Sony partner with Hitfilm to create editing and FX packages

Sony have recently announced two new packages of Vegas editing software with Hitfilm 2 FX software.

Vegas Pro Suite

The Vegas™ Pro 12 Suite is a full-featured production environment for video editing and compositing, multi-track mixing, sound design, visual effects, and disc authoring. Direct project integration between Vegas Pro and HitFilm Ultimate lets you move media between the programs without rendering. Use HitFilm to add a range of dramatic and realistic-looking special effects like smoke, fire, explosions, lightning, and more. Master your audio in Sound Forge Pro, automate your editing workflow with Production Assistant, and add the perfect musical background with100 Sony Sound Series: Production Music soundtracks. These powerful tools, combined with the high-end performance and groundbreaking innovations in Vegas Pro 12, means it's never been easier to bring your creative vision to life.

End-to-end professional content creation environment

Advanced visual effects creation and compositing with HitFilm 2 Ultimate

Intuitive multi-format video editing in Vegas™ Pro 12, with powerful multi-track audio recording and mixing

Professional DVD and Blu-ray Disc™ authoring with DVD Architect™ Pro 6

Dolby^® Digital professional AC-3 encoder included

Audio recording, editing, and mastering with Sound Forge™ Pro 10

Batch processing and workflow automation provided by Production Assistant 2

Bundled with 100 royalty-free Sony Sound Series: Production Music soundtracks

Movie Studio Platinum: Visual Effects Suite 2

Produce movies in nearly any format including AVCHD and stereoscopic 3D. Take advantage of the powerful video compositing features, color correction tools, and 5.1 soundtrack creation options. Add visual intensity to your movies by accessing HitFilm 2 Express from within Movie Studio Platinum 12. HitFilm 2 Express offers advanced 3D compositing, extensive 'film-look' filters, and over 100 visual effects. Apply 3D gunfire to bring your action sequences to life. Add explosions and shockwaves to you movies in seconds. Movie Studio Platinum: Visual Effects Suite 2 is as robust as it is easy to use and brings professional-grade moviemaking right to your fingertips.

• Combine the editing power of Movie Studio Platinum with the stunning special effects capabilities of HitFilm 2 Express
• Edit and produce movies with special effects and transitions
• Create DVDs and Blu-ray Disc™ media with custom menus and graphics
• Utilize innovative 2D and stereoscopic 3D tools
• Share movies on Pixelcast™, YouTube™, iPod^®, iPhone^®, online, and more
• Follow along with Show Me How tutorials and learn as you go
• 64-bit support
• 20 royalty-free Sony Sound Series: Production Music soundtracks

Vegas Pro 12 with Hitfilm 2 Ultimate is priced at $899.95, Movie Studio Platinum with Hitfilm 2 express is priced at $194.95. Upgrades are available if you already own Vegas Pro 12 or Movie Studio Platinum 12.

Sony have also made DVD Architect Pro 6 available for free to registered users of DVD Architect Pro 5.

Hyperdeck shuttle updated with ProRes 422 and CC support

The Hyperdeck Shuttle - now with ProRes

Blackmagic Design today announced the immediate availability of HyperDeck software update 3.6, a new update to its revolutionary solid state disk (SSD) recorder which adds support for Apple ProRes 422 (HQ) into HyperDeck Shuttle 2, plus new closed caption support for all HyperDeck models. At only US$345, the HyperDeck Shuttle 2 with the new ProRes compression feature significantly reduces the size of uncompressed HD video files while preserving full frame 10-bit 4:2:2 quality, allowing customers to record up to six times longer.

HyperDeck Shuttle 2 can be seen at the Blackmagic Design InterBEE 2012 booth, Hall 7 Booth 7206.

“Adding ProRes 422 (HQ) recording and playback to HyperDeck Shuttle 2 shows our continuing commitment to open systems and gives users the freedom to work in either compressed or uncompressed formats,” said Grant Petty, CEO, Blackmagic Design. “Recording ProRes 422 (HQ) straight to disk now costs less per minute than recording to professional tape, plus it’s the most efficient workflow possible. A 64GB SSD is less than $70 and will record 50 minutes of the highest quality ProRes video. That’s broadcast quality recording for less than $2 a minute.”

ProRes 422 (HQ) offers the highest quality for 4:2:2 with minimal generation loss as well as fast export and is one of the most popular video formats for high end post production and broadcast. HyperDeck Shuttle turns low cost cameras into high end broadcast cameras because it allows video file recording to bypass the camera’s compression by recording from SDI and HDMI directly to either 10-bit uncompressed QuickTime, Avid DNxHD MXF and now Apple ProRes 422 (HQ) formats. SSDs are cheap and fast, and can be plugged into an eSATA dock for instant access to the media files, so are the most flexible recording medium available.

This new update also includes full closed caption support for all HyperDeck models. Closed caption support works in 1080HD video formats and allows closed caption data to be read from the SDI input when recording and saved into .mcc type files, which are compatible with popular closed caption authoring software such as Maccaption. Then when playing back from HyperDeck, this .mcc file is read and closed caption data is embedded into the SDI output. This means customers can simply record and playback with full closed caption as well as using closed caption authoring software to generate the .mcc files for creating closed captioning for programs. With full closed caption support, HyperDeck Shuttle and HyperDeck Studio are the ideal solution for authoring closed captioning, as well as ensuring all closed caption is recorded and played back.

As one door closes, another door opens...

Well it's been an interesting week, I've just been laid off from my job and will be leaving at the end of the month. The problem is my knowledge and experience means I'm over qualified for a lot of the jobs I might go for, or I'm seen as too expensive.

So, I've decided to go it alone. I will be freelancing as a consultant and demonstrator but I am also going to try to turn what I do as a hobby into an income (however small) :-)

For years I have been accumulating knowledge about computers, cameras, software, workflows and anything to do with digital media and have then shared that knowledge with others, at exhibitions, seminars and even on this blog.

I have been told many times how good I am at explaining complex technical issues in a way that people understand. I have also learned where to find things at the best prices on the internet.

So now I am going to put those together and offer my services as a Tech Guru.
If you would like some advice on which gadget you should buy and the best place to buy it, ask me.

If you are happy with my advice and the money I save you, make a donation. You can choose how much.

As an example of what I can do, last year a friend of mine was looking for a Pioneer VJ system, the SVM 1000. These sell for around 5000 pounds. I found one for him for under 3000, brand new, boxed with full warranty. OK, that is an extreme example, but it's easy to save 20-30% on most things if you know where to look.

Send me a mail: The Tech Guru