CasablancaExpert

'Unexpected Turns' from the MGT, available now!

For the past two years, Roger Schutter has produced a short film at the MGT - March Get Together.  This has been one of the highlights of the annual Casablanca Conference, where many in attendance experience what it's like on a film set.  Here is this year's final result - (posted by Roger on his Vimeo channel).

"For those who have been waiting is has finally made its journey from HDV on the 4000 to My Vimeo Account, I have left it open to load the original source file for those who want to. Thanks again to all who helped."  Roger Schutter

Unexpected Turns from Roger Schutter on Vimeo.

A Teaching Short produced at the 2010 March Get Together

In a world of sameness we need to expect the unexpected

Preparing for the OS Upgrade

Tutorials & Tips to Help You Upgrade Smoothly
 With a great many Casablanca colleagues in North America receiving their envelopes with the new OS software and activation codes for both Smart Edit V9 and Bogart SE V3 (members of Club Casablanca... other can purchase the OS upgrade on June 1, 2010) - I am receiving emails all about upgrading.
 
 "Is it possible to do an update rather than a full install?"

 "How can I save my video projects"

"What about my custom archives?"

 
Let me take a moment and address these good questions and point you to resources already available on my website that provide you with comprehensive information on these topics.

"What Are the New Functions/Features in Smart Edit 9 or Bogart 3?"
There are some great new features and functions made possible with these two upgrades - you can view the streaming video recording of the February 2010 Casablanca Expert Webinar  to learn the new options in these OS ugprades.  You can even download the 16-page PDF owners manual for these two OS upgrades on my website now: http://www.casablancaexpert.com/articles/20100210
 


"Is it possible to do an update rather than a full install?"
Well, actually yes. You can perform an update, keeping your video & audio files, all project intact with both these OS versions (assuming you are upgrading from a recent OS).  But Tech Support recommends (and so do I) that you do a clean install - meaning you will lost all project data. This wipes the hard drive clean of any possible 'bugs' that a previous OS may have had, and also de-fragments your hard drive.  I know for me this also 'forces' me to do some 'spring cleaning' of my video projects.
 
 
"How can I save my custom archives?"

Backup/Restore Archives
I recommend to all Casablanca colleagues that they should archive/save your archives. If you have created your own custom color/s, archived titles, archived certain special effects settings and (to me, the biggest and most important) archived your own DVD menu templates (available on Arabesk 4) you should use the use the Back-up/Restore Archives function in the System Settings Menu.  This process is detailed in a short tutorial on my website here: http://www.casablancaexpert.com/articles/20090613 
 
Bogart OS - Software Activation Code Export/Import
This is for Bogart systems only - to avoid spending a considerable amount of time after you perform a clean installation, make certain you back-up (export) the activation codes for your software.  If not, after the upgrade you'll be needing to re-type the 12-digit activation codes for all the software you have on your editor!  (Smart Edit units save the activation codes on the internal system so you don't have to worry about this step).   You will find a short tutorial (you can print it out) on my website here: http://www.casablancaexpert.com/articles/20090820
 
 
"How can I back-up my projects?"
There are several different options for backing-up your projects on today's Casablanca editor.  If you are on a Bogart OS editor, I believe the best choice is to use the Bogart HD Backup (add-on software).  This function is detailed in this tutorial: http://www.casablancaexpert.com/articles/20090909
 
If you're using a Smart Edit OS Casablanca, or on Bogart and don't have the Bogart HD Backup software - you may wish to consider the Storyboard Archives. This function and the other options (backup to DV tape) and covered in my previous Casablanca Expert Webinar titled ' All About Archiving'. You'll find this streaming video on my website here: http://www.casablancaexpert.com/articles/20090912_1
 
And for the 'Full Monty' on archiving for your Casablanca, you can check out all the resources presented for that webinar on in my Public Webinar Archives here.
 
Scroll down to the session titled:
Casablanca Webinar - General Session
Episode 15
Held Tuesday 9/08/09


Bogart 'Emergency' Monitor Switch
And lastly if you are working on a Bogart OS editor, and you perform a clean install (destructive installation) you will want to have this handy - it's the process that enables you to use your Trackball to reset your monitor display output.  When you perform a clean install - it sometimes resets the monitor display.  Some folks find that they are fine until they go over to Media Manager and get a blank screen.  This procedure will allow you to get your menu/s back:
http://www.casablancaexpert.com/articles/20090821_3

Which External HDD Do I use With Store-N-Share?

I have been happy to hear from several folks who attended my Casablanca Expert Webinar yesterday when I demonstrated the Title Studio and Store-N-Share Casablanca software - these two add-ons are for the Casablanca NextGen series of editors.  Both products are currently available for PAL customers but are not yet for NTSC (North America).
* Store-N-Share software will be available in NTSC (North America) on June 1, 2010. 
* Title Studio software does not yet have an NTSC release date.

I have been asked if I will be replaying or making public yesterday's session -- I will make the presentation from yesterday's webinar available to the public once those products have been released..

This new Store-N-Share software is really cool!  Several folks yesterday asked me what external hard drive I am using with the Store-N-Share... I am happy to oblige!

The Store-N-Share is apparently designed to function with a USB HDD (Hard Disk Drive). It does not require separate power - and it can even work with a USB Thumb Drive (flash drive!).

I have been using a LaCie Little Disk - mine is their 250 GB model but it;s also available in 320, 500 and 800 GB models.  This very hands, convenient storage device can be put into a briefcase or camera bag and can easily travel to your editing job across the city or on the other side of the planet!  I got my Little Disk from CAM Audio, Inc.  Their list price on this model is a very affordable $79.

Another option is the LaCie Rugged XL Series of external hard drives.  These are made for travel and moving around and are available in the 1TB (1,000 GB) size.

Casablanca Expert May 2010 Newsletter Sent

The free monthly Casablanca Newsletter was sent via email to all recipients yesterday.  This free monthly bulletin shares news of interest to Casablanca enthusiasts - whether you're a full-time professional, an amateur videomaker, an educator, in ministry or for family and travel. 

If you're not already receiving it - sign-up here for my free monthly Casablanca Newsletter:

Free Public Webinar Tomorrow: Title Studio & S-N-S software

Free Public Casablanca Webinar
Thursday May 20, 2010
10:00AM Pacific Time
"Casablanca Title Studio & Store-N-Share software"


You are hereby invited to join me - Casablanca Expert Chet Davis - as I presents some valuable tips and tutorial to help you get the most from your Casablanca video editor.  In this free session you'll learn about the brand new Casablanca Title Studio! This new titling software really opens up some new creative options to create dramatic titles in your video projects.

I will also provide a walk-through of the use of the Store N Share software that enables the Casablanca Next Generation Editors to edit to/from an external hard-drive (Store-N-Share will release in NTSC on June 1, 2010)

Both these software products are only available for the Bogart OS series of editors (S4000/PRO, S2000, S4100 and Ultra-card upgraded Renommee & Solitaire units)

Reserve your Webinar seat now at: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/533408778

MSUS Announces NTSC Release Date for Store 'n Share software

MacroSystem US has announced the release date of June 1, 2010 for a highly anticipated software add-on for the Next Generation series of Casablanca editors (those using the Bogart SE Operating System).  This product - called Store-N-Share allows you to edit to and from an externally connected Hard Drive. 

Join me this Thursday - May 20, 2010 at 10:00AM PST for a free Casablanca Expert Webinar.  I will be presenting the soon to be released Bogart 3 OS and this Store-N-Share software.

Click here and register for this Free Public Webinar

Folks using a Casablanca editor running Smart Edit with the removable HDD may wonder what all the excitement is about -- as you already have the ability to switch hard-drives, essentially providing unlimited project capacity (on all Smart Edit models except AVIO and Claro).  Until this software is released, folks editing with Bogart OS are restricted to using the single internal HDD -- now, granted my S4000 PRO does have a 1-Tera-byte HDD (1,000 Gigabytes)  but when you're working in HD this can be consumed relatively quickly.

This new software feature provides all folks with the ability to enjoy not only a great deal more capacity (functionally unlimited) but also allows you to work on this project in another Casablanca running Bogart 3 with Store-N-Share enabled.  This is great then for schools or multi-user environments.  It is also cool for folks collaborating on projects - you could ship a USB HDD to a colleague across the country for them to perform editing on the piece.  And I can think of many colleagues who are working on either legal or corporate/industrial video projects and may wish to have their clients' work on a drive and then lock it away in a safe deposit box... bringing it out next year to provide updates for that client.

To clarify - this product is only available for the Next Generation series of Casablanca editors and requires Bogart 3 OS (also releasing June 1, 2010 in NTSC) as well as this add-on software which has a list price of $99.00. You open the Store-N-Share software in the Project Settings menu and can host up to 30 projects on the externally connected HDD (via USB).

Happy Birthday... to me

On the occasion of my 51-st Birthday I thought I would share with you some photos.  This past week I went through some family photo albums and scanned some photographs.  It was an enjoyable experience, with time to reflect on all the experiences I have been blessed to have.  Truly - Life Is Good!

Click below to launch/view my pictures in my SmugMug gallery

(the above embedded photo widget was created with the 'Badge' option in SmugMug)

You can read the reasons why SmugMug is my choice for on-line photo hosting in my blog article here: Your Technology Tutor

MSUS Announces Release Date for Bogart V3 Upgrade

Yesterday I shared the news that MacroSystem US had announced the release date for the Smart Edit 9 Operating System upgrade - today they announced the release date for the Bogart V3 OS Upgrade.  Both are set for a June 1, 2010 release for the public (members of Club Casablanca have been notified of their impending shipment of the OS upgrade).

Pricing for the Bogart V3 Upgrade is

$249 - Full Version
$179 - Upgrade Version

You can read the 'official' MSUS announcement on the Macrosystem US blog here.

Earlier this year I presented a Webinar where I demonstrated the new functions in these Operating System upgrades - you can view the streaming video from this session on my website here: http://www.casablancaexpert.com/articles/20100210

Additionally, I have prepared a webpage where you can download the Macrosystem Manuals for both Smart Edit 9 and Bogart 3 (English language manuals) Manuals page

How to Unstick your Stuck DVD Tray

Last week, during my NorCal 2010 Hands-on Workshop,  my DVD tray refused to open (on my S4000 PRO). I tried a number of things with no luck -- so I called a buddy who suggested holding down the 'Esc' key on my keyboard upon re-booting (turn the editor off first and then re-start). It worked like a gem... that un-stuck and worked fine since. 

Thanks to Seth Hampton at CAM Audio for his suggestion that pulled me out of the 'mud'!  Thought I would pass it along for others who may find themselves in that predicament.  I should note this process apparently only works on the S4000/S4000-PRO models.  The newer S4100 and S2000 require a different process engineered by Macrosystem AG. You will find both the process and the required download link on my website here: Help, my DVD drawer won't open (S2000 & S4100)

 

Casablanca vs. FCP... Event Videographers Earn More with Casablanca!

In a recent post on the MacroSystem US Blog - MSUS VP Philip Bice lays out the projected ROI or Return On Investment between an event or wedding videographer who uses Final Cut Pro (FCP) and a Casablanca video editor.  Very interesting... and potentially revealing!You are invited to contribute to the conversation - you can add comments at the bottom of the Macrosytem US blog article or send Philip a direct email off list at suggestions@macrosystem.us

vs.                      

Here is the summary at the end of his article:

Income Difference

WEV (Wedding/Event Videographers) can do 1.6x as much work with Cassie as FCP in the same time.

If WEV can make $75k/ yr using FCP - they can make $120k with Cassie (because they can book more events!) 

Check out the entire article here: Casablanca ROI vs FCP