Pinnacle Systems Inc. today announced that its CineWave product can provide real-time special effects when used with Final Cut Pro 2, the new version of the professional digital video editing software from Apple. CineWave is a QuickTime-based digital video product that was first introduced last October.
Pinnacle said that Power Mac G4 users working with standard uncompressed video can use CineWave and Final Cut Pro 2 to create motion graphics effects, dissolves and wipes in real-time. CineWave also said that users working in high definition would see their effects and transitions processing accelerated by using CineWave.
CineWave itself is comprised various hardware and software components, including Commotion Pro 3.1, which can be used to create effects for moving images; Knoll Light Factory, which creates light effects and lens flares, a full version of Final Cut Pro, and the Targa Cine Engine. Users can utilize a variety of video formats, including DV, DigiBeta, uncompressed 601, PAL, NTSC, 1080i, 1080p, 720p, 4:3, 16:9 and Web. The product also includes two “Digital Tether” ports to connect to breakout boxes for Standard Definition (SD) and High Definition (HD) output. The CineWave package is sold for US$6,500.
Final Cut Pro 2 is not yet available for Mac OS X, so for now, anyway, users will need to depend on a Power Mac G4 running Mac OS 9 to make use of Final Cut Pro 2 and CineWave. Pinnacle said that it’s worth with Apple to qualify the non-real-time version of CineWave with Final Cut Pro 2, as well — the release is scheduled for May 2001.
Pinnacle plans to demonstrate CineWave at next month’s NAB 2001 conference and trade show, which runs from April 23-26 in Las Vegas, Nev. If you’re planning on attending, look for them in booth L11327.