iMovie: a better mouse? at DVinfo.net

Chris Krowchuk · July 24th, 2010, 02:20 PM

My wife edits hdv on our Mac using iMovie. We also have Final Cut Express but she doesn't want to take the time to learn it. Anyway, she wants a better "mouse" / pointer control thingy ;-) that will allow her to scrub quickly through her video clips to set edit points etc.

I have seen these things on the interweb in the past, they look like a mouse but have a dial like wheel that you can spin. I can't for the life of me remember what they are called! Otherwise I would simply google it, ya?! Hah!

Anyone able to help?

Bill Davis · July 24th, 2010, 03:33 PM

Some helpful web search terms.

Trackball
Trackpad
Scroll wheel mouse
computer mouse alternative

Edward Carlson · July 24th, 2010, 04:15 PM

Perhaps this is what you're looking for: Contour Design | Shuttle | retail.contourdesign.com

John C. Chu · July 24th, 2010, 08:19 PM

Don't forget that the Apple Magic Mouse supports one finger "swiping" that allows scrubbing thru footage.

I have no idea how well that works compared to a jog dial/shuttle however.

I also remember this product from Griffin:

Griffin Technology: PowerMate - USB Multimedia Controller

[Non professional devices of course.]

Chris Krowchuk · July 25th, 2010, 09:13 AM

Thanks all!

Jog/shuttle! That jogs my memory! Google brought the contour and griffin products up, they look like the ticket.

One thing that wasn't explained on either website though, what is jog and what is shuttle? Both devices have an inner dial and outer ring for these two functions, but no explanation as to how they differ. I'm assuming one is for fine frame by frame and the other for fast scrubbing?

Dave Blackhurst · July 26th, 2010, 01:25 PM

yes - inner dial on the Contour is weighted and free spins, and designed for frame by frame movement (although you can spin it somewhat faster!) - basically think fine tuning. The outer rubber "wheel" is spring loaded, and has IIRC 4 levels of "speed/sensitivity" so you "nudge" it in the direction and amount you want to scrub through the footage, release and it stops/springs back.

Chris Krowchuk · July 27th, 2010, 01:25 PM

Hey Dave,
thanks for the informative reply! I take it that the outer ring "springs" back to it's neutral position, leaving the selected frame displayed? IOWs, the video doesn't spring back? Can't see any use for the video "springing" back but what do I know? Hah!

Dave Blackhurst · July 28th, 2010, 05:13 PM

Yep, the ring springs, not the video. Keep in mind you also get 13-15 buttons you can program any way you want, so you get a lot of control.

July 24th, 2010, 02:20 PM	#1
Chris Krowchuk Tourist Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Newnan, GA. USA Posts: 3	iMovie: a better mouse? My wife edits hdv on our Mac using iMovie. We also have Final Cut Express but she doesn't want to take the time to learn it. Anyway, she wants a better "mouse" / pointer control thingy ;-) that will allow her to scrub quickly through her video clips to set edit points etc. I have seen these things on the interweb in the past, they look like a mouse but have a dial like wheel that you can spin. I can't for the life of me remember what they are called! Otherwise I would simply google it, ya?! Hah! Anyone able to help?

July 24th, 2010, 03:33 PM	#2
Bill Davis Trustee Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Scottsdale, AZ 85260 Posts: 1,538	Some helpful web search terms. Trackball Trackpad Scroll wheel mouse computer mouse alternative __________________ Classroom editing instructor? Check out www.starteditingnow.com Turnkey editor training content including licensed training footage for classroom use.

July 24th, 2010, 04:15 PM	#3
Edward Carlson Major Player Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: North Hollywood, CA, United States Posts: 807	Perhaps this is what you're looking for: Contour Design \| Shuttle \| retail.contourdesign.com

July 24th, 2010, 08:19 PM	#4
John C. Chu Major Player Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Rego Park , NYC Posts: 665	Don't forget that the Apple Magic Mouse supports one finger "swiping" that allows scrubbing thru footage. I have no idea how well that works compared to a jog dial/shuttle however. I also remember this product from Griffin: Griffin Technology: PowerMate - USB Multimedia Controller [Non professional devices of course.]

July 25th, 2010, 09:13 AM	#5
Chris Krowchuk Tourist Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Newnan, GA. USA Posts: 3	Thanks all! Jog/shuttle! That jogs my memory! Google brought the contour and griffin products up, they look like the ticket. One thing that wasn't explained on either website though, what is jog and what is shuttle? Both devices have an inner dial and outer ring for these two functions, but no explanation as to how they differ. I'm assuming one is for fine frame by frame and the other for fast scrubbing?

July 26th, 2010, 01:25 PM	#6
Dave Blackhurst Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Apple Valley CA Posts: 4,874	yes - inner dial on the Contour is weighted and free spins, and designed for frame by frame movement (although you can spin it somewhat faster!) - basically think fine tuning. The outer rubber "wheel" is spring loaded, and has IIRC 4 levels of "speed/sensitivity" so you "nudge" it in the direction and amount you want to scrub through the footage, release and it stops/springs back.

July 27th, 2010, 01:25 PM	#7
Chris Krowchuk Tourist Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Newnan, GA. USA Posts: 3	Hey Dave, thanks for the informative reply! I take it that the outer ring "springs" back to it's neutral position, leaving the selected frame displayed? IOWs, the video doesn't spring back? Can't see any use for the video "springing" back but what do I know? Hah!

July 28th, 2010, 05:13 PM	#8
Dave Blackhurst Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Apple Valley CA Posts: 4,874	Yep, the ring springs, not the video. Keep in mind you also get 13-15 buttons you can program any way you want, so you get a lot of control.