MPEG Streamclip Great Tool for Converting MOD files

If you're in need for a tool to help you with the conversion of .MOD files on Mac. MPEG Streamclip is a tool that you should consider. If you're using SDHC Memory Cards when you connect your camera on the Mac you can locate all of your video files by opening the Memory Card and navigating to the .MOD files. The .MOD files are basically MPEG-2 Program Stream files with the .MOD extension.

Recently I had two encoding projects where about 300-400 .MOD files needed to be converted for encoding in iMovie for Summer Art Camp students in Ohio and for Windows Movie maker for Summer Leadership Academy students in Florida.

Here were some benefits that I saw using MPEG Streamclip for the conversions:

• Batch encoding of 200 .MOD files to .MOV or .WMV could be done easily
• Telestream's Flip4Mac Plug-in is available from within MPEG Streamclip
• You can watch a video preview of the videos being converted
• Adjustments to Audio, Brightness, Contrast and Saturation can made during batch encoding
• The tool is Free
• Conversions happen quickly

Here's a look at the Batch List for encoding numerous files



Here's a look at the main interface where .MOD files can be converted to DV/DVCPro-NTSC .MOV.

Digital Rapids Announces Support for Microsoft Silverlight 3

Digital Rapids -- the leading provider of tools and solutions for bringing television, film and web content to wider audiences -- announced support for Microsoft Silverlight 3 in Digital Rapids' comprehensive range of studio encoding, transcoding and live streaming systems. Silverlight 3 support further extends the proven abilities of Digital Rapids' award-winning solutions for delivering unparalleled, high-quality, live and on-demand online video experiences.

Silverlight 3 is the newest version of Microsoft Corp.'s powerful platform for creating and delivering rich Internet applications (RIAs) and media experiences on the Web. Digital Rapids' solutions will enable content owners and distributors to take advantage of the video-related enhancements and features in Silverlight 3 to deliver rich, high-quality online viewing experiences.

Highlights of the new feature set include support for Microsoft Internet Information Services 7.0 (IIS7) Smooth Streaming, an HTTP-based platform that enables adaptive delivery of live and on-demand content to Silverlight-based video media players. IIS7 Smooth Streaming dynamically detects the best quality a viewer can receive based on their current bandwidth and local computer conditions, seamlessly switching between multiple streams at different bit-rates to deliver consistent, high-quality viewing experiences up to true HD even under changing connectivity and playback conditions. Live and on-demand IIS7 Smooth Streaming support will be available in the upcoming version 3.1 software for Digital Rapids' StreamZ and StreamZHD encoding systems. IIS7 Smooth Streaming will also be available in updates of the Digital Rapids Transcode Manager enterprise-class transcoding software and select models of StreamZ Live dedicated streaming encoders.

Silverlight 3 also augments its existing support for the VC-1 video format and Windows Media Audio with new native support for H.264 (also known as AVC, or MPEG-4 Part 10) video and AAC audio, allowing users to choose their preferred compression standard. Digital Rapids' encoding, transcoding and streaming solutions offer robust standard or optional support for H.264 and AAC encoding.

"As consumers raise their expectations for Web video and the surrounding experience, it's imperative that content owners and distributors create offerings that increase viewer engagement. The enhancements in Silverlight 3 bring Web viewing experiences far closer to the quality and reliability expectations of television while wrapping them with rich interactive capabilities, and we're pleased to support these new features in our solutions," said Brian Stevenson, Director of Product Management, Digital Rapids Corporation. "Support for live and on-demand IIS7 Smooth Streaming is a natural extension of our systems' long-standing ability to create outputs in multiple formats, sizes and bit rates simultaneously, and extending our H.264 encoding capabilities to Silverlight lets our customers choose the format that best serves their multi-platform distribution strategies."

"Microsoft is pleased that Digital Rapids is supporting Silverlight across its encoding, transcoding and streaming portfolio," said Steve Sklepowich, group product manager for Silverlight at Microsoft Corp. "The addition of Silverlight 3 support in Digital Rapids' hardware and software solutions, together with support for HTTP-based Smooth Streaming, enables users to experience true stutter-free HD online via efficient, automated media production workflows."

Enciris Technologies announces Windows Media Video/VC-1 HD video acquisition and compression board

Enciris Technologies announces the LT-100, a Windows Media Video/ VC-1 HD video acquisition and compression board. The proliferation of HD video in all market segments has created a significant need for compression technology to reduce the bandwidth and storage requirement. The LT-100 is the solution to this problem.

Enciris Technologies' LT-100 is a hardware solution that meets the needs of demanding real time true HD acquisition and compression. Specialized, high performance dedicated hardware for real time compression is the only solution due to the massive computational requirements. The low cost of the LT-100 now allows high quality HD compression to be used in product/ projects that previously would have been prohibitive. It is a perfect solution for the demanding needs of medical, surveillance, internet, broadcasting, videoconferencing, and video gaming applications.

The LT-100 can capture video from both analog and digital HD and SD video sources including DVI, RGB, component, S-video and composite. An HD/SD-SDI option is also available. Additionally, the LT-100 can function as a HD compression coprocessor for video supplied by the host via PCI or USB.

The LT-100 will compress HD Windows Media Video (WMV/ VC-1) up to advanced profile level 3 with resolutions from 176x144 to 2048x2048 pixels. The maximum compression frame rate is 240 frames per second at lower resolutions. At 1080p the LT-100 can compress 30 frames per second. All standard HDTV resolution are supported including the acquisition of 1080p60. The LT-100 can simultaneously acquire uncompressed video for preview purposes or occasional snapshots. Designed for low latency applications, the LT-100 outputs compressed video within only a few milliseconds of acquisition.

Drivers for WindowsXP/Vista and Linux are included. Under Windows, DirectShow is fully supported. A cross platform SDK is also available for Windows and Linux application development. Mac OS X support will be available soon.

Available as a combination PCI/USB board, the LT-100-VC1 can be either placed in a PCI slot or be connected via USB 2.0. It is ideally suited for OEMs and system integrators. The LT-100-SDI is an optional HD/SD-SDI daughter card. A USB only module, the LT-100-VC1U, is also available which includes a 140x100x40mm enclosure. The LT-100-VC1US is the USB module with the HD/SD-SDI option.