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Windows Hardware & Software | HP SkyRoom: Sharing is Nice
You might look at HP SkyRoom and see a videoconferencing system, which indeed it is. But it is also a powerful tool for desktop sharing and collaboration, taking advantage of advanced technologies for maximum performance.
Feature 09/22/2009
Author: Tim Wilson |
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Windows Hardware & Software | HP Skyroom: Power & Simplicity for Remote Workgroup Tasks
In this article, Ron Lindeboom looks at the powerful HP Skyroom technology, which allows team members to interact in high definition video with one another, as they work on projects and approvals remotely. Highly powerful, yet priced within reach of many small to medium-sized companies -- nevertheless, the system is powerful enough for even major players like Dreamworks Animation, who used the system during the making of the blockbuster 'Monsters vs Aliens.' Powerful, elegant, simple to use.
Review, Feature 09/22/2009
Author: Ron Lindeboom |
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DaVinci - NEW ! | Cinefilm's Ron Anderson: da Vinci User Since 1986
In this article, Tim Wilson talks with da Vinci user Ron Anderson in his Part Three look at Blackmagic Design's acquisition of da Vinci Systems. Ron Anderson’s relationship with da Vinci has also taken places over several decades, starting as a customer, and evolving into demo artistry even while he continues working with da Vinci systems at Atlanta’s Cinefilm.
Editorial, Feature, People / Interview 09/08/2009
Author: Tim Wilson |
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DaVinci - NEW ! | Blackmagic Design Buys the Power of daVinci: Part 2
In this article, Tim Wilson continues his series with his Part Two look at the big news leaking from IBC 2009. Blackmagic Design has acquired da Vinci Systems and with that acquisition comes what Tim refers to as The Power of da Vinci. And for the many that have used da Vinci over the years, they know full well the power of which Tim writes. And for those who might need an introduction to this power, Tim offers these words...
Editorial, Feature, People / Interview 09/08/2009
Author: Tim Wilson |
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DaVinci - NEW ! | Blackmagic Design Buys DaVinci: Part 1
In this article, Tim Wilson begins his series on the big news already beginning to leak from IBC 2009. Blackmagic Design has acquired da Vinci Systems and yes, you read that right. BMD owns and will be developing and marketing da Vinci's award-winning colorgrading technology. What's in store? Here's Part One of Tim's look at the fast-breaking news...
Editorial, Feature, People / Interview 09/08/2009
Author: Tim Wilson |
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Boris FX | Using Boris Continuum Complete 6 Animated Presets with Adobe and Avid
Boris Continuum Complete 6's new Custom Animated Presets feature lets you save and re-use every parameter animation in every BCC filter - even across host applications and platforms. For the first time, you can animate BCC filters in Adobe After Effects and transfer the animation to the Avid timeline while preserving After Effects keyframes. BCC 6 AVX includes hundreds of factory-installed animated presets. Animated presets are now saved in industry-standard XML format and can be edited by any XML-compliant text editor. Watch this video tutorial and learn more.
Tutorial, Video Tutorial 07/10/2009
Author: Dirk de Jong |
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Broadcast Video | Broadcast Quality at Bargain Prices
Brand new to the market and loaded with high-end features, Flanders Scientific has introduced four high definition LCD panels specifically developed for the pro market. With the help of the COW's Walter Biscardi, Jr. and senior telecine colorist Ron Anderson, Nick Griffin offers a first look at these high definition broadcast monitors from FSI.
Review, Feature 04/10/2009
Author: Nick Griffin |
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RED Camera | Under the Gun with RED One
Dylan Reeve and a small team of New Zealand filmmakers had 48 hours to get their assignment, write a script, direct, shoot and post their film, then hand in the finished show...oh yeah, and refine their RED shooting and editing skills under the gun while trying to beat out 230 other teams! Sound wild? You have no idea....
Feature 07/08/2008
Author: Dylan Reeve |
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DVD Authoring | ILY SpartanPro
Recently, CreativeCOW leader, David Roth Weiss purchased his very first CD and DVD duplicator. After a lot of research he chose the ILY SpartanPro, and it did not take him long to realize that he should not have gone so long without one.
Review 06/03/2008
Author: David Roth Weiss |
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Event Videographers | Stack Tracks: Layered Digital Music
In need of some high-end royalty free music that can fit any media professionals budget? Creative Cow Contributing Editor Stephen Smith explains why Digital Juices StackTraxx layered music library can be the perfect solution for your next project.
Review 05/20/2008
Author: Stephen Smith |
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AVID Editing | Avid rolls out lower-priced Media Composer
When most people think of Avid, low cost is not a term likely to be used in connection with the venerable leader in broadcast and film editing systems. But with today's announcements, Avid has both increased their lead in the education sector and has radically dropped the price of its flagship Media Composer software. In this article, Creative COW's Ron Lindeboom explores why we find this great news for both existing Avid customers and those who thought that they could never afford an Avid.
Editorial, Feature 03/17/2008
Author: Ron Lindeboom |
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Boris FX | Boris Continuum Complete AVX 5: Unleash Your Avid!
Emmy Award-winning editor Vivek Narayan takes a closer look at the latest version of Boris Continuum Complete, a comprehensive set of filters and effects for leading NLEs as well as After Effects. Although it works largely the same in all hosts, Vik digs deepest into BCC operating inside Avid. He finds that the 180 filters here more than give others a run for their money: it beats out some of the industry's favorites. See why he calls buying BCC AVX 5 a no-brainer.
Review 01/24/2008
Author: Vivek Narayan |
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Cinematography | Inside HBOs The Wire
Set in Baltimore, Maryland, The Wire will begin its fifth and final season in January 2008 on HBO. As different from standard TV as it gets, the show has received the highest levels of critical acclaim, being referred to by multiple reviewers as the best show on television. In its last issue of 2006 Time Magazine ranked The Wire first on its list of 10 Best TV Shows. And Finally recognized as the best series on TV. Sorry, Tony (Soprano), was Newsweeks description. Creative COWs Nick Griffin spent time on set earlier this year and interviewed one of the shows Producers. Heres his inside glimpse into The Wire and its production.
Editorial, Feature, People / Interview 12/12/2007
Author: Nick Griffin |
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Art of the Edit | The Sonnet D800 RAID: Speed and Safety
Jeremy Garchow's business is growing. So was his storage, and the potential for disaster. SATA array are less expensive, but were they safe, even with redundancy? With the Sonnet D800 he's got a terabyte of uncompressed HD, with full protection, for a great price. Read on to see the details of his set-up, and see if SATA and the Sonnet D800 will work as well for you as it has for Jeremy.
Review, Feature 10/17/2007
Author: Jeremy Garchow |
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Compression techniques | Jim Harvey reviews "Creating Web Video"
A DVD about compression gets an enthusiastic 5 Cow rating? Really? Really! CreativeCOW.net Contributing Editor Jim Harvey takes you inside the new Creative Cow Master Series DVD by Aharon Rabinowitz, "Creating Web Video: Internet Killed the Video Star." See why Jim thinks this is one of the most essential --- and enjoyable -- training DVDs you can buy.
Review 10/10/2007
Author: Jim Harvey |
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AVID Editing | Difference Matting within the Avid
In this tutorial, Ra-ey Saleh will show you how even without shooting Green Screen you can replace the background of a shot whilst keeping the moving foreground undamaged. He'll use a technique called 'Difference Matting' and do it all within the Avid!
Tutorial 09/17/2007
Author: Ra-ey Saleh |
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Adobe After Effects | Interlacing Progressive Footage
Weve all heard of de-interlacing footage, but what about re-interlacing? Marco Solorio of OneRiver Media shows us how -- and why -- to create interlaced footage from a progressive source. The results are picture perfect!
Tutorial 09/10/2007
Author: Marco Solorio |
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AJA Kona | Bob Zelin Looks at The AJA GEN10
The AJA GEN10 is a cost effective and flexible Blackburst and Tri-level Sync Generator. While reminding you of why blackburst and sync are very, very good ideas, Creative Cow leader Bob Zelin takes you through the GEN10's ins and 7 outs.
Review 09/04/2007
Author: Bob Zelin |
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CalDigit | CalDigit HDPro: RAID 5 and Beyond!
Creative Cow Leader Shane Ross shares the great news: both performance and protection with CalDigits new HDPro RAID! Supporting RAID 0, 1, 5, and 6, the HDPro even works with your laptop. Its the answer to Shanes prayers. He thinks it might be the answer to yours too.
Review 09/04/2007
Author: Shane Ross |
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Art of the Edit | Ergonomics for COWs
The question was asked in the Avid Editing COW: 'After eight years of working on a computer, my wrist hurts within an hour. Anyone else getting carpel tunnel? What can I do to prevent major damage?' Dave Anselmi, a T'ai Ch'i Instructor for over 10 years and whose friend is an Ergonomics Specialist, was quick to the rescue with this great advice.
Tutorial 08/29/07
Author: Dave Anselmi |
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Windows Hardware & Software | Evoluent Vertical Mouse
It starts as a slight twinge in the shoulder, or a prickle in the wrist, a dime-sized knot in the forearm or a tingling somewhere up and down the arm. Whatever the symptoms, the cause is usually the same - RSI or repetitive strain injury or its widely publicized brother, carpal tunnel syndrome. In this article, John David Hutton takes a look at the new Evoluent Vertical Mouse. It could be the answer to protecting yourself from carpal tunnel and other strains.
Review 08/28/2007
Author: John David Hutton |
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HDV Format | Demystifying HDV Workflows
Creative COW Leader Tim Kolb uses his HDV expertise to explore the technology behind HDV, and show how it applies inside Final Cut Pro and other NLEs, with a special focus on longer projects. As Tim notes, this is a modified version of a post he made in the HDV forum responding to a question about FCP, but anyone who wants to know about editing HDV needs to check this out.
Tutorial, Feature 07/28/2007
Author: Tim Kolb |
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AJA Kona | Cal Digit S2VRHD
CreativeCOW's Bob Zelin tests a Cal Digit S2VRHD with a host card for a PCI-X computer, and a PCI-E computer. He used the incredible AJA Kona System Test, to evaluate the drive speeds. He was determined to 'break it.' Did he? No. He determined that...''If you want to do uncompressed HD, for a fraction of the price of an Apple Xserve RAID, or other hi end SCSI or Fibre Channel drive arrays, THIS IS YOUR BOX.'' Read the rest to find out why.
Review 01/16/2007
Author: Bob Zelin |
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AJA Kona | AJA HD10AVA Converter
CreativeCOW's Bob Zelin discusses how to turn your HDV VTR into a professional product using the amazing AJA HD10AVA converter. It takes the analog component HD signal from your Sony or JVC HDV VTR, and converts it to an HD-SDI signal that can go right into the HD-SDI input of your capture card.
Review 12/19/06
Author: Bob Zelin |
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AVID Editing | Workflow: Why it is the Next Big Thing
In this Creative COW magazine article we will look at the future of workflow and what some of the players in the media industry are doing along with the changes they are bringing to the production landscape. Featured in this article are the structures and modules of Avid Interplay.
Review, Feature 10/13/2006
Author: Ron Lindeboom |
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Corporate Video | MediaFiler 2.0
MediaFiler 2.0 is a professional database software designed for the video production industry. It's an easy way to catalog, track, label, and organize your whole library of tapes and disks. In this article, Creative Cow Leader Aanarav Sareen takes a look at the software for use in his own production environment and determines that it is everything they say it is.
Review 07/18/2006
Author: Aanarav Sareen |
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AVID Editing | A Talk with Medéa and Avid
An exclusive report from the Creative COW Magazine, a talk with Andy Dale of Avid & Martin Bock of Medéa, regarding Avid's recent purchase of Medéa Corporation. What does Avid see ahead for the company that changed the video hard drive market forever?
People / Interview 05/05/2006
Author: Walter Biscardi |
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AVID Editing | Inside Avid Xpress Pro
In this article, Alex Alexzander takes a thorough look at Inside Avid Xpress Pro hosted by Steve Bayes and published by Digital Media Training Services.
Review 03/09/2006
Author: Alex Alexzander |
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Apple Final Cut Pro | Avid versus Final Cut Pro: One Editor's Perspective: 2006
Longtime professional editor, Patrick Inhofer -- whose work has included many stints on systems like Smoke, Avid and newer tools like Final Cut -- explores the differences between Avid Composer and Final Cut Pro. With his experience, Patrick explores workflow and feature comparisons of areas where they are both similar and dissimilar. Whether you agree or disagree with Patrick, we guarantee that you will find his perspective to be well thought out and full of information gained from years in the editing booth. This article has been entirely rewritten to reflect where we stand today, the start of 2006.
Feature 02/20/2006
Author: Patrick Inhofer |
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AVID Editing | Avid Liquid 7 -- a review by broadcast designer Mark Harvey
Mark Harvey, longtime leader in Creative Cow and a noted broadcast designer/editor, gives readers a look at the new Avid Liquid 7 -- acquired when Avid bought Pinnacle Systems and given many new features in this latest version now rolling out under the Avid name. Mark gives this system much praise for its powerful background rendering and wide feature set, as well as many new features like its HDV capabilities rolling out for the first time in v7.
Review 11/21/2005
Author: Mark Harvey |
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AVID Editing | Keeping Corner Pin Compositing inside Avid with the help of Boris Continuum Complete AVX 4
This all-encompassing tutorial from CreativeCOW contributing editor, John Lafauce introduces you to the new Corner Pin filter in version 4.0 of Boris Continuum Complete AVX (BCC AVX4). Several of Corner Pin's powerful features will be demonstrated, and other BCC AVX filters will be used to help create an integrated, realistic composite. This compositing primer will place emphasis on workflow and techniques.
Tutorial 10/17/2005
Author: John Lafauce Jr. |
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Adobe Premiere Pro | TBC Crossfire X-K3 Non-linear Editing Console
DESCRIPTIONWith people continually asking, "what edit desk do you use?" here at the COW forums, Creative Cow forum leader, Marco Solorio hopes to settle this question once and for all with his in-depth review of TBC's Crossfire X-K3 edit console. If you're in the market for a new editor's console or are just curious to know what's "out there", this should give you all the information you need to base your own judgment.
Review 02/25/2005
Author: Marco Solorio |
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AVID Editing | AVID rolls out HD, 10bit and SpectraMatte
Creative Cow's Bob Donlon reports with up-to-the-minute news for Avid users who have wondered where the company was going in the world of HD and 10-bit support. In this report, Bob offers Cow members all the news penned within hours of attending Avid's New York City December 8, 2004 press event. While attending, Bob not only watched as Avid not only rolled out their HD plans and their 10-bit support for Media Composer Adrenaline users but Avid had another big surprise up their sleeves -- the just-announced SpectraMatte chroma keyer. Read on for all the latest from the Avid mothership in Tewksbury...
Review 12/10/2004
Author: Bob Donlon |
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AVID Editing | Avid XPress Pro & DV by Steve Hullfish, Chris Phrommayon & Bob Donlon
In this article, CreativeCOW.net leader Alex Alexzander reviews Avid XPress Pro and DV On the Spot written by Steve Hullfish, Chris Phrommayon & Bob Donlon, and published by CMP Books, 256 pages, September 1, 2004, ISBN: 1-57820-254-X. "As I write this, I have this big grin on my face. You see, you're in a forum reading this review, and the fact that you are in this forum reading this review is exactly what makes this book so perfect for you. Allow me to explain. We all go to forums, like this one, because from time to time we have a question. Sometimes we're not clear on how to accomplish a certain task or achieve a certain goal. Perhaps you're on the other side of this coin, and you arrived here to help others with their questions. No matter where you fit into this forum, you are no doubt someone who likes tips, shortcuts, and learning new techniques."
Review 12/02/2004
Author: Alex Alexzander |
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AVID Editing | Avid Xpress Pro: 15:1s to DV 25 411
Offline editing started as a way to save disk space when hard drive-based storage carried a considerable premium. These days, although fast hard drives are not very expensive, there are still good reasons to use an offline editing workflow, provided certain conditions are met. Perhaps the most common situation is when so many tapes are involved that you simply don't want to devote so much of your storage to a project that will ultimately be cut to a mere fraction of the sources captured. Another reason is the use of a laptop for mobile editing in the field. A laptop's hard drive does not provide the needed bandwidth or capacity to edit more than a few hours of footage in the field if needed.
Tutorial 11/22/2004
Author: Alex Alexzander |
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AVID Editing | Avid Xpress Pro for Windows and Macintosh (Visual QuickPro Guide)
In this article, CreativeCOW.net contributing editor Josh Martin reviews Avid Xpress Pro for Windows and Macintosh (Visual QuickPro Guide) by James Monohan and published by Peachpit Press, 712 pages, Published 2003, Copyright 2004, ISBN: 0321145976. Josh explains why the sub-title, Visual QuickPro Guide works so well with this book, "Coming into this review, I had absolutely no AVID experience. I had done some very minor non-linear editing in Adobe Premiere, but that's where my "knowledge base" ended. I'm happy to report that thanks largely in part to James Monohan's book, I am happily editing on our AVID setup...."
Review 08/25/2004
Author: Josh Mrtin |
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AVID Editing | Using Avid Xpress Pro and Mojo by Bob Donlon
Creative Cow's Bob Donlon tears open Avid Xpress Pro and Mojo in this in-depth report. Bob explores Xpress Pro's uncompressed editing options, multi-cam capabilities, the new "DNA" (digital nonlinear accelerator) hardware capabilities found in Mojo and the five streams of realtime available for users working in DV25. Bob also gives readers a look at configuring the system for maximum performance and concludes that the Xpress Pro / Mojo combination is a powerful combination worthy of a 4 Cow rating.
Review 07/26/2004
Author: Bob Donlon |
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AVID Editing | EDL, a tutorial from Dennis Kutchera
There are more modern ways of exchanging edit information such as OMF and AAF, but not everyone is going to have this. Media 100 now has OMF export as an extra option in version 8 and Final Cut Pro is supported through an OMF export plug in from Automatic Duck. But the old EDL text file is still with us. If you must use an EDL, you are going to be in for some frustration if you do not follow these procedures that Dennis Kutchera shares with us.
Tutorial 03/29/2004
Author: Dennis Kutchera |
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AVID Editing | 3Prong - a review by Dennis Kutchera
Dennis Kutchera explores one of his favorite sets of AVX plug-ins from a joint Canadian-Swiss company called 3Prong. The set includes ColorFiX, DirtFiX, FlickerFiX, TwitterFix, WaveScope and SpeedRamP. Dennis finds these plug-ins essential to online editing.
Review 03/02/2004
Author: Dennis Kutchera |
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Adobe Premiere Pro | AAF and MXF: Advanced Authoring Format
Many products that media professionals now use have AAF or will have it in the near future. Some dont have it and some companies have no plans to add it to their product offerings. Why is Advanced Authoring Format important to media pros? Who has it? What tools use it and what does it bring to you and your studios capabilities? Advanced Authoring Format and/or Media Exchange Format are project interchange formats that are creating the framework by which media professionals will work more collaboratively and productively in the days ahead. Its time for us to contact our manufacturers and providers and let them know why AAF is important to us and why well buy it if they add it. In this report, Marisu Fronc looks at the technology and the companies supporting it and why...
Editorial, Feature 04/24/2003
Author: Marisu Fronc |
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Apple Final Cut Pro | Avid versus Final Cut Pro: One Editor's Perspective
Longtime professional editor, Patrick Inhofer -- whose work has included many stints on systems like Smoke, Avid and newer tools like Final Cut -- explores the differences between Avid Composer and Final Cut Pro. With his experience, Patrick explores workflow and feature comparisons of areas where they are both similar and dissimilar. Whether you agree or disagree with Patrick, we guarantee that you will find his perspective to be well thought out and full of information gained from years in the editing booth.
Feature 09/04/2002
Author: Patrick Inhofer |
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Adobe After Effects | Jerry Hofmann reviews Digital Film Tool's 55mm Plugin for NLEs
There's been a lot of 'hype' surrounding Digital Film Tools' new 55mm Plugins for NLE's. In this article Jerry Hofmann, one of CreativeCOW's Final Cut Pro forum leaders lets COW members know whether the description of the tools is hype or if this set of filters deliver on the promise.
Review 07/12/2002
Author: Jerry Hofmann |
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Adobe Premiere Pro | SpiceMaster AVX - Tasty Stuff Indeed - by Dennis Kutchera
Dennis Kutchera explores Pixelan Software's SpiceMaster plug-in with special emphasis on what it brings to Avid users who can now add SpiceMaster AVX to their systems. Those using other systems will also benefit from Dennis's exploration as he looks at many of the functions and benefits of the SpiceMaster system. He points out some of his favourite features as well as some tips and work-arournds to get around limitations in the Avid plug-in architecture.
Review 05/27/2001
Author: Dennis Kutchera |
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AVID Editing | MediaMover: Adding Power to an Avid Strength
Dennis Kutchera looks at MediaMover by Random Video. This third-party utility written by an editor, Tony Black, addresses a need unique to using an Avid. MediaMover greatly expands the powers of Avid's respected Media Management tools -- already an Avid strongpoint -- made even stronger by this powerful utility. With longtime Avid expert Dennis Kutchera as your guide, Avid editors will greatly benefit from this look at an Avid 'must have.'
Review 05/02/2001
Author: Dennis Kutchera |
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