What is Traffic?

Traffic – Visual feedback to show the flow of your edit through the interface.

Traffic presents a new model in the non-linear editing school of thought. It utilizes whats called a dependency graph, and it’s the same interface that high-end visual effects software like Apple's Shake uses. Operators connect “nodes” together to form a chain of events they want to perform on a clip. Traffic employs this node-based interface and has infused it with an editor's mindset. Changes and tweaks which seemed too tedious or even impossible to do can now be done in a matter of seconds.

Check it out for yourself - www.xmedit.com

Working with HDV

AJA have released a Whitepaper detailing working with HDV using Final Cut Pro. This is a great read for anyone looking to tackle the HDV world. Download here - www.aja.com.

Flip4Mac Version 2

Telestream has announced the immediate availability of Flip4Mac WMV Components Version 2.0. Flip4Mac WMV Components allow Mac OS X users to play, import, and export Windows Media video and audio files within native QuickTime-based media applications like QuickTime Player, iMovie, Final Cut Pro, and more.

“Flip4Mac bridges incompatibility gaps between Microsoft Windows Media formats and the Apple Macintosh platform,” said Telestream CEO, Dan Castles. “Introduced just one year ago, thousands of Apple enthusiasts have adopted Flip4Mac components as their preferred solution for working with Windows Media formats on their Macs.”

The Version 2.0 software release includes a new product and pricing structure and new features. Major new features include first-time, full-playback of high-definition Windows Media content within QuickTime Player on a Macintosh, expanded preset encoding profiles, and the ability to save custom encoding profiles.

The Flip4Mac WMV Player Component is now free. This popular player component allows Mac users to play Windows Media files using QuickTime Player and view Windows Media content on the Internet using Safari web browser. Optional upgrades add the ability to import Windows Media files for editing and encode Windows Media files for distribution. These features are available in trial mode until users are ready to purchase an upgrade.

Flip4Mac WMV Import adds the ability to import Windows Media for editing and conversion to other formats for $29. A choice of Flip4Mac WMV Studio products add the ability to export Windows Media standard-definition and high-definition files using convenient preset or custom encoding profiles, with one or two-pass encoding. The Flip4Mac WMV Studio bundles range in price from $49 to $179.

Flip4Mac WMV Components have been optimized in Version 2.0 to enable first-time, full playback of high-definition Windows Media video on Power Mac G4 and G5 systems. Users can now save custom encoding profiles, providing greater convenience and file output consistency. Flip4Mac also offers many more preset encoding profiles in V2.0, making it easier for all users, including novices, to encode Windows Media content on their Macs.

Flip4Mac Version 2.0 is now available at www.flip4mac.com.

iPod Film Festival

Coming soon to a small screen near you: The iPod Video Film Festival. The Flux announced today the opening of The Flux iPod Film Festival, an online film festival/competition of content formatted for the iPod.

Visitors to the site can download the films for playback on their computers or iPod video, then vote for their favorite video. Prizes will be awarded in four categories: student film, indie film, family clip, and best music video.

"The iPod video has people yearning for fun, portable video content, and our festival will give people access to free content, while exposing independent filmmakers and bands to an exciting new audience," said Flux producer Ryan Ritchey.

Submissions must be less than ten minutes, and formatted for the iPod. Flux partner site R Cubed Productions will offer conversion services to properly format films for iPod playback for a small fee. Submission deadline is January 25th.

The Flux was founded in March 2005 to be the single stop for the creators and viewers of short films, including movie reviews, how-to tips, movie hosting, and resources for filmmakers.

More information can be found at www.theflux.tv/ipodfest