Over the Weekend I Learned

Over the weekend I was looking through different software for Mac, just browsing to see what was available. While browsing, I came across Final Cut Pro. I decided to read the specs and specifications, and while browsing I learned something interesting. Final Cut Pro is Mac only software. I was a little surprised at first because Microsoft goes out of its way to make programs like Microsoft Office available for Mac, and so does Adobe when it comes to the CS5 suite. The more I thought about it, the more it made sense. This was how Apple worked, they need control. They don't have control if their "exclusive" products run on other systems. Look at all the applications which Apple has made for their system, almost none of currently work on both Windows and Mac. For example, iWork and Things are a batch of programs which don't work with Windows. The only exception to this is iTunes, which works on both platforms. However, the Mac version gets Quicktime 10 to work with, while the Windows version gets Quicktime 8. It really comes down to which system can one up the other more.

~Dave

Help Refine a Product

Ever wanted to take a video with your kid, but couldn't because someone had to hold the camera? How about video chat with a friend using your iPod, but you can't do other things because you are holding the iPod? Well, there is a product I stumbled across which fixes this. The product, named Satarii Star, is still in production. The product is very simple. It consist of a base and a marker. Where ever the marker goes, within 180°, the base will turn with it. The base holds your phone, ipod, or any other camera. This great design, however, is not yet in production. The company who makes it are a couple of guys. What you see below is just a prototype of the final product. The company needs suggestions on how to improve the product. All those who aid in the process will be given the chance to pre-order the final product before it is released.

Base and Marker

  Satarii can be found on both Facebook and Twitter, along with their official Blog. I personally believe the idea is amazing and should really be developed. However, I would try and slim it down a bit, and probably add a way to move vertically too. For a prototype though, I must say, I didn't know it was a prototype until they said so in the video. In addition, as of eleven hours ago they announced their official spokesperson. It will be none other then Shay Carl, the YouTube video blogger.
  The product will register you as long as you are within 8 meters. You can help donate to the final product, and be one of the first to receive it, by going to IndieGoGo.com. Every dollar counts when trying to achieve a goal. To see more on the product, you can watch the video the company put together to show it off. Scroll down to watch.

~Dave

Video Conversion Should Be Easy

I was given the job to convert a video for someone. The video on the CD they gave me is a .VOB file, also known as a Video Object file. They wished for me to convert it to an MP4, or at least something useable in Final Cut Pro for editing purposes. So I immediately thought this would be easy. My plan was to just put the CD in my computer, and run the files through VLC media player and have them converted. That was my plan, but what actually happen did not work out like that. When I set the conversion up, everything seemed fine. However, when I played the final video it was choppy, frames had been lost, and there was no sound. I tried multiple methods to try and have it work, but to no success. Most people would think this would be easy, but of course for me it never is. So now, my challenge is to find a software tool for Mac, which is free, which allows me to convert .VOB files. Do you have any suggestions? If you know of a good application, please leave a comment below.

~Dave