Windows 8 first impression

Over Thanksgiving break I got my first look at Windows 8. It's been out since October 26th, but I didn't really pay mind to the OS update until I visited the Windows Store at the Christiana Mall. Windows 8 seemed fitting for the tablet/laptop hybrids featured in the store, with a distinct new interface that the user could customize. However, on my new PC (Black Friday woop),  I found the interface a little strange. I had to enter the "Desktop app" in order to access the Control Panel, and not may programs showed up on the desktop. My guess is that the new OS is geared toward use with touch-based devices and syncing different devices together. However, I'm still optimistic about the benefits of a long-needed update when I return home for winter break. Has anyone else tried out Windows 8, and if so what are your thoughts on it?

Sony HRX Camera 60p Work Around!

Hey Everyone!
So this is some helpful information that I wish I had a couple weeks ago!


So I accidentally set our new Sony HRX (the new advanced camera kit) to 60p, or 60 Frames per second, and I was very frustrated to find when I was trying to import the footage, NONE of the programs you typically use were recognizing the audio.  The video would be laggy and a bit jumpy, but there would be no sound whatsoever. Once I double checked that my videos and audio were fine on the camera I knew it was a problem with the software I was using.

After Diana and I worked through and tested every video-editing software we have available to us.  We finally came down to Final Cut X.
Thankfully, it was able to read the extremely high definition sound that the Sony HRX uses to capture sound at 60p. After using Final Cut X to import the video, it converted everything into a workable .mov file so I could then transfer all my footage into Premiere or Final Cut 7 to start my editing process!



So this is for anyone that is interested in using the Sony HXR, or if you ever hear someone come up and say they can’t get the audio to import with their videos.  Here is your workaround!

Step 1) Locate Camera and a computer with Final Cut X

Step 2) Import all footage you need through Final Cut X and add it to an event.

Step 3) Locate that Event in the computer files. (Should be something like Final Cut Pro Events)

Step 4) Inside the “Final Cut Pro Events” folder there should be an “Original Media” (This folder will contain converted clips of the footage you just imported

Step 5) Copy the converted clips you need to whatever External Harddrive you’re using and enjoy editing!

Need to share a large file? Google has you covered.

After reading some articles on CNN I happened to come across one about storage which I think has been important because of saving data. The article states that Gmail now allows users to send 10 GB of files using Google Drive, which is very helpful in light of the past couple days where there have been few if any hard drives at the Student Media Design Center. I myself always wished to send a file sometimes greater than a GB to myself whenever I forgot my usb.  Also the article asserts that you can purchase 25 GB of storage for the low price of 2.49! That is a great deal considering that some 16 GB usb are around 10 bucks.


heres the link to the article

http://www.cnn.com/2012/11/28/tech/web/gmail-google-drive/index.html

Animating with Google Docs?

In light of Brandon's previous post about using the best piece of software for the job, I'd like to endorse that principle. It is generally a good idea to use software for what it is intended, but sometimes, there's an imaginative user out there who pushes the limits we all assumed were there.

With great resourcefulness, diligence, and downright cleverness, a team of three created The Most Awesome 450 Page Presentation Ever. It looks like a Flash animation, but in reality their piece is made up of hundreds of slides with meticulously arranged objects that they successively moved and transformed, slide by slide. I imagine that none of the suite's developers anticipated this sort of creative, subversive use of Google Docs. Check it out slide by slide by following the link above, or watch it in action right here.

Making Full Use of Microsoft Publisher

Many students in the SMDC have been utilizing Microsoft Office programs like Word and PowerPoint to create fliers, brochures, and other kinds of specially formatted documents. They can serve that purpose but their intended purpose is to to create written documents and slide show presentations. Publisher has a wide variety of templates that would make creating handouts much easier. Inputting pictures, creating a trifold brochure or poster boards, and lining up text for different articles. Unfortunately, Publisher is only offered on our Dell computers but it wouldn't hurt for mac users to familiarize themselves with the program. I would say proficiency is this program would cut down project production exponentially.

All in one Laptop

Hey Guys!

So I was looking around at potential laptops for my friend and stumbled upon this awesome creation. The Fujitsu Lifebook 2013 i, is a laptop, phone, camera, and tablet all in one. Yea, its that awesome. Unfortunately it won't be out until 2013, until then, check it out!

fujitsu-lifebook-2013-a-truly-all-in-one-concept-device

- Taylor

Nook vs Kindle vs iPad

Cost

Of course, the  first question on anyone’s mind would be: “How much does it cost?”

The iPad ranges from $329-$829.
The Kindle line is just $69-249.
The Nook brand totals to $99-$299.

Design 

                        Nook/Nook Tablet                   Kindle Fire        iPad(3rd Generation) Screen (in.)   
/Resolution:      6/800x600                                     7/                              9.7/
                           E Ink/                                           1024x600                  1024x768
                           7/1024x600                                  LCD                           LCD

Color:                16 shades gray/16 mill. colors  Yes                            Yes
   

Size (in.):            6.5 x 5.0 x 0.47/
                            8.1 x 5 x 0.48                               7.5 x 4.7 x 0.45         9.56 x 7.31 x 0.34

Weight(lb):          0.47/ 0.88                                    0.89                           1.3-1.35

ebook Format:    ePub & PDF/ePub,                     Kindle,                       ePub,
                             PDF, Doc                                     PDF, MOBI                Kindle, PDF

Performance

                         Nook/Nook Tablet                    Kindle Fire       iPad(3rd Generation)

Storage:           2GB/ 8GB or 16GB                       8GB                 16GB - 64GB

Web browser:        Limited/Yes                             Yes                         Yes

Connectivity:             Wi-Fi                                    Wi-Fi                     Wi-Fi/ 3G

Connectivity Cost:      free                                    free            Optional, $15-$50/ month

Audio/Video:             audio +

                                 images / yes                          Yes                          Yes

Games:                        Yes                                     Yes                          Yes

Sources:

http://ipod.about.com/od/ipadcomparisons/a/comparing-ipad-kindle-nook.htm

http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html/ref=amb_link_366177422_1?ie=UTF8& docId=1000846051&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-6-2&pf_rd_r=081WVZDGVXGT8FSD989R&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_p=1412997322&pf_rd_i=B0083PWAPW