Focus
Enhancements Inc., maker of media management and digital audio
technology, has announced a new firmware upgrade for its FS-5 DTE recorder. The Version 2.0 upgrade will add several new
features, including the ability to create MPEG-4 files
post-recording for playback on the FS-5’s color LCD for field proxy
preview. The MPEG-4 clips can be transferred to a host computer
or to a video-sharing Web site for collaboration, or distributed to
mobile portable media devices, such as Smartphones, for preview.
Clip thumbnails and descriptive details can be displayed on both the FS-5’s color LCD or as a Web page when FS-5 is connected via a wired or wireless network. Version 2.0 includes the ability to wirelessly log clip metadata during recordings in a format compatible with Avid non-linear editing systems and offers enhanced control and metadata-logging capabilities for multiple camera shoots.
FS-5’s new proxy generation feature enables the user to create low-bandwidth MPEG-4 proxies of DV and HDV content after a recording is complete. Once a proxy has been created, it can be previewed on the FS-5 LCD, and audio can be monitored via an optional wired USB headset. Proxy clips are stored on the FS-5 disk drive and can be transferred to a computer for viewing or easy distribution to other compatible devices.
While recording, metadata can be logged to clips in NLE native formats using the FS-5’s wireless network interface on any WiFi-capable device. Metadata specific to the recorded content can then be viewed in compatible NLE systems. Version 2.0 also adds the ability to link multiple FS-5 units together and add the same metadata to all units simultaneously. It is now possible to sync multiple units together via WiFi and simultaneously control all units from a single Web interface, as well as sync timecode across all units.
FS-5 version 2.0 is expected to be available in May 2009 and will be pre-loaded on all FS-5 units from that date forward. Version 2.0 will also be made available as a free upgrade to all customers who purchase their FS-5, from a Focus authorized reseller and register it, between January 1, 2009 and June 30, 2009. For people who purchased an FS-5 from a Focus authorized reseller and registered it with Focus Enhancements before December 31, 2008, Version 2.0 will be made available for $39.