Telestream Unveils ScreenFlow V2.0

Telestream announced version 2.0 of its award-winning ScreenFlow screen recording software for the Mac. Customers will now have the ability to easily upload and directly publish screencasts to YouTube. ScreenFlow Version 2.0 also adds advanced editing capabilities and elegant transitions across clips. In addition, V2.0 customers will receive free Flip4Mac WMV Studio, providing Windows Media export directly from within ScreenFlow. Named “Best Screencasting Application” at Macworld 2009, ScreenFlow is a cost-effective software toolkit that makes it easy for software developers, trainers, educators, and bloggers to capture, edit and deliver professional-quality screen recordings and video tutorials for the Web. ScreenFlow enables users to easily create training and promotional videos that enhance learning experiences, presentations and product demonstrations.

“ScreenFlow has been the recipient of four prestigious innovation awards to date. There’s no doubt that we changed the game in video screen capture when we released this product over a year ago,” said Barbara DeHart, VP of Marketing at Telestream. “We are committed to continuing the innovation that products such as ScreenFlow and Flip4Mac bring to millions of Mac enthusiasts worldwide. We think they will be as excited as we are with the YouTube and advanced editing capabilities, plus even more format support.”

Using a unique screen capture system, ScreenFlow records the contents of a user’s desktop while simultaneously capturing video and audio in real time. Powerful features allow users to highlight areas of the screen, add effects, show keystrokes and combine existing media into their screencasts. An easy-to-use timeline interface provides powerful post-production editing capabilities, allowing users to easily enhance their video productions.

Version 2.0 adds advanced editing capabilities that allow users to adjust the speed of clips during the recording and editing process. A full range of elegant new 2D and 3D transitions include page-curl, ripple, flash, swipe, cross-dissolve, dip to black or white, and more. Usability enhancements make it easier to access, move and manage stored project files in document packages, giving users more control over their media pieces. Productivity enhancements such as new keyboard shortcuts for resizing the timeline make editing even faster. In addition to all the new features, ScreenFlow V2.0 customers will receive Flip4Mac WMV Studio (value $49) through the end of 2009 to enable export of Windows Media content directly from within the ScreenFlow application.

The recipient of two Apple Design Awards in 2008, ScreenFlow continues to take advantage of the latest Apple technology, including Snow Leopard developments, to optimize ScreenFlow quality, performance and usability on the Mac OS X platform. ScreenFlow also received the Best Mac OS X Leopard Application and Best Mac OS X Leopard Graphics and Media Application Design Awards from Apple in 2008.

MPEG Streamclip Great Tool for Converting MOD files

If you're in need for a tool to help you with the conversion of .MOD files on Mac. MPEG Streamclip is a tool that you should consider. If you're using SDHC Memory Cards when you connect your camera on the Mac you can locate all of your video files by opening the Memory Card and navigating to the .MOD files. The .MOD files are basically MPEG-2 Program Stream files with the .MOD extension.

Recently I had two encoding projects where about 300-400 .MOD files needed to be converted for encoding in iMovie for Summer Art Camp students in Ohio and for Windows Movie maker for Summer Leadership Academy students in Florida.

Here were some benefits that I saw using MPEG Streamclip for the conversions:

• Batch encoding of 200 .MOD files to .MOV or .WMV could be done easily
• Telestream's Flip4Mac Plug-in is available from within MPEG Streamclip
• You can watch a video preview of the videos being converted
• Adjustments to Audio, Brightness, Contrast and Saturation can made during batch encoding
• The tool is Free
• Conversions happen quickly

Here's a look at the Batch List for encoding numerous files



Here's a look at the main interface where .MOD files can be converted to DV/DVCPro-NTSC .MOV.

Telestream Acquires Live Streaming Company Vara Software

Telestream, the provider of Flip4mac, Episode and FlipFactory content repurposing and workflow automation products, today announced that it has completed the acquisition of European-based Vara Software Ltd., a privately-held company. The acquisition adds the products, technologies and employees of Vara Software to those of Telestream, Inc., a privately-held US-based company. Vara Software brings successful, award-winning live production and streaming products to the Telestream product family. The acquisition expands Telestream's reach beyond encoding-based media workflow solutions for leading broadcast, media and entertainment companies to include powerful tools for real-time creation and distribution of video content over the Web for a broad range of businesses.

Vara Software provides real-time production tools, including webcasting, screencasting and rich media presentation products for entertainment, corporate communications, education and training. Webcasting allows companies to reach large, dispersed audiences by distributing content over the Internet, either live or on demand. Screencasting combines screen captures, video recordings and audio narration to provide cost-effective software training and sharing of computer desktop activity over the Internet.

"Vara Software is a highly-regarded, award-winning company that has been recognized by industry leaders such as Apple, Inc.," said Dan Castles, CEO of Telestream. "The ability to quickly capture live events, create and distribute content for Internet-based content delivery is experiencing explosive growth. We believe the live element is going to be even more important going forward. While Vara Software products currently target individual users and departments within larger organizations, the technology is well suited to easily migrate to enterprise-level solutions."

The acquisition moves Telestream into the real-time production end of the digital media supply chain. Vara Software products are an ideal fit for the millions of Telestream Flip4Mac Windows Media component and Episode desktop encoder users who might benefit from these powerful yet easy-to-use video production tools. Telestream is well positioned to leverage this innovation for its higher-end enterprise-level applications. The company also plans to leverage its existing technologies to add greater value to Vara Software products.


Full Disclosure: Author, Derrick Freeman, serves as a consultant for Telestream.