I love registering my software. You get benefits like product updates, access to interesting little add-ons and it validates to the developers that their work are being appreciated. But on occasion registering can lead to a training overload.

Only… in the past my software hasn’t always been the most legit. At home I’ve solved that challenge when I migrated to Ubuntu and the world of Open Source (and often free) software. At work our software is all genuine, but where’s the fun in registering Windows XP and MS Office (they know you’re using it anyway).

When I acquired Adobe CS3 Production Premium I was very eager to register it. I wanted to be part of the community and I actually want to know when patches and upgrades are released. After all, my professional tools need to remain sharp.

I got some unexpected benefits for my registration efforts. Upon registrations Adobe said ‘hey, here’s a little something something for registering your software, thanks for that’. Not those words exactly, but you get the drift.

They offered me two things. The first left me wondering how many people actually opt for it. It was a specially designed, retro font and as nice as it was, it was eclipsed by the second offer. The second offer was a 30 day subscription with lynda.com and access to their video training on CS3.

Lynda and I go way back. I have a Lynda training manual at home. On Dreamweaver 2 - H.O.T. Hands-on Training from 1999 no less. I got it yonks ago for the xyf when she tried to get the hang of Dreamweaver. I had a look at it and wasn’t impressed with anything but the DHTML chapter, so it really has only stayed in my collection because I love training manuals.

Anyway, CS3 comes with a few free chapters from lynda.com already included, and I really enjoyed those, especially the ones with Todd and Chad Perkins, so I opted for the training faster than you can say ‘click here to accept offer 2′.

And my goodness! For 3 days straight I sat watching every single video on every topic I knew nothing about re After Effects, Premier Pro, Soundbooth and Encore. For three days straight! I left work every afternoon with red eyes and a sore back, head pounding cause of my brain trying to categorise, link and file all the newly acquired information about all the software.

In a jiffy, a jiffy I tell you, I had acquainted myself with new features and new software. Premier Pro I have previous experience with, After Effects I’ve only seen, but never used before and Encore and SoundBooth I never even heard of before CS3. But three days later I was awestruck buy what I learned I actually have in CS3 and thanks to lynda.com and Todd and Chad Perkins (who do free lessons on their site too), and Bruce Williams from audio2u.com, who presents SoundBooth’s Essential Training, I now know my way around all of the software.

I have another 3 weeks left to go through all the ‘essential’ sections and the ‘beyond the basics’ sections of each programme, so there’s a lot still to do. And then there’s Flash, Illustrator and a hand full of other programmes I’d also like to get to know better, so there’s a serious learning curve up ahead.

Time to shut my mouth and open my mind. Information incoming!

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After what has been way too long, I finally paired the Sony HDR-FX7 with Adobe CS3 Production Premium for our first test run. And it didn’t work…

The message at the top of the capture box says “Can’t Activate Recorder. Try Resetting Camera”. Not the most encouraging error message ever and what I know about error messages, that doesn’t bode well.

What is encouraging though is the fact that I can play, forward and rewind the camera from the software, so obviously they’re talking.

In what seems to be a 24-hour period of duh! moments though, I discover that I’m obviously doing something wrong.

See, the HDR-FX7 can record in HD and SD, and wanting to wield the power of HDV, that’s what I recorded. Meanwhile, back in the studio (I like to pretend), I initialised a project using SD DV.

Wow, I’m dripping noviceness.

In order for Adobe’s CS3 Production Premium to talk to the Sony HDR-FX7, CS3 has to know what the Sony recorded. In lieu of a nose, CS3 sniffs this through the project you start. And if you’re starting a SD project, then don’t go and try capturing HDV, because, as illustrated, it just doesn’t work.

The solution thus to my little conundrum, was to simply start a HDV project. It also helps to set the device control settings to Sony, and as they don’t have the FX7 on the menu, Standard is apparently the most apt choice.

Right, let’s go capture some HDV.

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The tools that dreams are made of: Sony HDR-FX7E prosumer HD video camera and Adobe Production Premium software suite.

After several rounds of quotations for getting video done for promotion purpose, I offered that if given the tools I could produce it in-house for a fraction of the cost.

Well, last week the tools arrived, and I’m in the process. The only hitch is waiting for a computer that will become the editing station, as my current Dell isn’t up to the task. It’s fairly new, but doesn’t have Firewire and it has only 1 expansion slot which can’t accommodate both a Firewire card and graphic accelerator.

So, what qualifies me for this? I’ve often asked myself this question and I have to admit I’m not qualified with much experience. I have studied in this field though. Sure, it was in 1995 and a bit of a Mickey Mouse ad agency in Cape Town, but it included Premier and Photoshop, the only software from then that has actually survived.

And ever since then I’ve nearly perpetually had a copy of Premier and Photoshop somewhere which I used with regular frequency. I’ve also had a video camera and have a few silly productions under my belt, so I’m not a complete novice.

This will nevertheless be an acid test, and I’m very excited about the opportunity.

Sony HDR-FX7E

. I did some research and eventually settled on the Sony HDR-FX7E, because it got great reviews for producing excellent quality for the price range. And for my intended use it’s actually way fine. It gives high definition at a good price.

There were really only two complaints that reviewers of the camera had and that was how it handled low light and the fact that it doesn’t have a professional sound input port. I’ll see how I’ll get around the sound bit, but the low light is not a big issue for me, as most of what I will shoot will be well lit.

Of course, I’ve tried it out, but I’m reluctant to make any statements, as I hardly know the ins and outs of it. I will be much better informed 1 month from now when I hope to be really close to my newest tool, well able to give comments on things that matter. Which I need to learn of course, which I’m doing.

Adobe CS3 Production Premium

As a PC user, I really only had one choice: Adobe CS3 Production Premium. It features Adobe Premier, Adobe Photoshop Extended and Adobe After Effects, along with several other pieces of software that’s going to make life a whole lot of fun.

I’m excited about all of it, and will post as I discover their potential - from a complete layman’s point of view of course. I can edit a decent movie in Premier, know my way around Photoshop and have even dabbled in After Effects, but on a very lame level.

So anyway, just wanted to share my joy and will share my video production adventures as they unfold. Expect video. Lots of it.

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