The Anova iPhone Controlled LED Video Light “Lights” Up NAB

Before we went to the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Show this year, I was on the lookout for the Rotolight Anova LED EcoFlood light. I had seen an ad for it and I knew it would be on display at the B&H Audio Video booth, so we headed over there to take a look. I wasn’t disappointed as it was there front and center, surrounded by other people equally as interested as I was.

Why the buzz? Well, there are some state-of-the-art features that are very impressive. Watch this video to see:

• How you can change the light output without affecting the color temperature, making this light perfect for a studio situation. You can also change the color temperature without changing the light output;

• What you can control wirelessly (from your iPhone no less!);

• How you can create an output/color temperature setting and duplicate it repeatedly and in additional units.

While the price point is a bit steep, $2,355 without the barn doors, the Rotolight Anova LED EcoFlood is definitely worth a look and will revolutionize video lighting. Obviously, I was not disappointed in this fantastic light and hope that we’ll be seeing this technology in less expensive units.

Padcaster – Turn Your iPad Into a Mobile Video Production Studio

One of the things I love best about going to the annual NAB Show is discovering new video production tools…the Padcaster was one of those finds this year.

I shot this short video with the creator of The Padcaster, Josh Apter. Watch it to see why I was so excited about this new aluminum frame for the iPad. Not only does Josh take you through the features, he also shares:

• the only way to shoot video on an iPad (Hint: it’s an app that gives you manual controls (at the 3 minute mark),

• one of the coolest features of editing with the iMovie app (at 4 minute mark),

• and how this strong yet lightweight aluminum frame goes beyond being a simple tripod mount turning your iPad into a mobile video production studio!

If you use your iPad for video, definitely consider The Padcaster to give you the advantages of shooting video on an iPad without breaking it.

As CNET states, “If you’re serious about producing videos with an iPad, the Padcaster is a must-have case.”

New Mic For DSLR Cameras Makes Getting Great Audio MUCH Easier

Finding a decent mic for DSLR cameras just got easier thanks to Shure.

I should know. I’ve been shooting a docudrama for broadcast on EWTN in November for several months. I’ve put in hundreds of hours shooting on a Canon EOS 5D Mark III Digital Camera. The images are fantastic but getting good audio has been a challenge. Digital SLRs (DSLRs) are really designed for shooting still images. We videographers have adopted them for shooting video but the sound capabilities haven’t caught up with the awesome video quality.  While we were at the 2013 NAB Show, this system caught my eye.

When I saw Shure previewing these new shotgun microphones mounted on DSLR cameras and camcorders, I had to get the scoop.

Here is a video I shot with Chris Lyons, who explains the key features of these mics for your DSLR. In this short video, he:

• covers 2 new audio solutions – the Shure VP83 LensHopper Shotgun Microphone and the Shure VP83F Condenser Shotgun Mic With Flash Recorder – for DSLR videography and why they differ;
• shows you why these mics are super user-friendly in the field making them ideal for documentary style shooting;
• shares how these mics also work with a wireless system that is perfect for shooting talent and interviews;
• and as a bonus, he shows us a nice step up to getting great audio with your DSLR.

Both the Shure VP83 LensHopper Shotgun Microphone and the Shure VP83F Condenser Shotgun Mic With Flash Recorder microphones will be available this summer but you can get on the list to be notified when they are available at B&H Audio Video.

If you’re shooting video on a DSLR, I’ll bet you’ll be longing for one of these mics!

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