Video Editing Computers, and More
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Welcome to this issue of the Hi-Tech Trader. We would like to thank all, that came out to the NewTek show Jan.24. We look forward to seeing everyone at our up and coming shows through out the year. If you're going to be at NAB2008 stop by and see us (BOOTH # SU3105). We'll be looking forward to seeing you This week's article: Creating Affordable Green Screens for Video and Web Production From NewTek (2008) Specials: Sony DXC-H10, VT[5]Case, JVC ProHD GYHD200, Sony HDW-250 Customer Spotlight Noah Kessler, USF Bargain Bin SONY HDM 20E1U Stump the Tech: Lens Adaptor If you have an interesting story, case study, tip or trick. Send it to us at: Editor. If we publish it in The Hi-Tech Trader, we will give full recognition to you and/or your company.  SEE how easy it is for you to be up and running on your new Tricaster, Tricaster PRO , or the NEW Tricaster Studio contact us toll free 888-354-2508  Make sure you check out our every day low prices on used video gear. Go to: Hot List Inventory  Contact Us: Hi-Tech Enterprises, Inc. 4400 118th Avenue North Suite 203 Clearwater, FL 33762 Phone (727)-573-9600 Toll Free (888)-354-2508 Fax (727)-573-9606 Technical Support (727)-573-9600 ext. 227 Video Equipment Sales (727)-573-9600 ext. 224 Video Editing Computer Sales (727)-573-9600 ext. 222 Training (727)-573-9600 ext. 222 Live Remote Support and Traning Try Our New Online Live Tech Support It's like having one of our techs sitting beside you and working on your editing computer. For a lot less than if we travel in person. Get your answers quick and easy. All you need is an Internet connection and a telephone. Call today to get started. For more information or to set up an appointment call 1-888-354-2508 during normal business hours (10:AM to 5:PM Mon-Fri) or leave a message and we'll get back to you the next business day. Suggestion Box In an on going effort to produce a quality newsletter, always feel free to send your comments and suggestions to mike@videoequipment.com   |
Creating Affordable Green Screens for Video and Web Production
By NewTek, January 10, 2008 Historical Overview There has always been a desire by producers and directors with vision to want to improve what is before them. That includes the use of action or scenes that don't exist, or allowing actors to appear to be in any location without leaving the studio. Such was the case with the 1940 movie The Thief of Bagdad, which called for Jaffar, a massive genie, to play a prominent role in the film. Special effects coordinator Larry Butler rose to the challenge and is credited with invention of blue screen compositing, for which he won an Academy Award for Special Effects. This was a very tedious and precise process involving several layers of film which had to be precisely aligned when creating the master negative. Decades later, advancements in computing brought the technology into wider use, including television production. One of the most common examples today is the TV weatherman, who is standing in front of a green wall. A special computer is instructed to replace all regions of a particular color with satellite animations and weather graphics originating on a second computer. Replacing a color with an image is keying or "keying out" the background, which refers to its historical roots as a hole, or "keyhole" in one of the film layers. Continued below
Blue or Green? Why did The Thief of Bagdad use a blue background, but you're local TV station opts for a green background? In most circumstances, the compositing is placing a person in another environment, and either blue or green is the furthest color from human skin tone. A decision of blue or green may be decided by wardrobe styling and colors used on set. Lighting a Chroma Key Set The technical challenges to creating a realistic-looking chroma key aren't limited to color choice, since the weatherman isn't standing in a dark room. The on-screen talent must be properly lit. This presents a new set of challenges. The Advantages of Live Virtual Production The benefits of chroma keying can be taken to a higher level of sophistication with virtual sets. A virtual set can be as simple as a photo keyed behind the talent or as complex as a fully-rendered 3D environment in front of and behind the talent. Read More (PDF) Customer Spotlight Your success is our success! The purpose of the Customer Spotlight portion of this newsletter is to provide a small promotional over view of you, your company, or services. We invite you to submit with our new Customer Spotlight Form. We will randomly select one submission per issue. See Yourself Here! It's quick easy and beneficial to you and it is FREE.  Noah KesslerInstructional/Multimedia Developer University of South Florida http://apex.eng.usf.edu/ Doing Business as- Distance learning for the USF College of Engineering. Type of video Productions- Educational lecture series. Recent Projects- Converting classrooms to be webcast capable. Why did they choose the equipment- The Tricaster Studio cannot be beat for price and functionality. Equipment they are using- 2 Tricaster Studios and a WFM/VCT scope. Using the products they purchase from Hi-Tech- The Tricaster is being used as the switcher, CG, audio mixer, and encoder for our lectures. How Long doing business and been aware of HiTech- I have dealt with Hi-Tech through my previous employer for about five years and now here at USF for the last 6 months. They choose HiTech because- Good people, service, and price. Thier experience with HiTech- Excellent. Would recommend- Absolutely. Bargain Bin
Stump the Tech We are challenging every one to stump our highly experienced techs with questions in video editing and equipment. These questions and answers will be posted with full recognition. The postings will only be edited for improper usage. This is being done for fun in an effort to share knowledge about our industry. So go ahead and try to STUMP the Tech. Click Here to send us your question (Please leave the subject line Stump the Tech) This weeks question sent in by Chuck B. Q: "Data rates and NLE systems: Can you please tell me what the capture data rates would be for HD and HDV? I understand there is a difference to consider with respect to the Codec being used, but a simple reference numbers would be very helpful. I know that DV (720 x480) is between 3.4 to 3.8 Mbps, uncompressed video (720 x 486) is a just slightly over 20Mbps. So, what is the data rate of HDV and true full uncompressed HD?" A: "The data rate for HDV is the same as it is for DV or DVCAM because the standard utilizes the same IEEE1394A (Firewire) connection. HD is another story, since there are several HD formats here are the data rates for the different standards. These numbers will vary by the software codec utilized but this chart should give you a starting point. Here is the chart. " See more from Microsoft Understanding HD Formats Hope this helps. Steve Sharkey Hi-Tech Enterprises Past Newsletter Issues More to come in our Next issue. We wish to take this opportunity to thank everybody for subscribing to The Hi-Tech Trader Newsletter. Our newsletter has over 12,000 subscribers and is growing daily. Advertising with the Hi-Tech Trader or link swap? Click here We will never give, sell or loan your information to anyone for any purpose WHATSOEVER! Believe me - we HATE spam! Feel confident that you can be removed from our Newsletter list anytime easily if you so desire. |
NewTek VT [5]
JVC ProHD GYHD200 
Sony HDW-250 HDCAM Recorder