Adobe
OnLocation CS3 is a brand new program introduced
into the Adobe CS3 Production Premium suite, it was
originally named DV Rack formerly developed by
Serious Magic the original developers of this
professional application.
The first thing you notice when opening up this program, is that it looks nothing like the other applications that Adobe develops, in fact you would not know that it was an Adobe product at all. It seems to have no standard windows interface, rather a montage of visual racks, controllers and monitors which can be turned on or off, basically by right clicking in the GUI, you can then see the options that are available. However there is a command bar at the top of the GUI, which is the only thing that is reminiscent to the windows interface. For those experienced with this sort of equipment then their is no problem in getting used to the application, however for most who are reliant on the standard workspace we are all accustomed to, then this might present a challenge, but hey challenge’s are meant to be overcome right ?
I have to confess that I am no expert in this field, however I found the help files and videos very helpful and was able to apply their instructions, with no problems at all, And I certainly would recommend this for those of us that have experience and are willing to learn.
What Is Adobe OnLocation CS3 ?
Simply put its a unique application with a comprehensive set of studio-monitoring tools and a built-in hard disk recorder, it enables you to control the quality of video being captured straight to your windows laptop, for immediate editing in your favourite application, definitely recommended for Adobe Premiere Pro, which is a companion tool in the CS3 Production Premium suite.
How it Works
When you have set your camera up, the next thing to do is to hook up your camera to the firewire connection on your portable computer. The next step is to calibrate your camera for the best possible quality in any environment. The SureShot camera setup module takes you through a simple four-step process. SureShot works automatically, using custom calibration charts on the camera setup cards included with Adobe OnLocation.
The primary component is the Field Monitor, which can be set to 4:3, 16:9 or 720p. This is where you'll be able to preview its output - either the live stream in camera mode or whatever's being played back from VTR mode, although there's no remote control over the latter. There are full instructions on how to use the colour bars to adjust the Field Monitor, so it provides a more accurate view of what your camcorder is recording than its own LCD. Adobe has tutorials on this via their own website or on the tutorial disc that comes with the CS3 suite.
Useful Features
The DVR has lots of useful features. Apart from being able to immediately review your recordings without having to forward and rewind, it can record DV timecode. This is compatible with Adobe Premiere Pro, but also Apple’s Final Cut Pro if you record in QuickTime MOV format.
To give a better overview of it’s capabilities here is a run-down of its features :
Direct-to-disk recording from DV and HDV cameras
Adobe OnLocation CS3 includes a Digital Video Recorder (DVR) that allows you to bypass tape completely during shooting. Connect your camera to your laptop and start recording directly to hard disk. By eliminating the capture step, you can review footage instantly, import into the Adobe Premiere Pro project window, and start editing immediately. Amaze your clients with fast turnaround of same-day edits at events. On set, instant review of footage helps you ensure that every shot is good.
Flexible recording options
Adobe OnLocation CS3 records content to internal and external hard drives using simple controls that are similar to a VTR or your camera. Name recorded clips individually, or set up global names (for example, Take 01) for automatic naming. No more limits imposed by tapes or expensive memory cards — recording time is limited only by hard-drive space. A single two-hour event can be recorded to a single clip.
Pre-Record Buffer
Never miss the beginning of an event again. The Pre-Record Buffer means that before you hit Record, Adobe OnLocation CS3 is recording from your camera and saving up to 30 seconds of action that will be added to the start of the recorded content. This helps ensure that you always get the shot.
Time-lapse recording
Record a single frame at regular time intervals to make it appear as if time is moving faster than it is. Easily convey the passing of time by recording variant cloudscape motion, crowd movement, or traffic flow, or use similar editorial techniques.
Stop-motion animation recording
Make static objects come to life using stop-motion recording. This feature allows you to easily record static objects one frame at a time. Once finished, output to a single animation AVI file.
Pauses during recording
Pause in the middle of a recording without creating a new clip. This is especially useful when recording interviews, such as legal depositions.
Storyboard creation
Save high-resolution video stills direct from live video or DVR clips. It's ideal for grabbing reference frames for client approval or for storyboards. Capture images to standard JPEG, BMP, or PNG format. Save images to a file, the Windows clipboard, or directly to the DVR.
Motion-activated recording
Automatically start recording when motion is detected in a shot — the perfect solution for security surveillance and nature shoots.
Accurate timing
The ShotClock timer/clock module features a stopwatch/event timer that counts up or down in video frames. It features a high-visibility time-of-day production clock that can be automatically calibrated to the atomic clock at the U.S. Naval Observatory when connected to the Internet.
Image flipping
When using special 35mm lens adapters, such as the Redrock M2, flip the image in the field monitor horizontally or vertically so you can correctly review your footage.
Professional on-set monitoring
Digital field monitor
Adobe OnLocation CS3 includes an all-digital field monitor for use during setup and recording on set and on location. The field monitor accepts direct DV and HDV input, displaying the actual post-compression image as it's being recorded. The monitor provides comprehensive monitoring of video images using features that are similar to those found on high-end broadcast field monitors. In addition, it provides unique features for freezing, zooming, and comparing video content. Features include:
Lighting adjustments
Instantly see if your shot is too bright or too dark and make camera setting or lighting adjustments to correct the problem. The waveform monitor measures the brightness of the video signal and displays it numerically. Get better results when compositing and doing greenscreen work. The RGB waveform monitor shows individual color components of your video, allowing you to adjust color precisely.
Consistent color balance
Use the vectorscope to maintain color balance in your content by measuring chrominance and signal strength. Maintain consistency in skin tones when lighting changes between shots. Ensure that colors match across cameras when shooting for multicam editing.
Camera calibration
Calibrate your camera for the best possible quality in any environment. The SureShot camera setup module walks you through a simple four-step, wizard-like process — you don't need to know anything about waveforms or traditional scopes. SureShot works automatically, using custom calibration charts on the camera setup cards included with Adobe OnLocation.
Accurate color
The Spectra 60 is a next-generation scope that bridges the gap between print/painting applications and live video. The Spectra 60 displays the numeric color value of any pixel in your video signal. This is extremely useful for comparing color values between, say, a printed logo done in Adobe Photoshop® and the logo on the wall behind a CEO being interviewed. The Spectra 60 can show color in RGB, HSV, or even CMYK color space, making it easy to compare values with any type of graphic or print ad.
Optimized audio setup
Achieve better microphone placement, recognize imperceptible background noise, and compare audio volume from one take to the next. The audio spectrum analyzer shows the volume and frequencies of your audio signal and indicates audio problems visually. Use this information to save your shoot and eliminate wasted time fixing bad audio in post production.
Scene continuity
Ensure that all aspects of continuity — color, lighting and audio, and more — match from one scene to the next using the full complement of shooting tools in Adobe OnLocation. Use the field monitor in Split Screen and/or Onion Skin mode to compare one clip to another and catch wandering microphones or changes in camera framing, brightness, and more. The waveform monitors and vectorscope also work in Split Screen mode, so even subtle differences in color or brightness can be detected and corrected with ease.
In Conclusion
Adobe has introduced an excellent and valuable tool into this video editing and presentation suite, it has some excellent advantages which include direct-to-disk recording, the ability to control the quality of captured footage, the variety of formats that can be used, its a much better alternative than using the LCD of your camcorder or video camera. On the other hand it could be better improved in the way it is presented within the application, but for now there are some very helpful tools provided by Adobe to assist the learning process, and I know that they will take on board any constructive criticism expressed by its professional users to improve its workability. It opens a new dimension for video editors in improving the quality and workflow, it enables them to concentrate on the art of filming without spending unnecessary time capturing from their cameras to their workstations, a simple four step process is all it takes for them to get the best possible quality which will supersede any footage taken directly from the video camera.
The first thing you notice when opening up this program, is that it looks nothing like the other applications that Adobe develops, in fact you would not know that it was an Adobe product at all. It seems to have no standard windows interface, rather a montage of visual racks, controllers and monitors which can be turned on or off, basically by right clicking in the GUI, you can then see the options that are available. However there is a command bar at the top of the GUI, which is the only thing that is reminiscent to the windows interface. For those experienced with this sort of equipment then their is no problem in getting used to the application, however for most who are reliant on the standard workspace we are all accustomed to, then this might present a challenge, but hey challenge’s are meant to be overcome right ?
I have to confess that I am no expert in this field, however I found the help files and videos very helpful and was able to apply their instructions, with no problems at all, And I certainly would recommend this for those of us that have experience and are willing to learn.
What Is Adobe OnLocation CS3 ?
Simply put its a unique application with a comprehensive set of studio-monitoring tools and a built-in hard disk recorder, it enables you to control the quality of video being captured straight to your windows laptop, for immediate editing in your favourite application, definitely recommended for Adobe Premiere Pro, which is a companion tool in the CS3 Production Premium suite.
How it Works
When you have set your camera up, the next thing to do is to hook up your camera to the firewire connection on your portable computer. The next step is to calibrate your camera for the best possible quality in any environment. The SureShot camera setup module takes you through a simple four-step process. SureShot works automatically, using custom calibration charts on the camera setup cards included with Adobe OnLocation.
The primary component is the Field Monitor, which can be set to 4:3, 16:9 or 720p. This is where you'll be able to preview its output - either the live stream in camera mode or whatever's being played back from VTR mode, although there's no remote control over the latter. There are full instructions on how to use the colour bars to adjust the Field Monitor, so it provides a more accurate view of what your camcorder is recording than its own LCD. Adobe has tutorials on this via their own website or on the tutorial disc that comes with the CS3 suite.
Useful Features
The DVR has lots of useful features. Apart from being able to immediately review your recordings without having to forward and rewind, it can record DV timecode. This is compatible with Adobe Premiere Pro, but also Apple’s Final Cut Pro if you record in QuickTime MOV format.
To give a better overview of it’s capabilities here is a run-down of its features :
Direct-to-disk recording from DV and HDV cameras
Adobe OnLocation CS3 includes a Digital Video Recorder (DVR) that allows you to bypass tape completely during shooting. Connect your camera to your laptop and start recording directly to hard disk. By eliminating the capture step, you can review footage instantly, import into the Adobe Premiere Pro project window, and start editing immediately. Amaze your clients with fast turnaround of same-day edits at events. On set, instant review of footage helps you ensure that every shot is good.
Flexible recording options
Adobe OnLocation CS3 records content to internal and external hard drives using simple controls that are similar to a VTR or your camera. Name recorded clips individually, or set up global names (for example, Take 01) for automatic naming. No more limits imposed by tapes or expensive memory cards — recording time is limited only by hard-drive space. A single two-hour event can be recorded to a single clip.
Pre-Record Buffer
Never miss the beginning of an event again. The Pre-Record Buffer means that before you hit Record, Adobe OnLocation CS3 is recording from your camera and saving up to 30 seconds of action that will be added to the start of the recorded content. This helps ensure that you always get the shot.
Time-lapse recording
Record a single frame at regular time intervals to make it appear as if time is moving faster than it is. Easily convey the passing of time by recording variant cloudscape motion, crowd movement, or traffic flow, or use similar editorial techniques.
Stop-motion animation recording
Make static objects come to life using stop-motion recording. This feature allows you to easily record static objects one frame at a time. Once finished, output to a single animation AVI file.
Pauses during recording
Pause in the middle of a recording without creating a new clip. This is especially useful when recording interviews, such as legal depositions.
Storyboard creation
Save high-resolution video stills direct from live video or DVR clips. It's ideal for grabbing reference frames for client approval or for storyboards. Capture images to standard JPEG, BMP, or PNG format. Save images to a file, the Windows clipboard, or directly to the DVR.
Motion-activated recording
Automatically start recording when motion is detected in a shot — the perfect solution for security surveillance and nature shoots.
Accurate timing
The ShotClock timer/clock module features a stopwatch/event timer that counts up or down in video frames. It features a high-visibility time-of-day production clock that can be automatically calibrated to the atomic clock at the U.S. Naval Observatory when connected to the Internet.
Image flipping
When using special 35mm lens adapters, such as the Redrock M2, flip the image in the field monitor horizontally or vertically so you can correctly review your footage.
Professional on-set monitoring
Digital field monitor
Adobe OnLocation CS3 includes an all-digital field monitor for use during setup and recording on set and on location. The field monitor accepts direct DV and HDV input, displaying the actual post-compression image as it's being recorded. The monitor provides comprehensive monitoring of video images using features that are similar to those found on high-end broadcast field monitors. In addition, it provides unique features for freezing, zooming, and comparing video content. Features include:
Lighting adjustments
Instantly see if your shot is too bright or too dark and make camera setting or lighting adjustments to correct the problem. The waveform monitor measures the brightness of the video signal and displays it numerically. Get better results when compositing and doing greenscreen work. The RGB waveform monitor shows individual color components of your video, allowing you to adjust color precisely.
Consistent color balance
Use the vectorscope to maintain color balance in your content by measuring chrominance and signal strength. Maintain consistency in skin tones when lighting changes between shots. Ensure that colors match across cameras when shooting for multicam editing.
Camera calibration
Calibrate your camera for the best possible quality in any environment. The SureShot camera setup module walks you through a simple four-step, wizard-like process — you don't need to know anything about waveforms or traditional scopes. SureShot works automatically, using custom calibration charts on the camera setup cards included with Adobe OnLocation.
Accurate color
The Spectra 60 is a next-generation scope that bridges the gap between print/painting applications and live video. The Spectra 60 displays the numeric color value of any pixel in your video signal. This is extremely useful for comparing color values between, say, a printed logo done in Adobe Photoshop® and the logo on the wall behind a CEO being interviewed. The Spectra 60 can show color in RGB, HSV, or even CMYK color space, making it easy to compare values with any type of graphic or print ad.
Optimized audio setup
Achieve better microphone placement, recognize imperceptible background noise, and compare audio volume from one take to the next. The audio spectrum analyzer shows the volume and frequencies of your audio signal and indicates audio problems visually. Use this information to save your shoot and eliminate wasted time fixing bad audio in post production.
Scene continuity
Ensure that all aspects of continuity — color, lighting and audio, and more — match from one scene to the next using the full complement of shooting tools in Adobe OnLocation. Use the field monitor in Split Screen and/or Onion Skin mode to compare one clip to another and catch wandering microphones or changes in camera framing, brightness, and more. The waveform monitors and vectorscope also work in Split Screen mode, so even subtle differences in color or brightness can be detected and corrected with ease.
In Conclusion
Adobe has introduced an excellent and valuable tool into this video editing and presentation suite, it has some excellent advantages which include direct-to-disk recording, the ability to control the quality of captured footage, the variety of formats that can be used, its a much better alternative than using the LCD of your camcorder or video camera. On the other hand it could be better improved in the way it is presented within the application, but for now there are some very helpful tools provided by Adobe to assist the learning process, and I know that they will take on board any constructive criticism expressed by its professional users to improve its workability. It opens a new dimension for video editors in improving the quality and workflow, it enables them to concentrate on the art of filming without spending unnecessary time capturing from their cameras to their workstations, a simple four step process is all it takes for them to get the best possible quality which will supersede any footage taken directly from the video camera.
Adobe OnLocation CS3 Software Review