Got a Broadcast Monitor? Then Use It!

Tuesday, August 14, 2007 Filed in: Apple

All of the major applications in Final Cut Studio support the use of an external video monitor. However, each application is a little different in how you set it up and not all applications will support every configuration of hardware cards or decks. Be sure the hardware is powered on and properly connected before launching an application.

CH02_External Video

Final Cut Pro

Choose Final Cut Pro > Easy Setup. Pick the profile that matches your hardware.
Choose View > External Video > All Frames (Command + F12).
If you have more than one device, you can specify it by choosing View > Video Playback > and choosing the device.

Color

Choose the Setup Room by pressing Command + 1.
Locate the Video Output menu toward the right edge.

Note: Color currently does not support FireWire monitoring of any kind including DVCPRO HD and AJA IO devices.

Motion

Choose Motion > Preferences and click the Output tab.
Select an Output path based on your active hardware.

Soundtrack Pro

Choose Soundtrack Pro > Preferences and click the Video Out tab.
Select a device from the popup menu.

DVD Studio Pro

Choose DVD Studio Pro > Preferences. and click the Simulator tab.
Choose a Video and Audio path for the Simulator and click OK.
To invoke, click the Simulator button and use the virtual controls on the Simulator window.

Like this tip? It comes from the book
Final Cut Studio On the Spot from Focal Press.

Great Piece of Freeware for Producers/Directors/DPs

Monday, August 06, 2007 Filed in: Motion Graphics | Personal

If you need to put together a storyboard, you have lots of options. But the process of laying out the pages and dealing with changes to shot order or selection can get tedious. Fortunately there is a free solution called Directors Boards which alleviates most of the challenges (no, it won't draw for you).

This great program is based on Filemaker, but doesn't need you to have the full program installed in order to run. You essentially load in information regarding the shots including the audio and video columns, shot number, and a thumbnail image. Directors Boards then allows you to organize the shots as well as create a sldieshow presentation or print out professional looking storyboards. The product is cross-platform and free... what more do you need? Well there is a more robust version called Directors Notebook, which we are putting through its paces and will have a detailed review soon.