1) Photo studio (coming soon) - NEW
2) Product Reviews

3) software on cd - NEW

4) holiday hours

5) split-x 2 & artbax Released - NEW

6) family pictures - NEW

 

1) Photo Studio (coming soon) - NEW

^{Photo Studio is going to be awesome.  It will allow you to take full advantage of your high resolution digital pictures.  You can crop your photos, pan & scan your photos and THEY WILL STILL LOOK PROFESSIONAL.  For a full description of this upcoming product click here.}

2) Product Reviews

This last two weeks, I've had a chance to really experiment with several of the new products, namely SmartEdit 4.x.  The first thing i wanted to try out is the back-ground rendering.  By default the system is not set to render in the background, so you have to go to system settings and turn the "smart-rendering" on.  Overall, I really liked this feature.  I did notice that the system started rendering the last item I added to be rendered first instead of first thing added being 1st thing rendered.  Those who have the Avio, i strongly recommend getting 256mb RAM.  It's not required, but some of my clients upgraded their RAM and they notice a sizeable difference.  The new titler is a lot better, but it does take some getting used to.  Being able to view your titles full-screen really adds a lot.  I also like the capability to add the graphics onto the screen like the stars that are now built into the titler.  Many of my clients purchased 4.x because you can transfer directly to/from your PC and apparently this works as advertised.  I haven't had anyone call to let me know if this also works on Mac, as well (i'm sure it will).  I also had a chance to use the Ethernet connection to transfer files to/from my computer over my network.  This again works as advertised and will certainly come in handy from time to time.  The file limitation is 1gb which I believe turns out to be about 4-5 minutes of uncompressed AVI.  For files larger than 1gb (or 4-5 minutes), I've been using the disk transfer program ($99) that works for files up to 40 minutes (requires DL media).  MSUS did have a few small glitches with the first release of 4.0a, but to my knowledge all the bugs have been fixed with version 4.0c.  The main thing was not being able to create DVD menu backgrounds with motion.  If you still have 4.0a, please email/call and i'll send you the newer version.

 

The next program I've had the opportunity to use a lot is the CB-Paint.  Although it's kind of pricey, it does have all the bells and whistles that anyone would ever want.  And i do mean ALL THE BELLS AND WHISTLES.  The learning curve on the CB-Paint is higher than your typical software from Casablanca, so you might want to talk to one of my clients who have purchased it before you plop down the $1200 (retail) for the program and digital tablet.  I worked on it for one full day and I was able to do things I didn't think were possible on the Casablanca.  This program should be standard with anyone who does custom graphics, commercials or top-of-the-line editing.  Everyone who has purchased this program has said that it is worth more that what MSUS is charging, so that's a bonus.  Some of the things I did with it were twisting and bending graphics and text to come in and out at exactly the frame i told it to.  I was also able to layer multiple functions to any clip to get some amazing results.  For instance, I wanted a photo to stretch into the screen and then glide for awhile and then fade out.  I had total control of all these aspects and still had room to add even more effects.  I don't have the tablet yet, but I'm excited about writing my name on the tablet and then settings the attributes so my name catches on fire as it writes.  One of my best clients from Midland TX said that "THIS PROGRAM WILL KEEP CASABLANCA ON THE DIGITAL EDITING MAP."  That pretty much sums up the CB-Paint program. 

 

If you have any questions about these or other software programs from Casablanca, please feel free to call/email me at 806-773-6044 or odyvideo@hotmail.com

 

3) SOFTWARE on CD

If you have a Casablanca with the DVD drive and have the DVD Arebesk version 2.x, then you can download the latest version of the software CD image file and burn it onto your own cd .... all in very little time ... PLUS no waiting on me :)  For the instructions and download image file click here.

 

The newest version of the CD image includes Smart Edit 4.0c and all the latest programs.  Unlike previous versions of the OS, you can now load the OS from the "Install Product" screen. 

 

CALL 806-773-6044 FOR

IMMEDIATE CODES & SUPPORT

4) Holiday Hours

MacroSystems will be closed 12-24-04 thru 01-02-05.  Ody Video never closes (ha.ha) and will be taking tech support calls as much as possible throughout the holiday, but if you get the answering machine... just leave a message and I'll return the call ASAP.

5) Split-X 2 and ArtBax

There are two more software titles that have come out over the last few weeks and I've been so busy that I haven't had a chance really get to know them.  The are basically graphics that you can use as overlays, DVD menu backgrounds, lower thirds, etc.  If you have a built-in dvd drive, you can demo the software.  You can also look at the description and screen shots below:

• Split-X 2

• ArtBax

6) Family Pictures - NEW

Her are some family shots for those of you who want to put a face with the name (i'm the big guy :)  Carli Jo is now 20 months and Corbin Len just turned 4 yrs old.  I'm the same age as Jesus when he died on the cross.  Brandi (my wife) would rather keep her age a secret ....  she's awesome!

 

PICTURES ARE THUMBNAILS,

CLICK TO ENLARGE.