I’ve been using Handbrake to transcode my Final Cut Pro output for Apple TV3. Since ATV3 is 1080i, and Compressor 3.5’s Apple Devices Presets didn’t include a preset or ability to customize to 1080, I used Handbrake. I searched over and over for a complete list of changes to Compressor 4 vs 3.5. I found very little other than frustration by users how little update Compressor has received. I finally took the plunge and invested. For the record: The Presets HAVE been updated. There is now more settings for current day...
read moreLately, I’ve been using ProShow Producer to build photographic elements rather than build them by hand in Final Cut Pro. Frankly, it’s just quicker and easier. But ultimately, I end up wanting the final product from ProShow to be ported to a Final Cut Sequence. Using the standard publishing feature would occasionally give me compression artifacts or poor results in general. So here is my work flow for high-res output from Photodex ProShow Producer to Final Cut Pro. A couple of quick notes: First, if you have Quicktime...
read moreOkay…. I know sometimes the answer seems obvious. But here it is just in case. The ONLY Apple Pro Res CODEC that supports transparency is Pro Res 4444. But here is the the less obvious part. When exporting footage EVEN with PR4444, you must select “MILLIONS +” under advanced to get the Alpha Channel included.
read moreDuring a recent post session, I was struggling with combining footage from multiple cameras (and eras). I had three basic formats: SD, HDV, and AVCHD. The SD and HDV were LOWER field interlacing, while the AVCHD was UPPER. (I also had a small amount of progressive footage from another source – though it didn’t present a problem.) I elected to have the Final Cut Sequence setting to UPPER as most of the footage was AVCHD. Therefore all SD & HDV footage received a SHIFT FIELDS filter with a value of -1. This seem to work...
read moreSomewhere along the way, my Mac screensaver stopped working. Turns out that the OSX lost access (or awareness) of my Aperture Library. Tried several posted fixes, of which there were many. But I stopped short at a complete library rebuild – which is seems is always Apple’s first recommendation instead of their last. As it turns out, I believe this is related to the installation of Final Cut Pro X, which included some iLife plugs. However, its possible it was simply an update through Software Updates. Regardless here is the fix:...
read moreA set of files and a database. How hard can that be? We’ll after the plug-in I was using to backup content on several WordPress sites fell dormant, I decided to find a new one to cover me on this simple…but crucial task. There are a ton of plugins available, but many are no longer under development, and all but a few simply – don’t work! They return errors or are missing critical features like “scheduling.” Enter backWPup! This plug does exactly what you need in a WordPress utility. Here are the main...
read moreAbout 2 weeks ago, I began post on a small project. Since it was small and did not have a deadline, I felt it was a perfect candidate to dive into the new Final Cut Pro X. I know, its not exactly new anymore. But the older I get, the less interested I am in helping software companies bug test their new releases. I think…I may not have given Apple enough time here. I mean its been almost a year, surely they addressed any shortcomings of their latest professional editor. Uh…no! I realize it’s a new ‘philosophy’...
read moreThis view is looking forward from the main studio into the control room. Both the main room and Iso 1 are wired with LCD Displays. Each display is wired to an HDMI Matrix allowing for any signal to be passed to the studio spaces. This flexibility allows for the displays to be used for: Telepromter & Script Displays Sheet Music Notation Lyrics Video for Audio Dialog Replacement Video for Foley Video for Live Capture Video for Music Video Sync/Sweetening Camera feed for increased communication Scene or mood setting (i.e. Fireplace, etc.)...
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