CasablancaExpert

MacroSystem US Hires Philip Bice as Vice President of Sales

The following Press Release was made public by MacroSystem US today:

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Seasoned Sales Executive to lead North and South American Sales and Marketing
Boulder, CO, Feb 19, 2010 — MacroSystem US (http://www.macrosystem.us), distributor of the world’s premier video editing appliance, announces the hire of Philip Bice to the position of Vice President of Sales and Marketing on January 1st 2010, helping to ensure MacroSystem’s profitable growth in North and South America. Bice will have responsibility for all pro-active customer facing activities including marketing initiatives, sales efforts, and supporting the dealer network.

Before joining MacroSystem US, Bice led sales and marketing efforts at several software  manufacturers helping to define a tiered customer-centric sales and marketing process, bringing product development more in line with customer needs, establishing collaborative marketing efforts with partners, and enhancing the customer experience.

Philip Bice, MacroSystem US’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing, said, “MacroSystem US clearly makes a product that is far superior to it competitors in many ways. I’m excited to be a part of this incredible team and looking forward to continuing our superior customer service, delivering relevant product to our customers, and supporting our dealers with a program unmatched in the industry.”

About MacroSystem US
Founded in 1996, MacroSystem US (http://www.macrosystem.us) distributes MacroSystem video editing products to North and South America. MacroSystem US’s superior customer support, passionate dealer network, and co-op marketing programs have helped to create one of the loyal and passionate user bases seen in the AV industry today. It’s dedicated editing appliance facilitate a workflow designed around efficiency and speed, and in many instances allow users to produce product 2-3 times faster than the competition - translating to more profit and revenue for the Videographer or Production Company.

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I have had several conversations with Philip and appreciate his expressed desire to continued collaboration.  I believe he has some great ideas to increase the marketing outreach for Casablanca products.  I will be meeting Philip in Davenport, Iowa next month -- along with the other attendees of the MGT 2010 (www.MarchGetTogether.com). 

How to Split Two Audio Tracks for Detailed Audio Editing

This is yet another of those 'Ask The Expert' articles I have uploaded and made available on my website at www.CasablancaExpert.com.  I post this one here for you to get a sense of breadth and value of the tips and tutorials that are available to my subscribers 7 days a week, 24 hours a day:

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The Smart Edit User Manual reads: "If you have used the two-channel option on your camera, both tracks should be recorded to Casablanca".

Question: Would I be able to see/edit separately the both audio tracks on the Audio mixing screen (i.e. one audio channel on the topmost track and the second audio Commentary track (mic symbol) ?

Answer: Yes, and no.  You cannot directly access the two separate tracks in the audio mix menu -- that is, until you separate the tracks.  There are a couple of changes you could make with the audio separately -- but I do not find it easy or fullymanageable until you separate the tracks out (that's what I will share with you next).  But if you want to do some simply work on these 2 tracks, you can click on the audio sample you wish to affect in the Audio Mix Menu, then click on the 'Effects' button.  This opens up the Effects menu -- you can choose either 'Mute' or 'Volume LR' which have independent controls for adjusting each track separately. 

To split your two channels into two separate and more easily edit-able tracks --
1. Select the scene in the Scene Bin
2. Click on Special, and scroll down to select 'Scene>Sample' Click OK
3. This will copy the audio track as a separate audio element (called a sample) into the Audio menus.
4. In Audio Record/Edit menu, click on that audio sample and click on Effects.
5. Click into Special, scroll down and select 'Copy Channel' - adjust the mode to
'Left --> Right' and click OK
6. This will copy the left channel onto the right channel, but not affect your original clip.  It will place the copied scene in the audio sample list. I recommend renaming the sample now - adding a suffix to the scene like  'scene name: LEFT'
7. While in the Audio Record/Edit menu, click on the original audio sample and click on Effects.
7. Click into Special, scroll down and select 'Copy Channel' - adjust the mode to
'Right --> Left' and click OK
9. This will copy the right channel onto the left channel, and again place the copied scene in the audio sample list. I again recommend renaming the sample now - adding a suffix to the scene like  'scene name: RIGHT'
10. You would then go and add these audio samples to the same location as the original video scene/s in the Audio Mix menu.  Be certain to mute the original track (in the camera track) to avoid over-modulation and totally mixed-up audio.
11. You now have each of the tracks separated to affect as you choose

NOTE: You could have also just copied the track once and applied the Copy Channel effect to the original camera audio but I believe doing this total separation maybe easier for many to understand the process.

Canon announces New File-Based Professional Camera

Canon reveals a new prototype camera in development that records at 50 mb per second - recording to MPEG-.  This new file-based professional video camera currently under development stands to shake up the marketplace.

You can view the interview with Joseph Bogacz, Product Marketing Division, Canon USA on the MacVideo website here: http://www.macvideo.tv/camera-technology/interviews/index.cfm?articleId=3212207

Macrosystem AG Announces PAL Release of Arabesk 4 update (v4.9)

  

Macrosystem AG today announced the release in PAL of a new update for the Casablanca DVD Authoring software, DVD Arabesk 4.

This Version 4.9 provides the following changes from v4.6

• Support for projects with the resolutions of 1280 * 720 and 1920 * 1080 (that are burned as AVCHD file/s).
• Increased Compatibility with Blu-ray players (some players can not properly represent interlaced video programs).

• Firmware Update for Pioneer BDR203

• Other minor improvements.

For those Casablanca customers using the PAL color standard, you can download this free update (as long as you have an earlier version of Arabesk 4 on your Casablanca) on the MS AG website here: http://www.macrosystem.de/d/downloads_images.html

For NTSC customers, there is no estimated release of this Arabesk 4 update at present.

Vimeo Adds New Functionality

A number of our Casablanca colleagues use Vimeo for their online video hosting website - the site was one of four I featured last Fall in my Casablanca Expert webinar titled ' Getting Your Videos Online'  I wanted to share today news of the upgrades that Vimeo has made to their site in recent weeks... the following news is from the Vimeo Blog

  At the beginning of 2010 Vimeo began providing  Vimeo Plus mobile support - this allows users of many smart phones to upload and create videos directly to their Vimeo Channel.  Then Vimeo kicked off testing & access of the new HTML5 beta technology. 

Then Vimeo announced two additional benefits of specific interest for those Vimeo customers who are shooting & editing HD (High Definition) video programs:

First up: 1080p support. If you're a Plus user, you can now optionally upgrade new or existing 1080p videos to be played back in full 1080p. To do this, go to the settings page of your video, then click "video file", then check the "Display this video in 1080p" box. Your video will re-encode and soon be available in 1080p to everyone! 

We're calling this feature experimental: that means to use caution before enabling 1080p, since viewers may experience choppy playback. Remember that very few computers have 1920x1080 monitors and 720p will load about twice as fast. You can always uncheck the box to go back to 720p. 

Second: AVCHD support. We've actually had this in beta for a long time, but never fully announced it to the world. If you shoot or edit in AVCHD, you can now upload the .MTS or .M2S file directly.

These new options and benefits should be welcome news to the folks who use Vimeo to share their video projects across the internet.

You can read more about video hosting websites in this article previously posted to the Casablanca Expert Blog: Another Opinion About Video Hosting Websites.

Chet's Presentations at the MGT 2010

As we're a little less than one month from the annual gathering of Casablanca enthusiasts at the March Get Together 2010 (MGT) - I have been asked by some colleauges what are the specific presentations or lessons that I will be presenting at this year's event.

I am happy to provide that info below - I am presenting Monday evening, following the opening keynote from the MGT Founder Jim Meeker - then I have a presentation for each of the 3 full days. 

* Monday Evening: What's New... The latest capabilities brought to our Casablanca editors by the developers.  Chet will focus on the new benefits of Smart Edit 9 / Bogart OS 3 - including the new Store n' Share.  Chet will also provide a glimpse at Photo Studio 3, Columbus 3, Bogart HD Backup, and De-Shaker.

* Online Video - Which Web-host is Ideal for my Videos?
Chet will be sharing his favorite video hosting websites (he uses 5) as well as methods to process and upload videos to your site from both the Casablanca 2 (Smart Edit) and the Bogart SE (using Media Manager/Archives).

* Magic Bag of Tricks for Your Casablanca Projects: Chet will share software applications (for both Windows and Mac)  to help you get the most from your Casablanca.  These computer applications include Photo Editing & Manipulation, File Converters, Music Applications and .

* Ask The Expert - LIVE! An opportunity to ask software/operational questions you have about editing on your Casablanca video editor.  Chet will take questions from the floor and provide answers with a live demonstration.

Registration for this three and 1/2 day conference is just $150.00 per person - if you register by February 15, 201.  After that the registration fee is $200 per person.  The registration fee includes all MGT presentations, evening entertainment and Gala Banquet dinner!
 
Online registration now available:http://marchgettogether.com/2010_MGT_info.html

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Casablanca Expert Hands-on Workshops!
 
Wow!  Folks attending the MGT 2010 will have 2... yes two hands-on workshops presented by yours truly -  Chet Davis (the Casablanca Expert).
 
I will present his 2-day Intermediate Workshop on Sunday - Monday, March 7th-8th and a special, new Advanced workshop on the 2 days following the MGT: Friday 3/12 and Saturday 3/13.
 
Advanced Casablanca enthusiasts are welcome to attend both sessions for a 4-day extravaganza to really help you climb the ladder of Casablanca enlightenment!
 
Folks have asked me, what makes an intermediate user?  If you have used Casablanca for awhile, you are likely an intermediate user (if you are brand new to Casablanca... you should study the videos & manual prior to attending the Intermediate class).
 
Agenda, details and online registration are now available here:

Casablanca Expert Intermediate Workshop: http://davenport.eventbrite.com/

Casablanca Expert Advanced Workshop: http://mgtadvanced.eventbrite.com/

"How do I remove previous work from my DVD Arabesk?"

Ask the Expert - Question: I notice when I go to Edit Menu in DVD Arabesk it seem like there are stuff left from the last time someone made the last DVD.  How can I clear the menu everything from the last time someone made an DVD?

Answer: I recommend that folks develop this new 'habit' each time you enter the DVD Arabesk menu

1. Click on 'Films, Chapter Menus'
2. Scroll up and down to make certain there are _no_ films already/still in there.  For example, in the screen shot at the right I have one film still in there.
3. If there are unwanted films still in Arabesk from a previous session - click to select that film and click 'Remove Film'

This will delete the film from Arabesk and provide you with your clean slate.

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For a thorough understanding of the capabilities for DVD Authoring using Casablanca Arabesk software - order your own copy of Casablanca Foolproof: Volume 2 - DVD Arabesk Intensive.  This volume is now available for shipping - see the details and online ordering in my online store at CasablancaExpert.com

Online Video for Casablanca March Get Together 2010

I have produced a short online video to highlight the upcoming March Get Together (MGT 2010). You can view this short video here:

For those considering attending this annual convocation of the Casablanca community - remember that your early-bird registration is only $150. for the 3-1/2 event, as long as you register by February 15th, 2010. Details, program/agenda and online registration on Jim's website here: http://www.MarchGetTogether.com

Manual & Highlights of Bogart SE 3 Operating System

During my Public Webinar this past week - I was asked about an English language manual of the new Casablanca Operating System.

To help you learn the new features and benefits in the Casablanca Bogart SE V3 Operating System, you can download the 16-page PDF document (the 'official' manual from Macrosystem for the Bogart SE 3 Operating System) and . This is not a complete manual, but an addendum to the Bogart 2 Manual my 2-page PDF document that provides highlights of the new features/benefits in Bogart SE V3 and Smart Edit 9 Operating Systems.  You can download both of these PDF documents on my website here: http://www.casablancaexpert.com/articles/20100205

Webinar inspires poetry ?!

I am pleasantly surprised to have discovered that several of my Casablanca colleagues are not only savvy with video technology and the art of video editing -- but they are poets!

On the Cassie Tips List, a member, named Bill,  indicated he had missed yesterday's Casablanca Expert General Webinar (where I presented a preview of the highlights of Smart Edit 9 & Bogart SE 3). 

Here was the response by two members, in Prose :

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OH NO BILL,

THIS GIVES ME A CHILL

THAT YOU MISSED THIS EVENT

WELL, I WILL TELL YOU HOW IT WENT

CHET STUDIES THE SOFTWARE

ALL DAY AND ALL NIGHT, HE DIDN'T CARE

HE HAD TO TELL US, ONE AND ALL

ALL THE GOOD STUFF AND OVERHAUL

SMART EDIT 9 WAS THE MAIN SUBJECT

AND BOGART WAS NOT TO BE NEGLECT

WE WERE ON THE EDGE OF OUR SEAT

HOPING HE WOULD REPEAT

OUR MOUTHS ALL DROOLING

IT WAS RATHER GRUELING

THERE WAS SO MUCH TO SAY

THE HOUR QUICKLY PASSED AWAY

I GUESS IF YOU DID NOT MAKE IT

YOU WILL JUST HAVE TO TAKE IT

BUY SMART EDIT 9

AND EVERYTHING WILL BE FINE

By Bobbie Evoy

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There once was a guy named CHET.
The smartest guy I ever MET.
He showed us Bogart and SMART EDIT
So now we can never FORGET IT!

By Louis Bruno

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What fun!