CasablancaExpert

FREE Casablanca Expert Webinar tomorrow - highlights of Bogart 4 OS !

Casablanca Expert Webinar - Special Public Session
Thursday, June 30, 2011
8:00 AM - 9:15 AM PDT

In this special public session Chet will highlight the new features and functions in the Bogart V4 Operating System. From the ability to import new formats like .FLV files, the direct export of still video scenes to Photos, the option to use your own edited images - with alpha channel support, to the awesome new direct export... there are lots of new things to learn to make your video editing more creative and more efficient! As always we'll have an engaging enjoyable time together as we learn a lot.

Register for your online website 'seat' here: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/769366026

If you have never attended a webinar (web-seminar) before --- you simply need a PC or Mac connected to the internet.  

You register in advance (using the above link) and then at the date and time, you log into your computer, entering the specific URL (web-page address) that is provided to you in an email after you register.

Click here for a 2-page guide to attending a Webinar.
Click here for the detailed specifications required for your computer.

Ask The Expert: Any PowerKey Shortcuts or programmable keys I can use with QuadCam??

QUESTION:  We are using QuadCam to multi-camera mix a fast ballet routine (like 3+ second cuts). My wrists are killing me from the fast camera clicks in the mix window. Are there power-key shortcuts - or the ability to assign to different cameras to key board keys so that we can hit keys, instead of moving the mouse to different preview windows?

ANSWER:  Yes - you can use PowerKey with QuadCam - the quickest and  easiest way to identify which keys do what, is to launch QuadCam and press the 'F2' key (on top of your keyboard0. this will show you which keyboard key/s are assigned to which specific function. And once you learn this, you can use this in any Casablanca menu and Casablanca software to see which if any keys are programmed with Power Key.


SECOND QUESTION: Are any of the keyboard keys assignable?

ANSWER:  No, the keys in QuadCam (or other software/menu screens) are not assignable.

Well - there is one set of keys that are assignable... there are the Marker Keys - these are for the effects lists in Transitions, Image Processing & Titling menus as well as for items in Edit and Audio Record/Edit Menus. See details in this article/tutorial: http://www.casablancaexpert.com/articles/20090131

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This Ask The Expert article is one of more than 570 online right now!  If you are not already a member/subscriber at CasablancaExpert.com, consider joining today -- it's only $12.99 per month for access to the news, tutorials, tips, and streaming videos to help you get the most from your Casablanca video editor.  Click here to join

 

Today's Casablanca Coffee Klatsch in the Archives, with 32-minute video of Bogart V4

On the Casablanca Coffee Klatsch this morning I shared links from recent articles posted on my website as well as addressed a number of questions from colleagues on-line who had questions about the recent Bogart V3.6 and Bogart V4.1 Operating System software releases (in NTSC). 

I shared some of the issues surrounding the Apple release of their new software Final Cut Pro X and then presented some 30-minutes on live web cam with a preview of some of the new functions in Bogart 4. 

The audio and links from the whole session are in the Monday Meeting Archives, and you will also find a link to just the 33-minute video highlights there as well.

If you are a webiste member/subscriber - consider joining us Mondays for the Casablanca Coffee Klatsch (click here to register/for details)... if you're not yet a member of the online community, consider signing up today!  It's only $12.99 per month to access more than 570 online articles, tips & tutorials!  And that includes the Coffee Klatsch live or archives.

Bogart 4 OS New Features Quick Guide - Casablanca Expert

I am happy to announce the availability of a new Casablanca resource that is 'hot off the presses'.

Seeing that the Bogart V4 Operating System Manual from Macrosystem is a comprehensive manual (at 112 pages in length) I have assembled what I am calling a 'Quick Guide' to help Casablanca colleagues who are familiar with Bogart OS 3 to get familiar with the new functions in the Bogart V4 Operating System.

Download my eight-page PDF document and either refer to it on your computer screen, or print it out to become more comfortable with the great new features and options in the Bogart V4 Operating System.  I have included screen shots from my Casablanca editor with arrows (where appropriate) to guide you clearly to these new options.

  If you're a website member/subscriber at CasablancaExpert.com you can download your Bogart V4 Quick Guide here: Bogart 4 New Features Quick Guide.

  And if you're not yet a member, there's not a better time to join -- you'll have access to more than 570 articles with tutorials, tips and streaming video lessons. 

I hope this is of assistance to you in learning the new Casablanca Bogart OS software !

Casablanca Title Effects Pack Two - Streaming Video Learning

This morning's Members Only Webinar is in the Members' Webinar Archives and is also available on this quick to access page: Casablanca Title Effects Pack Two.

During this live, on-line session, I presented an 84-minutes of teaching focused on the functions and options in Casablanca Title Effects Pack Two.  There are some really cool titling capabilities we have with this software package and I was happy to share them. 

We explored the variables in positioning and rotating on the X, Y and Z-axis as well as how to use or turn-off the Appearance settings which affect the glass/tile background and the angle and color of light that is reflected off that title embellishment.  I also showed how to save your titles using the 3 different title archive functions, and how to back those up when you install a new Operating System.

MSUS Releases Bogart V4 to Club Casablanca Members

News from the MacroSystem US this morning

"Bogart 4 is now shipping out to club members. The official release will be slated for after the July 4th holiday"  (this is for those customers in NTSC - our colleagues in PAL have been working with Bogart V4 OS for some time now).

This means, if you are a member of Club Casablanca - you can look forward to an envelope in the next few days with a disk with the Bogart 4.1C software and a letter with your 12-digit Bogart 4 Activation Code. 

Take the time to read the Bogart V4.1C Release Notes.  Though it is a 4-page document, you would be wise to be well informed with this new software version (Page one identifies the Fixes this version addresses, the 2nd and top of the 3rd page point out the 'known issues' of this OS version, pages 3 and 4 share some useful notes and the bottom of page 4 lists the steps for installation of this software product).

When you receive your copy of the Bogart V4 OS disk (and activation code) you can read my step by step experience as I installed the new Bogart V4.1C OS version on my S-series Casablanca editor: Installing Bogart V4

 

And if you have not already signed up for my free webinar set for next Thursday (June 30th), do so now -  this webinar is scheduled to begin at 8:00AM Pacific Time - for all other time zones click here

 In this special public session Chet will highlight the new features and functions in the Bogart V4 Operating System. From the ability to import new formats like .FLV files, the direct export of still video scenes to Photos, the option to use your own edited images - with alpha channel support, to the awesome new direct export... there are lots of new things to learn to make your video editing more creative and more efficient!

Register for your online website 'seat' here: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/769366026

Apple Releases Final Cut Pro X

Apple computer this morning released the new version of their flagship video editing software application, Final Cut Pro.  There was a lot of commotion back in April 2011 as Apple showed off the first public view of the revised software at the NAB Show in Las Vegas, Nevada.

"Why are you talking about a product that competes with Casablanca video editors on your Casablanca Expert Blog Chet"  may be a question you are asking yourself (and me) as you read this...

I am regularly heard sharing with my colleagues and website member/subscribers during our Monday Morning Coffee Klatsch (on-line meetings) -- even if you are a stalwart fan or loyalist of any product it behooves you to know what is going on with the competition.

If you are a professional videographer, you have very likely heard other colleagues chat about FCP or Final Cut Pro at videographer conferences, and networking opportunities.  And many of our colleagues are using other computer based software in their edit suite to augment their Casablanca tool/s.

You'll hear a lot of FCP users chat about this new version of Final Cut Pro as this new version was redesigned, and is constructed to take advantage of today's computer processing power.  This version is also relatively much more affordable, at $299. and is available only via the Mac App Store (Apple's on-line computer software store).

To find out more about the Final Cut Pro X video editing software, you can visit the official Apple page: Final Cut Pro X (scroll down to view the 4-minute movie for an overview)

If you would like a more detailed description and opinion about the new software, check out Larry Jordan's Blog (Larry is arguably the most recognized Final Cut trainer/expert).

Monday Morning Klatsch for July 20th --- in the Archives!

Enjoyed yet another of our Monday Meeting of the Minds today... where member/subscribers at CasablancaExpert.com are invited to join for a live check-in on all things Casablanca and technology updates & news.

This morning we enjoyed the benefit of those in attendance as folks shared their suggestions about video lighting equipment. A colleague had asked me if I had a good suggestion for portable video lighting and I told him that I had been doing research on that topic but wondering myself if there was something I had not thought of.  So I suggested we bring to the Monday meeting. Glad I did -- we got some great equipment suggestions/ideas from several of our colleagues.

I also highlighted several articles on my website & blogs (Casablanca Expert Blog and Your Technology Tutor).

And I shared a cool YouTube Channel with some free and low cost classic films (some of the stuff I saw in college film school).  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

Preparing for the Bogart 4 OS Upgrade

MacroSystem US has announced that members of Club Casablanca will receive the software and the installation code for the brand new Bogart V4 Operating System any day now.  The rest of North American Casablanca users will be able to purchase the new OS software following the Club members release.  Here are some Tutorials & Tips to Help You Upgrade Smoothly (for those owners of Casablanca Generation III Editors who wish to upgrade to this new Bogart OS)

Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about the move to a new Casablanca Operating System:

"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 Bogart 4?"
There are some great new features and functions made possible with this new Operating System upgrade - I will be hosting a live webinar on Thursday, June 30, 2011 where I will highlight this new OS software. YOu can register for that free, public learning opportunity here: Casablanca Expert Special Webinar - Highlights of Bogart V4

You can read my former article outlining the most 'important' new features & functions in the Bogart V4 Operating System: Bogart 4 New Features.
 


"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! 

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 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 three streaming videos from an earlier webinar titled where I go in detail over the different means and issues with backing up of data on your Casablanca editor.  You will find these three videos in this article: Casablanca Expert Webinar: All About Archives

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

MSUS Releases Bogart 3.6c OS in NTSC today

From MacroSystem US:

Bogart 3.6c Released!

The 3.6c is now a universal version for all models of Bogart (S4000, S4000 Pro, S2000, S4100, S3000, and S6000's).

Fixes include: (full listing on Release Notes)

-Random drop frames when using DV input reduced with use of new easy workable solution (see release notes).

-Down converts from HD to SD with the clipboard and Arabesk have had some quality improvements.

-The display issue where the pause button was needed to re-sync audio on longer storyboard playbacks has been resolved. (S3000/S6000's)

-F4 key now ejects the DVD tray on the Bogart side.

Click Here to download the software and to download and read the full Release Notes. This ISO Image file must be burned onto a DVD (not CD).

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NOTE: For those NTSC customers planning on upgrading to the Bogart V4 Operating System, I understand that release will literally be any day now... you may wish to wait for that release.  However - if you are working on any projects and need the stability or fixes for the above issues you would be wise to install this OS Update (I always advise folks reading the Release Notes to ensure they know the identified risks or issues with any software release).