– DSC Labs Wide test products

Toronto-based DSC Laboratories has launched a new ‘Wide’ product line, which includes two Combi test targets and an Ambi illuminator for use with 16:9 and 4:3 format cameras in engineering and production applications.

The products are designed for video professionals to assist in evaluating, maintaining and matching cameras and to control image quality and consistency throughout production, touted as a way to lend more precision to camera alignment.

The Combi Optical Signal Generators combine multiple test elements to generate familiar signals on standard measuring equipment. The Combi-1W OSG features EIA grey scales, vector colors (calibrated to SMPTE/EBU colorimetry, flesh and opaque patches. The Combi-2W OSG has multibursts, resolution wedges, zone plates, linear ramp, back focus and streak test.

The OSGs are held by portable Ambi Wide illuminators and may be used with other manufacturers’ lightboxes or spheres.

The systems range from US$2,300 to US$5,100.

– ICEing on the 3D Cake

Waltham, MA-based ICE has announced a new 3D product development with Germany’s Maxon to be launched at SIGGRAPH. At the show, the companies will announce the ICEing of the main rendering engine of Maxon’s Cinema 4D animation and modeling tool, resulting in what the ICE claims is the world’s fastest raytracer on the desktop.

– PMT buys new Sony 900s

Montreal’s PMT Video has upgraded its studio environment with the acquisition of three digital Sony 900 hard-body cameras.

Launched at NAB ’98, Sony’s new 12-bit technology excels in resolution and color reproduction terms, capturing simultaneous variations of light sources from very dark zones to totally overexposed.

President Muriel Kearney says the cameras have been installed on Hawk Vinten pedestals in PMT’s 4,800-square-foot, lighting grid-equipped studio. The facility is also outfitted with a control/edit room for multiformat recording.