Basically:

1. Output sequence from FCP via EXPORT with Current Settings and DVD Studio Pro Markers to .MOV
2. Using COMPRESSOR with Blu-ray settings make .264 and .ac3
3. Using TOAST on the Video>Blu-Ray setting

PREPPING IN FCP

I used to do some of the final assembly in DVD Studio Pro.  But since it really only (directly) allows the building of standard DVDs, I’ve changed some of my procedures.  I realize that DVD Studio Pro allows for HD-DVD output, but I’ve never figured out a way to use the defunct format to make Blu-rays.  And honestly, this is an easier way to do it anyway.

Once I’ve completed my editing, a make a new sequence using the same settings as my editing format (i.e. Apple Pro-Res, etc.).  I use this sequence to build each track (not chapters) that is used on the disc.  In most cases, I’m building the entire disc complete with the exact timing I want.   I then place any compression markers I think are needed.  And I put in chapter markers with Titles, as these will flow through the entire process.

When everything is set, I use the FILE>EXPORT>QUICKTIME MOVIE command in final cut to output a “self-contained” .MOV at the “Current Setttings.”  It is important that “Include DVD Studio Pro Markers” is selected.  Otherwise, Compressor will not read the chapter markers (even though you may have selected ALL MARKERS).

I know it possible to output straight from Final Cut here to a Blu-ray format.  But because I may have mulitple outputs (DVD, Blu-Ray, YouTube, iPhone, etc.), I prefer to have a self-contained file of the rendered sequence at the resulation of the sequence settings.   So, I Export from FCP to a file and then use COMPRESSOR to encode.

COMPRESSOR

Once I have the final cut .MOV, I use Apple’s Compressor to make the various formats.  The defaults work pretty good.  If you want to do new HD on YouTube, you’ll have to tweak that preset…but otherwise, the defaults work well.

TOAST

After Compressor finishes, open Toast to VIDEO>BLU-RAY VIDEO.  If you leave the default file-names from compressor, you’ll need to manually match audio ac3 file to the .264 video file.  Otherwise, name the files the same, leaving their extension.  Is long as the files are in the same directory, you’ll only need to drag the video file into Toast – Toast will do the rest.

Next, name the disc (or leave defaulted to MY VIDEO).  Then select burn.  NOTE:  It is not necessary to select DVD for media when burning Blu-ray to standard DVD.

That’s it.  Got to love HD!

First, it seems to have a mind of its own, like spell check in MS Word And in similar fashion to spell check, while very helpful at times…while very frustrating in others.

And second, projects restored from previous versions are sometimes unusable. I do a lot of Sports, and projects saved in earlier versions of Media Manager often have vari-sped clips completely screwed. Sometimes to an unrepairable point.

So in an attempt to try and figure out why a relativity small project with 20 years of source footage wasn’t going to shrink in archiving, I discovered why.

NOTE:  While this is probably in the manual somewhere…here it is in case anyone else is experiencing the same issue..

RESOLUTION:

Media Manager will ignore the selection “Delete Unused Media from Clip” unless there is a Reel number on the clip.  Also note, that if you have clips in your timeline that are not “ENABLED,” then your output project will not reconnect properly.  It will likely give you an “unknown error” trying to reconnect.

During a recent update, one of the servers returned the following error:
“Alert! iDRAC6 not responding. Power required may exceed PSU wattage.”

CAUSE:
This produced a somewhat erroneous error that required F1 to continue. The problem appears to come from the server not fully power cycling properly during the update. There are also some buggy versions of the USC that can cause an issue as well.

TO RESOLVE:
Completely disconnect power from the server, and hold the power button in for 10 seconds to dump any residual in the iDRAC module or PSU capacitors.

** THIS ASSUMES you have verified any network issues to ensure the iTunes system and iOS device are on the same subnet.

1) Make sure the WI-FI sync is enabled via iTunes
2) Power Off the iPad by holding the sleep button for 3 secs and sliding the power bar.
3) Open iTunes (let it stablize if sync is taking place with other iOS devices).
4) Power iPad on.

If the problem is corrected…the iOS device will appear automatically in iTUNES.

The are several articles stating that the mobile device needs to be plugged into power. This is NOT NECESSARY or TRUE. As the statement above the SYNC NOW button on the device indicates, you must be plugged into “AUTOMATICALLY” sync. Manual sync from either the device or iTunes is possible while not cable in any way.

It all started with this error when I tried to log into VCenter Server:

“vSphere Client could not connect to ‘{machine name}’ A connection failure occurred (Unable to connect to the remote server)”

After investigating this, I determined the VMware VirtualCenter Server Service was not running. However, trying to start it produced an Event 7000, Service Control Manager “The VMware VirtualCenter Server service failed to start due to the following error: The service did not respond to the start or control request in a timely fashion.”

After contacting VMware support, their suggestion was to uninstall and reinstall. Which frankly, is their answer to 90% of any issues – very frustrating for what has to be one of the most expensive OS support contracts out there. While this didn’t directly fix the problem, uninstalling and reinstalling produced this error:

The following port numbers are either invalid or already in use.
VMware VirtualCenter HTTPS Port: 443

As it turned out, Routing and Remote Services now employs SSTP protocol. That feature produces a listener on 80 and/or 443. I’m not sure if this was introduced when we did the Service Pack or when. But nevertheless, selecting RRAS>PORTS>WAN Miniport (SSTP) Configure, and disabling “Remote access connections (inbound only)”

For reference, here is the knowledge bulletin I eventually used to troubleshoot:
http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&cmd=displayKC&externalId=1003926

“Hey Pal!”

It’s a simple phrase.  Not Irish, per se.  Just a hallway greeting that will forever remind me of one of Kansas City’s greatest Talk Show hosts – Mike Murphy. 

I was fortunate early in my career to work with true “radio” professionals.  Defiantly something you don’t see much anymore.  But in the early 80′s, News Talk 81 – KCMO was full of them.  Mike Murphy was unique in his manner.  But his popularity left little doubt to his ability. 

By 1985 my path diverged, and I only saw Mike on occasion.  But not a single St. Patrick’s Day has gone by since then without churning memories of that time.  Today, like each of the past 25 years, I was reminded.  But unlike those, there wasn’t a thought of calling.  And for the first time, the “Mike Murphy Saint Patrick’s Day Parade” was held without its founder.

Mike - So long Pal!  May the wind be always at your Back! 

P.S.  Don’t let the Grigs talk you in to a game of Hearts.

My.User@domain.com
mail.domain.com #<mail.domain.com #5.7.1 smtp; 550 5.7.1 Message rejected as spam by Content Filtering.> #SMTP#

Don’t ask me why Microsoft has buried this feature! From what I can tell, the only way to whitelist in Exchange 2010 is through the Powershell – not the GUI.  Thanks to Chris Caldwell for the fix.

Specific Address

$list = (Get-ContentFilterConfig).BypassedSenders
$list.add("new.mail@address.com")
Set-ContentFilterConfig -BypassedSenders $list

Entire Domain

$list = (Get-ContentFilterConfig).BypassedSenderDomains
$list.add("domain.com")
Set-ContentFilterConfig -BypassedSenderDomains $list

 Verfiy

Get-ContentFilterConfig

It could have been the cab driver, or a fan waiting in line. A security guard; a receptionist; or a CEO. Everyone succumbed to the warmth and charisma of Grigs. And everyone who had the fortune to cross his path, would always remember fondly their brief encounter with the Grigs! He was after all infectious. He was…a friend to life itself.

He loved Lenny. And he loved Lamar Hunt.

Like so, so many others, I will always remember my time with Bill Grigsby. And just as before, I know he is at the gate…right now…holding court and making friends.

I can only imagine the smile on his face, as he was greeted by the Mentor and Lamar.

Goodbye Ol’ Friend! Until we meet again….