Callbox has released a Tutorial dvd that teaches users how to maximize shooting with a DVX100 and editing in Final Cut Pro. The tutorial is taught by Noah Kadner. If you use the 2-pop forums, you will have surely seen his name or even recieved assistance from him. Topics include: Output for 35mm Film, Cinema Tools, SDI vs. Firewire Capture and, of coure, Advanced Pulldown Removal. Priced at $75.

(via Macworld)

Hasselblad have launched its H3D-31 DSLR 31-megapixel, the slightly tamer beast to its 39-megapixel cousin. The H3D 31 sports a 31-megapixel 44- x 33-millimeter sensor, micro lenses for faster ISO rating up to 800 and a faster capture rate at 1.2 seconds-per-image capture. It also features a mobile and tethered mode as well as Hasselblad's Natural Color Solution, Digital Auto Correction and Instant Approval Architecture.

This camera is of course aimed at the most serious and professional commercial photographers and deservedly so. The more amateur cameraman might want to save his $24,995 for a new car, dream holiday or deposit on a house. If anyone has one of these babies and wants to send it in to DVGuru so we can review it we'll give it back. Promise!

Engadget got wind of leaked details of the soon-to-be-released Canon HV20 HD camcorder by a brief "coming soon" appearnece on the Circuit City website (now disappeared). The 2.96 megapixel High Definition camcorder sounds remarkably similar to the HV10 featuring a 2.7-inch LCD display, CMOS sensor, 10x optical zoom, and HD recording to MiniDV tapes.

The only real difference between the HV10 and the HV20 appears to be an HDMI jack (which was really needed in the HV10). There is of course plenty of room for improving on the HR10s low performance light, difficult upright, pistol-grip body and poor audio recording. The HV20 was listed as $1100 which is actually less than Circuit Buy is listing the HR10 as at $1299, although the HR10 can now be picked up for about $900 at Amazon.

Videomaker has whipped up a "best of 2006" list for consumer and low budget video creators, including a bunch of notable cameras, software, and other gear that stand out from the rest of the crowd. Camcorders receiving attention include the Canon Elura 100 (best consumer camcorder), Canon HV10 (best high-def consumer camcorder), JVC Everio GZ-MG505 (best hard drive camcorder), Sony HDR-FX7 (best prosumer camcorder), and the Panasonic AG-HVX200 (breakthrough camcorder of the year). Check out the full story for some other useful recommendations. 2006 has been another big year for upping the quality in affordable video production equipment.

(via Digital Camcorder News)

I've been meaning to post this for a bit now, but things have been a bit hectic lately. Anyway, our friend Richard Baguley over at camcorderinfo posted the results of his poll on video formats. He asked readers to vote on which format they will consider when buying their next camcorder.

The results clearly favored HDV. It seems to be a popular choice which, given the DV tape standard, seems familiar to users. Surprisingly, AVCHD, the new format from Sony and Panasonic had a strong showing. I was also glad to see almost no one is considering those damn DVD camcorders. Click READ below for the complete results.

Arin Crumley and Susan Buice of Four-Eyed Monsters have been given the hefty task of producing a video blog from the Sundance Film Festival, with daily entries appearing on the Sundance Channel's YouTube profile. There are five videos thus far, and the latest features a brief segment in which Arin ends up at a RED party and meets up with Mike Curtis. Unsurprisingly, Arin walks away extremely impressed with what he learns about RED, saying "whether or not I ever get a chance to shoot with this camera, just the idea of doing so got me pretty pumped about doing another feature film". It's an entertaining little video, and a full interview with Mike regarding RED will be posted here in the near future. Nifty. Keep those eyes peeled.

While they certainly make life easier, you don't need a fancy P2 card reader or a PCMCIA slot to get footage off your P2 cards and into Final Cut Pro. You can use your HVX200 and your trusty firewire port. It's not as easy as just plugging in a cable and magic happens, you'll need to perform a few setup tasks. But don't fear, FCP guru Ken Stone has step-by-step instructions for you, including pictures. We love pictures.

Shooting good footage can be a challenge under normal circumstances. Add the elements of shooting underwater, big ol' spearguns and the occasional shark and I won't be signing up for your project. But the crew of Speargun Hunter, a 13 episode series airing on The Outdoor Channel, had to deal with all these issues. They shot the series with a Sony XDCAM HD PDW-F350 and used a Sony Z1 for all the underwater footage. For more details check out this article on the series, plus this interview with the creators.

An upcoming documentary, The Truth About Elvis, takes an in-depth look at the conspiracy theory that The King lives. director Dan Bliss wants to separate the film from tabloid fodder, and make sure people the style and imagery of a true and earnest documentary. To do that, he's enlisted the help of the Panasonic AG-HVX200.

Bliss says the camera is a perfect fit for all the traveling 'Elvis required. He also praises it's ability to to shoot lengthy interviews with the help of a P2 Store portable hard drive. Using a Powerbook, Bliss would offload the footage to an external firewire drive, then back up each card to DVD. The system offers storage redundancy, and is a pretty good work-around for the current limitations of P2.

Of course, this isn't the first time we've posted on the success of the HVX in real world applications. Still, it continues to amaze as a an affordable option for "film" and television. Click READ below for more info about the film, and the work flow surrounding it.

Just in case you've forgotten, reservations for the RED ONE are opening for a limited time starting in two days on January 21st, and ending on January 24th. This will be the final chance before the upcoming NAB convention in April. I'm not sure if this is just a coincidence, but does this timing have anything to do with Sundance, which is going on at the same time...? Hrmm... Just a side thought.

16x9 Inc. gives you more shot options with the new EX 1.5X teleconverter. This puppy has a 72mm thread and can be used with:

• Sony HVR-V1U, HVR-Z1U, HDR-FX1, HDR-FX7
• Canon XL-H1, XHA1, XHG1, XL2
• Panasonic DVX100B

Sony HVR-V1U and HDR-FX7 owners will need a 72-62mm step-down ring which is included at no charge. List price is $875 but currently it's available at a promotional price of $795.

When I was shopping around for a DVX100B last year, I did a ton of research and looked into many different shops and online retailers, hoping to strike a killer deal. If you're in the market for a new camcorder and haven't had much experience seeking out prices, the experience can be somewhat daunting with the extraordinary number of grey market retailers. (eBay features countless grey market goods, in particular.) The grey market "refers to the flow of new goods through distribution channels other than those authorized or intended by the manufacturer or producer". In other words, if you buy a camera through a grey market shop, it will not be covered by the manufacturer's warranty because it has been imported illegally from another country. Not only that, but any potential rebates will not be applicable. Although I don't know of any grey market camera shop "master list", this thread on DVXUser.com is at least one valuable resource for identifying shady retailers. Brooklyn is infamous for its grey market shops, and there are other warning signs that might indicate a grey market seller. If you see a price that is too good to be true, it more than likely is just that. Ultimately, it's important to be an intelligent shopper, and identify trustworthy sellers and stick with them.

Wicked, man. 'Digital Blue's new Tony Hawk HelmetCam straps onto any helmet. Then you can aim its laser-targeting feature, press a button to record the live action and start shooting. It's as simple as that!' Ok, so this $50 helmet camcorder is way cheesy, but good for a snicker. And, if anything, things like this really bring to light just how far video technology has come over the past few decades. Cramming cameras into little pods so kids can record their POV while skateboarding? Oh yes, the day is here.

(via Video Thing)

I've been getting back into still photography pretty heavily lately, and I've seen the term bokeh creep in and out of lens descriptions, and camera discussions fairly often during my readings online. It's a term that refers to the out-of-focus areas in an image produced by a camera lens. This term is probably of little importance to videographers without access to high end equipment, but it garners much closer scrutiny with some still photographers. Anyway, FresHDV brought to attention two articles that attempt to shed some light on the subject of bokeh. Might be worth the read for folks interested in learning more about this somewhat elusive subject.

The official RED ONE photo tour gallery has been updated to include 35 new renders of the camera in all its prototype glory. All of the images are hi-res quality and cover every possible angle, so it should keep REDheads looking for little design details pretty busy for a while .