PowerPoint book published for Kindle

I have finally got around to publishing "The PowerPoint Declaration" which I co-wrote with David McFetridge last year.

It is available as a downloadable book for Kindle on the Amazon store here

It's not a book about about how to use PowerPoint but about how you can make better use of any presentation software to deliver your message in an interesting and effective way.

It's written in an easy to read and entertaining style and is set out as a series of articles so you can dip in and out of it as you wish.

If you ever have to give presentations you should take a look, there are some very useful tips to make your life easier and your presentations more effective.

I'd love to know what you think, let me know in the comments.

Blackmagic release DaVinci Resolve 9.1

Blackmagic have released a new version of DaVinci Resolve, version 9.1

These are the new features in 9.1

• Mac OS X Retina support for MacBook Pro
• Support for FCPX Audition in XML
• Improved mixed frame rate XML support
• Includes CinemaDNG Input Device Transform (IDT) for grading Raw images
in ACES
• Playback and render support for DNxHD 100
• Playback support for XAVC and AVC-Intra100 MXF
• Playback support for Sony Raw F55/F5 files
• Faster rendering of Sony CineAlta SStP files
• NTSC DV playback now supports 4x3 and 16x9 aspect ratios
• Generation of new AAF for MXF audio renders
• Support for timeline audio when PowerMastering
• Chase audio offset can now be specified in either frames or seconds
• Option to automatically render the same number of audio channels as
source audio
• ASC CDL metadata extraction from ARRIRAW headers
• Matte clips can now be assigned to multiple clips in the Media Pool
• DeckLink 4K Extreme support
• Added support for the Red Mysterium-X Monochrome sensor (software
decode only)
• Red Rocket can now be disabled from Preferences
• General performance and stability improvements

Resolve 9.1 is a free upgrade.

I have seen some people on the forums have issues with the Lite version with missing Avid DNX codecs so if you use this type of media maybe hold off on upgrading for a while.

Smoke 2013 for Mac with 20% off

Just a quick post for anyone who is interested in advanced editing on the Mac.

Autodesk have an offer running until January 25th that gives you 20% off the cost of a Smoke 2013 license.

Smoke is not cheap, but it is one of the most sophisticated editing and compositing packages available for the Mac platform.

Check out the Autodesk website for more info on Smoke or check Brian Mulligans excellent blog with 101 questions answered about Smoke 2013 here

12/12/12 upgrade to Vegas Pro 12 for $99.95

For those of you who also work on PC's :-) 

Vegas Pro is a very capable editing system, able to handle more formats than any other NLE natively and with GPU accelerated effects. A steal at this price.

Vegas Pro 12 just $99.95!!

Today's date isn't the only 12 that's creating some buzz - Vegas Pro 12 was just named Videomaker Magazine's Best Advanced Editing Software of 2012.

Upgrade to Vegas Pro 12, today only, for just $99.95* Click here

Why upgrade? This new version offers an extensive range of features that further expand the production power of Vegas Pro including:

* Project Interchange: Exchange project data with other popular editing platforms.
* Smart Proxy editing: Automatically and dynamically replace clips on the timeline with high-quality, edit-friendly HD proxies.
* New format support: Edit Panasonic P2 AVC-Intra and DVCPRO clips natively, and master to HDCAM SR at up to 880 Mb/s.
* Comprehensive S-log workflow: Preserve the dynamic range of your S-log footage with an integrated, end-to-end S-log production pipeline.
* Color Match OFX plug-in: Quickly and easily match the color characteristics of different video clips using the ultra-wide L*a*b color space.
* Expanded Edit mode: Fine-tune the timing of your project interactively while the timeline is playing back.
* Project Media Tagging: Fast, effective media searching using Quick Tags and Smart Bins.
* Updated Masking tools: New masking shapes are now available, plus Effects Masking for quickly obscuring a face or logo.
* Stereoscopic Auto-Pairing: Bulk pairing of stereoscopic subclips on the timeline for more efficient 3D editing.

Learn more about these and all the new features of Vegas Pro 12 at:
http://links.mail.sonycreativesoftware.com/ctt?kn=2&ms=NDk4MDQwMgS2&r=MTA2MDI4MTMwNjQS1&b=2&j=MzAwMjA5OTM3S0&mt=1&rt=0

Sony partner with Hitfilm to create editing and FX packages

Sony have recently announced two new packages of Vegas editing software with Hitfilm 2 FX software.

Vegas Pro Suite

The Vegas™ Pro 12 Suite is a full-featured production environment for video editing and compositing, multi-track mixing, sound design, visual effects, and disc authoring. Direct project integration between Vegas Pro and HitFilm Ultimate lets you move media between the programs without rendering. Use HitFilm to add a range of dramatic and realistic-looking special effects like smoke, fire, explosions, lightning, and more. Master your audio in Sound Forge Pro, automate your editing workflow with Production Assistant, and add the perfect musical background with100 Sony Sound Series: Production Music soundtracks. These powerful tools, combined with the high-end performance and groundbreaking innovations in Vegas Pro 12, means it's never been easier to bring your creative vision to life.

End-to-end professional content creation environment

Advanced visual effects creation and compositing with HitFilm 2 Ultimate

Intuitive multi-format video editing in Vegas™ Pro 12, with powerful multi-track audio recording and mixing

Professional DVD and Blu-ray Disc™ authoring with DVD Architect™ Pro 6

Dolby^® Digital professional AC-3 encoder included

Audio recording, editing, and mastering with Sound Forge™ Pro 10

Batch processing and workflow automation provided by Production Assistant 2

Bundled with 100 royalty-free Sony Sound Series: Production Music soundtracks

Movie Studio Platinum: Visual Effects Suite 2

Produce movies in nearly any format including AVCHD and stereoscopic 3D. Take advantage of the powerful video compositing features, color correction tools, and 5.1 soundtrack creation options. Add visual intensity to your movies by accessing HitFilm 2 Express from within Movie Studio Platinum 12. HitFilm 2 Express offers advanced 3D compositing, extensive 'film-look' filters, and over 100 visual effects. Apply 3D gunfire to bring your action sequences to life. Add explosions and shockwaves to you movies in seconds. Movie Studio Platinum: Visual Effects Suite 2 is as robust as it is easy to use and brings professional-grade moviemaking right to your fingertips.

• Combine the editing power of Movie Studio Platinum with the stunning special effects capabilities of HitFilm 2 Express
• Edit and produce movies with special effects and transitions
• Create DVDs and Blu-ray Disc™ media with custom menus and graphics
• Utilize innovative 2D and stereoscopic 3D tools
• Share movies on Pixelcast™, YouTube™, iPod^®, iPhone^®, online, and more
• Follow along with Show Me How tutorials and learn as you go
• 64-bit support
• 20 royalty-free Sony Sound Series: Production Music soundtracks

Vegas Pro 12 with Hitfilm 2 Ultimate is priced at $899.95, Movie Studio Platinum with Hitfilm 2 express is priced at $194.95. Upgrades are available if you already own Vegas Pro 12 or Movie Studio Platinum 12.

Sony have also made DVD Architect Pro 6 available for free to registered users of DVD Architect Pro 5.

Hyperdeck shuttle updated with ProRes 422 and CC support

The Hyperdeck Shuttle - now with ProRes

Blackmagic Design today announced the immediate availability of HyperDeck software update 3.6, a new update to its revolutionary solid state disk (SSD) recorder which adds support for Apple ProRes 422 (HQ) into HyperDeck Shuttle 2, plus new closed caption support for all HyperDeck models. At only US$345, the HyperDeck Shuttle 2 with the new ProRes compression feature significantly reduces the size of uncompressed HD video files while preserving full frame 10-bit 4:2:2 quality, allowing customers to record up to six times longer.

HyperDeck Shuttle 2 can be seen at the Blackmagic Design InterBEE 2012 booth, Hall 7 Booth 7206.

“Adding ProRes 422 (HQ) recording and playback to HyperDeck Shuttle 2 shows our continuing commitment to open systems and gives users the freedom to work in either compressed or uncompressed formats,” said Grant Petty, CEO, Blackmagic Design. “Recording ProRes 422 (HQ) straight to disk now costs less per minute than recording to professional tape, plus it’s the most efficient workflow possible. A 64GB SSD is less than $70 and will record 50 minutes of the highest quality ProRes video. That’s broadcast quality recording for less than $2 a minute.”

ProRes 422 (HQ) offers the highest quality for 4:2:2 with minimal generation loss as well as fast export and is one of the most popular video formats for high end post production and broadcast. HyperDeck Shuttle turns low cost cameras into high end broadcast cameras because it allows video file recording to bypass the camera’s compression by recording from SDI and HDMI directly to either 10-bit uncompressed QuickTime, Avid DNxHD MXF and now Apple ProRes 422 (HQ) formats. SSDs are cheap and fast, and can be plugged into an eSATA dock for instant access to the media files, so are the most flexible recording medium available.

This new update also includes full closed caption support for all HyperDeck models. Closed caption support works in 1080HD video formats and allows closed caption data to be read from the SDI input when recording and saved into .mcc type files, which are compatible with popular closed caption authoring software such as Maccaption. Then when playing back from HyperDeck, this .mcc file is read and closed caption data is embedded into the SDI output. This means customers can simply record and playback with full closed caption as well as using closed caption authoring software to generate the .mcc files for creating closed captioning for programs. With full closed caption support, HyperDeck Shuttle and HyperDeck Studio are the ideal solution for authoring closed captioning, as well as ensuring all closed caption is recorded and played back.

As one door closes, another door opens...

Well it's been an interesting week, I've just been laid off from my job and will be leaving at the end of the month. The problem is my knowledge and experience means I'm over qualified for a lot of the jobs I might go for, or I'm seen as too expensive.

So, I've decided to go it alone. I will be freelancing as a consultant and demonstrator but I am also going to try to turn what I do as a hobby into an income (however small) :-)

For years I have been accumulating knowledge about computers, cameras, software, workflows and anything to do with digital media and have then shared that knowledge with others, at exhibitions, seminars and even on this blog.

I have been told many times how good I am at explaining complex technical issues in a way that people understand. I have also learned where to find things at the best prices on the internet.

So now I am going to put those together and offer my services as a Tech Guru.
If you would like some advice on which gadget you should buy and the best place to buy it, ask me.

If you are happy with my advice and the money I save you, make a donation. You can choose how much.

As an example of what I can do, last year a friend of mine was looking for a Pioneer VJ system, the SVM 1000. These sell for around 5000 pounds. I found one for him for under 3000, brand new, boxed with full warranty. OK, that is an extreme example, but it's easy to save 20-30% on most things if you know where to look.

Send me a mail: The Tech Guru