Inside Digital Photo Special Report

Part IX - Bill Crow - HD Photo Update

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Bill Crow, Group Manager Live Labs, Microsoft joins host Scott Sheppard to share his expertise and update about Microsoft’s HD Photo format. Bill explains that the newest versions are fully integrated and supported in the new Windows Vista and Windows Live Photo Gallery in addition to Photoshop via plug-ins. Bill has spent much of the past year working closely with the industry standards committee JPEG in creating the new format JPEG XR. Bill explains that the current advances in compression technologies helps Microsoft acheive their goals of developing a lossless image file format. Bill also explains that the current JPEG format does cause data loss in images, which is why many photographers are choosing to shoot in RAW format.

The new format developments for JPEG XR will help address this issue in addition to supporting additional color spaces. What started with sRGB standards, has grown to include scRGB that incorporates the full gamut of colors a camera is capable of capturing. Bill assures us that although the standards process can be a long one, he and Microsoft are dedicated to developing the best possible formats that meet the needs of professional photographers that also interface to the latest camera technologies.

For more information about HD Photo visit his blog at: http://blogs.msdn.com/billcrow/ or for full technical information: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/forpros/wmphoto/ To learn more about the overall standards efforts visit: http://www.jpeg.org/

For more information about the summit, visit Microsoft’s Pro Photo Tools website at: http://www.microsoft.com/ProPhoto/

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Steve Heiner, Senior Technical ManagerSLR Marketing Department, Nikon joins host Scott Sheppard for an exclusive "first look" and discussion of the features available in the newly announced Nikon D700 FX-Format D-SLR camera and the SB-900 AF Speedlight. Building upon the improvements already seen in their D3 cameras, the D700 delivers them in a smaller lighter footprint and even has a built-in flash and allows you to control remote flashes right from the camera body.

Steve explains the differences between the D700 and the D3 D-SLR and the benefits of the built-in technologies available in both camera bodies in addition to some tips on how the new camera integrates and works with existing Nikon accessories

The Nikon D700 will begin shipping the end of July at a suggested retail price of $2,999.95, or as a bundle kit that includes a AF-S VR Zoom- NIKKOR 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED lens for $3,599.

Steve also discusses the SB-900 i-TTL Speedlight, which is a critical component of Nikon’s creative lighting system which will be available in stores around August 1 for $499 retail.

For more information on all Nikon products and software visit: http://www.nikon.com

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