Check out These Great Articles!
Jim Harvey ~ Mastering the Sony PMW-EX1
Don Greening ~ A Creative Cow Real-time Report: EX1 vs. PD170
Chris Poisson ~ Really? Capture HDV to ProRes in FCP? Over FireWire?! Yes!
Jim Harvey ~ Jim Harvey reviews "Creating Web Video"
Shane Ross ~ Shane Ross Reports: IBC 2007
Marco Solorio ~ Interlacing Progressive Footage
Shane Ross ~ CalDigit HDPro: RAID 5 and Beyond!
Dave Anselmi ~ Ergonomics for COWs
Tim Kolb ~ Demystifying HDV Workflows
Bob Zelin ~ SAS RAID from Dulce Systems
| | | |
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 |
back to top
| | | | |
| | | |
Apple Final Cut Pro
 |
Recapturing HDV, Can it be done?
CreativeCOW.net contributing editor and leader, David Battistella, explores the question of recapturing HDV. He'd seen so many posts, so much talk about HDV format and the problems incurred, so David has taken the time to test a couple of workflows. Here's David's report.
Tutorial |
back to top
| | | | |
| | | |
HDV Format
 |
High Definition for the Road
Thanks to formats like DVCPro HD and HDV, High Definition can now be edited pretty much anywhere on just about any computer. Yeah, this is cool and you can really make your friends jealous just cutting away with your super slick laptop. But you know what's really slick? Editing Uncompressed High Definition anywhere. How about an Uncompressed editing workstation in a 25'' square box? No way? Way! Read on to find out about Wally's Traveling Box of Mystery and Intrigue...
Tutorial, Feature |
G-Tech
 |
The G-Tech G-Raid
For years Medea Corporation has been the hallmark of reliability when it comes to storage for the media industry. If you wanted big, fast storage with mission critical reliability, Medea was the drive array for you. Now comes its little brother, G-Technology Corporation. In this article, Creativecow leader reviews the G-Tech G-Raid and concludes...''This is the most versatile unit I've ever used with its ability to work seamlessly with anything up to 10bit uncompressed and just remain solid no matter the situation or machine it's connected to. '''
Review |
back to top
| | | | |
| | | |
HDV Format
 |
Sony FX1-Z1U Made Easy
CreativeCOW leader and Video enthusiast Steven Gotz takes a look at the Elite Video tutorials Sony FX1-Z1U Made Easy and concludes ''..these training DVDs really cover all of the necessary topics for anyone who has purchased, or is thinking of purchasing either one of these Sony HDV camcorders.''
Review |
back to top
| | | | |
| | | |
Sony CineAlta HD
 |
A Creative Cow Real-time Report: EX1 vs. PD170
In this Creative COW Real Time Report, Don Greening puts the Sony DSR-PD170, long-acknowledged to be a low-light champ, against the newcomer, the PMW EX-1 head to head in a low-light test. Will the upstart unseat the champ? Read on....
Review, Feature |
back to top
| | | | |
| | | |
Sony CineAlta - XDCAM
 |
Mastering the Sony PMW-EX1
In this review, CreativeCOW's Jim Harvey takes a hard look at Mastering the Sony PMW-EX1 from Vortex Media. See why he says: ...''if you are planning on purchasing a SONY PVM-EX1, or want to learn more about tapeless workflow and acquisition, this Workshop course will be an invaluable addition to your knowledge base.''
Review |
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 |
Cinematography
 |
The Easy Slate System
In this article, CreativeCOW.net contributing editor Jim Harvey takes a look at the Easy Slate Professional Slating System. Jim likes the way it looks, and thinks that it makes him more attentive to the small details that he used to let slip past. It's a simple idea with a clever implementation.
Review |
Cinematography
 |
The Harbortronics DigiSnap 2000 Series Intervalometer
In this article, CreativeCOW.net contributing editor Jim Harvey takes a look at the The Harbortronics DigiSnap 2000 Series Intervalometer to create some time lapse photography, and concludes that adding a DigiSnap 2000 series intervalometer to his equipment kit is just good business sense.
Review |
HDV Format
 |
VisionLab Studio/CompositeLab/Effects Lab from Fxhome
In this article, CreativeCOW.net contributing editor Jim Harvey takes a look at Vision Lab Studio, Composite Lab and Effects Lab from Fxhome. Read on to find out why Jim calls it 'professional compositing on a budget.'
Review |
HDV Format
 |
Sony Vegas 7
In this article, CreativeCOW.net contributing editor Jim Harvey reviews Sony Vegas 7 and concludes, ''...It Just Keeps Getting Better. For the money, you 'd be hard pressed to find a better editing program.''
Review |
Cinematography
 |
HandsOnHDV: How to Setup, Light & Shoot Great Looking Interviews
In this article, CreativeCOW.net contributing editor Jim Harvey takes a look at one of the newest titles from HandsOnHDV called How to Setup, Light & Shoot Great Looking Interviews and has determined that this is a 5 cow instructional DVD that you really can't be without.
Review |
HDV Format
 |
HandsOn HDV Training DVD for Sony HDR-HC1
In this article, CreativeCOW.net contributing editor Jim Harvey reviews HandsOn HDV Training DVD for Sony HDR-HC1. HandsOn HDV has produced a DVD training for trhe new Sony HC1, which Jim finds ''...very Informative for the target market and a well produced package.''
Review |
HDV Format
 |
Taking Sony's HDV Camera to the Outer Limits of Performance
Sony has made a big splash in the video world with the release of their HDV camcorder the HVR-Z1U. By itself, it is capable of images that will amaze even the most jaded video professional. But as with all things, there's always room for improvement. By not having a microphone or wide angle supplied, you can choose better components that will enhance the performance of an already incredible camera. In this article, CreativeCOW.net contributing editor Jim Harvey walks CreativeCOW members through what they need to build the Ultimate Z1U set up.
Feature |
Cinematography
 |
Vortex Media Warm Cards
In this article, CreativeCOW.net contributing editor Jim Harvey reviews Vortex Media Warm Cards and states, ''You know you do it. We all do it. It's not something that we brag about. It's not even something that we think about too much. White Balancing. Sure some guys carry a worn out piece of white paper, or they use the foamcore to set the camera. We've balanced on walls, notepaper, even the fat guy's t-shirt. It gets us by and we get on with the show. But as we are all professionals, shouldn't we have a professional system to white balance out gear and do it consistently? Well, we do and we can.'' Read on to discover an effective answer to your white balancing dilemmas.
Review |
HDV Format
 |
Sony HVR-Z1U: First Impressions
CreativeCOW.net contributing editor Jim Harvey just made the leap to HDV by acquiring one of SONY's new HDV Cameras the HVR-Z1U. Then he was faced with learning his new camera. In this article, Jim takes a look at HandsOnHDV and has determined that they have put together the definitive training DVD for Sony's New HDV Cameras.
Review |
HDV Format
 |
Sony HVR-Z1U: First Impressions
CreativeCOW.net contributing editor Jim Harvey just made the leap to HDV by acquiring one of SONY's new HDV Cameras the HVR-Z1U. He was torn between the FX1 and the Z1 wondering if the added features would be worth the money. In this article, Jim gives us his first impressions of the Sony HVR-Z1U.
Review |
back to top
| | | | |
| | | |
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 |
Adobe OnLocation
 |
Serious Magic DV Rack HD 2.0 reviewed
DV Rack and later, HDV Rack have proven to be valuable pieces of software for Emmy Award winner, Tim Kolb's field production activities, but like others, Tim is moving through the HD transition. Enter DV Rack 2.0. Tim determines that this version has some important improvements.. Read the rest of Tim's review.....
Review |
HDV Format
 |
HDV/DV Rack by Serious Magic
There are times when a piece of software or hardware comes along that changes your thinking about what tools are critical in your work. DV Rack was one of those pieces for Emmy Award winner, Tim Kolb. The ability to have accurate and comprehensive image and audio quality measurement via FireWire anywhere you can power a laptop changed the way Tim thought about acquiring video. With the arrival of the HDV Power Pak upgrade module, the same technical control is now available for those of us shooting HDV. Read the rest of Tim's review.....
Review |
HDV Format
 |
HDV vs HD: A Primer
Emmy Award winner, Tim Kolb discusses HDV and its place in the greater scope of HD production formats. Since the inception of the HDV format, we have seen many responces regarding the HDV format and how it fits alongside HDCam, DVCProHD, XDCam and other formats in the greater scope of the HD picture. In this article (which is taken from an HDV Format forum responce), Creative Cow's Tim Kolb gives what we feel is an exemplary job of dissecting the subject and clarifying the many components of the HD universe, HDV being one of those parts....
Tutorial, Feature |
back to top
| | | | |
| | | |
Indie Film & Documentary
HDV Format
 |
Sony HDR-FX1 -- an IBC preview
In this pre-IBC 2004 first look, Creative Cow's Ron Lindeboom explores some of the just announced capabilities of Sony's new HDR-FX1 Handycam -- a camcorder that Sony says is targeted to give consumers "HD quality for their personal content." But many independent filmmakers who have ignored JVC's first-to-market HDV camcorders are sure to give Sony's new HDR-FX1 a second glance. Cow members attending IBC 2004 can get a first glimpse of this new Sony camcorder which is being shown in Amsterdam at the Sony booth.
Editorial |
back to top
| | | | |
| | | |
Apple Final Cut Pro
 |
Really? Capture HDV to ProRes in FCP? Over FireWire?! Yes!
One of the features that snuck into the new edition of Final Cut Studio is that you can now capture HDV directly to ProRes over FireWire! There are a couple of issues you'll want to consider, but Chris Poisson, a Cow member since 2001, takes you step by step through a process that can make a big difference to the way you edit HDV in Final Cut Pro from now on.
Tutorial |
back to top
| | | | |
| | | |
HD High-End
 |
Shane Ross Reports: IBC 2007
Creative Cow leader Shane Ross saved you a trip to Amsterdam -- further for some Cows than others, but pretty far for most. As always, you can count on Shane to tell you exactly what he thinks about what he saw: AJA, Sony XDCAM EX, Edit Share, and That Other Camera.
Feature |
CalDigit
 |
CalDigit HDPro: RAID 5 and Beyond!
Creative Cow Leader Shane Ross shares the great news: both performance and protection with CalDigit's new HDPro RAID! Supporting RAID 0, 1, 5, and 6, the HDPro even works with your laptop. It's the answer to Shane's prayers. He thinks it might be the answer to yours too.
Review |
back to top
| | | | |
| | | |
Adobe After Effects
 |
Interlacing Progressive Footage
We've 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 |
back to top
| | | | |
| | | |
HDV Format
 |
Building the Perfect HDV Key
In the first of our Creative COW Magazine Web Extras, we begin with Stephen Smith's outstanding article on setting up an area for proper keying from the May-June 2007 edition. His article covers every option for setting up and lighting perfect keys. Here, we look at the best advice around The COW's online communities for pulling keys from HDV footage.
Tutorial, Feature |
back to top
| | | | |
| | | |
Apple Final Cut Pro
 |
SAS RAID from Dulce Systems
Creative COW Contributing Editor Bob Zelin talks about the latest step in the Serial Attached Storage revolution: full RAID 5 protection with read speeds over 350 mb/sec. from Dulce Systems. At least that's what Dulce claimed. When he heard the rest of what Dulce had to say, Bob simply didn't believe them. When he put those claims to the test, he got a lot more than he bargained for. Will you?
Review |
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 |
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 |
| | | | |
|
|
