Apple’s iOS facial recognition could lead to Kinect-like interaction http://tinyurl.com/448qlac
Back in 2010 Apple purchases Polar Rose and now it seems we’re seeing the first uses in a Framework for iOS users. Frameworks are code building blocks that allow developers to use advanced technology features without needing to understand how the technology works. Frameworks largely abstract the technology for the developer.
Defining quality http://tinyurl.com/3qutvb3
While Seth Godin is always worth a read, this article struck me as being very relevant in a discussion of what is a “pro” (as a proxy for quality in this context). The central point is that there is not one type of “quality” that is universally valued equally.
We see this in the wide range of entertainment and production qualities that are acceptable quality, depending on the context. A video on YouTube isn’t expected to have the same production ‘quality’ as network-disrtibuted episodic Television, and that’s how it should be.
It turns out that there are at least two useful ways to describe quality, and the conflict between them leads to the confusion…
Quality of design: Thoughtfulness and processes that lead to user delight, that make it likely that someone will seek out a product, pay extra for it or tell a friend.
Quality of manufacture: Removing any variation in tolerances that a user will notice or care about.
The HTML5 boom is coming. Fast. http://tinyurl.com/3w8xz3p Aided by Adobe Edge http://tinyurl.com/3djpdyn
After a slow start – and still controversy over exactly what format video will be supported in “HTML5” – is the Flash era finally over?
Colleen Taylor writing for GigOm discusses recent data on HTML5 and how Apple’s position on HTML5 and Flash has – as I predicted several years back – pushed the adoption of HTML5.
As is often the case in business, where there’s a winner, there’s usually a loser. HTML5 could largely replace Abobe’s proprietary Flash technology. And HTML5′s swift ascent could render Flash irrelevant in short order. “I think the disappearance of Flash is closer than people think,†ABI senior analyst Mark Beccue said in a press release accompanying the data.
HTML5′s projected growth is all the more impressive considering that the actual standard is not officially expected to be completed untilÂ
20202014, according to the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) standards body. But that won’t stop companies and independent engineers from developing and deploying HTML5 features now, ABI said.
Full HTML5 interoperability isn’t expected until 2014 but we’re already a long way in, and will get further thanks to, somewhat ironically, Adobe. Â I’ve long advocated that Adobe were in the best position to create an HTML5 authoring tool, and indeed they have now shown one in Adobe Labs – Edge. AppleInsider has a first look at Edge.
[Update] One day later Flixmaster launched another HTML5 authoring tool
The responses to Final Cut Pro X a month Later. http://tinyurl.com/3wa8ahl
In this episode Terence and Philip discuss how the postproduction landscape has changed a month after Final Cut Pro X was revealed. How has the competition responded and how has the Final Cut Pro community has reacted. Lots of discussion on the launch and subsequent response to Final Cut Pro X, touching on every aspect of the release.
Why is there an emotional connection with creatives and their tools. Where do Final Cut Pro 7 users go? Who is really focused on NLEs in professional postproduction? Oh, and yes, Philip has new software for Final Cut Pro X (inspired by Terry in part).
World’s First Full Screen HTML Player (that’s customizable) http://tinyurl.com/3ofqlqz Any unique Flash feature done in “HTML5”
I’ve long had a preference for open standards over those from a single vendor, and so I like seeing formerly “Flash Only” features being replicated in ever-smarter ‘HTML5’ players.
Until now, the lack of true fullscreen playback has been the biggest limitation of HTML5 over Flash video. Safari already offered a basic fullscreen option for HTML5 video players, but this was via a non-customizable QuickTime view that didn’t allow the player to be branded or to feature custom controls.
For the first time since we demoed our player last year, we can finally enjoy SublimeVideo’s HTML5 controls in glorious fullscreen.
Technicolor acquires Laser Pacific http://tinyurl.com/3v8vxfd
From Variety:
While shoring up its d-cinema distribution business with its pact with Cinedigm, Technicolor was also busy rejiggering its post-production offerings, acquiring LaserPacific and selling its post assets in New York to PostWorks.
Under the Technicolor-PostWorks deal, PostWorks acquires the Technicolor post facility on Leroy St. in Manhattan and enters an exclusive franchise agreement with Technicolor. The facility will be branded PostWorks Technicolor and will get access to Technicolor’s proprietary color science and post workflows.
The Laser Pacific facilities will be rebranded as Technicolor and their employees will become Technicolor employees.
Further consolidation of the high end of postproduction in the LA and NY markets.
My DV Expo topics
9-5 September 20 Basic Tech for Producers (and recent Film School Graduates)
In this session, technology expert and DV magazine contributor Philip Hodgetts will cover the technological choices in production and post in a non-geeky way to help producers — and others without a technical background — make good technology choices for their productions. From formats to software choices; selecting cameras to creating Web video; designing graphics that will work and much more.  PRICE: $195 ($245 after Aug 31) Click here to register now.
9-5 September 21 Using Metadata For Production and Asset Management
Metadata is becoming increasingly important throughout the production cycle–from camera to asset management. In this session learn about the types of metadata in use; how each major NLE (Final Cut Pro 7, Final Cut Pro X, Premiere Pro CS 5.5 and Media Composer 5.5) handles metadata and how we can use that metadata to speed postproduction and VFX. Once post is done, assets need to be management through through distribution and repurposing. What tools are available, how are they used and how do they fit into the metadata structures promoted by SMPTE and other standards bodies. Â PRICE: $195 ($245 after Aug 31)Â Click here to register now.
9-5 September 22 Avoiding Postproduction Nightmares
Post expert and DV magazine contributor Philip Hodgetts details the most common (and costly) problems inadvertently created during production that will be “fixed in post.†From color correction to audio, and editing to the final QC pass on deliverables, he’ll not only reveal the tricks of the trade that he’d use to save your production, but also explain how you can avoid these costly issues in the first place. PRICE: $195 ($245 after Aug 31) | Click here to register now.
In the light of full disclosure, I certainly expect to be paid but I always deliver good value. There will be some overlap between the Basic Tech and Avoiding Postproduction Nightmares sessions as they both seek to make the technology understandable, but with a different focus to each day’s class.
Prius Project bicycle can change gears with just a thought http://tinyurl.com/3rt66zc
This is pointed to more as an indicator of the distant future – one where direct brain control takes over from keyboard, touch pad or voice control. Still, it’s interesting what’s being done now as an indicator of what will be the future. Will it be control of software by thought, or will it go beyond that to imagining the edit or look and having the software work off our brain waves to results?
For the Prius Project bicycle, a team from Deep Local is working on a helmet with built-in neuron transmitters that allow the rider’s brain patterns to trigger the electronic shifters to move gears up or down. The system is said to take just 10 minutes to learn, after which the rider will be able to shift gears by just thinking about doing so.
In this context I’ll once again point to Tan Le: A headset that reads your brainwaves – Tan Le (2010) – a TED video – to consider in the context of this Prius Project. Direct brain control of software is much closer than I ever thought.
Google Acquires Facial Recognition Software Company PittPatt http://tinyurl.com/3dworyl
Facial Recognition – actually identifying the person – is more advanced than facial detection – simply determining how many faces are in a shot – and is going to become an important source of postproduction metadata.
Final Cut Pro X attempts to analyze shots (optionally) for facial detection, as does Premiere Pro CS5 and later. Final Cut Pro X also attempts to derive from the size of the face, the type of shot: Wide, M, MC, etc. Right now the technology is a little “hit and miss” or basically unreliable. For now. Â These technologies will get better. Apple purchase a Swedish company last September to boost it’s efforts in Facial Recognition.
Meanwhile Google are also building up their portfolio of recognition technologies with the purchase of PittPatt.
When we get reliable Facial Detection, we’ll be able to find shots of individuals across our source media wherever they appear in a shot, and we’ll only have to apply a name once. When we get reliable facial detection, which is not yet, today.
Hollywood is about to repeat the catastrophic mistakes of the music industry. http://tinyurl.com/3spfm4o
Slate magazine’s Bill Wyman argues that the movie studios are repeating the mistakes of the record labels of the last decade, by refusing to adapt business models, suing customers and trying to make their business model problem a legal one.
Right now, in fact, the movie and TV business looks a lot like the music one did in the early 2000s. And as we’ve seen, that decade didn’t work out too well for the labels. So it’s worth looking at the situation and wondering how things are going to fare in the TV and movie world in the decade ahead. It can all be summed up in one single sentence. I’ll get to that in a minute.
He goes on to demonstrate how the legal offerings are inconvenient (at best) for the legal customers making unauthorized distribution not only cheaper but a significantly better product:
The trouble facing the movie industry right now is the same one the music industry had to confront 10 years ago. This is the summing-up sentence I referred to above:
The easiest and most convenient way to see the movies or TV shows you want is to get them illegally.
and
Again, to belabor the obvious: The illegal version isn’t just free. It’s better.
He goes on to suggest the solutions, but read the whole article (please), before commenting