*New moniker for Multimedia

The conference and trade show formerly known as Multimedia will return with a new handle to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre May 12-15, 1998. newMedia 98 will feature a wide representation of exhibits and seminars in the areas of digital imaging, video and film production, multimedia and the Internet, and dvd.

*New media contest

Toronto-based digital media communications company Digital Renaissance has announced the undertaking of an international contest for new media developers. A total of $50,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded to those who create the most pleasing applications using Digital Renaissance’s tag media linking system with Microsoft’s NetShow streaming multimedia software.

Developers from around the world are invited to enter work in such categories as entertainment, education and training, promotion/advertising, scholastic projects, and travel. Entries will be reviewed as Intranet, Internet or networked cd-rom applications.

In addition to Microsoft and Digital Renaissance, cosponsors include telecommunications company Telus, which will showcase some of the entries and winners in its high-speed Internet service to be undertaken in Alberta at the end of the year, as well as Webcasting service company ITV.Net, which will provide content for contestants and will host entries at its showcase site (www.itv.net).

The contest is underway and the deadline is Nov. 21. Contest winners will be announced on Dec. 10 at dci’s Fall Internet World in New York.

The free TAG Editor, which enables producers to create interactive links to time-based media sources, entry forms and contest rules are available from the Digital Renaissance tag site (//tag. digital-ren.com).

*SADiE upgrade

U.K.-based Studio Audio Digital Equipment has released the production version V3 software, which enhances use of the company’s sadie and Octavia digital audio workstations.

Version 3 is a software upgrade that increases the power, flexibility and interchangeability of sadie’s digital workstations. The software’s Audio Format Interchange provides native format reading and writing of all major audio formats and discs used by nonlinear video editors and eliminates time-consuming file format conversions.

The Version 3 Project Manager includes features for the organization of work into project files that hold all audio and edit data, and USER Manager gives password-secure access to project files for multi-user studios. Version 3 is available now through sadie’s Nashville distribution and support office.

*Pencil in SMPTE

The Toronto section of the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers has announced a whirlwind schedule of events for the 1997/98 year. In addition to regular Toronto section meetings held the second Tuesday of every month, this fall smpte will hold another installment of its Digital Principles seminars, open to members only.

In February, Toronto will host the 32nd SMPTE Advanced Motion Imaging Conference, which examines developments in storage and manipulation of digital imaging. Planned technical sessions include digital disc technology with emphasis on dvd, video networks, strategies for moving to dtv and an open forum panel discussion.

The conference, to be held at the Sheraton Centre, will also feature an all-day seminar called The Multimedia Experience.

More information can be accessed at smpte’s Website (www.smpte.org/ sections/yyz/yyz.htm).

*CSC event

At its meeting Sept. 22, the Canadian Society of Cinematographers will hold a demonstration by Tony Willis of Command Post/Toy Box and Medallion/pfa. Willis will demonstrate the company’s recently acquired Miro Motion Control system as well as discuss shooting for compositing with a guest dop.

*AVSpex reps Sony

The Broadcast and Professional Group of Sony of Canada has added Ottawa’s AVSpex Audio-Visual & Video Systems to its list of dealers. AVSpex has operated for the past 10 years serving eastern Ontario and western Quebec and will now offer a range of Sony products for business and government as well as consulting and implementation services.

*Mac-compatible

Hitachi’s mpeg digital video camera is now Mac-compatible. The camera, which weighs just over 19 ounces, can capture in realtime up to 20 minutes of full-motion digital video, stored on a 260mb pc card which slides into the bottom of the camera.

Using Apple Computer’s new mpeg extension for QuickTime 2.5, mpeg video and audio captured with the Hitachi mpegia camera can now be viewed on Macintosh computers. File transfer between the camera and the computer is facilitated with a Hitachi scsi adapter, available for us$299. The price of the camera including the pc card is about us$2,400. The mpeg camera is aimed at multimedia producers, Web developers and corporate users as well as consumers.

*Avid slashes prices

Avid Technologies has adjusted the price of its mcxpress for nt video editing software, which together with realtime effects can be had for under $7,000. The price of mcxpress software, which facilitates videotape, cd-rom and Web content creation, has been reduced by 50% to $3,495 and the realtime effects option is now available for $3,500. The price change is in response to the growing number of corporate and institutional digital video users.

*CFL online @ CBC

The cbc has developed a Website to enhance its coverage of the cfl and provide interactivity for fans.

The cfl on cbc (at www.tv.cbc. ca/cfl) allows fans to go online for game highlights and input from players and coaches as well as enabling users to direct questions to specific players and hear back via videotaped messages on the site. A live chat line will be accessible in early September. The Website was developed by cbc’s New Media Unit.

*People

Russ Robertson is the new head of sales and marketing at Toronto’s Soho Digital Film. Previously with International Image as account manager, Robertson is aiming at a higher profile role for Soho, a division of Glenex Industries. Soho offers digital film services like video-to-film up-resing using proprietary software.