You heard it here first

Score one to Ned Soltz then, since one of his pre-NAB predictions in the podcast has come to pass already. Apple announced the newest MacPro lineup over the weekend with a choice of 8 or 4 processor cores inside the box. 8 processors? They're multiplying quicker than blades on a razor. There's plenty more to hear in the podcast, with episode three now available for free download via the iTunes Music Store - see the side panel for details.

Time to mark up your diaries for next week's thrilling live meet - wefcpug gathers again Monday next, 16th April, at the BBC Whiteladies Rd, 6.45pm for a prompt 7pm start. Entrance as usual via the back door, names to Richard please for the guys at security to have you 'on the list'. And on the agenda we have Richard's promised 'First things First' look back at the basics of keyframing in FCP, reports on NAB from sources various, (we have agents posted), latest news and rumours, 'Stump the Guru' and (you never know) a Show 'n Tell. PLUS our exciting free raffle, the prize being a Larry Jordan DVD on 'Soundtrack Pro'.

Podcast 3 now available

It's a small-scale version of the World Service on the latest 'Out Of Vision'. I've scoured continents to bring interviews to your iPod. First off, a look back at the Video Forum exhibition held in London earlier this year, with a round-up of technologies to watch in the coming year - maybe we'll get some of them into a wefcpug meeting.

From Dallas, Texas, indie producer, tech guru and all round nice guy Ned Soltz files his first despatch as our US correspondent. He's looking forward to NAB later this month, and offers some words of advice for anyone 'lucky' enough to be attending.

Fresh from a day's filming of Vervet monkeys*, James Bickersteth of Icon Films talks down the line from Durban, South Africa, about their current experiences of tapeless shooting, logging, P2 cards and all that.

All of this in one show? Twenty minutes of techtalk to while away a short lunch or a long render break. If you haven't subscribed via iTunes (button on the right hand bar of this blog) your Mac won't have downloaded the show yet. Otherwise it all runs by itself. Website for xml feeds is http://wefcpod.podbus.com

For the first couple of weeks it's even in stereo, folks!

Phil

*My only disappointment is that, when I was lining up with James for the down-the-line recording, I misheard him and thought they were filming Velvet monkeys - hints of Johnny Vegas and the ITV digital Monkey. Now that would be even more watchable.

Coming Real Soon Now

Episode 3 of the wefcpod is recorded and assembled on my G5. As I sip from my cup of Earl Grey, all that awaits is the mix and the mpegging and it'll be in your iTunes library before you know it. Matters have not been helped by my ISP choosing last week to upgrade the ADSL connections hereabout, but circuits were found around the globe to correspondents across 3 continents.
There's a look back to Video Forum, a look forward to NAB, and a look sideways at rumours and gadgets just launched. Plus a contribution from a brave crew pioneering the use of P2 and - it's that word again - metadata.