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Compressor (and multiple cores) is your friend

This is a big deal.

In addition to what this note says note says, you can use other computers to render your files. It has taken me a little while to figure this out. This tutorial describes just using one computer but you can do the same for multiple computers. I did try this on a Dual 1GHz G4 and it slowed things down, so make sure that the additional computers have sufficient power.

Read the tutorial to learn a bit more, here’s my overview:

1) Install Compressor and QMaster on your non-FCP computer and use the Quick Cluster option. It will make things much easier. On the FCS 2 install disk there is a installer just for this action.

2) When you want to compress, click Submit and select your FCP computer to serve as the cluster controller.

3) Sit back and watch your files get rendered in 1/4th the time.

I use a MacBook Pro because I need the portability. I used to use a MacPro Quad 3.0… now I use both when I need to render video. What a lifesaver.

As for Digital Rebellion? Great site for video! Thanks, Jon!

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This is getting more interesting!

Lifehacker – Wider-Screen Kindle Coming Wednesday – Kindle

A couple of stories are out stating that a new e-book reader is coming, either from Amazon or from Apple. I’m interested in the technology because many technical books are available in electronic format and it seems like a shame to burn a lot of paper on a book that will be outdated in 12-18 months.

I also like to convert lengthy reviews (I’m looking at you Ken Stone) to pdf’s and read them offline.

The Kindle 2 almost had me… but if Apple is truly in the hunt than I’m betting they will have nailed “most” of the needs.

Update: Kindle DX

Not bad, if it weren’t for the Apple rumor all over the Web (not even going to try and find a link), I’d buy the DX in a heartbeat. It appears to be perfect for what I’m looking for… an e-book reader. Meaning, I’m not interested in using it to read the latest novels, I want to use it to read Take Control books or O’Reilly’s e-books. Technnology books that will be out of date within 24 months of me killing a few trees by buying the book.

Stop the madness!

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FCP’s DV Compatibility issues

While creating the previous post on iMovie 09, I ran across a very interesting post by David Pogue, related to his desire to combine Flip footage with footage from a high end Canon HD camera.

He was attempting to combine two vastly different video file types; Flip’s H.264 and Canon’s AIC. Final Cut Pro was re-rendering every time he did an edit, causing his workflow to slow dramatically.

His solution was to ensure that both files were rendered to the same format before continuing to edit.

Sure, sounds simple when I say it…

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iMovie 09 and Ken Stone

iMovie 08 was a bit controversial on introduction last year. It was substantially different than the previous versions of iMovie, so much so it angered most heavy users. It was clearly a version 1.0 release and Apple was atleast kind enough to keep the old version iMovie HD around so we could still use it.

This January, iMovie 09 was released and this new version has made all the difference in the world. Many of the missing or incomplete features were fixed and some significant additions were made, most notably “precision editing”.

I’ve used all of the previous versions of iMovie, Final Cut Express and Final Cut Pro. I must say this new version is a lot of fun to use.

So where does Ken Stone come into this picture?

Ken Stone has a great video website called www.kenstone.net. On it he has great articles, reviews and tutorials on all things video. His focus is pro video and I’ve learned a great deal from his site.

Ken has published a significant review of iMovie 09. He recognizes the application for what it is. He states; “[iMovie] ’09’ is truly an amazing application, much more able and sophisticated than it would first appear. Automated video import process, browser organization, clip skimming and editing, text and animated titles, transitions, video effects, backgrounds, sound effects, audio control, voiceover, green screen, background music, speed control and direction, photo manipulation (Ken Burns effect), markers and chapter markers, color correction, waveforms, themes, animated maps, video stabilization, picture-in-picture, L-cuts, Precision Editor, full screen playback, the list goes on. iMovie is a full fledged editor, I think that you are going to be surprised at what it can do and how intuitive it is.”

If you are interested in video and you use a Mac, I strongly recommend two things; take a look at iMovie 09 and read Ken’s review. As he said, it won’t replace FCP but it might make some projects a whole lot easier!

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Dropshadow, dropshadow

(think Moon shadow, moon shadow)

I wanted to make the site look just a weeeeee bit better. And a dropshadow on the images seemed to be the way to go.

Search the web… uhhhh, that isn’t easy.

Let’s see what Pixelmator can do… uhhhh, that isn’t any easier!

Sigh, let’s fire up Photoshop and flail away.

D’oh! My image is locked, why oh why! More searching… one of two solutions, double click on the layer then click OK or make sure the image is RGB not Indexed. Sigh. That was 30 minutes.

Ok, I think I understand… apply the layer Dropshadow to the image. NOPE! Ain’t happening. Maybe, just maybe I need to make sure my Canvas Size is bigger than my image. D’OH! Yes, that works and it looks quite nice, if I may say so myself.

So my work flow is this:

  1. Open the file and make sure it isn’t locked, either by double clicking on the layer or by ensuring its mode is RGB (as compared to Indexed)
  2. For a 160×120 image, make the Canvas Size about 20px greater on each side. For larger images, then a larger border will be required.
  3. Add a Dropshadow layer, then mess with the params until it looks like what you want. In this case, once I had my first one that looked good, I saved the Style as WRP (then just clicked on this Style for step 3 on subsequent photos).
  4. Flatten image
  5. Save as a new jpg

Voila! A much better looking site!