iPhone: A cinema, jukebox, phone, browser, and e-mail client in your pocket

Today at MacWorld expo Apple introduced the iPhone. I am rarely inspired to write about any product introduction, but I think this one is as paradigm shifting as the original Macintosh, QuickTime, and the iPod. And this device presents many new creative opportunities for media makers. No longer will getting good video to a smart phone be a hassle like it is now with so many formats. Just publish your video as an iTunes compatble video podcast and that’s that. I was expecting Apple to introduce a 16:9 video iPod and a separate iPhone, but I was pleasantly surprised to hear that the iPhone (in the best Apple design tradition) combines a phone, widescreen iPod, e-mail, and web browsing in one small elegant Internet connected device. Like earlier major milestones in Apple history this new device introduces a whole new platform and a reinvention of an entire product category.

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Final Cut Pro color correcting blues about to change their hue?

It’s no secret, Final Cut Pro’s color correction tools pale in comparison to the Avid. But Apple’s recent purchase of Silicon Color technology is certainly to have an impact on future color correcting capabilities in Final Cut Pro. And even if the capabilities are slated for the rumored high-end version, I hope we’ll get some trickle down capabilities. It’s interesting that the FinalTouch color correction demo was one of the more interesting things I saw earlier this year at NAB, and I made the semi-serious joke at the time, sure wish Apple would acquire Silicon Color just like Shake and Logic and integrate the technology into the Pro Apps…

Apple White Paper on Final Cut Pro and P2 Workflow

Apple recently released a white paper discussing P2 workflow with Final Cut Pro, the document covers P2 cards and card-reading devices, recommended capture and ingest options, shooting modes and formats, importing P2 footage into Final Cut Pro, using log and capture with P2 footage, recommended setups, and some workflow tips. Some people report they’ve had a smooth and seamless experience with P2 (my first one was), while others have reported horror stories (as with any new technology). I think it boils down to doing your homework and really understanding the ins and outs of your workflow, as well as the possible pitfalls. P2 is certainly not right for every project. I’m working on a Part 2 of my HVX200 article which will cover P2 workflow in detail and I found this document provided a good starting point. I will share my experience in the article and future posts. Stay tuned.