Miami-based Alienware now offers an expanded mobile workstation line that doesn't lighten the wallet quite as much as its other offerings. The MJ-12 m5700i notebook is built around Intel's mobile Centrino CPU and features a 17in. Wide UXGA (WUXGA) screen. You can then combine it with choice ingredients such as Nvidia's GeForce Go 6800, dual SATA hard drives in RAID configurations, and stereo speakers plus subwoofer.
Miami
(800) 254-3692
www.alienware.com

Includes Windows XP Media Center Edition. Price: Systems start at $1,459

While SAN prices have dropped, systems from leading vendors can still be pricey and may only work well with certain operating systems, whether Windows or OS X. EditShare targets both challenges with the launch of EditShare 4.0 at NAB 2006. New features include support for uncompressed HD over 10 Gigabit Ethernet, faster hardware and larger hard drives, an ability to scale to storage sizes of 200TB and beyond, and a Mount Manager that simplifies connecting EditShare's Media Spaces to editors' workstations.
Boston
(617) 782-0479
www.editshare.com

New “client program” now allows editors to browse all media spaces on the system. Price: Starting at $15,000

Moving to new media recording technology like solid-state Flash RAM means learning a bit of new workflow. Consider Panasonic's AJ-PCD20, a P2 internal/external drive that debuts at NAB. Up to five 8GB P2 cards can be mounted in the compact unit. Users can either download video at faster than realtime speeds to an NLE or server, or directly access the contents of all five cards for continuous editing of recorded clips in sequence. The AJ-PCD20 works with both Windows 2000/XP and Mac OS X systems.
Secaucus, N.J.
www.panasonic.com/broadcast

Includes USB 2.0 and IEEE 1394b interfaces. Price: TBA

Heavy effects use can slow down editing interactivity. But even when paired with one of the latest sub-$500 graphics cards, Red Giant Software's Magic Bullet Editors 2.0 Look Suite plug-in now runs up to 12 times faster than the CPU alone, according to the company. Magic Bullet Editors 2.0 includes Look Suite for mimicking various film processes and shooting styles; MB De-artifacter for cleaning up DV and HDV chroma problems; and Misfire for generating damaged and “distressed” film characteristics.
Fort Wayne, Ind.
(260) 625-5343
www.redgiantsoftware.com

Proprietary rendering engine delivers improved output. Price: $395

While 3D compositing and motion graphics are crucial creative tools, the apps can be pricey and difficult to use. Boris FX addresses that problem with the introduction of Boris Blue at NAB 2006. The standalone 3D compositing and motion graphics package is based on the company's popular Boris Red plug-in. Realtime playback brings interactivity to 3D paint processes such as combining pixel shaders with bump maps, noise patterns, or natural materials, along with light reflections and 3D shadows.
Boston
(888) 772-6747
www.borisfx.com

Windows version available; Mac to follow. Price: $1,995

When you want real-looking lightning and electricity, go to the source. Or at least one of the world's largest Tesla coils, says Artbeats, which worked with kVA Effects, a company that specializes in creating high-voltage effects devices. Artbeats' electricity-themed royalty-free collections, which debuts at NAB, feature effects such as lightning in clouds; single bolts striking telephone poles, satellite dishes, towers, and a stunt person; and electric effects from a variety of equipment including Jacob's ladders, tube coils, and plasma generators.
Myrtle Creek, Ore.
(800) 444-9392
www.artbeats.com

Lower-res 320×240 clips available for podcasts. Price: $799-$899 (per HD collection); $229-$699 (SD res)