Just released a new product (will appear tpday on the App Store. A Clapboard is a time management and a clapboard for film makers and free lance. 1. you can use it for syncing audio and video and also scene management (stored in a database and send by email via text, cvs or html). showing scneen length, IN and OUTs and location information. a digital clap is shown with an animation. precision around 1/30 of a second. lot of consumer camcorders hve a very bad audio part, so separate audio taping is helpful, also to sync several cameras (which sdont have a hardwired sync) and taping scenenumber, takeno, roll ,pickup MOS flags etc. is helpful when cutton the scenes. 2. measurement of client times with IN and OUT -- multiple oUTs (also for the clap) can be open e.g. closing the applicion and the timers keep running -- I am doing tv prductions since many years, so actual the idea comes from my own productions (see www.computertrend-tv.com) screen images as soon as it display on the shop I can provide some PROMO codes, if someone wishes to write a review - write a pm or email to me. http://www.rdklein.com/AClapBoard/aclapboard.html price very low cost: 1.49$ ...
Looks nice, Rolf. Those Ports of Call-style buttons look familiar as well. I tried all the clap/slate apps available until settling on LlamaSlate. It works like a charm, comes in especially handy when shooting anaglyphic 3D style. I love the sound of emailing the shot log in CSV or html. I will have to take a closer look at your clapper in the morning (or whenever it hits the store) but I can't promise I will switch. Throw in a time code calculator and I will quickly change my tune.
its in the store now: http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=315320017&mt=8
Hey Rolf, So, I bought AClapBoard. I won't be able to fairly evaluate it right now, as it is quite late. You can be sure I will let you know how I find it. A time code calculator does just what it sounds like: it allows you to add, subtract, multiply and divide time code. It is often essential for music videos, as timing is so strict. Sometimes I need to fit a certain number of shots in a specific timeframe, so I need determine the length of each clip. I use it to calculate the total archival footage we needed to pay for. It is just a really handy tool to have on hand. Check out FreeTime Pro. Again, I have tried them all, choosing this one in part because it offers a variety of frame rate calculations. EDIT: It just occurred to me you have an even 25 frames per second. PAL is wonderful. Maybe you don't feel my 29.97 NTSC blues.
I can implement these function , good idea ! I just bought the FreeTime Pro to have a look at it in more detail, then I will add the functions to my program -- didnt see this on the store so far. I just tried some others also, I think would be nice to have also a TC<->frame converter integrated (this will take the .97 etc into account for NTSC) for example. Helpfull for 3d animation calcs etc.
I'm glad you like the idea. That kind of feature integration will surely make AClapBoard rise above the rest. TC to frame rate is another great idea. Last year I was working on a mixed film/video project and I constantly needed to do those calculations.
As promised, I played around with AClapBoard this morning. I have both comments and suggestions. First, nice work. It seems like you were designing this software for your own use. There are a number of unexpected features that add value to the overall package. The log is a great bonus to consolidate some of my notes. The ability to manage multiple projects is realistic. I really like the level: not all tripods have the bubble, and I don't always use a tripod, for that matter. And here are my concerns/suggestions: 1. It might just be my imagination, but the level doesn't look accurate. Is there a way to calibrate? 2. I would like to be able to go back into the shot list and edit or add a note after it has been logged. Sometimes memorable moments are not obvious until afterwards. 3. Though there is not actually anything wrong with the "clap" itself, personally, I would find a "2-pop" of colour bars and tone very useful for syncing. It should at least be an option provided by a toggle switch. 4. The task logging feature could come in handy for invoicing. I would use it except that it should total an hourly rate + tax and/or other itemized expenses. I realize I might be asking a lot for a $1.99 app, but this feature you already included is only half formed. I already have time loggers for this purpose that save me the trouble of a few extra steps. So, that's it. I hope you find my criticism helpful. I only intended to be helpful.
thanks for the feedback, its very helpful and not difficult to add, on 1. I saw some others nivelling tools haveing a calibrate switch, maybe this part has tollerances on some iphone, so I will add a calibrate 2. yes that I can add in the statistic part 3. yes I can add a toggle 4. I can extend this also might require an extra form if you have any ideas feel free to ask, I really would like agreat tool to be offered (as I work as a freelance having similar problems):
Always a pleasure talking with you, Rolf. If I can think of any more issues, I will let you know. It's the beginnings of a great little (or perhaps not so little) app. Include just one or two of the features suggested here and you will have the best film and video companion app in the whole store. P.S. Perhaps I should make a point of mentioning that I push apps to the limit to force crashes. This is an unusually stable one. I experienced no crashes or data loss. That is important to know if I am going to put my trust in a tool (especially one for work.) So even though the features may need some TLC, the foundation is solid. Nice coding, Rolf. Keep up the good work.
doest the larg ecount down number also make sense then as in the other tool and a NTSC color BAR (PAL if 25fps) ?
Actually, LlamaSlate (the slate app I have been using) includes a 3-2-1 countdown option. I don't know if it is totally necessary, but it doesn't hurt. I only suggested the 2-pop for precision syncing. It is only one frame long so there is no margin of error. EDIT: The pop doesn't even need to be colour bars for that matter. I would be satisfied with any single frame flash. Colour bars are just the convention.
yes sounds good, I will also adjust the 1 frame to have the precise durtion of the choosen frame rate.
I forgot to ask, the 2-op usually is 2 sec before the scene starts, so should here be a delay of 2 sec or just flashing the frame immediatly after the sound ? (havent looked yet exactly into the other app).
I have learned to accompany the tone with either colour bars or a slate card (production notes: title, director, producer, length, episode number (if applicable.))
ok that sounds good, shall I add an additional 1 frame sound when the flash cames ? or flash the video on the first sound also ? I just think on the process of syncing its a lot easier to have sound and flash starting at the same position current understanding: -- 2-pop sound 1 frame (depending on fps length)--- 2 sec with infos ---- START OF SCENE (1 flash no sound) --- -- we just prepare a youtube video with our current AClapBoard, I will post a link when its ready.
A quick demonstration video is available now at youtube (HD): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xo0l-vgGzbc We also provide a LITE version soon (its in review by App Store currently), called the ClapBoardLT with all features except for email and a limitation to four subprojects for 0 euro.
Hi Rolf. The visual and audible "pop" should be in sync. Anything else would probably just be confusing.
yes thats perfect so I will do it. Here some first screenshots for the TCCalc part (under construction): the fps will toggle through the fps rates the last used is then remembered ND/D toogles between drop and non drop if available. the frame field always shows thefrae, but when clcked you can calculate using frames and the IN shows the TC and vice versa -- just a first idea.
