iTouch ... Utouch ...

My wife had a pretty crazy year teaching first graders, so my kids and I decided to get her an ipod iTouch as a "Hooray-you've-survived-another-year-teaching-first-graders!" gift.

I started setting up the iTouch several days ago ... and my kids fell in love with it. (It IS a pretty awesome machine!). I set up an iTunes account for her, and connected the iTouch to her email account and downloaded a few basic apps for her (she LOVES Tetris!)

We gave it to my wife today ... let's see how she likes it.

Laptops for Mothers ... (and AppleCare)

Hi, all!

My mom's Windows computer recently gave up the ghost (it was pretty old), so my siblings and I pitched in for a new Macbook laptop. I bought the AppleCare Protection Plan extended warranty when I purchased the Macbook through Apple's website.

I couldn't tell whether or not the AppleCare was in place. After some searching on the web, I found that AppleCare is launched when you buy the computer.

To determine whether your AppleCare is still in place, simply go to

https://selfsolve.apple.com/GetWarranty.do

and enter in your computer's serial number. (If you don't know how to find your computer's serial number, go here:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1349?viewlocale=en_US

Enjoy!

Building an Isolation Booth for Voice Overs

Here's an interesting discussion on building isolation booths in your home for voice/overs:

http://www.mvnation.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=12863&start=0&st=0&sk=t&sd=a

Scroll down to "Whisper Rooms??"

Or build something freestanding, like these:

http://www.integrityenterprisesus.com/acoustic/products.php

A cool DIY version is here:

http://www.soundproofing.org/infopages/portable_sound_control_room.htm

... or, going smaller, this is a brilliant portable design:

http://digitalprosound.digitalmedianet.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=89503

... which sells here:

http://www.harlanhogan.com/store.shtml


Cheers!

Blog Feature ...

I've been featured on the "Query Queen" blog ....

http://askwendy.wordpress.com/2009/03/16/10-questions-fortimothy-warneka-black-beltleadership-author/

Film Effect in Final Cut Pro

I found an interesting way to create a film-like effect with the Canon HG10 camcorder.

It's pretty easy, too. Essentially what you're doing is doubling the video track and then blending the two tracks together.

I took this video when I was playing with the depth-of-field in my camcorder:


Happy Valentines Day 2009, Vimeo! from Tim Warneka on Vimeo.


and followed this simple process:




... and you get this cool look in your video:


Overlay Process in FCP for Creating a 'Film Effect' from Tim Warneka on Vimeo.


Pretty sweet! With this simple process, I think the video looks fuller and has more depth. :-)

Also, I've found that doubling the audio track makes for a fuller sound. (I haven't figured out if there's a way to blend/mix the two audio tracks. Stay tuned.)

Screws on the bottom of a camcorder ...

Hi all!

If you ever need to know the size of the bolt that attaches a camcorder like the Canon HG10 onto a tripod, the answer is:

usually 1/4"-20.

And sometimes 3/8"-16.

I just got a new tripod and needed a new quick release plate. It took me awhile to find this information, so I thought I'd pass it on to you!

Cheers,

Tim

We're Not Alone ...

Apparently, Windows Vista is taking some heat for the financial failures of Microsoft.

From the article:

"In Microsoft's public speeches and press releases, CEO Steve Ballmer has portrayed Windows Vista as nothing short of a wild success, an operating system that has sold millions of copies to adoring fans worldwide.

Alas, reality has finally come into sobering focus: Microsoft's recent earnings report show not just a $900 million revenue shortfall vs. earlier projections, but a serious weakness in one critical part of its business: "Software client revenue" (aka Windows Vista and remnant sales of XP), where sales are down 8 percent vs. last year."

Vista ... I know I dislike it.