DaVinci Resolve Now Available for the iPad in Australia from Today.

The long-awaited DaVinci Resolve video editing program is now available from the Apple app store in Australia.

DaVinci Resolve for the iPad allows creators to extend video workflows in new ways and new places. Optimized for MultiTouch technology and Apple Pencil, DaVinci Resolve for iPad features support for cut and color pages providing access to DaVinci’s award winning image technology, colour finishing tools and latest HDR workflows.

You can read more on the actual app here.

 

Major Updates to Adobe Premiere Pro

There have been some major updates made to Adobe Premiere Pro, the first since August, and announced a week or so ago, but somehow, missing any Australian notification.

These changes come variously under the following headings:

  • Upgrade Captions to Graphics
  • Collaborative Editing
  • Sequence Locking
  • Share Changes
  • Improved Making
  • Toggle Switches on Multiple Tracks
  • Improved Support for ARRIRAW with GPU deBayering
  • RED V-Raptor Camera Support
  • Expanded XAVC HDR Support

Additionally, in beta is the ability to assemble rough cuts from transcripts

Rather than simply repeat verbatim what Adobe says, you can view all the details on these changes here.

RØDE Releases the Videomicro II

RØDE  says the VideoMicro II takes everything that made the original such a success and introduces several new features for enhanced performance, redefining the gold standard for ultra-compact on-camera audio.

Key Features:

  • Professional-grade on-camera shotgun microphone
  • Supercardioid polar pattern for highly directional audio capture
  • RØDE’s annular line tube technology for unmatched transparency and natural, full-bodied sound
  • Innovative HELIX™ isolation mount system for superior protection from knocks, bumps and handling noise
  • 3.5mm TRS output with plug-and-play connectivity and no complicated controls – incredibly easy to use
  • Ultra-compact and lightweight – just 39g
  • Rugged, all-metal body and premium components
  • Deluxe foam and furry windshields and cables for connecting to cameras and smartphones included
  • Designed and made in RØDE’s state-of-the-art facilities in Sydney, Australia

The VideoMicro II records professional audio directly to a camera or smartphone. It is a true shotgun condenser microphone, with a supercardioid polar pattern for highly directional audio capture that focuses on what it is pointed at while reducing background noise.

The body has been completely redesigned, utilising RØDE’s revolutionary annular line tube technology for unmatched transparency and natural, full-bodied sound. The circuitry has also been overhauled, offering enhanced sensitivity and lower self-noise. The VideoMicro II delivers incredible sound quality never heard before in such a compact form factor, but it is just as simple to use as the original.

To aid in its simplicity,tith no batteries required to operate and no complicated controls.

One of the most striking new features of the VideoMicro II is the sleek red suspension mount. This is the HELIX™ isolation mount, a highly innovative shock mount system developed in-house at RØDE specifically for the VideoMicro II.

rode-video-micro-II-front-three-quarter-5760x3240-rgb 1Featuring a groundbreaking design expertly crafted to the exact specifications of the microphone, it solves many of the issues that other shock mounts face when used with compact, lightweight microphones. Moulded from a single piece of advanced Hytrel® thermoplastic, it fully isolates the capsule from vibrations that occur from knocks, bumps and general handling, which can result in rumbles and other audio artefacts in a recording. It is designed to the exact size and weight of the microphone, ensuring optimal stabilisation and acoustic performance, while being super low-profile. It also features handy cable management slots and a standard mount for attaching to a camera cold shoe, plus a 3/8-inch thread for mounting onto a boompole and other accessories.

The VideoMicro II also comes with deluxe foam and furry windshields for protection from wind noise, making it suitable for recording in a wide range of environments, indoors or in the elements. Also included is a 3.5mm TRS to TRS cable for connecting to cameras and a 3.5mm TRS to TRRS cable for connecting to smartphones.

At just 39g, the VideoMicro II is compact and lightweight, making it ideal for use with DSLR and mirrorless cameras, compact and action cameras, and smartphones says RØDE. It is super portable, taking up minimal space in a creator kit, camera bag, or simply a backpack or handbag. It is also incredibly tough, designed and made in RØDE’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in Sydney, Australia using premium components, including a rugged, all-metal body and broadcast-grade capsule.

The VideoMicro II is shipping worldwide now and is available for US$79. To find out more, head to rode.com/videomicro-ii.

This Time It’s Personal 2022 exhibition showcases top Australian photographers’ passion projects for a good cause at SUNSTUDIOS

SUNSTUDIOS, backed by Canon Australia, today opens* its 11th annual This Time It’s Personal 2022 exhibition. Showcasing the best in Australian photography talent, the exhibition provides a glimpse into what professionals shoot for love alone with all art works donated by the artists available for purchase at a discounted rate.  Curated this year by Nicky Catley, Group Picture Editor at Australian Geographic, the showcase will feature 64 unique photographs with 100% of print sale proceeds donated to the GO Foundation. Founded by Adam Goodes and Michael O’Loughlin, the GO Foundation seeks to create opportunities for Indigenous youth through education and bespoke scholarship programs.       

Each photograph exhibited is brought to life using SUNSTUDIOS’ state-of-the-art Canon print facilities and print specialist, Selena Simpson, who strives to match the artist’s intention as closely as possible while also delivering a stunning piece of artwork.  

Luke Harrison, Head of SUNSTUDIOS commented, “Art has the ability to connect and inspire individuals, and as Sydney’s arts and culture scene continues its revival, we are thrilled to see the return of the exhibition after close to two years. The exhibition provides a truly unique opportunity to view and purchase high quality artwork by the industry’s best photographers including Hugh Stewart, Emily Abay, Gary Heery and Vicki Lee, at affordable prices and for an important cause. We are incredibly grateful to the talented artists who have kindly donated their works.”   

This Time It’s Personal Curator and Group Picture Editor at Australian Geographic, Nicky Catley, says of the exhibition, The ‘big pause’ in the world of commercial photography as a result of the COVID pandemic, led many commercial photographers to reflect and turn inward, driving new personal work. During lockdowns photographers were stuck in their homes and many became hyper aware of nature, the rhythms of the weather and turned to documenting the minutiae of their everyday lives.  Others had time to revisit archives and explore new directions. I am honoured to be curator of this year’s show after such a fruitful period for this kind of vulnerable, intimate, playful and experimental work. Thank you to all the generous photographers for sharing their beautiful art and providing the opportunity to give back to the community.” 

To view the This Time It’s Personal Exhibition, visit: This Time It’s Personal 2022 exhibition.  

* Exhibition open to the public 

When: This Time Its Personal exhibition is open to the public from 25 November until 16 December, 2022. Entry is free of charge.  

Pricing: Print prices start from $300.  

Opening times: Gallery opening times are 8:00am – 6:00pm AEDT, Monday to Friday and 8:00am – 4:00pm AEDT Saturday (opening hours exclude Sundays and public holidays).  

Address: SUNSTUDIOS, 42 Maddox St, Alexandria NSW 2015. 

Star Wars fan? Who Isn’t?

Today, Star Wars fans have another way to feel the power of the Force with three new collectible Seagate® Hard Disk Drives (HDD) inspired by heroes and villains of the Star Wars galaxy. Featuring Luke Skywalker™, Darth Vader™, and Han Solo™, the latest additions to the company’s line of licensed special edition storage devices bring speed, capacity, and striking appearance to the battle stations of Star Wars collectors and tech enthusiasts. 

The special edition FireCuda external hard drives represent the famed characters with three unique aesthetics: the courage of Luke Skywalker, the raw power of Darth Vader, and the confidence of the galaxy’s favourite smuggler, Han Solo. The drives offer customisable RGB LED lighting1 and each design features a default custom character light out-of-the-box: a forceful blue for Luke Skywalker, a wrathful red for Darth Vader, and a white glow reminiscent of the Millennium Falcon for Han Solo. With built-in and customisable lighting options, all three of the drives enable Star Wars enthusiasts and gamers to awaken the powers of the Force at home. 

With 2TB of capacity, the FireCuda External Hard Drives (HDD) work with PC, Mac, PlayStation, and Xbox so tech enthusiasts can gather and store a galaxy of media, files, and games, regardless of operating system2.  Designed with USB 3.2 Gen 1 connection for universal compatibility and quick transfer speeds, and USB bus-powered, the lightweight drives are the perfect match for Star Wars fans looking for spectacular storage while on the go. The special edition drives include Seagate’s three-year limited warranty and three-years of Rescue Data Recovery Services™ so users have peace of mind as they embark on adventure.

The new collectible drives are available today from all leading retailers for AU$145 and NZ$175 (2TB).

Please visit the press kit to view and download images.

 PC required to set RGB color and light pattern using free Seagate Toolkit software.

2 Visit Seagate website for operating system requirements.

New Zhiyun Fiveray F100 and M40 Pro Lights

ZHIYUNhas launched the FIVERAY M40 pocket fill light and the FIVERAY F100 stick light. With their launch, ZHIYUN pushes the boundaries of lighting technology and performance to put studio-quality, ultra-portable lighting products in the hands of content creators. Used with ZHIYUN handheld gimbals, content creators can create silky-smooth footage with stable and soft lighting, even in dark outdoor settings, thanks to its stay-cool technology.

By raising the cooling efficiency through intelligent control, its two-way cooling system prevents overheating.

The palm-sized ZHIYUN M40 360° fill light epitomizes simplicity and utility. Based on the attitude-control algorithm applied on gimbals, DynaVort technology enables better heat dispersion, allows for smaller fans, and therefore, a compact device without compromising on its 40W power; whereas products of a comparable size currently only offer 5-13W. Weighing only 320g, it fits neatly in pockets, looks stylish and is the ultra-portable illumination companion for videographers, whether amateur or professional.

Yilun Liao, CEO, ZHIYUN, said: “we are passionate about using breakthrough innovations – whether it’s with our iconic gimbals or our new FIVERAY lighting devices – to simplify and reshape content creation. With several industry firsts under our belts including the M40’s DynaVort Cooling System™, our products offer full creative control and convenience for anyone wanting to experience and express their inner filmmaker.”

m40The ZHIYUN M40, embedded with 176 LED chips rivals the key lights provided by bulkier products on the market with:

  • Incredible illuminance of 14,000 lux at its peak
  • Adjustable dual color temperature ranging from 2,700-6,200K and consistent power output peaks at 40W with no strobing, ensuring a stable light source
  • A standard fidelity offering for both photography and videography with CRI reaching 96+ and TLCI reaching 97+*

ZHIYUN’s FIVERAY F100 is the second professional lighting stick in its FIVERAY product range, bringing power, portability and accurate color rendition in one versatile tool. Weighing just 950g, F100 is designed for one-handed control and comfort, offering a pro lighting solution without the need for complicated set-up or setting adjustment. Embedded with 5 times more LED chips, F100 gives you ultra-bright output compared to similar-sized lights, reaching 20,708 lux at its 100W maximum power. F100 offers six creative lighting effects that help build up the atmosphere easily when inspiration strikes. For maximum versatility, F100 can be mounted on ZHIYUN’s holder, H stand, tripod and light stand, fitting in various filming settings for lighting solutions and additional accessories, including a diffuser and grid, offer multiple lighting options.

The ZHIYUN F100 is packed with features:

  • One click operation of Hue Saturation Intensity mode via the control dial: HSI Mode. Adjust H-Hue (0-360°), S-Saturation (0-100%), I- Intensity (0-100%) via the dial and experience rich, vibrant colors.
  • Frosted casing creates a diffused, warm ambience while its groundbreaking structure integrates portability and performance.
  • Professional color rendition with the RGB increased by 47% from 2700K to 6200K in CCT Mode

Pricing and availability

Available from 23rd November 2022,

The ZHIYUN FIVERAY M40 is available for USD$99.

The ZHIYUN FIVERAY F100 is available for USD$249.

From December 7th to December 8th, the F100 and M40 will be available on a buy-one-get-one-free basis from Amazon ZHIYUN store, AliExpress, B&H, and ZHIYUN official store.

Expensive! And you thought losing your drone was bad… have a thought for this!

Last night Perth (in Western Australia, not Scotland) held its annual City of Light Christmas Show that featured 500 drones. But something went wrong and about 50 of them simply dropped from the sky into the Swan River. The total cost of the loss is estimated to be around $100,000 according to Drone Sky Show managing director Joshua Van Ross.

No cause is yet apparent as to what befell the casualties, but today divers are attempting to salvage as many as they can to try and ascertain what went wrong.

Nobody in the huge crowd was in danger by the way as there was a 120 metre exsclusion zone around the area the drones were flying – or not as the case may be.

Perth is known as the “City of Light” because in 1962, Perth residents and businesses left on their lights, shone torches to the sky and lit lanterns to generate as much light as possible – Astronaut John Glenn commented on the brightness from space and Perth became known as The City of Light.  Glenn was the first American astronaut to orbit the Earth.

Image and footage from Nine News Perth

 

New Elgato Stream Deck +

We don’t know too much about it as yet, having only received a flyer with lots of pictures, and the information that you can “download over 200 ready made plugins or map keyboard shortcuts to keys and dials“. See more here.

2022-11-16_09-50-41I also know that our friends at SideshowFX must have been aware this was coming as they have simultaneously announced profiles for DaVinci Resolve, Adobe Photoshop and Cubase are already available.

See more here.

RØDE Releases the NT-USB+ Professional Mic

RØDE has today announced a new addition to its industry-leading range of USB microphones, the NT-USB+. Based on the legendary NT-USB, the NT-USB+ is a professional-grade USB microphone loaded with next-generation features. It is also compact, portable and versatile, making it say RØDE,the ideal microphone for musicians, podcasters, streamers and professionals who want to capture studio-quality sound with ease.

Key Features

  • Studio-grade condenser capsule and tight cardioid polar pattern, delivering pristine audio ideal for recording vocals, speech and instruments
  • Ultra-low-noise, high-gain Revolution Preamp™ and high-resolution 24-bit/48kHz analog-to-digital conversion for professional sound quality with stunning clarity
  • Internal DSP for advanced audio processing powered by APHEX® – including a compressor, noise gate and legendary Aural Exciter™ and Big Bottom™ effects
  • High-power headphone output for zero-latency monitoring, complete with level and mix controls
  • USB-C output for plug-and-play connectivity with computers, smartphones and tablets
  • Includes high-quality pop filter and desktop mount – an all-in-one solution for recording professional sound at home or on the go

Designed and made in RØDE’s state-of-the-art facilities in Sydney, Australia

The NT-USB+ is based on the original NT-USB, which was released in 2014. Featuring the same iconic form factor and studio-quality sound as the original, the NT-USB+ builds on this legacy with a number of next-generation enhancements and is set to become a modern classic.

The NT-USB+ retails for USD$169 (AUD$250 approx).
For more details, click here.

New ACDSee Photo Studio Mac 9

With this new release, ACD Systems Photo Studio for Mac 9 improves upon an already impressive selection of tools.

Take advantage of the new Face Detection and Recognition feature and effortlessly keep track of the people in your photos. Take your photo development to new heights with the newly implemented right-hand Develop pane. The Develop pane houses three amazing new features, designed to help improve your workflow: Develop Presets, History, and Snapshots.

Use the Preset feature to quickly save and apply beautiful presets. Your saved presets will appear alongside a list of over 50+ pre-installed presets at your disposal. View a clear history of all the changes you’ve made to your photo, and even bring the photo back to any step in the process with the click of a button.

Snapshots

Comparing complex changes can be challenging, so let’s make them a distant memory with the new Snapshot feature. Save changes that you made, from simple to complex, and preview or apply them instantly to take your image from zero to hero.

In concert with these exciting new features, ACDSee Mac 9 comes loaded with new user interface adjustments and tools, such as the Info Palette which provides helpful metadata about your selected image, and improved menu options, allowing you to do more at once and have even greater control over the tools you need to bring your imagination to life.

With this release, not only do you get unrivalled digital asset management and image editing from one of the pioneering companies in the market, but you also get ACDsee Mobile Sync, a quick portal for uploading images.

Why choose ACDSee Photo Studio Mac 9? 

•      The go-to Mac product for all your photography needs. 
•      New performance and user interface enhancements for faster workflow. 
•      Facial Detection and Recognition and faces in your images for naming, and keep people organized. 
•      New Right-side Develop Pane, easily take control of your Develop mode workflow with the new pane for Develop Presets, History, and Snapshots.
•      Develop Presets, save and manage Develop mode presets, including over 50 new pre-installed presets.
•      History, allows for a step-by-step display of the changes made to an image. 
•      Snapshots, make quick, complex changes to an image using parameters you’ve saved.
•      Info Palette and Histogram Pane in Manage mode, keep an eye on the important metadata of your photos in Manage mode.
•      Filter Keywords and Categories, find and organize quickly and easily with keyword and category filtering in Manage Mode.
•      Metadata Removal, easily remove EXIF, IPTC and ACDSee Metadata from your images.
•      Perfect your images with a suite of non-destructive editing tools. 
•      Sign up for ACDID using your Apple ID, Google, or Microsoft accounts to make signing up, and logging in, a breeze.

For more info, go to https://www.acdsee.com/en/index/