My friend Salah got his beta model today. He blessed all of us by broadcasting the unboxing live on UStream. If you want a little more info about this box then you can check out their site [Cinedeck.com] and/or check  in on our Twibes every now and then [CinedeckHD Twibe].

Why do I like this thing so damn much?

1. It’s a mobile, direct-to-disk recorder with a 7″ touch screen monitor.
2. It works with any camera that outputs over HD-SDI and HDMI
3. It has a slew of software-based recording options: 2K, 1080, 720, SD, 444, 422, Raw, Compressed, .MOV, .AVI, .MXF, (DPX-C by NAB)- Pick your poison.
4. It’s got a 7″ touchscreen with grids, overlays, histograms, VU meters, etc. etc.
5. It’s getting LUTs you can overlay while recording.
6. It’s v-mount battery and AC powered.

What this means is that I can use virtually any camera on the market. Going by the math, the number of big projects I do does not justify a purchase but rentals. This means I’m not tied to a given codec/hardware technology that may work here, but but not there. Plus, I can use a D21 here, a 7D there and my Z7U over there. This means I can use a full frame 5D or V1U on the same project and get the same 1080 4:2:2 picture. VDSLR users, note audio and 12min. record limit need not apply here. I am free to choose the type of camera based on sensor, lenses and options vs. codec and bitrate and feature constraints.

In post, this also means no multi-format timeline issues. It’s all Cineform .MOV, .AVI, or .MXF files. Or raw 2K if I so please. This leaves me with a TON of room in choosing platform, NLE and overall workflow. Granted you have to be okay using Cineform or adopting the workflow- I have been for the last year and a half and don’t have any intention of switching any time soon. (You may argue that ProRes is awesome. Indeed, it is. However, that ties me to FCP and I want to remain OPEN to tools.)

Indeed, this is cool. I *plan* to throw one in my backpack whilst I run around the middle east with a 7D in April-ish.

From the unboxing today (The videos don’t show in all browsers- *imagine that* so click here to watch on UStream):

Tags: cinedeck, cineform, hdslr, location, tech, tools, travel, workflow

Tags: KL, location, photography, Production, travel, video

Here’s what I’ve been doing all week; videos I’ve done up for this conference. I have one more that I need to finish cutting for tonight’s banquet. I also got the keynote sessions edited and online while I’ve been here and spent my time updating FB, Twitter and other socialness with the help of two of the organization’s friends.

Tags: location, travel, video