Larry Jordan's Newsletter: May 24, 2023

May 22, 2023

This is an unusual issue: a workaround that breaks the Thunderbolt speed limit, a review of a color grading monitor and a correction of past misunderstandings.

Over the last several months, as I learned more about high-speed storage, an idea occurred to me on how to beat the 2,850 MB/second Thunderbolt 3/4 speed limit. Since internal Mac storage regularly goes faster than 5,000 MB/s, it didn't seem this limit was caused by the computer, but, rather, a limitation of Thunderbolt.

Last week, OWC loaned me some gear to test my idea and - WOW! - this lash-up hit speeds over 5,500 MB/second! Even better, you can assemble your own speed demon for less than $400 (US). If speed's your need - this story is for you!

Link: Storage Faster Than Thunderbolt – When Speed’s Your Need

My other lead story corrects a poor understanding of how color profiles work when setting monitor colors. Basically, I had it backwards. If you need your monitors to match a color space - say, Rec. 709, Rec. 2020, or sRGB - this article describes what you need to know. (And, yes, I'm correcting older articles as I find them.)

Link: How to Accurately Change Color Space Settings on Mac Monitors

In the news:

Last week, I reported a potential deinterlacing bug with Topaz Video AI. The good news is that this was fixed with the 3.2.6 update, released last Tuesday. The 3.2.6 update corrected a display bug which made it difficult to select the correct AI model for deinterlacing. If you have version 3.2.5, be sure to upgrade your software. With the 3.2.6. release, deinterlacing now works as expected.

OWC recently released new Atlas Pro and Ultra Flash memory cards. Then, more recently, they launched a dual card reader for faster data processing. But, hidden in these announcements was the Innergize software. This utility checks the health of memory cards, cleans and restores the flash memory in a card, and even updates card firmware in the field. It's an entire ecosystem.

Link: https://www.owc.com/solutions/innergize

By the way, Apple released macOS 13.4 last week. I updated my main system and have had no problems with either FCP or Premiere Pro. Just letting you know.

Last week's webinar, on Text-based Editing in Adobe Premiere Pro, is important for a variety of reasons. First, it greatly simplifies the task of reviewing interviews and selecting content. Second, though, is that the skills of a video editor are no longer required to create a rough cut; even the role of the assistant editor is challenged. Because this feature can affect jobs, last week's webinar is on sale for 50% off. Watching this is time well spent.

Link: Text-Based Editing in Adobe Premiere Pro

This week's webinar continues our three part audio series with Audio Techniques in Adobe Premiere Pro. This covers the full range of audio tasks: editing, trimming, recording voice overs, double-system sound, multi-track audio, the Essential Sound Panel, mixing and more. Spend an hour and polish your skills. And, as always, registration is free.

Link: Free Registration for Larry's Weekly Webinar

A few weeks ago, I purchased a BenQ PD2725U monitor because I wanted a monitor I could trust for color grading video or editing images in Photoshop. Here's my review.

Link: Review: BenQ PD2725U-T Computer Monitor

As the school year winds down and another crop of students enters the workforce, I rediscovered an article I wrote a few years ago on "The 12 Basics Truths of Video Editing." Take a look at this list - I think it remains true even amidst today's upheavals in technology. Feel free to add your own thoughts in the comments.

Link: The 12 Basic Truths of Video Editing

NOTE: At the bottom of that "Basic Truths" article is a link to the Creative Truths contest we ran in 2015. Seven years later, those maxims seem as true as ever.

It's exactly two weeks until WWDC and less than two weeks to CineGear. From NAB to WWDC is the time when our industry defines itself for the next year. I'm looking forward to making the trip this year to CineGear to see all the new toys. I probably won't buy a helicopter - but it is good to have a dream.

Until next week, stay safe, stay healthy and edit well.