Brian Liloia
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Filed under: Multimedia, Software, Video
After Effects 7 users: QuickTime 7.4 update a nono
After Effects 7 users, take note: there have been some interesting and unfortunate developments with the recent release of the QuickTime 7.4 update. Apparently, it disables After Effects 7 and will not permit users to complete rendering videos. There have been some arguments about what is causing this error, with some claiming it is related to DRM issues (let's hope not), while others claim it is nothing more than a preferences bug.
Nevertheless, you can not revert back to a previous version of QuickTime once you have updated. In short: After Effects 7 users, beware! Avoid the QT7.4 update at all costs, unless you want to deal with a major headache.
Filed under: Apple, MacBook Air
MacBook Air: greenest Apple yet
- Fully recyclable aluminum case
- Apple's first mercury-free LCD display, with arsenic-free glass
- Circuit boards are BFR-free and PVC-free
- 50% less packaging than the previous MacBooks
- Meets ENERGY STAR requirements
- Receives a EPEAT Silver Rating
Of course, the MacBook Air isn't quite perfect (it's far from the greenest computer out there), and there are more improvements that can be made. However, this is indeed a step in the right direction for Apple, and hopefully this indicates a new trend. I think it's about time that Apple gets on the sustainability train and starts implementing more earth-friendly materials into their products. Let's hope for more good things in the future.
Filed under: Multimedia, Software, Video
Adobe Premiere Pro, Soundbooth updated for Leopard
Here's a quickie update notice: Adobe recently updated both Premiere Pro and Soundbooth for complete Leopard compatibility. Premiere Pro 3.1.1, a 54MB update, also includes "important bug fixes" (but what they are, is anyone's guess), and is available from Adobe's website, in addition to the 4.1MB Soundbooth fix.
Happy video/sound editing in Leopard!
Filed under: Multimedia, Software, Video
Sneak-a-peek inside Final Cut Express 4
A lot has changed in the video production realm over the past year, and thankfully, Apple's recent Final Cut Express 4 addresses these new advancements in camcorder capture and post-production technology. It's been a full year and a half since Final Cut Express 3.5, and there's a number of notable updates and enhancements that make the latest version 4 worth a look. Thankfully, Jeff Carlson at Macworld gives us a nice look at some of the new additions in Final Cut Express 4, which was released less than two weeks ago. The software now includes AVCHD support, mixed video format timeline functionality, 50 new FxPlug plug-ins, the new ability to import iMovie '08 projects, and more. Give his advance look a read to learn more about this important inclusions. Sounds like this one will be worth the update. Expect a full review from the Macworld folks soon.
Filed under: Apple
Apple earns a silver in environmental evaluation
Recently, Apple has been the target of much environmental criticism, especially from Greenpeace, and a recent EPEAT survey reinforces some of that negativity regarding the company's lack of environmental attention. EPEAT is a government operation created to approve computers before they can be purchased by other governmental institutions, and the organization gives product ratings based on a multitude of environmental criteria. Apple has earned five silver medals for several of its MacBook Pro systems, meaning that the company has passed 23 mandatory standards, and 14 of a possible 28 optional standards. The highest rank, gold, is rewarded to computers that have passed all 23 mandatory standards, plus 21 of 28 optional ones. For comparison, Toshiba has earned five golds, 15 silvers, and four bronzes, Dell has earned two golds and 12 silvers for its laptops, and Lenovo has 48 silvers and a single bronze under its belt. Hopefully Apple will step up and make a greater effort to address some of its environmental shortcomings in the near future and go for the gold.
[via MacNN]
Filed under: Multimedia, Video, Software Update
Democracy Player now Miro
Back in March, the Participatory Culture Foundation announced that Democracy Player would be renamed as Miro, and the change is now official with a new release of the internet video player software, version 0.9.8 . The application's image has been totally revamped, including an overhaul of the official website and logo (of course), but the new technical preview version of Miro includes a dose of new additions and fixes, too:
- Keyboard shortcuts available on all platforms
- New 'report a bug' menu item added
- Veoh.com as a search engine added
- Additonal bug fixes and UI improvements
Miro 0.9.8 requires Mac OS X 10.3+ and QuickTime 7. Check out a demo of the software in action here.
Filed under: Gaming
Two 'casual' games coming soon via Aspyr Media
Aspyr Media recently announced the upcoming release of two so-called "casual" games for Mac OS X 10.3.9 (and up): Virtual Villagers and Travelogue 360: Paris, both created by Big Fish Games. These two titles are set to ship in August for $30 each. Virtual Villagers is a real-time strategy game in which players must guide villagers in rebuilding their land after a volcanic eruption. Travelogue 360: Paris is a simplistic puzzle game in which players must find hidden objects in multiple locales of Paris, France, and the game includes two different gameplay modes. Although these might not shake up the Mac game scene, it's nice to see some new titles coming soon via Aspyr.
Filed under: iPod Family, Video, Odds and ends
iPod Film Festival entries online
This year, The Flux is hosting its second annual iPod Film Festival, the only festival dedicated to short films formatted specifically for Apple's portable media device. The top 25 finalists have been made available for viewing and download on The Flux's website or through iTunes, with entries in the Student, Indie and Kitchen Sink film categories. Don't be surprised to see at least one Mac-themed entry in there. Anyway, here's a good reason to fire up that iPod for some good ol' short film watching. Hmm... perhaps next year the fest will go meta, and only feature films about the iPod itself, formatted for the iPod?[via MacNN]
Filed under: Multimedia, Rumors, Software, Video
Apple removes Final Cut Pro crossgrade option
Recently, Apple removed the Universal crossgrade option for the Final Cut Pro Studio suite of applications from its website. Previously, the crossgrade allowed customers to update their copies of software such as Final Cut Pro to Intel-native versions. And most interestingly, this unannounced move has come just before the NAB (National Association of Broadcasters) conference in Las Vegas, which is set to begin on April 14. It has been rumored that Apple will make an announcement regarding a new version of Final Cut Pro at NAB, and this bit of news potentially supports that claim. Anyway, worth keeping in mind, and hopefully everyone took advantage of the crossgrade in time![via MacNN]
One-stop-shop for Apple TV tech geekery: Apple TV Hacker
High-def video consultant Mike Curtis (of HD for Indies fame) has launched a new blog dedicated to the Apple TV, dubbed Apple TV Hacker, where he hopes to share his "latest reports and doodles and discoveries about what can be done with, and more importantly, TO an AppleTV." So, if you have any interest in tooling with your brandy new Apple TV beyond playing with the standard features, this site is shaping up to be a valuable resource for in-depth Apple TV tech geekiness. Expect much more content when he receives his own device and puts it through his own "heavy paces".
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