By the DV Staff, January 15, 2008
In the effort to make some sense of the amazing volume of new tools introduced (or delivered) in 2007 — from camcorders to codecs, from HMI lighting to DI color timing — we asked DV's top writers to each pick their favorites with the proverbial "indie filmmaker" in mind, resulting in this list. As some contributors lean toward production, some toward post and others toward distribution, each came at selecting their personal "bests" from a unique perspective, creating what we hope will be a useful tool in itself (running in alphabetical order by company) when it comes time for you to gear up for your next production. Here is Part II, the continuation of our Best of ’07 list, items 11-20.
ABOVE: Clockwise, from top, left: Veescope Live screenshot, the AG-HSC1U, Red Alert! Screenshot and a Quad Pod.
Veescope Live
DVDxDV
There are a number of real-time scopes for the Mac — Scopebox and Monitor Magic among them — and they all have unique advantages. The one that took my eye this year was Brad Wright’s Veescope Live, because it’s not only a real-time Waveform monitor, Vectorscope and capture device compatible with any QuickTime hardware (even the cards from Blackmagic Design and AJA), it’s also a real-time chroma keyer based on Core Graphics and Core Animation. Brad finished the job by creating an FxPlug plug-in for Final Cut Pro/Motion that reproduces, in real time, the key from the set. — Philip Hodgetts
http://www.dvdxdv.com
G-Speed Fibre RAID Array
G-Technology
Today it’s all about storage: How much, how fast and how cheap. G-Speed drives walk that tightrope between quality, speed, size and cost with precision balance. With so many versatile choices, the G-Speed has become a storage leader among independents everywhere. — Jay Holben
http://www. g-technology.com
Endura Elite
IDX
A little environmental awareness with your power supply, anyone? The ELITE line of Li-Ion V-Mount batteries allows for plenty of shooting time — up to 3.5 hours using a 40W HD ENG camera. Plus, its new Power Cartridge system uses replaceable twin cartridges, so it extends your ROI and reduces waste. — Mark J. Pescatore
http://www.idx.tv
DT-V24L1DU
JVC
Increased HD work and tools like Apple’s Color mean that monitoring HD images has become crucial. JVC’s 24” DT-V24L monitor is one of the better LCD-based HD production quality monitors and the only one below $5,000. Viewing angles are adequate for most edit bay work and the images look better than monitors many times its price. — Philip Hodgetts
http://www. pro.jvc.com/prof
LP-Micro
Litepanels
Lightweight, cool-burning, battery-powered with standard AAs, daylight-balanced and fully dimmable, the LP-Micro LED fixture is a unique and useful addition to any kit. As an onboard camera light, it adds precious few ounces; as a utility lamp for highlighting details or backgrounds, it’s a gem; as a tabletop light, it’s a keeper. — David E. Williams
http://www.litepanels.com
AG-HPX500
Panasonic
Versatility might be my theme this year. This is a camera package that crosses many borders. With four P2 slots, off-speed shooting, native 24p, and the best focus-assist I’ve ever seen, this is a fantastic camera system at an unbelievable price. — Jay Holben
http://www. panasonic.com/broadcast
ABOVE: Clockwise, from top, left: The AG-HPX500, a G-Speed Fibre RAID Array, a Litepanels LP-Micro and a DT-V24L1DU monitor.
LH2600W
Panasonic
Hands down, this is the most impressive LCD monitor I’ve seen. A 26” widescreen, multi-format production monitor with pixel-to-pixel mapping, it offers built-in waveform, very wide viewing angle and contrast and color to compete with CRTs. A great tool. — Jay Holben
http://www. panasonic.com/broadcast
AG-HSC1U
Panasonic
This tiny cam caught our eye at NAB. The pint-sized HSC1U weighs only 1.1 lbs. and records 1080i images in 16:9 in the new AVCHD format onto an SDHC memory card. Featuring an F1.8/2.8 12X Leica Dicomar lens (35mm equivalent 38.5 - 462mm) with Optical Image Stabilizer, the camcorder has a 3” widescreen (16:9) LCD monitor and a five-microphone 5.1-channel surround-sound recording system. The unit comes standard with a portable 40GB media storage unit (featuring a built-in rechargeable battery) for off-loading content from the 4GB SDHC memory card. — David E. Williams
http://www. panasonic.com
Quad Pods
Quad Pod
An economic answer to camera support, Quad Pods can work as handheld, tripod, or body-mounted supports. Each pod includes two sets of handles so you can use it for more angles — the back grips really help with overhead shots. Plus, the neck strap helps with maneuverability, and a new Swivel Pod feature offers a waist support pod for improved support with less fatigue. — Mark J. Pescatore
http://www.quad-pods.com
Red Alert! and RedCine
Red Digital Cinema
The Red One is the first digital cinematography camera to offer a true RAW camera workflow. The camera’s uniqueness and the brash marketing assault of the founders have attracted a vocal indie following, but all would be pointless if you couldn’t get the images out of the camera. Part of the innovation includes software tools that Red has created to move its RAW files through post. Furthermore, these are available as a free download. For the first time, a video camera facilitates a workflow in which the entire look of the image is held in metadata until the very end — and can be easily changed along the way. Red’s software tools are still in early development, but will likely blaze a path that many other manufacturers will follow as part of their own future development. — Oliver Peters
http://www. red.com/support
Click hereto get Part I of III.
Coming Up: Best of '07: 30 Tools for Indie Filmmakers (Part III of III)
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