When I learned that I'd be part of the Macworld Video production team, I was both excited and more than a bit apprehensive. I was excited because I enjoy working in video, though it never seems I have enough time to do so, and nervous because Apple had recently (with the introduction of iLife '08) basically killed off my video production tool of choice: iMovie HD. iLife '08 includes a program named iMovie '08, but it's related to its predecessor in name only—iMovie '08 is a completely new program.

While iMovie '08 added a number of interesting features beyond those offered in iMovie HD, it also removed quite a few, and more importantly to me, created a completely new paradigm for video editing. In a typical video-editing app, such as iMovie HD, you have a spot to store your video clips, and a timeline on which to place them.

iMovie '08 Library Compressor 1.2

Like it or not, iMovie '08 is the future of iMovie. And, truth be told, I actually like it. Not in comparison to iMovie HD, but as an easy-to-use movie-making program, iMovie '08 is actually pretty good.

One solution to this dilemma is Nik Friedman's iMovie '08 Library Compressor 1.2 ( ; free). This AppleScript-based utility uses the H.264 codec to compress the DV files in your iMovie Events folder; since iMovie '08 supports H.264 video, you can still use these smaller files in your projects.

Soundtrack 1.0

Apple's Soundtrack made its debut last June, as part of the massive video-editing bundle Final Cut Pro 4. But now the same Soundtrack software is available as a stand-alone product. This puts Soundtrack within reach of video editors, Web designers, and content providers who don't need the rest of the Final Cut Pro 4 package.

It requires at least a 500MHz Power Mac, Mac OS X 10.2.5, and 5GB of available hard-drive space. Apple's official specs say that you can install the program with a CD and that the sound loops, called Apple Loops, on the included DVD are optional, but this isn't really the case. Soundtrack's entire appeal lies in the fact that it lets you mix and match the 4GB of material it provides.

Gateway Plugs Phenom Into Two New Media-Friendly Desktops

With a Phenom 9600 processor, the GM5664 is oriented toward users interested in extreme gaming, digital photo and video editing, watching TV or movies and storing a massive media library. In addition to the hybrid optical drive, the machine features an integrated analog/digital TV tuner with remote control that lets consumers watch, pause and record their favorite live programming.

'Young Reporters Media Camp' set on Maui

Akaku: Maui Community Television will hold a "Young Reporters Media Camp" for middle and high school students over spring break.