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What is AVCHD? AVCHD is a new video codec better than MPEG-2 or 4, which delivers high definition video compressed from a compact camcorder. AVCHD stands for Advanced Video Codec High Definition, and Sony and Panasonic are developing it. The downside for now is that this video codec is in the early stage of its development and is hard to find applications to edit this video format. Applications like FCP recently got updated but lower end video editor software are not.

Just last week an update from Apple to its Final Cut Studio gave us the option to import AVCHD, note that Final Cut Pro does not edit AVCHD directly, instead you have to import it as ProRes 422 codec. After the import you are able to handle AVCHD content and export it as almost any file type that FCP has available. The only problem is that FCS2 runs for $1,299, kind of pricey for a hobby.

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Please forgive me if I haven’t post anything lately; I’ve been working with a lot of stuff at the same time making my schedule a little wacky. I have many articles on the pipe to release this week, expect some talking about AVCHD, Bluetooth, iPhone, PSP, and more. Yes, I got a PSP and I’m enjoying it, it has contributed to my delays too. So far, the only game I have Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops, but my review on the PSP is going to be more towards the equipment itself and the internet browsing capabilities.

I have been reading a lot about the outsourcing issues in the technology field, so you can expect some chatting about that too. In addition, I don’t know how familiar you are with 7^th Son, a podcast novel that really got my attention. I heard some interviews lately so I’ll be talking about this audio book and his author. To conclude I’m getting ready to put together some blogging tips that I have picked up around the web and are really working for me. So stick around for new and great content from LuMen Creative Group. Thanks.

June 27, 2007 – Apple, Inc. released updates to their pro applications, updates to Final Cut Pro, Motion, Color, Compressor, Soundtrack Pro, along with Pro Applications Update, and Super Drive Firmware Update fill up the list for today’s update. Two days before the iPhone there was no sign of an iTunes update so far but rumors sites are speculating that the update will be available sometime Friday afternoon. With the big hype given to the iPhone hopefully people don’t forget that there is more after the iPhone, rumors of new iMacs, Displays, and iPod still are being seen around the web.

The Final Cut Pro update includes stability issues along third party plugins support, etc. but the most exciting news about the update is the compatibility with AVCHD. This is huge, many people are getting these cameras and being able to edit this material is as important as you may think. Motion update improves Final Cut integration, rendering of 3D groups, and 32 bit float projects. Color updates gets improvements on stability, metadata support, and single-display mode. The most exciting features are better compatibility NVIDIA graphics cards, and dissolving of 2K files during rendering.

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