The worldwide transition to HD is well under way!
On Feb 17, 2009, the NTSC analog TV system that we have enjoyed for the last 65 years was shut down forever. It’s replacement, the new HD capable ATSC digital TV system, is currently in operation. Although your old TV will still work (with cable, satellite, or a converter box), you’ll be watching a down-converted and letterboxed image that will be lower picture quality than the old analog system; certainly nothing close to the quality of an actual High Definition TV set. The new LCD sets are selling in large quantity now, so this is the best time to get the most fun out of the latest technology at the lowest price.
Today’s HDTVs are flat panels that are thin and light enough to hang on a wall. Or consider a front or rear screen HDTV projector for a real home theatre experience. With six times the pixels and four times the resolution of standard definition, HD images are staggeringly real. High Definition sports coverage puts you right in the action. Films are sharper, colors more vibrant. Six channel surround sound creates a real aural impact.
A few years ago, plasma displays were considered the best flat panel technology. But now, LCD panels have improved to the point where they meet or exceed plasma’s high picture quality, with none of plasma’s drawbacks: high power consumption (heavier, runs hotter), image burn-in, and disposal issues. LCDs are also available in a wider range of screen sizes. The most exciting new models, like the Sony KDL-46XBR9, feature full 1920 x 1080 pixel displays capable of showing the highest HD quality without scaling artifacts. New features include Motionflow 240Hz framerate scanning for aritfact-free fluid motion, and an internet connection for displaying HD internet video (YouTube, Amazon, etc.).
Go to the Sony TV website to see the selection of current models. Come to our showroom in Portland to see selected models on display.
We also sell display products from Panasonic, Sharp, NEC, and Philips
Home Theatre is all the rage, running the gamut from pre-packaged component “kits” to premium custom components that extend to the esoteric. Maine Video has an impressive track record designing and building some of the area's most amazing systems. Enjoy Blu-Ray high definition DVDs combined with a powerful surround sound system with the Sony BDV-E500W Home Theatre System. Check out the Xenon LCoS HD technology in the Sony VPL-VW200 projector. Many of our installations feature components from Sonance (built-in surround speaker panels), Salamander (home theatre seating), and Crestron (wireless touch panel control).
Contact Bill Knowles, Andrew Knowles, or Jamie Marshall for more information.
Everything is going HD, and there are a number of of recording options to choose from, including tape, hard disk, Memory Stick, and Compact Flash.
HDV is the new high definition version of the popular DV tape format. HDV uses DV tape cassettes, and these camcorders can record and play back both standard definition (DV) and high definition (HDV) video. Sony’s versitile 3-chip HVR-Z5U HDV camcorder features increased sensitivity, an amazing 20x zoom lens (with a great wide angle), professional audio features (including XLR connectors and shotgun mic), and dual format recording (HDV/Compact Flash).This camera is curerently the "must have" camera among video pros. For personal use, single chip HDV camcorders like the Sony HDR-HC9 camcorder, with its advanced High Def CMOS imager, packs impressive performance in a tiny package at a great price.
Hard disk camera are also becoming more popular, as the AVCHD format is now accepted by most editing software packages. Files can also be copied directly to Blu-Ray disks for permanent storage (computer with Blu-Ray burner required). Check out the new Sony HDR-XR520 hard disk camcorder, with internal 240 GB disk drive (96 hours of HD storage). Consult our experienced technical sales staff for their recommendation based on your specific needs.
The newest, least expensive, and in many ways the most versitile camcorders from Sony feature Memory Stick recording, found on the titanium bodied HDR-TG5V; the palm-sized HDR-CX100, and the affordable DCR-SX40. Or how about the ultra-affordable Webbie HD? It costs less than $200., and comes in cool colors. All of these cameras record in the AVCHD format, so the files can be burned directly to Blu-Ray disk for permanent storage.
If you only need a basic standard definition camcorder, we carry both Sony and Panasonic models. We also carry a wide variety of camera and other video accessories, audio accessories, videotape, and other supplies.
We also carry Sony Digital Still Cameras.
There is a lot of excitement about Blu-Ray, Sony’s next generation Blue Laser High Definition DVD that holds 25GB per layer. If you haven't seen one of your favorite films playing on a Blu-Ray DVD in 24P True Cinema mode on a Full HD (1920 x 1080) Bravia XBR LCD panel, come by Maine Video's showroom and prepare to have your socks blown off! Current models include the BDP-S360 and the BDP-S560 (which adds WiFi and 7.1 surround sound support). Blu-Ray technology is also used in Sony’s highly acclaimed PlayStation3 Gaming System, and in their professional XDCAM HD camcorder format.
We also sell Sony and Panasonic DVD players, recorders, VCRs, combo units, audio systems, and accessories.
Contact Bill Knowles or Andrew Knowles for more information.
A major part of our business is designing and installing AV systems for classrooms, conference facilities, cable community access, mobile and portable displays, security & surveillance… In fact, anywhere where video and sound are transmitted, recorded, or displayed. Many of these installations feature sophisticated Crestron control systems that can be operated from computers or wireless touch screens.
For example, we recently installed a series of AV systems at North Yarmouth Acadamy that features large screen projection for computer and video, and audio playback in every classroom. With this system, teachers and students can work as a group on the Internet, and teachers can plug in their laptops to use presentation tools like Power Point in front of the whole class.
Our design engineers will work with you through the conceptualization, design, pricing, installation, and training phases of your project. For more information, contact Jamie Marshall or Eric Jurgenson.
Professional editing applications come down to the three A’s – Apple , Adobe, and Avid. Avid manages to remain well entrenched in the Hollywood scene (They got there first twenty years ago), and continues to edit many of the top shows and movies. But their software is old-fashioned, high priced, and has a steep learning curve.
One of Apple Final Cut Studio’s biggest problems is that it runs on a Mac only – and Macs hold only 7% of the PC market compared to Windows’ 93% share. In addition to being more popular, Windows PCs are typically less expensive than an equivalent Mac.
The top Windows video editing application is Adobe Premiere Pro, available alone or as part of Adobe’s Production Premium CS4 package, which bundles Premiere with After Effects, Photoshop, Illustrator, EncoreDVD, Flash Professional, OnLocation, Bridge, and Soundbooth. This latest version takes Adobe Production Studio CS4 beyond the capabilities of Apple Final Cut Studio 2, with program integration and unified interface features that allow Adobe applications to work together much like a single program.
Adobe’s other advantage is their software can run on video cards more powerful than what Apple has to offer – even more powerful than Avid’s top-of-the-line Symphony Nitris (at 1/6 the price). The Matrox Axio hardware engine supports real time multi-stream editing with multiple real time effects in any format up to 10-bit uncompressed HD. Virtually all resolutions, frame rates, and formats are supported. Axio’s native file format handling maximizes quality and minimizes storage requirements. Axio is unique in the critical ability to play back multiple streams of native HDV and XDCAM HD (long GOP MPEG2) in real time. Real time effects control is seamlessly integrated into the Adobe interface. Rendering and exporting are greatly accelerated. In short, Axio’s real time performance will have a major positive impact on your editing efficiency.
Check out our Axio Workstations.
For those who don't need professional features like SDI (serial digital input/output) and uncompressed rendering, the Matrox RTX2 hardware offers a cost effective, yet high performance alternative for HDV and Panasonic P2 MXF editing. This is the perfect system for editors who crave the quality of HD, but can't justify the cost of a high-end professional system. By using high quality MPEG I-frame compression and native file playback, storage requirements (and cost) are kept low. Software features are identical to Axio, including multi-track realtime playback of native file formats, and the full compliment of real time Axio effects.
Check out our RTX2 Workstations
Maine Video has been designing, selling, and supporting computer-based editing and graphics systems for over twenty years. Yes, we sold the Video Toaster in '87, and we'd been in business for fifteen years before that. Many of our customers have gone through four or five generations of equipment, and they would be the first to tell you how important our expertise and support have been to them. Our clients include broadcasters and production facilities, schools, small and large businesses, and creative individuals all around the New England area, and we have hundreds of systems currently in the field.
Check out our System Specifications.
Contact Eric Jurgenson or Jamie Marshall for more information
The Video Workshop is the division of Maine Video Systems dedicated to providing production services to the local creative community. In addition, we offer complete production packages for corporate and institutional videos, and TV commercials.
We offer field production crews/gear for both standard and High Definition production. We also offer comprehensive editing, graphics creation, and DVD authoring in both standard def and High Def. Our studio is the largest and best equipped in the area, with soundproofing, air conditioning, 40’ hard cyc, and 400 KVA Camlok tie-in.
Yankee Stock, our stock footage division, has the most extensive library of scenic Maine aerial and ground-based stock footage available, mostly shot on 16 and 35mm film, with Tyler nose and side helicopter mounts.
We offer specialty duplication on many popular professional and consumer formats. Our in-house DVD services include either inexpensive direct to DVD duplication with standalone DVD recorders or complete authoring services including menu and package design. We also offer international standards conversion for both tape and DVD.
Here is our Duplication Price List. Contact Eric Jurgenson or Paul Haley for more information.
Maine Video Systems offers various equipment rental options including video projectors, camera packages, video recorders and players, wireless mics, light kits, and field monitors.
Maine Video Systems services the products and systems we sell. Unlike mail order houses or the “box” retailers out at the mall, we stand behind our products with a well-equipped service facility.
Contact Bill Knowles for more information.
