CasablancaExpert

Free Post-NAB Tech Expo coming to San Francisco and Seattle

San Francisco and Seattle will be locations for a special post-NAB 2013 tech expo by the folks at Key Code Media

"Didn't make your way out to Las Vegas at NAB? Key Code Media invites you to join us in San Francisco (location to be announced) where our partners will be showcasing new products released at NAB for editorial, post production and live production workflows.

Here's your chance to test drive new products, have your workflow questions answered by manufacture technology experts as well as mix and mingle with your fellow industry peers.

Get a hands on demonstration from new products previously released at the NAB show in Las Vegas from our participating exhibitors and sponsors. (See the Exhibitors Tab)"

* Seattle, WA - May 9th
* San Francisco,CA - May 14th 

For details click on each event about for that event's webpage

Macrosystem US Releases 2 New Bogart OS Software Products

MacroSystem US has released two software products for NTSC users (North America). These two software products are compatible only with the Bogart OS series of editors. 

The first is a brand new piece of software, in the style of the previous AnimX software/effects product. The 2nd is a software update, a free update for those customers who already own the Twixtor software. This update provides the ability to use Twixtor inside a Progressive project which was not possible previously (though Chet Davis did provide website members with a work-around as posted here: Using Twixtor In A Progressive Project)

Here is the announcement from MSUS:

New Software & Software Update New Software

AnimX Wedding - AnimX Wedding is a new series of themed animations perfect for wedding videos. AnimX Wedding uses a large number of high-quality, animated objects and backgrounds which can be placed in different sizes (similar to masks) anywhere on the video.  More information can be found here.

Twixtor v1.1 - Twixtor version 1.1 is a free update for current Twixtor users that includes a fix for working with footage recorded in the progressive mode.    This update is designed to work with 30p and 60i modes in NTSC.

Twixtor 1.1 can run on any Bogart version 2 and higher. The progressive mode is supported in the follwing sections of Twixtor: "Twixtor Slow-Motion", "Twixtor Quick-Motion" and "Twixtor Length-Adjust".    Note: The "Twixtor Vario" operator will not fully support progressive footage and could result in a error or a still frame at the end of a rendered scene.

A new Add On Software for Bogart disc (containing AnimX Wedding and Twixtor v1.1) can be downloaded here.

Blackmagic Digital Pocket Cinema Camera at NAB 2013

You've likely heard of BlackMagic cameras (the folks who are helping to bring 4K Video to the forefront)... they have a new pocket camera at NAB this week"

"Perhaps one of the smallest products of the show so far is also creating the biggest buzz. The Blackmagic pocket cinema camera is a compact-sized full HD camera with a super 16mm sensor.

Priced at just $995 it is an affordable lightweight solution for those traveling light or looking to place a camera in a tight spot."

Here is an introductory video from the folks at Newsshooter.com

More details in this article: http://www.newsshooter.com/2013/04/08/nab2013-blackmagic-pocket-cinema-camera-unveiled/

NAB Show 2013 in Vegas this week - Canon's 3 New Camcorders

The NAB Show takes place in Las Vegas, Nevada (USA) this week as many of the 'big guns'... the major equipment manufacturers show off their latest, newest and forthcoming audio and video gear.  I will post what I consider the most interesting news from the show floor on this blog and on the Casablanca Expert Facebook page.

We'll kick off the news with an announcement Canon actully made last week but applies here as new video product news!

Canon released three new camcorders today – that by itself is hardly big news as the camera companies regularly bring new models to market.  What is very interesting about these new models to me are the wireless options built-in.

We’ve seen some social media sharing on consumer cameras and camcorders these past few years (like the Kodak Play series of pocket cameras) and the Sony Bloggie… but these new cameras by Canon are feature rich in both the remote control options and sharing to social media.

From the Canon press release: “FTP file transfer of MP4 (3Mbps) format video to cover breaking news is enabled by dual-band wireless support (5GHz and 2.4GHz), which also allows for data sharing. A wireless remote feature also enables users to control the XA25 and XA20 camcorders via a web browser of the user’s PC or mobile device.

Camera videos can be played back or downloaded to a device using the web browser* of a PC or mobile device connected to the camcorder. In playback mode, video files can be uploaded to social media websites via the free Movie Uploader app, currently available only for iOS-related mobile devices.”

The Canon XA20, XA25 (at $3,199 and $2,699) are considered part of Canon’s professional product line and the new Canon HFG30 ($1,699) is the addition to the Canon Vixia – consumer video camera product line.

External HDDs for Your Casablanca Bogart Editor

 I've had a number of conversations with website members in recent weeks about compatible HDDs (Hard Disk Drives) or external Hard-drives for use with the Bogart OS Casablanca... this is particulary important for those who wish to use either the add-on Bogart HD Backup or Bogart Store-N-Share software in concert with the Casablanca editor.

I have been using the Porsche series external HDDs with my Casablanca for a few years but recently have been using a Western Digital MyBook HDD for my S4000PRO and S3000 with the Store-N-Share software (which I love). 

It might be more suspicion or folk-lore than fact or science but I would suggest that a powered, desk-top HDD should provide better performance than the portable HDD models that are all over the place.

Now to be fair to the value of these handy little models, I _do_ use a couple of these WD My Passport Portable External 500GB Hard Drives to archive data on my desktop computers, and also to archive and transfer/import photo and video files into my Bogart editors.

After some digging around here are some models for you to consider if you're looking for an external drive for either of these Bogart Casablanca purpose (two different models, both 2TB - Tera-Bytes).  I do not recommend any higher capacity than 2TB at this time for your Casablana Bogart editor

                                                   

NOTE: these links are affiliate links, which means I receive a small percent of any sale - price is not increased for you, I just get a 'finders fee'.  And I would _never_ steer someone to a disreputable product, I have/would use any recommended product myself! 

 

And here are two articles/tutorials to help you master these cool, new functions on your Bogart OS Casablanca editor"

Using the Bogart HD Backup

Using the Casablanca Store-N-Share

What's New in Cameras & Camcorder at CES 2013 from Consumer Reports

The CES (Consumer Electronics Show) 2013 takes place this week in Las Vegas, Nevada (USA)... and this is often when major manufacturers show either their latest products or designs for products that are likely to be released this year. 

Here's an overview from Consumer Reports with a summary of what's showing that is new in cameras and camcorders

 

Last Day Casablanca Software Sale in NTSC - Here's Some Help

Today is the last day of the 2012 Casablanca Software Sale (for NTSC colleagues).

To help you decide which (if any) software you want to add to your editing suite I offer the following resources at Casablanca Expert.com

"What's New & Great in Casablanca Software"

A recording of a webinar presented recently where I highlight the newest Casablanca software http://cassieexpert.live.subhub.com/articles/20121130

* Chet's favorite 'Specials'

A print-able page that highlights my favorite Special effects & filters. http://cassieexpert.live.subhub.com/articles/20090126_17

Chet's favorite 'Transition Effects'

Another print-able page that highlights my favorite transition effects http://www.casablancaexpert.com/articles/20090126_23

MSUS Releases 3 new software products for Bogart editors in NTSC

MacroSystem US today announced the release of three new software products.  NOTE: These three add-on packages are compatible only with the Bogart OS series of Casablanca Editors

Here's a summary and comments of the three new products from the MacroSystem US News web page:

Slivers - This hot new product has been popular with the MacroSystem testing team.  We think you'll love it.   Slivers is a fresh product that gives you a new way to mix video clips.  It's like a mix of a Split Screen effect and a spin on PIP Studio, different from anything we've seen before on our Casablanca.  Details here: http://www.macrosystem.us/Slivers.php

Moving TitleBax - The popular lower third titling effects from the software product TitleBaX has now been expanded with animation capability in the new Moving TitleBaX product from MacroSystem.  This software consists of 50 moving  graphics.  Additional info here: http://www.macrosystem.us/Moving_TitleBax.php

3D Edit - This is a release of the 3D software product that can now be used on Bogart operating systems.    This allows you to use different types of 3D effects when used with footage shot specifically with 3D camera methods in mind.  Click here for full details http://www.macrosystem.us/3D_Edit.php

 

Gifts for the Video Producer - Free Webinar Recording Available

You may be aware that I presented a webinar last week where I shared gifts and gadgets for the video producer.  I shared nine video cameras (between $79 and $1,200), 25 accessories, some services, and a books that would make great gifts for the upcoming holidays (or anytime).

The wonderful world of technology -- the recording of the session was corrupt(live recording from PC to external HDD) but I had several folks who had asked about the recording the next day (they could not attend live due to schedule conflicts).

So - I went about presenting the session a second time, this time using a different recording method, and it worked fine!  (maybe second time's the charm?)

And this time I actually split the session into two segments to make it more convenient for folks to find what they're seeking:
1. cameras
2. gadgets, etc.

The two recordings along with a booklet - which has a listing of the recommendations and internet links to each item - are available now.

You'll find these resources on this page: Your Video Expert - Gifts for Video Producers Webinar

Free Webinar Cameras & Gadgets - Gifts for the Videographer

Cameras & Gadgets - Gifts for the Videographer
Tuesday November 15, 2011
5:30-6:30PM Pacific Time (click for other time zones)

Join Chet Davis presents the latest and best video cameras and gadgets - just in time for those video producers on your shopping list...maybe it's a gift for you!

You'll learn about the highest rated, best performing video cameras in several price ranges (from $150 to $1,500).

And Chet will present some of his personal favorite accessories and even 'stocking stuffers' that will make your videographer squeal with delight (well, maybe that's going too far).   

There will be an opportunity for questions at the end of the session and it promises to be a lively, enjoyable session.  Register here: Free Webinar - Cameras & Gadgets 

This session is absolutely free with no obligation - just part of the information and expert training available at www.YourVideoExpert.net.

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What is a Webinar?
It's a web-seminar or virtual seminar, delivered right to the computer in your home or office. Your presenter appears via a Web Cam from his studio and shows you his computer while he teachers and talks with you.

Unlike some other webinars available today - these Video Expert Classroom sessions are not veiled attempts to sell you some program or product.  This session is pure instruction, on-line learning in the comfort of your home or office.

You simply need a computer (Windows PC or Apple/Mac) connected to the internet. You register in advanced for the Webinar and then at the date and time, you log into your computer, entering the specific URL (web-page address) password you receive via email once you register.

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