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How-To
Video Editing Tips: Give Your Videos the Hollywood Treatment
You've shot your digital video–now what? Here are some quick and simple post-production hints.News
V-Tec intros iPod competitor
U.K.-based V-Tec has released the V-MMV Player, a multi-function device that's slightly larger than Apple's iPod. V-MMV features a 20GB 1.8-inch hard drive, a two-inch color LCD display, a 13-in-1 card reader and USB 2.0 connectivity. It can run 30fps video at 352 x 240 resolution in MPEG1 and motion JPEG formats as well as play music in MP3, WMA, Audio CD and uncompressed WAV formats, with a six-band equalizer. It can also display JPEG pictures at up to 16 mega-pixel resolution, with the ability to zoom in and out and watch them as a slideshow complete with background music.News
iPod Updater 2004-11-15 released
Apple Computer Inc. on Thursday released iPod Updater 2004-11-15, a new software update for Apple's iPod and iPod mini devices, though this update is mainly aimed at iPod mini users. This update includes iPod mini software v1.2 and iPod software v3.0.2, for iPods with a Click Wheel. The updater includes the same software versions as iPod Updater 2004-10-20 for all other iPod models.News
MacExpo: ElGato introduces EyeTV 610
Elgato Systems on Thursday introduced the EyeTV 610, a new version of its digital TV recorder with a DVB-C interface. Complete with a digital cable TV tuner and Common Interface, or CI, the EyeTV 610 is aimed at digital cable television subscribers in European and international markets, where up to about 10 million subscribers have DVB-C-compatible systems. The EyeTV 610 allows users to record television programs to their hard disk, then later edit the content or export it to CD-R or DVD using Apple and third-party software. To receive digital cable an active digital cable TV subscription is required; Pay TV requires an additional Common Access Module (CAM) and a Pay TV subscription.News
O’Reilly publishes ‘iPod & iTunes Hacks’
O'Reilly on Wednesday released "iPod & iTunes Hacks," a 433-page, US$25.95 book that covers Apple's audio hardware and software inside-out. Acknowledging that "there is a legion of fans and hobbyists out there who want to take the iPod to place it wasn't originally designed for," author Hadley Stern covers using the MP3 player to read e-mail or record audio, or even store digital photos, if the iPod in question isn't a photo model, as well as other topics. In addition, Stern discusses using Java, AppleScript or Perl to expand iTunes' options, altering the software's look and feel by hacking the resources and more.News
New Squeezebox colors, SlimServer updated
Slim Devices Inc. on Wednesday introduced new metallic chassis colors for its SqueezeBox, a network music player that connects your stereo to your computer's digital music. What's more, the company also introduced its own CD ripping service and updated SlimServer, the software that powers the Squeezebox, adding a variety of new features.News
Creative declares marketing ‘war’ against iPod
Creative Technology Ltd. Chief Executive Officer Sim Wong Hoo told reporters in Singapore his company plans to spend US$100 million in 2005 in a marketing war aimed squarely at Apple Computer Inc.'s iPod. "The MP3 war has started and I am the one who has declared war," Sim said.News
ConvertX Personal Video Recorder for Mac debuts
Plextor Corp. on Monday announced the ConvertX Personal Video Recorder for Mac, created in partnership with EyeTV maker Elgato. The new product combines Elgato's EyeTV software with Plextor's USB 2.0-based ConvertX PVR video capture device. ConvertX includes a TV tuner that works with broadcast, cable and satellite TV, and sports an MPEG-2 hardware encoder. Other inputs include RCA composite video, RCA stereo audio and S-video input.Reviews
First Look: $100 Video Editing Apps Square Off
New entry-level programs from Adobe and Pinnacle bring plenty of editing power to desktop directors.News
Panic ‘retires’ Audion, tells Audion story
Mac OS X software developer Panic has announced the retirement of its venerable Mac MP3 software Audion. "Panic isn't going anywhere, but Audion will be soaking up the sun in Software Florida, if you will," said Panic co-founder Cabel Sasser. Although Audion is no longer being actively developed or supported, Panic has released the software for free. Users who have registered Audion have been sent a special coupon code by e-mail off the purchase of other Panic products.Reviews
Review: JBL On Stage
If you’re in the market for a small desktop speaker system for your iPod and you don’t need battery-powered portability, JBL’s On Stage offers open, detailed sound in an attention-grabbing package.News
Amazon launches iPod Store
Apple isn't the only one with its own online iPod store — Amazon.com has gotten into the act as well. Amazon's iPod Store offers quick links to Apple's iPod and iPod mini, as well as the iPod Photo and iPod U2 Special Edition. What's more, you can also find accessories to go with your iPod or order AppleCare extended warranty coverage. And unlike Apple's iPod Store, Amazon.com's customers are not restricted from rating Apple-branded products.News
Keyspan Express Remote supports AirPort Express
Keyspan on Wednesday introduced the Keyspan Express Remote. It's an infrared remote control with a receiver that connects to a Mac or PC through USB. It can also connect to the USB port on Apple's AirPort Express wireless networking interface, enabling users to remote control their iTunes playback even if the Mac's in another room. Keyspan plans to ship the Express Remote in mid-November for US$59.99.News
PodLock hides important files on iPod
You may buy the iPod for its music-playing capability, but it's also a great portable data storage device and can be mounted on the desktop just like any hard drive. To protect your important data, TechTool Pro maker Micromat Inc. has introduced PodLock, a new utility that hides important files by creating an "invisible" password-protected data partition on the iPod. It can also unfragment file data on the iPod, which Micromat claims improves file retrieval and music access speed. PodLock can backup and restore data on the primary iPod volume, manages pictures and voice recording, and displays technical info about the iPod as well. Its suggested retail price is US$65, and a functional demo is available.News
FireWire Solo records guitar tracks directly to Mac
M-Audio has released the FireWire Solo, a bus-powered unit with a quarter-inch guitar jack and microphone input on the front. You can use it to record guitar tracks — electric or acoustic, as well as vocals or other instruments — directly into your Mac. The guitar jack and mic feature gain control and clipping LEDs while dual line inputs handle effects, drum machines and other outboard equipment.Editors’ Notes
Video iPod: Wrong Time, Wrong Place
Could Apple make a video iPod today? Sure. But just because the technology's there doesn't make this the right time to sell one.News
MSN Music expands farther into Europe
Microsoft Corp.'s MSN Music online download service fired another salvo this week at Apple rival iTunes Music Store by announcing its expansion into new European countries. The service has added Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Spain, The Netherlands and Austria to its roster, and also added services in French and German languages for Switzerland.News
Monster’s iCruze plays iPod on car stereo
High-end audio cable company Monster has announced a partnership with audio designer SoundGate to create iCruze, a device that allows you to play your iPod library on your car stereo without transmitting the music over an FM frequency. It connects to an existing CD changer or satellite radio port and enables you to control your iPod with the steering wheel or CD player controls; an optional display lists song title and artist, if the car stereo's head unit doesn't display text. Both companies expect to ship the iCruze later this fall for US$199.95.News
Apple Asks ITunes Users to Upgrade
Music purchases not possible now without version 4.5 or higher.News
Apple trims music purchases to iTunes 4.5 or higher
Apple Computer Inc. on Wednesday encouraged users of its iTunes jukebox software to upgrade to the latest version, available from the company's Web site. As of today users of iTunes 4.2 or lower will not be able to purchase or download songs from the iTunes Music Store, but Apple says the new innovative features are well worth the upgrade.News
FIA On3 Pro shuttles audio, video from home to cars
First Intelligent Array (FIA) Inc. on Tuesday introduced the On3 Pro Digital Media Player and Library. Designed to work both in the home and in an automobile, the On3 Pro is an audio video, and digital still image player that stores up to 120GB of data and works with Macs and Windows PCs.News
Sonos system delayed until January
Sonos Inc.'s Sonos Digital Music System was first announced this past June. The modular sound system was developed to provide house-wide music culled from music collections on Macs, PCs or Network Attached Storage (NAS) systems, and features a four-port 10/100baseT Ethernet switch and has 50 watts RMS per channel speaker hookups, RCA audio inputs and outputs and a remote control. In June Sonos planned to ship the system sometime during the fall, but that date has been pushed back to mid-January, according to an announcement from Sonos' public relations manager, Thomas Meyer. The move was made to fine-tune Sonos Digital Music System's system performance, according to Meyer.News
flexDock mini debuts, for iPod minis
Navipod maker TEN Technology on Friday introduced the flexDock mini, a combination charger and holder for the iPod mini designed for use in automobiles. The dock rests on a flexible metal arm that enables users to secure and position their iPod mini, while the other end plugs into a standard cigarette lighter or accessory socket. The flexDock mini also has a 3.5mm line-out jack, suitable for connecting to a car stereo using the included cassette adapter or self-powered FM transmitters. TEN's Web site had not yet been updated with information about the flexDock mini as MacCentral posted this article, but the company indicated that it will begin shipping the new accessory in November. The flexDock mini will cost US$49.95.News
RadioSHARK software update improves AM, more
Griffin Technology Inc.'s radioSHARK turns your Mac into a radio receiver — it's a USB-based antenna and software application that enables you to tune in to your local radio station, schedule recordings and "pause" live radio too. On Friday Griffin posted an update to the radioSHARK software that "dramatically" improves AM radio performance and reception, adds an "on/off" option for the blue light on the side of the radioSHARK antenna, and makes a number of bug fixes. The radioSHARK costs US$69.99.Editors’ Notes
iPod Photo: What They’re Saying
What are people saying about Apple’s latest iPod releases? We’ve surfed around the Web to find out.News
R-4 portable digital recorder offers 40GB drive
Edirol on Thursday announced its latest digital audio product: the R-4, a four-channel portable digital recorder and .WAV file editor with a 40GB hard drive and USB 2.0 connectivity. It can hold up to 17 hours of recordings at maximum quality — 24-bit/96kHz — and up to 58 hours at 16-bit/44.1kHz CD quality. The R-4 features a built-in limiter and five processors — a three-band parametric equalizer, a six-band graphic equalizer, a noise gate, an enhancer and a compressor/desser — as well as four XLR/TRS combo microphone jacks, RCA analog output, S/PDIF coaxial input and output and built-in stereo microphone and speakers. It can also operate as a mass storage device for transferring any types of files between computers, and it has a CompactFlash slot for using that media to move data.News
Lynx offers Aurora AD/DA converters
Lynx Studio Technology on Thursday introduced its new Aurora line of Analog-Digital/Digital-Analog (AD/DA) converters designed for use in professional audio studios. The converters are designed to work in a standard 19-inch equipment rack and take up 1U of space. Available in eight and 16 channel models, the Aurora converters feature 192kHz analog to digital and digital to analog conversion, with front panel control for routing and sample rate options. More of the Aurora converter's functions can be controlled through a Mac or PC using Lynx's AES16 interface — Lynx released Mac OS X drivers for the AES16 this past June. The rear panel of the Aurora converters sport MIDI in and out connectors and an LSlot bay compatible with ADAT, FireWire and other audio interface cards. The Aurora 8 costs US$2,195; the Aurora 16 costs $3,295. The company's Web site was not updated with information about the new Aurora converters as MacCentral posted this article.News
Apple iPod event posted via QuickTime
You've read about the products and the analyst reaction here on MacCentral, but if you'd like to view Tuesday's special event itself, now you can. Apple has posted a QuickTime stream of the event, held in San Jose, Calif. Apple CEO Steve Jobs took the stage to take the wraps off a color iPod that can display photos, a special edition U2 iPod, and introduced Bono and The Edge themselves. He also talked briefly about Apple's success with the iTunes Music Store, and noted that the iTunes Music Store is now available in nine additional European countries.News
Analysts agree with Jobs on iPod strategy
Joined on stage by legendary rockers Bono and The Edge from U2, Apple Computer Inc. CEO Steve Jobs on Tuesday expanded Apple's hugely popular iPod line-up with two new models. During the event, held in San Jose, Calif., Jobs said that Apple didn't feel video was the right way to take the iPod, opting instead to add a color screen and allow users to sync photos with their device. Analysts agree with Jobs' strategy and feel the pricing for the devices is right.Editors’ Notes
Socks, Photos, and Rock ’n’ Roll
What do iPods with photo viewers, the rock band U2, and brightly colored socks have in common? All were on display when Apple unveiled the iPod Photo Tuesday.News
Apple intros iPod Photo, iPod U2, iTunes 4.7
At a special music event featuring Bono and The Edge from rock group U2 held on Tuesday, Apple took the wraps off the iPod Photo, a color iPod available in 40GB or 60GB storage capacities. The company also introduced the iPod U2 Special Edition, Apple's 20GB player clad in black, equipped with a red Click Wheel and featuring engraved U2 band member signatures. The iPod Photo is available immediately, and Apple expects the iPod U2 Special Edition to ship in mid-November.News
SwiMP3: a waterproof MP3 player
Livermore, Calif.-based Finis Inc. on Monday introduced the SwiMP3, a waterproof MP3 player. It uses bone conduction — sound transfer directly from the cheek bone to the inner ear — to play music and holds 128MB of music. A company representative told MacCentral that SwiMP3 is compatible with all versions of Mac OS X and uses a USB 1.1 interface. Suggested retail pricing is US$249.99. The SwiMP3 comes with a pair of Lane 4 goggles, ear plugs, a carrying case and MusicMatch software, which does not work on the Mac. Finis does not have a product page on its Web site.News
Apple, Jobs up for four Billboard Digital Awards
Music industry trade journal Billboard on Thursday announced the finalists for the first annual Billboard Digital Entertainment Awards, to be held Nov. 5 in Los Angeles. The publication noted that the 26 categories involve games, music, film, television and video, with recognition of "the cutting-edge developments and forward thinkers shaping the future of entertainment." Apple CEO and co-founder Steve Jobs is up for Visionary of the Year — pitting him against HDNet chairman and Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, Real Networks chairman and CEO Rob Glaser and Sim City and The Sims designer Will Wright — while his company will vie for Innovator of the Year, Brand of the Year and Best Downloadable or Subscription Music Service.News
Xclef 500 music player offers 100GB capacity
Carlsbad, Calif.-based Digital Mind Corp. (DMC) on Thursday announced an update to its Xclef 500, a Mac- and PC-compatible digital music player that the company claims is the first to offer 100GB of storage capacity. The Xclef 500 connects using a USB 2.0 interface and also accepts input from a built-in mic, line-in audio connector and S/PDIF optical mini plug. It features 20+ hour battery life using a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, and supports built-in MP3 encoding, voice recording, FM radio and recording capability and more. It's recognized as a mass storage device by the host Mac or PC, and supports MP3, WMA, Ogg Vorbis, WAV and ASF audio file formats. AAC — including those Digital Rights Management (DRM)-protected files purchased through the iTunes Music Store — is not supported.News
DMA: iTunes Music Store wins Best Music Service
Last night during England's Digital Music Awards 2004, which were sponsored by British Telecommunications, the iTunes Music Store won in the Best Music Download Service category. The online store defeated Napster, Sony Connect, MyCokeMusic and KarmaDownload to earn the top prize. The ceremonies were held at Shepherd's Bush Empire in London.News
iRip puts CDs on iPod for $1 each
Just as companies have sprung up to take advantage of eBay's success by offering to relieve sellers of manual labor, services have popped up in the wake of the iPod's dominant market share with promises to rip customers' CD collections to the popular MP3 player and save them the time. Most of those businesses, however, handle CD and iPod pick-ups and drop-offs personally, which means you need to live near them. That changed when a new Atlanta-based company announced on Monday that its iRip service will use UPS shipping to complete the task, and it's boasting the lowest per-CD price available.How-To
Create CD Inserts in iTunes
The iPod and iTunes are great, but sometimes you still need a CD. To give your burned CDs more panache, why not print an insert that slides into the disc’s jewel case? We’ll show you how to use iTunes 4.6’s built-in printing features.News
Belkin intros TunePower, TuneBase for iPod
Belkin has announced that its two newest iPod accessories, the external battery pack TunePower and the car dashboard mount TuneBase, will ship on Oct. 25. TunePower (US$99.99) is a rechargeable battery pack that provides 8 to 10 hours of extra play time after your iPod's internal battery runs dry. It comes with three sleeve sizes to fit all iterations of the iPod and iPod mini, and its detachable DC/FireWire cable allows you to charge both the MP3 player and the TunePower simultaneously. A power level light indicates when it's low on juice.News
Griffin ships iBeam, a light/laser pointer for iPod
Griffin Technology announced on Thursday that its iBeam bundle, which consists of separate flashlight and class III laser pointer devices for use with Apple's iPod, is now shipping. Both snap into the iPod's headphone jack and provide either a small cone of light or a red laser that can be see over a quarter of a mile away. They're compatible with either the regular iPod or the iPod mini and sell for US$19.99 as one package.News
Dell targets iPod Mini with new MP3 player
Dell Inc. took the wraps off its holiday lineup on Thursday, showing new printers, plasma televisions and music players that will soon be available through its Web site.News
Apple reports $106 million Q4 profit; sells 2 million iPods
Apple Computer Inc. on Wednesday reported a $106 million profit or $.26 per diluted share for the company's fiscal fourth quarter. Revenue for the quarter was $2.35 billion, up 37 percent from the year-ago quarter led by the shipment of over 2 million iPods.News