DaVinci Resolve on Smaller Screens

DaVinci Resolve is designed to work on monitors running at 1920x1080 or 1920x1200. For this reason I highly recommend the 24 inch Dell 2407 WFP/2408 WFP series. These are professional quality workhorse monitors. In terms of price versus performance, these monitors are hard to beat.

For those of you who are trying to run Resolve on a smaller monitor, such as a 15-inch MacBook Pro, which has a resolution of 1440x900, you have probably found out that the Resolve interface does not fit on a smaller screen. This causes the interface to become cropped and pretty much makes it impossible to use.

Luckily, there is a workaround, even though it is not officially supported by Black Magic Design.

Go to Applications - Utilities - Terminal

After launching the Terminal, type this:

defaults write -g AppleDisplayScaleFactor 0.75

Hit return.

Then launch Resolve. You will now see that the interface has been resized.

To return your screen back to normal, type this:

defaults write -g AppleDisplayScaleFactor 1

Hit return.

There you go. Now you can run Resolve on any size monitor, just change the amount of the "ScaleFactor" to fit.

Happy Resolving:)

RAID Hard Drive Tests

Recently, I spent the better part of three days reformatting, tweaking and testing my main Hackintosh Mac Pro Tower. It is now the foundation for my new Davinci Resolve/Smoke Suite.

I have a redonkulous amount of hard drives connected to this system. Fifteen to be exact, but who's counting?:) Yet the most important drives to me are the ones that make up my RAID array. If you are going to be doing any serious video work, especially HD or larger, you will want to setup and run a RAID as your primary video playback and capture drive.

I always go with Western Digital's Caviar Black hard drives when building my own systems. These 7200 RPM drives are absolute screamers and offer great performance and reliability at a decent price point.

For my current rig I decided to stripe together three 1TB Caviar Blacks. Since this is a budget build, I am going with a software RAID rather than a RAID card based solution. I have been very happy with the internal software RAID that OSX provides. Super simple to set up and works like a charm.

I decided to do some hard drive speed tests to see what kind of performance I can expect from these drives.

The first speed test was of a single Caviar Black. This one drive produced some very respectable numbers. It peaked out at about 105 MB/s for both disk read and write speeds.

The second speed test was of two Caviar Blacks stripped together in RAID O by using the disk utility. This 2 disk array maxed out at about 208 MB/s for both disk read and write speeds.

The third speed test was of three Caviar Blacks stripped together in RAID O by using the disk utility. This 3 disk array topped out at a smoking 312 MB/s for both disk read and write speeds.

I could have gone for a 4 disk array, but felt that 300MB/s was more than adequate for my current needs. Keep in mind, that these tests are best case scenario. In the the real world as the the drives fill up and start to fragment, performance will take a hit and these numbers will plummet. As long as I can maintain a sustained rate of over 200MB/s for the long term, I will be pretty happy.

So, if you are like Maverick and "feel the need for speed", you better get yourself a RAID.

Santa Monica College Media Technology Campus

Back in September of 2010, I posted an article about the upcoming additions to the AET campus.

It looks like Clive Wilkinson Architects have been busy, as the above rendering shows. The 79,000 square foot "Santa Monica College Media Technology Campus", as it is now called, is a marvel of modern design.

Having the broadcast and digital media classes in one central location will help foster creativity and promote interdepartmental networking.

I love how the new studios for the all mighty KCRW are will soon be on Stewart Street for all the world to see. There is also going to be a new cafe and courtyard on campus. If we just add a hotel, we would never have to leave:)

Poptent Promo - Shot on GH1 (GH13,GH17)

Poptent Final Composite

MJPEG HD 1280x720 YCC 4:2:2 30fps 85mm @ f4.0 1/60 Sec. 400 ISO

MJPEG HD 1280x720 YCC 4:2:2 30fps 20mm @ f4.0 1/60 Sec. 400 ISO

I recently shot some green screen footage using two hacked GH1's (GH13, GH17) with my young and talented Promo Pathway students. I thought this would be a great opportunity to try out the new MJPEG HD 1280x720 YCC 4:2:2 settings. The fact that these little cameras can shoot 4:2:2 without the need of an HDMI capture card, is rather mind blowing.

I am very happy with the results, even though it did require some serious garbage matting and rotoscoping. Unfortunately, as with most chromakeying, it is never just a one click proposition.

GH13 & GH17 using Pixelphile NTSC Indy Filmmaker Settings.

MJPEG HD
1280x720 YCC 4:2:2
30fps
1/60 Sec.
400 ISO
Smooth Mode
-2 Contrast
-2 Sharpness
0 Saturation
0 Noise Reduction

Canon FD S.S.C. 20mm f2.8 @ f4.0, Canon FL 85mm f1.8 @ f4.0

Sansdisk Extreme Class 10 SDHC Card.

Rode Video Mic Pro.

Edited in Final Cut Pro.

Composited in After Effects.

GH1 - How to Hack Guide (GH13, GH17)

GH1 - How to Hack - Part 1 - PTool Settings



GH1 - How to Hack - Part 2 - Firmware Install & Camera Settings

Vitaliy Kiselev, has done the impossible. He has made all Panasonic Lumix GH1 cameras, "Hackable". This enables end users to dramatically increase the data rate and performance of these pint size cameras.

What was once a handicapped camera, due to it's laughable compression schemes, is now a professional grade camera, shooting images that rival cameras costing up to 10 times more.

I currently have 2 of these "Hacked" GH1's, now referred to as GH13 and GH17 by Vitaliy. I have never felt the need to jump ship and go with the more popular, and more expensive, Canon 5D Mark II. I am quite happy with the amazing quality and ease of use that these little monsters provide.

For those of you who want to hack your GH1, but are a little worried about "bricking" your unit, I have put together these step by step videos to help take the stress out of the process.

I have also come up with my own custom settings that I think offer the best quality and reliability for the independent filmmaker.

Pixelphile NTSC Indy Filmmaker Settings

• Based on settings from LPowell & Vitaliy
• Native 24p AVCHD 1920x1080 for Film Look
• AVCHD 1280x720 60fps for Slow Motion
• YCC 4:2:2 MJPEG 1280x720 for Green Screen
• Third Party Battery Support
• Class 10 SD (SanDisk Extreme 30MB/s Recommended)
• Manual Focus Lenses Recommended
• You can download my "F" settings and GH1 firmware patch below:

Pixelphile Indy Filmmaker "F" Settings for PTool v3.56d.

Pixelphile Indy Filmmaker Firmware Patch GH1__136.

* Keep in mind that you are messing with the firmware of your camera, and that there is a possibility of ruining your camera if you make a mistake. Please do not attempt this hack if you are not comfortable with this situation. Hack at your own risk. Pixelphile is not liable for any damage that may be caused by failed hacking.

AVCHD FHD 1920x1080 23.976fps 55mm @ f2.0 1/50 Sec. 100 ISO



AVCHD SH 1280x720 23.976fps 55mm @ f2.0 1/125 Sec. 100 ISO



MJPEG HD 1280x720 YCC 4:2:2 30fps 55mm @ f2.0 1/60 Sec. 100 ISO

* In camera playback is disabled with these settings.



MJPEG HD 1280x720 YCC 4:2:2 30fps 85mm @ f4.0 1/60 Sec. 400 ISO

* In camera playback is disabled with these settings.

Recommended Film Mode Settings for Increased Dynamic Range:

Smooth

-2 Contrast
-2 Sharpness
0 Saturation
0 Noise Reduction

Nostalgic

-2 Contrast
-2 Sharpness
0 Saturation
0 Noise Reduction

Recommended Shutter Speeds for AVCHD & Motion JPEG:

AVCHD - FHD 1920x1080 - 23.976fps - 1/50 sec. (Film Look)
AVCHD - SH 1280x720 - 59.94fps - 1/125 sec. (Slow Motion)
MJPEG - HD 1280x720 - 30fps - 1/60 sec. (Green Screen)

Here are the other links that are mentioned in the how to video:

DVX User GH1/GH2 Forums.

Vitaliy Kiselev's Personal View Hacking Site.

Latest Version PTool Software.

Panasonic GH1 Original GH__132 Firmware.

LPowell 100Mbps Max Latitude Patch V2.

Blackout Powell Native 24p Patch V2.

WineBottler to run windows apps on Mac OSX.

Media Inspector File Analyzer.

Best of Luck, and Happy Hacking!

Final Cut Pro X - Epic Fail!

Apple has decided to forget about us professional editors, teachers, students and filmmakers, and rather focus on soccer moms and stay at home dads. Final Cut Pro X in no longer for industry professionals, and should have been called iMovie Pro.

The guys over at Adobe and Avid must be doing cartwheels down their halls, since they know that Apple has just killed the best editing program known to man. Nice job, Steve Jobs...thanks for negating 10 years of Final Cut Pro experience.

Here is what has been completely removed or drastically changed.

• Chapter Markers
• Limited Export Settings
• No Export for Hi-Res JPGs
• No Support for EDL
• No XML Import
• No OMF export
• No Native Support for Red Raw files
• No Multicam
• Inability to Open Projects Saved From Previous FCP Versions
• No Capture from Tape or Output to Tape
• Limited Options for Arranging Your Workspace
• No Native Support for Third Party Plugins
• Limited External Monitoring

Conan does a great job showing it's weaknesses, and gives a good laugh. Unfortunately, editors around the world see no humor in what Apple has done, as they have completely abandoned all of us who have fought to make Final Cut Pro the de facto standard.

Is it to late to go back to editing on Steenbeck?

BIg Rock - Ambit Energy

Two guys discuss the benefits of independent energy whilst rock climbing.

I had so much fun shooting with Thomas and Sean on "Nice Shorts", I thought it would be great to reunite them for an epic rock climbing adventure. We did get hassled by a park ranger about something called a "permit". What is this mythical piece of paper that you speak of?

Starring: Thomas Meaney and Sean Goodman
Written, Directed and Edited by: Michael Eggert
Original Score by: Marty Vites
Voice Over by: Kevin Thomas

Shot on location at Stoney Point.

Shot on a hacked Panasonic GH1 at ISO 100, 23.976 fps, with a Canon FL 55mm f1.2, Canon FD 20mm f2.8, Rainbow Imaging FL/FD Adapter and Fader ND.

Carry Speed V Shoulder Support.

Sansdisk Extreme Class 10 SDHC Card.

Rode Video Mic Pro.

Edited in Final Cut Pro.

Color Graded in After Effects.

2012 VW Beetle Fender Speaker System

Okay, I did not see this one coming. The newly redesigned 2012 Volkswagen Beetle will feature a 9 speaker, 400 watt system, designed by Fender Guitars.

If they offered it in tweed with and oxblood grill like a '59 Bassman, then you would have something:)

Nice Shorts Before & After

Here is a before and after comparison of the quick color grade I did for "Nice Shorts". I was going for a 70's style, cop show kinda look. A little bit like how the "Rockford Files" or "Charlie's Angels" appears in the back of my mind. They probably look nothing like this, but this is how I like to think of them.

I always try and shoot as flat as I can, by turning down the contrast and sharpen settings inside the camera. This helps increase the dynamic range, and provides a little more latitude while grading.

Nice Shorts - Dell Computers

An IT pro talks about how Dell's Mobile Solutions have helped make his job more enjoyable.

Starring: Thomas Meaney and Sean Goodman

Special Guests: OP as the brown shorts, Screamer as the white van.

Concept by: Michael Eggert

Written by: Thomas Meaney and Sean Goodman

Camera: Michael Eggert and Sean Goodman

Sound: Sean Goodman and Thomas Meaney

Directed and Edited by: Michael Eggert

Special Thanks: Laurie Shishino

Shot on location in Malibu and Santa Monica.

Shot on a hacked Panasonic GH1 at ISO 100, 23.976 fps, with a Canon FL 55 f1.2, Kiron 28mm f2.0, Rainbow Imaging FL/FD Adapter and Fader ND.

Manfrotto 561B Monopod.

Sansdisk Extreme Class 10 SDHC Card.

Audio recorded on a Tascam DR-07.

Rode Video Mic and Video Mic Pro.

Edited in Final Cut Pro.

Soundtrack from Garage Band.

Color Graded in After Effects.

Weekend Safari - Animal Crackers

A commercial for Stauffers Animal Crackers.

A man and his dog enjoy a little weekend safari at home.

I have always thought that my dog Aslan looks like a lion, hence the name, Aslan. So when I got the chance to make a little Animal Crackers commercial in my backyard, I couldn't resist.

Featuring the great Thomas Meaney as the lion tamer, and Aslan as himself. Aslan was a shelter dog who was red listed and was scheduled to be put down. Now he thinks he's a lion.

Starring: Thomas Meaney, Aslan

Concept by: Michael Eggert
Directed and Edited by: Michael Eggert
Music by: Michael Eggert - "Afrika"

Groomer: Laurie Shishino

Dog Wrangler: Marty Vites

Shot on a hacked Panasonic GH1 at ISO 100, 23.976 fps, with a Canon FL 55 f1.2, Kiron 28mm f2.0, Canon FL 85mm f1.8, Vivitar 2X Tele Converter, Rainbow Imaging FL/FD Adapter and Fader ND.

Benro C-298M8 Carbon HVC Flexpod.

Carry Speed V Finder

Sansdisk Extreme Class 10 SDHC Card.

Edited in Final Cut Pro.

Composited in After Effects.

Theme music composed in Garage Band.

Find out more about shelter animals and services at Shelter Animal Advocacy Fund Los Angeles.