All posts by Macmint

Mac

Macs for Video Editing, our favorites for Overall, Portability & Budget

Image Leave a comment

Top 3 Best Macs for Video Editing. Macs have always been favored by professional video editors for their reliability and performance in video editing. These days, you can choose from a number of different Mac computers. iMacs and MacBook Pros, all of which have something unique to offer to anyone interested in video editing. But how do you know which one is the best for you? To help you make a good purchase decision, we have picked three categories and selected one best Mac for each.

Best Overall: iMac Pro (Upcoming)

In June 2017, at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference in San Jose, the company announced its most ambitious professional Mac computer to date. Called iMac Pro, this beastly computer is not only the most powerful Mac ever created, but it’s also the first entry in a brand-new tier of ultra-high-performance machines designed for the virtual reality era.



The iMac Pro will arrive this December, and we already know what it will offer. Whereas previous iMacs had up to 8 cores, the new iMac Pro will have 18 cores—yes, that’s not a typo. With Turbo Boost speeds up to 4.5 GHz, a Radeon Pro Vega graphics card, and up to 128 GB of RAM (again, not a typo), this stunningly powerful Mac computer makes no compromises, especially for video editing.

iMac Pro for video editing?

If you spend a lot of time editing 4K video footage and long for a computer that would allow you to accomplish more in less time, look no further—the iMac Pro is the video editing machine you need. Yes, the prices will be high, but we can guarantee that you won’t feel the need to upgrade for many years. In fact, you might even like the price of the iMac Pro as it has a built-in 5K display with support for the DCI-P3 color space and up to 500 nits of brightness. A display like this is usually expensive, but it never comes with 18 cores and a chassis so beautiful that only Apple could have designed it.

Best for On-The-Go: MacBook Pro 15-Inch with Touch Bar

There’s a lot to like about the current MacBook Pro range, but the 15-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar is definitely the most appealing for video editing. No, it doesn’t offer the same portability as the 13-inch model, but it offers something even more important—processing power and plenty of screen real estate.



The 15.4-inch LED-backlit display with IPS technology has 2880 x 1800 native resolution and support for the DCI-P3 color space.  The American film industry even commonly uses RGB color space for their digital movie projection. The 15-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar comes with a powerful Intel Core i7 processor clocked at either 2.8 GHz or 2.9 GHz.

Most powerful MacBook for Video Editing

We recommend you choose the more powerful model because it also comes with a 512 GB SSD (as opposed to only 256 GB), 16 GB of RAM, with graphics card being the Radeon Pro 560,  and GDDR5 memory 4GB. With automatic graphics switching to the less battery-hungry Intel HD Graphics 630 integrated graphics card.

Best Value: Early 2013 MacBook Pro 15-Inch

If you’re on a budget, the early 2013 15-inch MacBook Pro offers an unprecedented value, regardless of whether you buy it refurbished or used. The most powerful version of this laptop (which is the one that you should get considering the laptop’s age) has an Intel Core i7 processor clocked at 2.7 GHz, 16 GB of 1600MHz DDR3L memory, 512 GB of flash storage space, and the Nvidia GeForce GT 650M graphics card.

The vivid 15.4-inch Retina display with 2880 x 1800 resolution makes video editing enjoyable even without a larger monitor to connect the laptop to, and the large battery offers up to 7 hours of work time on a charge.

Best Mac Video Editing Early MacBook Pro 15 Inch

iPhone

iPhone video tips – How To Shoot Like A Pro

Image Leave a comment

iPhone video tips. How To Shoot iPhone Video Like A Pro

It appears that iPhones have replaced standalone video cameras. There is no doubt that smart phones are still quite far from the quality offered by DSLR videos & cameras.

It is often said that the best camera is the camera you have with you at the time.  Although there is often a real distinct difference in the quality between smart phone models and devices. Whilst the gap in quality is due to lenses and technology issues within iPhones, the biggest issues is often bad user habits.  In this article we hope to give you some tips to improve your videos with your iPhone or smart phone.

iPhone video Apps

One of the first tricks to shooting on your iPhone like a pro is not using the stock standard camera app from Apple. Apple’s camera app lacks important controls that are vital when shooting footage at a professional level. iPhone 7 limits the bit rate of a 4K video down to 47 Mbps.  This limitation will keep the file sizes low, but will also  impact the quality of your iPhone video.



Using a third party application is the way forward if you want to record higher quality of recording. These apps have the ability to turn your iPhone into a pocket DSLR video. Additional options like white focus control, custom pre-sets and control exposure.

Eliminating the white balance is another tip.  The white balance often makes the iPhone footage look amateur.  This is quite simple, to start with, change the settings on the white balance and exposure before you press play. Some of these apps may seem like pricey purchases, but they are worthwhile if you find yourself shooting a significant amount of video content.

Who wants shaky footage?

Unless you’re watching cloverfield, shaky camera work is a tell-tale sign that something has been filmed by a hand held device.  It’s also fairly easy to tell that the device was a phone. We understand not everyone wants to use Steadicam rigs or tripods, but without them your viewers might feel a sense of nausea.

You don’t need to splurge on expensive professional grade accessories, although the make things easier.  You can go for low cost alternatives, which if used well can offer similar results. The best DIY option, although simple, is leaning on an object.  This can cut the amount of camera shake while filming, and of course can limit your movement too and range to video. If you can afford a small investment.  Its worth putting some cash towards a iPhone tripod. Tripods can range from $7 upwards, a simple and small piece of equipment can not only hold your iPhone steady but make a huge difference to the overall quality of your video footage.

Even better again, a gimbal could also be a useful contraption for keeping your iPhone camera steady, it will reduce shakes and vibrations caused by movements.


Should you use the iPhone Zoom for videos?

A lot of iPhone users go wrong when they starting using the zoom whilst filming the videos. This ruins not only just the quality but the clarity of the video. If you start using the zoom your footage results will be grainy and stretched. Instead of using the zoom, try to move closer to the object.  Moving closer will retain the quality and give your footage of depth of field.  Lighting plays a very important role in your video quality, any good selfie taker will know this. Take care when choosing the location to film in, and how it is lit.

iPhone

Photography on the go – Essential iPhone Camera Accessories

Image Leave a comment

Photography on the go – iPhone accessories for great photos. 6 of the best must haves to get you amazing photos with your smart phone.

Photography with a macro lens

A macro lens works like a strong magnifying glass that can be snapped onto an iPhone to give a variety of amazing photography options.  A macro lens allows users to capture close up photos of small objects. This is the type of accessory that is very difficult to go without once you’ve started using it. You’ll find it easier to take photos of animals and nature.

These lenses can vary in magnification from 6x to 15x zoom, with some more high power lenses also on the market. Top manufacturers for iPhone macro lenses include ExoLens and Olloclip.
Click here for the latest ExoLens prices.
Click here for the latest Olloclip Prices.

Tripod, makes photography so easy

A tripod will save you your hands and improve the quality of your photos on those moments you need to hold your smart phone camera deadly still during photography so you can capture video or a slow shutter image. Tripods come in lots of different varieties but all of them have the same purpose and goal. The tripod means you don’t need rush photography and your footage will come out looking much more professional.

GorillaPod is one of the top brands for tripod and Lollipod’s selling feature is the ability to extend.
Click HERE for the latest price on GorillaPods.
Click HERE for the latest price on Lollipods.

A waterproof iPhone case, gives you more photography options

The ability to photograph underwater is the biggest selling point of waterproof iPhone casing. These type of cases are perfect for those regular adventurers and photography lovers or the accident prone types. There are several good brands for this accessory, the most popular being Watershot Pro.
Click HERE for the latest price on the Watershot Pro.

Hardened iPhone case

iPhone are fragile and many of us have learnt that the hard way. Many people have lost their technology to trips, drops, puddles and the laundry, this case will certainly give people a safety net.

Although not particularly necessary for great photography with your iPhone or smart phone, a  hardened case can lead to other possibilities like taking your phone out in the rain, on hikes or whilst skydiving. These types of cases can come in lots of different price points and colours.

We like the Lifeproof range of Hard cases, you can find the latest price for them HERE.

There are many other options and price points, you can find the latest styles and prices HERE.

Shutter release – for that perfect photo

A remote shutter releases can let iPhone users take up close photos from far away. This is perfect for holiday photography or taking photos where you want to capture images of a faraway location or if you’re looking for a new perspective. The widest available remote shutter release is a user friendly switch that comes on Apple earbuds, this doesn’t work on significant distance but will improve your images.

There are also a wide amount of Bluetooth products that offer a remote shutter option, these come with a range of features and in a variety of prices. Some of these shutters allow you take photos from as far away as 30 meters.

You can find the latest prices on Apple’s earbuds HERE.
You can find the latest prices on Bluetooth Remote Shutter Releases HERE.

Battery charger

One of the most frustrating things about smartphones is the battery. No matter how advanced the model of your phone or your photography accessories, the last thing you want to miss is the perfect photography opportunity, or extra photos if the battery is unlikely to last the day. We all need a battery charger than can recharge the phone throughout the day, no matter where you are.

There are a huge variety of portable battery chargers and power from basic $10 options to $100 models. Some last will charge a phone once, others up to six times.

 

iPhone

Using Apple iPhone – some hidden features you may not know

Image Leave a comment

Using Apple iPhone – some hidden features you may not know

Time and again there has been too much of a hullabaloo, created around iPhone and its list of exceptional features. The Apple brand smartphones is a prized possession of many, but not many can claim, that they have complete knowledge of all its functions. With the era of using digital cameras declining, the iPhone has become the new memory capturing device. There are many things which can be done to improve the picture quality, without the need to download an app. But, how to do that is a secret formula, which needs a little bit of research. Similarly, have you ever thought of what can be the shortcut of redialing in iPhones? The answer to all these and many more secret functions of the iPhone is listed below:

Switch on the burst mode

Often we encounter situations where the subject is in motion and the pictures being taken are turning out to be blurred. In conditions as such, suppress the shutter button for one second, the smartphone will trigger the burst mode and start off clicking pictures continuously, this will enable to get that one perfect click that you are looking for.

Redial mode

The iPhone app allows the redial option for the last number dialed on the phone. Just press the green call button and the smartphone will display the last dialed number. Here are the steps:

  1. Open the Phone app on your iPhone.
  2. Press the Keypad at the bottom.
  3. Press the green Call button once.
how to use Redial Mode on Iphone
2. Keypad at bottom
how to use Redial mode on Iphone
3. Press the green call button once

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4. You will see the number you last dialed at the top of the interface, press the call button again to call the last number that will be shown on the screen.

Siri can also help you to dial the last number, just ask her to “Redial the last number”

Activate your camera mode without unlocking

There are times when you want to capture a picture instantly, but keying in the password and getting the iPhone activated will make you lose the moment. In order to directly get on camera mode, go to your lock screen and press the camera icon by your finger , the camera mode will be activated instantly and allow you to shoot photos.

Get your numbers correct with a swipe

The easy mode to rectify an error in the calculator is by swiping left or right on the display screen (just over the section where the displayed number is). The swiping allows deletion of single digit numbers when you type a wrong digit on the calculator.

Swift reply to iMessage or SMS

While you are working on any other app and you get a notification of an SMS, simply pull down the notification to answer back. This feature doesn’t require you to leave your present screen you were working on.

Free your iPhone space

The phone is often subjected to unnecessary data that affects the speed of your iPhone. To regain back the speed and clear the RAM, just press the power button , till the time power off mode gets displayed, then long press the home button till the time screen appears blank and the home screen gets displayed. The RAM will be cleaned.

Silent Selfie

The iPhone allows clicking pictures through the volume buttons. This feature is particularly helpful when one wants to click a selfie at a particular position. Moreover, at public places, one can even plug in the headphones and click selfies through the volume button without anybody knowing about it.  So simple – While in camera mode just click either volume button to take the photo.

Get the latest Price on the latest iPhones and Accessories here

Watch

Apple Smart Watch series 3 with cellular – A Review

Image Leave a comment

Apple Watch series 3 with cellular – A Review

Apple has launched its third series of smart watch. It is simply called Apple watch series 3. It comes in two versions – cellular and non-cellular. The cellular smart watch helps you stay connected without having to carry your phone with you, you can still receive calls and get notifications from all your favorite apps.  This is especially useful for people who go out for runs or biking or swimming. They do not need to pause in their activity to receive a call. Apple’s newest version runs on the latest WatchOS i.e. WatchOS 4.

More Smart Watch options and features?

This OS has more than 50 fitness and non-fitness features. Some of its features are Passcode animation, Toy Story character faces, Maps app, Workout app etc. These OS features add to the functionality of the series 3 watches. The watch is available in various colors and bands.  It comes in silver, gold and grey aluminum case as well as in stainless steel case.

Technical features

Series 3 watch comes in 2 sizes – 38 mm and 42 mm. One of the advancements is water resistance. The display has an OLED screen covered by glass. The brightness of the watch makes it easy to read even under glaring sunlight. The best feature is the front display that doubles up as an antenna for the watch. It has a faster dual core processor and a new wireless chip called as W2. It has a heart rate sensor, barometric altimeter, accelerometer and gyroscope that all combined together show valuable data related to your body. The watch has a capacity of 16 GB. The only downside to all this is low battery life (only 18 hours).

Who Doesn’t love Apple’s Siri?

And then there is the convenience of Siri, you can always ask her to set a reminder, send a calendar invitation or give you directions, all without your phone.

Cellular features

This watch has an e-SIM i.e. electronic SIM. The phone number would be same as the mobile phone number. With this functionality a person would be able to make calls or receive calls without requiring a mobile phone nearby. The watch has a microphone and speaker. Apart from call features the cellular features allow third party apps to be used on the watch. You can download songs from Apple music and store in the watch. You can then play them through the music app. There are many more apps like gym app, news app and so on.  GPS and Altimeter.  The cellular capabilities are limited to certain carriers only in other countries but in USA it supports all the 4 carriers – T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon and Sprint.


How about battery life?

Though the cellular capability of the watch is an exciting new feature, it is hampered by low battery life. The cellular feature also doesn’t seem to work in all places and situations. Like in cars or while one person is using the watch and another is using the mobile phone at the same time. The watch features seem to interfere with the smooth functioning of the mobile in such cases. The device is also on the expensive side. It is a good buy for fitness enthusiasts who find using mobiles while working out to be quite cumbersome.The watch fulfills the dual need of connectivity and a smart watch.

Get the latest price on the Apple Series 3 Watch here