Upload Videos Faster to YouTube

1. First, download MPEG Streamclip

2. Open MPEG Streamclip. Then, drag and drop your video onto the blue dots.

3. Select File > Export to... I export to MPEG-4 because it does a good job of compressing the video.

4. Select your frame size and any other settings you would like.

5. Click save.

You can also use MPEG Streamclip to convert videos to different formats and change the size of videos.

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iLife '11 — the all new iPhoto, iMovie, and GarageBand

Apple recently announced their latest upgrade to the iLife suite during the “Back to the Mac” event in October. iLife ’11 includes new releases of iPhoto, iMovie, and GarageBand. Apple did a great job in adding more advanced features while maintaining their trademark simplicity. The upgrade is priced at only $49 USD and is definitely worth the price.

The incredible new iPhoto has added support for Facebook/Flickr and sharing photos through email. The changes to the full-screen mode allow you to utilize every pixel of your display to its fullest. Apple has also improved the slideshows feature with new transitions and themes. Their book/card-printing service has been updated and now allows for more customization of photo albums and holiday cards. iPhoto continues to keep its “Faces” and “Places” features, as well as its great image retouching tools.

The album view in iPhoto's full-screen mode looks amazing.

iPhoto's face recognition automatically recognizes faces in your photos and allows you to tag then.

The biggest change in the suite is in iMovie. Apple has added a “movie trailers” feature that makes producing short teasers for your films a breeze. Choose a series of clips you would like to use, fill in the credits, and choose a theme and iMovie will automatically stitch together a professional-grade trailer for you next movie.

Apple has also included more advanced audio editing tools in iMovie ’11. Audio clips are now color-coded and provide options for adding fades and filters. Another new feature is what Apple calls “one-step effects”. With the dozens of new effects, such as “instant replay” and color correction, your iMovie project will definitely stand out from other home videos.

iMovie ’11 has also included more exporting options, including iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV, QuickTime movies, and more. You can also publish your videos directly to YouTube, Facebook, Vimeo, and even CNN’s iReport. You can also create a video podcast and send it directly to Podcast Producer.

iMovie '11 give you more control over your audio.

Making professional trailers has never been easier.

Making great music in GarageBand has never been simpler. The iLife ’11 upgrade introduced Flex Time, a function that fixes timing issues when something sounds a little off.  Flex Time allows you to manually move, stretch, or shorten individual notes without changing the rest of your recording.GarageBand ’11 adds more guitar amps the Apple’s library and allows you to reproduce the sound of foot pedals with new stompbox effects. Apple also included many new instrument lessons with the update.

Flex Time makes it easy to fix timing errors in your music. 

Apple's instrument lessons make learning the piano or guitar fun.

More lessons can be downloaded or purchased from the Lesson Store.

iLife ’11 allows you to do more with your photos, video, and music than ever before. In iPhoto, you can enjoy your photos in the new full-screen modes. You can turn your home videos into professional films with the latest iMovie and create the perfect soundtrack within GarageBand. iLife ’11 is included with every new Mac, but every existing user should consider the upgrade. If you enjoyed this post, please check out MacDesign, a blog centered around graphic design and video production on the Mac platform.

Flight Control HD Coming to Mac & PC via Steam

Yet another Mac app has made the jump to Steam! 

Macworld reports that Flight Control is making an early debut via Steam as they don’t want to wait until January to release their immensely popular line-drawing game. Firemint has already spread its game to other gaming platforms like the Playstation 3, DSi, and Windows Phone 7, so it’s not surprising to see it coming to the PC as well. 

The Steam version, which allows for accessibility for Mac and PC gamers simultaneously, will add some extra features to set it apart from previous versions. There will be a “Stunt Flying” map in which you can gain extra points by passing through certain areas. Flight Control HD will also support Steam achievements and leader boards.

It’s fairly obvious that Firemint is planning to make money off users by making them pay twice for the same game (for the Steam and Mac App Store versions), so think twice before rushing off and purchasing Flight Control HD for Mac & PC. We only recommend purchasing this Steam copy if you can’t wait until 2011 (if you’re that impatient)!

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Zen Bound 2 to Release for Mac & PC

Secret Exit, the creators of Zen Bound, have recently announced that they’re bringing Zen Bound 2 to Macs and PCs via Steam, the popular digital game distributor. Zen Bound 2 is arriving on the 16th of November and will be priced at $4.99. However, no comments were made regarding a Mac App Store release...

A teaser announcement video was uploaded displaying the updated HD graphics and features: 

Zen Bound 2 is a relaxing and meditative puzzle game with a focus on wrapping rope around a wooden sculpture. Zen Bound is a highly-acclaimed iPhone and iPad game that has won numerous awards.

To celebrate the multi-platform announcement, Zen Bound is currently free for a limited time on the App Store. Grab it before it’s too late!

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Apple Hiring "Mac App Store Reviewers"

According to MacNN, Apple has begun hiring individuals to review the Mac App Store. These jobs are located in offices close to the Apple’s headquarters, Cupertino, as they are based within California's Santa Clara Valley. 

As listed by Apple, applicants must be specialized in software application, organized, and prepared to handle and focus on heavy workloads. Strangely, requirements for technical skills are of low importance (only Mac OS X experience is needed) and being a practiced writer in French, Japanese or German is a plus and gives you an advantage over other applicants. These jobs include checking for any bugs and thoroughly inspecting lines of codes.

Only seven positions are listed for a “Mac App Store Reviewer”, so hurry over if you’re interested!

Mac App Menu - Keeping you up-to-date with the latest Mac apps à la carte.