Blog Archives

Simon Says On-Prem is a secure, fast, and easy-to-use transcription system that supports all major NLEs. It’s designed for editors needing a high volume of accurate transcripts with absolute security. Here are the details.

The DataColor SpyderX Elite calibrates computer monitors for accurate color. It is easy to use, but has limited tutorial, limited help, and was not able to match colors between two monitors attached to the same computer.

Live web streaming ranges from the very simple to the highly complex. The key factor is audio. Here’s a summary of options, plus a ton of links to help you do your own research.

This is a detailed look at Apple’s Afterburner card for the 2019 Mac Pro. This explains what it is, what it does and when to considering buying it.

This a very cool Mac utility that allows you identify any color on your screen, copy its values or color, and copy them into another app

Pro Color Monitor is an innovative way to enable editors to monitor and modify images with color problems without requiring a degree in video engineering, though it can use some work to make it easier to understand its display.

An introduction to Drylab, which makes tools to help scripted production teams make better film and TV, while reducing costs and overhead. Plus an interview with founder, John Christian Rosenlund.

Retrospect 16 – powerful, flexible and, handicapped by out-of-date tutorials and an unhelpful User Guide, very, very difficult for the new user to learn.

Larry Jordan reflects on the new 2019 Mac Pro, who it’s designed for, and how to configure it for media editing.

Post Haste can help you get organized right at the start of a project by creating folders and files automatically, and in a format you control. This free app is worth a look – here are the details.

A look at what QuickTime is, what’s changed over time and references to learn more.

A first-look at the new features and current status of Simon Says, automated speech-to-text transcription for media creators.

Survey of applications and web services providing automated speech-to-text transcription focused on media creators.

Axle.ai debuts ascribe.ai, fast speech-to-text transcription through an Extension panel in Adobe Premiere Pro.

Apple updated its Pro Video codecs. These are of value to all editors, but you can’t upgrade to them using the Mac App Store. Here’s how.

Software Update often displays extra update options – if you wait for it.

Lesspain Software update Kyno to version 1.7.1, which now supports Windows, as well as finding and converting older media that is not compatible with macOS Catalina. Here are more details.

Within just a few weeks, most likely this month, Apple will release the latest version of the MacOS – Catalina. First introduced at WWDC last June, this is the latest incarnation of OS X. There are three critical things you …

An interview with Rory McGregor, CEO of Cospective, developers of cineSync, about their media review and collaboration tool.

I discovered it is WAY too easy for your email address to get hijacked. Here’s what you need to know to protect your email and your reputation – based on my personal experience.

A detailed “first look” at FilmoraPro, from Wondershare. This software is a midlevel video editor for Windows or Mac, with an emphasis on ease of use and a wide variety of customizable effects.

A quick look at DVD Creator from Wondershare, and a conversation with Wondershare about the specific features in the software for filmmakers.

An illustrated “First Look” at Filmora9 – “Video Editing Simplified” – software designed for the amateur editor who needs simplicity, a wealth of effects and easy access to social media.

A detailed, illustrated look at MediaInfo, from MediaArea. This utility puts all the technical information about audio and video media at your fingertips.

This provides an overview of what High Dynamic Range (HDR) media is, where we are now, where we are going, how it works in video editing systems and links to learn more. Written for a video editor, not an engineer.

An illustrated tutorial on how to use AirDrop to move images and video from your iPhone to a Mac.

Tips and mostly-free software you can use to improve your computer security.

An explanation of how Massive.io can help filmmakers transfer files faster and cheaper than older services.

The Vuze+ VR Camera, developed and manufactured by HumanEyes, is an eight-camera, four-mic unit for recording stereoscopic (3D) or monoscopic (2D) 360/VR video images, accompanied by either stereo or surround audio. Here’s a review of my experience using it.

Every day 3 billion images are uploaded & shared in the internet – 80% are stolen. CopyTrack provides a way for photographers to recover lost royalties. This interview with CEO Marcus Schmitt explains how this free service works.

Reflector 3, from Squirrels, displays an iPhone screen live to your computer, which is great for streaming and webinars. Here’s a review.

An explanation of how the speed of light limits how fast a computer CPU can go. This is VERY cool, even if you don’t understand tech!

A product review of the new OWC Aura Pro X2 SSD, designed as a replacement SSD for MacBook laptops. This illustrated review looks at the results of installing it into an older 2013 MacBook Pro with Retina display.

An illustrated review of Better Rename 10, a utility that renames files, developed by PublicSpace.net.

An illustrated look at new audio repair plugins from Accusonus for Apple Final Cut Pro X, Adobe Premiere Pro CC, Audition CC, ProTools and many others called: ERA Bundle.

track Review, a Cloud-based review and approval platform, is released. Here are the details.

Avid moves its media creation tools to The Cloud in partnership with Bebop Technology. Here are the details on this annoucement.

Significant announcements from Filmlight, Assimilate, Telestream, ColorFront, MTI Film and Grass Valley support Apple ProRes RAW.

An illustrated guide to free software tools you can use to measure the performance of your computer system, with a focus on video editing.

An illustrated and detailed tour of how the Digital Production Buzz will produce and webcast 27 live shows in 3.5 days direct from the 2019 NAB trade show floor.

Kyno is a full-featured, flexible media manager for both Mac and Windows, with powerful transcoding built-in. Here is an overview of the new features in the 1.6.1 release.

A detailed, illustrated look at the different media formats and shooting options with the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K, along with recommendations for best editing in different NLEs.

An in-depth, illustrated look at Axle.ai, media asset management software for the Mac.

Archiware P5 archives, backs-up and restores data between computers and LTO tape. In this in-depth, illustrated review, Larry Jordan explains what it is, how it works, and whether it’s for you.

An illustrated tutorial and review of the Simon Says workflow extension for Apple Final Cut Pro X. This is a solid product, limited by Final Cut Pro X’s interface.

An illustrated tutorial on how to pick fonts for video projects that emphasize readability, while still conveying emotion. Plus, a range of tips for using type effectively in video projects.

An in-depth, illustrated product review of mTAPE LTO-8, from mLogic. Also features an interview with CEO Roger Mabon about LTO, LTFS and mLogic.

An illustrated, in-depth review of Edit Ready, from divergent media. This Mac-only utility easily convert audio or video media from one format to another.

An illustrated review of SpeedScriber, by Digital Heaven, showing how it works, what it is best used for and tips to make it work faster and better.

For media creators, automatic updates for the macOS are, generally, a bad idea. Here’s how to turn auto-updating off.