Sony engineers have created a software plug-in called Cinemon-OMV1 to speed up and simplify workflow requirements for Final Cut Pro users, Omneon servers and Sony XDCAM camcorders.

Giving the benefits of a native MXF workflow environment and provides post production efficiencies in both time and cost.

Final Cut Pro users have some what been miffed by the Xdcam Ex workflow that is quicker in both Adobe Premiere and Grass Valley Edius users.

They don’t need to bother with transcoding, unwrapping or the need for another application to load up first then transfer in, whilst there is a native FCP log and transfer plug-in not dependent on the Sony Xdcam transfer software.

You still have to wait for the transcode to sort itself out and if you have copied native BPAV folders, then you create material that takes up more disk space, as you have to create a copy unlike with tape or XDcam HD you can leave your material with the original source media and copy once across and not need double up on disk space.

JVC with their Xdcam format cameras both the GY-HM100 and GY-HM700 got it right the first time by recording into Xdcam codec quicktime files, that can the easily be edited straight into the timeline. No transcoding or messing round with a cumbersome workflow.

Workflow illustration from Sony Cinemon site:

Cinemon Plugin for FCP Xdcam Workflow

FCP users benefit of the Cinemon plug-in include:

Cinemon-OMV1 allows native editing of the following formats in a Final Cut Pro timeline:

Sony XDcam Formats:

XDCAM Proxy*
XDCAM HD 18,25,35,50Mbps – 60i/50i/23.98p/25p/29.97p
XDCAM HD 720 50p/60p
XDCAM EX 25, 35 Mbps – 60i/50i/23.98p/25p/29.97p
XDCAM DVCAM
XDCAM IMX
Files exported via XDCAM Transfer Tool
Smart Render Option and API for XDCAM HD formats

Other info:
Supported Operating Systems & Software

Minimum Hardware Specifications:

See below for more information about Cinemon – OMV1  trial download and pricing.
http://bit.ly/EX1madeEZ

Sony PMW EX1 Xdcam Ex High Definition Camcorder Training Model

Planning to update your skills or upgrade your camera for 2010 and join part of the ever growing tapeless revolution. We can help you get up to speed and running quickly with courses and practical experience of these cameras..

HD Productions runs intensive 1 day and 2 day training courses using Sony Xdcam EX cameras. This provides a fast and easy way to learn the fundamentals and advanced features on the camcorder.

We show you how to master tapeless production workflow and recording for broadcast, event,filmmaking, documentary, corporate, webtv or IPTV sectors.

Our tuition covers all the operating and functions of the camera, from menu set-up options, shooting PAL/NTSC 1080/720, frame rates, formats, SXS card management and examine the many inbuilt options that will aid in your production.

Sony SxS cards for the EX1/EX3/EX1R and 350

This training is ideal for previous owners of Sony cameras and other video tape based camera used wanting to upgrade or update their camera knowledge, video productions units or filmmakers migrating to high definition tapeless workflow, will also suit new users, hirers wanting more familiarity and hands on user experience.

We are can also prepare you for working with the New Sony NXCAM Format and as well.

Please view our card management guide this can be found at
http://www.hd-productions.biz/wp/sony-xdcam-ex-camera-training-course-handout/

We can also offer training on the JVC HM 100 and HM 700

JVC high definition HM 700 shoulder mount

HD Production tapeless video training and seminar handout.

Sony PMW EX1/EX3 XDcamEX powerpoint training material updated as for seminars,workshops and courses. Ideal for Sony EX1 or EX3 users, owners or hirers. Simple reference for end user on managing their card settings and how to maintain format options, for easier tapeless video production workflow management.

This updated powerpoint deals with disk formatting to maintain drive name integrity and the correct method for file deletion to avoid wiping the disk back to it’s original state.

Information suitable for RED One, Panasonic P2 or JVC HM100/HM700 users as well.

For the first time researchers from the university’s Centre for Micro-Photonics have demonstrated how nanotechnology can enable the creation of ‘five dimensional’ discs with huge storage capacities.

The research, carried out by Mr Peter Zijlstra, Dr James Chon and Professor Min Gu was published today in the scientific journal Nature.

The Nature article describes how the researchers were able to use nanoscopic particles to exponentially increase the amount of information contained on a single disc.

“We were able to show how nanostructured material can be incorporated onto a disc in order to increase data capacity, without increasing the physical size of the disc,” Gu said.

Discs currently have three spatial dimensions, but using nanoparticles the Swinburne researchers were able to introduce a spectral – or colour – dimension as well as a polarisation dimension.

“These extra dimensions are the key to creating ultra-high capacity discs,” Gu said.

To create the ‘colour dimension’ the researchers inserted gold nanorods onto a disc’s surface. Because nanoparticles react to light according to their shape, this allowed the researchers to record information in a range of different colour wavelengths on the same physical disc location.

This is a major improvement on current DVDs that are recorded in a single colour wavelength using a laser.

The researchers were also able to introduce an extra dimension onto the disc using polarisation. When they projected light waves onto the disc, the direction of the electric field contained within them aligned with the gold nanorods. This allowed the researchers to record different layers of information at different angles.

“The polarisation can be rotated 360 degrees,” Chon said. “So for example, we were able to record at zero degree polarisation. Then on top of that, we were able to record another layer of information at 90 degrees polarisation, without them interfering with each other.”

Some issues, such as the speed at which the discs can be written on, are yet to be resolved. However the researchers are confident the discs will be commercially available within 5 – 10 years.

The discs are likely to have immediate applications in a range of fields. They would be valuable for storing extremely large medical files such as MRIs and could also provide a boon in the financial, military and security arenas.

The researchers’ ground breaking achievements would not have been possible without the long time support of the Australian Research Council.

Source:
http://www.swinburne.edu.au/corporate/marketing/mediacentre/core/releases_article.php?releaseid=1330

Entry/Audience requirements

Aimed at and suitable for Directors, Producers, Camera assistants, editors, edit assistants and independent freelancers and production companies, incorporating Tape and tapeless formats example will be based on Sony Ex1 and Z1, but can apply Panasonic and  JVC owners or users. 

High Definition Tapeless Video Workflow. – Moving from Tape to Tapeless follow up

Issues regarding editing, production, hardware, storage, archiving of productions and media asset management. Financial impact on production and post-production costs.

Entry/Audience requirements

Aimed at and suitable for Directors, Producers, Camera assistants, editors, edit assistants and independent freelancers and production companies. Incorporating tape and tapeless formats example will be based on Sony Ex1 and Z1, but can apply Panasonic and JVC owners or users. 

Course description
Aimed at those wanting to use or integrate non tape recording formats in video production. This course will be based around Sony EX1 but will cover Panasonic P2, Red camera and other tapeless options. Final cut pro based by will include information for Avid and Premiere users as well.

For more information drop leave a message or give us a call.

This seems good news for those who either manage or administrate data migration policies to future proof material and were wondering if Blu-ray was the only large format optical storage option available.

The research, carried out by Mr Peter Zijlstra, Dr James Chon and Professor Min Gu was published in the scientific journal Nature. In the article it describes how the researchers were able to use nanoscopic particles to exponentially increase the amount of information contained on a single disc.

The researchers were also able to introduce an extra dimension onto the disc using polarisation. When they projected light waves onto the disc, the direction of the electric field contained within them aligned with the gold nanorods. This allowed the researchers to record different layers of information at different angles.

“The polarisation can be rotated 360 degrees,” Chon said. “So for example, we were able to record at zero degree polarisation. Then on top of that, we were able to record another layer of information at 90 degrees polarisation, without them interfering with each other.”

Some issues, such as the speed at which the discs can be written on, are yet to be resolved. However the researchers are confident the discs will be commercially available within 5 – 10 years.

The discs are likely to have immediate applications in a range of fields. They would be valuable for storing extremely large medical files such as MRIs and could also provide a boon in the financial, military and security arenas.

Taken from Swinburne Media centre press release.
http://www.swinburne.edu.au/corporate/marketing/mediacentre/core/releases_article.php?releaseid=1330

Nature article
http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v459/n7245/full/nature08053.html

For the techies and geeks you can send correspondence to: James W. M. Chon1 Correspondence and requests for materials should be addressed to J.W.M.C. (Email: JChon@groupwise.swin.edu.au), to find out about the “Five-dimensional optical recording mediated by surface plasmons in gold nanorods” that make all this possible.

http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v459/n7245/full/nature08053.html

http://www.swinburne.edu.au/corporate/marketing/mediacentre/core/releases_article.php?releaseid=1330

Great to hear your views and thoughts on this.