The Government Video Update : Training

International Video Evidence Symposium and Training Conference

ejose — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 15:11:00 GMT

LEVA, the Law Enforcement and Emergency Services Video Association, is holding their annual conference October 22nd through the 24th at the Florida Hotel & Conference Center in Orlando, Florida.

This International Video Evidence Symposium and Training Conference is always a great opportunity to explore the science of Forensic Video Analysis and to also pick up some new video production skills.

If you'd like to know a bit more about LEVA, check out this video, featuring John Walsh of America's Most Wanted.

Avid has been a proud sponsor of LEVA since 1994 and we'll be there again this year, along with Ocean Systems and their dTective Forensic Video Analysis software.

Hope to see you in Orlando!

Government HD Technologies Seminar in Jacksonville, NC

ejose — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 13:11:00 GMT

The Avid Government Solutions team is hosting a 2-hour seminar in Jacksonville, NC, in the Downey Room at the Jacksonville Country Club. The seminar is scheduled for Thursday, September 18th, from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm.

The seminar will focus on new HD technologies for government video professionals.

The latest HD and file-based video formats offer more than just better images. They enable powerful workflows that allow you to work faster than ever before - on a laptop in the field, or in robust media production networks.

High-definition Blu-ray and HD podcasting are also changing the way media is distributed. Join us for a 2-hour seminar and explore these new technologies:

- HDV: Low-cost high-definition acquisition and editing

- Sony XDCAM: File-based media acquisition on optical disks

- Sony XDCAM EX and Panasonic P2: File-based media acquisition on memory cards

- Blu-ray authoring- HD encoding for Web delivery- Real-time HD editing technologies

- Media production networks and asset management

You'll also have the opportunity to see Media Composer Nitris DX.

Government video professionals can register for this New Video Technologies Seminar online. Space is limited, so sign up soon. We look forward to seeing you in Jacksonville!

Government HD Technologies Seminar in Norfolk

ejose — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 16:38:00 GMT

The Avid Government Solutions team is hosting a 2-hour seminar in Norfolk, Virginia, at the Sheraton Norfolk Waterside Hotel on Tuesday, September 16th, 2008, from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm.

The seminar will focus on new HD technologies for government video professionals.

The latest HD and file-based video formats offer more than just better images. They enable powerful workflows that allow you to work faster than ever before - on a laptop in the field, or in robust media production networks.

High-definition Blu-ray and HD podcasting are also changing the way media is distributed. Join us for a 2-hour seminar and explore these new technologies:

- HDV: Low-cost high-definition acquisition and editing

- Sony XDCAM: File-based media acquisition on optical disks

- Sony XDCAM EX and Panasonic P2: File-based media acquisition on memory cards

- Blu-ray authoring- HD encoding for Web delivery- Real-time HD editing technologies

- Media production networks and asset management

You'll also have the opportunity to see Media Composer Nitris DX.

Government video professionals can register for this New Video Technologies Seminar online. Space is limited, so sign up soon. We look forward to seeing you in Norfolk!

UPDATE: Sorry, I guess it would help if I include the link! You can register here.

Government HD Technologies Seminar in San Diego

ejose — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 19:08:00 GMT

The Avid Government Solutions team is hosting a 2-hour seminar in San Diego at the US Grant Hotel on Tuesday, September 9th, 2008, from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm.

The seminar will focus on new HD technologies for government video professionals.

The latest HD and file-based video formats offer more than just better images. They enable powerful workflows that allow you to work faster than ever before – on a laptop in the field, or in robust media production networks.

High-definition Blu-ray and HD podcasting are also changing the way media is distributed. Join us for a 2-hour seminar and explore these new technologies:

- HDV: Low-cost high-definition acquisition and editing

- Sony XDCAM: File-based media acquisition on optical disks

- Sony XDCAM EX and Panasonic P2: File-based media acquisition on memory cards

- Blu-ray authoring- HD encoding for Web delivery- Real-time HD editing technologies

- Media production networks and asset management

You'll also have the opportunity to see Media Composer Nitris DX.

Government video professionals can register for this New Video Technologies Seminar online. Space is limited, so sign up soon. We look forward to seeing you in San Diego!

Learn More for Less: One Year of Media Composer Training

ejose — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 06:33:00 GMT

A full year of online Media Composer training is now more affordable than ever. The GSA price for 12-months of online Media Composer training has been cut in half, from $997 to $499. Those classes are delivered through the Avid Learning Excellerator, or Alex. The Avid Media Composer Complete Level-2 Subscription includes the following courses:

Fundamentals of Television
Editing with Avid Media Composer
Introduction to Media Composer Effects
Setting Up Mojo-Based Systems
Setting Up Adrenaline-Based Systems
Troubleshooting Avid Editing Systems
Creating Graphics and Mattes for Avid Editing Systems
Introduction to Color Correction
Introduction to Avid Marquee
Input and Output Essentials
Creating with Avid 3D
Creating with Avid FX
Creating with Pro Tools LE
Creating with Avid DVD by Sonic

You can find more information on ALEX, and can even take a free Avid training course by visiting http://learn.avid.com.

The Avid Media Composer Complete Level-2 Subscription is available on Avid's GSA Schedule GS-35F-0638J for $499. Please call the Avid Government Solutions team at 800-497-2843 or 202-756-2251 for a GSA price quote or to place your order.

VA Education Benefits May Pay for Avid Training

ejose — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 17:13:00 GMT

If you are a current or former member of the military, you or your family members may be eligible to receive VA Education benefits for Avid Alex courses.

Students who are eligible to receive VA Education benefits may fall into one of the following categories:

Active duty service person
Active Selective Reservist or National Guards person
Veteran (discharged or separated service person)
Veteran’s dependent (spouse, surviving spouse, or child)
Disabled veteran

First, find out if you are eligible for VA benefits by calling toll-free 1-888-442-4551

If you are eligible, register for qualified classes or ALEX content by sending an email to Avid Training Services. Note in your message that you intend to apply for VA education benefits.

Classes or ALEX online content that qualify for VA benefits include the Certification programs described here.

Following registration, Avid will contact you regarding additional paperwork.

Avid Government Training Symposium

ejose — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 21:27:00 GMT

Please help us determine our plans for the 2008 Avid Government Training Symposium.

Take a minute to complete our very short survey. Simply click here, or copy and paste the URL below into your browser.

We appreciate your help!

Link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=pQpJ7ZXER36Ro6QQRJYphg_3d_3d

A Full Year of Avid Training for Half Price

ejose — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 22:29:00 GMT

Here's a great holiday present for yourself... now through the end of the year, you can sign up for an entire year of online, interactive Media Composer training for half price. The Avid Learning Excellerator, or ALEX, offers an Avid Media Composer Complete Level-2 Subscription, giving you 12 months of access to 14 courses, including:

Fundamentals of Television
Editing with Avid Media Composer
Introduction to Media Composer Effects
Setting Up Mojo-Based Systems
Setting Up Adrenaline-Based Systems
Troubleshooting Avid Editing Systems
Creating Graphics and Mattes for Avid Editing Systems
Introduction to Color Correction
Introduction to Avid Marquee
Input and Output Essentials
Creating with Avid 3D
Creating with Avid FX
Creating with Pro Tools LE
Creating with Avid DVD by Sonic

If you'd like more information on ALEX, including a free training course, visit http://learn.avid.com

The Avid Media Composer Complete Level-2 Subscription is available on Avid's GSA Schedule GS-35F-0638J for $550 through the end of the year. Please call the Avid Government Solutions team at 202-756-2251 to place your order.

Win A Copy of Media Composer at AGTS 2007

ejose — Thu, 03 May 2007 12:01:00 GMT

Two people at the Avid Government Training Symposium (AGTS 2007) will walk away with free copies of Avid Media Composer software, which runs on either a PC or Macintosh.

As if 23 great training sessions aren't enough of a reason to spend 3 days in hot and humid Washington, DC in June. Not to mention free breakfast and lunch each day.

HD and new acquisition formats will be big topics of discussion at AGTS, with sessions covering HDV, Blu-Ray authoring, XDCAM and P2.

There are also crash courses in Photoshop for video and After Effects for newbies.

I've been posting some tips from Future Media Concepts instructor Jeff Greenberg, one of the presenters at AGTS 2007. They'll give you an idea of some of the topics you'll find addressed at the symposium. Check out Jeff's "guest blogger" entries about Projects on the Go or Flagging Offline Media. I'll be posting some more tips from Jeff over the next couple of weeks.

I hope to see you at AGTS 2007 in DC this summer. You can register at agtsonline.com.

Free Avid Tutorials

ejose — Sat, 28 Apr 2007 12:08:00 GMT

Avid offers online video tutorials on a variety of subjects, including Working with HD in Media Composer and Avid Xpress Pro, XDCAM and P2 workflow, Avid Studio Toolkit training and more.

Check them out here.

If you're looking for more in-depth training on every Avid-related subject imaginable, check out ALEX – the Avid Learning Excellerator.

Guest Blogger Tip: Flagging Offline Media

ejose — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 11:36:00 GMT

Jeff Greenberg is one of the lead instructors for Future Media Concepts, and one of the key presenters at the annual Avid Government Training Symposium (AGTS).

Today, we have another "guest blog" from Jeff, featuring another one of his favorite Avid tips. This will give you an idea of some of the topics covered at AGTS each year.

This year's conference is scheduled for June 20th through the 22nd in Washington, DC. To register, visit agtsonline.com.

Flagging Offline Media in the Timeline

Ever playback footage and see the dreaded "Media Offline?"

There's an easy way to be warned before you ever hit play!

On your timeline fast menu (affectionally called the 'hamburger' by many, who are either describing the way it looks or are hungry), there is a menu called Clip Color.

Choose "Offline". Suddenly any clip that's offline shows up in Bright Red - warning you that you're missing the media. It's a great way to prevent headaches (and embarrassment) because you're missing a piece of media.

In the following picture, JUNGLE RUN is offline.

Guest Blogger Tip: Projects on the Go

ejose — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 11:43:00 GMT

Jeff Greenberg is one of the lead instructors for Future Media Concepts, and one of the key presenters at the annual Avid Government Training Symposium (AGTS).

Today, I'm kicking off a series of "guest blogs" from Jeff, featuring some of his favorite Avid tips. This will give you an idea of some of the topics covered at AGTS each year.

This year's conference is scheduled for June 20th through the 22nd in Washington, DC. To register, visit agtsonline.com.

Projects on the Go!

For the last four or so years, Avid Products have had an easy way to set the capability to store a project (including the media) on an external drive (such as a firewire drive.)

The beauty of using such a setup, is the transportability of your media to different systems.

You could work at home with such a setup (or work with different resolutions - such as HD and SD - that will be a different tip in the future.)

What's important is understanding what to set, right at the beginning of your project.

There are two things you need to adjust

• Where the project is stored

• Where the media is stored

Right away when you start a project you'll want to Select External, for where the project will be stored (before you create it!). Press the Folder button (highlighted in purple below) and you'll get a standard Windows Dialog Box, for where you'll choose to put your external projects. I chose my drive (but I could have equally chosen a specific folder on the drive.

The second adjustment is under settings. It's called Media Creation.

In the Media Creation settings you'll choose the External drive that you want your media captured to. Then you must press the button Apply to All. After doing so, whenever you create media - Capture, Titles, Imports, Mixdowns, Motion Effects or Renders, they will go to your external drive.

When you're ready to go, all you have to do is unhook the drive, go to your other Avid System and plug in. At the Project dialog box, choose External (and press the folder icon, just like you did at the beginning) and now the project and media are coming from your external source, ready to travel with you!

Avid Government Training Symposium 2007

ejose — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 19:00:00 GMT

In the fall of 1994, I was looking through a list of Avid government customers and was surprised to see that list had grown to several hundred customers in just over a year. We decided to have a users group for those customers to help them master the emerging nonlinear editing technology. A couple dozen people joined us for the first-ever Avid Government Users Conference in December, 1994. It's hard to believe the 13th annual conference is coming up this summer.

Today, the event is called the Avid Government Training Symposium (AGTS). It's a 3-day, intensive seminar hosted by the Avid Government Solutions team and Future Media Concepts in Washington, DC. The 3-day event includes 2 dozen seminars, as well as breakfast and lunch each day.

In addition to Avid-centric courses such as advanced editing techniques, trimming and effects, there are a lot of new technology topics being covered this year, including HDV, P2, XDCAM and Blu-Ray authoring.

The symposium also includes seminars on "add-ons" and third-party applications, including Avid DVD, Avid FX, Avid 3D, Adobe Photoshop and After Effects.

Jeff Greenberg, one of the Future Media Concepts instructors, has a series of seminars that are sure to kick your Avid skills up a notch. Keep your eyes on this blog for a series of tips and tricks from Jeff as AGTS gets closer.

AGTS 2007 is scheduled for June 20th through the 22nd in Washington, DC. Special hotel rates are available.

For details on the Avid Government Training Symposium, as well as registration information, visit www.agtsonline.com.

I hope to see you in Washington, DC this summer.