Review of Pinnacle Studio 9 Ignite! (Paperback)

No matter what the book says. Pinnacle 9 and it's upgrade Pinnacle 10 are the worst non linear video programs in the history of all non linear based pc programs. Do not waste your time with a book on a program that is just garbage. Use Sony Vegas, it's the way to go. IF ICOULD GIVE THIS negative STARS I WOULD!

Product Description
Covering the popular video editing and DVD authoring software that is used by 3.5 million users, "Pinnacle Studio 9 Ignite!" is a visual guide that will have you up and running in no time. With the many enhancements of Pinnacle Studio 9, this book is not only suitable for beginners, but also for users of Pinnacle looking to brush up on new features. Examining the core features of this software comprehensively, you'll learn how to create compelling interactive multimedia experiences on DVD.With the affordability and feature-rich design of Pinnacle Studio 9, it has never been easier to film video, assemble it into an interactive multimedia experience, view the masterpiece at home and share the DVD with friends and family. There has never been a better time or greater need for a get-started- quick guide and keep-on-hand reference tool on video editing than now. "Pinnacle Studio 9 Ignite!" effectively fills that need.

About the Author
Aneesha Bakharia is a Web developer and accomplished author. She is fluent in C#, Java, JavaScript, ASP.NET, JSP, HTML, XML, and VB.NET. Aneesha specializes in creating dynamic database-driven Web sites. She has a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Microelectronic Engineering and various postgraduate qualifications in multimedia, online course development, and Web design. In addition to "Macromedia Contribute Fast & Easy Web Development", she has written several other books for Premier Press, including: "Dreamweaver UltraDev Fast & Easy Web Development" (ISBN: 0761531645), "JavaServer Pages Fast & Easy Web Development" (ISBN: 0761534288) and "Microsoft C# Fast & Easy Web Development" (ISBN: 1931841055).Aneesha lives in Queensland, Australia.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Pinnacle Studio 9 Ignite! (Paperback)

Review of Adobe Premiere Pro Bible (Paperback)

This book started out great. After some explanation, it guided me through a simple video editing project in the first chapter that worked and communicated some basic ideas. It got me excited about learning more and then it disappointed me bitterly.

The rest of the book does not teach the way the first chapter does. It does do a systematic and fairly thorough job of explaining things in the interface but the usable examples are few and far between. This works well for some people but not for me. I learn better by doing along with the reading. This guide is woefully inadequate for that. Still, it is a handy reference. It's too bad I will have to further my training elsewhere.


Product Description
* Totally revised and enhanced to cover the major new upgrade to the overall leading desktop digital video application
* Packed with tutorials, tips, and tricks, this is the authoritative and comprehensive guide to creating, editing, and outputting digital video to DVD, CD-ROM, the Web, or videotape
* Shows how to create special effects using Premiere and After Effects, Encore, and other software; how to integrate narration, music, and sound effects with moving images; and how to create digital video productions from movies shot on a camcorder
* Bonus CD-ROM is loaded with video-based tutorials, a library of usable video clips and sample effects, useful video filters and utilities, and software tryouts

Click Here to see more reviews about: Adobe Premiere Pro Bible (Paperback)

Review of Adobe Premiere 6.5 Bible (Paperback)

I think this was probably the first book on the market covering Adobe's new 6.5 version of Premiere and it's quite obvious.

Unfortunately even in the hands on "Quickstart" at the very beginning of the book there are several type-O's and incorrect wording.It's not spelling mistakes but incorrect words.As an example they tell you that you can preview the transition effect by "double-clicking the Transition icon in the Transition palette" when in fact you should double-click the Transition icon in the Timeline, NOT the Transition palette.

Additionally their numbers don't correspond when they tell you how long to make the example clips and where they should fall on the timeline.

There are several other examples just in the first few pages and for a newbie it makes following the example rather frustrating and confusing.

Since I'm only just this little bit into the book I can't say for certain if it gets better or worse or stays the same but it's very evident this book was rushed to market.

Funny enough too that even though the book is for Premiere 6.5 the CD includes a tryout version of Premiere 6.0!

There's no excuse for this kind of shoddy penmanship (typemanship??) and I highly recommend you wait for other books that are forthcoming - read: more thoroughly edited!

Product Description
* 100 percent of what people need to master the latest version of the world's most popular digital video editing application
* Covers the brand-new release of Adobe Premiere, including all of the latest features
* Offers tutorials, tips, and tricks for editing video in Premiere as well as how to create special effects in Premiere, After Effects, Electrifier and other applications
* Demonstrates how to integrate narration, music, and sound effects with moving images like a pro
* CD-ROM contains video-based tutorials, a library of usable video clips and sample effects, useful video filters and utilities, and Premiere tryouts for both Mac and Windows.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Adobe Premiere 6.5 Bible (Paperback)

Review of Digital Video for Dummies (Paperback)

Kudos to Martin Doucette! I've been waiting for a recognizable personality to write a good beginner's book for Digital Video.

I always try to use the "...for Dummies" books in my classes because I think thatthey talk in plain English and lay a basic foundation for learning to takeplace. It's easy for the beginner to start at the beginning of the book andfor the more advanced student to jump to what they need.

Digital Videofor Dummies is no different. I'm using the book for the included softwareand its explanation of non-linear editing, but it is also a good refresherfor my students on shooting and lighting.

Anyone that teaches digitalvideo production should give this book a second look as a text. People whowant to break into digital video production should use this as their bible.

Product Description
MovieWorks, Quick Editor, and more on CD-ROM

Now updated to cover Main Vision, iMovie, and Film Factory

Make your Hollywood dreams come true with this hands-on resource If you want to produce professional-quality home movies, wedding videos, sales presentations, or multimedia Web content, all you need is a digital camcorder, a souped-up PC … and the know-how contained in this savvy guide. So get the book, pick up some gear, grab your bullhorn, and start directing! all this on the bonus CD-ROM Ulead Cool 3D and MediaStudio Pro Adobe Premiere and Adobe Photoshop trial versions Epson Film Factory Plus instructional examples, video samples, ready-to-use multimedia clips, and more System requirements: PC running Windows 95 or later, Windows NT 4 or later; Power Macintosh running System 7.6 or later. See the About the CD Appendix for details and complete system requirements.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Digital Video for Dummies (Paperback)

Review of 50 Fast Final Cut Express Techniques (Paperback)

I just love the techniques in Tim Meehan's book. Even though I've used FCP for about a year, I learned more than a few things from these pages. (Fire-breathing dogs, anyone?) And, I've got to say that the author's creativity (some wacky techniques in here) really added to the enjoyment of learning. I just hope the publisher will create a new edition for FCP4.

Product Description

• Presents 50 fast, easy, and powerful effects that creative professionals and amateurs alike can achieve almost instantly with Apple's hot new Final Cut Express video editing software
• Proven step-by-step format, lavishly illustrated with "before" and "after" scenes from professional clips
• Includes masking techniques, creative use of colors and special effects, professional titling and rolling credit techniques, size deceptions, film-grain simulations, and much more
• Features in-depth discussions of features and techniques that help readers make the necessary adjustments for their own videos
• Reasonably priced Final Cut Express software is sophisticated enough for the professional, yet basic enough for the editing beginner or hobbyist
• CD-ROM is packed with all video clips from the book and valuable utilities

From the Back Cover
"If you are looking to maximize Final Cut Express, you won't find

a better guide than Tim Meehan."
-Dan Jahn, President, The Raven Group

Whether creating dynamite digital videos is your profession or just your obsession, Final Cut Express can enhance your projects. In this richly illustrated volume, computer graphics pro Tim Meehan shows you step by step how to use 50 terrific techniques to add that extra dimension of style and pizzazz. You'll learn them quickly, apply them easily, and discover you're amazed-and delighted-by the results you can achieve.

Your guide to amazing results with Final Cut Express

• Save time and gain focus with storyboards and shot lists
• Capture viewers' attention with creative use of colors, special effects, and size deceptions
• Enhance your video pictures with film-grain simulations, contrast correction, and soft-focus effects
• Add polish with rolling credits and professional titling techniques
• Improve communication with time and speed effects, superimposition, and text tricks
• Create "wow" with whimsical people and animals, matte windows in objects, doorways to the unknown, and more

CD-ROM includes demonstrations of the techniques explained in the book, full resolution video clips from Artbeats, and more

Click Here to see more reviews about: 50 Fast Final Cut Express Techniques (Paperback)