Tag: iMovie

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Apple Introduces Final Cut Express 4

Apple introduces Final Cut Express 4.

Final Cut Express 4 box

For more informations on Final Cut Express 4, head to:
http://www.apple.com/finalcutexpress/

System Requirements

  • A Mac computer with a 1.25GHz or faster PowerPC G4, PowerPC G5, Intel Core Duo, Intel Core 2 Duo, or Intel Xeon processor
    For AVCHD: A Mac computer with an Intel processor
  • 1GB of RAM or more
  • An AGP or PCI Express graphics card compatible with Quartz Extreme; or an Intel GMA integrated graphics processor in a MacBook or Mac mini computer
  • Some FxPlug filters are not compatible with integrated Intel graphics processors.
  • A display with 1024-by-768 resolution or higher
  • A DVD drive for installation
  • Mac OS X v10.4.10 or later
  • QuickTime 7.2 or later
  • 500MB of disk space to install Final Cut Express and LiveType
  • Additional 500MB to install LiveType content

It is finally answering the one question out of many that I currently care about.

“Why doesn’t Final Cut Express support AVCHD? Final Cut Pro can, but I rarely use it for small projects. Wait a minute, iMovie ’08 can too. I feel that iMovie ’08 is under-powered, and Final Cut Pro is an overkill. Apple, please add AVCHD support to Final Cut Express. I would like to import and edit the AVCHD-encoded clips that I took using my new Panasonic HDC-SD5 camcorder.”

OK, apparently Apple was not going to add AVCHD support to Final Cut Express 3.5 and older. The AVCHD support will be built in Final Cut Express 4.

Anyway, I like using Final Cut Pro; but it’s a bit overkill at many times. I like using iMovie HD ’06; but it’s a little bit limited in features. I like using iMovie ’08; but it’s missing some important features such as audio extractions, and many others. In my mind, I’d say that for most of the projects I’m working on, I can sufficiently handle them in Final Cut Express. I recently purchased Panasonic HDC-SD5 camcorder and it records into the AVCHD format. I was going to fire up Final Cut Pro to work on some videos, but since Apple announces Final Cut Express 4 with AVCHD support; I don’t need Final Cut Pro for most of my projects.

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AVCHD Camcorder: Buying Panasonic HDC-SD5

UPDATE: Check out the clip taken using Panasonic HDC-SD5 here.

Yep, I just ordered Panasonic HDC-SD5.

Panasonic HDC-SD5 AVCHD Camcorder

I have been looking into buying a new Digital Camcorder for a while now. I considered getting an HD Camcorder sometime in Summer (June) 2006. I looked into different models and brands of HD Camcorders, but I never actually got one. That’s due to the price and the media format. The first ones I considered getting were using HD-MiniDV tapes, and cost around $1,300. Price was an issue in addition to the “newness” of prosumer grade HD Camcorder. Late 2006/early 2007 I considered getting Hard-Drive-based HD Camcorders. For many reasons, I couldn’t get myself into getting a Hard-Drive-based HD Camcorders. Personally, I don’t like the idea of having a spinning hard drive built into the camera. I considered the battery life, durability, and noise issues. In addition to that, Hard-Drive-based HD Camcorders tend to be a little bit “bulky”.

One year passed since I first considered getting an HD Camcorder. I was still using my Sony DCR-HD40 MiniDV Camcorder I purchased back in 2004. I was still looking into getting an HD Camcorder. I heard about the Sanyo Xacti VPC-HD2 on Daily Giz Wiz 312 (part of Leo Laporte‘s TWiT Network). Leo Laporte and Dick DeBartolo were speaking highly of Sanyo Xacti VPC-HD2, as they were about Sanyo Xacti VPC-C40 on Daily Giz Wiz 214.

In August 2007, Apple introduced iMovie ’08 (part of iLife ’08 suite), touting many new features including AVCHD support. According to many reports, Apple demos featured numbers of new HD camcorders, including Panasonic HDC-SD5. As always, Leo Laporte and his MacBreak Weekly “co-conspirators” were talking about the said HD Camcorder (MacBreak Weekly 54: HiDef LoTech). Laporte also talked about Panasonic HDC-SD5 on Daily Giz Wiz 407.

I considered getting Panasonic HDC-SD5, and started reading on articles on it. I read the review on CamcorderInfo.com, and was made aware of Sony HDR-CX7.

After reading a lot on both Panasonic HDC-SD5 and Sony HDR-CX7, I was still sitting on the fence. I always like Sony’s NightShot® Infrared System, but I also prefer SD Card than Sony’s Memory Stick Pro Duo. SD Card is generally cheaper than Sony’s Memory Stick Pro Duo.

In September 2007, I posted a question on choosing between Panasonic HDC-SD5 and Sony HDR-CX7. Shortly after, a colleague pointed out another contender to my new HD Camcorder lust; Sanyo Xacti HD1000.

The Plot Thickens! I was even more indecisive than ever on getting the HD Camcorder; three contenders.

I decided to test drive all three camcorders before I made the purchase. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find Sanyo Xacti HD1000 in any stores. So the choices for me went back to between Panasonic HDC-SD5 and Sony HDR-CX7.

After 3 grueling days of “test-drive”, thanks to the local electronic stores, I still couldn’t make up my mind. Considering all the specs and features, including 3CCD vs. CMOS sensors (Panasonic HDC-SD5 and Sony HDR-CX7 respectively), both models seemed to be “equal”. I like Panasonic HDC-SD5 size which is smaller, but I still want NightShot® Infrared System which is only available on Sony’s Cameras.

Thanks to Amazon.com, I made up my mind. Shortly after visiting a local Circuit City, I checked Amazon.com and found out that Panasonic HDC-SD5 was on sale for $849.99 and it’s bundled with Panasonic VW-BN1 DVD Burner (which carries a sticker price of $199.99).

I finally ordered Panasonic HDC-SD5, and it should be delivered within the next 10 days (I hope).

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Apple Releases Updates to iLife ’08

Apple releases updates to iLife ’08 through Software Update and Apple Support Downloads page.

GarageBand 4.1 – 46.1MB
This update addresses isolated graphic display issues, compatibility with 3rd party audio software, fixes minor problems with Magic GarageBand, and supports general compatibility issues.

iMovie 7.1 – 44.6MB
This update addresses several areas including video and audio editing capabilities, and performance associated with opening and switching iMovie Events and Projects.

iPhoto 7.1 – 59.3MB
This update addresses issues encountered when moving photos between Events, plus new greeting card themes, including holiday card designs.

iDVD 7.0.1 – 18.6MB
This update improves overall stability, supports general compatibility issues, and addresses a number of other minor issues.

iLife Support 8.1 – 7MB
This update supports system software components shared by all iLife ’08 applications.

I have been having some issues with iDVD ’08 (iDVD 7.0.0) when it comes to browsing media. I will check if this update address the issue.

http://www.apple.com/supports/downloads/

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Apple’s “Mum Is No Longer The Word” Special Event

Thanks to my insomniac life, I’m up hitting the refresh buttons on Apple’s “Mum Is No Longer The Word” special event coverage.

  • Apple UK Store is closed for product updates!
  • 8GB iPhone, O2 as carrier in The UK, £269 (including VAT)
  • Will arrive in the UK on November 9th, 2007
  • GPRS and EDGE, no 3G – US Customers rejoices!
  • Visual Voicemail and Unlimited data with £35, 45, 55 plans
  • From Endgadget:
    10:16 – Steve gets back on stage for Q&A. We ask: Why not 3G networks?Steve: “The 3G chipsets are real power hogs. Handset battery life cuts power to 2-3 hours.” Yeah yeah, we’ve heard it before. “Our phone has a talk time of 8 hours and that’s really important when you want to use your phone for internet and music. 3G needs to get back up to 5+ hours, something we think well see later next year”
  • Free HotSpots provided by Cloud in The UK
  • From Slashgear:
    “The contract for the phone will be 18 months, and unlimited data usage actually means 1400 web pages per day.”
  • …
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A Slight Hiatus

Not that I’m on any vacations, but I’m taking a few projects at this time.

I have to finish a little DVD project that is due on Wednesday, 08.22.2007.

I also am going to some kind of video shoot for today, 0.21.2007.

I’m still writing the iMovie HD ’06 vs. iMovie ’08 – hopefully I can finish it this week.

Other than those above, I also working on plethora of small projects.