ikan News Blog

With most of the information available regarding the D7 covered in the post previous, this post is more dedicated to our other monitors coming out with some images to boot. However, I am going to sprinkle in some D7W photos because I can’t stop looking at them!

With regards to the D5, our newest and smallest all-digital monitor, much of the same specs and abilities found in the D7 are present, with a smaller form factor. Lightweight and still packed with features, the D5 is another example of ikan’s desire to set a new standard with our flagship monitors at competitive prices.

Below are  a few shots of the D5 and VH8. Application photos coming in the near future. For a closer look, be sure to stop by our booth at #c10637 at #NAB2012.

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VH8 Specifications are still being finalized, but this is what to expect in this super slim wide-panel:

• high brightness 1600 x 768 LCD panel
• 
Pixel Data Analysis (IRE the color charts)
• HDMI input and output without signal loss
• 1 composite input
stereo headphones
• 4-capacitive sensing “F” button
• False Color – Adjustable Under Luminance & Over Luminance Warning (only HDMI)
• Clip Guide – Adjustable Threshold (similar to the zebra crossing function) (only HDMI)
• Peaking – (red outline)
DSLR Scaling (only HDMI)
underscan
Movable Pixel to Pixel
• Guides (4: 3 & 16:9 Framing Safe Area)
• Check Field (blue, red, green, mono)
• H / V-line field delay
• aspect ratio (16:9 / 4:3)
• 2 1/4 “-20 mounting holes
• Adjustable 
RGB
• Tint
• 
480 i/p; 576 i/p; 720 p 50hz, 60hz; 1080 i/p 24hz, 25hz, 30hz, 50hz, 60hz, 24hzsf, 25hzsf

Get the idea yet? For $499 that’s a pretty big steal. If you think you’re going to get ripped off taking advantage of some NAB special purchasing this, I promise you–there are not only worse deals, but the customer service you’ll receive for any concern is top-notch and still getting better. Did I mention that there will be a Vk5 for an even lower price ($399).

Oh, and some more D7W images, highlighting the plush features. Couldn’t help it. Want to spoil you.

Let me know your comments and thoughts. Cheers! More updates on new products to come before NAB 2012.

I had the chance to taste the digital-only panels we’re going to demo at NAB this year and I think you’ll like the results.

Starting with the aptly named D7, it’s a 7″ IPS-based panel viewing in 1280×800 resolution (true 720p). Moving forward, the D series of monitors from ikan (the D5, D7, D7W and D9) will be our new flagship line as we phase out our VX series of HDMI & SDI monitors (though we will still support you). By placing this technology in our latest monitors, we hope to stay on the cutting edge of on-camera monitor options and give our users something worth creaming about.

If you’re not savvy with this newer panel technology, start learning. There’s been some good argument to say that these puppies will stick around for at least a few years: with extremely wide viewing angles, IPS panels keep blacks crushed with consistent color, vivid images and clean contrast. More mainstream companies such as Dell (their UltraSharp series of flatscreens) and Apple (with their LED Cinema Displays) have switched over and started offering these monitors for gaming or video towers, aside from putting them into more snazzy laptops.

We’ve tested this with mostly Canon cameras (c300, 5dII, xf305 and more) in a variety of modes, also. Check the details below for supported formats.

For the moment, though, here are some pictures for you, thus followed by tech specs of the D7 & D7W (and the dolla bills). Note that in the production model will have a black anodized aluminum body with etched labels–something we’ve received flack for in the past. Hopefully this adds to the sexy and sturdy mentality that all fanboys crave.

Official Tech  Specs (why do I feel like I am putting my foot in my mouth when I say “official?”  This section is updated to the “Offiicial Specs” that we are running with at NAB2012):

• 1280 x 800 IPS panel
• Aluminum case with 4 reinforced 1/4 20tpi threads
• HDMI loopthru / 3G SDI loopthru
• Peaking
• False Color
• Pixel to Pixel
• Supported Inputs: 1080p 24, 25, 30, 50, 60p / 720p 50p, 60p
• 4 adjustable function buttons and scrolling menu wheel
• list price =  $1099.99
• upgrade hardware for $300 to include Waveform, Vectorscope, and RGB Parade

We will also have an upgrade path from the D7 to our D7w (coming soon). The D7w will list for $1299.99–If you decide to get the D7 and upgrade later, you can trade in and pay the difference. Additional features on the D7w will include:

1. Vectorscope
2. Waveform
3. RGB Parade

If those stills suit your fancy, I’d say keep your eyes peeled in the coming month or two for a production model.

We will have these panels at our NAB booth #c10637 so stop on by for a demo.

More on upcoming monitors soon…

For those of you who’ve been interested (or dogged us) for Kelvin rating and luminosity output for our Studio LED lights–the ID400, ID500, ID1000, Multi-K XL–and haven’t been able to get the answers you need from our product videos, I’ve updated some detailed charts for you. We recently collated our in-house testing data for your education and disclosure (in case you thought we were hiding something We also ran the gamut with our On-Camera LED lights, to make sure all bases are covered.

I share this information with you for a few specific reasons. For any confusion about flourescent-to-LED conversions in your studio or lighting kit, you should realize how LED panels need to be used to achieve maximum results–and not be disappointed by spending x cash and feeling burned. Also, based on the current technology, any company that claims numbers significantly different from these that follow, I recommend, proceed with caution. You may be surprised when you set up for your first shoot if you rely on some outstanding numbers.

Also, if you’re interested in reading or watching reviews, usage shots, etc. regarding our LED panels, our customers have been reviewing via video, flickr, or tweets with satisfied results. Start HERE.

Now, let’s get down and dirty with the deets:

For this experiment we used:

• BK Precision 615 for the lux rating (as it gives conservative, consistent results)
• Sekonic c-500 for the color temperature ratings (because we are not cheapskates when it comes to hardcore tests).

More product info on the:

• ID400
• ID500
• ID1000
• Multi-K XL

If you have any more questions, feel free to email support@ikancorp.com or leave us a comment. Also, feel free to share this information with your friends, tweet it, and link it as you feel useful or necessary.

As we’re knocking walls down in the office, ushering growth and other positive hoopla here at ikan, I came to realize that our product news has been pretty jumbled in the last couple weeks (between new video releases, products, newsletters, etc.) so I’ve decided to re-cap and serve you an ikan snack of the day.

I’ve been doing some work on the blog, too. At the bottom right of the main page you’ll find our videos are updating from vimeo now, as well as a more functional twitter feed and a likebox to show you who of your friends likes the ikan brand. Sidenote: If you find a broken link, be sure to let me know and it’ll get fixed right away–I think I’ve covered most of those so far but we’ll see.

Shall we dance?

The T-Slate is ikan’s most recent product–designed for the people who use slates for their most used purpose–syncing audio. It’s a great companion to have on set when you run your slate data on an iPad or android slate but want the reliability of a physical clapperboard.

vimeo.com/32277568

It’s worth noting that regardless of future technologies, the form factors of tablets will stay similar, ensuring that whatever you upgrade to, the slate will always be a good companion. Also, there has been some discussion about the flaws of strictly relying on something like an iPad Slate on The Black and Blue blog with Evan Luzi. For example, “what if the battery dies?” Oh…right. Good point. There’s always the idea of having multiple ipads or some off-brand usb charger velcroed to the back of the ipad, but what are you trying to prove? The T-Slate provides a simple solution while having a quality slate to fall back on, with engraved letters and a slit to support nearly any style tablet cover.

ikan’s new Video Starter Kit is ideal for the entry DSLR enthusiast interested in shooting video on more serious terms. Young, old, interested in making the step toward being a professional or just upping the game on your personal work, the VSK offers a variety pack to really bring your camera work to lightspeed.

vimeo.com/32272629

Included in the kit is our new slim VL5 HDMI Monitor w/ battery support out of the box, our rugged and durable ikan Traveler backpack, a RECOIL camera rig, the compact & powerful iLED 120 camera light, and more. at $699 it’s a steal!

Next on the list, ikan has stepped up to the plate to bring you all the gels you need to tint your LED or flourescent lights.
With our Essentials and Creative packs, you can achieve any color temperature as well as some so-cool-its-sheisty lighting effects you don’t have to perform in post.

Also, we’ve created packs to fit our iLED 312or iLED 144 to boot–offering complete and nearly unlimited lighting options. For a complete listing of our new gel kits, new lesson about gels and lighting diffusion. If you haven’t seen their Video School videos yet, they’re pretty simple yet savvy and spice it up with some occasional wit. Definitely worth checking out.

Other videos have come out on vimeo page lately, including the ID500 3 point kit, the Multi-K XL, ID1000 3 point kit, and the New PT2500–which has an upgrade kit for you previous PT2100 and PT1000 users.

November is a funny time for many, as it marks the end of fall with the cooler weather rolling in with many of the first real snows. The impending winter means spending time indoors, seeking refuge from the cold and experiencing that slow-down and stillness to life, where leaving the bed is akin to blasphemy. For us in Houston, though, it’s really the first full month where we won’t see temperatures in the 90’s (finally). For ikan, it means we start looking forward to the spring releases for NAB. It’s a time for industry–scheduling production of new products and putting the final pieces together.

Today, there were several last-minute meetings with the software division where we finalized the features of new products. Last year @NABShow, we demoed a product suite concept designed to aid the production community’s workflow. Since all these apps work together (they talk), it has been a challenge to develop them concurrently; fortunately, we are finally nearing the release of the first of the suite! One key thing changed since then–based on customer feedback, we switched the priority of release from android apps to iOS apps. Over the next few months, you’ll notice several new apps rolling out. Since last week’s concept meeting, they’ve put the finishing touches on them–all i can say is WOW! They have really put some innovative usage and tools in the software –stuff I haven’t seen in any other apps like them in the market. I can’t wait for the other application to mature. We really think you’re going to like the way the pieces fit together (literally and figuratively)!

Ikan works hard about innovating new products and sometimes its easy for us to forget around here some of the things we have innovated in the last few years. We were the first to come out with a high quality 5.6 LCD with HDMI. at NAB 2009 (before the 5D MkII and D90 were released) we introduced the V5600 because we anticipated that HDMI would become an attractive alternative to SDI, that cameras were shrinking, and a HDMI LCD field monitor smaller than 7’  would be a great addition in the market place. Now every LCD company has a 5″ in their lineup. It’s hard to believe this monitor is 4 years old now and still is a favorite for many shooters.

Our ID500 light was the first high powered LED light to have a wireless remote control.  For the Event and ENG users the remote feature and battery power have given them truly mobile solutions. Event videographers can turn a light on an off from their camera position on one side of a ball room as needed. ENG crews can sit and wait for their air time and turn the light on and off without leaving their cameras. A solo shooter who acts as talent and camera operators can now adjust the light intensity while looking into their monitors.

Our EV2 Stealth was the first 15mm rod configuration developed for ENG shooters. We worked with Canon to help their customers as they migrate from traditional shoulder mount cameras ENG to more economical midsized cameras.

The Stealth was designed as a ENG rig–not a stripped down cinema shoulder rig–to better match the needs of news shooters. Its adaptability allows the user to see the eye piece in bright sun light. The adjustable shoulder pads allows for different users to tweak it for their comfort. Its Heavy duty shoulder mount is beefed up to withstand use 24/7. Replaceable pads give it a longer lifespan, while plenty of mounting points (for battery systems and accessories) allow it to conform to any work flow or requirements. We even designed mounting points for a traditional ENG VL14 style quick release to simplify run and gun demands of the ENG environment

One of our first products introduced in our first year of business PT-1000 pioneered the low-cost above the lens Teleprompters.

Once again several other teleprompter companies have a similar solution in their line up. This year we added a single handed adjustment riser to our PT3100 and PT4100 to make it easier to adjust for the different heights of cameras.

Simply turn the knob and adjust the height no tools or disassembly necessary. The next generation of teleprompters and software is under development and will also include several new and innovative features.

This year, ikan acquired the Cinemage monitor line to provide top tier LCD monitors adding additional choices for our customers. This acquisition also put new technologies and contacts in our reach. Soon you should see innovative new features and products as a result.

So this winter, keep your eye on ikan to see what new products are going to come from us here in Houston. I know some of the things we are planning will be new and innovative.  Just wait and see. To make it easier, check back here or follow us on Facebook or twitter to keep up with the latest news.

We sent out our press release this last week but I wanted to make it publicly available to highlight the latest in our product lines. Note that Official Release of the VX7e was today (awesome) so if you’ve already placed your order with our sales team, you should be receiving your monitor within the coming week or so. If you’d like to purchase one, inquire >> sales@ikancorp.com. Below are further details. If you already have a VX7 and are considering upgrading, know that we’ve created a policy for cheap and easy upgrades to the newest version.

Thanks to the #AllinFilm Poker Tourney @NAB earlier this year, Beth Oslander won the first VX7e to come off the assembly line, as part of a packaged prize: our Shoulder Deluxe Complete rig (ELE-SDC), updated with the VX7e and FG Cine Kit (ELE-FGK). You can check out her work on vimeo. Her event videos are a lot of fun to watch.

We’re getting more  positive feedback on the new Traveler Backpack–it’s been redesigned and I think it’s worth noting the changes (the old one can be found here if you wanna peep it for yourself). Look closely in the media released in the coming months–you might spot one or two on some savvy camera folk. I hear our promo video should be released soon, too.

As of last Friday, our latest video release was for the iLED ONE-TK (that’s table kit, ya’ll) and the stop-motion intro to the video is a scream–take a look:
http://vimeo.com/23689158
(thanks to Kay Ennis and Daniel Contreras–if you were @NAB you might recognize them from our booth)

Also, thanks to Tercius Befete, writer for LA City College’s The Collegian. Soon he will be featuring the iLED ONE–and a giveaway–in his articles. Once I have more info i’ll link it here.