Looking for a useful application to tell you more about your video files? Mac users should check out the free (and still in pre-release) Video Spec software tool. The tool is a little rough around the edges (it has one major bug which is the aspect ratio of DV and HDV is not reported accurately) but it is still truly useful.

• The latest version has been tested on Mac OS X Tiger and Leopard.
• It is compatible with PowerPC and Intel Mac (Universal Binary).
• This version is localized in english and french.

I was just asked to move these tips to the front page. I guess I take them for granted, but they really are useful if you're trying to get the hang of some of the ‘power tools’ inside Avid products. I hope you find these helpful. I also strongly suggest you take a look and Avid On the Spot and Broadcast Graphics on the Spot for tips that help the Avid editor immensely.

I just got back from the wonderful Editors Retreat in South Beach, Florida. There was a lot to learn and it was a great chance to see old friends and make new ones. As promised, here are additional notes from my classes.
 
• Photoshop Automation Techniques
• Boutique Owners Business Track

The polls are now closed for our August survey.
We asked: Which NLE do you prefer to use the most?



We set an all time record for responses. All said, 510 users weighed in... and the results were surprising.

1. Apple Final Cut Pro/Final Cut Express (36.27%)
2. Avid Nonlinear Editing Systems (31.96%)
3. Sony Vegas (14.12%)
4. Adobe Premiere Pro (13.73%)
5. Media 100 (3.92%)

Given the number of respondents, we have determined that the survey is accurate within +/- 4%... That means Final Cut Pros lead was slim, but it still took the top spot.

Thanks to all the great folks we met at the Avid Government Training Symposium. It was wonderful to catch up with so many diverse users and see how those in the public sector are harnessing the power of video. RHED Pixel spoke about production issues as well as integrating Adobe Photoshop and After Effects into the editor's workflow.

Thanks to Future Media Concepts and Avid for putting on the event and to all who attended. If you need conference notes from our sessions, visit the Handouts page.