Duck. Duck. Duck. Gooseneck!

Podium or conference microphone

Thursday, Nov 15, 2007

Duck. Duck. Duck. Gooseneck!
The perfect game for us seeing as how we run around in circles all the time at VR.
This new spin on the old childs game comes from Astatic in the form of the GN15VPD and GN20VPD Podium mics.

The GNVPD is a series of dual-flex, continuously-variable polar pattern, miniature-gooseneck condenser microphones with integrated desk stand, programmable membrane switch, LED, and logic interface. Special attention has been taken to design the GNVPD series to resist interference from devices such as cell phones and two-way communication devices. The integral 80Hz, 12dB/octave high-pass filter removes unwanted low-frequency energy to improve intelligibility. The cable can easily be made to exit the bottom or the rear of the stand.
Our gaggle includes 4 of the 15" and 2 of the 20" so when your geese need to stand up and squawk, let us know.
And in the words of the immortal Groucho Marx: Vhy a duck? Vhy not a gooseneck?

Brad blogs in: These mics, combined with our extensive arsenal of shotgun, PZM (pressure zone) and boundary microphones, automatic gain mixers allow to us to record most any event flawlessly. Focus groups, speaker panels, one on one interviews recorded on audio or audio with video. Done right. Done by Video Resources.

Tags: mics

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Panasonic HD monitors

Portable and studio HD and SD LCD monitors

Wednesday, Sep 12, 2007

If I were Andy Rooney (would I be in this windowless cubicle?) I'd probably say something like: "Did you ever wonder why there are so many different sized TVs? Does a 60" plasma screen really accommodate Oprah's ego any better then a 27" TV? Does a small screen make W look like any less of a buffoon then a projection scree...aaah never mind. You get the idea."

Ever the openminded, Video Resources has bookended the spectrum acquiring pairs of HD-SD monitors. Starting small is the BT-LH80Wp. This 16:9 HD/SD LCD monitor is a versatile solution for studio and field monitoring. The compact 7.9" multi-format LCD monitor features advanced video processing technology and delivers high-resolution (800 x 450 pixel) playback and production-quality performance with advanced focus assists for critical focusing in HD. This compact, low-power unit can double as an electronic viewfinder for use with high definition cameras.
On the larger end of the scale is the BT-LH1700WP. This multi-format 17" flat panel offers

a 1280 x 768 pixel WXGA-resolution, an amazingly fast response time of 10ms, and faithfully reproduces up to 16.7 million colours as well as a wide viewing angle of 176 degrees vertical and horizontal. Displays 1080/24PsF, 1080i, 720P and 480i video format inputs. It offers an array of input/outputs including SDI, Y/Pb/Pr, RGB, composite and S-video, as well as an audio input. The unit also includes an internal waveform monitor, built-in stereo speaker and a VESA mount.So since I'm not Andy Rooney, this is the only resolution I can come up with for the preponderance of monitor sizes:
Gentleman, it matters.

Brad blogs in: In addition to running off a 4-Pin XLR, all of the our Panasonic HD monitors have been modified to run off battery power by slapping a Anton Bauer or V-Brick battery on the rear. We also shipping cases and desk mount, C-stand and other mounting options available. Download a PDF Manual for the BT-LH80WP or the BT-LH1700WP if you want get all of the glorious details.

Tags: HD, SD, monitors, LCD

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Red One Cameras Delivered

Red Camera digital camera system and accessories

Saturday, Sep 01, 2007

RED Dawn Has Risen

On August 31st, Video Resources took possession of the 15th and 16th models of the RED ONE camera to roll off the production line. Upon returning from the information and training session at Red Digital Cinema’s “RED DAY”, Brad exclaimed, “We presently have the ‘K’ to the future. In fact we have all 4”, he beamed, referring to the native 4K resolution of the RED ONE camera.

Sensing early, the technological sophistication of this 12M pixel, 9 pound, future-proof acquisition system, Brad was an original member of the Revolution enabling Video Resources to capitalize on advance offerings of RED accessories making Video Resources Orange County’s most REDucated and well equipped RED rental house.

Being championed by industry heavyweights like Peter Jackson and Steven Soderbergh, the RED ONE camera is revolutionary in it’s imaging system. In side by side comparisons conducted by Jon Farhat, VFX Supervisor of “Wanted”, footage acquired with the RED ONE camera was favored over film due to it’s greater dynamic range.

Those who attended VR’s June 20th “Seeing RED Event” got a sneak preview into the pioneering world of 4K. In an intimate setting, RED Digital Cinema’s Ted Schilowitz showcased this unparalleled family of products destined to REDesign the visual acquisition process. Now it’s your turn to shoot with the big boys, and for a fraction of the cost.
Video Resources’s catalog of RED accessories runs all the way to zoom controls. A very colorful compliment to our already extensive rental inventory. Let Video Resources and Red Digital Cinema help you REDiscover your passion!

Are you REDY? Take the next step toward your REDcarpet moment - Call Video Resources’ REDpresentitives to help or visit our RED rentals website - www.shootwithred.com

Tags: RED One, camera, HD, 4K

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AJA HD10MD3

AJA HD and SD I/O transcoder and encoder. Optimized for Final Cut and Apple Pro-Res HD

Sunday, Jul 01, 2007

Up on the hill, They've got time to burn, There's no return.
Double helix in the sky tonight,
Throw out the hardware, Lets do it right Aja
When all my dime dancin is through, I run to you...

Such a simple mantra, "Throw out the hardware, let's do it right...."
Yeah well, there we were, me, Jose, and Brian, chucking a ton of "crap" into the dumpster, having totally misjudged which day Brad was returning from vacation, when the screaming started. The 3 of us would have qualified for the Olympic High Jump event.
I don't know where the Chinese music suddenly came from but it seemed to bring out Brad's inner dude.

"Marc, dude.That box in your hand? It's an AJA HD10MD3. It's a miniature digital downconverter for converting HD-SDI video to standard definition SDI and analog component/composite video. The HD10MD3 uses a full 10-bit data path and multi-point interpolation to produce broadcast quality downconverted video. In addition, the HD10MD3 converts either 1080p24 or 1080p24sf to 59.94 Hz output video using the standard 3:2 pulldown technique. The output can be formatted for either 4:3 or 16:9 standard definition monitors. Four-channel input embedded HD-SDI audio is passed to the SDI output.

"Yeah. I knew that."

"Dude, did you also know it had a 4:3 Safe-Zone Graticule and User Configuration Dipswitch?"
If I hadn't still been standing there with my back up against the dumpster I'd have taken offense to being called a dipswitch but now I was beginning to hear the angular banjoes too.
So the next time you find yourself under a banyan tree without a downconverter, maybe you'll be on the patio at Moreno's.
If not, give us a call, we'll think you're ok.

HD10MD3

(illustration is 80% actual size)

Brad blogs in: These downconverters are a perfect compliment to the RED camera which normally only has HD outputs. The AJA will allow you to send a standard definition NTSC video signal around the set for your "video village" and typical video assist needs. You can feed a video walkman, VHS or DVD recorder. Very convenient for the director or client when they want to check a take for continuity, performance or whatever strikes their fancy. Powered by AC or DC, we suggest running a BNC from the camera to the AJA in video village.

Tags: RED One, HD, shootwithred.com, camera

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