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Serious Magic


Serious Magic

 

Serious Magic, Inc. (now part of Adobe) was founded in early 2001 by a team of seasoned industry executives with a twelve-year track record that includes the Emmy award-winning Video Toaster. The company is passionately committed to fulfilling its mission - creating the next generation of visual communication tools. The name Serious Magic was inspired by Arthur C. Clarke's observation "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic."

camera setup

ULTRA



Chroma Key & Virtual Set Technology

 

We like this product!   Serious Magic's ULTRA is a chroma key and virtual set breakthrough that transforms chroma keying into an incredibly easy and practical tool for all types of video producers. Imagine being able to quickly create highly realistic background composites that are convincing in every detail, even from marginal video sources.

Additionally, ULTRA makes sophisticated 3D virtual sets simple and affordable. It includes a library of pre-rendered virtual sets and revolutionary features like virtual camera moves and video reflections within virtual scenes.

Key features include:-
  • Freedom - Use it in the field or studio with minimal set up. Great for full-body, talking-head and sit-down shots.
  • Quality - High-quality vector keying technology, works with uneven lighting, wrinkled backdrops and even frizzy hair.
  • Simplicity - The one-click Set Key feature allows fast set up. Better videos - less tweaking.
  • Master Sets 1 - Includes library of virtual sets with multiple angles, animations and even virtual camera tracking.
  • Compatibility - Reads and writes standard AVI or DV video clips from virtually any editing tool, from Avid to Adobe Premiere to Final Cut Pro.
Professional Results With Minimal Set-up

ULTRA now lets video producers use chroma keying in the field, including less-than ideal environments like client offices and on-location events. It's made possible by a new algorithm called Vector Keying, specifically designed to compensate for keying nightmares, such as uneven lighting, wrinkled backdrops and frizzy hair. From quick stand-ups to sit-down interviews, you can now do background replacement in less time than it takes to light one wall.

One-Click Key

ULTRA offers a One-Click Key feature for faster setup. Advanced controls, such as spill suppression, colour restoration and edge softening can also be applied to fine tune composites. ULTRA can even achieve complex keys featuring smoke, glass and liquids with minimal effort.

 

See ULTRA in action in this streaming video

 

Pre-Rendered Virtual Sets

ULTRA includes a Master Library of professional 3D virtual sets and animated backgrounds to dramatically enhance your productions while saving time and money. There are a wide range of broadcast-quality sets, from corporate and educational settings to cutting-edge newsrooms and futuristic studios.

Animations and Multiple Angles

Master Set Library's pre-rendered virtual sets include multiple angles, such as wide, medium, tight and alternate views. Whether you are shooting head-and-shoulder or full-body shots, the views are coordinated allowing one stationary camera to easily create the illusion of multiple cameras within spacious studio environments. Additionally, some sets are further enhanced with special effects, such as virtual camera fly-throughs and moving elements that interact with the environment. These work in conjunction with ULTRA's breakthrough VirtualTrak virtual camera technology to simulate realistic motion tracking within the scene using your existing stationary camera. 

Broadcast Quality Using DV

ULTRA can even deliver excellent results from the reduced color bandwidth of today's DV video sources. It also works on laptops so you can connect your DV camera and preview keyed output in real time.

ULTRA training DVDThe optional training DVD introduces you to the features of ULTRA and shows you how to best take advantage of them in a variety of production situations. From cleaning up edges to removing green and blue spill, each process is broken down into simple steps that you can master quickly.


ULTRA works alongside most NLE s/w, inc:-   Avid XpressDV   Adobe Premiere/Pro   Pinnacle Edition



DV Rack

(now included as a part of Premiere Pro,
and renamed as On Location)

Serious Magic's DV Rack is the first product that can prevent video disasters, let you shoot faster and help you get visibly better quality from your existing camera. It's powerful, shooting-assist software that runs on a Windows2000/XP PC (or laptop) connected to your DV camera. DV Rack puts ten essential monitoring, production and evaluation tools at your fingertips to let you instantly preview, record, review, and evaluate your shots.

Included With DV Rack:

  • Digital Video Recorder (DVR 1000)
  • Professional Field Monitor
  • DV WaveForm Monitor
  • Vectorscope
  • Automated Quality Monitor
  • Audio Spectrum Analyzer
  • Video Analyzer
  • DV Grabber
  • Timer/Clock Module
  • Sureshot Module

The DVR 1000 is a breakthrough in DV recording technology. It provides higher reliability than tape and the fastest clip review ever. Instead of wasting time searching and shuttling tape, now you can jump instantly to any part of any clip. Finally, you can be 100% confident you have the shot - while you're still at the shoot. The DVR 1000 works seamlessly, recording and stopping when your camera does. Using the automatic pre-buffer, it even starts recording before you do!

  • No digitizing! Clips are ready to edit in standard NLE software.
  • Use as a simultaneous backup or as a stand-alone recorder.
  • No delays for tape loading or shuttling.
  • User-selected DV formats for native compatibility with NLEs
  • Never miss a shot with "always recording" loop buffer.
  • Pre-buffer starts recording clips before you do.
  • Variable speed replay, slo-mo, fast forward, freeze, frame advance.
  • Slave mode records and stops when your camcorder does.
  • Add notes and log while you shoot.
  • Optional remote with record, play, review and quick jump buttons.
DV Waveform Monitor & Vectorscope

How white is that white? How saturated is the background? DV Rack's industry-standard monitoring functions show the direct DV signal input. This means you're able to monitor the actual post-compression signal as it will be recorded, something traditional monitors connected via composite or S-Video can't do.

  • Native DV monitoring shows post-compression signal.
  • Luma, Parade, Y-only, R-Y, B-Y modes.
  • Full screen or sweep-able line mode.
  • Gain, trace illumination, scale, and position.

 

 

 

The full, scrollable DV Rack interface
Video gear worth thousands, in a virtual rack

 

Watch the DV Rack streaming video


Item                                Note - all prices quoted on this site are UK pounds - ex VAT & delivery

Price

ULTRA-2 - (Master Sets 1 included) Now only available as part of Adobe's Production Premium CS3 bundle N/A
Upgrade to ULTRA-2 from v1 N/A
Master Sets 1 - the 12 original virtual sets (inc Talk Show, Museum, Wedding Cake) N/A
Master Sets 2 - additional virtual sets (inc Awards Show, Space Station & World News) N/A
Master Sets 3 - additional virtual sets (inc Corporate Campus, Loft Office & Talk Show) N/A
Master Sets 4 - additional virtual sets N/A
MasterSuite  Virtual Set Suite N/A
DV Rack 2 - DV/HDV monitoring & recording software  Re-named On-Location and bundled with Premiere CS3 N/A
Upgrade from  DV Rack v1 to v2 N/A

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All rights reserved. E&OE
Revised: 23 November, 2011