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Apple Event April 18th, 2004
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NAB rumor
I agree with THX1965, Avids Unity product is a serious reason for large postproduction houses and broadcasters not going for FCP. We are only going to see an incremental upgrade for FCP4 and Shake, but we are going to see a new product (Not FCP,Shake,DVDSP), maybe a new colorist tool? A Shake "Light" composition software to compete with After Effects and create an easy entry level for future Shake users?
Rumors speculate that there might be a hardware product, utilizing the optical ports on the PowerMac. I think we are going to see SAN software from Apple. In order for Apple to be a serious contender in the higher end server market, broadcast market and film postproduction market, they need this piece nailed. So a SAN solution that integrates on a project level within the applications and makes a total workflow management possible would strengthen Apples position in these markets. Imagine beeing able to create an AAF with FCP on the SAN, and pushing the project down trhu FCP for editing, Shake for compositing, Logic for sound & foley, a new colorist app for color correction and outputting the finished project on DVDSP?
THX1965 said:
I agree with THX1965, Avids Unity product is a serious reason for large postproduction houses and broadcasters not going for FCP. We are only going to see an incremental upgrade for FCP4 and Shake, but we are going to see a new product (Not FCP,Shake,DVDSP), maybe a new colorist tool? A Shake "Light" composition software to compete with After Effects and create an easy entry level for future Shake users?
Rumors speculate that there might be a hardware product, utilizing the optical ports on the PowerMac. I think we are going to see SAN software from Apple. In order for Apple to be a serious contender in the higher end server market, broadcast market and film postproduction market, they need this piece nailed. So a SAN solution that integrates on a project level within the applications and makes a total workflow management possible would strengthen Apples position in these markets. Imagine beeing able to create an AAF with FCP on the SAN, and pushing the project down trhu FCP for editing, Shake for compositing, Logic for sound & foley, a new colorist app for color correction and outputting the finished project on DVDSP?
I doubt it would be something the average consumer would have any use for. Apple needs to move into the video server/content management area. Use the xServe G5s as video servers, with the capability to export directly from FCP into the server.
Normally, technology announced at NAB has very little use for people not involved in television or radio. While big names like Sony, Apple, Panasonic, Microsoft, and IBM all exhibit there, the focus is clearly on professionals in broadcasting, unlike other trade shows such as COMDEX or E3.
The whole "moving" theme leads me to expect some kind of content management-type announcement, as in "moving" your pictures and sound from your FCP system into your G5 Xserve. Oh well, Apple was going to be one of my first stops this year at NAB anyway. Last year I was one of the very first group to use FCP 4.
Normally, technology announced at NAB has very little use for people not involved in television or radio. While big names like Sony, Apple, Panasonic, Microsoft, and IBM all exhibit there, the focus is clearly on professionals in broadcasting, unlike other trade shows such as COMDEX or E3.
The whole "moving" theme leads me to expect some kind of content management-type announcement, as in "moving" your pictures and sound from your FCP system into your G5 Xserve. Oh well, Apple was going to be one of my first stops this year at NAB anyway. Last year I was one of the very first group to use FCP 4.
dontmatter said:
How about these uses for a video iPod:
1) Carry pictures, videos of your family about with you.
2) Record, then watch your favourite TV show on the bus/train to work the next day.
3) Portable kiosks for museums, galleries etc.
4) Carry highlights of the sports game from last night, so you can argue over them, now with instant replay on demand.
5) The ability to choose your own in-flight movie.
6) Watch music videos as you listen to your music.
7) Lonely Planet guide.. vPod format.
8) iPod that plays videos would inevitably lead to iPod games (it would make little sense not to open such a media capable platform up to 3rd party development.)
While the probability of a consumer product being introduced at a pro show is low, Apple usually reserves media invites for consumer-related announcements. This product has to be of more mass appeal than FCP. I'm convinced it has something to do with Quicktime and a portable device of some sort--whether this is a phone or video player, I can only imagine. Apple will present a vertically integrated solution with an consumer product at one end and a streaming-server-type solution at the other end. Apple is setting us up for something new, something WOW. I think a Archos-type video player is too obvious for Apple. I'm thinking anywhere wireless. Content on demand. Fits in your pocket.
Just my opinion ...
but i should think it would be upgraded G5, upgraded raid drives and a an upgrade to FCP and/or SHAKE. Oh. and maybe be 30" or plus displays.
I cant imagine and brand new bit hardware.
Its exactly what the post houses and motion graphics people want. Faster kit running FCP, Combustion / After Effects / SHAKE. With this kind of set up you can compete with the SGI sets like Illusion, Edit etc.. Even with Fire and Flame if you had IO built in, allowing direct connection to a DigiBeta deck or HD deck, avoiding the need to spend out on a video card like a voodoo D1.
Firewire or s-video out is not much good, ok for previews but not for broadcast.
DV video is fine for a bit of fun or low budget stuff, but most of the big broadcaster require you deliver on DigiBeta not DV.
Apple need to be selling super beefed up kit, RAM is cheap! Hard drives too ( well cheaper than they were), there top spec machines should at least come with 2GB+++ Ram and much bigger hard drives.
Ah, well in my dreams
but i should think it would be upgraded G5, upgraded raid drives and a an upgrade to FCP and/or SHAKE. Oh. and maybe be 30" or plus displays.
I cant imagine and brand new bit hardware.
Its exactly what the post houses and motion graphics people want. Faster kit running FCP, Combustion / After Effects / SHAKE. With this kind of set up you can compete with the SGI sets like Illusion, Edit etc.. Even with Fire and Flame if you had IO built in, allowing direct connection to a DigiBeta deck or HD deck, avoiding the need to spend out on a video card like a voodoo D1.
Firewire or s-video out is not much good, ok for previews but not for broadcast.
DV video is fine for a bit of fun or low budget stuff, but most of the big broadcaster require you deliver on DigiBeta not DV.
Apple need to be selling super beefed up kit, RAM is cheap! Hard drives too ( well cheaper than they were), there top spec machines should at least come with 2GB+++ Ram and much bigger hard drives.
Ah, well in my dreams
One other thing: has anyone looked at the "Share" command in iMovie '04 (this used to be called "Export"). You can now "Save your moive to a Bluetooth device."
Hmmm, does that just mean any Bluetooth phone or Palm that I own. Or could there be something else in the works?
Just thinking out loud.
Hmmm, does that just mean any Bluetooth phone or Palm that I own. Or could there be something else in the works?
Just thinking out loud.
OT-TIVO
I'm really curious how they are doing HD content. I have a feeling they are compressing the sh*t out of it.
The 480x480 frame is mpeg2 coming down the sat link. It has to be converted to NTSC, obviously, before you can watch it. I guess the 480 scan line is up-converted to 640 via interpolation or something similar. Depending on the movie length, I can frequently get 3 feature films on a single DVD. They look identical to the original on a TV, although I have noticed when I play them on my PB in fullscreen, they get fairly grainy.tny said:
I'm really curious how they are doing HD content. I have a feeling they are compressing the sh*t out of it.
Just a note about NAB and the projected audience. While this is a pro show, I don't think that definitely rules out a consumer device.
Before last year, WWDC was never a major consumer show and now it is. I think an announcement at NAB would be in keeping with Apple's new strategy of releasing update throughout the year. Also, isn't this where they released the iTunes music store last year or am I wrong about that. If I'm right, thats definitely consumer oriented.
Movie store?
Before last year, WWDC was never a major consumer show and now it is. I think an announcement at NAB would be in keeping with Apple's new strategy of releasing update throughout the year. Also, isn't this where they released the iTunes music store last year or am I wrong about that. If I'm right, thats definitely consumer oriented.
Movie store?
Here's what a little birdie told someone else that I overheard...
I heard that Apple has figured out how to get HD onto firewire and keep it within the current IEEE spec compliance.
So?
So that means that your G5 or G4 is now a fully compliant HD server that can be hooked up via firewire to anything that can take a firewire signal and play HD like an HD settop tuner, BlueRay recorder, or I believe DVHS too. Heuris? already has software ready to go that will do this now that the firewire part is worked out.
I believe it was "MP@HL, using Transport multiplexing".
This may not be all of it, but this would be the foundation of HD playback on the existing mac.
I heard that Apple has figured out how to get HD onto firewire and keep it within the current IEEE spec compliance.
So?
So that means that your G5 or G4 is now a fully compliant HD server that can be hooked up via firewire to anything that can take a firewire signal and play HD like an HD settop tuner, BlueRay recorder, or I believe DVHS too. Heuris? already has software ready to go that will do this now that the firewire part is worked out.
I believe it was "MP@HL, using Transport multiplexing".
This may not be all of it, but this would be the foundation of HD playback on the existing mac.
SPG said:
Where did you hear this? If true it would be huge news, but I don't see how you could ever get HD across and 800 Mb/s without it being compressed.
Does most HD equipment already have firewire?
pjkelnhofer said:
Not at liberty to say exactly where I heard it, but it was someone who knows his **** and not one to talk ****. I don't want to get anyone in trouble in case they weren't supposed to be talking about this. Besides, they weren't talking to me directly anyway, I just popped in at the end of the conversation. I'm not up on all the HD details since I'm still working in SD, but I thought it might be relevant (at least more so than wild speculation about iTunes and PVP's).
Firewire and HD
Just looking at some charts on the web, 720p is 818 Mbps and 1080i is 932 Mbps. This is too much for 800* Mbps firewire, but remember that Firewire can accomodate up to 3200 Mmps over optical cable. I believe Apple says this is possible over the connections included in all Firewire 800 Macs.
pjkelnhofer said:
Just looking at some charts on the web, 720p is 818 Mbps and 1080i is 932 Mbps. This is too much for 800* Mbps firewire, but remember that Firewire can accomodate up to 3200 Mmps over optical cable. I believe Apple says this is possible over the connections included in all Firewire 800 Macs.
SPG said:
It would make more sense than 90% of the things people are guessing at in this thread. NAB would not be the place for unveiling anything to do with a video iPod or iTMS. NAB is for TV Stations, Edit Houses, Movie studios, etc. Even if it is a product that is useful to consumers (like sending HD over firewire would be) it will something more important to professionals.
pjkelnhofer said:
What he is talking about is MPEG-2 TS (transport stream).
Yes, it is compressed. Same with DVHS, it uses MPEG-2 compression. And yes it can work across firewire.
Heuris came out with their software to allow transport streams to work on the mac with Final Cut Pro. Because, otherwise FCP can not read or work with the transport streams.
That is why I am hoping for a FCP update at NAB; so that FCP can work with HDV natively.