presentation update

-for artists with budget-

HARDWARE UPDATE:

1. DELL UNVEILS SECOND-GENERATION DLP PROJECTOR
Computer heavyweight Dell entered the projector market less than a year
ago and is already phasing out its introductory product for the new 3200MP
DLP projector. This 3.5-pound unit has some similarities with its
predecessor (the 3100MP), such as a similar weight and XGA resolution
(1,024 x 768 pixels), but notable improvements have been made. The new
model pumps out 1,300 ANSI lumens and offers an 1,800-to-1 contrast ratio,
a 1.2X optical zoom, a 32X digital zoom and a 2-watt built-in speaker.
Along with Dell's hard-shell traveling case and a low price, the $2,199
3200MP is a worthy upgrade. More info is at http://www.dell.com

2. SONY'S FX LINE GETS EVEN SMARTER
Sony's latest member of the FX series of SuperSmart installation
projectors has a brighter lamp and a new optical engine based on Sony's
new 1.3-inch LCD panels. The VPL-FX51 puts out 5,200 ANSI lumens at XGA
resolution and is IP-addressable for full network control. A presenter
with a computer on the same network can communicate with the projector via
a Web browser and, using a bundled software application, can download
still images as well as Microsoft PowerPoint, Excel and Word files. In
addition, presentations can be uploaded onto the projector's internal
memory, letting you present without a computer. Suggested list price for
the VPL-FX51 is $14,000. For more info, go to
http://www.sony.com/projectors

3. JVC INTRODUCES NEW PRO CAMCORDER
JVC's new GY-DV5000U is a shoulder-mounted professional-level camcorder
that has three half-inch CCDs for producing images with more than 800
lines of resolution. The camcorder features low-light performance with a
sensitivity of F:13 at 2,000 lux, and technologies that produce better
skin tones and a more dynamic range between bright and dark scenes. Users
can also control the color matrix (four settings) and gamma (20 steps) to
give their video a unique look. The GY-DV5000U has been redesigned to
accommodate both full-size and MiniDV cassettes, and with an optional
external module it can record and log MPEG-4 files onto a flash-memory
card. The GY-DV5000U is priced at $6,995 (including lens and viewfinder);
more info is available at http://pro.jvc.com
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SOFTWARE UPDATE:

4. NEW SOFTWARE CONTROLS MULTI-DEVICE PRESENTATIONS
Wet Electrics, a New York City multimedia-systems-integration company,
makes software for the coordination of complex multimedia presentations
found at trade shows, museums and elaborate business events. The company's
new Production Designer Studio software allows presenters to control
audio, video, MIDI and serial devices from a single interface. Instead of
manually coordinating each device and component of a presentation
separately, the software lets you control multi-device presentations that
can involve everything from projectors to smoke machines, from an onscreen
timeline on a desktop computer. The Macintosh-compatible program retails
for $995, but the company has a special introductory price of $695 for a
limited time. For more info or a free trial download, go to
http://www.wetelectrics.com

5. PROGRAM SIMPLIFIES FLASH FILE CREATION
Want to create Flash SWF files without committing hours to learning
Macromedia's Flash animation software? Wildform may have a solution with
its new Linx Flash Editor, a program that lets you drag and drop images,
audio, video and other files onto a timeline to create Flash files. The
WYSIWYG interface allows for the creation of virtually any type of Flash
SWF file with no knowledge of Macromedia's program. See
http://www.wildform.com/linx for more info on the $49, Windows-compatible
software.

6. ULEAD ROLLS OUT COOL 3D STUDIO
Ulead's new COOL 3D Studio software lets you create 3D animation for
video, the Web and other multimedia presentations. The program includes
video editing tools, an independent key-frame timeline for graphic
objects, new video effects and lighting controls. All projects can be
output as video, still images, GIF animation, image sequences and 3D Flash
movies. COOL 3D Studio costs $129; an upgrade from COOL 3D 3.5 is $60.
More information is at http://www.ulead.com

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