Animation system Electric Image Universe 4.0

A new skinning system features the power of texture strength maps and painted vertex strength maps to provide control of character animations. The system automatically deforms the geometry of the character (the “skin”) as the user moves the character's bones. Included in the new constraint system, which is realtime and interactive, are auto look, auto bank, aim, position, rotate, scale, normal, geometry, and pole vector constraints. Other key new features include a global illumination system, overall speed increases and reduced RAM usage, enhanced OpenGL, a rewritten software drawing system, and motion blur preview. Price: $995. (San Clemente, Calif.; 949-481-6660; www.electricimage.com)

Nonlinear editor Apple Final Cut Pro 3

This product taps the video processing capabilities of the PowerPC G4 processor's Velocity Engine to deliver dual-stream, realtime effects such as cross-dissolves, titles, and color correction. The number and complexity of G4 realtime effects scale as processing power increases. This version debuts OfflineRT, an offline format that provides more than 40 minutes of video per gigabyte of hard drive space. Using a FireWire connection, editors can capture and transcode DV footage to OfflineRT on the fly. New tools include primary and secondary color correctors, range checking, zebra-stripe overlays, and waveform and vectorscope monitors — as well as a set of controls to maintain broadcast-safe video levels. Price: $999. (Cupertino, Calif.; 408-974-0922; www.apple.com)

Realtime effects Pinnacle Systems CinéWave RT

Users can perform keyframable image control and motion effects as well as create transitions on two tracks of video and two tracks of graphics with alpha channels in realtime. The product's realtime-powered effects and transitions can be mastered out to tape without rendering. Users also can perform realtime effects on any combination of CinéOffline SD resolutions and full, uncompressed quality clips within the same sequence without rendering. Price: Not available. (Mountain View, Calif.; 650-526-1600; www.pinnaclesys.com)

Camcorder Sony DSR-370L

This latest DVCAM camcorder is configurable for ENG, EFP, and studio applications. The DSR-370L uses three 1/2in. interline-transfer CCDs and F1.4 medium-index prism system optics. It boasts a horizontal resolution of 800 TV lines (center) and a vertical resolution of 400 TV lines without EVS and 450 TV lines with EVS. Video performance specifications include bandwidth luminance of 50Hz to 5.0MHz (+/-1.0dB) and chrominance of 30Hz to 1.5 MHz (+1.0/-5.0 dB). Price: Not available. (Park Ridge, N.J.; 201-930-6342; www.sony.com/professional)

Waveform monitor Astro Systems WM-3001

This waveform monitor supports 17 high-definition formats. Its 6in. LCD provides portability and provides picture, waveform, vector, and status display. Luminance and chrominance adjustments are performed on the front panel. Users can select the input signal from HD SDI or component analog. A mounted battery on the back of the unit makes it suitable for field production. Price: $8,900. (Burbank, Calif.; 818-848-7722; www.astro-systems.com)

Plasma display NEC PlasmaSync 50MP2

With what the company claims as the lowest introductory price for a 50in. XGA panel, this multimedia plasma display offers improvements over the previous generation display, the 50MP1. Contrast ratio is boosted 50%, while power consumption is cut 25%. The panel is positioned for use in conference room and boardroom applications, videoconferencing suites, training facilities, and control rooms. It features picture-in-picture capabilities and 3X digital zoom, plus incorporates NEC's AccuCrimson technology to eliminate the orange tint commonly associated with plasma. Risk of phosphor burn is minimized via the monitor's AccuShield Phosphor Protection System. Price: $12,995. (Itasca, Ill.; 800-NEC-EDIT; www.nectech.com)

Portable projector Sharp Electronics NotevisionC40

This 10.6lb. portable projector features 1024×768 XGA resolution and 2000ANSI lumens as well as a 2,000-hour lamp life. The unit is DTV-compatible and offers separate composite and S-Video inputs and two separate data inputs for PC or Mac. With the company's advanced presentation software (SAPS), one or more projectors can be connected to a PC for remote diagnostics and control capability. The PresenterPAK features a friendly, icon-based GUI menu screen that uses common terminology. The unit's automatic and manual image-adjustment features enable presenters to fine-tune images for sharp presentations. Price: $6,295. (Mahwah, N.J.; 888-467-4277; www.sharplcd.com)

DVD-Video recorder Pioneer Electronics PRV-9000

This product records a DVD-Video disc in realtime without the need for additional hardware or software. This playback and recording device enables users to record video using either DVD-R or DVD-RW discs. It also offers the ability to play multiple disc formats, including DVD-R, DVD-RW, CD-R, and CD-RW media. Audio and video CDs also can be played on the unit. It's able to record six hours of video onto one DVD-RW disc using the video recording mode. In the DVD-Video mode, the PRV-9000 can record either one or two hours of material on either DVD-R or DVD-RW media. In VR mode, the device performs editing functions such as sorting or deletion of specific titles and segments of the disc. Price: $2,050. (Long Beach, Calif.; 310-952-2799; www.pioneerelectronics.com)

Cameras & Lighting Camcorder
By Sony

MSW-900: This MPEG IMX camcorder originates 50Mbps 4:2:2 digital video with four channels of digital audio by combining the benefits of MPEG 4:2:2 P@ML and I-frame-only recording. The Power HAD EX CCD delivers a pixel count of 1 million, a signal-to-noise ratio of -65dB (NTSC) and a smear level of -140dB, typical. A high-performance DSP LSI provides comprehensive and precise control over the high-quality images produced by the camcorder. The unit combines an analog composite output as standard with an SDI output board available as a plug-in option. (Park Ridge, N.J.; 201-930-6342; www.sony.com)

Continuous light connectors
By Photoflex

Red Head, DeSisti 7200, K5600: Three continuous light connectors are designed to fit 1K and 2K lighting fixtures such as Red Heads and Blondes. All attach to Photoflex's SilverDome, WhiteDome, and MovieDome softboxes as well as softboxes by other manufacturers. Each connector has all-metal parts that will not break, melt, or warp. The Red Head Video Connector fits 1K focusing tungsten lights, and the DeSisti 7200 2K Video Connector is designed to fit the DeSisti 7200 2K focusing tungsten light. The K5600 Video Connector fits the entire line of K5600 Joker Bug lights. Price: Red Head, $99.95; DeSisti 7200, $199.95; K5600, $94. (Watsonville, Calif.; 800-486-2674; www.photoflex.com)

Projectors & Displays Video monitor
By Panasonic

BT-H1700: This widescreen, multi-format video monitor features a 17in., 4:3 or 16:9 aspect ratio flat-screen display in a rackmountable chassis. The monitor displays more than 800 lines of resolution. With its input modules, the unit can display ATSC, standard-definition, and high-definition signals (including 1080/24fps) in their native resolutions. The product is both NTSC- and PAL-capable, operates on either 110V or 230V, and is UL-compliant. Three card slots accommodate three input modules, including composite video or Y/C, analog component RGB, SD-SDI, and HD-SDI. Price: $3,475. (Los Angeles; 800-528-8601; www.panasonic.com/broadcast)

Public display
By NEC

PlasmaSync 50PD2: This 50in. unit is designed for public display applications. It features a 90% contrast improvement and 25% less power consumption compared with the previous generation. With its 3×3 matrix capability, the unit allows users to matrix four displays in a 2×2 setup without external equipment — or nine displays in a 3×3 configuration with a signal splitter for a total diagonal image size of 150in. The display can be installed in either landscape or portrait orientation. Price: $9,995. (Itasca, Ill.; 877-NEC-EDIT; www.nectech.com)

Miscellaneous Cabling technology
By Iogear

Micro-Lite: At 3.3oz., this product weighs about a third of traditional KVM (keyboard, video, mouse). The cabling technology includes aluminum shielding to eliminate interference and ensure signal clarity. The product also comes with oversized thumbscrews. Price: $29.50 for 6ft. cable. (Irvine, Calif.; 949-428-1111; www.iogear.com)