July 24th, 2009

Upgrading to Final Cut Server 1.5? Check the best practices note first

Posted by David Morgenstern @ 12:02 pm

Categories: Mac Pro, MacBook Pro, Software, Software Update, Video

Tags: Database, Codec, Server, Apple Inc., Best Practice, Backups, David Morgenstern

Apple on Thursday released a new version of Final Cut Studio, its video production suite. In a technical support note posted the same day, the company reminded IT managers running Final Cut Server, of some “best practices” when installing the software.

On second look, we would do well to think “best warnings” as much as “best practices” here.

For example, if the install is unsuccessful, “you will need to restore the database from the user-accessible backup made during the Final Cut Server 1.5 install.” But wait!

-If the user-accessible backup creation is unsuccessful, do not uninstall Final Cut Server since there will be no backup to restore from during installation. Try creating a backup from the Final Cut Server preference pane on the existing Final Cut Server installation.

-If the installer does not complete while processing the database migration, it’s likely that there is not enough space to generate the database dump or the upgraded database. In this case, attempt the install again after creating additional space on the startup disk.

Read the rest of this entry »

July 6th, 2009

How Apple singlehandedly killed the Flip Mino

Posted by Jason D. O'Grady @ 8:05 am

Categories: Camera, Rumor, Video, iPod touch

Tags: Apple iPhone, Apple iPod, Apple Inc., Video, Apple iPod Touch, Camera, Corporate Communications, Smart Phones, Marketing, Consumer Electronics

I reviewed the Flip Mino HD video camera December 2008 and was impressed by its sleek design and excellent video quality calling it “ultimate accessory for any self-respecting Mac head.” Then the iPhone 3GS came out — and I haven’t thought about it since.

Much has been written about how the iPhone 3GS effectively killed the Flip Mino, after all, who would pay $230 for a single-purpose device when the $199 iPhone 3GS records video and can edit it and upload it to YouTube? For starters, anyone that is locked in a mobile phone contract with a carrier other than AT&T and people that don’t want an iPhone. A formidable bunch.

Then comes word that Apple is in the process of adding a camera to the iPod touch which is sure to evoke fear in some Cisco executives after the ink barely dried on its acquisition of Pure Digital Technologies (makers of the Flip Mino HD) in March 2009 for $590 million.

TechCrunch, courtesy of a source in Asia, is reporting that Apple has placed an order for a massive number of camera modules like the ones in the iPhone, concluding that the cameras are destined for the iPod touch. Adding more fuel to the fire, MacRumors reports that a “third generation” iPod touch case has been spotted with a hole in the rear for what could be a camera lens.

If the iPhone 3GS didn’t kill the Flip Mino HD, then a third-generation iPod touch with video could be the final nail in its coffin.

Picture: TechCrunch

April 16th, 2009

Front-facing video camera spotted in Apple patent application

Posted by Jason D. O'Grady @ 7:51 am

Categories: Patent, Video, iChat, iPhone

Tags: Apple iPhone, Patent Application, Video Camera, Apple Inc., Video, Camera, Corporate Communications, Marketing, Jason D. O'Grady

MacRumors unearthed two patent applications filed by Apple in the past couple of weeks that indicate the company is researching motion-aware interfaces for the iPhone.

It works like this, the iPhone would be able to detect when you’re moving (via GPS or the built-in accelerometers) and adapt the interface accordingly. If implemented, your iPhone would know when you’re in motion and could enlarge the size of on-screen controls so that they’re easier to see and to tap.

Given the government’s new found propensity for technology, what happens if states require that Apple disable the screen completely while in motion to prevent users from operating their iPhones while driving? I admit that it’s a bit draconian, but it could happen.

What’s more interesting, however is item #180 in the diagram above from Apple’s patent application 20090100384 titled “VARIABLE DEVICE GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE.” A MacRumors forum member notes that #180 is a front-facing video camera. The patent text reads:

The mobile device 100 can also include a camera lens and sensor 180. In some implementations, the camera lens and sensor 180 can be located on the back surface of the mobile device 100. The camera can capture still images and/or video.

A forward-facing video camera would be incredibly useful on the iPhone and would open the device to an entirely new world of video-based communications. Imagine being able to video chat in iChat from your iPhone, like you can now with the desktop version of iChat. I’m sure that Skype for iPhone could be revved to handle video calls like it currently does on the desktop. Live video streaming is currently available from the iPhone’s rear-facing camera with Qik but it requires jailbreaking.

As with anything on a mobile phone the issue will come down to bandwidth, specifically latency. You’ll undoubtedly need 3G or Wi-Fi to be able to send and received live video, but will AT&T allow it on their already-saturated network? Will they charge extra for the service? Good questions indeed.

April 3rd, 2009

AT&T updates wireless plans, prohibits Slingbox

Posted by Jason D. O'Grady @ 9:40 pm

Categories: AT&T, Video, iPhone

Tags: Billing, AT&T Wireless, AT&T Corp., Allowance, Slingbox, Wireless, Terms Of Service TOS, Corporate Communications, Wireless And Mobility, Marketing

Public Knowledge’s Robb Topolsky reports that AT&T Wireless quietly changed its service terms after a Chicago AT&T subscriber received a $28,000 mobile bill after watching a Bears football game on his notebook computer via Slingbox.

The customer was waiting for his cruise to depart from Miami when his AT&T wireless data card inadvertently picked up an international signal resulting in massive roaming charges.

Topolsky notes that AT&T wireless now prohibits services like the Slingbox and other video Web sites while exempting its own video offerings. The new Terms Of Service (TOS) reads (changes emphasized):

This means, by way of example only, that checking email, surfing the Internet, downloading legally acquired songs, and/or visiting corporate intranets is permitted, but downloading movies using P2P file sharing services, customer initiated redirection of television or other video or audio signals via any technology from a fixed location to a mobile device, web broadcasting, and/or for the operation of servers, telemetry devices and/or Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition devices is prohibited.

It’s funny how AT&T responds to their own mistake/PR debacle by revising their TOS to prohibit the “customer initiated redirection of television or other video or audio signals via any technology.”

Topolsky also notes that the following language was also added to AT&T’s wireless TOS:

On the 5GB DataConnect Plan, once you exceed your 5GB allowance you will be automatically charged $0.00048 per Kb for any data used. On the 200MB Data Connect Plan, once you exceed your 200MB allowance, you will be automatically charged $10 for an additional 100MB. Unused data from either your initial allowance or any overage allowance (e.g., the 100MB) will not be carried over to the next billing period; all data allowances must be used in the billing period in which the allowance is provided. On other plans with a monthly megabyte or gigabyte allowance, once you exceed your allowance you will be automatically charged overage as specified in the applicable rate plan information.

It remains to be seen how the new TOS will affect iPhone users, but it’s definitely a step in the wrong direction.

Questions left for AT&T Wireless’ PR representatives were not answered at press time.

March 17th, 2009

The iPhone 3.0 event video

Posted by Jason D. O'Grady @ 6:45 pm

Categories: Announcement, Video, iPhone

Tags: Apple iPhone, Apple Inc., Video, Tools & Techniques, Advertising & Promotion, Management, Marketing, Jason D. O'Grady

You can now watch the entire 1.5 hour presentation from today’s Apple iPhone 3.0 event (in QuickTime, natch) on the Apple Web site.

On March 17, Apple presented the blueprint for iPhone OS 3.0, the next version of the world’s most advanced mobile platform. In addition to previewing its innovative features, Apple gave members of the iPhone Developer Program immediate access to the iPhone OS 3.0 software beta and an updated Software Development Kit (SDK) with over 1,000 completely new APIs.

Also, an Apple press release outlines many of today’s announcements.

February 18th, 2009

Hulu's fantastic suicide

Posted by Jason D. O'Grady @ 10:11 pm

Categories: Apple TV, Hack, Media, Video

Tags: Media Center PC, Hulu, Boxee, Media Center PCs, Internet, Social Networking, Personal Technology, Home Entertainment, Online Communications, Marketing

Hulu announced today that they’re pulling the plug on support for Boxee effective this Friday. Boxee is a free, cross-platform media center application with social networking features. The legendary Boxee hack for the AppleTV turned Apple’s “hobby” into a compelling media center.

In a blog post Hulu CEO Jason Kilar sticks a knife into the heart of Boxee fans everywhere:

Later this week, Hulu’s content will no longer be available through Boxee… Our content providers requested that we turn off access to our content via the Boxee product, and we are respecting their wishes.

Boxee CEO Aver Ronen replied in kind:

we tried (many times) to plead the case for keeping Hulu on boxee, but on Friday of this week, in good faith, we will be removing it…

our goal has always been to drive users to legal sources of content that are publicly available on the Internet. we have many content partners who are generating revenue from boxee users and we will work with Hulu and their partners to resolve the situation as quickly as possible.

Hulu is a joint venture of NBC Universal and News Corp, and it shows. The old guard media companies just doesn’t get it. What’s next? Maybe Hulu will announce that all its shows are being pulled of the Internet and being sold only on 5-inch plastics discs?

Damn aliens. Never trust ‘em.

November 18th, 2008

YouTube on the Blackberry Storm

Posted by Jason D. O'Grady @ 9:20 am

Categories: Mobile phone, Smartphone, Video, iPhone, iPhone Killer

Tags: YouTube Inc., Video, RIM BlackBerry, Corporate Communications, Handhelds, Marketing, Hardware, Jason D. O'Grady

While the new Blackberry Storm (a.k.a. 9530) from RIM and Verizon Wireless doesn’t have a pre-installed YouTube client – like those available on Apple, Nokia and Sony Ericsson – you can easily view YouTube videos by navigating to their mobile Web site (m.youtube.com) from the Storm’s Web browser. In this video (01:12) you’ll see how to view YouTube content on the Storm. No word on if/when a YouTube app is coming.Funny Mobile YouTube warning:

YouTube Mobile is a data intensive application. We highly recommend that you upgrade to an unlimited data plan with your mobile service provider to avoid additional charges.

Don’t forget to also watch my Blackberry Storm overview and copy and paste videos.

November 18th, 2008

Copy and paste on the Blackberry Storm

Posted by Jason D. O'Grady @ 8:33 am

Categories: Mobile phone, Smartphone, Video, iPhone, iPhone Killer

Tags: Video, RIM BlackBerry, Corporate Communications, Handhelds, Marketing, Hardware, Jason D. O'Grady

In this video (00:50) you’ll see how the copy and paste function works on the new Blackberry Storm smartphone from RIM and Verizon Wireless.

It works like this: select a range of text with two fingers, press the Blackberry menu key, select copy, then launch the destination application, press the Blackberry menu key again, then select paste. It works very well and doesn’t exactly seem like rocket science.

Don’t forget to watch my Blackberry Storm overview and YouTube videos.

November 17th, 2008

Hands-on with the Blackberry Storm

Posted by Jason D. O'Grady @ 10:33 pm

Categories: Mobile phone, Smartphone, Video, iPhone

Tags: RIM BlackBerry, Keyboards, Handhelds, Flash Memory, Cellular Phones, Hardware, Peripherals, Consumer Electronics, Personal Technology, Jason D. O'Grady

I got to spend a couple of hours today with the highly-anticipated Blackberry Storm (a.k.a. 9350) from RIM and Verizon Wireless. I created an overview video (05:51) of some of its features and the overall user interface.

Some highlights include: the media application, 3.2MP camera (with flash and image stabilization), rear panel with removable battery, memory card and SIM slots, hardware buttons, accelerometer, hybrid capacitive/resistive touchscreen, Web browser and visual voicemail with archive and forward functionality.

October 28th, 2008

FireWire-to-USB cable, Windows-only for now

Posted by David Morgenstern @ 11:13 pm

Categories: Video

Tags: Microsoft Windows, Video, Corporate Communications, FireWire, Cable, Notebooks, Network Technology, Marketing, Consumer Electronics, Personal Technology

In Apple’s drive to differentiate its professional and less-professional notebook lines, the company left out support for FireWire on its new Aluminum MacBook. While some Mac sites are pointing to composite video-transfer boxes as a way to get video from a camera to the MacBook, there is at least one FireWire-to-USB bridge cable on the market for transferring video. The bummer is that it’s currently supported only on Windows.

The adapter is the Firewire to USB 2.0 DV Transfer Cable from Pixela. It costs about $119.

The company says:

The DV to USB 2.0 Transfer Cable is designed to provide superior image quality and blazing fast transfer times. It’s patented micro chip technology within the cable module ensures that data is preserved from its original format.

However, it’s hard to tell whether the DV camera can be mounted on the Windows desktop or whether it must be imported into the bundled ImageMixer application. The site says that the cable bundle doesn’t support Windows Vista. So owners of new aluminum MacBooks can run Boot Camp to use this cable.

However, I bet that a Mac version will be offered soon. The Mac market didn’t need such an adapter since Macs all came with FireWire. But now it’s an opportunity for third-party vendors.

If none of this sounds appetizing, Jeff Carlson on TidBITS points to a number of cheaper analog-to-digital video converter boxes.