FCP Plugin for 5D mark III’s new REC.709 color space

I’ve received the following info from Canon inc. Japan:

The movie color conversion matrix (RGB -> YUB) for the EOS-1D X and 5D mark III has been changed to BT.709 (sometimes referred to as REC.709) for Full HD and HD movies (On previous EOS products it was BT.601). SD movies remain as BT.601.

Therefore it is recommended that editors use the new version of the EOS MOVIE Plugin-E1 for Final Cut Pro (Ver. 1.3) that supports a BT.709 color conversion matrix when using Final Cut Pro 6.x/7.x for editing.
What does this actually mean?
BT.709 is a broadcast color space that uses RGB values of 16-235 (rather than 0-255 as per a still image). It is the standard colour space for HD footage.
The downside is that if not properly converted (i.e. converting 5D III footage to ProRes for editing) footage will be more susceptible to gamma issues with NLEs than the 5D mark II was. This will result in “crushed” blacks (dark areas without detail) and a darker gamma on a computer screen which uses a 0-255 color space. If transcoding with software other than the EOS-movie plugin (such as 5DToRGB) set the gamma to 1.22 to get the correct display of tones.

Basically so far Canon HDSLR’s did not conform to the BT.709 standard which is “recommended” for HD. While color spaces are mostly confusing and a cause of trouble for less broadcast experienced editors the fact that the 5D mark III now conforms to this standard makes it more easily acceptable for HD broadcasters.

Download the new EOS MOVIE Plugin-E1 V1.3 here: LINK
More info on REC.709/BT.709: Wikipedia

Last Chance: Adobe SWITCH promo ends Oct 31. (50% off CS 5.5)

While our backend is still messed up and the comments for new articles are disabled I’ll take the time to throw in a reminder for something that needs no comment: Adobe’s promo deal (whichs only purpose is to strengthen our will to switch to their system) will end in 2 and a half days.

The introduction of Final Cut Pro X has put a surprising end to the Final Cut Pro editing suite era as for many the term “Pro” doesn’t fit anymore.
We’ve talked about it, we’ve made fun of it and we’ve experienced it and many of us don’t like it.

Remember the Apple switch ads? Looks like something was fishy about Ellen Feiss after all! Well here we are either waiting for FCP11, sticking with FCP7 (in fear of its expiration date), going to Avid MC or switching (back) to good old Premiere Pro. This is what I decided to do. If the latter is also your pick you might want to consider Adobe’s promo which will give you 50% off on their Adobe Production Premium CS 5.5 and Premiere Pro CS 5.5 standalone products.

Here are the links and at the bottom you’ll find some Premiere video tutorials specifically made for FCP switchers.

To make use of this promotion:

Step 1: Use one of the links below for your country.
Step 2: Add the desired item(s) to the cart
Step 3: Click on Promotion Code and insert the word SWITCH into the field. Click Apply.

Adobe Production Premium CS5.5

USA Store_______________lll$849.50 instead of $1,699.00
Australia Store____________lA$1,420.00 (incl. GST) instead of A$2,840.00
UK Store_________________ll£905.40 (incl. VAT) instead of £1,810.80
Europe and rest of the worldabout 1.150,00€ (incl. VAT) instead of 2.300,00€
___________________________(If you use the EU link select your country and then choose the Production
___________________________Premium CS 5.5, it’s at the bottom right hand corner.)

Adobe Premiere Pro CS5.5

USA Store_______________lll$399.50 instead of $799.00
Australia Store____________lA$666.50 (incl. GST) instead of A$1,333.00
UK Store_________________ll£405.00 (incl. VAT) instead of £810.00
Europe and rest of the world about 515,00€ (incl. VAT) instead of 1.030,00€
___________________________(If you use the EU link select your country and then find Premiere Pro CS 5.5
___________________________under the Software tab.)

More…

50% off on Avid Media Composer (for FCP users only)

It looks like the Avid people thought what Adobe did last week was a good idea. Here’s another 50% off deal in response to the problematic start of Apple’s new Final Cut Pro X.

Excerpt from Avid press release:
In response to your feedback, we are extending the cross-grade to Media Composer – through September. Final Cut Pro (excluding FCP X) users can get Media Composer 5.5 at the promotional price of $995 USD.

What’s more, you’ll get free Avid Media Composer for Final Cut Pro Users online training from Class on Demand (a $100 USD value)

So the question for many of us is: Learn FCPX, learn Premiere CS or learn Avid MC? I haven’t decided yet, what’s your choice? Definitely a good idea to make this decision while the competition is hot.

Here’s how you can get Avid Media Composer 5.5 for $995 (or 800€):

– Go to the Avid Store, add item(s) to cart and checkout.
– Enter FCP serial number and email address in this form.
– Enter the discount code (you’ll receive it in your email) in Avid Store checkout.

Through other resellers Avid Media Composer 5.5 currently costs about $2000.

Offer expires September 30, 2011

50% off on Adobe CS 5.5 (for FCP users & everybody else too)

After a bumpy start for Final Cut Pro X two weeks ago many are considering a switch to Adobe Premiere due to the many missing pro features in FCPX.

Adobe now offers a price reduction of 50% on their Adobe Production Premium CS 5.5 and Premiere Pro CS 5.5 packages for all Final Cut Pro and Avid users (but in theory anyone could buy 50% off with the promo code).

[UPDATE:] User BrandonFreeman confirms that he was never asked for confirmation of ownership of FCP. Although Adobe officially says that it’s a promo for FCP and Avid users it looks like everybody else can use the 50% off promo code too. Nice!)

If you’ve been thinking about switching and you’ve been waiting for the right moment there’s probably no better chance than now.

To make use of this promotion:

Step 1: Use one of the links below for your country.
Step 2: Add the desired item(s) to the cart
Step 3: Click on Promotion Code and insert the word SWITCH into the field. Click Apply.

Adobe Production Premium CS5.5

USA Store_______________lll$849.50 instead of $1,699.00
Australia Store____________lA$1,420.00 (incl. GST) instead of A$2,840.00
UK Store_________________ll£905.40 (incl. VAT) instead of £1,810.80
Europe and rest of the worldabout 1.150,00€ (incl. VAT) instead of 2.300,00€
___________________________(If you use the EU link select your country and then choose the Production
___________________________Premium CS 5.5, it’s at the bottom right hand corner.)

Adobe Premiere Pro CS5.5

USA Store_______________lll$399.50 instead of $799.00
Australia Store____________lA$666.50 (incl. GST) instead of A$1,333.00
UK Store_________________ll£405.00 (incl. VAT) instead of £810.00
Europe and rest of the world about 515,00€ (incl. VAT) instead of 1.030,00€
___________________________(If you use the EU link select your country and then find Premiere Pro CS 5.5
___________________________under the Software tab.)

The promotion ends on September 30th 2011