Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/491542
www.postmagazine.com 40 POST APRIL 2015 NAB PRODUCTS SONY DEBUTS 4K PLAYBACK/STORAGE SOLUTION PARK RIDGE, NJ — Sony (www.sony.com/ professional) has introduced a new 4K/HD SxS memory player. The PMW-PZ1 is a cost-effec- tive playback and storage solution for 4K/HD shooting and post production applications. As a multi-format player, the PZ1 supports 4K (24p to 60p) and HD video, along with a variety of formats, including XAVC Intra & Long, MPEG HD422 and MPEG HD (both via future firmware upgrades). The PMW-PZ1 has an SxS card slot, an HDMI output, four 3G/HD-SDI outputs, analog audio output (L/R), and a front-panel color LCD screen. These interfaces enable playback, copy- ing and monitoring of 4K and HD video across a range of professional and consumer video applications. During field or location shoots, 4K or HD images captured by Sony XAVC and MPEG-en- abled cameras can be immediately reviewed on the PMW-PZ1, or easily output to a professional monitor or consumer TV via HDMI. The player can output 4K or HD video to digital signage or projection systems through the player, and users can copy data on SxS media directly to an external storage device. The PMW-PZ1 will be available in the United States beginning June 2015, at a price under $3,500 and will be on display at the NAB show in Las Vegas. CANON PREVIEWS C300 MARK II MELVILLE, NY — Canon (www.usa.canon.com) has introduced the C300 Mark II, which the company says represents a dramatic departure from its existing camera line. The C300 Mark II is appear- ing at the annual NAB show in Las Vegas as a working prototype, and the company hopes to deliver production models in the fall. The new Mark II captures 4K imagery by re- cording internally to fast memory cards. It is also capable of capturing 2K at 12-bit or 10-bit, and standard HD. A card slot allows for the recording of HD proxy files simultaneously with the higher resolution imagery. The image sensors offer 15 stops of latitude. A small mic is incorporated for collecting scratch- track audio, and a new accessory port accom- modates XLR connectors. The Mark II offers the ability to record Raw footage out the back of the camera. Canon says it will continue to sell the original C300, which debuted three years ago, though at a reduced price. The Mark II has an estimated price of $17K. AVID RELEASES PRO TOOLS 12 BURLINGTON, MA — Avid (www.avid.com) has released Pro Tools 12, the next generation of its popular digital audio software, featur- ing new flexible licensing options that allow customers to subscribe for as little as $24.99 per month, or to buy it outright with an annual upgrade plan. Avid reports the new options make it easier for users to stay current with future software upgrades and innovations as they are released at no additional charge. With Pro Tools 12, customers also get access to forthcoming Avid Cloud Collaboration, Avid Marketplace and Avid Artist Community innovations. Avid Cloud Col- laboration is an integrated set of collaboration workflows that makes it easy for groups of art- ists and audio professionals to work together on the same project. The Avid Marketplace delivers a convenient in-app purchase experience to Pro Tools for plug-ins and apps from Avid Connec- tivity partners, and a community for connecting talent with collaborators, for buying and selling content, and for storing their work. Seventeen additional plug-ins and nine new plug-in bundles are now available in the Avid Marketplace and as in-app purchases in Pro Tools. Pro Tools software as a monthly subscription starts at $24.99. The company offers $199 and $299 annual options, as well perpetual licenses with 12 months of updates and support, starting at $899. ASPERA EXPANDS TRANSFER PLATFORM EMERYVILLE, CA — Aspera (www.asperasoft.com) announces new capabilities to its Aspera Transfer Platform that allows post facilities to efficiently transfer and synchronize content of any type, res- olution and size across cloud and on-premise sys- tems at global distances, enabling them to address increasingly complex production workflows. These capabilities include the Aspera On De- mand Platform, which supports the transfer and synchronization of the largest Ultra HD files or millions of small files direct to cloud storage and seamlessly integrates with every major cloud stor- age provider. The Auto-Scaling Transfer Platform automatically scales and expands transfer capacity of Aspera server software in the cloud to meet actual demand. Aspera Drive and Aspera Drive for Mobile are both designed for content producers, creative teams and other end users of the Aspera Transfer Platform, Aspera Drive for Windows and Mac, and allow them to remotely browse, drag-and- drop transfer, sync and exchange person-to-person rich media content and files directly from the desk- top. Aspera Drive Mobile extends the transfer and sharing capabilities to iOS and Android devices.