New TriCasters Ship

Press Release

NewTek's doing pretty good at hitting their Ship Dates:

TriCaster Broadcast May 1 On Time
Updated TriCaster Studio May 8 Four days Late
Updated TriCaster Pro May 15 Two Days Early
Updated TriCaster 100 May 22 Nine Days Early
TriCaster 2.0 Upgrade May 29

I'd've bet against this happening. I may have to retire the "NewTek Time" jokes. Go NewTek Go!

Another Streaming User of TriCaster

LagTV Network

If XBox gaming is your thing this looks like the place.

Video Production Curriculum

As I posted before I've started a forum to discuss an open sources style Video Production Curriculum. A big part of Digital Art's business is high schools and there are very few resources for high school teachers out there for production courses. I'm not in a position to conjure a curriculum up from scratch but if I can get everyone who is teaching video production to contribute just a little we can put something together that many will find useful.

So please pop over to http://curriculum.digarts.com and jump in. It's hard to get a new forum up and running so sign up for an account and help me out.

A Bunch of TriCaster Reviews

Here are a bunch of TriCaster reviews I've collected. After reading through all of them what strikes me is the way NewTek has addressed issues that the various reviewers brought up. From removing the vestigial windows audio connectors on the front of the original TriCaster to additional features in successive models and the upcoming TriCaster 2.0 upgrade.

StreamingMedia
In the grand scheme of things, I really have nothing but good things to say about the TriCaster. It’s a neat little box with a ton of functionality. The price is staggering, given that the only box that comes close, the Anycaster from Sony, is priced at $20K. If you’re looking for a compact system to produce live broadcasts, you should definitely consider the TriCaster.

ExtremeTech
We'd like to see an unbundled version that provides the software and the video-processing board—with external output connectors—so we could build our own TriCaster.

Maybe someone should tell them about the VT!

Digital Content Producer
When NewTek introduced one of the first digital video devices way back in the late 1980s, it started on the road to creating a cost-effective solution that would include the three most important aspects of professional video and television production. With the TriCaster, NewTek has reached that destination. Having been around the DV block, I'm not easily impressed. But I was blown away by what TriCaster brings to the video creation table. If you had to price it out, it costs maybe a quarter of what it would cost to purchase each piece of production equipment separately.

EventDV
NewTek's TriCaster Pro builds on the solid base of the initial TriCaster but adds features that make it worthy of use in a professional environment. The $6,995 price point positions the product in the very low-end price range of professional equipment, but the features-like those of its Toaster ancestor-rival mid-range professional products. Thus, the TriCaster Pro helps re-establish NewTek as a company whose innovations will once again push the boundaries of what a new generation of event videographers will be able to provide for their customers.

Anthony Coppedge
NewTek has created what may very well be the ultimate solution for churches needing a lot of power with a little price tag. At a suggested retail price of $4,995 the TriCaster suddenly opens the door of video production to the majority of churches.

Videography
It should take you just seconds to learn the switcher software--you won't have to read the thin manual, which is a real plus--and you'll be able to deliver great looking switching between live shots without needing external genlock, black burst or a sync pulse. You can change the parameters of your cameras to suit your situation easily.

VideoMaker
The TriCaster STUDIO is truly an amazing production tool. Beyond having features no other turnkey system can match, it also appears built to take the rigors of the road. All front panel connections feel solid and the two metal handles on the front also protect the protruding BNC connectors from a careless whack or bump.

StudioDaily
...there is a lot to like in the TriCaster STUDIO. Capabilities like this would have cost over a million dollars 10 years ago, and some, like virtual sets and live Internet streaming, barely existed at all. If you are willing to take the time to learn the ins and outs, there is enormous power and potential in the TriCaster STUDIO.

DigitalMedia.net
At $9,995 (USD), the TriCaster STUDIO is quite affordable for those who would regularly spend upwards of $500,000 outfitting a studio and truck, if not $1 million. I'd recommend getting two or three for multiple projects and broadcasts; for the little guy, like a production company or wedding/event videographer, one STUDIO will help speed up your output, along with the potential for new revenue streams.

I alway recommend buying several TriCasters - take two there small!

EventDV
In the grand scheme of things, I really have nothing but good things to say about the TriCaster. It's a neat little box with a ton of functionality. The price is staggering, given that the only box that comes close, the Anycaster from Sony, is priced at $20K. If you're looking for a compact system to produce live broadcasts, you should definitely consider the TriCaster.

ChurchProduction
TriCaster Pro is a great live production switcher that has been recognized as such by the industry. It is an easy to use device, ideal for the church, and very affordable (list price of $6,995), considering all of its professional features.

PlanetDV Education
NewTek earned an Emmy in 1993 for its Amiga-based Video Toaster. Like the Video Toaster, TriCaster uses readily available computer technology to drastically lower the cost of video production. That opens new creative possibilities for many more organizations than before. The TriCaster is powerful, inexpensive and easy to use...

DigitalMedia.net
he worst thing about doing a multi-camera live switched remote program is the enormous amount of gear that you have to take along. TriCaster, the latest technology tool from NewTek, takes all the gear and squeezes it into a little tiny box. Capture, edit, and broadcast live, TriCaster promises to fulfill the needs of a live truck.

TriCaster 2.0 Upgrade FAQ

TriCaster 2.0 Upgrade FAQ as promised

Highlights:

* Flash Streaming and archiving (except for TriCaster)
* Windows Media Push streaming in TriCaster
* LiveSet live virtual sets added to TriCaster PRO
* MPEG-2 recording of live productions
* Full-featured Character Generator to easily create custom Title Templates
* LiveText compatible for external title operation
* LiveControl LC-11 compatibility for TriCaster STUDIO & BROADCAST
* TimeWarp compatibility for a dedicated replay operator
* DataLink compatibility for real-time title updates
* Live support for 16:9 and 4:3 video
* TriCaster interface supports wide-screen LCD panels, and more

Current TV

This is a review I previously published on a different blog but it's no longer available so I'm re-publishing it here:

I'm sitting here with a political conundrum, I was browsing through the channel listing on my Dish Network PVR and ran across a new channel called Current TV. Turns out this is the TV project that Al Gore announced a while back. The channel is cool, really cool, but I have a problem endorsing anything that Al Gore is involved in but I'm going to make an exception for Current TV.

Current's programming is all user created, now when I hear that phrase I think ugly YouTube videos but that's not the case here. Current users vote on the content that makes it on-air which seems to keep the poorly produced stuff away. The basic unit of programming is a “Pod”, short (one to ten minute) documentary videos interspersed with user created commercials, short news pieces, music reviews and other stuff.

Current even pays for the content they use, Pods start at $500 while commercials pay $1000 or even more if the advertiser chooses to reuse the ad elsewhere. Recent commercial assignments included Toyota Camry, Mountain Dew and Pop Secret.

I found the programming to be compelling and well produced, graphically current is tastefully modern looking and the 'shaky camera MTV look' appears to be thankfully passe. The web site is pretty and easy to navigate and contains all the info you need to produce your own pods, including various release forms you'll need in order to get things on air. Current enforces the legalities involved in broadcasting vigorously including model releases and clearing music and other copyrighted material. They have partnered with Several companies to provide pre-cleared music clips for producers to use so all is not lost for those not of the composing bent.

The forums on the web site are a place where producers can discuss various aspects of production, meet up with potential collaborators and critique each other's work. The discussions are wide ranging, serious but friendly and newbies look to be treated with respect.

I'm pretty jazzed about Current TV this is a great outlet for the short subject producer where they can get their work seen and maybe even pick up a little cash. You should check it out, Current is available on major cable systems (Comcast channel 107), (AT&T U-verse channel 189) and both Direct TV (Channel 366) and Dish Network (Channel 196). And much of the content is available online if you can't get it otherwise.

Current TV

Ship Dates

Subject to change!

TriCaster Broadcast May 1
Updated TriCaster Studio May 8
Updated TriCaster Pro May 15
Updated TriCaster 100 May 22
TriCaster 2.0 Upgrade May 29