BOGART SE 6.1 FOR WINDOWS – RELEASE NOTES

[garymcnally]

BOGART SE 6.1 FOR WINDOWS – RELEASE NOTES

The following information is meant to be a guide of release notes to go with your purchase. Please read these carefully before starting to work with the product. The information listed is a combination of technical notes, recommendations, and current known issues. For Installation Steps on your Windows computer, please see our separate guide. The Base or Basic trial version of Bogart SE for Windows can be downloaded at http://www.macrosystem.info/software/Bo ... ows_61.zip. Use it free for 30 days with very basic editing functions to verify that your system will run our software. Due to the variations in hardware and software running on all the different PC models in the market, we highly recommend working with this free 30 day trial version first before purchasing. That way you can determine if your system has the codecs and hardware to work with the Bogart SE for Windows. Once you’ve tried it out, you can speak with your local dealer about the purchase of advanced editing features offered in the Bronze, Silver, or Gold editions. When you purchase the Bronze, Silver, or Gold Editions, this will license the Bogart SE for Windows on your computer.

Additional Install Information

-During the Install of Bogart Windows, some virus protection programs may pop up with a warning message. It might be a yes or no message to continue on. Proceed through this message to continue the Bogart Windows installation.

-The License agreement may have some sections where are still some translations problems from German to English i.e. like Section 2 # 2 where the registration email and postal address are required.

-Some of our testers have found it helpful to do a shutdown and restart after loading the Bogart Windows OS software much like other PC Program or the current Bogart SE standalone models automatically do.

Notes:
-Recommended base platform system requirements: Windows Vista, Windows 7, or Windows 8. While higher versions of Windows should also be compatible, these were not currently used in our tests. Running at least Windows version 7 or above with Windows Media Center PC, using a Intel Core i7 , and having at least 4 GB of RAM is recommended. Without a proper codec like the Windows Media Center, you won’t be able to playback video. Some Windows versions like the Windows 8 may require you to purchase the Windows Pro 8(which includes) Windows Media Center in order to set up a codec on your PC that the Bogart SE for Windows can work with. Please be aware different hardware configurations and background software products can produce different results between users. Again we recommend trying the free 30 day trial Basic version first to be sure you have what you need to work with the software.

- The Bogart 6 manual may not be available at the time of release of this product. We hope to announce when it is ready as soon as possible. This will address the buttons and options new to Bogart 6 that are not covered in the release notes. Meanwhile, you may wish to use the Bogart 5 manual: http://www.macrosystem.info/manuals/Bogart5.pdf website for base knowledge about most of the current functions.

-The Bogart SE for Windows can handle interlace or progressive video formats. Depending on which format you are shooting on, you need to set this in your main “Project” Settings menu under “Format” before you begin to import footage. For the technical side of things, the actual internal editing format of Bogart Windows uses I-Frame only with a 60MBit data rate.

-Bogart SE users will notice that the Media Manager portion of Bogart SE is not available on Bogart Windows software. You can use most of the features of Media Manager with Windows tools.

-For users of Bogart SE and Arabesk, you will notice that the Bogart Windows Arabesk software behaves a little differently. This will not burn a classic video DVD like you are used to. This version allows you to save the projects in Arabesk as an .iso file. So after the DVD or Blu-ray is rendered, the Arabesk .iso file can be burnt on any free ISO burner software as well as software included on a PC for that purpose. Also, unlike the Arabesk in Bogart SE, the video playback preview is not possible in this product and you must use additional player.

-For those users of PC's with a separate flash "C" Drive for boot-up, we recommend you change the directory to your Main HDD. In the Bogart Windows program, click on "Settings" and in "System", you can change your directory to the highest capacity HDD. This prevents the Default "C" drive from reaching its full capacity which should be used to store .exe files and not data. In your other designated HD( Usually it is drive "D" ), you will now observe a new data file upon opening of the HDD space. This contains your Bogart imports and materials and should never be moved. Moving of the file will cause the Bogart not to recognize prior imported files. If you are not using a separate internal hard drive with your computer, then leave this menu alone and your data and files will all be stored on the main C drive with everything else. (Additional note: We suggest that when opening Bogart on your PC, to wait a minute or so to allow the Directory to communicate with the Bogart interface. Clicking a scene in the scene bin or storyboard immediately after Bogart’s boot-up can result in a scene not playing right away.)

Recommendations

There are a few things we've found in our tests that seem to help with playback performance of the scenes and storyboard. If you are running into playback problems you may wish to try some of the following things:

• Some Bogart for Windows processes can be resource intensive (Depending on the hardware). Try turning off Wi Fi and closing unnecessary background programs if you experience unstable behavior such as render crashes and video stuttering.

• It is recommended when using either a laptop or PC that the "Power Option" in the Control Panel of the computer be set to "High Performance". Also, some laptop computers will automatically go into a battery saving mode when not plugged into ac. This results in a progressive look and bad audio sync. The solution is to plug a laptop into AC. Even if the settings are set to high battery performance, the battery will default to minimizing power. To set the following power option for optimal playback:
1. Open the Windows "Control Panel”;
2. Locate the "Power Option" icon -It's easier to use the View toggle and choose the large or small icons (or Classic View) to locate this.
3. Locate the Choose or "Select Power Plan". Disregard the default power saving.
4. Assign "High Performance" then close.
Picture playback should now be improved. (Note: This may vary depending on the operating system installed on the computer and the set-up of the "Control Panel")

• It is recommended to occasionally clear the RAM cache by using many of the free software programs available on the Internet. This will improve playback. One such program is "Advance System Care".

• On some PC models, after an auto update of the computer or update of either Bogart or even Add-ons, you may experience shutdown or other unusual behaviors. It is suggested to right click on the Bogart desktop icon used for starting, and do a “Troubleshoot for compatibility” check; and normally the PC will be able to make the needed adjustments itself.

• It is suggested that when booting-up Bogart on your PC, that you wait a minute or so to allow the Directory to communicate with the Bogart interface. Sometimes clicking and playing back scenes in the scene bin or storyboard upon immediate boot-up results in a scene not playing right away.

• When using a regular standard mouse, the best setting option to use is "mouse without seesaw". This prevents the sliding of the trim and split function when trimming with a standard mouse. This option is found in the main Setting Settings menu under User Interface. It is still recommended to use the 4 button mouse for editing.

• Because this is a PC based system, we suggest the user create folders or files and organize when saving and loading content. I.e. create Folders for your Video/Audio/Back-up exports, as well as Audio and Video content you use often, to be imported into a project as needed. You should do this in your hard drive before starting to edit, so they are ready when you need them. This process and the use of an external drive are especially important if using a laptop with a smaller hard drive. Failure to organize may result in files being saved all over your hard drive, making them hard to find and use.

• -For Windows 8.1, if multiple user accounts are set up on a computer, be sure to run Bogart SE for Windows only in the account where it was installed. If not, the software will generate a new serial # requiring new activation codes.

Additional Notes

-We have seen cases when Bogart Windows is closed and when opening Bogart by clicking on the desktop icon, a prompt may appear stating that Bogart is running, even though it has been closed. Solution: Press CTL+ALT+DELETE. Click on the "Start Task Manager" located in the list. The Windows Task Manager Menu will appear with or without the Bogart program appearing in the list of tasks. If Bogart appears, just select the "End Task". Otherwise, just close out of the Task Manager. Even if it did not appear, Windows will reset Bogart. Once you've exited the Task Manager, and then click on your Bogart desktop icon to start the program as usual.

-One of the Settings in the Bogart Windows that can affect your playback of footage is the "Playback" option found on the Main menu under "Settings". Then click on "Record/Playback". There are currently 3 play modes: Auto: Try this setting first. Playback performance depends on the specifications of the PC. Standard: Most common setting with high performance PC’s. Simple: For less powerful computers. This may play back video in a lower resolution. Experiment with the different playback modes to see which one might work best for you based on your hardware. One more tip for those who have PCs that aren't working with "Auto" and "Standard", (perhaps an older CPU): Reduce the size of the play window. This increases the playback frame rate. Some slower PCs might achieve full frame rate at about 1/4 of the screen. This allows you to work in two-window-configuration, side by side.

Known/Current Issues

-The Project Settings menu will indicate the project is in NTSC, but clicking on the "Format" button will show a default of the label PAL and won't allow you to change it. Disregard the PAL label in this version. Just make sure your project “Format” menu reads NTSC.

-Burning a CD is not a supported feature even though the export icon shows a CD in it. Currently, there is no direct access to any hardware (writers, firewire cards, etc.) at the moment. You can still export the audio files to MP3 and use a PC burning program to make the disc.

-Sometimes multiple films (or movies) will cause a lock up or crash on the last film render during the export. Germany is looking into this. Right now it might be best to try adding one at a time or try making a scene of the storyboard and then lowering the overall audio db level by a couple of notches.

-Many Add On products for things like Fonts, Title Effects, Filters, etc. will be releasing soon and can be added on to the program. Watch for more on our News page on the website.

-Playback delays on video clips.

-Some minor spelling and grammar issues.

Final Thoughts

Our policy is full disclosure, so these release notes are probably longer than normal. Also this release version has been in testing for well over a year, with many different Windows PC systems running many different Windows Operating Systems from the past 8 years; so there are many more variables than on the Karat, with one hardware and software configuration that is current. It is because of the variables, that we offer a 30-day free trial, so you can try it before you buy it. I am certain it will become one of your favorite tools, as it has for me.