Dick,
I use a Wacom Graphire tablet (USB) with my TiBook. It comes with a 2-button+scroll-wheel mouse as well as a stylus. The tablet/stylus is very handy for use with FCP (et.al.). The mouse's functionality is indispensible. So for about the price of just a mouse you get...

You may need to run Disk Utility and Run first Aid and repair the Disk Permissions on your startup drive partition. Also install the program I sent you after fixing the permissions.

Jeff

I've done it both ways. I find the internal burner (self installed A03) more convienent. I use DVD SP for most authoring. My wife uses iDVD. I use Toast to burn the data.

Jeff

I'm not such a Mac snob that I don't appreciate a good Microsoft product when I see one. The Microsoft Trackball Explorer is such a product http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/mouse/tbe_info.asp I use a trackball for many reasons, speed, efficiency, customization and health. I have a torn rotter cuff that I'm getting repaired shortly. I never could have edited these past 6 months without a trackball. My father (81) has shoulder problems also and is able to use his iMac only because of his trackball mouse. I personally believe a trackball provides a healthier computing experience. It also works fine in OS 9xx and OS X

Jeff

Is anyone using the ShuttlePro mouse? Looks nifty...but I've never had one actually in my hand to see how it performs.

I'm thinking of animating my opening logo a bit. You can see it as it is now by clicking the link below:

http://zchildress.com/sursumwho/sf_169_opslate_240.mov

As you can see, the film reel in the background is static...so I was thinking about making it slowly spin.

The reel is a separate layer in PhotoShop. I'll use FCP for editing. So, my question is...how would I do it? (big question, huh?)

My guess is that I make flat TIF images of the image after using TRANSFORM>ROTATE each time. The thing I'm not clear on is, what percentage angle should I alter the reel each shot? Also, when I import all these images into FCP, what duration should I give each shot?

How many seconds per revolution?

Jeff

Good question...I hadn't thought of that yet. I guess 3 or 4 seconds would be the pace I'm wanting...but I'm not sure if that might look too choppy.

Four seconds is good. Simple math. four seconds X 30 frames per second =120 frames ÷ 360º = 3º rotation.

Jeff

Doh! That is pretty easy, Jeff...too easy...so I couldnt' see it.

I also just realized something...if I import it into FCP as a PSD file with layers, I can just assign keyframes to that layer and set the rotation. That means 120 keyframes in a four second clip...is that even possible?

Another vote for the MS Trackball Explorer. The larger ball, especially, works great. I'm not as keen on the thumb buttons, though -- they feel a little cheesy. I've been used to trackballs in our FAA radar and computers for a long time, so it's almost second nature, and *much* more comfortable to use than any mouse I've seen.

Logitech also makes a solid-feeling trackball device, but it depends on the thumb for rolling, with the fingers performing the same functions as on a standard mouse. My thumb tends to cramp up during a long edit session, so I prefer the Explorer.

I'd like to buy a Powerbook G4 with FinaCut,Photoshop,AfterEffect,Nuendo ect. for my editing jobs.
But I need to have a minidv deck to connect with 422 contol:any advice?
Thanks,Maurizio.

I would look at the Sony products. I've had problems with several Panasonic decks with RS 422 serial control. I would not put all the blame on Panasonic, but Sony decks with the same configuration have worked flawlessly. You have many variable, FCP, TiBook, the deck, cables and RS422 control unit. Try to get a demo of the deck with your configuration before you buy.

I don't live in a PAL country (I'm assuming you need PAL) and I hesitiate to recommend a specific model. I've worked with several of the Sony NTSC models, DSR20, 30 and 40. I believe all use RS422. I personally have used the 30 and 40 with RS422 control and they worked perfectly. The 20 I don't remember if it has RS422.

Jeff

thank you Jeff!

Ok, heres the deal. IM sure there are plenty of better monitors out there but there is one problem, cash. I can get this comp for under 350 which is a bit less than what ive seen online. Ive also heard that they are fairly good as far as graphic quality. Id be running it on my G4 and wanted to talk to you guys first before doing anything. I plan to purchase two. i was also told that its important to get two of the same monitors as well. So i wanted a decent priced but quality piece. With these monitors i get a two year parts and repair warrantee as well.
LMK what you guys think.
Thanks
Ryan

I'm not sure I understand your question, Ryan. Are you asking about monitors for use on a Mac G4 or about using an HP Pavillion PC for editing...or something in between?

You don't need two of the same computer monitor for editing. Your desk only looks nicer with two matching monitors. One monitor is your main screen and your timeline and two video screens. Your other monitor just holds various palattes for your clips, effects etc. The second monitor just keeps things from piling up on your main screen. You should use a video monitor to judge the color, saturation etc of the images.

Depending on which G4, make sure the video card will support two monitors and the cost of any required adapters.

Jeff

Sorry for being vague. Its a quicksilver G4 from apple. The monitor is a HP pavillion MX90 Multimedia 19 inch monitor. I have yet to check on whether it has the correct adaptors. Ok so what you are saying apart from being semi decent the monitors graphic abilities don't need to be top notch on either monitor. Its the video monitor thats important to actually see what the image is going to look like correct? If you could give me a real quick run through on that it would be great. Also if this monitor is what i need.
Thanks guys for all your help.

If the monitors work (have the correct adapters to fit the video card) they will be fine. For editing, I suggest a Sony 14" or 13" production monitor. Use the search button in the upper right. The topic has been covered many times. The cost will be $300 and up depending on age and condition. I don't suggest a regular TV. A TV does not have the necessary controls to accurately adjust the monitor.

Jeff

ok great, that covers what i needed thank you very much. For now I plan to just work on things that will stay on the internet so i should be set. Once ive purchased FCP ill work on getting the sony monitor.
Always very helpful.
Thank you
Ryan

I don't know exactly which Quicksilver your getting, so I can't tell you what video card it will have. But be very certain that the monitors will come with the adapters you need or they can be very costly. The Adapters to convert the ADC connection can run $150 or more depending on the monitor.

Jeff

wow, alright ill go check that now as a matter of fact just to be sure. I just looked at a bunch of info on monitors and i have a question. They all talk about whats best for things to be made for broadcast TV. What about for film. I plan to have my stuff on DVDs, the web, and film festivals. What should i do in this circumstance?

For Web use I would rely on the computer monitor. For DVD use a production video monitor and for film, talk to the company that will do the conversion, but my guess would be to rely on the production monitor.

Jeff

most likely it will stay in DV form. I will not be spending the money to convert to actaul film. Most festivals now a days except DV anyway.

I posted this in another forum, but it probably applies to your situation too. Do you know which model your getting?

The current Apple Powermac G4 867 dual processors comes http://www.apple.com/powermac/graphics.html with the Nvidia GeForce4 MX. It supports two monitors. One connection is the DVI connector and the computer comes with a DVI to VGA adapter. The other connector is an ADC connection and Apple does not supply the connector with the computer to convert it to VGA. Gefen http://www.gefen.com/kvm/product.jsp?prod_id=1299 makes them and I'm sure there are other sources. I believe list price is $50.

Jeff

Just checked back on it, and the quicksilver educational model that Ive already purchased. Just haven't cracked open yet states
-NVIDIA GeForce4 MX dual-display w/32MB DDR

I will definitly check that link out, thanks.
Also if you could elaborate on the DVI, ADC, VGA id really appreciate it.
Thanks
Ryan

DVI carries a video signal, but no power. The ADC carries video, USB and power in one cable. Very cool, but only works with Apple monitors. You can see the various connectors at the two links above.

Jeff

Something else you might look into.... The Radeon 7000 Mac Edition is a PCI graphics card that pops into any vacant slot on your G4. It has connectors for DVI, VGA and S-video. I'm using one in an older G4/733 and have been very pleased. The nice thing about this card is that it will drive both a tv monitor and an computer monitor simultaneously (they show up as desktops 2 and 3 in the monitors control panel). Caveat: I'm running MacOS 9.2 and don't know if this would work under OS X.

In FCP you can choose the Radeon S-video output as external video if you like. I do this when my output is going to SVHS tape since the software for the Radeon (mac2tv) gives you some nice features like flicker filtering, screen size adjustment, color control, etc. With a bit of tweaking I find I can produce much better VHS tapes than if I used the S-video output of my Vx-2000.

FWIW my FCP monitor setup is as follows:

main screen: 21" Apple Studio Display (trinitron CRT) connected to the G4 AGP video card running at 1600x1200

canvas: 15" Samsung LCD connected to the Radeon 7000 VGA port

external video: 20" Sony Trinitron FV (tv set) connected to the Radeon 7000 S-video port (with audio coming from the G4). Eventually I guess I'll want a studio video monitor, but after some comparison shopping decided the trinitron FV was the best consumer level set and the price was reasonable.

The Samsung LCD (syncmaster 151 MP) also takes s-video, so I connect it to the VX-2000. This allows me to toggle between the computer screen and camcorder output.

When FCP4 comes out I wonder how much FCP3 will drop in price?

It will be discontinued, just like other updated software. Dealers may have stock for sometime and if you buy a copy of FCP 3 near the release of FCP 4 there is usually a grace period to update for free. Grace periods are usually very short, like 2 weeks. I expect the release within the next 90 days. Rumors originally pointed to MacWorld SF (next week) but things have been very quiet lately. I'm not sure if that's good or bad news.

Jeff

I don't mind the wait, as I would prefer they work out the bugs before release. Curious to see what the upgrade amount will be.