700 MHz Public Safety Spectrum

The 700 MHz Band comprises 108 megahertz of spectrum from 698-806 MHz and is designated for commercial and public safety uses. Currently, this spectrum is occupied by TV broadcasters in Channels 52-69. Congress has directed that TV broadcasters transition to digital broadcast technology and vacate the spectrum in order to accommodate wireless commercial and public safety uses of the spectrum. The Digital Television and Public Safety Act of 2005 (DTV Act) set a firm deadline of February 17, 2009, for the completion of the DTV transition. In July 2007, the Commission adopted the 700 MHz Second Report and Order that adopted a regulatory framework for the 700 MHz public safety band to facilitate the establishment of a nationwide, interoperable broadband communications network for the benefit of state and local public safety users.

That is critical to you because this is the same spectrum many wireless microphones work in.

I was recently introduced to a Sound company based in Ft Wayne Indiana that has a nice set of white papers and links to a variety of manufacturers sites related to the issues involved. Check out Sweetwaters Guide to Wireless Microphones for a nice set of resources, including potential trade-in programs.

Now Canon is leaking info on the HD recording capability of their 5D. You need to check this out!

Keep in mind – this is raw footage (not RAW) from both Canon XH A1 camcorder – and a few clips for the Canon EOS 5D MKII – you’ll see that the two are toe to toe (not really) on bright scenes… but in low light – NO COMPARISON… so I’m not sure of how Canon feels about my trashing their top of the line XH A1 camcorder… but common sense leads me to state the following: if the Canon still camera team and the video team have come together to produce the Canon EOS 5D MKII – the next HD camcorder they come out with – may just floor us all…

GO HERE

The FCC (Federal Communications Commission) is considering kicking all wireless microphones from the 700 MHz spectrum. Turns out, many of the wireless microphones are illegally operating in the spectrum in the first place.

According to an article last month at Ars Technica, the issue will likely come to a head soon after the Digital TV transition occurs in February 2009.

Low-power auxiliary stations, including bases for wireless microphones, will be prohibited from broadcasting in the 700MHz band on TV channels 52 through 69. The FCC yesterday voted to propose the ban in a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Order.

Check out your existing equipment and be aware of the possible changes if you’re shopping for new gear.

Analog Meets Its Match in Red Digital Cinema’s Ultrahigh-Res Camera
By Michael Behar Email 08.18.08

It’s more than that: His team of engineers and scientists have created the first digital movie camera that matches the detail and richness of analog film. The Red One records motion in a whopping 4,096 lines of horizontal resolution—”4K” in filmmaker lingo—and 2,304 of vertical. For comparison, hi-def digital movies like Sin City and the Star Wars prequels top out at 1,920 by 1,080, just like your HDTV. (There’s also a slightly higher-resolution option called 2K that reaches 2,048 lines by 1,080.) Film doesn’t have pixels, but the industry-standard 35-millimeter stock has a visual resolution roughly equivalent to 4K. And that’s what makes the Red so exciting: It delivers all the dazzle of analog, but it’s easier to use and cheaper—by orders of magnitude—than a film camera. In other words, Jannard’s creation threatens to make 35-mm movie film obsolete.

When seven-time gold medal winner Michael Phelps slices through the water in the Olympic Games next week, he’ll be followed by a torpedolike underwater HD camera that will capture his every move.

That camera, dubbed Mobycam, is just one of a half-dozen clever contraptions invented by Hollywood pioneer Garrett Brown, who also invented the Steadicam.

On Thursday, he spoke with Wired.com about his Olympic gadgets and how he got started.

Step 1: Pick a space
You can’t throw up an outdoor theater just anywhere. Details like physical space and access to power are extremely important.

Ideally you’ll want enough room to place the screen, while still providing enough space to stage a seating area. If you’re unsure of screen size or position, leave a little extra space for last minute projector adjustments.

Also keep in mind you’re going to need room for more than just people. With a DVD player, a projector and a sound system, it’s likely you’ll need room for tables and other furniture.

TIP: It’ll also be worthwhile to free up a surge protector since the Audio/Video gear is going to require a lot of juice. If your chosen space is light on outdoor outlets, remember you can always run the surge protector outside via an extension cord.

click on the link for the rest of the details. Hat tip to Lifehacker.

Hat tip to FreshDV

What is DivX? It’s an open source video player and CODEC that offers an alternative to Quicktime and Windows Media Player.

The only digital storyboard software for professionals

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