality. 3D-LUTs allow viewing of material with sample color, contrast and exposure corrections, while recording files in RAW or flat Log modes for the greatest range in post adjustment. Clients will be able to generate LUTs using the free version of DaVinci Resolve. By using a free App that will be available on the Convergent Design website, the .CUBE LUTs are converted to a secure binary file, protecting a client’s personal designs. The converted LUTs are loaded into the Odyssey7Q+ and Odyssey7Q via Odyssey SSD or Odyssey Utility Drive. A cinematographer can use an Odyssey7Q+ as an operating monitor with LUT applied, while sending a "flat" signal to an engineer over SDI 1 and a LUT-ted image to the director over SDI 2, and a LUT-ed image to the clients over HDMI. A DP could view a scene with the LUT applied while simultaneously viewing a waveform display in the corner showing the source signal. A window may appear blown out with a LUT applied but the source signal that is recorded shows detail in the highlights, so the DP knows that this part of the frame can be "pulled back" in post. Time, money and momentum are conserved on set by not stopping to adjust lighting and exposure. The update is free and the custom 3D-LUT functions will apply to the Odyssey7Q+ and Odyssey7Q models. A future firmware update will allow the 3D-LUT to be "burned-in" and recorded onto Apple ProRes files. Odyssey Monitor/Recorders to Support Certain 3rd Party SSDs Convergent Design today announces that Odyssey monitor/recorders will support the use of two models of Samsung SSDs. The Samsung 850 EVO 500GB and Samsung 850 EVO 1000GB SSDs will be allowed for use in the Odyssey7, Odyssey7Q, and Odyssey7Q+. Features such as fast & consistent read & write speeds, both across the entire memory and across the lifespan of the SSDs, exceptionally long-life usability of the media, built-in power-loss protection, low power draw and robust reliability of construction are the hallmarks of the Odyssey SSD design. Convergent Design’s extensive testing of the two supported Samsung SSDs has found them to share in these qualities. Access to the use of these two Samsung 850 EVO SSDs is expected to be made available with the May 2015 free Odyssey firmware update. Only the Samsung 850 EVO 500GB and EVO 1000GB SSDs, along with the Odyssey 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB SSDs, will function in the Odyssey monitor/recorders. SSDs load and mount into the Odyssey monitor/recorders with a latching handle. Odyssey SSD handles will be made available for purchase through the Convergent Design dealer network. Convergent Design to Expand Odyssey7Q+ and Odyssey7Q Apple ProRes Record Frame Rates to 4K/UHD 60p, 2K/HD 240p Apple ProRes 4K/UHD will be possible up to 60p and 2K/HD will be possible up to 240p. The new capabilities will be available for all currently supported Apple ProRes formats, Apple ProRes 422 (HQ), Apple ProRes 422, and Apple ProRes 422 (LT). The first input format scheduled to be made available with the higher frame rates are the RAW data signals from the Sony FS7 and FS700 for clients utilizing the Sony FS Record Option on the Odyssey7Q and Odyssey7Q+. This will allow the recording of 4K RAW -> 4K/UHD/2K/HD Apple ProRes up to 60p, 2K RAW -> 2K/HD Apple ProRes up to 240p, and 4K RAW Burst -> 4K/UHD Apple ProRes up to 120p (available on the FS700). The new capabilities will be made available in a free future firmware update to all users who have purchased the FS700 record option. Future support will include Canon C500/C300 MK2 4K RAW, Canon C500/C300 MK2 HD video (up to 120fps), Sony F5/F55 4K/UHD video, and others. All Apple ProRes frame rate expansions will be provided via free firmware updates. Current owners of Record Options will receive increased capabilities within their Record Options at no additional cost.

Atomos go big in Las Vegas with a 4K Theatre Dome A 4K Theatre Dome housing a mammoth Sony 4K projector, premium AV kit and comfortable theatre seating within a 45ft diameter inflatable dome has been the centre of attention in Central Hall, especially with free popcorn on entry. The entire 4K production is of course be driven by the Atomos 4K Shogun ... although the dome is a sight to be seen so are their Shogun announcements for both hard and firmware upgrades for both new and existing Shogun users. ‘Bare Bones’ comes to the entire Atomos Monitor Record Line

The Atomos Shogun has contributed to making 4K affordable, manageable and accessible to more filmmakers all while making production simpler and more affordable. A new variant of the Shogun called Shogun ‘Bare Bones’ will soon be available at an even cheaper price point of USD$1695 that removes all accessories except an SSD media case, soft carry case and AC power supply The complete suite of accessories will also be available for USD$395.This allows customers customers to utilise legacy Atomos accessories they already own or decide what makes sense for their first and second 4K camera rig. The “Bare Bones” option has also been applied to the full range of Atomos Monitor/Recorders. Ninja 2 at USD$395 is a steal, it is our original flagship product and our most successful, Ninja Blade and Samurai blade have the 5” SuperAtom IPS 325PPI monitor, calibration, WFM, Apple ProRes and Avid DNxHD and are bare bones for USD$795. Atomos expect Atomos Shogun Bare Bones to be available from resellers in May 2015.   Shogun has 7 new hardware features available over the coming months which are free to both new and existing registered users. Shogun users will receive 7 significant hardware enhancements, in addition to the 4 OS feature improvements, all of which have been announced at NAB 2015. Available via free download over the coming months, Shogun users will gain the following: Anamorphic de-squeeze 2x, 1.5x and 1.3x. With a free firmware update due at the end of May 2015, Shogun users will be able to de-squeeze monitored anamorphic content to their true 2.39:1 ratio. In addition to 2.39:1 anamorphic, Shogun will also de-squeeze the Panasonic 8:3 format. These translate into commonly used terms of supporting 2x 1.5x 1.3x anamorphic lenses. RAW recording to ProRes, DNxHR and Cinema DNG Some cameras on the market only output their 4K content in RAW data format over SDI, these include Sony FS700, FS7, Canon C300MkII and C500). On the post production side, some people request to keep the RAW format for grading while others would prefer to encode to a more edit friendly format like ProRes or DNxHR with 3D LUT’s applied. The Shogun is flexible with the ability to take the RAW data from the camera and record direct to RAW (wrapped as Cinema DNG) or to edit friendly Apple ProRes or Avid DNxHR codecs in 4K, UHD, 2K or HD. Expanded RAW compatibility to include Sony, Canon, Arri and AJA Available for free with the Shogun aand recordable to reliable off the shelf SSD from brands like Sandisk, Transcend, Intel etc. With RAW options available for Sony FS series, Canon C500, Arri Alexa and AJA CION. Sony FS RAW will be available from mid June, while Canon C500/ Arri Alexa / AJA CION RAW will be available from the end of June 2015. 3D LUTs on output and in recording Another free update made recently for Shogun users was the addition of 3D LUTs, covering both standard LUTs (C-Log, S-Log 2/3, V-LUT) as well as user defined LUTs in the standard “.cube” format. Up to 8 can be stored on the Shogun which can be accessed via a simple monitor button at the bottom right of screen. LUTs on the output available via free firmware update end May Cinema 4K and 2K DCI support Shogun will be updated to accept and record Cinema 4K and 2K DCI (4096 x 2160p) in addition to the 4K UHD and HD it already is capable of receiving (3840 x 2160p). Available via free update mid June 2015. Uncompressed 4:2:2 HD v210 support A small percentage of customers have requested uncompressed support in the Shogun, especially for green screen and specific post-production tasks. We are happy to offer this group their request free of charge. Available via free firmware update end June. Genlock The Genlock connection on the back of the Shogun will be activated via free firmware end of May 2015 to allow synchronous playback across multiple video devices. Placing the Shogun as the ultimate portable 4K play-out deck for any broadcaster or event production house.   Atomos announce a schedule of OS changes that bring with them exciting new features In the space of only 4 months, more than 15,000 Shoguns have rolled off the production line. At NAB 2015, Atomos have announced even more features for new and existing Shogun users, releasing details of upcoming enhancements for AtomOS6. Available via free download over the coming months, Shogun users will gain the following: Custom meta data tagging Now users can create their own custom meta data tags, storing up to “10” tags on the Shogun which are completely customisable. Imagine the ability to mark “Directors pick”, “Out takes”, “Over exposed”, “Audio Pop” and more, all the time slicing through the time taken for the main edit in post production. Pre-roll Recording Shogun will continually buffer content internally allowing the user to record the previous 8s of HD recording or 2s of 4K the moment you hit the record button. Time lapse video By allowing both the duration of recording in number of frames or length of time and the interval be altered depending on the director’s intent and even multi stage recording is possible, altering the time and duration throughout the period of the shoot. Essentially we have made time lapse keyframeable and flexible in the video arena. Playlist generation The new playlist function allows users to not only tag sections within a clip for play-out but also tag entire clips and have them all replayed as a playlist. Convenient when pulling together the best takes of the day or in commercial situations where 4K play-back for immediate storyline review is needed. Shogun is now the world’s first fully portable play-out server.   Atomos Power Station. Delivering continuous power for up to 5 devices as well as fast battery charging in a compact design.In a footprint not much larger than 2 batteries, Atomos Power Station delivers power for up to 5 devices using our patent pending Continuous Power dual battery system, allowing users to hot swap batteries on the fly without interrupting power to their devices. At its core, Power Station consists of 2 batteries mounted side by side that operate together using a continuous circular power system. When one battery gets low it can be removed and charged while the system switches across to the second battery uninterrupted. This patented design by Atomos is used to power up to 3 DC streams (for cameras, monitors, recorders or lighting) as well as 2 USB products such as smartphones or tablets. With a DC input as well, it doubles as a super-fast charger for your batteries – up to 3 times the rate of conventional chargers. Connections and features at a glance: • 2 DC out and included splitter cable to give connection for up to 3 DC devices. • 2 USB terminals to power 1A and 2A USB devices for fast charging of USB cameras or to power any USB device. • DC input with fast charging capability to charge the connected batteries and provide continual AC power for connected devices. • Independent left and right LED front display to give a quick 5 step visual guide on the power remaining for each battery from 100% down to 10%. • Dummy batteries are available to power popular cameras including Sony A7s, Sony FS Series, Panasonic GH4, Nikon D810 and Canon 5DMKIII. • Total power capability up to 5A (DC plus USB), with maximum 3A for USB connections.