Mac Video Compression Software VidConvert 1.0.4 gets updated

24 May 2011 Leave a Comment

by John Virata in Apple, HD video, video compression Tags: ,

VidConvert 1.0.4 from indie software developer Reggie Ashworth gets a Passthrough option in the Advanced panel, a new Same as Source folder output option, a new menubar shortcut to delete files, and files with duplicate names will add a suffix instead of overwriting.
The software enables you to control virtually all aspects of the video encoding process, including the capability to tweak the frame rate and bit rate, as well as the capability to let the software do it for you. In addition to support for video formats that can be played on the iPod, iPad, and Apple TV, VidConvert also supports most other popular video formats, including DivX and MPEG-1, MPEG-2, and MPEG-4 video.

Vid Convert 1.0.4 gets updated

Vid Convert 1.0.4 gets updated

Other features include

  • Supported input – Most any type of video format
  • Supported output – iPhone, iPad, iPod, Retina, Apple TV, QuickTime, .mp4, DivX, Xvid, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, DVD (.vob), Windows Media, Flash, .m4a, .mp3, .aiff, .wav, .wma
  • Full 64-bit support for the fastest possible conversion
  • Normal and High quality presets to make video conversion automatic for most users
  • Info panel to obtain Container, Video, and Audio details for each video
  • All Apple Devices format to play on all iDevices or Apple TV
  • Crop and Trim and more in the Advanced panel to customize your conversion if needed
  • Drag and Drop simplicity even with folders of videos and List reordering once videos have been added
  • Easily change Save To folder for each batch
  • Progress indicator with time remaining for each file
  • Sparkle updater to always have the latest version

Minimum Requirements:

  • Mac OS X Version 10.5 Leopard or later (Snow Leopard Compatible)
  • Universal Binary for PowerPC and Intel
  • 2.8 MB Hard Drive space

VidConvert 1.0.4
$7.99
VidConvert 1.0.4: http://www.reggieashworth.com/vidconvert
Download trial version of VidConvert: http://www.reggieashworth.com/VidConvert.dmg

*speck PixelSkin HD Wrap for iPad 2 review

20 Apr 2011 3 Comments

by John Virata in Apple, Apple Inc, iPad, iPad App

I finally sprung for an iPad 2, wanting to know more about the hype of this new type of computer than anything. While Apple touted it as the first “post PC” device during the launch, I wondered why a Windows or Macintosh-based computer was required to initialize it. The iPad 2 is nice, but it is just another computer, albeit with a different operating system. And Apple gets a cut, as middleman, of all the software that goes onto it via its App Store.

This review is about the case that I purchased in an effort to protect the iPad 2, which is as fragile a computer as I’ve ever owned. I checked out the Smart cover that Apple sells for $39, and came away totally unimpressed. Sure it attaches to the iPad 2 via magnets, but where is the protection? There is none, save for the display. There are tons of other options on the market,  but I went for the *speck PixelSkin HD Wrap, which sounds more like a groovy sandwich than an iPad case out of convenience more than anything else, meaning my local Target store had a limited selection of cases, ranging from a super cheap Philips model to the industrial strength and virtually bombproof Otterbox Defender.

*speck PixelSkin HD Wrap

*speck PixelSkin HD Wrap

*speck PixelSkin HD Wrap

*speck PixelSkin HD Wrap open view

*speck PixelSkin HD Wrap

*speck PixelSkin HD Wrap near vertical view

The PixelSkin HD Wrap fits around the iPad 2 perfectly with full access to the device’s external connections and switch, including the camera. The front panel sports what the company calls a micro-suction closure, which is fancy speak for sticky material built into the edge of the cover that holds the cover onto the display. The case material is ribbed for grip and is made of thermoplastic polyurethane aka TPU. It has a rubber-like feel to it and feels non-slippery in the hand. The icing on the cake for the *speck PixelSkin HD Wrap is the display cover folds and turns the case into a stand for viewing. The stand enables you to view the iPad 2 screen in an elevated position several inches above horizontal to a near vertical position. This is one of the reasons the case is so cool. For the price, the PixelSkin HD Wrap is superior to the identically priced Smart Cover from Apple, and comparable to others but without the plasticky feel.

*speck PixelSkin HD Wrap
$39
www.speckproducts.com

Digital Film Tools Rays released

09 Apr 2011 Leave a Comment

by John Virata in Adobe Photoshop, Aperture, image editor, photography

Digital Film Tools Rays released

Rays, from Digital Film Tools, is a Visual Effects Plug-in for Apple Aperture, Adobe Photoshop and Photoshop Elements, and Adobe Photoshop Lightroom that enables you  to create light ray effects that the company says are realistic and enables you to create shafts of light streaming through clouds, rays filtering through a forest canopy, and beams of light on a foggy night, according to the company. Highlights to the plugin include the capability to set the ray length and brightness, control ray direction with an on-screen control, customize the color of the rays using a color picker, threshold control to specify where the rays will be visible, randomize the rays, and modify settings with sliders. Rays is priced at $50 and is available at the company’s website, http://www.digitalfilmtools.com, as well as the Mac App Store.

Digital Film Tools Rays

Digital Film Tools Rays

Digital Film Tools Rays
$50
http://www.digitalfilmtools.com

GoPro acquires CineForm

31 Mar 2011 Leave a Comment

by John Virata in Final Cut Pro, video compression, video editing

GoPro acquires CineForm

GoPro, the maker of what is arguably the most widely used action sports wearable video camera announced that it has acquired CineForm, makers of the  CineForm 444 Codec that speeds up the high definition video editing process. The codec will now be called GoPro CineForm and will be released with GoPro’s 3D Hero Camera system, which consists of two GoPro Hero cameras in a single housing, enabling the capture of 3D photographs and video. The cameras are connected via a synchronization cable using an expansion port on each camera.

Analysis: GoPro has made quite a splash in the market with its wearable, mountable SD and HD camera systems at very inexpensive price points. While other manufacturers in this space have tried to come up with alternatives to the GoPro system, none have come even close in offering a system that is as easy to use or features the widest possible mounting and wearable configurations. The image quality of these cameras are excellent, and the addition of the GoPro CineForm codec only enhances the system’s capabilities.

Print from Final Cut Pro with Final Print 2.0

24 Mar 2011 Leave a Comment

by John Virata in Final Cut Pro, video editing

Print from Final Cut Pro with Final Print 2.0
Digital Heaven’s Final Print 2.0  enables you to browse and print Final Cut Pro projects. According to the company, version 2.0 enjoys a new interface, direct loading from FCP, as well as the capability to view clips inside sequences. It uses FCP’s XML interchange format to enable the user to view a list of clips, markers, and the bin content. The lists can be saved and printed as a PDF.
Print from Final Cut Pro with Final Print 2.0 Print from Final Cut Pro with Final Print 2.0
Other features include the capability to load projects directly from Final Cut Pro 7, support for viewing clips inside sequences, filter by marker color or track number, and the capability to open multiple XML files or projects at the same time. FInal Print 2.0 requires Final Cut Pro 5.1.2 or later for creation of XML files, and Final Cut Pro 7 for direct opening of projects capability. It is priced at $129.
Final Print 2.0
$129
http://www.digital-heaven.co.uk

View your photographs on your big screen TV with a Nintendo Wii and WiiPhoto 1.1

24 Mar 2011 Leave a Comment

by John Virata in Apple, digital picture frame, iPad, iPad App, iPhone App, photography, Uncategorized

View your photographs on your big screen TV with a Nintendo Wii and WiiPhoto 1.1

Belgium based Galarina’s WiiPhoto 1.1 for the iPhone enables you to view images and photographs from your iPhoto library to a widescreen TV using the Nintendo Wii as the connection device. It supports photographs on the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. It also can view Flickr account photographs, Facebook photographs, photos from any folder on your Macintosh, iPhoto library (v. 8, 9, and 11), as well as SmugMug photos.

View your photographs on your big screen TV with a Nintendo Wii and WiiPhoto 1.1

View your photographs on your big screen TV with a Nintendo Wii and WiiPhoto 1.1

Requirements are a Wii console connected to the Internet, and the free Wii Internet channel, an iPhone, iPod touch or iPad on the same WiFi network as the Wii console, iPhoto 8 or later. It is priced at $2.99 and is available from the App Store in the photography category.
WiiPhoto 1.1
$2.99
http://www.galarina.eu
available for download at the iTunes App store

iQuik-Depth of Field for iPhone

18 Mar 2011 Leave a Comment

by John Virata in Apple, image editor, iPad, iPhone, iPhone App, iPod

iQuik-Depth of Field for iPhone
iQuik-Depth of Field (iQuikDoF) for iPhone released. iQuik-Depth of Field is aimed at iPhoneographers and enables you to selectively focus your images so you can produce macro lens effects, tiltshift effects, miniature effects, blur effects, and Bokeh effects from your iPhone/iPod camera images. It features Retina display support for iPhone 4, three depth of field presets, and manual drawing capabilities, fully adjustable blur, adn the capability to draw, erase, zoom in and out, pan, and save or upload directly to Facebook. It requires iOS 3.2 or later, 4.7MB free space, and an iPhone, iPod touch or iPad with a camera. It can be downloaded at the iTunes App store for free.

iQuikDOF enables you to add depth of field and other effects to your iPhone photos

iQuikDOF enables you to add depth of field and other effects to your iPhone photos

emirBytes
iQuikDoF
Free at Apple App store
http://iapps.emirbytes.com/iquikdof/index.html

Digital Anarchy ships Beauty Box 1.0 skin retouching plugin for Aperture 2 and 3

17 Mar 2011 Leave a Comment

by John Virata in Aperture, Apple, image editor, plugin

Digital Anarchy’s Beauty Box 1.0 plugin for skin retouching is now available for Apple’s Aperture 2 and 3. According to the company, the plugin automatically identifies skin tones and creates a mask that limits the smoothing effect to skin areas without compromising the facial details.

Beauty Box plugin for Aperture 2 and 3

Beauty Box plugin for Aperture 2 and 3

The plugin is ideal for glamour shots, senior portraits, and even personal photographs. Features include Automatic Mask, which relies on face detection to identify skin tones to create the mask in those areas; Smart Skin Smoothing, which enables you to control the smoothing controls such as Amount and Radius; Batch processing capabilities for applying the smoothing to multiple and even hundreds of images; Control Over Mask, which enables you to make changes to the mask with Advanced Mask Tools; A Sharpen Details feature that enables you to Preserve Edges and details in hair, eyelashes and jewelry; and an Add Skin Texture tool that brings back skin textures such as pores that can be lost due to smoothing.

Beauty Box also harnesses the power of GPU speed and NVIDIA’s CUDA for faster rendering performance. Beauty Box 1.0 for Aperture is priced at $99, with special pricing of $69 through April 15, 2011.

Digital Anarchy
Beauty Box 1.0 for Aperture
$99 ($69 through April 15, 2011)
www.digitalanarchy.com

Algoriddim’s djay for iPhone and iPod touch 1.0 ships

16 Mar 2011 Leave a Comment

by John Virata in Apple, iPhone, iPhone App, iPod

algoriddim’s djay for iPhone and iPod touch 1.0 enables you to have a full DJ setup in your pocket. It features a dual turntable and mixer interface for spinning, scratching, and cueing right in the palm of your hand. You can work each turntable individually, the company said, enabling you to beat match, adjust EQs, loop, and cue. It offers a direct link to your iTunes music library so you can perform live, mix a favorite playlist automatically using the Automix feature, and even listen to a continuous mix while connected to the Internet or playing a game on your iPhone/iPod.

 

djay for iPhone and iPod touch

djay for iPhone and iPod touch

 

 

Other features include live recording, airplay integration, pre-cueing, BPM sync, auto loop, and bounce loop. Djay for iPhone/iPod requires an iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, 3G, 4G iPod touch running iOS 4.2 or later and 8.5MB free space.

algoriddim’s djay for iPhone and iPod 1.0
$9.99 at the iTunes store
http://www.algoriddim.com

Marware MicroShell Apple iPad 2 case

15 Mar 2011 2 Comments

by John Virata in Apple, iPad

Marware MicroShell Apple iPad 2 case

Built with a one piece design, the Marware MicroShell Apple iPad 2 case features a rubberized finish and hard shell back cover for scratch and impact resistance. It is compatible with the Apple iPad Smart Cover lid, and includes a camera hole cutout on the back of the unit. It offers full access to all the buttons and ports, enabling you to charge the iPad 2 without removing the device. Polycarbonate case. Lifetime warranty. $39.99.

Marware MicroShell Apple iPad 2 case

Marware MicroShell Apple iPad 2 case

Marware MicroShell Apple iPad 2 case
$39.99
www.marware.com

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