Posted at 09:06 AM in Casablanca Community, How To's | Permalink | Comments (0)
Reblog
(0)
| Digg This
|
| |
Yesterday on the Cassie Tips ListServ, one of the list members posted that the original Casablanca Classic affectionately known as 'The Cassie' was based on the original Amiga computer).
Jorg Sprave CEO of MacroSystem AG posted the following account of the company's beginnings:
The Amiga was always used for early digital video applications, but in the early days it was not possible to store motion video inside of the Amiga. People used it for overlaying analog video with digital images and animations, for titling and so on. That wasn't possible with PCs and Macs at that time, as only the Amiga had video compatible outputs (composite and, later on, Y/C). PCs used VGA and an even more limited standard called "TTL" (black and white graphics).
Lots of video related products were available in the big days of the Amiga. Genlocks (devices that synchronized/overlayed external video sources with computer graphics), the famous Video Toaster (a switcher with overlay, basically four genlocks on a card), the DCTV (graphics enhancer box) and so on.
MacroSystem also had some successful products, namely an audio card (the "Toccata") and a video digitizer card (still images only, the "VLab").
Then, when Motion JPEG compression came along, we introduced the VLab Motion card. For the first time ever, people could record life video and audio inexpensively to the harddrive of an Amiga! We offered it with an editing system called "MovieShop", a complex piece of software that features a full blown timeline, time code, EDLs, the whole deal. Much like some of the "pro" software systems (Avid, Adobe and so on) still work.
Then, Commodore went down, back in 94. A disaster for us, as we had lost our vehicle when we finally had a strong product.
We looked at alternatives, naturally, but found none. PCs and Macs, not enough throughput. Silicon Graphics workstations were way too expensive. So we decided to make our own Amiga clone, the DraCo. We licensed the AmigaOS from the various new owners of the almost defunct Amiga Inc. (it changed hands quickly and often).
The DraCo worked well, but after a year or two, we realized it was too complex for our kind of user. We did not have the Hollywood type cutters that spent three years in college to learn editing. We had the hard working wedding/event video guys (and gals) that needed fast output, and had no time to learn complex user interfaces.
So we threw the computer parts of the interface over board and re-packaged the DraCo into the first Casablanca. The storyboard replaced the timeline, which made it so much easier to edit. No clap down menus, and a clean work flow. People loved it. We were very successful.
Problem was that the AmigaOS (and therefore also the CasablancaOS) required a CPU type that was a dead end, the Motorola 680xx. We employed the last and fastest type they had, the 68060, clocked at 25 MHz. But Motorola had decided to discontinue that line. So there was no choice, we had to look for a new platform.
We found it with the VXWorks OS, and Intel x86 compatible CPUs. Using special hardware codecs (made by CCube), we had the gen 2 machines. Those were suffering from "childhood diseases" at first. Lots of customers were angry with us, as they immediately expected the same stability we had achieved with the very mature, but discontinued gen 1 line. But that wasn't the case, as always when a new system comes out. The gen 2 machines gotten very mature stable and powerful over time, though.
Then, HD came along. Another platform change was called for. So, we brought out BogartSE, based on Linux. Same initial problems, same maturing over time. History always repeats itself.
That is the true story, short version!
Jörg
I have posted an account of Macrosystem history of it's more recent years, copied from the company's less accesible english language website. You can view this in the free resource area on my website here: Macrosystem AG - Company History (1991-2005)
Posted at 07:37 AM in Casablanca Community | Permalink | Comments (0)
Reblog
(0)
| Digg This
|
| |
Posted at 06:45 AM in Casablanca Community | Permalink | Comments (0)
Reblog
(0)
| Digg This
|
| |
Today I sent out my free monthly email Newsletter for the Casablanca (video editing) community -- if you did not receive your copy, please check in the Junk Mail folder of your email program and if not there still, let me know so I can check the email distribution list. If you've not yet signed up for this free email newsletter, here's your opportunity:
Email Marketing You Can Trust
And you can read today's Casablanca Expert eNewsletter via the link below...it's chock full of information, news, and even several useful tips!
Casablanca Expert eNewsletter for November 2011
Posted at 07:37 PM in Casablanca Community, Macrosystem News, New Products, Webinars | Permalink | Comments (0)
Reblog
(0)
| Digg This
|
| |
I came across a blog post from a professional photographer last month who addressed the issue of how do you reply when asked to provide free services. You can read that post by Michael Zhang here on Petapixel.
I know videographers get hit up regularly with these requests as well - there's the line by non-profits who say 'it will be good experience or good exposure for you'. That may be the case - but if videography is part of or is your full-time business we must be careful about 'giving away' our craft. I agree with Michael as he states in the previously mentioned post that there is nothing wrong with giving back to your community, providing your service for your chosen charities - but you have to draw the line somewhere.
In this spirit - perhaps we all should have one of the following shirts in our closet, ready to pull out at that moment when asked by someone who things that you should work for them for free.
By the way - this is a real shirt, available in black for $15.00 - $19.99 at The Shirtlist.com. Awesome!
Posted at 06:33 AM in Casablanca Community | Permalink | Comments (0)
Reblog
(0)
| Digg This
|
| |
To keep up with video and technology I subscribe to a whole lot of feeds and services... and sometimes it's an article that intrigues that leads me to a blog or other website that features yet another articles on a different site.
Today I came across a blog post that totally fit into a conversation we had on the Casablanca Coffee Klatsch recently. We were discussing the names we used to call or describe what we do to clients or to friends, family and community.
And for a LONG time I have been using the term videographer.
It is an accepted word in Webster's dictionary and basically means one who records images with a video camera. Now that fits a good part of what I do and what a lot of colleagues do - but really, it's just one part.
As folks who create videos whether for passion, for fun and/or for profit - we have to take that video recording and fashion it into a completed video presentation. That involves editing, titling, audio, DVD authoring, etc.
So the term videographer really is only a fraction of what we do, or who we are. Back to what I started with today -- here is a post by a colleague I have read his stuff before... Ron Dawson of Dare Dreamer Magazine. His article that got me started today: Are the Myriad of Names in Filmmaking Helping or Hurting the Industry?
If you're at all intrigued by this conversation you'll enjoy his thoughts as well. And I should point out that one of the folks who left a comment on Ron's blog shared what is the most important thing... if you're doing this for profit, the most important consideration is by what name or title is your prospective clients looking for you?
Posted at 07:22 AM in Casablanca Community, Weblogs | Permalink | Comments (0)
Reblog
(0)
| Digg This
|
| |
With the announcement last week from Macrosystem that software for the Smart Edit OS Casablanca editors will not be sold after November 2011, I thought it would be fun and interesting to take a look at some of the major events in the development of the Smart Edit OS Casablanca series.
I have put together a time-line document using information I pulled from the Macrosystem websites - you can view this time-line here: Casablanca Smart Edit Time Line. (note: you can use the blue arrows at far right of the page to easily move left and right in the time line).
Posted at 07:20 AM in Casablanca Community | Permalink | Comments (2)
Reblog
(0)
| Digg This
|
| |
A group of website members (subscribers at CasablancaExpert.com) participated this morning on-line for the Monday Meeting of the Minds.
I highlighted several of the new articles on Casablanca Expert.com as well as some from my Casablanca Expert Blog and Your Technology Tutor.
In particular I shared views & news about the announced changes at Facebook and the fact that Google Plus are open to all now.
We had some lively conversation about the current Bogart OS version and our opinion/s about the expected upgrades and changes.
I shared my first animated short video and invited folks to participate in the free webinar this Wednesday (details here).
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
Posted at 10:17 PM in Casablanca Community, Macrosystem News, Webinars | Permalink | Comments (0)
Reblog
(0)
| Digg This
|
| |
Casablanca Expert website member, friend and colleague Beth Klinger has entered a photo contest where folks vote for their favorite editing suite. You can see the photo Beth entered below - if you look closely you will see three Casablanca editors! Beth uses a Casablanca Renommee, Casablanca Solitaire and Casablanca S-6000 in her work - along with a Windows computer running additional software. I invite you to visit this website: Ultima Photography & Video Productions Edit Contest Photo and click on the big green 'Vote' button, casting your vote for a fellow Casablanca colleague. Votes are accepted up through September 30th, 2011.
Good luck Beth!
Posted at 07:12 AM in Casablanca Community | Permalink | Comments (0)
Reblog
(0)
| Digg This
|
| |
Member/subscribers at CasablancaExpert.com joined the on-line gathering this morning for the Casablanca Coffee Klatsch as we chatted about all things Casablanca and technology updates & news.
After sharing a photo I took yesterday at the Marin Farmers Market with my new Sony point and shoot camera, I highlighted recent articles from my Casablanca Expert blog
I shared the links the September Members webinar when I highlighted the most common audio formats and methods for importing them into your Casablanca editor. The streaming video from this session is now available on my website here: Importing Common Audio Formats into your Casablanca Editor
I shared three videos for our 'Video of the Week' feature - a touching animated tribute created from a father's oral story about the 2 sons he lost in the Twin Towers on 9/11, a compilation of commercials with some cool effects (a Russian mobile phone provider) and a short 'making-of' video with highlights of some of the effects sequences from the mobile phone commercials.
The internet links (URLs) for the items mentioned above are available for Website members to review here: Coffee Klatsch Archives
Posted at 10:27 AM in Casablanca Community, Webinars | Permalink | Comments (0)
Reblog
(0)
| Digg This
|
| |