MacVideo Reviews

AVID Media Composer 3.0

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 15:11:00 GMT

Affordable with a whole lot more in the box

Avid Media Composer remains the standard package for the higher end of professional digital video editing. In the past, even the software-only version came with an astronomical price to match its professional image. This has prevented the application from filtering down to smaller independent videomakers, and Apple’s Final Cut Pro has been nipping at its heels.

Shooting with the RED 4K digital cinema camera

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 10:47:00 GMT

Hands on with what has been described as a "film replacement"

The RED ONE 4K camera feel like a cross between a film camera and a large video camera. It is solidly built, feels and operates like a camera of the highest quality, and works with lenses which would traditionally attach to a 35mm motion picture body. It is an incredible achievement that an independent camera manufacturer has been able to produce a working system which challenges the established players in the world of acquisition. As a company Red Digital Cinema has shaken the world of acquisition like no other camera system before it. The ability to shoot 4K, the same resolution as 35mm film, at a price-point unseen in the history of filmmaking, has made this system redefine the standard for feature film production.

Red Giant Software buys video plug-in range from Digital Anarchy

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 14:15:00 GMT

Acquisition adds six new products to Red Giant product-line

Red Giant Software has agreed to acquire the video plug-in portfolio of Digital Anarchy, a San Francisco-based plug-in developer.

Abaltat Muse - music creation software

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 16:03:00 GMT

Royalty music, custom-scored to your images, written by a computer

Abaltat Muse is now now available as version 2 of the software. The software has evolved to include bands such as dance and hi-hop music. This more contemporary type of music is what is used in the bulk of corporate productions today. However, Muse is versatile, being able to knock out original, royalty free arrangements in many different styles.

The Assistant Editor, taking the work out of editing

Fri, 08 Aug 2008 13:53:00 GMT

Filmed at the FCPUG Network NAB Supermeet, Las Vegas 2008

Targeted at documentary editors, The Assistant Editor lets you view a first cut of your material. The computer is used as a database of all your medial which you first must log, and label with keywords which relate to the themes and subject matter of your documentary material.

You specify the parameters for how you want your material arranged:...

The Assistant Editor

Fri, 08 Aug 2008 13:53:00 GMT

Take much of the work out of editing

Death of a Camera

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 13:37:00 GMT

Disaster Strikes overlooking San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge

The story doesn't end there. Inside the camera was tape from the previous day of shooting and footage for a paying client worth £1000. Without that tape no footage, no invoice, no payment. A long distance call to the insurance company, an explanation of what happened with a further explanation that the only way of getting the tape out of the dead camera was with a screw driver. Time on the phone, careful negotiations and the insurance company agreed to let the shooter take a screw driver to the mechanism. It was like mutilating a dead carcass but it had to be done. No gentle prying, more like an absolute gouging to get the little HDV tape out. Still threaded amongst the heads which would never run again, the tape was extracted. Creased tape gently wound back into the cassette - another crisis averted and the job now able to be finished.

Sonnet Fusion F2 - powered eSata on the move

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 14:23:00 GMT

Innovative solution for those who need portable eSata RAID

For those needing high-speed transfer of data eSata the Sonnet Fusion 2 presents a solution which is reliable and faster than either FireWire 800/400 or USB. The Sonnet Fusion F2 is unique in that it provides the world's first truly portable eSata RAID which can powered direct from the Mac. This means in the field one can run MacBook Pro and the Fusion 2 RAID all from the battery of the Apple laptop.

Sonnet Fusion F2 - powered eSata on the move

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 14:23:00 GMT

Innovative solution for those who need portable eSata RAID

Overview of Sony PMW-EX3 and associated technology

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 14:13:00 GMT

Sony extends the range of the XDCam EX system with a barrage of new products

The PMW-EX3 is one of the most anticipated cameras ever to hit the market. Announced at NAB 2008 this cameras brought in crowds by the hoards, lusting after Sony's latest technical marvel. The EX3 features interchangeable lenses, TC and genlock, and has been described as "everything the EX1 should have been".

Incredible Animation by M Dot Strange, FCPUG Supermeet, NAB, 2008

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 12:55:00 GMT

Demonstration of what can be achieved using Blackmagic technology

M Dot Strange is an independent filmmaker who locks himself away for months at a time, surrounded by computers, producing amazing animation. He has produced a feature length animated film for less than $20 000 which others describe as having the look of a production costing tens of millions of dollars.

Incredible Animation by M Dot Strange, FCPUG Supermeet, NAB, 2008

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 12:55:00 GMT

Demonstration of what can be achieved using Blackmagic technology

Incredible Animation by M Dot Strange

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 12:55:00 GMT

Demonstration of what can be achieved using Blackmagic technology

"Grading the Jaguar XF TV spot with Color" - High-end color correction using Apple technology

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 16:35:00 GMT

FCPUG Supermeet, NAB, April 2008

See just how Apple's Color can be used for high-end color correction work. In this demo Hal Wolverton and Alex Bickel talk about and show just what Color is capable of. The application has been used at the highest of levels and, as seen here, competes favourables with other incredibly expensive tools.

The light that won an Academy Award

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 15:26:00 GMT

Actually, two Academy Awards and an Emmy!

In 1990 the unique innovation of the Dedolight system was recognised by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences with a Technical Achievement Award; this was further followed by a Cinec award in 2002 and both an Academy Scientific and Engineering Award and Emmy Award in 2003.

Demonstration of Adobe Premiere and Production Premium CS3 for Mac

Fri, 20 Jun 2008 12:43:00 GMT

How Adobe Premiere integrates with the other apps. in the Production Premium Suite

Adobe is has earned a solid reputation as providing professional software for creatives for Mac and PC. The Adobe Creative Suite 3 (video) on the Mac continues this tradition, and sees Adobe Premiere - which was once one the only truly affordable editor on the Mac - return to the Mac platform, providing serious competition to Final Cut Pro and Avid.

Demonstration of Adobe Premiere and CS3 for Mac

Fri, 20 Jun 2008 12:43:00 GMT

How Adobe Premiere integrates with the other apps. in CS3

Story of the Cinesaddle

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 03:32:00 GMT

Light-weight camera mount for moving and static shots

The Cinesaddle is a light-weight camera mount which moulds itself to the shape of a camera. Simply put your camera into the slot in the middle of the Cinesaddle, frame up and press record.

Step into Blu-ray - for less than £200

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 12:17:00 GMT

Affordable Blu-ray provides storage solution on the Mac

None of the modern Macs ship with Blu-ray writers which is incredibly frustrating for video editors/camera people, especially those shooting to tapeless formats. What we need is a reliable and affordable way to archive our media. Hard drives are great to edit with, but for long-term archiving (meaning several decades) we need an optical media solution.

Final Cut Server - FCPUG Supermeet, NAB 2008

Fri, 30 May 2008 17:38:00 GMT

Richard Townhill - Director Pro Video Product Marketing, Apple

Every year at NAB the Final Cut User Group Network holds its annual Supermeet. Headlining this year is Richard Townhill, Director Pro Video Product Marketing, Apple. Richard gives an overview of the state of play with Final Cut Pro - the fact that there are over one million registered Final Cut Pro users to date, with an indepth look at Final Cut Server.Every year at NAB the Final Cut User Group Network holds its annual Supermeet. Headlining this year is Richard Townhill, Director Pro Video Product Marketing, Apple. Richard gives an overview of the state of play with Final Cut Pro - the fact that there are over one million registered Final Cut Pro users to date, with an indepth look at Final Cut Server.

Final Cut Server

Fri, 30 May 2008 05:38:00 GMT

Richard Townhill - Director Pro Video Product Marketing, Apple

On location with the EX1 and Letus Ultimate 35mm still lens adapter

Fri, 23 May 2008 16:08:00 GMT

Philip Bloom talks about the Sony EX1 and shooting film style with the Letus

Since video has been around people have tried everything they can think of to get the film look. There have been software plug-ins, filmic lighting techniques and while these can be very effective the ultimate way to get the film look, without going to the expense of actually shooting film itself, is to use an adapter which lets one shoot with 35mm film lenses. Letus make a range of adapters which do just this.

On Location with the Sony HVR-Z7E

Fri, 16 May 2008 16:09:00 GMT

High end HDV camera proves its worth

The Sony HVR-Z7 is an amazing compact HDV camera with features which place it far in front of its predecessor the HVR-Z1. Killer features of the Z7 include: the ability to record to tape and Compact Flash simultaneously, several record formats including HDV at 50i or 25P and SD DV/DVCam. The camera also features interchangeable lenses.

iMac 24-inch 3.06GHz Review

Fri, 16 May 2008 16:02:00 GMT

Nothing's changed outside, but the new iMacs feel the need for speed

Finally, eight months after the aluminium iMac made its debut, Apple has released an update to its flagship consumer desktop model.

iMac 24-inch 2.8GHz Review

Fri, 16 May 2008 03:49:00 GMT

Nothing's changed outside, but the new iMacs feel the need for speed

Finally, eight months after the aluminium iMac made its debut, Apple has released an update to its flagship consumer desktop model.