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Dispelling the Myths About Plasma Displays
Fact or fiction? Sort it all out here.
Keith Yanke
With the increasing popularity of plasma displays both for commercial and residential use, many questions have begun to circulate about the technology -- particularly when directly compared to LCD monitors. Keith Yanke, product specialist with NEC, dispels myths and finds truth concerning plasma displays. While both technologies offer many advantages, Yanke supplies the truths and facts behind the most commonly misunderstood perceptions about plasma displays.
Weekly Download: Photoshop Brushes, Series 17
20 textured, dynamic brushes
Dave Nagel
We return this week to Adobe Photoshop with our 17th collection of free brushes. This time around, we have a variety of textured brushes—20 in all—ranging in size from 47 pixels up to more than 300 pixels with textures ranging from simple canvas patterns to large weaves to abstract textures that can be applied to resemble stone, earth or other rough materials. The brushes are available for Mac OS X and Windows.
Motion Masks in DVD Studio Pro 2
Creating buttons with moving mask shapes and modifying button effects
Dave Nagel
You know DVD Studio Pro can use motion masks. You've seen them in action in some of the themes supplied with the program, but, for the life of you, you can't figure out how to make your own. Motion masks allow you to add transitions to your individual button shapes without affecting the entire menu. You can use them to create transitions for your buttons, add effects or even fade drop zones in and out. So why don't you have the ability to create your own custom motion masks? The short answer: You will after you read this.
Umax Astra 4950 Desktop Scanner
John Virata
Ten years ago, there was no desktop scanner that could output 1200 x 2400 dpi hardware resolution. Six hundred dots per inch was pretty much the top of the mountain, and these devices, from companies such as Epson, Microtek, HP, and Umax, cost more than $1000. Transparency adapters were an optional, added expense. Just a few short years ago, a scanner that output 1200 x 2400 dpi hardware resolution-based images cost a few hundred dollars. Today, that scanner can be had for under $100.
Communicating During a Crisis
What’s your role in damage control?
AVVMMP
What would happen if your organization were to suffer a blow that requires a response to your employees and to the public? Do you have a crisis communication plan? We asked a virtual roundtable of media managers to respond.
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Presentation Industry News:

Nero Enchances DVD+R Double Layer Recording
Ahead Software's Nero LayerMagic and Nero SmoothPlay
Ahead Software, leaders in digital media technology, announced today the technology behind the world's first all-in-one DVD+R Double Layer (DL) software suite, Nero 6. The two essential technologies that will help smoothly usher in Double Layer DVD recording are Nero LayerMagic, to speed up the DL burning process, and Nero SmoothPlay, to provide seamless DL playback. The Nero applications in this enhanced version of its OEM digital media suite will fully support DVD+R DL drives, allowing 8.5GB DVD writing, authoring, backup and recoding for the first time ever.
ProPrompter Pocket PC Teleprompter the Next Generation
Most inexpensive and lightest teleprompter on the market.
The NAB 2003 multi-award winner ProPrompter will be releasing new versions of it's highly successful ProPrompters in booth C-2345 at this years NAB 2004. Known as the most inexpensive and lightest teleprompter on the market, the ProPrompter Pocket PC system has been in use by embedded media in Afghanistan and Iraq as well as mobile production around the world. NBC News uses the ProPrompter LCD for it's mobility and adaptability on all cameras.
Canopus Announces Imaginate 2.0
still-image animation software features multiple image support, soundtrack capabilities and smart productivity tools to streamline production
At next week's NAB2004 convention in Las Vegas, Canopus Corporation (booth #SL5805) will unveil Imaginate 2.0, the newest version of its acclaimed still-image animation software that gives documentary filmmakers, broadcasters, as well as corporate and event videographers, the freedom and flexibility to bring new dimensions to their productions by transforming their still images and photographs into movies.
Apple Announces a Faster, More Affordable eMac
Complete DVD Burning Solution Now Just $999
Apple today announced a faster, more affordable line of eMac desktop computers for home and schools, including faster PowerPC G4 processors running at up to 1.25 GHz, 333 MHz DDR memory, faster ATI Radeon graphics and USB 2.0 connectivity to peripherals. Offering even more power and performance, Apple’s most affordable SuperDrive-equipped system is now available starting at just $999 (US).
TrendWatch Fast Fact: Top Investments at NAB
What are studios/facilities most likely looking for at NAB?
In this weekly quick feature, TrendWatch founding partner Jim Whittington offers you interesting factoids based on market research from the broadcast and graphics industries. This week, see what studio and facility buyers are looking for at this year's NAB 2004.
Canopus Announces ProCoder 2.0 Availability
Expanded HD capabilities and tools streamline transcoding process
Canopus Corporation today announced ProCoder 2.0 will be available by the end of the month. ProCoder 2.0, an update to the company's professional video transcoding software tool, includes a host of new features such as watch folders with network support, an easy-to-use Wizard interface, and a batch manager tool to boost productivity by streamlining the transcoding process.
Artbeats Offers New Aerial Footage Collections
Hawaii, New York City and Canadian Cities; All Available in Standard and HD.
Artbeats, an industry leader in royalty-free stock footage, today announced the release of numerous new aerial collections, including: New York City Aerials (plus HD Volumes 1 and 2), Big Island Aerials (plus HD Volumes 1 and 2) and Canadian City Aerials (plus HD Volumes 1 and 2).
Adobe Premiere Pro Redefines the Economics of High Definition Video Production at NAB
Adobe Systems Incorporated today announced it will demonstrate Adobe Premiere Pro with high definition (HD) video solutions during the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) event in Las Vegas from April 19-22.
Keyspan Announces New USB Server
Connects USB devices to a Mac or PC via a wired or wireless Ethernet-based LAN
Keyspan, America's #1 brand of USB connectivity products, announces it is now shipping its revolutionary USB Server that connects USB devices to a Mac or PC via a wired or wireless Ethernet-based LAN.
Gefen Shows Plug And Play SDI to DVI Adapter at NAB
New Gefen Adapter connects digital video computers and sources.
New Gefen Adapter connects digital video computers and sources that transmit through SDI (standard definition interface) to DVI displays.


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