Digital Design Studio

New Addition to the Digital Design Studio Family!

The Digital Design Studio recently received a brand new film scanner for the public to use.

The scanner is called the Plustek OpticFilm 7600i SE.  It’s a great device, with the capability of capturing both 35mm film and slides with a great deal of resolution.  The scanner has performed very well for us, with regards to both speed and quality.

The OpticFilm 7600i SE is bundled with SilverFast SEPlus, which is targeted to photographers, and adds enhanced imaging features for complete control over the final image. All the imaging parameters of SilverFast can be adjusted individually to meet your requirements.

The OpticFilm 7600i SE hardware includes built-in ICC profile to ensure the accuracy of color reproduction.  Image editing software can be a great tool; however, it can not bring back what the scanner doesn’t see. Color calibration with ICC profile and the IT8 Target ensures you to have the full control of the imaging process.

Some Hardware specifications for the OpticFilm 7600 are the following:

• Optical resolution: 7200x7200 dpi
• Bit Depth: 48-bit color (16-bit channels) and 16-bit grayscale
• Sampling: Multi-sampling capable
• Infrared Scanning: Yes (for dust and scratch removal)
• Scanning Speed: Previews in 7.57 seconds (slides), 8.01 seconds (negatives); 3600-dpi multi-sampled scans in 32.14 seconds, 7200-dpi multi-sampled scans in 56.82 seconds

For a full list of details and specifications, click here.

In addition, for someone who has never used the film scanner, made available are Built-in QuickTime tutorial videos to guide and assist the user.  If you’re still stuck, the full user manual is ready to read in PDF format.

Shutterbug Magazine: Better scans than any other film scanner!

The Plustek line of OpticFilm scanners consists of three dedicated 35mm film scanners that can scan both negative films and positive slides. These scanners turn film and slides into high quality digital images with up to 7200dpi resolution. The 3 different OpticFilm scanner models are: OpticFilm 7400—for causal photographers, OpticFilm 7600i SE—for advanced amateur photographers, and the OpticFilm 7600i Ai—for serious and professional photographers. These devices are bundled with the world-class scanning software, LaserSoft SilverFast. Both Windows and Macintosh platforms are supported.

 

Preserve your precious memories and family photos forever, with a Plustek OpticFilm scanner!

The Plustek OpticFilm scanners are highly acclaimed by professional photographers and photo industry experts. A recent review in Shutterbug magazine described the OpticFilm 7600i Ai as a high-performance 35mm film scanner at an affordable cost. In September 2010 issue, “…better scans of 35mm film than any other scanner…,”¹ said David B. Brooks, Shutterbug Magazine.

Come by and take a look!
Greg

Coolest Gadget I've Seen Yet!

I just came accross what some photography journals and magazines are claiming to be the biggest innovation in 2011/12.  The camera is called Lytro.  It enables the photographer to shoot first and edit and focus later. 

Lytro is considered to be the first light field camera that allows consumers to instantly capture interactive, living pictures and then focus them AFTER they are taken.  In addition to this, the camera is ultra small and can fit in your back pocket.

Lytro lets you take pictures like never before. Unlike a conventional camera that captures a single plane of light, the Lytro camera captures the entire light field, which is all the light traveling in every direction in every point in space.

Capture everything - instantly.
Capture living pictures with the press of a single button. By instantly capturing complete light field data, the Lytro camera gives you capabilities you've never had in a regular camera.

Since you'll capture the color, intensity, and direction of all the light, you can experience the first major light field capability - focusing after the fact. Focus and re-focus, anywhere in the picture. You can refocus your pictures at anytime.

Click here to see an example and play with the focus tool online to see for yourself.

With any new device, the price is expensive, but the features are great.
350 Pictures on a 8GB camera - $399
750 Pictures on a 16GB camera - $499
Focusing after the fact
No auto-focus motor meaning no shutter delay
Friends and family can explore your living pictures – having fun interacting with them like you did – on nearly any device, including mobile phone and tablet.

For more information about the science behind this camera, click here.

Have fun!!!
Greg

Great News for Blackberry Users!

Blackberry users have a lot to cheer about lately.

Recently it was announced that OverDrive released a mobile app that was compatible with BlackBerry devices.   OverDrive is the distributor of digital eBooks, audiobooks, music and more for Toronto Public Library customers.  With the new OverDrive mobile app for BlackBerry, all you have to do is browse for a title you want, check it out, download, and enjoy.

Click here to read more, and to download the mobile app.

Yesterday also brought great news to Blackberry Playbook Users.  The company released their new operating system for BlackBerry PlayBook tablets.  With the release of OS 2.0, users of the tablet will expect to see new productivity enhancements, additional apps, downloadable video service and a way better enhanced experience.

New BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 features include:

1. Integrated email client with a powerful unified inbox: With BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 you have the option to use a  unified inbox that consolidates all messages in one place, including messages from Facebook®, LinkedIn® and Twitter®, as well as personal and work email accounts.
2. Social Integration with Calendar and Contacts apps:  The built-in calendar harnesses information from social networks and makes it available where and when users need it.  Contact cards are also dynamically populated with updated information from Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn to create a consolidated view of contacts.
3. Updated BlackBerry Bridge app: BlackBerry® Bridge™ is a unique app that provides a Bluetooth® connection between your BlackBerry PlayBook and core apps on your BlackBerry® smartphone (including BBM™, Email, Contacts, Calendar and Browser) in order to let you view the content on the larger tablet display. With BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0, it’s easier and quicker than ever to take documents, web pages, emails and photos that appear on your BlackBerry smartphone and display them on your BlackBerry PlayBook for an optimized viewing and editing experience. The updated BlackBerry Bridge app also provides a new remote control feature that allows a BlackBerry smartphone to be used as a wireless keyboard and mouse for a BlackBerry PlayBook.
4. Improved mobile productivity: Updated document editing functions, the new Print To Go app, and increased control and manageability of corporate data with BlackBerry® Balance ™ allow you to get more out of your BlackBerry PlayBook every day. Plus, an updated virtual keyboard with auto correction and predictive next word completion learns how you type to enable faster, more accurate typing.
5. New apps and content: Thousands of new apps are being added to BlackBerry App World™ today (including a range of Android® apps that will run on the BlackBerry PlayBook). A new BlackBerry Video Store1 is launching today. Enhanced web browsing capabilities are also available with BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0.

Gadgets: Staff Favourite Devices and Apps

Here they are:

Here is the following digitized handout for the Gadgets: Staff Favourite Devices and Apps.

Download Gadgets - Participants Package & Glossary-Email

Here is the following digitized copy of the Presentation for the Gadgets: Staff Favourite Devices and Apps.

Download Gadgets - Presentation

Thanks,
Greg

New Class Friday

Myself and fellow staff member Janice will be conducting the first Gadgets program at the Toronto Reference Library this Friday. 

Details are as follows:
Fri Feb 17
2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. on recurring dates listed below
Toronto Reference Library Learning Centre 2

We'll be walking you through and demonstrating some of our favourite devices like the ipad, iphone, Kobo, creative zen and more.  Showcase how these devices work with the digital collections at the Toronto Public Library and how you can really take full advantage of them.

Come on down, don't need to sign-up.  Hope to see you then.

Greg

 

Audio Editing

This week’s blog post is because of another recent project, this time inspired by a Digital Design Studio customer named John I.  John is an artist, but over the years has also worked on a very personal and important project.  He recorded a dear family friend read her poetry over 20 years ago with audio tape.

John finally has the time, and wants to now go through the hours of recordings and pick snippets for a virtual gallery display.  His main goal is to have video and images on display as the poetry is read aloud by the poem’s author.

Because the recording is two decades old, he needs to find the clips he wants, cut them and try to enhance the volume. 

I introduced him to a great little program called Audacity.  Audacity is simple multi-platform software for recording and editing sounds.   It’s another Open-Source software program that is user-friendly and really accessible.  There is a lot of documentation and tutorials that will help anyone get their project complete.  John has already examined and edited 100 poems that were recorded from over 6 hours of recording.

Audacity is a free, easy-to-use and multilingual audio editor and recorder for Windows, Mac OS X, GNU/Linux and other operating systems. You can use Audacity to:

• Record live audio.
• Convert tapes and records into digital recordings or CDs.
• Edit Ogg Vorbis, MP3, WAV or AIFF sound files.
• Cut, copy, splice or mix sounds together.
• Change the speed or pitch of a recording.
• And more! See the complete list of features.

This program can record live audio, convert tapes and records into digital recordings or to CD, edit Ogg Vorbis, MP3 and WAV sound files. It can also cut, copy splice and mix sounds together as well as change the speed or pitch of a recording. Audacity can record live audio through a microphone or mixer, or digitize recordings from cassette tapes, vinyl records, or minidiscs. With some sound cards, it can also capture streaming audio.

With Audacity you can Import sound files, edit them, and combine them with other files or new recordings. Export your recordings in several common file formats. Audacity sound quality is that of professional sound editing apps. Sample rates and formats are converted using high-quality resampling and dithering, and you can mix tracks with different sample rates or formats, and Audacity will convert them automatically in realtime. Audacity does not include any spyware or adware. Audacity is completely free and open source.

Have fun!!!
Greg

Renewing Your Website Domain

Renewing your website and its domain address and hosting accounts can run into a few speed bumps.  Always remember these steps in ensuring it gets renewed on time and you don’t get taken advantage of.

When you sign up for the website address, you have a maximum of 5 years to buy the domain and host from the company of your choosing.  If you are happy with the purchase you’re making, and content with the subsequent fees, sign up or renew it for more than a year.  12 months can fly by and soon it’s time to renew again.

Google states that it takes 2-3 years for a website to start gathering enough traffic and sales to become profitable.  If you want to start an online business, your goal should be long term.

You can set up your account to automatically renew your domain every year, a great option especially if you’re away a lot and you might miss the renewal notice in your email.  Too many times I have seen people try and buy the domain they just lost because they didn’t get it in on time or didn’t even realize it was the end of the year.

If you feel your domain and hosting services are too much money, you can have the account moved to another host.  It’s called a Domain transfer.  The fees to do such are pretty minimal especially if you feel you’re getting robbed on a month to month basis.

Lastly, look out for scams.  Scams are all over the internet and they haven’t avoided the domain and hosting renewal business.  I have seen on a few occasions customers get an email from a generic Web Domain Company requesting renewal with a threat of losing your domain.  If you get an email like that and it’s not from the company you paid months previous, you should report it.  If you have a little bit of doubt, call the company directly and inform them of the email you got.  Double check before you pay anything.

Take care,
Greg

Video Conversion Made Easy

This blog is dedicated to a little program I came accross called Format Factory.  If you ever have to convert an audio or video file, you might realize that it's not as easy as you think. 


A couple of weeks back, my sister-in-law asked me to help her out with a video project for her nursing program.  Her group needed to make a documentary film and they needed someone to edit a bunch of video clips, splice them together and lay in some background music, photos and titles.

I had some specialized software that can help with putting the pieces together, but I had a little problem.  All the footage was shot on simple point and shoot cameras, and phone cameras.  This left me with a slew of different file formats that I needed to get converted before I can splice any of it together.  I needed a video converter before I can even get started!

On the internet, there are thousands of video conversion websites offering software for a free trial.  I also came across a few programs that were 100% free.

I chose to download a program called “Format Factory.” On its website it advertises to be a free video, audio and photo conversion software that had the capabilities of converting your multi-media formats to any other.  Another advantage of this program was I can convert the videos, but be more specific and request the part I need, as opposed to the entire video.

It truly worked perfectly, and the required space on my computer needed to run such a program was not big at all. I simply was able to edit and reformat in minutes. It also was able to conver mulitple files at a time.  All you need to do is specify the file, the time you want and the format to convert it to, and wait for the conversion to finish.

Another reason why this software program can be used is if you want to watch a movie or listen to a song on a mobile device.  If you have to convert the file, some programs are not expensive, but certainly there not cheap either. 

Some of Format Factory's Features:
1.  Support the converting of all popular video, audio, picture formats to others.
2.  Repair damaged video and audio file.
3.  Reducing Multimedia file size.
4.  Support iPhone, iPod multimedia file formats and more.

You can find Format Factory, by clicking here!!

Have fun!!
Greg

Happy Holidays

I just wanted to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you and your family.

I also wanted to share/post a very cool video I came accross this week that will help get you in the holiday spirit.

Sean Quigley, a 16 year old Winnepeg teen, created a music video to his own music rendition of the holiday classic: "Little Drummer Boy".

 

Apart from all the audio parts he did on his own, he also took charge in video taping and editing the entire thing. Have a look!!

Since then the video has gone viral, he has recieved close to a million hits.

Happy Holidays, see you in the New Year.
Greg

Introducing the Internet Archive!

Need a great place to find content to watch, listen and read on your computer and/or tablet?  Sometimes finding free content can be hard, but there is a website that has been providing content to users for 15 years.  This hidden gem is called the Internet Archive. 

Internet Archive is a non-profit digital library offering free universal access to books, movies & music, as well as 150 billion archived web pages.  Internet Archive is building a digital library of Internet sites and other cultural artifacts in digital form. Like any paper library, they provide free access to researchers, historians, scholars, and the general public.

 
Downloading and uploading content to the Internet Archive has never been simpler.  Please note, all content is subject to copyright and before you upload any content it first needs to be in the public domain or you’ve got the rights to it.

Whether you’re interested in listening to numerous Grateful Dead concerts, or the entire collection of popular old time radio show programs such as: Gunsmoke, Dragnet and Sherlock Holmes to name a few.  

 

Watching old time movies like The Fast And The Furious (1955), Night of the Living Dead (1968), and classic TV shows like Beverley Hillbillies and the Andy Griffith Show to name a few. 

 

A personal favourite of mine is watching some of the old classic commercials that are available on the site.

Also available are great reads from children to adult fiction, non-fiction, biographies and more.  All free to read, download, print, and enjoy.  A few titles to select from are: Goody Two-Shoes, Amusements in Mathematics, and the Cantorion Sheet Music Collection.  Most if not all titles are available in multiple formats including PDF, ePUB and more.  You can easily download them to your mobile reading device quick and easy.

 

Click here to visit the Internet Archive and start browsing today.

Have fun!!
Greg