News From Here & There

Google's Decision to Drop H.264 in Chrome; two weeks on
Larry Kless does a good job of wrapping up what we know - and don't know - about Google's decision to drop H.264 from Chrome. He also covers a lot of the reaction on the web to the decision.

While's there's no conclusion, it does fill in some details about the decision, and - perhaps - make's it seem less monolithic and more a decision by one part of Google (i.e. the Chrome team) to push forward in a particular direction.
ReelSEO: Fear and Loathing in Online Video: The Video Codec Conundrum Continues



Redrock Panasonic AG-AF100 Rig Bundle
Redrock Micro has put together a bundle specifically intended to the AG-AF100. Cost is $1,878.50.
Redrock: Studio Bundle for Panasonic AG AF-100



Title Sequence Design
The Art of the Title posts an interview with MK12 partner and creative director Ben Radatz. MK12 were the title and motion graphic designers for the James Bond film Quantum of Solace. In addition to the opening sequence, they also designed all of the computer interface elements shown in the movie, as well as remaking the opening:
Last but certainly not least, we also gave the iconic "Bond Barrel" a makeover, starting from scratch with a new Craig and a transition into the Quantum end title card. (fun fact: this was the first Bond film to have the barrel at the end of the film.)
ArtoftheTitle: Quantum of Solace



HDR Video
Stephen Lee Carr has posted a blog entry about producing HDR (High Dynamic Range) video. Much of it covers what options there are currently to create HDR video (either the very expensive Arri Alexa and the RED Epic which have 14 and 18 stops of latitude respectively, OR using a beam splitter and two cameras) but then goes on to tease a method he has found that works with his Canon T2i.

At the moment, he doesn't explain his workflow in the post, but over on Vimeo, he's posted a sample HDR test and explains the workflow, which involves taking multiple still frames:
An HDR slow motion video test. Workflow is as follows:
  • Shoot four RAW stills in rapid succession.
  • Create HDR images from the stills in Photomatix.
  • Tone-map the HDRs in Photomatix with same settings.
  • Stretch/interpolate the four frame image sequence to desired length using Twixtor in After Effects.
  • Heat and serve!
StephenLeeCarr: Canon T2i/550d HDR Video is Coming


Slow Mo HDR Test from Stephen Carr on Vimeo.

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