In a move that will be applauded by many (including this editor), Adobe was the first software company to focus a release an update to their editing software that focuses on COMPATIBILITY! Yes, even with other software packages. This newest update to Premiere Pro CS4 allows you to exchange projects with Avid and Final Cut Pro systems. While I don’t expect that every single effect, color correction, or special properties will come through the process perfectly, even simple timeline exchange with cuts and dissolves would be an incredibly useful feature to have in your NLE. And Adobe deserves some respect for being the first out the gate with this type of upgrade.

In addition the 4.0.1 upgrade provides support for the RED camera’s R3d files directly, with no transcoding necessary. Greatly simplifying what was once a pretty unnecessarily complicated Post process when shooting with RED. This latest upgrade adds to Premiere’s support of AVCHD, P2, HDCAM EX, all natively making it the current king of compatibilty among all the editing programs out there. If your camcorder can shoot it, it looks like Premeiere can edit it.

In addition there were stability enhancements  and full support for 64 bit systems included in this release. You can read the full release below:

Read the rest of this entry »

The wait is over, Adobe has announced the immediate availability of CS4, the largest release of software in the company’s history. Adobe has pretty much updated all their flagship applications, the new features of which, you can find out in our previous post. The Production Premium bundle will be of most interest to Videomaker readers, with new versions of Premiere, Encore, Soundbooth, On Location, After Effects, Photoshop, Flash and Illustrator ready to go out the door today.

We’ve been playing around with the Beta for a while, and we’re taking a look at the final versions right now, and with so many apps to review, it looks like we have our work cut out for us.

Read the Press Release Below:

Read the rest of this entry »

It’s been a busy time at Adobe lately, as they’ve released today new versions of just about every piece of software that they make. But for Videomaker readers, lets break down their new Creative Suite 4 Production Premium bundle, available in October for $1,699.

We managed to finagle a beta version of CS4, that we’ve been playing with for a while now and I’ll go through some of the new features of each part of the package below. But first off, a broad overview is in order. As you may have heard already, there’s been a shift to a new interface across the board for all apps. This common interface makes working in each individual program a lot easier, especially as most users might not be as savvy in one app, as they are in another.

Talking with Adobe about CS4 in a general sense revealed that this release was all about stability and work flow enhancements, rather than new features. That’s not to say there’s not anything new (I highlight these below), but I applaud the effort in refining the core usefulness of the programs. Many people make their living in Adobe applications, and solving work flow issues is by far more important on a day to day basis than the latest effect.

Read the rest of this entry »