The MacReactor crew got a real show as we were treated to a special private conference highlighting the power of Canon's digital video line of cameras. When it comes to trying to make solid game transitions or adventures, FMV (full-motion video) remains a staple of cutscenes and exposition sequences. Similarly, good digital video images can be used as overlays to help create realistic animation motion sequences in 2-D and 3-D games. Trying to get a quality digital video camera at a price that won't blow a year's salary once seemed a pipe dream; Canon's newest offerings may prove a key to bringing professional digital video quality to the hands of smaller game studios. While all of Canons 6 digital video cameras were impressive, encompassing 2 products in each target category of consumer, high-end consumer, and professional video audience, the real stunner came from their low-price high-end digital broadcast quality line of cameras. Their newest offering highlighted at the show was the GL1; Canon has good reason to crow over this marvel of a camera. Weighing in at under 3 pounds and about the size of first- to second- generation camcorder, the GL1 delivers broadcast-quality digital video (which normally would require cameras requiring a $25,000 investment) for under $4000. Canon calls the target audience for the GL1 their Prosumer line; I call it an amazingly affordable foot in the door for smaller game companies that need professional and portable digital video for their production work. Take a gander at http://www.canondv.com/canondv.html and prepared to be amazed at how precipitously close professional digital video has come to the tight production budgets of small companies and independent software designers. [Jahnel]

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