CasablancaExpert

Webinar Recording: MGT 2011 Preview

I was delighted to host the founder of the MGT (March Get Together) for a special Casablanca Expert Webinar this morning - Jim Meeker was on-line as he shared some of the history of this annual Casablanca users conference & event.  Jim have us a snap-shot of the learning that will be taking place next week in Davenport, Iowa and some behind the scenes info and details.

Next week will mark the 7th annual get together on the banks of the Mississippi River and Jim - there is still time to register, which you can find out all about on the MGT website here: http://www.marchgettogether.com/2011_MGT.html

If you would like to review the recording of today's webinar/preview of MGT 2011, you will find the 62-minute streaming video in the Webinar Archives on my website here: Casablanca Expert Webinar Archives

Monday Meeting of the Minds for February 28th in the Archives

A group of website members (subscribers at CasablancaExpert.com) participated this morning on-line for the Monday Meeting of the Minds.

 

After chatting about the Academy Awards (televised last night) I shared what little news there is/was on the Macrosystem AG and MSUS websites.  I highlighted the webinar that tool place at 10:00AM Pacific Time this morning (which followed the Monday Coffee  Klatsch) and also mentioned the two upcoming March Casablanca Expert Webinars - which are detailed here: http://www.casablancaexpert.com/categories/webinars - whose focus is the history and a preview of the MGT 2011 (March Get Together 2011) which is set for Davenport, Iowa next week.

I addressed some Casablanca operation questions from several members on-line and also provided a broad understanding of the difference between software updates and software upgrades.

The internet links (URLs) for the items mentioned above and the audio recording (available as an MP3 file) from the meeting are available for Website members to review here: Coffee Klatsch Archives

If you are a website member and would like to join us for any one of the Monday sessions - please see this web page: Casablanca Coffee Klatsch

Casablanca Coffee Klatsch for February 14th In the Archives!

I enjoyed another Casablanca Coffee Klatsch yesterday morning... we did an 'around the world' as I shared the latest articles on  the Casablanca Expert website, I highlighted some recent posts on Your Technology Tutor and on this Casablanca Expert Blog

We talked some more about the March Get Together - MGT 2011 - you can check out the details on the website here: www.MarchGetTogether .com and if you have any questions or need further info after you read the website - contact the founder and host of the MGT, Jim Meeker via email.

And we addressed a couple of questions from the members online regarding their Casablanca video editors. Then I shared some things I had told my colleagues I would yesterday -- I spent a few minutes sharing tidbits from an article in the Shutterbug magazine, in their recent issue about Wedding Photography. 

There were a couple of articles that resonated with me and I believe they translated well for videographers as well.  I shared my business sense about finding your niche and pouring yourself into it.

 

The internet links (URLs) for the items mentioned above and the audio recording (available as an MP3 file) from the meeting are available for Website members to review here: Coffee Klatsch Archives

If you are a website member and would like to join us for any one of the Monday sessions - please see this web page: Casablanca Coffee Klatsch

Ask The Expert: Performing a Clean OS Install - Can I Save my Audio & Software?

What follows is another of my Ask The Expert series -- members of the website have the benefit to send questions via email for a personal reply (and many of these make it into the 500+ articles on my website)

 

QUESTION:  I have had a problem with a 250 hard drive on my Prestige that some one suggest I do a complete un-install + re-install of everything. My question is can I save my audio library and the software I have installed or do I have to reload everything piece by piece (Smart Edit 8.3 with Arabesk 4.1)


ANSWER: A clean installation of the Operating System will wipe clean the entire contents of your HDD as you suggest, you _can_ save any custom colors, titles, etc. by using the Archives function found in the System Settings Menu - article here: http://www.casablancaexpert.com/articles/20090613. On the Smart Edit OS your software codes (12-digit activation codes) are retained but you will need to reinstall the software after your OS install (the codes will auto-activate the software). And you should consider saving your audio library out to CD (using CD export function - tutorial here: http://www.casablancaexpert.com/articles/20090207_1 or by using Sample>Scene and Disk Transfer to export the video scenes with the audio embedded.

The Importance of Deinterlace.. and Maybe You Should Use Decomb Instead

Those colleagues who have attended my Casablanca Expert webinars or been to one of my Casablanca Expert workshops know that I am a big fan of de-interlace. This process basically takes an interlaced video (the method we have been using for TV & video since it's inception) and converting it to what is essentially a progressive version.

This is important for two reasons, today's popular plasma and LCD flat-screen TVs do not show interlace material very well.  And that includes computer monitors -- so videos destined for internet display/sharing should be de-interlaced (most all internet hosting websites recommend you provide them with a de-interlaced version of your video/s).

There is a function in the Casablanca video editor that allows for this and I have posted the tutorials for the process on my website: Short Process for Deinterlacing your Videos for Online Display and here (but for a different purpose) Using Movie-Mode to Improve the Look of HD Projects Headed for Blu-ray .

 

I have also recommended the use of computer freeware (free-software) called 'Handbrake'.  This is particularly useful for folks who are ripping projects off a DVD and then uploading to the internet.

One of our colleagues - a Gold Member at CasablancaExpert.com - Ron Brookman this week turned me onto a article on the Handbrake website that details a new option they provide in their software, it's called 'Decomb'

"Decomb only deinterlaces frames that are visibly interlaced. This saves time, and makes it safe, usually, to leave it on all the time. It won't destroy the detail in progressive sources the way Deinterlace will, and should be faster than Slow or Slower". To read more about this Decomb function in Handbrake visit their website:  Handbrake Decomb

 

And if you would like more information on the topic of Deinterlace - I recommend this page on Wikipedia: Wikipedia: Deinterlace

Google Pulls Togerther Free Online Tools for Wedding Planning

Here is an idea for Casablanca colleagues who provide wedding videography for their customers - you may prepare a special press release or page on your website to provide this information for prospective wedding video clients:

Google has announced a special spot where a couple can use several of the Google on-line tools to "simplify wedding planning".  With this launch page you can easily access four different Google online free tools to "help you save time, stay organized and have fun while planning your big day."

Here is a summary of what Google suggests you can do with these tools:

Google Sites 

Create a website with Google Sites Share your story and event details with with an easy to create website. Choose the style that fits your theme or venue, then edit your website with ease.

Picnik

Photo editing and personalized announcements from Picnik Use Picnik’s photo editing tools to create photos that are simply perfect. Then use them to create announcements, save the date cards and more.

Google Docs

Plan the nuts and bolts using Google Docs Save time by collaborating with your bridal party on guest lists, schedules, addresses, and more. Access and edit your planning documents from the bridal shop, bakery or pretty much anywhere.

Picasa

Share photos with Picasa Web Albums Create an on-line photo album to share your engagement and wedding pictures, or gather photos of floral arrangements, dresses and other inspirations.

Visit the Google Weddings page here:  Google Weddings

 

I Love Teaching... and I Guess It Shows!

Yesterday I spent 6 hours on-line teaching the 3rd session for the Casablanca Expert Virtual Workshops, both the Advanced and the Novice/Intermediate (2 different classes).  I love using the webinar delivery technology to be able to teach folks across the miles.  Participants continue to share how much they enjoy the convenience of learning in their own home/office. 

If you have not joined me in a class before - I will be announcing later this week my next round of virtual (on-line) workshops which will be in the months of May-June 2011

Yesterday on the Cassie Tips List and on my Facebook page I received the following comments from workshop participants -- I am thrilled that the classes are received as well as I enjoy teaching them!

The Advance Class was AMAZING today....................Chet had us moving files such as wmv, avi, quick time files, photos, from the Internet right to our Bogart units super fast!  We were transferring files from our flash drives and even our iPods right into the Bogart OS, in seconds.., very fast!

Chet took us to many Internet websites where we can download many FREE movie clips and photos and in a few short clicks of our mouse, we had transferred a logo of many sizes onto a FOUR LAYER video scene..............it was just loads of learning!

And workshop participants can go to a special website and watch the lesson over and over (or even download our own copy!)

Hope you will consider this GREAT BENEFIT we have with the Casablanca Expert!   I am so glad that I am, I am learning over and over, more and more, definitely happy with my Casablanca Expert membership and this workshop investment! 
Bobbie Evoy - Memories on Tape

 

We in the cassie family are lucky to have someone like you. These are the best classes I have ever taken including college. Thanks Chet!                Lowell Brockway - Just Perfect Video

 

The Novice class is amazing also. I am now on my 3rd Cassie video editing machine the S4000 and I am amazed with the many features that I have never used. If I just consider the time that I will save in my video productions then the class would be worth so much more then Chet charges.

Chet is an amazing teacher. His clarity, knowledge, patience and warm personality are such a gift to any owner of a Cassie product. I enjoy the fact that I do not have to fly to a site, pay for a motel and carry my S4000 to the Workshop. It is amazing to take the Workshop on-line and in the comfort of my own home. I too would encourage any Cassie owner to sign up for these Workshops. I am sure anyone would learn from our Cassie expert. I am ready to sign up for the next Workshop.
Pat Kankowski

Vimeo Announces 4 New Features For Pro Customers (Online Video Hosting)

For my Casablanca colleagues who use Vimeo to share their video/s with their clients, family and the world - Vimeo announces four new features for their online hosting website:

5 GB file uploads are here
Now more than ever it's a great time to be a Vimeo Plus member. We are now accepting up to 5GB uploads with our awesome new ajax uploader! This update is great for many reasons -- it means filmmakers can upload full-feature films in HD, parents can upload their kid's entire soccer game, and your Aunt Martha can upload 2.5 hours of stunning HD video of her cat taking a nap!


Custom URLs for your videos
Can't remember a specific URL to one of your videos? Now it's a snap! You can now set a memorable human-readable shortcut to your video URL. Custom URLs combine both your custom profile URL and a word or sentence you choose. Try it out in any of your video's settings. Learn more

Better HD embedding for Plus users
Back when we made HD embedding free and unlimited for Plus users we also changed the default embed quality to SD and left it up to the viewer to choose HD. Now Plus members can default viewers to HD resolution on your embedded videos. Woo! Look for this setting on any HD video's embed settings page. You can also update all of your videos at once on the video default settings page.

Hide your activity on your profile page
You can now hide the activity module from your profile page. This is a small tweak people have been requesting for a long time and we're glad to finally offer it as an option. You can find this option on your profile settings page.

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For additional information on using Vimeo, check out the streaming videos in the Casablanca Expert Webinar Archives:

Online Video Hosting Websites & Technology - Webinar Archives November 2010

Getting Your Video Online - Webinar Archive October 2009

Monday Morning Coffee Klatsch -- Another Session in the Archives

I got today's Casablanca Coffee Klatsch started off with a 'rant' by me.  And my ranting and raving was about the commercials in yesterday's Super Bowl.  Hard to believe that something as innocuous as tv commercials could get me going!  Anyway we talked for a few minutes about how many members online today found little to enjoy in the 2011 Super Bowl TV Commercials (I should hasten to point out that we had at least one die-hard Packers fan online this morning who was glowing and gleaming!).

I shared some of my recent posts on the Casablanca Expert Blog and highlighted an new article or two from the Casablanca Expert website.

We talked a little abou the March Get Together - MGT 2011 and I shared some of the company history and my strong like and appreciation for Justin Philpott.  You may have heard the news that Justin is attending this year's MGT 2011 as an official MSUS representative.  Many, many in the Casablanca community  have expressed for years their hope and desire to meet Justin -- to have him attend the MGT 2011, and he will be there this year! If you are even thinking possibly about attending this annual gathering of the casablanca community (in North America) check out the details on the website here: www.MarchGetTogether.com and if you have any questions or need further info after you read the website - contact the founder and host of the MGT, Jim Meeker via email.

And we addresses questions from those online -- from importing MOV files into your Casablanca to USB options for Smart Edit to the challenges of file size limitations with FAT32 (and our hope that the changes to NTFS in Bogart 4 will alleviate those challenges)

The internet links (URLs) for the items mentioned above and the audio recording (available as an MP3 file) from the meeting are available for Website members to review here: Coffee Klatsch Archives

If you are a website member and would like to join us for any one of the Monday sessions - please see this web page: Casablanca Coffee Klatsch

Ask The Expert: Clipboard Giving Me Odd Results

I was happy to answer a website members' question - which he posted on the Cassie Tips List yesterday about the use of Clipboard to move 4:3 video into a 16:9 project.  

"I've done this before, successfully, but can't seem to do it today.  I
have a project in SD  in the 4:3 aspect.  I want to convert it to
16:9.  Then I want to put it on the clip board, import it into an HD
project. All I get is a cropped image with two black bands at left and right, and a squeezed image in between. Any suggestions?"

 Here is my advice/suggestion -- if you have not already done so, I would  recommend checking what the 'Options' are set at in your Clipboard.

In Bogart SE3 (and Smart Edit V9) the function to modify differing aspect ratios is active. This may contribute to some change/s you are noticing going between 4:3 and 16:9.

Here is his reply "That did the trick, Chet.  Thanks.  I needed to select Panorama within the Clipboard Options"

 

I presented a web-seminar on the use of Clipboard in your Casablanca video editor - website members can review the 20-minute streaming video on the use of the Clipboard here: Using the Casablanca Clipboard

You'll also learn about the Clipboard and every other function in your Casablanca Operating System in my very comprehensive tutorial DVD - Casablanca Foolproof Volume 1. This 3-disk set (6-1/2 hours of instruction) is available from any Macrosystem US Reseller, from MacroSystem US in Boulder, Colorado, from Dalco UK in the United Kingdom and from my online store here: Casablanca Foolproof Volume 1