Tag: Mac Pro

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Carlos Alazraqui, AVCHD, Panasonic HDC-SD5, Macs, and iMovie ’08.

I finally finished the first project involving Carlos Alazraqui, AVCHD, Panasonic HDC-SD5, Macs, and iMovie ’08. I learned a lot from this project, from using the Panasonic HDC-SDC camera, importing AVCHD movie clips, using iMovie ’08 even further, and the hardware requirements for this project.

First, I’d like to thank Hollywood Improv for giving the permissions to film Carlos Alazraqui’s stand-up sets.

I do realize that my personal MacBook Pro Core Duo is a little bit underpowered in handling AVCHD movie clips. For certain, it took a long time to import the AVCHD clips, and it took even longer to export the HD clips.

I do learn a lot of tricks in using iMovie ’08. I originally was going to use Final Cut Pro to edit the clips. Unfortunately, I have not had a chance to install Final Cut Pro on my MacBook Pro, after I clean installed Mac OS X Leopard on it. In addition to that, I have yet to acquire Final Cut Express 4 which now supports AVCHD format.

I will post my review on Panasonic HDC-SD5, my experience with iMovie ’08, and what I learn about AVCHD format.

As a preview, please take a look at the following screen capture taken using Panasonic HDC-SD5.

Carlos Alazraqui, Hollywood Improv, 2007.11.17 - 3

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I Need New Macs

For the past 7 years I have been purchasing at least one portable computer each year with the exception of 2007. It is now November 2007, and I have yet purchased a computer. OK, I did get a new Core 2 Duo PC from the office. It is currently running Windows XP, take that Windows Vista. I can’t bear using Windows Vista at all. The PC itself is more than powerful enough to run Windows Vista Ultimate, but up to this moment there are some softwares that wouldn’t run properly on Windows Vista. In addition to that, the networking stack in Windows Vista does not play nice with other Operating Systems. I have not reinstalled Windows Vista back on any computers I have in my home office.

I have recently acquired a new AVCHD camcorder, Panasonic HDC-SD5. I just finished recording Carlos Alazraqui‘s stand up sets at the Hollywood Improv. It is roughly an hour of raw footage, and recorded in High Definition at 1080i. Working with AVCHD format requires a lot of processing powers. It takes 2 hours to re-encode an 11-minute of edited footage on my 2GHz MacBook Pro Core Duo. I am sure that it would take significantly less time if I have a Core 2 Duo Mac (or better). I am hoping that the 64-bit CPU and Operating System (Mac OS X Leopard) would be able to handle the HD encoding better and faster.

Anyway, I am waiting for the next version of MacBook Pro sometimes during Macworld 2008. I was talking to a friend who wanted to do movie editing on MacBook Pro in High Definitions, and I did convince her to wait until the next version of MacBook Pro is released.

I am thinking about getting an iMac or even a Mac Pro for all the multimedia projects I am working on right now. As of this point I can’t justify spending the money for any of them. I personally prefer using portables such as MacBook Pro. Maybe I can convince the office to get me new Mac or Macs.

One other thing in mind is for me to somehow contact Apple and get them to donate a Mac or two. It’s a wishful thinking. If you’re working for Apple Inc., please let someone know at the corporate office that I need new Macs and the Pro-Apps.

One can dream……..

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Mac OS X Leopard: Boot Camp

An Apple A Day Gallery – 2007.11.05
Mac OS X Leopard: Boot Camp

Boot Camp Assistant icon
Boot Camp enables installation of Windows Operating System on any Intel-based Mac computer, using a Microsoft Windows install disc. Windows is installed on its own partition. After installation, the Mac can run either Windows or Mac OS X.

The Boot Camp Assistant application helps create the Windows partition and restart the Mac using Windows installation disc. Follow the instructions to install Windows and install software drivers that enable Windows to work with the Mac hardware.

Boot Camp Assistant

Apple provides driver supports the followings:

  • Windows XP Home Edition or Professional
  • Windows Vista Home Basic, Home Premium, Business, or Ultimate

Windows drivers for Intel-based Mac computer are included in Mac OS X Leopard Install disc.

To install any other Operating Systems such as Linux, create the “Windows Partition” then boot the Mac using the Linux install disc.

Additional informations on Boot Camp (http://37prime.com/bootcamp.html)

Boot Camp is not the only way to run other Operating Systems on a Mac. Parallels and VMware Fusion provide the ways to install different Operating Systems within Mac OS X. It is recommended to have a minimum of 2GB of RAM on a Mac to run the virtual machine.

Get Parallels @ Amazon.com
Get VMware Fusion @ Amazon.com

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Mac OS X Leopard: Front Row

An Apple A Day Gallery – 2007.11.03
Mac OS X Leopard: Front Row
Front Row Icon
Front Row is now available on any Macs. Front Row can be activated by using Apple Remote, launching the Front Row.app, or by using the default keystroke Command-Esc.

Previously Front Row only available on Macs with Apple Remote and IR receiver support. Kudos to Andrew Escobar for providing Front Row Enabler; to install Front Row for Mac OS X Tiger (10.4.x) on older Macs without Apple Remote and IR receiver support.

Front Row

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Mac OS X Leopard and then some…

Mac OS X Leopard has officially arrived, and there’s nothing really I want to write about right now. Thousands if not millions of other blogs out on the “inter-web” are talking about it. So that’s it about Mac OS X Leopard……. for now.

Some interesting notes:

  • Many people were using the iPhone $100 Apple Store Credit to purchase Mac OS X Leopard.
  • Many customers actually purchasing the Family Pack (5 user license).
  • Steve Gibson of SpinRite (@GRC.com) and Security Now fame was spotted at Apple Store Fashion Island in Newport Beach, California. Good luck getting that T-Shirt, Mr. Gibson. Actually the funniest thing was that, someone in the line was saying that Gibson’s SpinRite was a piece of useless software that doesn’t do anything.
  • Many customers who pre-ordered Leopard reported that their copies arrived before the 6:00 PM sale time.
  • The first update available for Mac OS X Leopard is Apple Remote Desktop Client 3.2.1; assuming that it’s a clean install.

One more thing:

  • During Mac OS X LEopard installation, the Airport is available and able to connect to Wireless Access Point. Picture will be added later, I have yet to reinstall all the apps on my MacBook Pro.

Leopard Installation - Airport is available 1 Leopard Installation - Airport is available 2

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Apple Updates: Mac Pro SMC Firmware Update 1.1

Apple releases Firmware Update 1.1 for Mac Pro

System Requirements

  • Mac OS X 10.4.10
  • Mac Pro

Mac Pro SMC Firmware Update 1.1 – 544KB
The SMC Firmware Update adjusts fan behavior in Mac Pro

After this update has completed successfully, your SMC Version will be:
1.7f10 (Mac Pro)
1.5f3 (Mac Pro 8-core)

The updater application will be installed in the /Applications/Utilities folder and will launch automatically after restart.

Please follow the instructions in the updater application to complete the process.

To update the SMC firmware on your Mac Pro:
Your computer’s power cord must be connected and plugged into a working power source.
1. Quit all other open applications.
2. Click Restart in the Mac Pro SMC Firmware Update window and wait for your computer to restart.

The SMC firmware update starts automatically. A status bar indicates the progress of the update. During the update your computer fans will run at full speed, but will return to normal once the update completes.

Important: Do not interrupt the update.

Your computer restarts automatically when the update is completed and opens the Mac Pro SMC Firmware Update.

3. Click OK. The SMC firmware is now up-to-date.

If these instructions appear on your screen again, the SMC firmware update was not successful. Repeat steps 2 and 3.

Note:
This update requires a Macintosh formatted disk or partition. If you are starting up using a RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) subsystem, you must attach a Macintosh formatted storage device to apply this update.

Some USB and FireWire devices may prevent firmware updates from installing correctly. If you are having trouble installing an update try disconnecting non-essential devices and use only an Apple branded keyboard, mouse and monitor.