MacBook running Sony Vegas Platinum

As promised, here is an update on my MacBook situation…

The computer is great, typical Apple quality and design–no complaints.

I purchased a fresh copy of WindowsXP from Amazon for around $90.00. It is a copy intended for system builders, but it installed just fine via Bootcamp. I have installed Windows on PCs before with less problems than I experienced with Bootcamp. It was a breeze. XP screams on the dual-core MacBook. Of course, installing via Bootcamp means that I have to completely log out and log back in to change operating systems, but it is the highest performance option.

I have installed Sony Vegas Platinum and edited four short projects with it. I miss Final Cut! I know that any editor is most comfortable with the tools he or she uses most, but I find the Sony interface less than intuitive. On the plus side, Vegas has great transitions and effects. The chromakey on Vegas is also far superior to what is available in Final Cut. I was first trained in non-linear editing on an Avid, so the Sony interface just feels so odd.

So, bottom line is that all worked and I got the Vegas workstation that I was wanting. I will continue to give the Vegas editor the benefit of the doubt. I’m sure it will continue to grow on me.

For anyone considering the purchase of a Mac, I can tell you that it is pretty nice to be operating system neutral. I love being able to use any application I want with one machine.

Dave

USB Microphone For Screencasts - Blue Snowball

I am now using the Blue Microphones Snowball USB mic for my screencasts and I love it!

To see my review of the mic, photos, and audio samples, go to:

http://www.howtovideopro.com/public/163.cfm

Dave

www.HowToVideoPRO.com

Choosing a laptop for Sony Vegas editing

The last two weeks, I’ve been spending way too much time researching the purchase of a new laptop. Way too much.

If you read much of my material, it becomes pretty obvious that I am a serious Mac fan. I use Windows computers daily, but when I can choose my platform, I always go for a Mac for multimedia production, web publishing, just about everything!

I have been in need of a new laptop to run Windows and Sony Vegas. A lot of my members at HowToVideoPRO.com are Vegas users. While I almost always use Final Cut, it was becoming obvious that I needed to better support my Windows-based members. So off to the Dell, HP, and Sony VAIO websites I went.

As I researched each computer solution, a theme emerged…Every one of the manufacturers and computer models I looked at had a significant number of end user reviews complaining about the build quality of the machines, the poor performance of VISTA, and the inability to get support for their machines from the manufacturers. Plenty of people gushed about their great little computers on the review sites as well, but those negative comments really got me worried. It just didn’t instill much confidence.

I even chose a Dell machine and went through the ordering process right up to the point of hitting the “ORDER” button before I chickened out.

So, back to Apple I went. My new Macbook that will be used as an almost dedicated Windows machine running Sony Vegas will be here later today. Even though I ordered it from the Apple Refurbished site, it still ran me a good $400.00 more than a similarly equipped Dell or HP would have. I just didn’t want the headaches of waiting on hold forever to find out that the company wouldn’t support the machine anyway. I will also get to load a copy of Windows XP on the machine rather than having to deal with VISTA.

It might have been money well spent. Then again, maybe not. I’ll keep you posted.

More to come…

Dave
www.HowToVideoPRO.com

A great video tutorial on informational video production…

Here is one of the best basic primer videos I’ve seen on making instructional videos for the internet. Tim Carter from AskThe Builder does a great job of breaking down the process of creating instructional video of any type.

Awesome, Tim!

Dave

www.HowToVideoPRO.com

I’m giving away a custom iPod at HowToVideoPRO

In an attempt to get members involved in the HowToVideoPRO.com forums, I’m giving away a custom iPod Shuffle.

Every post in our forum equals one entry. Signing up for our free eTips newsletter and downloading the FREE HowToVideoPRO Report On Profitable How-To and Special Interest Video Production.

Trying a 21 day $1 membership also equals an entry.

Go to: www.HowToVideoPRO.com

No purchase is necessary to win! Here are the full details:

At the end of this month, we will be giving away a HowToVideoPRO custom Special Edition iPod Shuffle!

Apple donated a portion of the proceeds for the initial purchase of this special edition iPod shuffle to African AIDS Relief.

Enjoy your tunes for free, and know that a portion of purchase of your cool iPod went to help those in need.

There are four ways to enter:

1. For HowToVideoPRO members, each message, question, or thought posted on our site forum counts as one entry for the iPod Giveaway. The more you participate in the forum discussions, the better your chances of winning!
2. Become a member. Each new membership equals one entry into the drawing.
3. Sign up for our free eTips Newsletter. Each new subscriber to our newsletter will be given one entry into the random drawing.
4. Send us a 3×5 card or postcard with your name, address, telephone number, and e-mail address on it along with the words: “HowToVideoPRO January Custom iPod Giveaway” hand printed on it. Mechanically produced entry cards will not be accepted. Send your mail entries to: Firestorm Digital Media, LLC, 1150 S. Colony Way, Suite 3-137, Palmer, AK 99645. Mail entries must be received by February 4th, 2008 to be included in the drawing.

The drawing will take place on or about February 4th, 2008. The name of the winner will be posted on HowToVideoPRO.com and the winner will be notified on that day.

No purchase is necessary to win. You may enter as many times as you wish. This offer is available to residents of the United States and Canada only. Offer void where prohibited.

Canon Releases HV30 Camcorder to replace the HV20

Today Canon announced that they will be releasing the new HV30 HDV camcorder to replace the very popular HV20. The chief upgrade with the new camera will be the addition of a 30P progressive scan feature.

The 30P feature makes this a very attractive camera for the small producer who does a lot of composite work or chromakey  (greenscreen or bluescreen). Progressive scan tends to give much smoother mattes than interlaced is capable of. 30P gives the producer that many more options.

Cool camera. It’s just too bad that Canon did not ellect to make the model with 3CCD chips.

Dave Arthur

www.HowToVideoPRO.com

Video Review Of DVD / CD Label Capable Epson R260 Inkjet Printer

This is a short video review of the Espon R260 printer. We look specifically at the ability of the printer to create DVD and CD face labels.

Pros:

• Great image quality
• Inexpensive
• Prints on inkjet compatible CD and DVD
• Readily available
• Easy to use design software

Cons:

• A little slow
• Expensive ink cartridges

Find more great tips on creating good video, and profiting from your talents on: HowToVideoPRO.com

Create Smooth, Professional Video Pans and Tilts!

Create smooth video camera moves with this wildlife videography trick. Pan and tilt smoothly, even with a cheap tripod and even using a telephoto setting.

You’ll wonder why you never thought of this one!

Find more great tips on creating good video, and profiting from your talents on: HowToVideoPRO.com

The Ultimate Helmet-Cam (Maybe)

The Ultimate All-Weather Helmet-Cam came to my attention just a
couple of days ago. To fill in the blanks, I have been looking for
a small and inexpensive weather resistant helmet-mounted camera for
a while. Judging by a few of the e-mails I have received from
others, this is a common need in the video production industry.
Most cameras set up for this tend to be costly, bulky, and too
fragile for many applications.

I still do a lot of work in the safety and emergency response
training fields. A couple of days ago I was talking to a Senior
Captain with a fire department that I have done some contract work
for. I noticed that he had an odd-looking flashlight mounted under
the brim of his fire helmet. When I asked him about his fancy new
“flashlight,” he proudly showed me his helmet cam.

I was impressed. The camera was small, weighed less than half a
pound, cost less than $100.00, and recorded 640×480 video at 30 fps
onto an SD memory chip. A 2gig chip will give you around one hour
of recording time.

The design is far from perfect. The video resolution is limited,
vibration seems to create annoying waves in the video, the file
format is not supported by many computers, and the camera appears
to be susceptible to RF interference. Even so, for less than
$100.00 (on-line retailers) it could be a pretty useful addition
for sports video producers.

Here is a link to the Oregon Scientific ATC-2000 web site.

http://www2.oregonscientific.com/shop/browse.asp?cid=30&scid=127

You can find better prices from other sources, but the OS site will
give you some of the particulars of the camera.

Find out more and get a free white paper report on producing How-To and Special Interest Videos. Go to www.HowToDVDPro.com and hit “subscribe.”

HowToVideoPro Tip For Online Marketing GOLD!

All of the top internet sales professionals are now teaching this method. I only wish that I had known a couple of years back just how easy this process can be.

This online marketing gold tip is to use a double opt-in list management
and autoresponder service to develop ongoing communication with
your customers.

Offering a free report, newsletter, free downloadable ebook, or
free software is a good way to get prospects to give you their
email address. Sending everyone on your email list a weekly tip,
newsletter, or download builds trust, maintains a line of
communication, and establishes your company as a viable source of
information. The key to this process is to give real and valuable
information.

No sales gimmicks, no hype. No spam! Provide real information on
your subject. When you do have a product to offer, your list of
subscribers and customers is the first place to offer your wares.
When a person already knows you and knows that you provide good and
useful information, they are apt to be more open to paying
attention to your sales information.

The key to making this all work is to use a reputable list
management and autoresponder service that complies with anti-spam
laws and regulations. The absolute best service out there is
aWeber. aWeber is extremely strict on their double opt-in
requirements and the ethical behavior of clients. They are not
expensive, but you must comply with their very strict rules. They
do not tolerate spammers.

aWeber can be reached at:
http://www.aweber.com/?286154

Get a lot more information on marketing and creating How-To and Special Interest Videos! Go to: www.HowToDVDPro.com to subscribe and get a free white paper report.