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Crestron® Interface for Apple® iPod® with Video Review

The next generation Crestron® interface and control solution for your personal media player. Syncs to iTunes® over Ethernet, allows sharing of audio and video throughout an entire home or office AV system, and enables enhanced control from touch screens, keypads, remotes, and computers.

The CEN-IDOCV provides an extraordinary interface and control solution for your personal media player. The compact and stylish docking station can be placed anywhere, on a shelf or on a kitchen counter, or other convenient location, while the interface module gets mounted neatly out of site nearby. This solution affords a very clean, clutter-free appearance with just one small wire visible.

The interface module provides audio, video, USB, and high-speed Ethernet connectivity for full integration with a Crestron® whole-house AV system. Crestron uses the latest Apple® authentication chip in the CEN-IDOCV, enabling high speed music library browsing and compatibility with the latest Apple products and features. The chip supports 6th generation (and later) iPod® classic®, and any iPod nano® or iPod touch®.

Easy Docking
Simply placing the iPod into the docking station. This instantly connects it for sharing with speakers and video monitors throughout the home or office.

Touch Screen Control
Integrating the iPod with a Crestron system enables full control and navigation using touch screens, APADs, keypads, computers, and handheld remotes. From any touch screen, you can search the entire iPod library by genre, artist, album and track, and even view album cover art.

Sync to iTunes® over Ethernet
Using USB-over-IP technology and Crestron Sync, the CEN-IDOCV allows the iPod to connect with any networked computer running Apple iTunes software right from the docking station. Syncing the iPod to iTunes works the same as if it were hooked up with a USB cable, affording full capabilities for organizing and transferring music and video files, podcasts, audio books, and playlists anytime you want.

Key Features

“Made for iPod®” AV and control interface
Connects to the iPod via multi-pin cable or stylish docking station
Enables full 2-way touch screen control of the iPod
Displays metadata and album cover art
Plays audio throughout the home or office
Includes Crestron Home® CAT5 Balanced AV connectivity
Allows viewing of video files on a video touch screen or display
Syncs to iTunes® over Ethernet
Charges the iPod battery
PoE network powered
Affords plug-and-play integration with Adagio® systems
Compatible with iPod classic® (6th gen or later), iPod nano® and iPod touch®
Docking station available in white or black

Matrox VS4 4-Channel Capture Card Review

Have you been looking for a product to stream online video with the same production value as a live TV broadcast? Look no further than the Matrox VS4 four-channel HD capture card. You can use it for multi-camera internet broadcasts of sports, religious services, corporate meetings, and other live events.

Easy-to-use ISO recording

Recording all your video feeds is as important as streaming if you will be doing post-event editing. The Matrox VS4 not only sends your video feeds to Wirecast for streaming, it simultaneously records all your original video feeds to disk. The easy-to-use Matrox ISO camera recording tool lets you record using the high-quality Matrox MPEG 2 I-Frame codec at up to 300Mb/s in HD. You can then use Adobe Premiere Pro to natively edit your material.

Capture up to 4 HD-SDI video streams

Matrox VS4 lets you take advantage of professional broadcast video and audio sources for the utmost quality in your internet productions. In a single PCIe slot, Matrox VS4 provides up to four independent HD-SDI inputs with up to 8 embedded audio channels per SDI source, taking up an absolute minimum of the precious real estate in your PC.

For more information about this amazing product, watch this video. To order, please visit www.philmgear.com

Ninja Recorder Review

The Ninja, a portable touchscreen Professional 10bit HD Recorder, Monitor, & Playback device that captures pristine video and audio direct from any camera with a clean HDMI output, will transform the way you work with video. It encodes in real-time to the visually-lossless Apple ProRes format, onto low-cost, removable 2 ½ inch hard disks in Apple ProRes.

The Ninja makes the output of video files to your computer much simpler, eliminating the need for SD cards and bypassing the image-degrading compression needed to squeeze HD onto in-camera flash storage like P2, SxS, SDHC, etc.

The Ninja is strong, light and portable, with a super-tough aircraft-grade aluminum chassis that weighs only 550g excluding disks and batteries, and 900g fully loaded with batteries and disk. The Ninja can be mounted almost anywhere using its top and bottom ¼ inch tripod screw thread mounting points.

Inside the Ninja is the ATOM-OS, a custom made operating system just for video. It dedicates critically accurate tasks like encoding and camera input support to the precision hardware inside. The ATOM-OS also runs the Touch-Screen, the User Interface, and runs on top of our hardware much like a computer running Mac OSX.

2.5 inch spinning disks or flash memory-based SSD’s are the most reliable and affordable types of storage on the planet. Use super-cheap spinning disks (up to 750GB HDD) for everyday studio and event work then switch instantly to flash based SSD’s to give you the robust recording in vibration-sensitive or harsh recording environments. This is the same flash memory as in Compact Flash, SxS, P2 and SDHC cards but at a fraction of the cost. The Ninja’s tight integration with Apple ProRes® means recorded footage is instantly and natively editable in Final Cut, Media Composer, Premiere, Edius, Vegas and Lightworks.

See the image below to see how video files can be easily transferred to your computer.

Ninja packs a host of features into its compact, rugged aluminum body:

Recording direct to Apple ProRes via HDMI – pristine HD uncompressed video from camera lens and sensor directly to Apple ProRes via HDMI
Monitoring – On the Ninja Screen
Playback – Instant playback for review of Apple Prores files to the NInja screen
Touch Screen – Simple intuitive touch screen functionality
Continuous Power – Atomos Continuous Dual Battery Technology
Affordable Storage – Infinite affordable 2.5″ HDD/SSD storage capability

The Ninja comes with everything you need to start shooting video right away:

Ninja Unit – Recorder, Screen for monitoring and playback, Touch Screen for easy control
HDD/SSD Master Disk Caddy (x2) – you buy the disks and insert them. This is by far the most affordable way to record video onto media
2600mAh Batteries (x2) – for continuous battery operation
Charger – to charge your batteries
Docking Station (and cables) – to connect to Mac or PC via Firewire 800 and USB2/3 for downloading or editing immediately from the Ninja Disks
Ninja Carry Case – Tough, light and portable carry case to protect your investment

See below for more images of the versatile Ninja recorder.

The Blackmagic and Sony a99 Camera Rentals

We now have the Blackmagic Cinema camera as well as the Sony a99 Full-Frame DSLR camera available for rent. This is a great way to save money on expensive equipment if needed only on a temporary basis. Please contact us at 801-999-8552 or at https://philmgear.com/contact-us/ for more information.

The Sony Alpha a99 Full-Frame DSLR Camera Review

The Sony Alpha a99 Full-Frame DSLR camera is full of amazing features that allow you to capture everything in full 1080 HD uncompressed clean-screen video files to external recording devices via an HDMI connection in 24p, 60p and 60i frame-rates. Also, will capture still images at 24.3 MP.

World’s first Dual AF system10

The 19-point AF system with 11 cross sensors is complemented by a multi-point focal plane phase-detection AF sensor with 102 AF points that overlays the image sensor. Taking advantage of Translucent Mirror Technology that simultaneously directs light to the image sensor and AF sensor at all times.

PlayMemories™

Uniquely smart and easy-to-use, PlayMemories Home™ software makes organizing, editing and sharing your photos and videos a cinch. Instantly import and sort your content by event or date. Then transform your favorites from ordinary to extraordinary with intuitive adjustments and stunning filters. You can even create heartwarming slide-shows complete with transitions and soundtracks in 3 simple steps. Finally, share your picks privately with family and friends or on popular social networking sites like Facebook® and YouTube™. PlayMemories Online™ service can even securely store your content in the cloud allowing virtually all of your devices to access it anytime, anyplace.

XGA OLED Viewfinder

There’s never been anything quite like the Tru-Finder™ OLED electronic viewfinder. For size, speed and brightness even after sunset, this is a gem. It begins with 2359K dots for amazing resolution and high contrast ratio for incredible depth. OLED reduces motion blur to a bare minimum. You can also see the results of camera adjustments in real time with superb color and detail.

Dual Slot and Media Control Function

The SLT-A99V employs dual media slots. One of the slots supports SD Cards and the other supports both SD Cards and Memory Stick® media. This dual slot system allows for simultaneous recording for backup purposes (with recordings sorted RAW/JPEG file type or still/movie data) as well as copying between media. Moreover it allows movie recording to two media cards simultaneously.

Dust and moisture protection

Outer body and moisture countermeasures include the sealing and treatment of major operational buttons/dials and a convex/concave mating structure that tightly interlocks components. Controls also feature a durable structure that withstands the touch usage of advanced amateurs.

Vertical Grip Capable

The optional VG-C99AM vertical grip designed exclusively for the SLT-A99V can house two batteries, bringing the total number of batteries (including the one in the camera) to three for significantly more hours of shooting (batteries sold separately).

Sweep Panorama™ Mode

Capture expansive landscapes automatically. Press the shutter and sweep vertically or horizontally. The camera does the rest, continuously shooting images and stitching them together.

1200-zone Evaluative Metering

Reads exposure directly from the main image sensor. Choice of Multi, Center and Spot metering accommodates a full range of shooting situations.

Clear Image Zoom

Utilizing Sony’s exclusive By Pixel Super Resolution Technology, Clear Image Zoom increases the effective focal length of your lens up to 2x by digitally magnifying the center of your image with nearly imperceptible degradation that provides greater shooting flexibility.

Multi-frame NR

Experience incredible low-light shooting without a flash. The camera captures six images in a fraction of a second. Combining the data from all six, it creates a single image with a reduction in noise equivalent to two additional steps of ISO sensitivity. Sensitivity selectable up to ISO 25600. (Recommended for still subjects.)

AF Range Control

Users can set the range of distance from the camera in which subjects can be focused on the AF system. By limiting the AF range, users can prevent unwanted focusing on foreground and background objects. This intelligent function enables reliable performance when photographing sports through wire mesh fences, for example.

Newly designed three-way tiltable LCD

The SLT-A99V is the first in the Alpha series to feature WhiteMagic™ technology, which nearly doubles the visibility of the 921k-dot Xtra Fine LCD™ monitor in sunny outdoor conditions. The three-way tilt-able mechanism, highly acclaimed on the A77, is further enhanced for even greater operational ease.

Newly developed Quick Navi Pro

For heightened comfort and more intuitive operation, the SLT-A99V features an enhanced version of Quick Navi, which was highly acclaimed in the A900 and A700. Called Quick Navi Pro, this new feature allows users to immediately access all camera parameter settings. Photographers can therefore quickly change settings with just the right hand while shooting photos.

Highly rigid body with magnesium alloy outer panels

The highly robust and durable body meets the heavy-duty needs of advanced amateurs. Both the main outer body panels and interior chassis are constructed of lightweight yet rigid magnesium alloy. Moreover, the grip and front cover are structurally unified to achieve extremely high body rigidity.

Meticulously designed body compliments advanced users

While inheriting the popular design concept of the A77, the SLT-A99V enables comfortable photo shooting through meticulously designed features including improved grip thickness that enhances grasping ease, switch and button shapes that are differentiated for easier operation while keeping your eye on the viewfinder, an exposure mode dial lock that prevents unintended turning of the mode dial, etc.

New Multi-Interface Shoe

Unlike conventional cameras, the SLT-A99V also features a newly developed Multi-Interface Shoe that dramatically expands compatibility with Handycam® accessories, thus raising the potential for photo/movie shooting (The included ADP-MAA shoe adapter maintains compatibility with conventional Alpha accessories as well).

Auto HDR built into camera

Captures more scene dynamic range than a single exposure can handle—and more range than photo film. Combines the best highlight detail from one shot, the best mid-tones from a second and the best shadow detail from a third for one incredible shot. (Recommended for still subjects.)

Creative Styles

Control how the camera processes your images with 13 finishing styles: Standard, Vivid, Neutral, Clear, Deep, Light, Portrait, Landscape, Sunset, Night Scene, Autumn leaves, Black & White, Sepia. You can even fine-tune contrast, saturation, and sharpness to your personal taste.

New AF-D Mode4

This highly advanced Continuous AF mode uses 19 AF points with reliable depth-direction focusing performance to steadfastly capture subjects and is strongly assisted by the 102-point multi-point focal-plane phase-detection AF sensor. It continues to accurately focus on the subject whether the subject is moving in depth or plane direction4.

Fast continuous shooting speeds

Highly responsive continuous shooting at approximately 6 frames per second (fps) is made possible by Translucent Mirror Technology and an enhanced Tracking Focus function offering more advanced acquisition and tracking performance. The Tele Zoom High Speed shooting mode shoots up to 8 fps at 10 MP while maintaining continuous auto focus and auto exposure.

World’s lightest Full-frame Sensor Camera10

The SLT-A99V is the world’s lightest10 35 mm full-frame interchangeable-lens digital camera. It weighs only 733 grams (body only), thanks to features like Translucent Mirror Technology and high-rigidity magnesium alloy panels. Users will enjoy agile and flexible shooting despite the full-frame specifications.

Translucent Mirror Technology

Sony’s proprietary Translucent Mirror Technology simultaneously directs light to the image sensor and AF sensor at all times to realize Full-time Continuous AF that keeps the subject in sharp focus and even during continuous shooting and movie shooting. It also allows the high-precision electronic viewfinder to accurately display the results of camera setting adjustments in real time so the photographer can make sure the results match his or her creative intentions.

Approximate 200,000 shutter release durability

The newly developed, highly durable and reliable shutter unit has been proven to endure approximately 200,000 shutter releases. This durability ensures long-lasting shooting performance that takes into consideration the large number of photos shot by advanced amateurs.

PC Remote Camera Control

Enables users to remotely change various camera settings, switch still/ movie shooting on or off, and automatically transfer still images to enhance the efficiency of the studio photo shooting workflow.

New Wireless Commander Control

The new optional accessory RMT-DSLR2 Remote Commander® for movie shooting that includes a dedicated movie record button.

D-Range Optimizer

Improves results with backlit subjects and recovers details hidden in shadows. Settings include Auto, Level with a choice of five operating levels and Off.

Superior Auto

Get cleaner, more dynamic pictures and fewer missed shots. Unifies and simplifies Sony intelligent technologies, the camera automatically recognizes the correct scene mode, then quickly shoots and combines up to six shots to produce images with greater clarity, optimum dynamic range using Auto HDR technology and lower image noise using three-shot layering technology.

This camera is available to rent. Please contact us at 801-999-8552 or at https://philmgear.com/contact-us/ for more information.