John Matthews

From the sound of it, you need to throw a lot at it for that. I'll risk it on a portable device.

It sounds like the Air is one to get for me... portability, a keyboard, great performance, with OSX, no stupid audio and update problems with hackintoshes, no stupid Touch Bar, seems like a no-brainer. I'm saving up now.

I saw a guy put a "trap" on a prominent social network to get rid of any "friends" that were into conspiracy theories and such. Worked like a charm. I'm actually wondering if that's what he had planned.

All YouTube video AI chains end the same- insane, violent, bizarre, and extreme. It doesn't even matter what you start with... eventually it goes there and you have to choose which road accident to watch, or you need to be more intentional on what you let yourself watch. PS: I give this thread two days before it goes to crazy land and gets shut down.

I agree. I'd wait a little. This is a new model, with new internals- prudence is necessary IMO. What gives me confidence about this model is that: They're supposedly using many of the same parts as the previous one... if it ain't broken, don't fix it. A lot of the guts will be shared with the processor main unit. This can only be good in that they test this the most. For those 2 reasons alone, I'd buy it because the performance is going to be leaping a generation or 2 (watch other intel and AMD processors tank in price? They should.). Also, what else do I NEED? This thing is capable of editing 8k H.265. Give it an educational discount for FCPX, motion, etc for $200- this thing is an extremely powerful machine.

Enough said?

There's conflicting info on this. When I look at, it seems like the RAM is part of the M1 chip. I've never had problems with their displays. For me, retina displays mean you can't see pixels and I've been quite happy with them.

Yes, it was. between 7-8 minute mark where they mention DDR4 is included on the M1 chip. You're probably right. However, what is different is the level of integration in terms of security and software. They're going to be tough to match.

Sorry my first sentence wasn't clear. ARM outsources its production and designs chips. Apple Silicon uses elements of a the ARM architecture, but the chip is designed by Apple. For those who are quoting specs like "only 16gb of RAM" and you cannot add more, I don't think it matters quite as much because everything (CPUs, GPUs, and RAM) are located on the M1 chip itself, rendering the chip much more effective at handling processes. Also, RAM and SSDs are becoming closer and closer to similar speeds. In short, this would not stop me from buying one of these machines. Remember what Alan Kay once said: “People who are really serious about software should make their own hardware.” This had been quoted by Steve Jobs many times. A slower spect machine can outperform the higher spect machine, given optimized software. I'm not a Apple software fanboy, as they've dumbed-down so many of their products in recent years, making them much less capable (i.e. FaceTime, iTunes), but they'll always have a serious advantage over Wintel and AMD, especially performance per watt.

I think it's important to note that although ARM is making these chips for Apple, they are still Apple designed (1000+ engineers only for that). I doubt similar chips for Windows will be made. These devices are going to trash similar setups in the windows world in terms of performance per watt. It's about time they came back with something good, but I'll wait a while before buying anything myself. They'd better get their shit together when it comes to keyboards too- the main reason I haven't upgraded anything. This is really good news that it's using integrated graphics. I lost count of how many laptops Apple has screwed up in their designs (incorrect transistors, etc.). I'd think they'll do better with integrated graphics. Also, I'm tired of the iPad stuff- it's just not as capable without doing hurdles. We STILL cannot sync external audio and video automatically!

Or don't buy. Just rent. Get a cheap, used M43 camera with a zoom for scouting shots if needed. Charge everything else to your customer. Keep your money and buy me a beer. 🙂

Photoshops new AI features:

Personally, I haven't seen AI advance that much with most of it being super unnatural (the recently photoshop version proves it to me). For sure, "eye AF", "face detection", "HDR", "High-res modes" and others have played a VERY significant role and Panasonic could have the next AIAF for the next iteration of contrast-only AF, but those features are/would be very subtle AI at best- and it had better stay that way. I find it amazing that PDAF is only about know which way to go- such a binary question, yet so hard to do without PDAF. You'd think they'd solved this problem by now- Panasonic went all-in on this, but I'm skeptical they'll ever get there. Focus, unlike face manipulation AI, doesn't need to be 100% perfect, but it just cannot be unnatural. For the moment, Panasonic hasn't got there yet and they keep getting close to the finish line, but other manufacturers are moving that finish line closer and closer to perfection. Interestingly enough, it would seem some companies (like Fuji) have great lenses and bodies with PDAF yet they still can't manage to get natural results- Sony, Canon, and Olympus have got it (in that order?). With Olympus, in particular, they've got a great package (lenses, PDAF, color, 4k), but lack (for some of us) a better editable image. For me, I'm a happy hobbyist with a decent long GOP, VBR codec in 4k. Like @Andrew Reid, I like having a body capable for everything in a small package that I can take around.

I appreciated your(@Andrew Reid & @Dave Maze) insight on Olympus and their opportunities. Just a few months ago, almost everyone was saying they're over without giving the slightest chance to the new ownership... seems unfair. They have a unique opportunity for becoming competitive in video due to not a having high-end video market to protect, especially if any sort of raw or 10 bit is included on the camera. Add waveforms and a few other significant features in firmware and they could be golden, given there are so many lenses are out there (new and used). Forget the FF stuff, just sit back and watch other commit suicide in that market. So much of the focus is on the cameras- not enough on lens selection (with AF). MFT and Olympus in particular could have amazing possibilities here with their phase detect AF. If done right, they could eat up significant market share. Sure, it probably will never be the dominant player, but it will attract hobbyists and pros alike (as they often just rent high-end gear that matches customer needs). A question to both of you: Do you think Panasonic will ever have PDAF? I've heard many people say this won't happen because Sony owns the tech when it come to their sensors and won't "allow" Panasonic to have it. Personally, I think it's BS, but have you heard similar notions? Without PDAF on MFT, their future's very limited IMO for video.

That ibook was the G3 one as you can tell by the lettering (Apple Garamond). The G4 (I still have and use mine just for fun) had the Myriad font on it. They were great little machines... I love the fact they have a 3:4 aspect ratio screen and fairly detailed. Got mine in 2004 and it still runs fine. I just prefer Apple's concept for computing back then.

Back in 2001, Apple announced their computer as a "digital hub". I essentially still work like this, maybe using online backups only as a third backup. All my music, video (shot personally or ripped), photos, and documents are still on physical drive that I control. In recent years, Apple and others have been shoving the cloud down our throats, but does anyone actually work like this? For the person that does exclusively use the cloud, I could see a real benefit of a phone like the 12 Pro Max. The experience of touch and small screen still seems poor at best. It seems I only use touch if I absolutely have to. I feel so at home with big screens, a keyboard, and a mouse.

I looked it up on the evilcorp Amazon, but I'm afraid I'm going to pass on this book... too many bad, thoughtful reviews. I don't buy new stuff anyway, but I might get it if I find it used. I appreciate the extraordinary effort you made to prove to me that phone usage is all ok this world. After all, what could go wrong? 🙂 Going back to the iPhone 12 Pro Max, that thing look tablet-sized, only 1 inch less than the iPad mini. I'm really surprised Apple is making them bigger and bigger. Someone must want it... maybe if it's your only device/screen. I used Lumafusion a number of times, but the audio syncing is what forced me back to my Mac and FCPX. It was just way too cumbersome. Anyone know of an app you can automatically sync audio and video or is that still a no-go?

The world is shit. People are shit. The end. Do you like my film proposal? Inspiring, isn't it? 🙂 I've heard the arguments for and against phones, social media, and gaming... On Sunday, I heard Leo Laporte talk about it again on the radio. I listen to other podcasts where they talk about it. I'm in my mid 40s and I too have struggled with issues with addiction to gaming, phones, and social media. I have real world experience with the "future leaders" of the world. My optimistic conclusion for the moment is looking more and more like WALL-E, the Disney/Pixar film. I don't knee-jerkingly say "everything new sucks." That's not me. Just embracing everything tech can have its own issues. For one, humanity's demise. Remember, tech is often used for controlling people, winning wars, and total domination. Now, is it all innocent and good?

I have taught 200-300 teenagers in the last few years. Phones, social media, and gaming have stifled their development in a traditional sense. It's not one or two- it's the majority! Doing something without their phone is a problem. The thought of going only one day without playing a video game is a problem. Is that addiction? I'm not sure, but sure does lack variety and it's so bad that now they don't allow phones at the school anymore. You're right, it's not at gunpoint, but do you know anyone who takes heroin at gunpoint? That's not how addiction works. Unfortunately, I don't really see the value in these devices. 5G? ...4G and 3G were good enough for me. Camera? ...I'm happy with my proper camera. Screen size? ...I prefer the smaller screens if it's supposed to be portable. My point is "progress" is a very subjective term. I don't like what I see.

Reminds me when air-conditioned computer server rooms at universities were getting replaced with a small beige box in the 90s. University presidents were probably thinking they got scammed big-time! Customers will probably always prefer the bigger camera. Remember (in stating the obvious): The human hand will not change in size. Phones will be awkward to use. The human eye will not suddenly see more. Other than their size advantage to fit in small places and their carry-everywhere nature, their resolution will be matched by a proper cinema camera. The human ear will not suddenly hear more or better. Phones again are awkward for audio. The story is and will always be king... no one cares about great quality crap (but I can think of a few films where this is not true).

Am I the only one saddened by AI? What ever happened to a good-old-fashioned camera? I don't want camera's inventing the experience, regardless the quality increase. I know you're going to say: "cameras already do that!" However, there's such a thing as the heavy-handed approach and the subtle approach- I prefer the latter. I'm actively trying to find ways to eliminate the smart phone completely from my life while others are trying to further (and willingly?) addict themselves.

Working with the E-M1X, have you seen significant differences in video capabilities with the E-M1 iii?

Personally, I don't see a bit difference between the two.

I actually can't find much info on this, but my camera (Olympus E-M1 ii) has an HDMI out that I'm connecting to a BlackMagic Ultrastudio Mini Recorder. Here are some questions: 1) Would setting the camera to ALL-I have any practical impact on the image recorded? If so, what? 2) Although the Ultrastudio MR only records 1080p 30fps max (and it does it in a weird interlaced way), it also somehow accepts or recognizes a UHD signal, but not the DCI signal (probably not supported). Any ideas for why it accepts the UHD... is it line-skipping? maybe the HDMI signal automatically adjusts... I'm confused. Does anyone have experience with either of these points?

I'm only chatting. I don't have any intention on changing systems or anything like that. @tupp and @BrooklynDan actually used it. I was only thinking about what would be the modern equivalent of the NPR, which seemed to be a revolutionary camera back in the day. It (and the Arri) was the camera that made production mobile. I guess even a phone could accomplish many of the things that the NPR could, but I don't really want to talk about phones. The actually image produced really depended on the film stock used. I think there's definitely something to this logic. However, how many people have back problems due to these heavy beasts? Also, in your opinion, do you think IBIS could give a similar results to the shoulder-mounted rig? I imagine this is definitely the case. Rolling shutter on CMOS has been better controlled in recent years, but still a minor issue. It's too bad that CCD tech didn't get better and cheaper like CMOS. Hopefully, there will be something on the horizon to replace CMOS... perhaps the stacked sensors? In terms of resolution, I'm fine with a good-looking 2k or 1080p image, as long as the framing is right in-camera.