VoltaicHD (Mac only) now includes a Timecode overlay function.

The settings for this function are able to be manipulated by modifying the text files TimeCodeFormat.txt which can be found under Voltaic->Show Package Contents->Resources.

Lines in TimeCodeFormat.txt can be commented out by putting a # as the first character of a line.

You can manipulate the following settings:

• FONTNAME: the name of the Font to use. It must be a font installed on your machine
• FONTSIZE: Size in points of the text
• DATEFMT: Date mask
• TIMEFMT: Time format mask
• HALIGN: Horizontal offset of the Timecode box, in pixels, from the bottom left corner
• VALIGN: Vertical offset of the Timecode box, in pixels, from the bottom left corner. Note than negative values are required
• TIMEFIRST: When set to true Time goes on top line, when false, Date goes on top line
• BOXMARGIN: X and Y width in pixels of the border between the edge of the text and outside of the box. Comment out this setting to have no box around the text.
• TRANSPARENCY_PERC: Transparency of the box. 0 is very transparent, 100 is not transparent.

Looking for the VoltaicHD for PC User Guide ? Find it here

Table of Contents

Introduction
Installation
Activation
Setting Preferences
Getting Started

Introduction

Welcome to the VoltaicHD Version 1 User Guide. This should tell you everything you need to know about how best to use Voltaichd version 1.

The VoltaicHD version 2 user guide can be found here.

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Installation

You install Voltaic by dragging it from the disk image to either your Applications folder or your desktop. We recommend placing Voltaic in your Applications folder, then keeping it in your Dock.

Have a look at our Installation video if you need help with this.

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Activation

You activate VoltaicHD by purchasing an Activation Key. Once you have completed payment via PayPal, the Activation Key is emailed to your supplied email address immediately. Your key is also displayed on the screen when you click on the 'Return to Systemic' link displayed on the PayPal confirmation screen.

If you do not receive your key withing a minute or two, it is probably in your SPAM folder.

Once you receive your Activation Key, open VoltaicHD and go to the Voltaic->Activate menu option. Enter your key into the text field and click 'Activate'. Voltaic then communicates with the Shedworx activation server to activate VoltaicHD.

Have a look at our Activation video if you need help with this.

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Setting Preferences

Like all well-designed applications, you don't have to set any preferences before using Voltaic. If you want to take more control of your conversions, read on!

Preferences can be reviewed at any time by using the menu option or Apple,

Scratch file location

This allows you to specify where the temporary files are placed during each conversion. If you are converting large files from an external storage location, and want to preserve disk space on the machine running the conversions, you should set this location to be on the external storage device.

Output Directory

This allows you to specify where the converted files are placed.

Audio Alert

Plays a sound once the conversion batch is complete.

Popup Alert

Displays a pop-up window once the conversion batch is complete.

Check for updates on startup

Checks for a newer version of VoltaicHD on startup.

Generate Thumbnails

Determines whether thumbnail previews are generated as files are added to the list.

Output Resolution

This option allows you to specify the resolution of the converted clips.
same as source
This ensures that the output from Voltaic is the same resolution as the input clip. If your input is 1440x1080i, the output will be the same. If you input is 1920x1080 (interlaced or progressive), the output will be the same.
720p
This downgrades the output to 1280x720p. This is still a HD resolution, but half the size of Full HD.
540p
This is another downgrade option for editing. Again, still officially high definition, but at the low end of the HD scale.
Restrict to 1440x1080
This option is provided for Final Cut Express users. Final Cut Express prior to version 4.0.1 only supported resolutions up to 1440x1080 natively in the timeline (i.e. not requiring rendering). FCE v3.5 and below users who have 1920x1080 clips to deal with have to have these downgraded to 1440x1080 in order to edit them effectively.

Extract 5.1ch Audio

This allows you to have the audio track from your movie extracted during the conversion process.

Faster conversions

This use a new conversion approach that works with some, but not all cameras. This does not work for AVCHD Lite video.

Use Advanced Export Settings

This option allows you to access the full range of QuickTime export options. This allows you to export from Voltaic using any format supported by QuickTime on your machine.

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Getting Started

Once you have either a registered or un-registered version of Voltaic installed on your system, with Preferences set up you are ready to start converting clips.

We have a few suggestions for converting your AVCHD clips:

1. Use FlamingoHD to manage your video library. This gives you an easy way to manage footage and images from your camera.
2. Keep Voltaic in your Dock. This makes it easier to use (we think)

Now all you need to do is add some AVCHD files to the file list and press Start. Converted files are placed back in the same directory as the source files by default, or wherever you like by setting your Preferences.

Have a look at our Clip Processing video if you need help with this.

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VoltaicHD is over FIVE times faster than iMovie when submitting an edited HD movie to YouTube!

VoltaicHD uploads to YouTube in around 90 seconds compared to over 10 minutes with iMovie

Why? Its simple - VoltaicHD does not convert the movies from your camera prior to previewing, editing and sending to YouTube. VoltaicHD gives you simple native AVCHD previewing and editing, leaving all the conversions until you are ready to submit to YouTube.

Test Details

Our benchmark test was carried out using the following...

• Mac: iMac 2.0 GHz, running OSX 10.5
• Camera: Canon HF11 shooting 24Mbps, 1920x1080 25p
• Number of clips recorded: 8
• Total duration of recorded clips: 6m 04s
• Number of clips used in upload: 2
• Total duration of uploaded movie: 30s
• Workflow: Time taken from camera plug-in to submitting to YouTube. Both VoltaicHD and iMovie then convert and upload.

Here is a collection of real-life stories and feedback about ShedWorx products

"Thank you so very much for your quick reply to my query! Your advice was right for me, and it was also considerate of my lack of expertise in these matters. Thank you for your thoughtful courtesy in the lengthy, clear explanation of my options.", Mary USA, August 2010.

Another Indie feature film using VoltaicHD for its production-quality AVCHD conversions. This one is 'The List' from Prime Factor Films, April 2010.

Congrats to the - for me - new website design - fits the impression of easy to use-software and modern product, thumbs up and all the best still from Berlin, Stefan :-) April 2010.

My Potsdam - the beauty of the city of science and culture in 2 minutes from Stefan Schultze on Vimeo.

"And look at all this! Trimming, different export file formats, ugh baby yeah! Even if it still can't handle massive files, I can grab what I need without worry. Way to go!!! Thanks, Justin, for making this right. In my heart, I always knew you guys rocked the muthaf***in' MTS like no one else.", Kyle, USA, March 2010

"I am so glad I found your web site and purchased the VoltaicHD converter, I don't know what I'd do without it! :-)", Laura, British Columbia, Canada. Feb 2010.

"The conversion is rock solid and I have been producing Blu-Ray quality films on the Apple Macintosh version", Victoria Gibson, Live More Lightly. Read Victoria's blog post here. Jan 2010.

"Several of the forums suggest NeoScene to convert the GH1 1080/P24 files into .MOV files. I found the program buggy. It crashed and hung regularly so I opted for the less expensive but more reliable VoltaicHD." Scott Bourne, Photofocus.com, GH1 Review on PhotoFocus.com Aug 2009.

"This is a cracking piece of software by the way, I use it constantly and the upgrade will make life even easier. Many thanks, Dave F." July 2009.

"We had some issues getting AVCHD footage recognized in FCP due to the card not being formatted properly, so we purchased the Voltaic software and it worked great! We used it on the Ian Carey Project - Get Shaky music video last October and it went on to win best dance video at the MTV Video Music Awards Australia this past March (2009).", Eddie, Vid-Atlantic Media Productions

The Ian Carey Project - Get Shaky (WINNER '09 MTV BEST DANCE VIDEO) from Vid-Atlantic Media on Vimeo.

"The $35 program will allow you to extract these files off your camera and SAVE THE DAY!....It works, we tried it and we had our HD clips transferred and back inside the Final Cut project. They win the "I SAVED YOUR ASS" Software Award of the Year.", Aron Ranen, dvworkshops.com

"I saw that there was a new version of Voltaic and I installed and it spit out ProRes. Just wanted to let you know that everything is working fine here with the
new update. Thanks a bunch and keep up the great work." Johnny, USA

"I just wanted to say thanks for creating a easy to use program that solves a complex problem for us new mac converters and those who just want to make good fun family-type videos. Its been a real challenge and now I think you product has fixed it at least for me." Warren, USA

"You guys are fantastic. I've been waiting for this for over 6 months, and you have provided a great product. Thanks for all of your hard work! I also really appreciate knowing that you are supporting a worthy cause." Nigel, USA

"Voltaic is working and it ROCKS! My headache with AVCHD is gone and I will be sure to get the word out that you guys got it right!!", Derek, USA

"brilliant - the best $30 I have spent in a long time. Thanks so much for the Great - Voltaic" Neil, UK

"You kick ass. You saved my life. You are genius at work. Thank you." Sean, USA

"Thank you thank you thank you! I love it!" Pat, USA

"Works great:-) Thanks for allowing me to use the Mac on my Sony SR1-HDR files!!! You guys rock!" Marc, USA

AVCHD file spanning

The new AVCHD high definition video standard stores video as files rather than tapes. This is very handy for video/asset management, but runs into a problem with very long clips.

With tape based recording, you can just record for as long as the tape goes. For files, as they get large, they have to be split. This is due to underlying limitations with the file system where the clips are saved (i.e. the memory card or hard disk drive on the camera).

You will find that for large AVCHD clips, the camera will split the files at either the 2Gb or 4Gb mark. AVCHD clips are different to other older video standards in that they are very highly compressed. This is achieved by storing a full image (also known as a keyframe or I-frame) only once, then just storing changes from then on, for a large number of frames.

When a file is split there is no keyframe at the start of second (and subsequent) clips. VoltaicHD can convert these subsequent clips, but it may skip a couple of frames as it looks for the first I frame (or keyframe).

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