A Look Back at 2013

It's that time of year again and here at Planet PC we're already getting excited for 2014 but before we get too far ahead of ourselves we thought it only right that we take a look back at 2013 in our final blog post for this year.

 

We think you'll agree that the past year has flown by and it's fair to say that it's been a busy one for us here at Planet. Throughout the past twelve months we've been lucky enough to have some great announcements from some great names both old and new, and fingers crossed 2014 will be even better.

 

It seems like ages ago since Blackmagic announced their original Cinema Camera but earlier this year patient customers finally began receiving the long awaited cameras. Blackmagic then surprised everyone with the announcement of not one but two brand new cameras at this year's NAB and while their 4k MFT Version of the Cinema Camera is still pretty much impossible to get hold of their Pocket Camera has certainly been making waves.

 

Another big deal for many this year was undoubtedly the introduction of Adobe's cloud based software in the form of Creative Cloud. Gone are the days of Adobe's boxed software and a time when it was possible to purchase a physical product, the last of which was CS6. While this was understandably frustrating for many who don't like the idea of being tied into a subscription based model fear not - there's still some great boxed software available. Grassvalley announced Edius 7 earlier this year and here at Planet we think it's definitely worth a look for anyone interested in editing.

 

Live production favourites NewTek delighted many when they announced an upgrade to their TC40 which was shortly followed by the introduction of their brand new range of pro level systems. These include the TC410, TC460 and TC860 and along with the TC8000 are all well worth checking out if you haven't done so already.

 

Fans of live production will also have been interested to see Telestream announced Wirecast 5 which is a great place to start for anybody looking for an introduction to a software based streaming/switching solution.

 

Sony also announced two new cameras in the form of their PXW-Z100 and NEX-FS700R, along with their first hard drives (Sony's first forays into the world of portable storage) and new PTZ's which include the SRG-120DH and SRG-300H.

 

Wireless favourites Teradek who have also just announced their Bolt Pro, we've had a whole new range of mini converters from AJA, a colour calibration system from Atomos in the form of their Spyder for use with their Blade and the 450 MB/s Extreme Pro from SanDisk which is the world's fastest memory card.

 

It's fair to say there's been a lot going on this year in the world of professional video - simply too much to cover in one blog post. Thankfully we'll be back in the new year to start doing it all over again and here at Planet PC we can't wait to see what 2014 brings (although we'd be lying if we said we weren't looking forward to Christmas!)

 

With this in mind we'd like to take this opportunity to wish you all a merry Christmas and say a huge thank you to all our customers old and new. We can't wait to see you all again in the new year but in the meantime we hope you all eat lots of turkey, drink lots of wine and get lots of presents!

 

 

 

 

 

Angelbird Drives - Now Online!

If you've ever worked with video in any shape or form you'll be only too aware of the importance of having access to good quality storage. Whether you're transferring data or just backing up, the prospect of a drive failing and losing all your rushes or that project you spent hours editing doesn't bear thinking about. With this in mind we pride ourselves on supplying an excellent range of storage options which include higher end RAID solutions such as G-Tech's G-Speed eS Pro, along with more affordable ones like LaCie's Porsche Design P'9223 Slim Drive.

 

Along with brands such as G-Tech and LaCie we're also proud suppliers of great drives by the likes of Caldigit, Glyph, Sandisk and Sonnet and are pleased to announce that we've just added Angelbird to the ranks of these well known brands.

 

 

 

For anyone who hasn't heard of them already, Angelbird are an Austrian company who specialise in the manufacture of high end SSD drives designed specifically for use with video. Consisting of a relatively small but experienced team, the company was founded by electronic engineer Roman Rabitsch and after checking out some of their drives it's easy to see why this relatively new company is quickly making a name for itself.



We were particularly impressed with the build quality and liked the fact that the drives are all nicely encased in housings machined from solid blocks of aluminium. As an eco-friendly company Angelbird also pride themselves on using the bare minimum in terms of chemicals/solvents which means everything is held together with screws and all logos/branding is laser etched. Angelbird also build all their own drives at their factory in Austria.

 

In terms of performance these drives are lighting fast and easily on a par with (if not superior to) many of the bigger brands out there. There are specific models for use with Mac's/RAW

and the drives also feature overload protection along with a 4 second uninterruptable power supply which means there's minimal chance of critical data loss should a drive become disconnected.

 

In a nutshell: These are excellent!

 

To see the full range along with more excellent data storage solutions visit www.planetdv.net or give our sales team a call on 01274 713400.

 

 

Creative Cloud Updates, Panasonic's Latest Addition and TV Logic!

New Updates from Adobe for CC Users

 

Love it or hate it, Adobe's Creative Cloud looks like it's here to stay and the fact that Creative Cloud subscriptions exceeded one million users earlier this year speaks for itself.

 

That's over one million users who will be pleased to hear that Adobe have just announced over 150 new features for Creative Cloud (now that's something you won't be getting with a boxed product!)

 

The new features which were announced at IBC in September affect all the favourites such as Premiere Pro CC and After Affects CC, and include enhanced support for 4K workflows, new mask tools in After Affects and SpeedGrade, GoPro support in Prelude and powerful upscaling tools to name a few. Other updates also include a range of performance enhancements, the result of which is a greatly improved user experience.

 

For more information visit www.adobe.com or alternatively give our friendly sales team a call on 01274 714300.

 




Now Shipping: Panasonic's New AG-AC8EJ

 





Panasonic's AG-AC8EJ

Another announcement at this year's IBC was Panasonic's AG-AC8EJ and we're pleased to be able to say that this latest offering is now shipping.

 


Priced at just over £1000.00 (ex vat) it's fair to say that this is one of Panasonic's budget cameras but don't let that put you off. This model is a lightweight shoulder mounted unit packed full of features and offers excellent value for money - ideal for anyone looking to purchase their first camera or take a step up from the world of small form-factor consumer camcorders.  This model is also fully compatible with Eye-Fi Wi-Fi SD cards which means recorded files can be transferred to a PC via a wireless network!

 

Visit http://business.panasonic.co.uk/ or check out this latest addition to our website along with the rest of the Panasonic range at www.planetdv.net

 

TV Logic Monitors - Now Online!
 


Here at Planet PC we're updating our website with great new products all the time and this week has been no different. Fans of TV Logic will be pleased to hear that we've recently added some of their excellent monitors to our website so if you haven't already done so get yourself over to www.planetdv.net and have a look. TV Logic's fantastic range caters for a wide range of applications and includes portable field monitors, rack-mounted units and specialist grading monitors. They've also got a rather nice looking 56" 4K display (although the price tag is just a little bit higher than the resolution!)

TV Logic's LQM-241W

 

 

metaSETZ tally systems now available!

Here at Planet PC we're pleased to announce that we are now stocking tally systems by metaSETZ!

Based in the US, metaSETZ produce an excellent range of tally systems primarily for use with NewTek's Tricasters (although they have also recently added support for Livestream's Studio switchers).

This is great news for Tricaster users looking for an affordable tally solution but even more so for those running a Tricaster 40 due to the fact that the TC40 has never had tally functionality until now.

The importance many place on tally is not to be underestimated and the fact that metaSETZ's tally systems are TC40 compatible is also very good news for prospective Tricaster owners - especially those who feel tally is essential for their productions. These are people who may have reluctantly dismissed the TC40 in the past or simply just don't have the budget for one of the TC40's bigger brothers.

There are many who wouldn't believe the TC40 could get any better but we think it's fair to say that metaSETZ has helped make it even more attractive, and we're confident this will open doors for many looking to take the next step in live production.

What's more is that metaSETZ's tally systems also feature an intercom pass through which means both tally and intercom can run on a single Cat5 cable run which is great news - because when it comes to cables, less is definitely more.

metaSETZ currently produce three models - the TLC-4S, TLC-8S and TLC-8D and between them they are compatible with the full range of Tricasters. The tally lights (TL2) are purchased separately from the base units and all are available via the Planet PC website at www.planetdv.net.

For more information visit the metaSETZ website at www.metasetz.com or alternatively give our friendly sales team a call on 01274 713400.

Thinking about purchasing a TC40? Now you have no excuse!

Planet PC Launch YouTube Channel!

 

It's been a long time coming but the Planet PC YouTube channel is finally here!

Visit http://www.youtube.com/planetpcvideo to check out our latest videos.

We'll be updating the channel on a regular basis with promotional material and product videos so why not subscribe and keep updated with us here at Planet PC.

We've recently added new videos on Reflecmedia and the Rode VideoMic so if you haven't had time to check these out why not head over to the channel and take a look! Feel free to leave us a comment or get in touch via Facebook or Twitter to let us know what you think.

 

We've got plenty more in the pipeline so why not stop by next week when we'll be posting our video on the Editors Key's SL300.

 

Don't forget to subscribe!

 

 

Coming Soon: The Atomos Spyder, Wirecast 5 and Teradek Stream Reader

Everyone loves shiny new toys and here at Planet PC we're no different which is why we're excited about the newest announcements from the likes of Atomos, Telestream and Teradek.

 

The Atomos Spyder

The Atomos Blade
(Sharper than your average Swiss army knife!)



 

Announced at this year's IBC Atomos's Spyder is a portable colour calibration unit which has been designed conjunction with  Swiss colour specialists Datacolor for use with the Samurai Blade. Along with adding increased functionality to an already excellent product this means that the Blade is now capable of one colour calibration which is a feature normally only found on higher end monitors.

 



The Atomos Spyder

Arachnophobia?

 

Fear not because this little beast will do anything but drain the colour from your cheeks due to the fact that it enables the Blade to accurately calibrate and represent colours like never before. This means you can now confidently trust the colours represented on screen which in turn means you can spend less time grading in post or worrying about your vectorscope settings when on set. While currently only available for the Blade the Spyder is soon to be compatible with the Ninja 2 which is great news when you consider a decent grading monitor can easily cost in excess of £1000.

 

 

Wirecast 5

 

Streaming gurus Telestream have updated their ever popular Wirecast software with the announcement of Wirecast 5 which is due to be shipping anytime now. Featuring more encoding options, increased compatibility, additional input sources and a more efficient interface this latest version looks set to be even better than the last one. See below for more on the new features in this latest version:

 

• x264 encoding enables x264 live encoding with stunning quality at lower bit rates.

• High quality screen capture provides the ability to broadcast multiple application windows from    the same computer, as well as HD screen capture in 60 FPS with amazing quality. This is great for game streaming, as well as online application demos.

• Updated UI has been redesigned to include new keyboard shortcuts, live preview swap, shot bin improvements and more.

• Output program feed permit output of SDI/HDMI program feeds to Blackmagic Design Intensity and DeckLink capture cards. This enables users to send live feeds directly into editing, effects and broadcast design systems.

• Web stream plugin allows an IP or web-based live feed to be used as a source, supporting RTMP, RTSP, MMS or HTTP as input sources into Wirecast. This enables a Wirecast live stream to be used as a source in another Wirecast.

• Improved H.264 playback delivers smoother playback of pre-recorded H.264 videos in Wirecast.

• Stream delay adds an optional time buffer between the live feed and final broadcast, preventing mistakes from airing live. This is a key feature for gamers wanting to delay their live on-screen action to hide their strategy from online competitors.

• Cross-platform Teradek plugin integration with Teradek Cube, Bond and Sputnik is now available for both Mac and PC. This adds flexible and economical live streaming options for easier capture of remote sources and more scalable publishing of local sources.

Teradek Stream Reader

Wireless wizards Teradek never cease to impress and they've done it again by teaming up with two live production greats (one of which we've just mentioned) in the form of Telestream and NewTek. Teradek's Stream Reader now makes it easier than ever before to further enhance the capabilities of Wirecast and NewTek's Tricasters, and means integrating Teradek equipment is now easier than ever before.

 

The Stream Reader plug-in is available from the Teradek website and means users of Teradek's Cube, Brik and Bond can now wirelessly stream HD footage directly to Wirecast or a Tricaster!

 

To see more from all the great manufacturers discussed here visit www.planetdv.net where you'll find the full range of broadcast equipment we specialise in.

 

Alternatively why not drop us a line at sales@planetdv.net or give us a call on 01274 713400

 

AJA Announces New Mini Converters

Here at Planet PC we know that  humans are creatures of habit and it's fair to say that people often like to stick with what they know. The old adage "If it isn't broke don't fix it" is all too familiar to many who simply don't want the hassle or the risk of switching to (and integrating) new equipment unless they have to which is fair enough.

More than meets the eye to these little grey boxes!

 

Now we don't blame people for basing buying decisions  on past experiences. Chances are if someone has had a Sony camera they've loved for the past three years then when they do come to purchase a new camera they'll want a Sony again (especially if the alternatives are more expensive) and who could blame them? In a nutshell, when it comes to technology  it can be difficult getting people to convert but thankfully the same can't be said when it comes to AJA.

 

Anyone who's familiar with AJA will know only too well that they already produce a fantastic range of mini-converters. What you might not know is that they have just announced four more in the form of the 4K2HD, the HD10A-Plus, the V2Analog and the V2 Digital.

 

AJA's new kids on the block.

 

What makes these so special?

 

Anyone who knows AJA knows their converters aren't the cheapest and anyone who actually uses them will know why. The saying that you get what you pay for is true and you only have to pick one of these up to realise that they are built like a tank - essential for something that will play an important part in a signal chain.

 

AJA also win brownie points for their excellent aftercare and customer support. Customer support is one of those things that doesn't matter until something goes wrong, and it's often dismissed or simply just not considered when making a purchase. AJA have gone the route of factoring it into their price automatically and as a result picking up the phone and speaking to a real person within normal working hours is straightforward.

 

Better chips = faster processing which is why AJA use premium parts and more of them than their competitors. This results in higher conversion speeds along with increased stability and versatility. AJA also provide the option to control most of their converters via their AJA MiniConfig software over USB as well as external DIP switches.. The result is that AJA have become the go to guys for anyone who wants extensive format support and configuration options.

 

Reliability - but don't take our word for it! AJA offer a 5-year international warranty on all their mini-converters as standard. Here at Planet PC we think that's excellent value for money!

 

Don't forget that AJA do a lot more than just converters though! Visit our website at www.planetdv.net to check out the full range for yourself and if you're not already then hopefully it won't be long before video signals aren't the only things converted.

 

Alternatively why not give us a call on 01274 713400.

 

 

IBC Round Up

 







Well it was short and sweet but what a treat this year's IBC proved to be. Planet PC's sales and technical staff were given the enviable task of visiting our Dutch neighbours and checking out  everything on offer at what is surely one of the best events in the calendar of the broadcast world. It's safe to say we weren't disappointed!

 

Anyone who was lucky enough to visit the show this year will agree that to say we were spoilt for choice is an understatement. Read on for our pick of the best bits.

 

 

Sony Announce New Cameras and Portable Storage Range








Sony NEX-FS700R

At this year's IBC broadcast giants Sony showcased their new NEX-FS700R/NEX-FS700RH cameras which feature Sony's E-mount lens system along with the ability to record in 4K/2K when using the optional HXR-IFR5 interface unit and AX-R5 recorder. The NEX-FS700RH includes a motorised zoom lens and both cameras have the ability to record up to 10x slow motion in full HD thanks to the Exmor Super35 CMOS sensor. Both cameras also feature 1080p progressive output allowing which allows user to capture uncompressed footage along with built in ND filters and hybrid recording capabilities. For more information check out the link to the Sony website below:

 

http://www.sony.co.uk/pro/press/pr-sony-ibc-nex-fs700R

 

Sony's New Portable Drives: Built to Last

 

Sony also announced a first for the company in the form of their portable range of SSD/HDD drives. Available from this month the PSZ-SA25 SSD drive and PSZ-HA50/PSZ-HA1T HDD drives are compatible with a range of existing Sony equipment and all feature USB 3.0 and Firewire interfaces. Not only that they're built to last and are dust proof, splash proof and drop proof!

 

 

 

 

Blackmagic Cinema Camera Rig

Tilta Showcase Impressive Range of Rigs





We stopped by the Tilta stand where we were very impressed with their camera stabilisation systems. Not only do Tilta produce fantastic rigs for higher end cameras such as the Sony F5 and Red Epic, they also produce some great looking rigs for the Blackmagic cameras so it seemed only fair we stop by and have a look.

 

The very nature of the Blackmagic cameras mean some sort of rig is pretty much essential. If you happen to own one or are considering purchasing a Cinema Camera any time soon then we'd highly recommend getting acquainted with what Tilta do because they certainly do it well.  We were particularly impressed with how solid the rigs were and liked little touches such as the addition of wooden handles on the Cinema Camera rig which were not only comfortable but made a nice change from the standard metal/rubber feel which tends to be standard on rigs.



 

Pocket Cinema Camera Rig

We were also lucky enough to be given a look at Tilta's upcoming rig for the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera. The model we saw was only a prototype with the finished article due to be available in the next month or so but if the prototype was anything to go by then this will be a great addition to Tilta's range. Unlike some of the other rigs we've seen this one completely surrounds the camera and is almost like a cross between a cheese plate and a DSLR cage. This is great because not only does it feel sturdy, it's also comfortable to hold thanks to the wooden handle/grip and the abundance of holes/screw threads mean it's possible to add whatever monitors, mics and other accessories you need!

 

 

Live Production with Vidigo

 

It was hard not to notice the Vidigo stand this year but aside from the eye-catching colour scheme and bright red trousers Vidigo stood out because of their excellent live production software.

 

We we're treated to a demo of Vidigo's Live production system and loved how intuitive everything felt - even for those of us who had previously never used it. With up to twelve camera inputs, Vidigo Live supports real-time chroma keying, macros & scripting and features a graphics engine which supports Adobe Flash graphics. Vidigo also supports touch screens which we thought was a really nice feature and one which we could see being really useful in a live environment when the pressure's on.  Visit www.http://www.vidigo.tv/ for more information.

 

 

 

SanDisk Announce World's Fastest Memory Card



The World's Fastest Memory Card

Media storage pioneers SanDisk announced the world's fastest memory card in the form of the Extreme Pro CFast 2.0. With the ability to read data at a rate of 450MB/s and write it at 350MB/s these 120GB cards can transfer a 100GB file in around four minutes. As the first card of it's kind to utilise the CFast 2.0 specification SanDisk's Extreme Pro is aimed at high end cinematographers working in higher resolution formats such as 4k. Visit http://www.sandisk.com/ for more information!

 

 

 

NewTek Announce New Tricaster Models

Live production gurus NewTek have just announced the arrival of not one but three new Tricaster models along with an upgrade to their Virtual Set Editor software.

As a NewTek Elite Partner with Tricaster certified staff this is exciting news and we couldn't wait to check out all the new features over at IBC. We headed over to Amsterdam to see what all the fuss was about and it's fair to say that yet again NewTek didn't disappoint.

The new models include the Tricaster 860, Tricaster 460 and Tricaster 410 and are all packed with a variety of innovative features to enable you to get the most out of your live productions.

We managed to squeeze around the NewTek stand to take a closer look:

The new Tricasters at a Glance:

The new Tricaster 860 is a 24 channel system with 8 Mix Effects and now includes support for holographic sets and robotic camera support for up to 8 PTZ cameras. Featuring  8 HD-SDI inputs, IsoCorder technology, 5 animation buffers and a range of monitoring/playback options.

Tricaster 410

The Tricaster 460 and 410 also feature support for PTZ cameras along with NewTek's impressive holographic/panoramic virtual set capabilities. Gone are the Virtual Inputs which have now been replaced with multi-channel "Mix Effects" and all NewTek's Pro models now feature up to eight configurable interactive hotspots, SDI inputs and built in social media publishing capabilities  which make it possible to share direct to Facebook, YouTube and Twitter - functionality only previously possible with the Tricaster 8000.

We we're especially impressed with the TC410 and really liked the fact that it provides so much professional functionality such as yet comes in at an RRP of only £8,499.00 (ex vat) -  great value for money when you consider The TC455 was nearly £6k more expensive!

Virtual Set Editor 2.5

As if NewTek haven't spoilt us enough they've also upgraded their already excellent Virtual Set Editor software to version 2.5. The newest version now features the ability to generate 3D holographic sets from panoramic images shot using nothing more than a smartphone. This may sound impressive but it's hard to understand just how innovative this feature is until you see it in person which is exactly what we did at IBC. To say the NewTek stand was busy is probably an understatement and with technology like their's it's easy to see why. This new feature makes it possible to produce a unique set from scratch in minutes and is a great addition to what was already a fantastic piece of software. VSE 2.0 also includes the animation store creator meaning the ability to create specialist transitions and custom branding is now easier than ever before.

What about the older Tricasters?

Nobody likes getting left behind and there's nothing worse than investing in expensive kit only for an upgraded version to be released weeks later. Fortunately NewTek realise this which is why they're providing the option owners of previous Tricaster models to trade-up to the next level.

If you purchased a Tricaster 455 of Tricaster 855 you can upgrade your system for the fantastic price of just£1,399.00 (ex vat).*

*Please note: This is a special offer price valid until 25/10/13 after which the upgrade price will increase to £2,199.00 (ex vat).

Considering Upgrading?

We'd love to talk Tricasters with you so why not give our sales team a call (all of which are certified NewTek operators) on 01274 713416 or email us at sales@planetdv.net and we'll be happy to discuss your options. 

Did we mention our hand built custom flight cases?

Life on the road can be hard for your production equipment so when you're out and about it makes sense to protect what is ultimately a big investment. That's why here at Planet PC we specialise in the design and construction of custom  flight cases for the full range of Tricasters. All our cases are built to order and designed to make life as easy as possible when transporting your Tricaster. 

Custom TC455 Flight Case

Counting down to IBC with Planet PC

It's that time of year again when one of the biggest events in the broadcast industry is just around the corner and here at Planet PC we know we're not alone when we say we're more than a little bit excited about the prospect of heading over to IBC and seeing what's on offer this year. We know not everyone has the time or the money to make it over to Vegas for NAB so for anyone based in Europe it's fair to say that IBC is just as (if not more) important to many who have it pencilled in their diaries well in advance.

With just over five days to go until the main event along with the fact that there's so much to see in such a small amount of time it's fair to say that IBC has been a hot topic of discussion amongst us all of us here at Planet.

We asked Sales Manager Matthew Hastings what he's looking forward to at this year's event:
       

"My visit to last year’s IBC was a bit of a whirlwind visit with the arrival of a new baby so this year I look forward to actually being able to see some new products. No doubt we'll be inundated with 4K and RAW and we have already heard the exciting news about the new professional range of Tricaster’s from NewTek. Blackmagic Design will inevitably be adding to their already impressive portfolio of products but there's also a few other items I'm keen to see which may have gone under the radar. JVC have announced two new 47 and 42 inch professional monitors that are very attractively priced with list prices at £870.00 and £690.00 (ex. VAT) respectively. Editshare have quite a few announcements and I'm keen to see the new features in Flow 3, their production asset management solution. They've also announced AirFlow which is a new web browser-based application to allow users to access their Flow database and media on the go. Finally Datavideo have announced an update to the popular DVK-200 to a new HD version the DVK-300HD. IBC is a huge show and it is a guarantee that at some point I will get lost and without doubt there will be a few more items that will catch my eye."

For anyone who is going to be experiencing IBC for the first time Matt's advice is to plan your visit well in advance. "As one of the biggest exhibitions IBC is host to pretty much everything broadcast related and it's easy to get distracted".

Wise words indeed from an IBC veteran. We also caught up with Chris in Technical Sales who's going to be visiting IBC for the first time this year:

"As a first time visitor to IBC I'm looking forward to seeing what's on offer not only from manufacturers who we already know and love but also from those who we're not as familiar with. We launched our new website around this time last year and ever since we've been updating it and adding new products daily which we will continue to do. IBC is an excellent opportunity to discover new products and manufacturers and I'm looking forward to feeding back to our web team who I know are also excited about this year's event and everything it has to offer. As Matt mentioned previously we've already had recent updates from the likes of NewTek who never fail to impress and we are in no doubt that there are many more announcements still to come from all the big names. In terms of the big names I know Blackmagic have been very secretive in the past so it will be good to see what they have in the pipeline but I'm also looking forward to seeing what Adobe have on the cards. I anticipate that once we arrive one of the biggest challenges we'll face at IBC will be seeing as much as possible in the time we have which is why we've been attempting to plan in advance in order to make sure we get the most out of it. No doubt one of us will get distracted at some point!"

Speaking of distractions, we interrupted Planet PC's Broadcast Technician Pawel Bybel who had the following to say when we asked him to take a break from the workshop to give us his thoughts on this year's event:

"I'm also visiting for the first time this year and personally I’m really looking forward to seeing the new range of products from NewTek and Blackmagic Design. I have a lot of experience working in live production  and am always interested to see how new technology is advancing. I cannot wait to finally have a play with Blackmagic's 4K Cinema Camera and am also looking forward to catching up with my old friends from Vidigo. It's been a while since I've used Vidigo's Live system and I’m really interested in what improvements and new features are present in the latest version. What is more, it will be a great opportunity to meet our business partners and suppliers in person and introduce myself. Finally, I hope there will be some time to walk around the city and enjoy Amsterdam!" 

If like us you're lucky enough to be paying IBC a visit then maybe we'll see you there (if not there's always next year). In the meantime why not get in touch via Twitter or Facebook and tell us what you're looking forward to seeing over in Amsterdam (strictly IBC related of course!) Alternatively if there's a particular product or manufacturer you think we should look out for when we're over there let us know and we'll keep our eyes peeled.

Avid Mix Artist Series Controller: Controlling your Tricaster audio just got easier!

Those of you familiar with working in a live environment will be all too aware of that fact that more often than not one pair of hands quite simply just isn't enough. Users of NewTek's Tricaster 8000 are certainly no exception to this largely due to the fact that the TC8000 is jam packed full of so many amazing features. Whether you're setting up macros, juggling Mix Effects, adjusting a key or configuring proc amps it's fair to say that having a second pair of hands comes in handy (pun intended) more often than not.

 



Avid Mix Artist Controller

With this in mind it can surely only be a good thing that NewTek have teamed up with Avid to allow Avid's Mix Artist controller to be used in conjunction with the TC8000 - great news for anybody looking to share the workload in a demanding live environment. As fully certified NewTek operators here at Planet PC we know only too well how hard NewTek have worked to ensure a system that does so much is so user friendly. The addition of Avid's Mix Artist controller means that now the video guys can devote their full attention to what they do best while the audio guys take care of the rest.

 

Using Avid's innovative Eucon protocol the Mix Artist controller connects to the Tricaster via Ethernet and allows the user full control over all of the Tricaster's on board audio controls which results not only in increased functionality but also provides the ability to effectively share the workload if need be.

 

It's also worth bearing in mind that the Mix Artist controller is compatible with a wide range of software across Windows and Mac operating systems which includes Cubase, Pro Tools, Adobe Audition, Final Cut Pro and Avid Media Composer to name but a few. In a nutshell: Versatile, compact and a cost effective way to simplify a workflow. Head over to www.planetdv.net for more information on this and many more specialist broadcast products.

Blackmagic announce Cinema Camera Price Drop

For those of you out there who are Blackmagic fans (and let's face it who isn't) you'll be pleased to hear that along with stepping up shipping on their Pocket Cinema Camera Blackmagic have also announced a price drop on their original cinema camera.

 

As everybody is well aware, there was somewhat of a delay with the original Cinema Camera due to manufacturing issues relating to the contamination of the lens/sensor which no one could have predicted but understandably led to a lot of frustration. This combined with the large amount of hype surrounding Blackmagic's first camera meant there were some unhappy customers as a result, with many remaining on waiting lists for over a year before actually receiving their cameras.

 

With this in mind Blackmagic's recent decision to reduce the price of their original cinema camera from £1790.00 (ex vat) to £1325.00 (ex vat) is welcome news and makes a product which already offers great value for money even more attractive to those venturing into the world of large sensor camcorders. It also means anyone who's been saving hard now has some cash left over for all those accessories!

 



What's more is the 2.5K version is actually shipping which means for a lot of customers who have been patiently (and not so patiently) counting the days since that first NAB announcement back in 2012 the wait is finally over.

 

As if that wasn't enough good news Blackmagic have also announced that the Pocket Cinema Camera is now shipping in limited quantities and with the 4K version not far behind the only downside is making the difficult decision of which one to choose.

 

 

Head over to www.planetdv.net where you can see these cameras along with the rest of the Blackmagic range. Alternatively if you're still struggling to decide which camera is right for you then why not give our sales team a call on 01274 713400.

A Beginners Guide to External Recording

Here at Planet PC we often get questions about external camera recorders from a wide range of customers with a variety of needs.

 

Like many people on a budget maybe you have an older camera which records to tape and you want to take advantage of a tapeless workflow. It could be that you want a way of recording uncompressed footage or maybe you simply want a way of backing up for piece of mind on an important shoot.

 

Whatever the reason, chances are you're not alone and choosing the right device for recording externally can be a tricky one. Here at Planet PC we have a range of options to suit all your needs.

 

Anyone out there using a tape based camera with Firewire capabilities might be familiar with Datavideo's DN-60 (and if you're not we reckon you should be!)

 



Datavideo DN-60

This great little device can be mounted to a tripod or a camera allows the user to bypass recording to tape and instead record digitally to a compact flash card. Not only does this mean that recording times can be greatly increased, it also makes life a lot easier when transferring media to a PC prior to editing. The DN-60 includes a power supply for when batteries are low and also features a "sync to tape" feature meaning start/stop recording can be synchronised with your camera. With an RRP of £375.00 (ex vat) this is a great little product, especially if you're currently using tape and don't have the budget to invest in a new camera anytime soon. Here at Planet PC we think that's a small price to pay for something which provides so many benefits.





HyperDeck Shuttle V2

If recording uncompressed to SSD drives is more your cup of tea then why not have a look at Blackmagic's recording wizardry which comes in the form of the HyperDeck Shuttle V2. This battery powered field recorder is not just compact, it's also great value for money with an RRP of just £229.00 (ex vat). Recording uncompressed footage has never been so easy due to the fact that the HyperDeck allows the user to bypass a cameras standard compression, making this ideal for anyone who needs the highest quality footage possible. The HyperDeck V2 works perfectly for users of both pro and consumer level kit due to the fact that it features SDI and HDMI inputs/outputs. The Shuttle can also be used as a playback source for digital signage or switchers, making it extremely versatile. We think that the price tag alone makes this device pretty much essential for anyone undertaking grading, special effects or chroma key work.

 







Samurai Blade

If you're one of the lucky one's and don't happen to be on a tight budget then have a look at Atomos's newest addition in the form of the Samurai Blade. Machined from aircraft grade aluminium with the capability to record to 2.5" HDD's or SSD drives the Blade really does have all the bells and whistles, and even features hot swappable drives. While this might come in handy it's not nearly as handy as the on board waveform monitoring, built in vectorscope or extremely accurate colour reproduction courtesy of the super bright 1280x720 screen.

Ideal for recording/monitoring HD-SDI the blade uses a mere 6 watts of power meaning that battery life is second to none but just in case you're worried the Blade includes an NP series battery and a power supply. The Blade also features a highly intuitive OS, file recovery system, audio monitoring, a range of signal testing tools and the ability to cut and tag shots in advance. As if the Blade wasn't already good enough we've also got it on special offer for the great price of £799.00 (ex vat). That's £50.00 off the RRP!

 

To see all the kit discussed in this week's blog along with our full range of professional broadcast equipment head over to www.planetdv.net now. Alternatively if you'd like to discuss your requirements in person why not give us a call on 01274 713400 or email us at sales@planetdv.net

 

 



LaCie announces NAS Update to OS3.1

 With a reputation for quality, reliability and affordability it's a well known fact that LaCie is a company that offers excellent value for money. As if that wasn't enough LaCie have just announced that they've updated their NAS OS3 software which is great news for anyone who currently utilises or is looking to utilise an excellent network attached storage solution.

 



LaCie 2big NAS



The newest 3.1OS includes more professional features and means that users have more options when synchronizing data - for example along with syncing data between a computer and the cloud users can sync between a computer and the NAS. Write speeds have also been increased to up to 100MB/s over a single network, making backing up and editing video a much quicker process.
 

LaCie's newest update also includes real-time alerts concerning potential issues with internal fans and the CPU along with hard disk diagnostic tests and system status email updates.

The free update is currently available for the 5big NAS Pro and will be available from next month for the 2big NAS via the LaCie dashboard.

 

 

Head over to www.planetdv.net to view the full range of LaCie products along with a great selection of alternative storage options from the likes of G-Tech, CalCigit and Glyph.

 

We've also recently added Promise to our ever increasing range of Thunderbolt enabled RAID solutions. Why not give our sales team a call on 01274 713416 for more information.







Selecting a Camera Microphone (And why it's a sound investment)

Here at Planet PC we realise that it's hard to have great video without great sound, and anyone who's ever had to rely on an on board camera microphone will know only too well that it's hard to have great sound without a decent microphone.

 

That's why if you head over to www.planetdv.net you'll see that we stock a wide range of professional microphones and accessories from the likes of Sennheiser, Rode and Audio-Technica. With such a wide range of options suited to cater for an equally wide range of budgets and requirements you'd be forgiven for wondering where to start when choosing the best microphone for your needs. That's why we've put together this guide to help you get the most out of your kit. Read on for an overview of some of the things worth considering when choosing a microphone.

 

Sony UWP-V2/K38 UHF




What do you want to record?

 



Sennheiser Evolution EW 100-ENG G3

Seems like an obvious question we know, but the microphone you need will depend largely on what you will be using it for. If you're looking at conducting on the spot interviews with a presenter where you haven't got time to mic up interviewees then you'll want to consider the Sony UWP-V2/K38 UHF. Featuring a decent handheld and loads of accessories this kit includes everything you need to get started and offers superb value for money. Did we mention it's also wireless?

 





Alternatively if you're working indoors or you've got the time to get your subjects mic'd in advance then why not consider the  Sennheiser Evolution EW 100-ENG G3 (providing you've got the budget of course). With an RRP of £699.00 (ex vat) this doesn't come cheap but in terms of professional high end wireless solutions we reckon this is one of the best out there. As well as a professional lavalier microphone this kit also includes a plug-on transmitter which allows any standard XLR microphone to be turned into a wireless one.

 

 

 

Audio Technica AT897

Shotgun or Stereo

 

For those of you who operate as a one man band then chances are you'll be looking for something that's camera mounted. If you're looking to record directional audio then you might want to consider a decent condenser such as the Audio-Technica AT897. Not only does this professional shotgun have a great range it's also nice and light and will even dry out after getting wet - great for outdoor ENG work and just as effective when mounted on a boom pole - just don't forget your windshield!

 

RODE Stereo VideoMic Pro Microphone




If on the other hand you need to record a wider field then check out the Rode Stereo VideoMic Pro. Featuring a cardioid pick up pattern this little beast is lightweight and compact - ideal for anyone looking to shoot quality video on a DSLR. Great for recording live events and capturing the natural ambiance essential for setting the scene - with an RRP of £157.50 (ex vat) the price tag alone makes this an essential accessory for anyone even considering video on a DSLR.

 

 

 

Consumer or Pro?



Audio-Technica ATR6550 Condenser Shotgun Microphone

Apart from the audio you are looking to record, one of the biggest factors in which microphone you choose will be the camera you are using it with. A sub £1200 camera is unlikely to feature XLR inputs and will instead feature a standard 3.5mm connection. This means a condenser microphone/phantom power is out of the question but this isn't the end of the world. The fact that you don't have a high end camera doesn't mean you can't still achieve decent audio. While condenser microphones are generally better performers with lower noise levels there are a range of options for anyone on a budget. Why not check out the ATR6550 Condenser Shotgun Microphone from Audio Technica? With an RRP of just £65.83 (ex vat) this kit comes with loads of accessories and is one of our favourites here at Planet PC. The ATR6550 is also powered by an internal battery which means lack of phantom power isn't an issue. 

 

These are just a few of the things worth considering when making what is ultimately a very important decision regarding your kit and when it comes to audio it's definitely not worth taking a gamble and trying to fix things in post. In such a competitive industry which demands the utmost in professionalism and quality making the right choices about the tools of your trade is essential, especially when it comes to sound.

It's pretty much a given that a decent microphone will save you a lot of time and money in the long term and with so many affordable options there's really no excuse for poor audio. Visit www.planetdv.net where you'll find a great range of professional audio kit and accessories or alternatively give our dedicated sales team a call on 01274 713400.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NewTek Announce TC40 Upgrade to V2!

Tricaster 40



That's right folks, as if the Tricaster 40 wasn't  already good enough NewTek have only gone and given us the option to make it even better with the release of V2!

 

Announced earlier this month, the new software upgrade means TC40 owners have the option to cram even more features into that little black box we all know and love so well, and all for the price of £749.99 (ex vat).
 

 

The new features include:

 

• Animation Store Creator - Wow viewers with custom transitions and professional motion graphics previously associated with NewTek's range of higher end Tricasters.
• New session resolutions - Reach more viewers on more devices.
• New recording formats - Improved workflow due to more recording options.
• New Multiview layouts - Take advantage of increased multiview options on a second monitor.
• New Audio Mixer Effects Channel - Make those new transitions stand out even more with custom sound effects.
• Built in Waveform Monitor and Scope - Increased control over input sources.
• LiveText Character Generator - HD titles and real-time data at the click of a mouse.

 

 

Talk about value for money!

 

Here at Planet PC we didn't think the TC40 could get any better but it looks like on this occasion NewTek have surprised us yet again. We also like the fact that because the upgrade is software it means that all existing TC40 owners have the option to upgrade whenever they want, and so don't need to worry about missing out on all these great new features.

 

As of July 12th all Tricaster 40's will be shipping with version 2 as standard which means the older version 1 TC40's will no longer be available. As a result this also means the TC40 will be increasing in price to around £4500.00 (ex vat) from 12/07/2013. While it's true that nobody likes price increases we think that this still offers excellent value for money for a product which does so much by a company which not only supports it's products but also listens to it's customers at ground level (many new features in V2 have been requested by users in NewTek's community forums). 

 

For anyone out there considering a Tricaster 40 but yet to take the plunge you can still get your hands on a version 1 TC40 for the bargain price of £3499.00 (ex vat) up until 12/07/2013. Head over to www.planetdv.net or give our sales team a call now on 01274 713400.