The other day we heard of a professor who could not play a movie which he purchased on iTunes via a projector output from a new MacBook.  This was due to an HDCP issue in Quicktime which disallowed him to output protected content through the new Mini DisplayPort on the updated MacBooks.  Apple has now fixed this issue with the Quicktime 7.5.7 Update. 

The Update states the following:  This update is recommended for owners of MacBook, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro with Mini DisplayPort. The update addresses an issue where some standard definition purchases from the iTunes Store do not play on some external displays.

It’s great to see Apple respond so quickly to the issue of playing our own content.  This is sure to make many new MacBook owners happy.  You can get the update via software update or download it from their page.

[Download]

  Due out by the end of the year, Pro Tools 8 will get a few updates and an interface makeover.  The cosmetic changes look to give Pro Tools a more modern look. You can now configure the Edit Window Toolbar and all Editor windows are dockable as well. This update also includes new MIDI and Score Editor tools to go along with the new features.

The new updates include an elastic pitch option which allows real-time transposing in the Edit Window.  Also added is the support for 10 inserts per channel and 48 simultaneous audio tracks in Pro Tools LE 8 as well as M-Powered 8.  You can expand this if you need to by buying add-ons.  The Music Production Toolkit 2 and DV Toolkit 2 allows up to 64 channels and the Complete Production Toolkit allows up to 128 tracks with 7.1 surround sound.

Pro Tools 8 also brings 20 new AIR effects, amp simulation through Eleven Free, Bomb Factory’s Tech21 SansAmp, and five new virtual instruments, including the Mini Grand piano and DB-33 tonewheel organ. Pro Tools|HD 8 can now control five different PT|HD systems simultaneously, and the Mac OS X version of the suite now supports QuickTime HD when working with video.

[Pro Tools 8]

[via MacNN]

  Apple released the Final Cut Express 4.0.1 update for owners to download.  The update addresses compatibility issues with AVCHD camcorders, improves stability when using third-party FxPlug plug-ins, and addresses a number of other minor issues and is available via software update. Quicktime was also updated when they released the ProRes QuickTime Decoder 1.0.  This is a new piece of software that allows users to play Apple ProRes files through QuickTime.  Pro Res is a near lossless decoder for video which provides uncompressed HD quality at SD data rates.  The quicktime update is available for both Windows and Mac.

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