Apple have updated the Knowledge Base article, originally posted in July 2004, on working between Motion and Final Cut Pro covering importing Motion projects into Final Cut Pro without Rendering.

With Motion installed on the same computer as Final Cut Pro there is no need to render the Motion project. The project file can be imported to Final Cut Pro without rendering and rendered in Final Cut Pro. Full round-trip editing is supported.

Articles on working between Final Cut Pro and Motion can be found by clicking the main link for Motion to the left, and selecting in turn ‘Articles and Tutorials by category’, Workflow, Interapplication Workflow. There are currently five articles, with this update from Apple to be added shortly.

The 1394 Trade Association has set up a new study group to investigate whether there is a need or demand to create a specification for MPEG-4 video, particularly H.264, across IEEE 1394 (a.k.a FireWire or iLink) the way that DV is now carried across FireWire using a common specification.

Although IEEE 1394 is purely a high speed serial bus, having a common specification for DV has contributed to the rapid rise of DV video and audio over FireWire to become a very established standard. IEEE 1394 can be used for other purposes as some scanners have demonstrated. In the video arena, Avid’s Flamethrower technology used to connect Mojo, Adrenaline or Nitris over FireWire and AJA’s Io family are alternate uses for IEEE 1394. There is no cross-compatibility with these proprietary standards.

The study group will start meeting in March to identify which parts of the MPEG-4 standard are applicable and review strategies for implementation, if there is determined to be a need. Focus will start on the H.264 codec designed for a full range applications from 3G cell phones to HDTV. Delivering MPEG-4 video from digital TVs, DVD Players and other products with MPEG-4 video capabilities has been growing and is expected to continue to grow. Having a common connectivity specification over a high speed serial bus would simplify interconnecting hundreds of models of players, recorders and displays.

Having a standard for H.264 over IEEE 1394 would be one step in opening the way for H.264 as an acquisition codec. That would be a big step forward in acquiring HD because H.264 is 2-3 times more efficient than MPEG-2, currently being used in HDV.

For more information on H.264, refer the Hub briefing paper "H.264 AVC: What is it and why do I care?"

Final Cut Pro XML to Shake is a small application that takes an exported Final Cut Pro XML export into a format that Shake can import and use as the basis for a Shake composition. This is effectively the same type of integration that is built-in with Motion.

The Shake script output has nodes grouped by reel and sorted in shot order, with a cut list showing clip in and out points. The final version will allow high resolution frame sequences to be swapped for the exported media, but that does not function in this release.

The script is beta and the author is looking for test Sequences to test more complex case studies.

dr group, formerly Dr RawStock, has entered the storage market with a low-cost alternative to Apple’s Xserve RAID based on SATA drives. DRaid is an external RAID solution with four or eight drive configurations that connects to a Mac or PC using a SATA PCI expansion card. The drives are in an attractive aluminum case with rubber shock-mounts for the drives and an LCD display to report drive activity and temperature inside the box.

The DRaid has lockable drive bays. Although the site does not yet show the drives in the hardware section they are expected to be competitively prices from US$1320 to $5200 depending on drive size and configuration.

To meet the need for tape, PA-based ATR Magnetics and RMG International of The Netherlands are just months away from production. ATR Magnetics is a new division of ATR Services. RMG International have acquired production and formulation patents from EMTEC. Meanwhile, Quantegy is on its way back from Chapter 11 starting with their current work-in-progress analog tape on the production line when the company closed without warning on December 31st.

ATR Magnetics, was spun out of analog tape machine remaufacturer ATR Services over a year ago and acquired coating lines and slitter from the Munich BASF/AGFA plant closed in 2004. ATR Magnetics expect to have their York PA plant in production for June of this year. The plans were accelerated with the sudden closure of Quantegy.

RMG International acquired the EMTEC production equipment and documentation in October 2004. Production of the relocated and updated equipment started in November and sample qualities are expected any time now, with production quantities scheduled in time for NAB in April 2005.

According to Quantegy president and chief executive Richard Lindenmuth, Quantegy are "definitely coming back". There’s crew working in the factoring with the goal of getting production going as soon as practical. Quantegy expect some price increases but "…nothing like the price gouging that is going on in the market at the moment".

Despite the untimely hiccup to Quantegy’s operations two months ago, it looks like there is no chance of analog tape stock completely drying up.

Vince Clarke: Lucky Bastard

Want synth loops to play like Depeche Mode, Yazoo or Erasure? Then you’ll be looking to buy Vince Clarke’s collection of sequences created by founding member of all three bands, Vince Clarke. This collection of loops includes all the sequences from his original collection and new material from 2003, together in one collection. Many synth-generated drum loops and other sounds from his collection of analog synths. £30 ( approx. US$57 | €43 )

Bass on Demand

Drums on Demand took a step across the stage with the release of Bass on Demand with over 1,800 loops and riffs in eight keys over two octaves at 70, 100, 130 and 160 bpm tempos. All the content is available in 16 or 24 bit Acid WAV or Apple Loop format. US$49.95

Synth Player – Megasynth Volume 2

When you’re in the mood, too much synth is never enough. Megasynth Vol 2 features synth effects, motifs, sports arpeggios, pads and more in a $9.95 collection aimed at modern dance, hip-hop or rock composition. 40+ synth loops recorded from a broad range of modern and vintage synth gear with a wide range of processing. Download delivery only.

Permafrost

Versatile and addictive collection of down tempo drum loops with a beautifully hypnotic rhythm and stellar tonal balance. With light electronica style these drums can either accelerate or chill in any groove or genre. 175+ chill-out drum beats for serious groove inspiration available only in electronic delivery for US$19.95.

Scribbles & Scratches

Basic turntable scratches have given way to equal parts table work and digital editing. This collection of edited table effects can server as the starting point for more sophisticated scratch phrasing and rhythms. 75+ loops that will be required material for serious hip-hop production sourced in 24 bit from a high performance DJ rig edited and processed for maximum versatility. US$13.95 for electronic download delivery only of this collection of 75 loops.