Since the appearance of consumer high definition video and Blu-ray’s domination of the High Definition DVD video scene over Toshiba’s HD-DVD, movie motion menus have never been the same. Another bonus is the advanced content capability which delivers stunning interactive menus that offer a variety of options and extras. Watching a movie at home is becoming a complete interactive experience. Advanced content is programmed using the interactive platform Blu-ray Disc Java or BD-J. Well, looks like I’ve got another programming language to learn, though I’m not too sure if I should be excited or not. But I do know that I am excited about the opportunities of its application to DDA’s HD video projects!

Rumors of a new camera called The RED have been circulating for quite some time now. The camera’s creators have been making claims that it will revolutionize HD video, but no one had seen a finished project shot with the camera; until now. As post production wraps up on hundreds of shoots, people are beginning to see that The RED isn’t all talk. The main draw of The RED is its ability to shoot cinema quality 4k images (4096×2304) at an affordable price ($18,000 for the body, $25,000 for the full rig). As if film wasn’t already in trouble, this will give even more filmmakers a viable alternative to shooting in 35 mm.

One of the problems the camera has is that the files that it produces are massive. The camera records directly to a flash card that holds only 4 minutes of footage or 2 RAM drives that hold 32 minutes. And once you have the footage on the drive, getting it into your editing system is a whole other issue. The company that produces RED has been working with Apple so Final Cut should be able to read the RED’s quicktime reference files. Those who use other post production formats may have some time to wait.

It is hard to believe anything could top HD. It seems like the perfect format. But like anything else, the video industry is constantly evolving. The Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE) is establishing a task force to define the parameters of a stereoscopic 3-D mastering standard for content viewed in the home. We have all seen 3-D films in the theaters while wearing those goofy glasses, but this group aims to being 3-D entertainment to your living room. The group will set the standard for 3-D cameras, viewing devices and delivery options. The aim is to make this new technology accessible to everyone, so affordability is key. It is still in its infancy at the moment, but in 6 months the group plans to have a concrete plan of action. Keep your eyes peeled for the future of video!