The DC user group meeting on January 31st started out with the usual networking, food and beverages. The meeting was held at Mobile Video Services, LTD. Founded in 1977, Mobile Video has produced thousands of hours of the best in broadcast television news and multi-media production services for more than a thousand clients.
Attendees had the opportunity to walk around and view the impressive facility. There was also a "guided" tour of the rooftop studio where there is an awesome view of the White House. Larry Vanderveen, President of Mobile Video welcomed everyone, Bruce Dixon, President of DCAUG, briefly addressed the group, and then Sony gave a nearly 2 hour presentation. The first half was explaining the XDCAM system and all the different pieces of equipment, and file formats. The second half was editing with XDCAM media and an Avid editing workflow. Sony was very complementary of the Avid Media Composer for its integration of nearly all the XDCAM features. (metadata, proxy files, relinking to hi or low res files, capture good shots only, etc.)
Following the presentation there was some Q & A with a number of excellent questions being asked. Finishing up the evening was the raffle. Sony gave away PlayStation Portable. PSP is a handheld device that let's you play games and watch movies. Some avid swag was raffled off and then the big prize, The Avid Media Composer software.