The Government Video Update

A dongle does not present the same security risk as a thumb drive

Ed_Jose@avid.com (Avid Technology, Inc.) — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 23:24:00 GMT

We've had quite a few calls over the past couple of weeks regarding Avid's use of USB dongles, and whether or not they pose the same security risk as a thumb drive. This was prompted by a worm that recently spread through Department of Defense networks.

Avid's dongles, manufactured by SafeNet, do look similar to a USB thumb drive, but they do not pose the same security risk.

The SafeNet website has a support document that states Sentinal Keys (dongles) do not have security implications in environments where read/write memory devices are not allowed:

The Sentinel Hardware Keys (SHK), SuperPro, UltraPro and other Sentinel tokens (both Parallel Port and USB) are proprietary security devices, which are used by a specific application to ensure that each user of the application has the rights to run the application. It is only this specific access information that can be stored on the key. The key cannot be used as a data storage device, either to upload data to a computer, or download data from a computer.

At no time does any other application, parts of the Operating System or system’s user have direct access to the key’s memory. Nor can the key’s memory be used as a generic storage area. The only way to use the key’s memory is through our specific APIs, and with a specifically protected application.

If you or your agency have questions or concerns regarding the security of Avid software or systems, please contact the Avid Government Solutions Team at 1-800-497-2843.

Avid HD Workflows at GV Expo

Ed_Jose@avid.com (Avid Technology, Inc.) — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 15:28:00 GMT

Join Avid at the 2008 Government Video Expo in Washington, DC, on December 3rd and 4th. Avid will be showcasing HD workflows with the latest camera technologies, including Sony's XDCAM HD, Panasonic P2, and HDV. We'll also be demonstrating authoring of DVD and Blu-ray disks with Avid DVD, and compressing HD media with Sorenson Squeeze. We'll have a mix of Windows and Macintosh laptops in our booth, so you'll have a chance to test drive Media Composer 3.0 software on both platforms. We'll have Symphony Nitris DX, demonstrating finishing, multi-cam, and color correction. You can also explore the possibilities of powerful, collaborative workflows with Avid Unity MediaNetwork and Avid Interplay.

GV Expo is at the Washington, DC Convention Center on December 3rd and 4th. If you're planning to stop by, send us an email at government@avid.com and we'll send you a coupon for a free exhibit pass and a $50 discount on a full-conference pass.

Hope to see you at GV Expo!

International Video Evidence Symposium and Training Conference

Ed_Jose@avid.com (Avid Technology, Inc.) — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 15:11:00 GMT

LEVA, the Law Enforcement and Emergency Services Video Association, is holding their annual conference October 22nd through the 24th at the Florida Hotel & Conference Center in Orlando, Florida.

This International Video Evidence Symposium and Training Conference is always a great opportunity to explore the science of Forensic Video Analysis and to also pick up some new video production skills.

If you'd like to know a bit more about LEVA, check out this video, featuring John Walsh of America's Most Wanted.

Avid has been a proud sponsor of LEVA since 1994 and we'll be there again this year, along with Ocean Systems and their dTective Forensic Video Analysis software.

Hope to see you in Orlando!

Government HD Technologies Seminar in Jacksonville, NC

Ed_Jose@avid.com (Avid Technology, Inc.) — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 13:11:00 GMT

The Avid Government Solutions team is hosting a 2-hour seminar in Jacksonville, NC, in the Downey Room at the Jacksonville Country Club. The seminar is scheduled for Thursday, September 18th, from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm.

The seminar will focus on new HD technologies for government video professionals.

The latest HD and file-based video formats offer more than just better images. They enable powerful workflows that allow you to work faster than ever before - on a laptop in the field, or in robust media production networks.

High-definition Blu-ray and HD podcasting are also changing the way media is distributed. Join us for a 2-hour seminar and explore these new technologies:

- HDV: Low-cost high-definition acquisition and editing

- Sony XDCAM: File-based media acquisition on optical disks

- Sony XDCAM EX and Panasonic P2: File-based media acquisition on memory cards

- Blu-ray authoring- HD encoding for Web delivery- Real-time HD editing technologies

- Media production networks and asset management

You'll also have the opportunity to see Media Composer Nitris DX.

Government video professionals can register for this New Video Technologies Seminar online. Space is limited, so sign up soon. We look forward to seeing you in Jacksonville!

Government HD Technologies Seminar in Norfolk

Ed_Jose@avid.com (Avid Technology, Inc.) — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 16:38:00 GMT

The Avid Government Solutions team is hosting a 2-hour seminar in Norfolk, Virginia, at the Sheraton Norfolk Waterside Hotel on Tuesday, September 16th, 2008, from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm.

The seminar will focus on new HD technologies for government video professionals.

The latest HD and file-based video formats offer more than just better images. They enable powerful workflows that allow you to work faster than ever before - on a laptop in the field, or in robust media production networks.

High-definition Blu-ray and HD podcasting are also changing the way media is distributed. Join us for a 2-hour seminar and explore these new technologies:

- HDV: Low-cost high-definition acquisition and editing

- Sony XDCAM: File-based media acquisition on optical disks

- Sony XDCAM EX and Panasonic P2: File-based media acquisition on memory cards

- Blu-ray authoring- HD encoding for Web delivery- Real-time HD editing technologies

- Media production networks and asset management

You'll also have the opportunity to see Media Composer Nitris DX.

Government video professionals can register for this New Video Technologies Seminar online. Space is limited, so sign up soon. We look forward to seeing you in Norfolk!

UPDATE: Sorry, I guess it would help if I include the link! You can register here.

Government HD Technologies Seminar in San Diego

Ed_Jose@avid.com (Avid Technology, Inc.) — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 19:08:00 GMT

The Avid Government Solutions team is hosting a 2-hour seminar in San Diego at the US Grant Hotel on Tuesday, September 9th, 2008, from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm.

The seminar will focus on new HD technologies for government video professionals.

The latest HD and file-based video formats offer more than just better images. They enable powerful workflows that allow you to work faster than ever before – on a laptop in the field, or in robust media production networks.

High-definition Blu-ray and HD podcasting are also changing the way media is distributed. Join us for a 2-hour seminar and explore these new technologies:

- HDV: Low-cost high-definition acquisition and editing

- Sony XDCAM: File-based media acquisition on optical disks

- Sony XDCAM EX and Panasonic P2: File-based media acquisition on memory cards

- Blu-ray authoring- HD encoding for Web delivery- Real-time HD editing technologies

- Media production networks and asset management

You'll also have the opportunity to see Media Composer Nitris DX.

Government video professionals can register for this New Video Technologies Seminar online. Space is limited, so sign up soon. We look forward to seeing you in San Diego!

Government Video Doesn't Always Have To Be Serious

Ed_Jose@avid.com (Avid Technology, Inc.) — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 11:37:00 GMT

A team of Avid customers at the Idaho State Police have been working with Avid systems since the mid 1990s. They have the ability to take the most mundane subjects (vehicle inspections and the handling of hazardous materials) and turn them into very entertaining videos. They spoof Jerry Springer, home shopping channels, red carpet interviews and more. You can see a highlight reel from the Idaho State Police Multimedia Group on their website. Today, the Idaho State Police work on 2 Macintosh-based Media Composers with a Unity MediaNetwork providing the shared storage.

Join us at Avid's DC Roadshow

Ed_Jose@avid.com (Avid Technology, Inc.) — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 19:02:00 GMT

Avid is hosting its New Thinking Road Show in Washington, DC on Wednesday, June 4th from 6:30pm to 9:30pm. This is a great chance to get an up-close look at Avid's new Media Composer 3.0 software and the new Mojo DX and Nitris DX hardware. The Avid Government Solutions team will be there and we look forward to meeting you.

When:
Wednesday, June 4th
6:30pm to 9:30pm

Where:
The Ronald Reagan Building Rotunda Room
1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC.

You can reserve your seat for Avid's DC Roadshow by clicking here.

Hope to see you there!

Remembering Military Communicators Who've Paid the Ultimate Price

Ed_Jose@avid.com (Avid Technology, Inc.) — Sat, 24 May 2008 15:30:00 GMT

I recently had the honor of attending the 2008 Defense Communicators of Excellence Awards. The annual competition, hosted at the Defense Information School (DINFOS) at Fort Meade, Maryland, honors the best military journalists, graphic artists, photographers, videographers and broadcast journalists.

At the end of this year's ceremony, they played a video honoring Department of Defense communicators who've paid the ultimate price for freedom. More than 100 communicators have died in action since DINFOS was founded in 1946, including 9 who have died in the War on Terror.

As we celebrate Memorial Day with our families, it's important to take a moment to remember why we really observe this holiday – to remember those brave men and women who have died defending our freedom.

This video, produced by the Defense Information School, remembers the heroes who have lived and died for their craft.

NASA "First Robots" Competition Promo

Ed_Jose@avid.com (Avid Technology, Inc.) — Thu, 15 May 2008 12:02:00 GMT

Avid Community member "Gelf" was asked to create a promo for NASA TV, promoting the First Robots competition. Here's the promo, created in one day with the help of Jump Backs, some 3D animation and a Media Composer.

Death of the Little Weight Lifter Guy (And Other Media Composer Interface Changes)

Ed_Jose@avid.com (Avid Technology, Inc.) — Thu, 15 May 2008 11:46:00 GMT

When Media Composer 3.0 ships next month, you'll notice a few changes to the interface. They're minor changes, designed to make it easier for new Avid editors to quickly identify the intended purpose of particular icons. For veteran Avid editors, there's one change in particular that will be met with a bit of sadness: the death of the iconic "lift" icon. The weight lifter icon is going away.

Greg Staten has written a great post on the Media Composer 3.0 interface changes. The last line to his post is the best: "My apologies to those of you out there who will miss the little guy. He's on his way to the place where the purple triangle lives." (For new Avid customers... the purple triangle refers to the old Avid logo that joined the iconic graveyard in the late 90's.)

Update your Avid software even if your system isn't connected to the Internet

Ed_Jose@avid.com (Avid Technology, Inc.) — Thu, 15 May 2008 00:39:00 GMT

We were visiting a customer last week who had not updated their Media Composer software for quite some time, since their Media Composers were not connected to the Internet. The good news is you don't have to have your Media Composer online to get the latest software. If you have a valid Support Contract and have registered with the Avid Download Center, you can download your software on any Internet-connected computer. Just save the software to a thumb drive, pop it into your edit system and install the updates.

If you're a Government customer and you don't have a thumb drive, I can help with that too! I have shiny new 1GB Avid thumb drives for the first 40 next 22 government customers who send me a message including their name, government email address and government mailing address.

SubCap Tool Makes Open Captions Easy

Ed_Jose@avid.com (Avid Technology, Inc.) — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 21:07:00 GMT

We've been on the road for the past couple of weeks. First it was Las Vegas, where we unveiled the new Media Composer 3.0 software, which Avid will be shipping in June. Then we spent a week at the 2008 Department of Defense Visual Information Conference in Baltimore. At both shows, one of the features Avid Government customers were most excited about was the SubCap Tool, which will be shipping with Media Composer 3.0 in June.

The SubCap Tool lets you easily create on-screen subtitles for Section 508 compliance, or for visual translations of foreign dialog. You drop the SubCap tool on your top-most video track and then point it to an EBU-N19 formatted subtitle log file (.STL). You can set the font size, color and placement. Hit play and you have real-time open captions. You can also use the SubCap Tool to create subtitles from scratch, if you don't already have a log file. When you're done, you can export a subtitle file (.STL) for quick creation of subtitles in DVD authoring applications.

Click here for a quick demo of the new SubCap Tool.

The SubCap Tool will be included with Media Composer 3.0, which will be available for download in June for current Media Composer customers with Support contracts. Avid Xpress Pro customers can upgrade and download Media Composer 3.0 for $318 on Avid's GSA Schedule, or purchase a box with documentation and third-party applications for $399. Upgrades are also available from Avid Xpress DV and Avid Liquid. For more information, contact the Avid Government Solutions Team at 800-497-2843.

View Video Examples from Avid Government Editors

Ed_Jose@avid.com (Avid Technology, Inc.) — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 21:13:00 GMT

I was browsing through the Avid Community Videos this morning and found some great video postings from Avid Government Customers.

Michael, a combat videographer from Shaw AFB posted this video of the Air Force Threat Management Group Training at Orangeburg, South Carolina.
Jeff Pierce from the 9th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida has posted a video of the 9th Judicial Circuit Court's high-tech courtroom.
Larry Rubin, the Senior Editor at the Pentagon Channel posted a video commemorating the anniversary of D-Day last year.

If you're an Avid editor in the Government, post your videos to the Avid Community and then send me comment so I can highlight your video here on the Government Video Update.

This Blog on Your iPhone

Ed_Jose@avid.com (Avid Technology, Inc.) — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 10:37:00 GMT

The iPhone Atlas blog has a posting today about a cool free service that turns RSS feeds into iPhone web apps.

You simply enter an RSS feed URL, press the "generate app" button, and voila! Instant iPhone web app from any RSS feed.

Here's the Government Video Update Blog iPhone Web App.

There is a one slight problem with the app... All postings are dated Wednesday, December 31st, 1969. But other than that, it's a pretty slick service to automatically reformat RSS feeds so they're easier to read on the iPhone, and take advantage of Web App CSS features, such as sliding screens between the headlines and the actual blog postings.