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If you're having any problems with Sony XDCAM EX footage the latest version of the XDCAM transfer software might be a big help. It has some new error correction built in that can recover corrupted material.

The PDZ-KP1 XDCAM Transfer Software is an import plug in for Final Cut Pro. XDCAM Transfer Version 2.5 supports the current XDCAM HD and SD optical products, the new PDW-U1 optical XDCAM drive, and the PMW-EX1 XDCAM EX camcorder which records on SxS flash cards.

Check it out:

https://serviceplus.us.sony.biz/sony-software.aspx?model=pdzkp1

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In the past, here and on the forums, I have discussed the merits of putting one's relatives on videotape. I can think of no greater use for video than in documenting those you wish never to forget.

This past week we buried my last grandparent, my dear Izzy.

While sometimes an annoyance, the video camera surgically attached to my hand at every family gathering, no matter how insignificant, has been my own conduit to the storehouse of precious memories. If I close my eyes, I can certainly envision favorite memories, places, fragments of conversations with people I have loved. But with my eyes open, I have a treasure trove of visions of the past which I shall cherish forever. And when my relatives are prepared, past the point of immediate mourning and sadness, they too can share the magic of visting their best friends who speak no more.

We recently moved eastward across the coast mountains, inland 30 miles or so, to the wine country of Paso Robles, California. This, after living for 20 years on the California coast in Cambria. We loved Cambria but its 340 days a year of temperatures that range no lower than about 50 degrees fahrenheit (at night), with a high of 72 degrees fahrenheit in the day -- again, for 340 days a year -- is the perfect breeding ground for mold and fungus. Did I mention that I am allergic to mold and fungus?

It is a well known fact that falling in love is bad for your knees! But after a fall you also need to go searching for stones. Since I am too bruised (pronounced as broke) to buy such stones, I decided to make one myself and as usual Cinema4D is my knight in shining armour. So folks, here it is:

Happily, my better half loved it, even though she can't wear it! Thanks Cinema4D for making up for all those missed anniversaries and birthdays! Hopefully when I get time during the weekend I will post some workflow checkshots. Have a great weekend!

For those last minute holiday shoppers, GameStop in introducing an idea that is long overdue. On Dec. 20 and 21 they will issue rain checks for the Nintendo Wii at the standard console price of $250. This will guarantee the holder a console no later than January 29th.

With the difficulty in finding these units at normal times, let alone the holidays, I'm not sure why they didn't come up with this idea sooner. We have one and I have to say it's the most fun gaming console on the market today.

Folks I'm a big dog lover and the happy new father of a 4 month old Labrador mix named Molly. We found her through a local Lab Rescue society called the Labrador Friends of the South. These folks rescue labs from local shelters where death is their next option.

Now today I found this incredible website that seeks to save animals of all breeds from local shelters across the nation.

http://www.dogsindanger.com/

The site's only purpose is to expose dogs who are about to be euthanized to see if anyone out there can adopt them before they are put down. It's a great idea and if anyone out there is looking for a dog or knows someone who is looking for a dog, certainly go to your local shelters first and also look at this site to see if there's someone perfect for you.

Our little Molly has been a welcome joy to our lives after losing our other two "children" last year. A greyhound mix named Niki and a Chocolate Lab named Baxter. And just this past week we lost our oldest, a cat named Peabody who was 15. Maybe the rest of us can help other dogs find a happy life too.

So MSNBC.com has a story about Comcast pulling the accounts of internet users who "hog too much bandwith." Wait a minute. How many of you have seen those ads on TV or in your magazines / newspapers?

Cable offers you Unlimited Access. High Speed. Downloads 50% faster than dial-up. And so on.

But now if you actually try to use too much of these services, you might get cut off. Comcast says they're trying to make sure everyone can access the internet properly. Well, then either improve your bandwith capabilities or make it VERY CLEAR what you are and are not allowed to do each month on the internet.

Now here's a guy with a serious love of All Things Apple!

Over 100 Apple computers from the classics to today in his basement!

http://www.cnn.com/2007/TECH/ptech/08/08/mac-collector.ap/index.html

It's impossible to overstate the impact of Harry Potter on the past ten years of world bookselling. As a bookseller in the mid-80s, I never imagined numbers like this could even be possible: 8.3 million copies of "Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows" in the first 24 hours of US sales, with another 2.7 million in the UK. In the first hour, my former peeps at Barnes & Noble alone sold 156 copies per second!

I was really looking forward to seeing the new Harry Potter film in IMAX next week and even the fact that they had digitally enhanced it into 3D wasn't all that disappointing. Until I read an article about how once again, as they did in Superman Returns, only approx. 20 minutes of the film is actually in 3D. The finale.

So I'll be the first to admit, I'm not a fan of the Blackberry. Really don't need that thing strapped to my waist at all times so I can answer an email at a moment's notice. Don't want to deal with that little tiny keyboard and besides, better than half the emails I recieve require some sort of document to be sent back to the recipient, which resides on my laptop.

Very interesting article posted on CNN.com that iPods can potentially interfere with pacemaker monitoring equipment when placed too close to the chest. In some instances as far away as 18 inches. As the article notes, most people with pacemakers are not the iPod listening audience, but still a very interesting development here. As the study notes, only iPods were tested to date and it will be interesting to see if they get around to testing other audio and small electronic devices.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/conditions/05/10/heart.ipods.reut/index.h...

Well here it goes, my first post on yet another new blog...

Thank you, thank you. Please stop your applause. No, seriously. Okay..

At long last, my Creative Genius will be unleased on national television. I will be appearing as the Negative Guy in a scene to be shot Friday, March 8, 2007 for an uncoming episode of Good Eats on the Food Network.

We brought a Nintendo Wii to the office a few weeks ago and lunch breaks have never been the same!