CasablancaExpert

Formatting your external HDD for use with Casablanca editors

In a recent Members Update Newsletter (for subscribers of CasablancaExpert.com) I shared news of a sale on Western Digital MyBook Essential 1TB External Hard Drives. I use the MyBook HDD for the Bogart HD-Backup feature.  In that newsletter I also mentioned that I still use my LaCie 1TB External Hard Drive for Storyboard Archives.

I should clarify that I _only_ use my MyBook drive for the Bogart HD-Backup.  I use a Kingston Data Traveler (4GB) USB Flash Drive for transferring JPEGs between my Casablanca editors and my computers (both Mac and Windows).  For transferring projects between my S4000 PRO (Media Manager) and my computers I use the LaCie HDD for longer projects and a USB Flash Drive for shorter projects... shorter being up to 30 minutes). 

If you are using an external HDD - it must be formatted to what is known as FAT32 (FAT = File Allocation Table).  The LaCie HDDs purchased and shipped from MacroSystem US are supposed to be pre-formatted to work instantly with your Casablanca. 

If you are using a different HDD, you can and must format the HDD to ensure compatibility.  If you are using a Casablanca II running the Smart Edit OS and wish to use the Storyboard Archives function - you must format the HDD to FAT32 prior to use.  If you are on a Casablanca running the Bogart OS - you can run the Bogart HD-Backup which will format the HDD automatically (as long as you have not used the drive previously).

If you have used the HDD previously, you will need to re-format or if you wish to use the un-formatted.

Listed below are two different options, based on the computer you will use to format your HDD Windows or Mac.

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Windows

In my search for a good tool for those on a Windows PC - I discovered software called 'SwissKnife', and this is freeware - no charge for download and use!  Apparently you can use Windows XP tools will let you format an external HDD in FAT32 but only up to 32GB.  Details and free download of the Swiss Knife software can be found here: http://www.compuapps.com/download/Swissknife/swissknife.htm

If you would like an easy to follow tutorial for formatting your external HDD using SwissKnife, I recommend this tutorial from Online Tech Tips

Software review by CNET Staff:

"You'd expect a program called SwissKnife to do all sorts of things, but this tiny application does only two: creating and quickly formatting disc partitions that can be read by Mac, Windows, and Linux systems. It can't resize, move, or even delete created partitions, nor can it work with partitions on the boot disc. It can, however, make FAT32 partitions larger than 32MB--something Windows 2000 and XP can't do. For swapping an external drive between platforms, CompuApps SwissKnife is just what you need."

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Mac

The easiest way to format your external HDD while connected to a Mac (Apple) computer is to use the Disk Utility software (which comes with your Mac).

You'll find the Disk Utility software in the Applications folder, hidden in the 'Utilities' folder.

Once you boot up this software, you should find your external HDD listed in the menu at left.  Click on that drive and then select 'Erase' from the center buttons (4 buttons near top, but not at top). 

Ensure the pull-down menu 'Volume Format' is set to MS-DOS (FAT).  Then click the 'Erase' button at bottom right. This will erase the hard drive and re-format it in the FAT32 that Casablanca requires.

MacroSystem US Announces Tech Support Fees

MacroSystem US announced the following in their October 29, 2009 Newsletter

Changes in Software Support Fees

Beginning November 1, 2009, MacroSystem US will be charging for Technical Support. Phone Support will be available for $.75 per minute. Email Support will be available for $5 per issue or $10 for a message addressing multiple issues.  You will also have the option of purchasing a Support Contract. A Support Contract will provide you with phone and email support for $249 per year.

Free Support options:
Our website features answers to some of the most frequently asked questions.  You can find them here

There are some other great options available for free support. Please check out the Casablanca Forum and the Cassie Tips List. Both offer fast and free answers to your Casablanca questions.

Your local Casablanca Dealer can be a great source of information as well.

Other Support options - Check out Chet Davis' Casablanca Expert website


Columbus 3 for Bogart
The well known Columbus 2 has been updated to Columbus 3 which is modified to work with Bogart V2.  The modifications in this version include a few new buttons to create new objects that are separate from key points.  This even includes the ability to place a new object like a sizable PIP scene on a map route.
**Columbus 3 requires Bogart SE version 2.3 or higher to operate

Pricing:
Full Version - US $229.00
Update Pricing* - US $119.00

*Update pricing is for current Columbus 2 owners.

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I had heard that the Tech Support fees were coming - this is a first for MacroSystem US but not uncommon in the consumer electronics industry.  Frankly at only 75-cents a minute, getting a qualified, knowledgeable technician to speak with is still a bargain.  If you are looking for how-to help, I would assert that it pays now, more than ever to be a member of CasablancaExpert.com... with more than 300 pages of articles (tips, tutorials and suggestions) to help you get the most from your Casablanca!

Regarding Columbus 3 - there is not too many details out yet on this software that was released October 16, 2009 in PAL.  If you would like to read a little more, you can check out the couple of paragraphs in this page on the Macrosystem DE website: IFA Addendum

I have spoken with some folks who have provided me with some insider info on the new Columbus 3 software and there are some cool new additions... I will be playing with it myself over the new few days and will have some details on this Blog next week.

Helpful Tips to Improve Your On-camera Interviews

Conducting on-camera interviews is an art form, I believe.  A great interview can totally enhance a video project -- with carefully crafted and delivered interview questions, you can really bring out some amazing information about a person, an event or a place. 

This week I came across several pages of helpful hints that can assist you in improving interview questions and techniques, on the website from MediaCollege.com

 Here is their introduction:
"Interviewing is a vital skill for any journalist. It is one of the most important ways to gather information and create content for a story. Good interview technique requires practice so don't expect to master it immediately. The next few pages should give you a reasonable understanding of how interviews work, what to do and what not to do."

Their short guie to improving interviews is divided between five pages on their website - can you review the entire guide by starting with the first page below or you can access each page independently based on your interest (click on the specific topic you wish to review)

Interview Technique - An Introduction

Interview Questions

Open-Ended Questions

Leading Questions

Interviewing Tips

This tutorial is suitable for any type of interview situation but has a slight emphasis on video/television interviews. 

Video Hosting Websites - Another Perspective

I am pleased that I am still receiving positive feedback from the October 8th, 2009 Webinar where I shared information and thoughts about  'Getting Your Video Online'.

I focused on what I considered the four top contenders for folks in the Casablanca community to share their video projects/work online with friends, family and clients.

Those who attended the live session or who reviewed the streaming video recording know that my findings pointed to YouTube as a top service for hosting quality videos (as long as they are under 10:00 and don't use copyright materials).  For accuracy sake, I also advised to use more than one host for different benefits.

I recently came across another report/review that is along the same lines as my October Webinar.  This online review - done by the folks at CNET -  had a very specific focus "Which HD video Web service is the best?"

In addition to reviewing YouTube, Vimeo which I did - they included Blip, Daily Motion, Facebook, and SmugMug.  I am edified that their overall summary finding agrees with mine, but one thing I _really_ like about this online review is the cool visuals... they have two still frames taken from a still video clip from each of the web hosts reviewed and by clicking on the name of the web host it displays that services resulting image.  A great way to clearly see the quality result of the website/provider.

You can read the study yourself on the CNET website: Video Web Service Review: "Which HD video Web service is the best?"  Now, for journalistic integrity's sake - the CNET article is dated from January 2009 but I find the information as well presented as anything I have seen recently.

For those of you who wish to view or re-view the streaming video lessons from my October 8 Webinar - along with the 13-page detailed PDF notes, you can check out these resources on my CasablancaExpert website: October 2009 Webinar Resources

Members Webinar Wrap-up: The Magic of Particles, Network-ings of Media Manager

I enjoyed sharing two lessons earlier today for our Members Only Webinar -- Fist a lesson on the Casablanca Particle Magic software and then the steps to use the Network functions in the Casablanca Media Manager.

It was fun for me to learn more about the Particle Magic software in preparation for this webinar. I learned more about the intricacies in the Particle Magic menu, how the various movement settings affected the particle movement (Dispersion, Gravity, Wind, and Turbulence).  I enjoy how the Particle Magic (PM) software enhances transitions, allowing any mask from your Image Pool to be selected for the effect or the path of the movement of the particles.  Here are a couple of screen shots of the transition effects I shared in the Webinar:

PM Transition (Archive Effect:Blue Gas w/Video Spice Rack Mask: Pointers)

 

PM Transition (Archive Effect:DR Hearts)

My favorite PM effect I think is the ability to cause a logo or title to creatively transition off-screen.  Here is a sample with my Casablanca Expert logo:

               

PM Fly Away (Archive Effect: Lesson1 -- with modified Effect & Movement settings)

We spend the last 30-minutes reviewing the network functions in the Media Manger available via the Bogart OS 2 Casablanca series editors.  I shared the necessary hardware, be it via a router on an LAN or an Ethernet Crossover Cable directly to your PC; then we reviewed the steps and benefits of using both the Browser and the Network functions.

Members of CasablancaExpert.com will have a streaming video recording of the webinar lessons along with a download-able PDF document (notes/tutorials from the lesson) available in the Members Archives by Thursday 10/29/09.

At the close, I stayed on-line and answered individual questions - one of them pertained to the value and process for de-interlacing your video.  You will find a printable tutorial (for both Scene and Storyboard) in the Premium Area of my website here: How to De-Interlace Your Video

Another Good Web-meeting Monday!

I enjoyed our Monday Web-meeting Monday morning (Pacific Time) with several members of CasablancaExpert.com in attendance.  It is a great opportunity to bring our experiences, our minds and our talents together for a collective round-robin at each others questions and ideas.

• This week we explored questions surrounding HD and Blu-ray playback and some quality issues one of our members has been noticing;
  
• I shared info about AVCHD cameras and how they interact with Casablanca editors (and mentioned the upcoming Casablanca Expert General Webinar set for Thursday November 10, 2009 at 10:00 AM -PST.  Further details and free registration here https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/893154514 )
• We discussed the benefit and process for de-interlacing your videos using the Casablanca Movie Mode
  
• I shared the process of using the Effects Stack
• and Sylvain shared a website where you he is learning "the Secrets used by top DOP's to create the 'Film Look' using your HD video camera"

All website members are welcome to join us each or any Monday for these informal, online gatherings of the great minds in our Casablanca Community.  See the members Home Page for the registration link.

 

Casablanca Web Meeting Monday, Webinar Tuesday!

10/25/09 - Web Meeting Tomorrow (Monday 10/26)

Join us tomorrow (Monday at 8:00AM Pacific Time) for our next online gathering of the members at CasablancaExpert.com.  Drop-in, ask the Casablanca Expert an informal question, hear what other Casablanca producers are working on, chat about all things video and Casablanca.

This is the 3rd of these informal, online meetings/gatherings.

You can join our group by signing up using the link on the Members Home Page ( this will allow you to drop-in to any or all of the upcoming Monday sessions and will send you an email reminder about the session/s): http://www.casablancaexpert.com/

                                                                                                              


10/25/09 - Next Members Only Webinar
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
10:00AM - 11:00AM Pacific Time

Join Casablanca Expert Chet Davis as he presents some valuable tips and tutorial to help you get the most from your Casablanca video editor.

This special Members Only webinar is a benefit of membership at www.CasablancaExpert.com   In this session, you will learn:
* Using the Network functions in the Bogart OS/Media Manager
* Additional lesson to be announced

As always we'll have an engaging, enjoyable time together as we learn a lot!

Reserve your Webinar seat now at by signing up using the link on the Members Home Page: http://www.casablancaexpert.com/

Casablanca Groups on Video Sharing Websites YouTube and Vimeo

I wanted to ensure that all members of our Casablanca Community are aware that I have started a Group on both the YouTube and Vimeo websites.  These groups were developed for folks who use the Casablanca video editor to produce their video projects, whether they are for profit, for passion and pleasure.

There is no requirement or obligation to join any of these groups (other than you use a Casablanca video editor)... this is just an informal gathering of our Casablanca Colleagues who also use YouTube and/or Vimeo.

Even if you don't already have video uploaded to either of these websites, you can check out our group/s and view your colleagues work.  Plus, it is easy to sign-up for a free membership/channel at either or both of these websites. 

If you are a member of my website, CasablancaExpert.com, check out the many resources available for you to learn more about these video hosting websites, their features and benefits and how to utilize your Casablanca in conjunction with them. Article link:  Getting Your Video Work Online

Please click on the appropriate link below to join (if you are already a member of these sites) and feel free to invite/share this invite with any other Casablanca users you know of.

YouTube Casablanca Group

http://www.youtube.com/group/CasablancaColleagues

Vimeo Casablanca Group

http://vimeo.com/groups/casablanca

And if you are on MotionBox - 'look me up'.  We don't have the ability to create a group, but I can add you as one of my contacts so we can see who is on that service as well. My MotionBox Channel is http://www.motionbox.com/profiles/CasablancaExpert

Archives, Backups and Hard Drives... oh my!

There are different options for archiving (backing up) your work in today's Casablanca video editor and there seems to be as many questions as there are options (no, make that more questions)

If you are on the Bogart OS editors, you have the most options - with the best option... the BogartHD-Backup.  This is a mirror backup or copy of your entire hard drive, minus the Operating System.If you are running with a Solitaire/Plus you have the internal HDD that is also a mirror back-up, but it also archives the OS (the issue there is if you had/have a corrupt OS it also goes with the archive)

And we all (those on Smart Edit 6 and higher) the Storyboard Archives which can back-up the contents of the Storyboard (not the scene bin, minus any inserts, only the top audio track and minus the intricate effects commands (see this article on my website for details: Storyboard Archives-Capabilities & Limitations )

For a thorough explanation on the topic of back-up and archives - I would recommend viewing one or all of the streaming video recordings made from my Casablanca Webinar General Session last month (September 8, 2009):

• All About Archives - includes Storyboard Archives, Bogart HD Backup & Customs Archives
• Bogart HD-Backup
• Archives: Backup & Restore
  

These on-line videos can be found in the public Webinar Archives on my website here: http://www.casablancaexpert.com/categories/webinarpost  (scroll down to Casablanca Webinar - General Session #8)

When connecting an external HDD to a Casablanca (either Smart Edit or Bogart) see this public page on my website for the list of functions/features available, with links to the tutorials available for each operation: http://www.casablancaexpert.com/articles/HDD

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Community News

David Adame is a new daddy!  David, you may know is the proprietor of Denver Disk (formerly Reliant Digital) in Denver, Colorado - and before that David was an employee of MacroSystem US.  David's wife, Deborah Noor Adame. gave birth to a baby boy,  David Francisco Adame was born October 9th (my wife would ask me so I should share - the baby weighed 7lbs 11oz at birth).  

Bobbie Evoy shares some of her creative magic

Bobbie Evoy - whose company is Memories on Tape in Michigan (USA) - is one of the most creative video editors I have met. 

I have had the good fortune to not only see her work but also to have learned some of her techniques, some of her magic.  Although I believe I have a solid command of the capabilities of the Casablanca video editor, Bobbie really pushes the envelope on what can be done.

She has the knack for coming up with a desired sequence or effect and then working to create that with a combination of software operations.  You may know that, in addition to her own clientele (who I would be quick to add, are darned lucky to have her on the job), Bobbie also edits in a partnership with Don Simmons - Travel Jet Productions in Georgia (USA). 

On a recent editing job, Bobbie took the skilled videography provided by Don and crafted a unique effects window to highlight the First Dance for a wedding package.  Bobbie was kind enough to produce a short video outlining the steps she used to take a nice border and using her Casablanca skills, turned it into just the right mask she wanted for this video.  You can see (and learn) from Bobbie in this 5:27 video uploaded on her Vimeo channel here  http://vimeo.com/7102178