The Mac OS X operating system is a premier product that was launched by Apple in the closing years of the 20th century and it includes several advanced applications which have been updated from time to time. The iMovie software application meant exclusively for video editing services was first launched by Apple in 1999 with the Mac OS 8. But at present it is included only as a part of the Mac OS X operating system, as a component of the iLife software application tool. The functioning of the iMovie is greatly dependent on the FireWire interface with the help of which it is able to provide video recordings to Mac on MiniDV formatted digital video cameras. After this, it is possible for the users to edit videos and also add music and other enhancements, titles and slides.
The first version of the iMovie was released as early as 1999 and since then there has been several innovations and updated versions and the latest update to hit the markets is the iMovie ’08 released as part of the iLife ’08 application which was launched in 2007 There are several innovations and newer techniques which have been added to the iMovie.
First and foremost a very significant addition is that now it enables supporting of DVD and HDD camcorders which were not enabled previously. The interface has been designed differently and has attained a new look while a new dock icon has also been introduced. A process called ‘skimming’ which is used to glance quickly through the library contents at a stipulated speed has been introduced and like text contents, it is now possible to highlight video contents also.
However, several other features have been excluded from this updated version like themes, timelines, audio editing facilities, creating chapters in case of DVDs, removal of plug-ins and video effects. For its proper functioning, Apple states that Intel processors or PowerPC G5 1.9GHz specifications have to be followed.
GarageBand a software from Apple
A very significant constituent of Apple’s iLife software which is included with all Mac OS X operating systems is the GarageBand which is a software tool used for podcasts and for creating music. In fact, it can be regarded as a Digital Audio Workstation which enables the recording of various audio tracks and at the same time they are provided with distinct audio filters which help it to improve the quality of the recording, especially in case of instruments like guitars. For playing live music and also for creating songs, GarageBand can employ several other virtual software techniques using synthesized instruments with the help of a MIDI keyboard which is attached to the computer.
The same function can also be performed by using an on-screen virtual keyboard as well. In fact for its enhancement Apple itself has introduced certain tool kits called GarageBand Jam Packs which contain various instrumental pieces and these packs can be updated from time to time and can be updated at the cost of about US$ 100.
GarageBand was launched in 2004 and the second edition which came out in 2005 contained Musical Notation forms and music compositions could be edited by using these notation forms. The 2006 version known as GarageBand 3 coordinated with iChat and also provided a podcast studio which aided in the using of more than two hundred jingles and tunes and musical effects. Needless to say that the GarageBand may not be the appropriate tool for established musicians, but for amateurs it is no less than a boon.
The latest updated version of GarageBand was introduced recently as part of the iLife ’08 version introduced with the Apple Mac OS X operating systems. It includes several additional features like mechanization of instruments and rhythms or tempos and also allows the capacity to record certain portions of a song separately as ‘chorus lines’ or ‘bridge’. A virtual jam session is also at store for users of ‘Magic GarageBand’.