IMOVIE 08 & IDVD missing review

IMOVIE 08 & IDVD missing review

IMOVIE 08 & IDVD


reviewed by Dr. Eric Flescher, Olathe, KS: (dreric1kansas@aol.com)

Author: David Pogue
Released: 2007
Pages: 448
$ 40 USA
$ 48 and
ISBN: -10-:596-51619-3
ISBN: -978-90596-51619-2

Strengths: There is no CD with the book but at the website you can find additional information that can be found and utilized. The index is well done. The book includes colorful screenshots which are very readable. Helpful hints and techniques

Weaknesses: Most of the information is in regarding iMovie. Troubleshooting ideas for using iDVD are missing for the most part. These are relegated to looking into 4 areas which include discussion groups, lists, official iMovie area and Official in regard to iDVD troubleshooting. I know there is more that could have been said.

Novice/Intermediate/Advanced

Rating: 4.5/5

Introduction

No doubt about it. Since I created videos with iMovie and iDvd for my private use as well as a for business. But I have not been real happy with iDVD. I have found iMovie and iDvd 6 a mixed blessing and lacking in several ways. In many regards, I think that the radical shift to Imovie 8 from iMovie 6 is due to that many Mac users have had problems with various parts of iMovie and iDvd or both. I know this is the case for me as I have had continual problems with iDVD. And I have not been able to correct them while PC users are humming along creating their DVDs. Maybe Apple heard about this from others as well or possibly was thinking that the two products were getting too close and taking away sales from Final Cut Pro or Express. In any case, I was hoping that the author could shed some light on using these two Imovie versions to a better extent and why.

This book series is written by David Pogue, the New York Times Technology columnist. He continues to be the author at the helm of this series of books called “The Missing Manual”. These series of books are self help guidebooks for learning and using software and hardware that go beyond the meager original documentation /manuals. I like some of the series of these themed books. So I thought it would be interesting to review IMOVIE 08 & IDVD missing review for several reasons.

This thick book has 448 pages and not filled with “fluff” but has page by page insights that will help you along way with iMovie and iDvd.It is divided into 5 parts spanning 21 chapters. There is a good appendix with 4 sections (iMovie 08 menus, troubleshooting, master keyboard shortcuts listing and visual cheat sheet. There is a short hand system of arrows that replaces the use of “much more text information” that guides you through the learning process and where to use the applications. Other visual aids are in color, the screenshots are of a good size and readable. Throughout the book, there are helpful tips, help boxes, notes and more. Throughout the book, there are helpful ideas in the way of tips, (up to speed, FAQ -frequently asked questions, Poweruser information, Clinic, tips , notes gem in rough hidden techniques). This is a nice way of targeting specifically helpful information without having to wade through the text (which is well written, authoritative and insightful).

Additional highlight included the following. Chapter 1, tips on recording time (p. 25) was nicely done; chapte 2 framing and rules of 3rd is something I know of with photography but this is one of the only times I have seen it spoken and used in terms of videorecording. There are 22 different ways to use weddings was very interesting. Chapte 4 is packed with various iMovei strategies using digita 8 and recording dv, importing older imovie has some good ideas ( also practical information about the cables and webcam to firewire information). Chapte 5 (p.113) includes all videoscodes and recording onto DVD. Chapte 6, includes copying, posting and deleting most wil already know but Chapte 7 Favorites, Chapte 8 transitions and Chapte 9 histograms are done very well. Interesting tips in Chapter 10 title and credits how to Chapter 11 narrative and can isntall news and effects.
Chapter 12 has photo browser tips, and great tips concerning photo browsing, fimstrips, using fade to black and therer are some nice specific hints that I would like to use. The section on power editing and power up editing is excellent. Chapter 13 moving from v8 to v6 or vica versa is is well done and helpful to many videographers who read the book. Chapte 14 has an interesting section with ideas on expert ipod, iphone, apple tv use. Chapte 16 covers iMovie to Quicktime (o.285) while Quicktim while Chapter 17 QuickTime information about using the Quicktime player.

Finally there is more about dvd use and burning in Chapter 18. Dvd has the information for two ways to burn your DVDs (OneStep or Magic iDVD). These two different methods and techniques are included in step-by-step fashion. Chapte19 make up slide show while Chapte20 talks about the using of themes. Should you want to work with scripting, Chapter 21 is for you.


Conclusions

The frank discussion about iMovie O8 “hits you in your face”. You know that this is a radical new “upgrade” in many ways but why this was done is really a mystery. You will have to make up your mind whether to use either iMovie version or like many , both. Solid, informative and packed with techniques, hints and ideas, this book is a great resource despite the new versions.

The Missing Manual is for those trying to make sense of this new shift and in that way this book has hit the mark. The screenshots, visuals and tips, techniques and other notes are well done and insightful. There is a six page section on working with iMovie 6 and iMovie 8 and while it is okay, I think it should have involved more troubleshooting information especially on the pros and cons and on transfering to iMovie 8. I would have liked to have seen a listing, when not to use iMovie 8 in plain language. Overall I think this book at well done but the proof in the pudding will be whether iDVD and iMovie work better for me and others. To get there you have to try and try again. This book may help you solve some of the short comings now and in the future for iMovie and/or iDvd. If IMOVIE 08 & IDVD Missing Manual can’t help, it might be time to switch to another video editor and DVD burner. Time to read the book, try out the new version and see if you want to try it , use both or use the older versions.

Review: How to Do Everything with Online Video

Review: How to Do Everything with Online Video

reviewed by Dr. Eric Flescher, Olathe, KS: (dreric1kansas@aol.com)

Authors: Andrew Shalat
website: www.osborn.com
Publisher: McGraw- Hill: Osborne
Released: 2008
Pages: 256
$ 25 USA
E15 Canada
29 UK
ISBN: 978-0-07-149643-8
Strengths: Nice index and the glossary is well done. Online downloads and more can be gleaned and used from the book’s website area. Inside the front cover shows 25 online video operations to perform in the book. Screenshots are readable and of ample size for understanding the visuals and tutorials.
Weaknesses: Black and white screenshots, photos etc are of ample size. There are a few in-depth notes pertaining to different sections but I would have liked to have seen more. If you need more in-depth information to the editor of your choice etc. , you might want to explore about book after using this one.

Novice/Intermediate

Rating: 4.5/5

Introduction

Starting, producing and posted online video is all the rage since the online Youtube made the process easier. While this online application has made the process easier, many still have questions about various parts of the process. The book “How to Do Everything with Online Video” answers many of these questions and more.

The author has written for Macworld, other magazines and has a weekly podcast and radio show. he has brought his experience and background for the writing of an easy to read but in-depth guide to online video. The white on black screenshots are integrated within the instruction. All of them are large enough to read and decipher what you need to know.

The introduction starts off the book and there are 12 solidly written chapters within the 256 pages. This chapters demonstrated how to create professionally quality looking videos, editing and preparing then for posted and sharing the videos. Shooting and editing tips , found in Chapter 1 and 2 get your started with hardware, software and assist with tips, techniques and working with video in several ways. You also learn how to embed and upload videos.

What I found new was learning about launching and using Vodcasts (Ch.3 at P. 112-121) these can be listed in iTunes and can be downloaded to a video enabled iPod(/MP3 player which in essence combines online/ off-line video creation. “Googling” your tags with Google and discover markets, are found in Chapter 4 (p.128- 132). This is well down and includes nice illustrations.

Nice techniques and tips also follow. In Chapter 6 and 7, “Tell a Story” is well done and includes best ways to tell a story, storyboarding and more. In Chapter 8 learning how to be a director of films and techniques are here and includes a “short but sweet” synopsis for using videos with the “rules of thirds” (which is normally reserved for use of photography).

Chapter 9 and 10 focuses on movie and power editing and the communication through websites, blogs, podcasts are covered. Tutorials and information for popular PC (including Adobe Premier Pro) as well as Mac editing software are also provided. These are covered in a very nice, concise and well done introductory fashion. It is up to you whether you may want to find another book related to the software editor (in this book) of your choice, to utilize and find a more in-depth series of tutorials (if you need more assistance).

What is nice is that this author has also included chapters which include ample information about Final Cut Express HD . I was impressed that the author included information about the new iMovie 08 which does a great introduction.

Finally, Chapter 12 includes some nice rules to remember, web resources, listing of sharing sites as well as more software options. There is no glossary related to terms but the index is well done.

Conclusion
This is a good book for starting your online video learning especially for novice video makers or even intermediates (especially those Mac users who want to learn about Final Cut, iMovie 8). Very solidly written and informative there is much in this book to begin your video adventures.

The author does a nice job of highlighting different PC and Mac editors and even includes the latest iMovie 08. If you don’t want to use the Adobe editor you might have to search for another one. The author also breaks up the tutorials into little numbered sections instead of long winded sets of information. These are integrated with illustrations and screenshots which makes for easy reading and browsing. The price is right, the book covers a range of topics and information. Get started with your Online endeavors. It might not help you with everything you need to know about online videos, but it is a great way to get started and progress for the foreseeable future.

Youtube possible options to better quality coming

Youtube works on better imaging quality. There may be an options to see in better quality or lesser quality. Read more
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/posttech/2008/03/youtube_works_on_higher_qualti.html?nav=rss_blog