AValive.com Blog

Convergent Design nanoFlash is Shipping!

2009-07-01T03:53:00.001-07:00

The Convergent Design nanoFlash is hot! The world’s smallest, lowest-power HD/SD recorder/player is clearly a home-run. This palm-sized wonder records stunning video at bit-rates up to 220 Mbps (I-Frame-Only, 4:2:2 full-raster) or 100 Mbps XDCAM 422 onto affordable Compact Flash media . Near universal NLE support (FCP, Avid, Vegas and soon Premiere) opens up a wide potential customer base. We encourage our dealers to visit our website, http://www.avalive.com/Convergent-Design/199/0/productList.php for all of the details.

Don’t let the diminutive size fool you, as this baby is feature packed with HD/SD-SDI, HMDI and analog audio I/O. Unique features such as pre-record buffer and over/under crank further separate nanoFlash from similar products. But, it’s the super small size (camcorder mountable) and miserly power (under 6 Watts) that really sets nanoFlash apart and makes it a very useful tool for both studio and field recording applications.

Applications include upgrading tape-based cameras to file-based editing, POV camera recorders, client presentations, video assist, underwater video, SDI switcher recorders, and other high-quality video recording and playback venues, including output to film.

AValive Provides HD Web Streaming Services for Wolfram Alpha Launch

2009-05-15T18:09:00.001-07:00

Wilmington NC USA 05/15/2009- AValive announced that they provided consulting and HD Rentals for the Wolfram Alpha Project launch webcast.

AValive Has Financing Available for Pro AV and Video Customers

2009-02-11T04:16:00.001-08:00

We have all heard how hard it has been to get financing these days. AValive has financing available for their customers including start ups. Lease and Loan amounts to 5 million can be financed today as we recently just has a 1.5 million dollar Digidesign Pro Tools and Panasonic Camera system approval for a broadcast start up.

Good credit is still valued today and with low interest rates and a favorable tax and depreciation schedule moving into 2010 it may make sense to consider lease financing for your next Pro AV or Broadcast installation.

Call us at 877-387-5464 or click on this link for an easy 1 page application good for loan amounts up to $25,000.

One Tree Hill Renews Studio with AValive in 2009

2009-01-19T13:14:00.001-08:00

Jan 19,2009: AValive announced to day that they will continue their rental and sales support on the One Tree Hill Set at the Screen Gems Studio in Wilmington NC. AValive provided set design and consulting as well as provided many of the Digidesign Pro Tools items seen on the show as Brooke's Studio. Avalive continues to support the working version of Pro Tools which includes an ICON D command Unit and multiple 192 I'Os

AValive Builds Out Fox Sports Speed Audio Post Facility Charlotte NC

2009-01-17T03:06:00.001-08:00

JAN 16,2009: AValive a division of Triangle Visual interactive announced today that they have finished the build out of Fox Sport's new Audio and Video Post Facility in Charlotte NC. AValive was chosen for their specific skill sets relating to post for video using Digidesign's Protools Hardware and Software. Bill Columbus VP was quoted saying : "We are grateful to be a part of this new facility and have had a wonderful relationship with Speed Channel since first coming to Charlotte in 2001. We will continue offering them excellent support and consulting in their transition to HD Audio and Video technology. "

Avalive provided Audio and Video support for Pro Tools using Black Magic Design's HD Card-sets as well as integrated a host of pro audio for video products including Apple Mac Pro's,Neumann Mics,Custom Designed Consoles,Waves Software and Digidesign ICON series mixing consoles.

AValive a division of Triangle Visual interactive is a women owned privately held business located in Wilmington NC with over 20 years servicing the Pro AV and Broadcast community. Their website is http://www.AValive.com

AValive Provides AV Rental and Services to New Orleans Marriott

2008-06-11T09:29:00.001-07:00

AValive provided AV Rentals,Staging and Support Services for a 10 room conference held at the New Orleans Marriott during the week of June 1 . AValive was chosen for this event by the Washington DC Based NDRN due to their experience in providing special AV services for the disabled .

AValive provided LCD Projectors,Screens,Wireless Mics,Sound and much more with a focus on providing audio to hearing assisted listeners.

AValive provides AV Rental for UNCW Madeline Suite Facility

2008-06-02T11:55:00.000-07:00

AValive provided full AV rental and support service for their attorney client at the UNCW campus meeting facility Madeline Suites. AValive provided LCD Projector Rental,Wireless Mouse, and PC Notebook rental. AValive provided onsite set up services and tech support for the rental period

AValive is your coastal AV Sales and Rental source supplying the largest array of AV services to the Wilmington NC and Wrightsville Beach Market. They can be reached at 910-790-0324 of email customerservice@avalive.com

Promax Systems Ceases Operations

2008-05-28T08:27:00.001-07:00

It is with much sadness I report that Promax Systems has ceased operations. AValive has been a friendly competitor for many years and we have shared the highs and lows of this business together since 1994.

The founder Charles McConathy RIP was instrumental to AValive in the early years giving fatherly advice on how to deal with the issues of running a multi millon dollar company that emerged within a years time span and with out his advice we probably would never have made it to what we are today.

Dan Hatch was the underling who later emerged to take over Promax after Charles death and continued the spirit of helping others who were of like minds, always willing to do what ever it took to get the job done.

I will be in New Orleans this week where ironically was the first of many trade shows Promax and AValive shared booth time together and I will be sure to lay a flower in the Ole Mississippi in their honor.

From Promax.com

ProMax Systems, Inc. has ceased primary operations but continues to satisfy the immediate and short term needs of its valued customers. We are in negotiations to transition the primary operations to a 3rd party so relationships with our customers and vendors can continue. We are confident the new ProMax will emerge stronger with the same commitment to excellent products and service that you have come to expect from a name you trust. An announcement will be sent as soon as the transition plan is completed. Thank you for your business which we have worked hard to earn.

AValive Provides AV Rental and Services at Hilton Riverside Wilmington NC

2008-05-20T10:12:00.001-07:00

AValive "Your Coastal AV Source" was chosen as the AV Rental Vendor for a 150 person multi room convention held at the Wilmington NC Riverside Hilton May 14-15Th 2008. Services provided included full AV assist by 2 AV onsite engineers as was as LCD Projector and screen rentals, Wireless Mics, mixers, dvd players and much more.
AValive is the largest Sountern NC Coastal AV Rental and Services source serving Wilmington NC and Wrightsville beach and all surrounding towns. Call them at 910-790-0324 or email customerservice@avalive.com for more info

Cradlepoint announces an upgrade to the CTR350. The new CTR500 travel router!

2008-05-20T10:06:00.000-07:00

Cradlepoint announces an upgrade to the CTR350. The new CTR500 travel router!

Our good friends at Cradlepoint have announced their upgrade to the CTR350. The CTR500 has everything you loved in the CTR350 plus additional features such as an Express Card Slot. AValive.com will be selling the CTR500 along with Cradlepoint's entire line. We are only taking pre-orders right now. The CTR500 isn't expected to ship till the beginning of June, 2008. Order today and be one of the first to receive this exciting new router.

More on the CTR500 from Cradlepoint:

"The CradlePoint CTR500 Cellular Travel Router creates a secure Wi-Fi Hotspot from broadband enabled cellular data modems. The CTR500 is the world's most compact router that is able to support BOTH Express Card and USB-style Cellular Modems. Powered by CradlePoint's WiPipe™ technology, it supports a wide variety of modems and handsets on the ATT, Verizon, Sprint, and Alltel networks and gives users hassle-free Wi-Fi access nearly anywhere."

Features

Fully compliant 802.11b/g router
Supports external 802.11 antenna (not included)
Compatible with Express Card and USB style cellular modems (EVDO and HSDPA networks)
Supports select handsets via USB cable
10/100 Ethernet port switchable as WAN or LAN
Auto-failover mode for a compact broadband source backup solution
Configurable adult content filtering and phishing protection
Cellular signal strength indication on top panel eases site selection
Powered by WiPipeTM technology

AValive HQ to be the first U.S. media market to switch to all-digital television broadcasts.

2008-05-08T01:14:00.000-07:00

AValive HQ TO Test All-Digital-TV Service
In Small Market Before National Run

For the residents of Wilmington, N.C., the transition to digital television will come much sooner than expected.

The Federal Communications Commission has chosen Wilmington to be the first U.S. media market to switch to all-digital television broadcasts.

It is a last-minute test for the FCC and broadcasters, which are nervous about what will happen on Feb. 17 when most television signals change to digital from analog, potentially knocking out service to millions of Americans.

The FCC is expected to announce details Thursday. Wilmington will switch to digital on Sept. 8. News that Wilmington would be the test market was reported Wednesday morning by trade magazine TelevisionWeek.

"We certainly think the transition is important and we appreciate Wilmington's willingness to do it early," said FCC Chairman Kevin Martin in an interview. The FCC contacted seven media markets where broadcasters could potentially switch early, he said, but Wilmington was the only area to volunteer.

Wilmington is the nation's 135th-largest television market, with about 180,000 households, and the smallest in North Carolina, according to Nielsen Media Research. About 93% of the households there subscribe to cable or satellite services, slightly more than the national average.

The FCC has been looking for volunteers in smaller media markets to switch early, but most broadcasters have balked, concerned about losing advertising dollars and upsetting residents who would rather not be used as guinea pigs.

Wilmington Mayor Bill Saffo said the test represents "a huge opportunity for the Wilmington TV market to pave the way for the entire country."

The FCC estimates about 15.5 million U.S. households rely on free broadcast television. To reduce grumbling about the switch, the government set up a $40-coupon program to help consumers pay for set-top converter boxes. This week, the government announced that more than a million coupons have been redeemed.

AValive Provides Rental and Support Services to USS North Carolina Comissioning

2008-05-05T06:44:00.000-07:00

AValive announced today that they provided rental and staging support services to the USS North Carolina Sub commissioning that took place over the week of May 1-6 2008.

AValive provided IT support to the crew as well as av staging support for the event held Saturday May 3rd on the pier at the Port of Wilmington NC

AValive Provides AV Rental And Support Services for President Clinton in NC .

2008-05-01T04:49:00.000-07:00

AValive was chosen to provide AV support services for former President Bill Clinton while touring Eastern NC for his wife Hillary Clinton's campaign for President 2008. AValive was chosen nationally for this honor and provided Wireless Microphones for Audio and custom speakers and mixers as well as AV engineer support services. AValive was chosen for this honor because they have the largest inventory of AV Rentals in the Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach NC area and provide LOCAL AV tech and engineering services.

AValive provides AV Support Services to President Clinton While Touring NC

2008-05-01T04:01:00.001-07:00

NewTek Unveils TimeWarp, a High-Performance Replay Controller for TriCaster

2008-04-16T06:43:00.001-07:00

NewTek Unveils TimeWarp™, a High-Performance Replay Controller for TriCaster™

Accessory allows the ability to immediately add slow motion and instant replay to live productions

San Antonio, TX -- April 14, 2008 -- NewTek, Inc., manufacturer of industry-leading video and 3D animation products, today introduced TimeWarp™, an optional USB-connected replay controller for its line of TriCaster™ portable live production systems. TimeWarp extends the capabilities of TriCaster by providing producers with a dedicated operator for video playback to perform instant slow motion replay at adjustable speeds on-the-fly during live productions. Together, TriCaster and TimeWarp bring a higher level of sophistication to live sports and fast-paced event coverage.

Producers are used to marking in and out points when editing video, but TimeWarp allows this to be done instantly by a single operator or team during a live production. As an event is recorded or streamed with TriCaster, a segment of video can be bracketed and sent to an internal VCR to be played back in slow motion.

“TimeWarp greatly adds to the immediacy and flexibility of TriCaster-powered productions. Producers are now able to create professional presentations that surpass client and audience expectations with instant replay and slow motion from any venue,” said Andrew Cross, NewTek’s Executive VP, Software Engineering. “The clips are captured and played back quickly and easily without interrupting the technical director.”

TriCaster™ enables sports organizations, corporate communications departments, broadcasters, schools and others to provide a whole new level of extended programming and content to their fans, partners and other audiences. Now, a single operator can produce a live show switching between as many as six cameras with two VCR’s, multi-channel effects, and NewTek’s proprietary virtual sets and keying technology using TriCaster™. With it, virtually anyone can produce network quality live video, which can be distributed simultaneously via video, web stream and projector.

Pricing and Availability
NewTek TimeWarp will be available d for $995US and is also available internationally.

About NewTek
With headquarters in San Antonio, Texas, NewTek is an Emmy® Award-winning and leading provider of full-featured video editing, live production, presentation, animation and special effects tools including TriCaster™, TriCaster Pro™, TriCaster STUDIO™, TriCaster BROADCAST™, VT[5]™, SpeedEDIT™, 3D Arsenal™, LightWave 3D® and LightWave Rendition™ for Adobe® Photoshop®.

Buy NewTek TimeWarp™ at AValive.com when it becomes available.

Adobe Drives the Creation, Delivery, and Playback of Dynamic Content

2008-04-14T12:17:00.001-07:00

Adobe Drives the Creation, Delivery, and Playback of Dynamic Content

SAN JOSE, Calif. and LAS VEGAS NV — April 14 , 2008 — Adobe Systems Incorporated (Nasdaq:ADBE) is showcasing new technologies and initiatives that are helping to drive innovation across dynamic media content creation, delivery, and playback at the 2008 NAB Show, beginning today. Adobe is spearheading an effort to begin defining an industry wide open file format for digital cinema files, which is planned to be called CinemaDNG (see separate press release), and delivering native support for the Sony XDCAM EX camera format in Adobe® Premiere® Pro CS3 software. For capturing live audio and video to stream in real-time to Adobe Flash® Media Server or the Flash Video Streaming Service, Adobe is offering Adobe Flash Media Encoder 2.5 software as a free download. Adobe also is helping to bring intelligence to dynamic media by allowing the incorporation of metadata into its professional video product line. A highlight of the show is the recently announced Adobe Media Player, which is already featuring content from leading television broadcasters and content publishers, including CBS, MTV Networks, Universal Music Group, and CondéNet. All of these breakthroughs are being shown at the 2008 NAB Show, April 14 - 17 (Booth SL 3220).

“Adobe is committed to driving innovation across dynamic media content, delivery, and playback,” said Jim Guerard, vice president of Dynamic Media at Adobe. “Our customers are building businesses in a rapidly changing media and advertising landscape. Thanks to our partner ecosystem—from CDNs to plug-in vendors—Adobe technologies provide a virtually complete and integrated solution that allows our customers to create content once, then seamlessly distribute and monetize that content across the widest possible array of playback environments.”

At NAB, Adobe is previewing technology plans that help bring intelligence to dynamic media through metadata in future versions of its professional video software. By automating the creation and flow of information assets, post-production tasks can be simplified and accelerated, enabling audiences to search content rapidly and easily. During distribution and playback, content owners and advertisers can take advantage of new monetization opportunities to target ads more precisely. Also at the show, Adobe announced it is leading an effort to begin defining an industry wide open file format for digital cinema files, which is planned to be called CinemaDNG. CinemaDNG is an industry-wide initiative to define an open file format for digital cinema files to ensure accurate archiving, simplify workflows, and provide richer editing possibilities. In addition, Adobe is extending its commitment to tapeless workflows by announcing native support for the Sony XDCAM EX camera format in Adobe Premiere Pro CS3, augmenting its previously announced support of the Panasonic P2 format.

Adobe continues to expand its industry footprint for dynamic media playback. For broadcasting live events such as concerts, webcasts, or sporting events, Adobe Flash Media Encoder 2.5 software now allows users to capture and stream live content in H.264 with Adobe Flash Media Server and Adobe Flash Player. As the world’s most pervasive playback software, Adobe Flash Player is installed on 98 percent of Internet-connected PCs and more than 500 million mobile devices and handsets worldwide ship with Adobe Flash® Lite™ software. Adoption of the latest update to Adobe Flash Player 9, which supports H.264-enabled HD content, has set all-time records by achieving 62 percent market penetration since its release in December 2007.

“Adobe's innovations are reshaping the digital video industry and helping us reach our audiences and monetize our content in new and exciting ways,” said Greg Clayman, executive vice president, digital distribution and business development for MTV Networks. "Adobe Creative Suite® 3 Master Collection software and Adobe Flash are fantastic tools that help us create and distribute content for audiences worldwide.”

Buy Adobe products at AValive.com.

Blackmagic Design Announces New DeckLink HD Extreme with 3 Gb/s SDI

2008-04-14T11:24:00.001-07:00

Blackmagic Design Announces New DeckLink HD Extreme with 3 Gb/s SDI

NAB 2008, Las Vegas, NV, USA - April 14, 2008 - Blackmagic Design Inc. today announced the new DeckLink HD Extreme, a more powerful version of the original award winning DeckLink HD Extreme card. The new DeckLink HD Extreme has all the features of the original model, which it replaces, plus now adds HDMI capture and playback, innovative 3 Gb/s SDI technology, and 3D lookup tables.

DeckLink HD Extreme is on display at NAB 2008 at the Blackmagic Design booth SL10920.
DeckLink HD Extreme is the world’s first capture card to feature SDI, HDMI and analog component, NTSC, PAL and S-Video capture and playback, combined with 3 Gb/s SDI technology, and 3D lookup tables for only US$995.

With SDI, HDMI and analog video capture and playback, combined with both balanced analog and AES/EBU digital audio, DeckLink HD Extreme lets customers connect to all decks, cameras and monitors. DeckLink HD Extreme instantly switches between SD and HD video, so is the ideal solution for all post production and broadcast users when working on design, editing, paint and effects tasks.

Now with the new 3 Gb/s SDI, DeckLink HD Extreme can also instantly switch to full resolution 2K feature film editing. DeckLink HD Extreme also includes built in 3D lookup tables that allow customers to simulate feature film stocks.

Last year at NAB 2007, Blackmagic Design pioneered 2K workflows via SDI using 3 Gb/s on its new Multibridge Eclipse editing solution and HDLink Pro monitoring solution. Now for the first time, this same 2K feature film workflow is available on a capture card that costs less than $1000.

DeckLink HD Extreme Key Features:

3 Gb/s SDI capture and playback with compatibility with existing HD-SDI and SD SDI equipment.
HDMI capture and playback.
Analog component, NTSC, PAL and S-Video capture and playback.
SDI, HDMI and Analog component switches between SD and HD. SDI also switches to 2K film.
16 channels of SDI audio capture and playback in HD and 2K. 8 channels in SD.
2 channels of AES/EBU audio capture and playback with sample rate converter on input.
2 channels of XLR professional analog audio capture and playback
Full resolution 2K capture and playback at 2048 x 1556 at 24 and 23.98 fps.
Genlock/Tri-Sync reference input for locking card to large systems.
RS-422 remote control for broadcast decks.
PCI Express plug in card at 10 Gb/s speeds for maximum real time effects.
Real time effects in Apple Final Cut Pro™ and Adobe Premiere™ Pro.

Availability and Price

DeckLink HD Extreme is available now and in stock for only US$995 or €675 from all Blackmagic Design authorized resellers worldwide.

When it becomes available buy the Blackmagic Design DeckLink HD Extreme with 3 Gb/s SDI here at AValive.com for the best price on the internet.

Blackmagic Design Announces New Family of Powerful Mini Converters

2008-04-14T11:16:00.001-07:00

Blackmagic Design Announces New Family of Powerful Mini Converters

NAB 2008, Las Vegas, NV, USA - April 14, 2008 - Blackmagic Design Inc. today announced a new family of powerful Mini Converters with innovative features and technologies. There are 5 models in the Mini Converter family, plus the new Broadcast Converter, a combination rack mount all-in-one model.

All Mini Converters are on display at NAB 2008 at the Blackmagic Design booth SL10920

Mini Converters include extremely powerful features such as 3 Gb/s SDI technology, redundant SDI inputs, balanced analog and AES/EBU switchable audio, standard 1/4-inch jack audio connections and an international power supply which includes adapter plates for all international power sockets.

Unlike other converters on the market today, Mini Converters are designed to be easy to understand. All models have the same basic features, and there is only 1 model for each type of conversion for increased simplicity. This eliminates the dozens of confusing models that products of this type typically suffer from.

Also unlike other converters, Mini Converters have simple names that are easy to understand. Other converters on the market use strange numbers for product names, which make it impossible to tell what the converter actually does.

There are 5 models of Mini Converters: Mini Converter SDI to Analog, Mini Converter Analog to SDI, Mini Converter SDI to HDMI, and Mini Converter HDMI to SDI. All these models are priced at US$495. Mini Converter Sync Generator is a black burst and tri-sync sync generator model priced at US$295.

For anyone who needs a complete bi-directional conversion solution, then the new Broadcast Converter model allows simultaneous SDI to analog and analog to SDI conversion at the same time. Broadcast Converter retail at US$995.

To keep the Mini Converter product line incredibly simple to understand, there is only 1 model for each type of video conversion. This means each Mini Converter model has more features than found in other converters. Mini Converters have audio on standard 1/4 inch jack connectors, and the audio can be switched between balanced analog or AES/EBU audio. Jack connectors makes it easy to use off the shelf cables and a wide range of audio products.

“When we developed the new Mini Converters, we approached the problem from a design point of view to solve one of the biggest issues with converters, and that’s making them much more accessible to creative people who need to install them personally,” said Grant Petty, CEO, Blackmagic Design. “We made only one premium model of each conversion type, and called them simple descriptive names that anyone can understand. Then we packed them with innovative technology and features! We hope this helps make it easy for anyone to grow their post production studio as large as their creative talents make possible!”

Redundant SDI inputs are designed to be used on live events where cables could be damaged by crowds so if video input is lost, the SDI inputs instantly change. Loop through SDI allows the SDI input to loop to other equipment. 3 Gb/s SDI allows Mini Converters to be upgraded via the built in USB connection to support new television formats in the future. Built in mini switches allow settings to be changed for audio types, audio de-embedding channels, analog video types and more.

Blackmagic Mini Converters are available now from Blackmagic Design resellers. All four models are only US$495 or €325, and the Sync Generator model is US$295 or €199. The Broadcast Converter model is US$995 or €675 and available in May.

Specific Models

Mini Converter SDI to Analog includes everything needed to convert from SDI to analog in HD/SD component, NTSC and PAL video, plus balanced AES/EBU and analog audio. Easily connect equipment such as Betacam SP, VHS, and analog video monitors to SDI based equipment.
Mini Converter Analog to SDI is perfect for converting from analog video in HD/SD component, NTSC, PAL or S-Video to SDI video with the choice to embed SDI audio from balanced AES/EBU or analog audio inputs. Convert analog devices such as Betacam SP, VHS, Set top boxes and HDV cameras to SDI video.
Mini Converter SDI to HDMI converts from SDI to HDMI video with embedded HDMI audio, plus balanced AES/EBU or analog audio. Imagine using big screen televisions and video projectors for broadcast video monitoring! Easily connect HDMI displays to SDI based equipment.
Mini Converter HDMI to SDI is ideal for converting from HDMI devices to SDI video with the choice to embed SDI audio from HDMI, AES/EBU or balanced analog audio inputs. Add SDI outputs to cameras with HDMI connections, or add SDI outputs to computers with HDMI compatibility.
Broadcast Converter combines all mini converters into a 1 rack unit chassis that allow bi-directional conversion. Convert SDI to analog/HDMI while at the same time converting analog to HDMI to SDI. Broadcast Converter is a complete solution for connecting analog decks such as Betacam SP to SDI based systems in a compact rack mount design.
Mini Converter Sync Generator includes 6 crystal stabilized video reference outputs for referencing all the video equipment in your studio in either high definition Tri-Sync, or standard definition Black Burst, television standards.

Availability

Mini Converters are shipping now from all Blackmagic Design authorized resellers worldwide. The Broadcast Converter will be shipping in May.

When it becomes available buy the Blackmagic Design Mini Converters here at AValive.com for the best price on the internet.

Blackmagic Design Announces the Blackmagic Video Recorder

2008-04-14T11:07:00.001-07:00

Blackmagic Design Announces Blackmagic Video Recorder

NAB 2008, Las Vegas, NV, USA - April 14, 2008 - Blackmagic Design Inc. today announced the new Blackmagic Video Recorder, a compact USB video capture product that captures files direct to H.264 files for iPod™, iPhone™, Apple TV™, YouTube™, IPTV, Web or full resolution archiving.

Blackmagic Video Recorder is on display at NAB 2008 at the Blackmagic Design booth SL10920.

The H.264 file format used with Video Recorder will allow direct capture to files compatible with mobile devices such as iPods, so users don’t need to do time consuming rendering. Long tapes can be captured, and then dropped into iTunes for syncing with iPod, iPhone, or Apple TV devices.

There are two models of Blackmagic Video Recorder, an analog one for consumers, and an SDI one for professionals.

Blackmagic Video Recorder has high quality analog component, NTSC, PAL and S-Video input, and allows capture from any analog source, such as VHS, Video-8, DVD, Set top boxes etc. Blackmagic Video Recorder SDI features standard definition SDI input and RS-422 deck control for connection to any broadcast deck.

“Because videotapes such as VHS degrade over time, there are millions of hours of home movies sitting on old videotape that need to be converted to computer files or transferred to mobile devices such as iPods, so you can show family and friends!” said Grant Petty, CEO, Blackmagic Design. ”But there are also millions of hours of professionally videotaped programs that need to be moved to computers so they can be sold to customers online, or used in IPTV applications. I feel this is an incredibly important product for moving all that television content into the future. The future is mobile and in your hand!”

Included with the USB hardware is the Video Recorder software which lets customers capture video with easy to use controls. When this software is used with the Video Recorder SDI model, users can enter in and out points for the deck they are capturing from. The Video Recorder software also allows users to set video scaling to reduce the resolution for mobile devices. To make great captured movie files, the Video Recorder software allows interactive cropping of the video edges, so analog blanking, VHS switching marks, and VITC timecode artifacts can be cropped out.

Video Recorder Key Features

Capture direct to H.264 files for mobile devices such as iPod, iPhone, Apple TV. No video conversion rendering required because these devices play back native H.264 video.
Two low cost models, one analog, and one SDI.
Includes easy to use Video Recorder software for capturing video.
Compact size, USB powered “thumb drive” size.

Availability and Price

Blackmagic Video Recorder will be available in mid July for US$119 or €79 from all Blackmagic Design authorized resellers worldwide. Blackmagic Video Recorder SDI will retail at US$299 or €199.

When it becomes available buy the buy Blackmagic Video Recorder here at AValive.com for the best price on the internet.

AValive Installs Digidesign D-Command on One Tree Hill Set

2008-04-14T06:05:00.000-07:00

AValive hs installed theDigidesign D-Command Mixing Console and an Apple Based Intel Mac with Digidesign Protools HD 2 system on the set of Warner Brothers Hit Series "One Tree Hill"

The system will be used in the One Tree Hill series as the control room for Sophia Bush aka Brooke Davis.

Apple Final Cut Server Ships !

2008-04-08T08:47:00.000-07:00

Final Cut Server Now Shipping

CUPERTINO, California—April 8, 2008—Apple® today announced that Final Cut® Server, a powerful software solution for media asset management and workflow automation, is now shipping. A scaleable server application, Final Cut Server automatically catalogs large collections of assets, allows searching across multiple disks and SAN volumes and enables viewing, annotation and approval of content from anywhere using a PC or Mac®.

“Whether producing a 30-second spot, the nightly news or a major motion picture, Final Cut Studio is the choice of editors around the world,” said Rob Schoeben, Apple’s vice president of Applications Product Marketing. “With the introduction of Final Cut Server, collaboration just got a whole lot easier for millions of editors, producers and clients who work with Final Cut Studio.”

“For the past few months we’ve been using a beta of Final Cut Server to manage our entire workflow pipeline, 24/7, and it held up beautifully,” said Evan Schechtman, CTO of Radical Media. “Best of all, Final Cut Server integrates seamlessly with our home-grown solutions so it’s actually adding new value to systems we’ve relied on for years.”

Final Cut Server automatically catalogs media and generates thumbnails, poster frames and low-resolution clip proxies for quick browsing in user specified formats. A cross-platform client enables a PC or Mac to use Final Cut Server’s broad search capabilities, which extend from simple keywords to complex combinations of IPTC, XMP and XML metadata. Final Cut Server also configures a range of highly specific access controls that define user permissions on an asset or project basis.

Final Cut Server scales to support workgroups of different sizes, ranging from a two-person post house to a multi-national news organization and can automate as much, or as little, of the production pipeline as needed. A configurable event-based response model tracks job status, monitors media changes, and automates review and approval notifications and complex sequences of tasks—all through a series of simple menu selections.

Tightly integrated with Final Cut Studio® for a seamless extension of the workflow, Final Cut Server includes Compressor 3, Apple’s industrial strength digital encoding and compression tool, which delivers pristine format conversions for publishing to DVD, broadcast television, the Internet, Apple TV®, iPod®, iPhone™ and other mobile phones.

Final Cut Server is available immediately thru AValive.com in a 10 License Version as well as a Unlimited Version.

Apple ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s with the Apple II and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the Macintosh. Today, Apple continues to lead the industry in innovation with its award-winning computers, OS X operating system and iLife and professional applications. Apple is also spearheading the digital media revolution with its iPod portable music and video players and iTunes online store, and has entered the mobile phone market with its revolutionary iPhone.

AValive NAB Represent

2008-04-08T05:47:00.000-07:00

AValive will be attending NAB 2008. Vendors and customers requesting appointments should email customerservice@avalive.com . Appointments remain available on Tuesday and Wednesday April 15-16 2009.

AValive and Gefen offers USB to DVI graphics adapter

2008-03-21T02:30:00.001-07:00

AValive announced Graphics peripheral maker Gefen on Wednesday introduced a new USB to DVI Graphics Adapter that enables Macs or PCs to connect a DVI or VGA display using a USB port instead of a conventional video port. It can be found here.

The plug-and-play device outputs in DVI-I format and allows you to connect either a VGA display or a DVI display — this lets you hook up external monitors or projectors without having to tie up an external video interface, according to Gefen. It can be used for multi-monitor configurations where all available video ports are already being used, as well.

The device supports screen resolutions up to 1600 x 1200. It can mirror the main display or extend the desktop.

Buy all Gefen products for the best price on the internet at AValive.com.

Apple hunts Windows users with Safari 3.1

2008-03-19T17:24:00.001-07:00

Apple has released the latest version of its Safari web browser.

A full release version of Safari, which has until now only been available for Mac, is now also shipping a Windows-friendly version.

This reflects the fact that Microsoft's operating system runs on Intel Macs.

A beta version of Safari 3 for Windows was released in June last year, quickly followed by a bug-fix from Apple.

Despite a shaky start - which included online reports of slow page loading compared to Internet Explorer 7 on Windows machines - a million people downloaded the beta in just 48 hours.

Safari is currently the number three browser in the marketplace, with analytics company Net Applications data showing six per cent of the world's web users use the browser. Internet Explorer accounts for three quarters of the market, followed by Mozilla's Firefox on about 17 per cent.

Apple claims that Safari 3.1 is the fastest web browser in the world - 1.9 times faster than Internet Explorer 7 and 1.7 times faster than Firefox 2.

It based these claims on tests made with VeriTest iBench 5.0 using default settings running on an iMac 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo system running Windows XP with 1GB of RAM.

Apple also says that Safari is capable of running JavaScript up to six times faster than other browsers and is better tooled to deliver Web 2.0 content.

"Safari 3.1 for Mac and Windows is blazingly fast, easy to use and features an elegant user interface," said Apple spokesman Philip Schiller, "and best of all, Safari supports the latest audio, video and animation standards for an industry-leading Web 2.0 experience."

He is referring to support for the new video and audio HTML tags, CSS (Cascading Style Sheet) animations, and CSS web fonts.

To work, Safari 3.1 for Windows needs XP or Vista, at least 256MB of RAM and a minimum 500MHz Intel Pentium processor.

On Mac, it will run on any G3, G4 G5 or Intel machine with FireWire, running updated OS X Tiger (10.4.11) and carrying at least 256MB of RAM.

Buy Apple products for the best price on the internet at AValive.com.

Gefen Launches Three New Home Theater Scalers

2008-03-19T10:07:00.000-07:00

Gefen Launches Three New Home Theater Scalers

Gefen announced today that it is launching three new scalers for the home theater market. Each of the trio can scale signals to 1080p and offers a variety of features. The first model is the GefenTV High Def Scaler. It features three audio and video inputs, two component with one audio and a DVI, and outputs the signals in DVI/HDMI format with audio in TOSlink and analog left/right formats.

The next is the GefenTV 1080p Scaler which accepts any HDMI source from set top boxes, disc players and game systems. The scaler delivers HDMI audio/video signal with digital audio in TOSlink and analog stereo.

The final scaler is the GefenTV Scaler Pro using the HQV T2-4000 Realta engine chipset for the best possible imagery. The scaler is compatible with HDMI 1.3 and has 10-bit color support. All three scalers are available to order now from around $299.

Buy all Gefen products for the best price on the internet at AValive.com.

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