WEVA News Minute #54

Catapult Captures Directly to iPods
The palm-sized Catapult is the world's first device to allow capture of video footage directly to iPods or virtually any USB drive. Editing can begin immediately eliminating the need for digitizing.

The new Catapult was exhibited at NAB last week and captured for this WEVA NEWS MINUTE video by WNM producers Bruce Himmelblau and Sue Lawson.

Catapult plugs into the FireWire port of any DV/HDV camcorder and adds exciting features to capturing video, including time lapse and trigger-based events, as well as pre and post record functionality.

By offering a standard USB 2.0 connection, Catapult has been designed to take advantage of many popular storage devices. Catapult, for example, has a convenient piggy-back neoprene pouch designed to hold an iPod or even a 2½" USB drive. For those with greater storage needs, virtually any USB 2.0 drive system can be connected, including multiple terabyte systems.

Utilizing built-in rechargeable batteries, Catapult is capable of continuous recording in excess of three hours. The Catapult can also be powered with the included AC adaptor.

Adding Catapult to your camcorder gives you additional recording features, including time lapse and trigger-based events, as well as pre and post record functionality.

Using the Pre and Post-Record settings, for example, you can set Catapult to begin recording for a preset amount of time prior to actually hitting the record button on the camera especially useful for live action events.

The completely configurable Time Lapse feature allows the recording of frames of video at specific intervals like for the pre-party set-up of a ballroom, for example. Catapult, from camcorder accessory maker Bella, is priced at $300 and set to be available later this year.