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Apple is once again offering the previous version of its professional video-editing software after getting mixed reactions on a newer version.

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Let me start by saying that I am by no means trying to imply that DVR, NVR or any other digital or IP based video system cannot produce good quality video evidence. There are even 2 or 3 high-end, mega-pixel quality digital surveillance cameras and systems on the market today whose capabilities far exceed those of a traditional analog based system. However, to my point, it seems more often than not digital based systems are producing very poor quality video evidence regardless of the system's actual capabilities.

So why do DVRs typically provide poor quality video evidence? Here are a few of the common reasons:

The Media-Geek.com Wiki is officially launched! Oh, Wiki you're so fine, you're so fine you blow my mind hey Wiki! Hey Wiki! Yep, I've officially lost my mind, but at least you didn't have to hear me actually sing that.

The Media-Geek Wiki is now available for our registered members, adding yet another way for members to share information, documentation, files, etc... One might think that a forensic community content management solution/system (CMS) with a multitude of additional content submission, categorization, and search abilities would be enough...but then, one would be wrong, wouldn't they?

Using a Wiki was one of the original concepts for this site discussed over three years ago while I was attending LEVA's Advanced Forensic Video Analysis & The Law course. Since then, there have been various tests and even a BETA launch in the summer of last year that was based on Microsoft's CMS product SharePoint. What it boiled down to was CMS or Wiki, knowing that both have advantages and disadvantages regardless of what product(s) or platforms you use. Then it hit me - why not both?

Ocean Systems just announced that the Anaheim Police Department will be hosting our DVR Assessment & Video Recovery training course September 16th - 18th in Anaheim, CA. Seats have been filling up fast in our DCCTV Recovery classes, with next month's class at the New York State Police Academy already sold out!

If your agency is looking to standardize your video evidence recoveries based on industry best practices, and you'd like hands-on training for those officers collecting your video evidence out in the field, get a quote from us today and then reserve your seat! Hope to see you in class soon. Be safe out there my friends.

Sunday evening I resigned my LEVA CFVA certification, and at the end of the month my DFCP will expire as well. Earlier this year I retired from active casework. No other reasons.

Most of my note to the current LEVA Board, staff & instructors was to thank them all for teaching & supporting me so much along the way, and inviting them all to be on & participate in my podcast...to promote their efforts and training (at least to my mom, our most dedicated listener). 😎

In Steven Levy's classic, sprawling, rapturous ode to the birth of the hacker movement, the book Hackers, Captain Crunch is a bit player--a hacker who took his name from the toy whistle available free in boxes of Captain Crunch When blown into a pay phone, this whistle could be used to make free long distance calls.

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http://www.technologyreview.com/blog/mimssbits/26111/

It seems like an easy question, and when posed as such those asking it clearly want make & model info so they can just add one to their wish list or pull the trigger and purchase it.  Purchasing a PC for almost any need should take a little more thought than that though, especially when it comes to multimedia processing needs.

Review Application Requirements

Understanding the hardware requirements for the software applications you intend to leverage is key.  Minimum specs, GPU & I/O driver support of course, and more should be taken into consideration.  This is also a great time to consider improvements throughout your multimedia workflows, looking for opportunities to save even more time with a new configuration (e.g. transcoding, data transfer, storage & backup efficiencies, etc.).

By Joseph L. Flatley

Toshiba announced a new self-encrypting disk technology today, which is sure to be welcome news to the those of you who work with sensitive data, wish to keep your extensive True Blood fanfiction collection under wraps, or are just plain paranoid. The imaginatively named Wipe ships with the company's TCG-spec'd Self-Encrypting Drive models, allowing sysadmins to securely erase user data when a machine powers down, when an encrypted HDD is removed from the system, or when a leased machine is returned to its owner. And this ain't just for PCs -- the system is also designed to work with your copier and / or printer system. Interested? Of course you are!

Check out the complete PR:
http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/10/toshiba-wipe-deletes-your-encrypted-data-so-you-dont-have-to/

Less than two weeks away from the official launch, and I'm making some significant progress in what will be the new, secure member's area.  This area of Media-Geek.com will not be available to the general public, as its purpose is to provide a secure place for forensic media related professionals to share information.  Membership will be open to current or retired law enforcement forensic media related professionals and prosecutors.

The new members area will provide a number of "social networking" tools, such as secure community forums, file sharing, messaging tools, a community calendar, and more.  Members will be able to submit articles, news, event information, links, and other content to share with the group.  There will be a membership directory, and users can choose what information they'd like to provide (if any).  Members can create "Connections" or "buddy lists" and use Private Messaging (PM) to communicate with any member throughout the entire site. Want to receive an email or PM when there's a new post to a forum?  No problem.  Want an email when someone sends you a PM?  Can do.  Want to keep your email address private, yet allow members to send you an email?  We can do that too!

The Law Enforcement and Emergency Services Video Association (LEVA) is interested to know how the FVA community is handling law enforcement body worn video. One of their instructors, Keith Swanson, has compiled a brief survey on how the forensic video community is dealing with body worn video that addresses numbers of cameras, types of processing requests and whether or not community members are being asked to consult on an agancies' research and evaluation of this rapidly growing technology.

Apple has posted yet another Digital Camera Raw Compatibility software update as it continues to increase its support for the RAW format in Aperture 3 and iPhoto '09.

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BARCELONA, Spain--Google today unveiled Movie Studio, a new application for the upcoming Honeycomb era of Android tablets that lets people edit videos.

The software, which Google Chief Executive Eric Schmidt announced during a speech here at Mobile World Congress, is designed to expand on a phone's abilities to capture imagery.

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brite-View’s Air SyncHD/DX device, also known as the BV-2822 if model numbers are your cup of tea, is a 1080p video/audio wireless transmission kit. To put it in plain English boys and girls, the brite-View Air SyncHD/DX is capable of sending Full High-Definition signals without the need to go through physical cables, hence lowering, nay, eliminating the chances of you (or some other member of the family) tripping over it. This purchase will feature a quartet of HDMI connections and two sets of component video inputs on the transmitter side.

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