On the Netflix Split

So not only has Netflix doubled it’s prices, but it is now splitting off the DVD division to become a new company called Qwikster, and the subscriptions are now completely separate. And I say WTF!

They are obviously giving up on DVD all together, and I have given up on Netflix Streaming. Already Netflix streaming does not have nearly a good enough selection to possibly replace new discs (nor the quality of new discs), plus I don’t think steaming is going to work in the current environment when most broadband providers have instigated data caps, and look at the deal with STARZ. STARZ refused 10 times the money of the old deal to do streaming, so no one is going to do streaming of their newer films or shows!

Personally I have given up on Netflix streaming, and picked up a ROKU 2 to do Amazon Prime Instant Streaming. We already pay for it, since it gives the 2nd day shipping on any item from Amazon, and the streaming is included.

Sure the streaming is not as good, the selection is smaller, and it is hard to figure out what is available, and at least Star Trek has some interlacing issues when seen on an HDTV, but it is still good enough.

Tax Credits for Hollywood

KCET.org has a negative article on Tax Credits for Hollywood, for which the current money is running out.

People are arguing that the measly $500 million tax breaks are too much, when in fact California is losing work to other states with tax incentives. Without a tax credit this state is going to keep losing work, and more people like me are going to be out of work.

Right now I can only be thankful for infomercials, as they are keeping my wife and I alive.

Canon Event November 3rd

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Petapixel is reporting that Canon has a Pro Event on November 3rd, 2011 in Hollywood.

It is my bet that Canon is releasing a video camera based on their DSLR technology, and I bet they will release one that works with Canon S or at least EF lenses and one that is a PL mount. They usually take longer when it comes to releasing their video cameras, but they are always top of the line, and a true video camera Canon lenses would be awesome, and would give the new Sony and Panasonic cameras a run for their money, especially being able to use existing lenses.

Premiere Pro 5.5.1 not working with CUDA in Lion 10.7.1: FIXED

So I hadn’t tried the updated Premiere Pro, 5.5.1, which I was hoping had fixed my CUDA issues, but instead it has made them worse. I had to update my CUDA driver to 4.0.50 with Lion GPU Driver 7.4.10 2.70.05.05f01, and that allowed Premiere Pro to boot, and the program runs, but unfortunately without CUDA support. My Geforce GTX 285 is supported, but does not work with CUDA Support.

I have reported this to Adobe and to NVIDIA, but have not heard anything back as of yet.

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I did a complete Adobe uninstall and re-installed and I have CUDA support back. So something just wasn’t happy. Have to check on my plug ins now, but at least it is working correctly.

More FCP Feedback

Well with all the rumors that Tim Cook is actually listening to customers I decided to leave Final Cut Pro feedback with Apple once again. I asked them to rename FCP X into iMovie Pro and release a true 64 bit FCP 8 (along with a new Color and Soundtrack Pro) with all it’s previous functionality and some of the added features of FCP X. They can even put the magnetic Timeline in, as long as it can be turned off!

I doubt it will make any difference, but it sure would be nice to have FCP 8 truly 64 bit with all it’s functionality, bug fixes and new features that make it the premiere editing system out there. And Tim Cook could make that change, even if he in all likelihood wont.

Could some MobileMe Features return?

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TUAW is reporting that Tim Cook may in fact be open to returning some MobileMe features which are going away with iCloud.

You can leave feedback on MobileMe Here. I have already requested a return of iDisk as I use it all the time, and while I also have SugarSync and DropBox I still like the functionality of my iDisk, which I often use to share files with clients.

I hate having Apple take away functionality, but it seems to be becoming their MO. I mean look at FCP X!

PVC on the CycLight for Greenscreen

Pro Video Coalition has an article on this really cool new light to evenly light a green screen with just one light!

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It can light an even 2 meter by 3 meter greenscreen with 3 40 watt LED lights and it goes just 120mm from the wall!

Check out FloLight’s web site. No word on price yet, but this is very cool, and will make Green Screen so much easier to do. What a great idea!

Premiere Pro 5.5.1 Released

Adobe Premiere Pro CS5.5.1 has been released.

Here are the bug fixes:

  • Improved playback/scrubbing performance of footage from DSLR cameras.
  • Media from Avid Unity QuickTime reference files was not imported.
  • XML project files created by Premiere Pro did not work with DaVinci Resolve.
  • On Mac OSX v10.7 (Lion), the Universal Counting Leader was missing countdown numbers.
  • On Mac OSX v10.7 (Lion), Premiere Pro would crash when quitting.
  • On Mac OSX v10.7 (Lion), closed caption overlays did not appear in Program Monitor.
  • Preview in the Capture panel was not functioning properly for HDV footage.
  • Image sequences lost their frame rates.
  • Edges of a clip were highlighted during transitions/dissolves when using CUDA processing.
  • Projects created by importing Final Cut Pro XML projects that contain multiple mono clips would lose some audio when the project was closed and reopened.
  • Exporting to a QuickTime movie using DVCPRO HD settings would not complete under some circumstances, including if an image, graphic, or synthetic element was in the sequence.
  • Using CUDA-accelerated Invert effect would reposition the clip.
  • Premiere Pro could not find files after changing the location of the project.
  • If an After Effects composition with a background color other than black was included in a sequence and Mercury Playback GPU Acceleration was enabled, the alpha channel transparency of the composition was ignored.
  • MXF files created by Premiere Pro were not readable by Sony XDCAM HD decks, Final Cut Pro, or Avid Media Composer.
  • ProRes files created by an ATOMOS device with four tracks of audio were not imported correctly.
  • MCC closed caption files exported from MacCaption failed to appear in the Premiere Pro Program Monitor under some conditions.
  • Incorrect data was being written to XML files for AVC Intra exports.
  • Opacity effects were being ignored after a second transition when CUDA processing (Mercury Playback Engine GPU Acceleration) was enabled.
  • Premiere Pro would hang or crash when loading a merged clip with disabled audio channels.
  • various other crashes

No word on the 64 Bit Kernel Issue.

You can download the Mac Version here, or the Windows Version Here.