News from Here & There

DIGITAL CONVERGENCE EPISODE 18 - Philip Bloom - Director of Photography, Cinematographer, DSLR Video Pioneer
Carl Olson of 16x9 Cinema interviews Philip Blom in his latest podcast: Episode 18



H.264 and VP8 Compared
Jan Oxer at StreamingMedia.com takes a first look at VP8 compared to H.264. His initial conclusion; VP8 does pretty well, matching or slightly outperforming H.264 in low motion clips, depending upon the background, but H.264 does better in high-motion pieces, though the differences are probably not even noticeable in most applications.
StreamingMedia.com: First Look: H.264 and VP8 Compared


Meanwhile...
Google's new video codec may infringe other patents
As was previously reported, Google's new Web video format/codec may not be free from patent licensing; or the threat of it.
Sometime's the threat is all that' needed...
CNET: Patent cloud looms over Google Web video plan



New iKan ID 400
iKan describes the ID-400 as the perfect ENG-style remote-controlled lighting unit, which comes complete with remote, lighting unit and stand, and one set of tungsten flood bulbs. The bulbs are interchangeable and can be changed easily in the field. Other bulbs including daylight, spot, daylight flood and tungsten spot are sold separately. In addition to standard AC power, the LED Box can also be powered by optional Professional Battery Packs, using the Professional Battery Plates.
The unit costs $499, and additional bulb sets are $129.
ikancorp: ID 400

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