Special Apple NAB event to usher in new products
Apple Computer next week will hold a special event at the National Association of Broadcasters Conference to unveil a slew of new and updated software applications as well as a new HD camcorder from Panasonic, AppleInsider has learned.
The invitation-only event will kick-off Sunday, April 17th at 11:00 a.m. PST at the Rivoli Ballroom of the Paris Las Vegas Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. Apple has dubbed the event "The Production Value of HD."
The Software
Among the many software announcements reportedly planned for the event are new versions of Final Cut, Motion, DVD Studio Pro, and Shake. Rumblings imply that Apple may also introduce all-new media software applications, though details remain shrouded in secrecy.
According to reliable sources, the company has been working on a media management software package for over a year now, but it remains unclear if and when it will be announced. In short, the software project has been compared to a professional version of iPhoto that keeps track of video clips and other large media files.
Apple is also expected to debut a new production suite for professional HD video editors, which will bundle several existing applications and possibly a new piece of software at a discounted cost. As originally reported by ThinkSecret, the suite is being developed under the code-name "Happy Meal" and will be marketed similar to Apple's existing software suites — iLife and iWork.
Panasonic's New Full Resolution HD Cam
Also at the event, sources say that Apple will co-announce and preview Panasonic's new FireWire-equipped HD camcorder. The new AG-HVX200 camcorder is expected to revolutionize filmmaking by offering independent filmmakers the first and only full-resolution HD camera available for under $10,000.
Said to be the industry's most anticipated technology breakthrough, the hand-held P2 camcorder will provide 1080i, and 720p recording with the production proven image quality of 100 Mbps DVCPRO HD. The AG-HVX200 will record on a P2 card in 1080 in 60i, 30p and 24p; in 720 in 60p, 30p and 24p; in 480 in 60i, 30p, and 24p either in DVCPRO50 and DVCPRO.
Macintosh Hardware Updates?
While Apple, to our recollection, has never introduced new professional Mac hardware at the NAB conference, an increasing number of external reports are suggesting that this year may be an exception.
Specifically, Mac insider news and rumors site, ThinkSecret, reported today that Apple is preparing to introduce new Power Mac G5 models at the show. As of yet, AppleInsider has not received corroborating information.
However, sources recently reported that Apple is performing quality assurance tests on new Power Macs based on IBM's unannounced dual-core PowerPC 970MP processor, code-named "Antares." In order to properly test the systems, which reportedly sport two of the dual-core chips, engineers have been seen upgrading office and test-lab power outlets to enable proper testing of the desktop's power-hungry power supply.
Sources also report that the company is testing lower-end systems based on IBM's single-core PowerPC 970GX.
Both the 970GX and the 970MP offer better performance while running much cooler than the PowerPC 970FX chips found in the current Power Mac offerings. This will allow Apple to do away with the costly, and seemingly unreliable, liquid-cooling systems featured in Apple's high-end dual-processor Power Mac G5.
These liquid-cooling systems, which were designed by Delphi, manufactured in Mexico, and shipped to Apple's manufacturing facilities in Asia, have been the topic of concern at several Apple exec meetings.
According to reliable sources, Delphi only guarantees the cooling systems to Apple for a period of 2.5 years, though the expected life-span of each unit is rumored to be closer to 2 years. Sources say the lifespan is limited by potenial leakage of the thermal conductive fluid inside the systems. Apple reportedly fears the fluid could cause damage to consumer's valuables or expensive carpets, which would leave the company exposted to potential lawsuits.
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1st post!!
Apple Computer next week will hold a special event at the National Association of Broadcasters Conference to unveil a slew of new and updated software applications as well as a new HD camcorder from Panasonic, AppleInsider has learned.
The Event
The invitation-only event will kick-off Sunday, April 17th at 11:00 a.m. PST at the Rivoli Ballroom of the Paris Las Vegas Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. Apple has dubbed the event "The Production Value of HD."
The Software
Among the many software announcements reportedly planned for the event are new versions of Final Cut, Motion, DVD Studio Pro, and Shake. Rumblings imply that Apple may also introduce all-new media software applications, though details remain shrouded in secrecy.
According to reliable sources, the company has been working on a media management software package for over a year now, but it remains unclear if and when it will be announced. In short, the software project has been compared to a professional version of iPhoto that keeps track of video clips and other large media files.
Apple is also expected to debut a new production suite for professional HD video editors, which will bundle several existing applications and possibly a new piece of software at a discounted cost. As originally reported by ThinkSecret, the suite is being developed under the code-name "Happy Meal" and will be marketed similar to Apple's existing software suites -- iLife and iWork.
Panasonic's New Full Resolution HD Cam
Also at the event, sources say that Apple will co-announce and preview Panasonic's new FireWire-equipped HD camcorder. The new AG-HVX200 camcorder is expected to revolutionize filmmaking by offering independent filmmakers the first and only full resolution HD camera available for under $10,000.
Said to be the industry's most anticipated technology breakthrough, the hand-held P2 camcorder will provide 1080i, and 720p recording with the production proven image quality of 100 Mbps DVCPRO HD. The AG-HVX200 will record on a P2 card in 1080 in 60i, 30p and 24p; in720 in 60p, 30p and 24p; in 480 in 60i, 30p, and 24p either in DVCPRO50 and DVCPRO.
Macintosh Hardware Updates?
While Apple, to our recollection, has never introduced new professional Mac hardware at the NAB conference, an increasing number of external reports are suggesting that this year may be an exception.
Specifically, Mac insider news and rumors site, ThinkSecret reported today that Apple is preparing to introduce new Power Mac G5 models at the show. As of yet, AppleInsider has not received corroborating information.
However, sources recently reported that Apple is performing quality assurance tests on new Power Macs based on IBM's unannounced dual-core PowerPC 970MP processor, code-named "Antares." In order to properly test the systems, which reportedly sport two of the dual-core chips, engineers have been seen upgrading office and testing lab power outlets to enable proper testing of the desktop's power-hungry power supply.
Sources also report that the company is testing lower-end systems based on IBM's single-core PowerPC 970GX.
Both the 970GX and the 970MP offer better performance while running much cooler than the PowerPC 970FX chips found in the current Power Mac offerings. This will allow Apple to do away with the costly, and seemingly unreliable, liquid-cooling systems featured in Apple's high-end dual-processor Power Mac G5.
These liquid-cooling systems, which were designed by Delphi, manufactured in Mexico, and shipped to Apple's manufacturing facilities in Asia, have been the topic of concern at several Apple exec meetings.
According to reliable sources, Delphi only guarantees the cooling systems to Apple for a period of 2.5 years, though the expected life-span of each unit is rumored to be closer to 2 years. The lifespan is reportedly limited by potenial leakage of the thermal conductive fluid inside the systems. Apple reportedly fears the fluid could cause damage to consumer's valuables or expensive carpets, which would leave the company exposted to potential lawsuits.
[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]
The new Panasonic HD camera bodes to be a paradigm shifting monster, so I hope that the Apple co-intro is for real. Very nice synergy there.
720p at 60? As someone over at 2-pop was mentioning, it's like the brief lived "showscan" process for mortals (showscan was a system created by effects guru Doug Trumball that used 70mm film shot at about 60fps which was then screened at the same speed. The higher information density (and completely eliminated flicker) yielded a sort of eerie "3D" quality that arose form the sense of solidity and presence).
1st post!!
Speaking of 2-pop, you're the one hereabouts to spread the good word in re the Panny goodness and any Apple tie-in, no?
I'm sure I'll get flamed for this, but any chance that the GX will be cool enough to stuff into Powerbooks? Anyone with definite info on the heat/power requirements?
Speaking of 2-pop, you're the one hereabouts to spread the good word in re the Panny goodness and any Apple tie-in, no?
I love Panny! Not to hot on the price of P2 carts yet but now that Panny has a sub $10k P2 cam coming there's reason for manufacturers to start mass producing them.
For people that don't know it is VERY significant that the Panny is recording in DVCPRO or DVCPRO50. Why? Because the format is meant for acquisition. The competing HDV format uses MPEG2 which is meant for delivery not editing. With DVC codecs you're not apply compression over a series of frames which makes your NLE happy because you can edit right down to the individual frame for sharp cuts and keyframes etc. God bless Panny for doing this. Then you have 1080p24 support! If the optics aren't total crap this cameras is going to give the JVC GY100 fits. It's looking pretty damn sweet for HD editing. NAB is going to rock!
This makes total sense. The Media Manager in Final Cut Pro is oft maligned. For good reason as well. Managing your media shouldn't be met with frustration from lost file links and difficulty. One would think that Spotlight will help immensely. However taking a page from Avids book we need to extract the MM from FCP and make it the default MM for ALL the Pro Apps. I should be able to manage Shake and Motion and ProBand(more on this later) and DVD Studio Pro files all using the same MM.
It should utilize Automator for scripting between the apps and Bonjour for networking. A networked MM goes hand in hand with XSAN based media workflows.
"ProBand" is what I'm thinking the next DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) from Apple is. I doubt they call it ProBand though because this this app will focus on editing audio in Post. Pro Tools is in just as many video production companies as it is in music studios. Apple needs a piece of this market and now with QT7 and a revamped Core Audio they have the tools.
Core Audio Format is the latest addition to the dozens of audio formats supported natively in Mac OS X. Developed by Apple, Core Audio Format (CAF) combines virtually infinite capacity with rich support for metadata in an optimized-for-audio package. As a 64-bit file format, you can record a thousand channels of audio for a thousand years in a single file. And it can store any audio data, whether uncompressed PCM or compressed such as AAC. Application support for these files is available today in
New extensible file format. It's a must for high end work. Digidesign had their Sound Designer format for years.
Apple includes several Audio Units in Mac OS X, including one that adjusts timing without affecting pitch, a Velocity Engine-optimized reverb and a sample rate converter.
"Timing with out pitch" sure it has musical needs but thing along the lines of Automatic Dialogue Replacement (ADR). Sample rate conversion..not that many cameras will record 4 tracks in 12-bit audio. A good SRC can make location audio worth keeping.
Yes Apple has Logic Express/Pro and Garageband but their focus is decidedly aimed at musicians. You can edit audio for video in Logic but it's not the most efficient app to use. "ProBand" will focus on the needs of videographers. The midi will be lite and the audio editing and manipulation heavy. Don't expect to see the same plugins. Logic plugs are tailored for music. ProBand will have plugins tailored for Post audio. Mastering should be much better as well. I think Logic Pro users will be disappointed in ProBand because they might think that it's a Logic replacement. It's not...it's simply going to be the next logical step to take once you've got your FCP masterpiece edited. It's OMF/AAF support will have to be stellar because it has to work seamlessly with other systems like Nuendo and Pro Tools.
Last NAB Apple made baby steps. FCP went from 4 to 4.5, Shake when 3 to 3.5. I expect both of these apps to have the biggest amount of updates. Apple has had 2 years to prepare them and I expect to be blown away by the changes. Tiger is here and I wouldn't be suprised one iota to see them be Tiger only. Motion 2.0 should hit as well.
My guess for the new Production Suite.
FCP 5.0
DVD SP 4.0
ProBand
Motion 2.0
For $1599
Shake 4 will remain 2999.
Bring it on Apple. I'm ready.