If you're not familiar with particle emitters, get familiar. Motion graphic artists use them to create that extra bit of polish that makes an animation stand out. The marketplace for particle emitters is pretty broad, with two companies standing in the front: Trapcode and Wondertouch. While Particular from Trapcode has some nice features, ParticleIllusion from Wondertouch is a full-featured application with an endless supply of emitter libraries. We got our grubby little hands on ParticleIllusion, and were fairly pleased with one gripe. Read on for the full review.

Sure, YouTube made it easier to get your video online, but what if you want to make a quick video comment? Using a webcam to capture a clip, then upload it to YouTube and wait for it to process just takes too long these days. Now you have Flixn, your one stop shop for creating and sharing webcam clips. Using Flash, Flixin interfaces directly with your webcam and allows you to record a message. By pressing the record button, a red REC appears in the upper right corner to indicate it is recording, just like an old video camera. When you're done, press stop and you can review your clip.

Charlie White from DigitalVideoEditing.com took HP's latest AMD Opteron for a spin around the digital content creation block. Equipped with 2 dual core AMD Opteron chips (2.8Ghz), NVIDIA Quadro FX3500 256MB graphics card, and 4GB DDR-667 ram, this thing was a speed demon. Charlie ran it against a Dell with an Intel Core 2 Extreme. Now I know what you are thinking, 4 cores vs. 2 cores, no contest. Surprisingly, the Intel chip held it's ground and even beat the AMD chip in all of the After Effects tests. Now with 2 processors, you would expect this machine to be loud, but Charlie says it is whisper quiet. Even quieter than a lot of single-chip set-ups. However, all of this speed and quietness comes at a price. You would most certainly have to be a pro to justify spending the $6,000 for this set-up as tested.

Bit-tech.net has a review of the newest XPS system from Dell, the XPS 700. This is one slick-looking, top of the line machine. While squarely aimed at the gaming market, this machine has plenty of processing oomph for the media creation professional. Bit-tech found the performance a bit underwhelming due to the slower DDR2-667 memory instead of the speedier DDR2-800. In other words, the memory couldn't keep up with the Core 2 Duo. And just because it's quick doesn't mean it's hot or noisy -- the BTX layout of the inner components allows better airflow. Read through the full article, chock full of pics and more details.

There have been many tests with the Panasonic HVX200 and the DVCPro HD format, but this is the first one I've read about using this setup underwater. Studio Monthly has an interview with Stuart Cummings of Watermark Productions about shooting with the HVX200 underwater. If you think the P2 workflow is a pain, try it under water. Obviously they had to come up with another solution, so they went with the Firestore FS-100. It's a good read with a very different perspective from what most of us are used to.

There is a great site available for independent filmmakers with low budgets. The site, Microfilmmaker Magazine, defines it's mission:

...to provide all the things that microfilmmakers need: how-to guides on building steady rigs, dollies, and other equipment, discounts on services microfilmmakers can really use, articles on better filmmaking techniques from preproduction to post, reviews of the newest cameras, software, equipment, and adapters in a microfilmmaker's actual price range, a community section for filmmakers to converse and help one another, and even a critiques section on new Micro-Films.

The term "film" is used all through the website, but they acknowledge that they use the term loosely, since most low budget filmmakers can't afford film and use digital video. With all the information this website offers, the downside is that there is no search function (that I could find). But things are very well organized in different categories so you should be able to easily find what interests you. Go check it out!

Ulead keeps improving it's VideoStudio with the release of version 10. VideoStudio is available in 2 flavors: regular for the beginner or person who does not need a lot of bells and whistles, and Plus which gives you more power and HDV capability. You can view what's available in each version here. According to the PC Magazine review, VideoStudio has positioned itself as a alternative to Adobe Premiere Elements. Both of these video editors have trial versions available for download.

Any readers out there that use Ulead VideoStudio and want to comment?

A review of the Sony DCR-DVD205 has been posted over on Camcorderinfo.com. If all you want to do is shoot video, take out the diskc and put it in the DVD player to watch, then you might be interested in this camera. Sony includes a stripped down version of Nero which will allow you to convert the 3 inch discs to regular DVD discs if your player is not compatible. But if you think you might be interesting in editing the video you shoot, stay away from the DVD camcorders. It's more trouble than it's worth.

After reading this review on Geek.com, I decided to tryout iPod Media Studio. So I downloaded the demo version from the Makayama website and installed it. I selected a quick 2 minute clip of video that I had shot and within 10 minutes of installing the software I was playing the video on my iPod. Sweeeet. Next I tried a DVD and the results were just as fast. The demo only allows 3 minutes of video to be processed so I could not test larger file sizes. I took the same 2 minute clip and used Videora's iPod Converter to compare the results. It took Videora a couple minutes longer to output the video. Once both clips were on my iPod, I hooked it to a 32" TV and I could not tell any difference in quality between the 2 clips. With iPod Media Studio you have very little control over the output, but if you want a quick, easy way to get your video to the iPod you need to check out this app. If you want more control over encoding options this might not be for you. Check out the software guide here and you will see how easy it is to use and what options are available. Makayama has other products available for transferring video to cell phones, PSP, Palm, Pocket PC, etc.

I'm having a hard time imagining a more basic, simplistic, and elegantly straightforward book on cinematography than The Bare Bones Camera Course for Film and Video. This 89 page, self-published book by filmmaker Tom Schroeppel is extremely accessible, completely devoid of fluff, and a highly recommended read for aspiring filmmakers and cinematographers. (Although originally written for film cameras in the 1980s, the book has been updated for video since that time.) In his handy book, Schroeppel covers all of the camera operating essentials, such as camera workings (iris, shutter, depth of field, etc.), composition, camera moves, basic sequences, screen direction, and lighting. Lacking pretense and presented in a clear and logical sequence, the material will take you through picking up a camera to getting down some well-composed shots. It's a very unintimidating guide, with its extremely minimal and low-tech presentation: the typewriter font, cardboard brown cover, and the hand-drawn diagrams littered throughout.


If you're new to cameras and filmmaking, this book is a fantastic starting point. It would make for a smart addition to a film school curriculum, for sure. Even home movie people would do well to read through the book and learn up, even though they might not find all of the information relevant. (At least maybe the Constant Zoom Syndrome can be put to rest.) Perhaps even intermediates who have a decent hold on f-stops, rule of thirds, and depth of field tricks might do well to pick up a copy, if not just for the purposes of reviewing and enhancing their knowledge, and maybe for entertainment value. (Oh, those darling illustrations!) The sheer simplicity is really charming, and definitely the main selling point. At 89 pages, it certainly isn't a big time investment, no matter who you are. You can read through this thing in a couple hours. And, the funky little doodle-esque diagrams are a great inclusion that certainly help to clarify the concepts presented in the book. Highly recommended.

Guy Cochran over at DVCreators.net has some excellent video reviews of production gear on the DV Gear Talk page. It's nice to be able to see the gear in action instead of just reading about it. His review/tutorial of the Sennheiser wireless G2 system is what finally convinced me to purchase the units (and they are sweet). Guy is a straight shooter and knows his stuff. He was providing these videos long before iTunes and the iPod made it cool.

Is the Mac Pro really as good of a deal as Steve Jobs had said? In this side-by-side comparison with a Dell Precision 690 put out by SystemShooutouts.org you can see for yourself. Of course it is interesting to note the Dell doesn't come with a monitor while the Apple does. It looks like Apple actually has a price advantage over a similarly configured Dell. See how it stacks up for yourself.

The NY Times as an article comparing and contrasting Canon's yet to be released HV10 with Sony's king of the consumer-HD crop, HC3. David Pogue noted the Canon has a superior stabilizer and focusing system, and handles better in low light conditions. Of course the biggest drawback of any HD format at the moment is the lack of a way to distribute your HD footage to others. Currently, you can only view this stuff on your computer and not on that spanking new HDTV set. But one thing to consider is that "you're actually buying two camcorders in one; you can film in either standard or high-definition video on the same tape. And you can play back either kind of video on either kind of TV set, too (standard or HDTV), which makes these camcorders exceptionally versatile."

The Canon is expected to sell for $1,300 starting next month and the Sony is out now for a list price of $1,500.

Yesterday I was out in the field and got a chance to use my new Bogen / Manfrotto 560B Monopod. I was not disappointed. I used a Sony PD170 with wireless receiver and shotgun microphone attached weighing in at approx. 6lbs total. This monopod uses the 3157N quick release plate which results in easy on, easy off. It has a tilt-top head, which comes in handy to get just the right angle, and a comfortable grip with hand strap to keep your shots steady. But there are two features that make this monopod awesome. First is a set of retractable feet attached to a pivot that keeps the base on the ground, even if it is uneven. Second, is the fluid cartridge in the base. Once you setup your shot, this fluid cartridge allows you to perform a smooth pan with just a slight twist of the wrist. This monopod is light weight and easy to grab and go with the camera attached. If you are searching for a monopod you need to check out the Bogen / Manfrotto 560B. This thing is going everywhere with me from now on.

If you are following the Blu-ray vs. HD DVD saga, this article is an interesting read. Andy Parsons, Chair of the Blu-ray Disc Association's US Promotion Committee and Senior Vice President of Product Development for Pioneer USA (whew) discusses the current format war. Of course, it is biased toward Blu-ray. I have to admit, I have not been following this subject since they failed to come to an agreement on one format. Now that products are starting to hit the market, I'll probably start paying more attention. But I have no plans to get involved with either of these formats until this all shakes out.

If you are interested in the format war, jump on over to Engadget and check out this post by Matt Burns. Be sure to read the comments!