Volume Number: 26
Issue Number: 03
Column Tag: Kool Tools

Kool Tools: A Fresh-Squeezed Review: Aquafadas' iDive 2

Truly a video shoebox

by Frank Petrie

iDive 2.0 Search window

Whether you're a backyard Spielberg or a professional videographer, you inevitably accumulate a ton of footage to keep track of, be it for a single project or archiving. You could create several folders and, if you are archiving, .Zip them. But you're working on a computer! Shouldn't it be doing the work Instead of you?

"Create and organize your video catalogue. iDive offers videographers, both professionals and amateur enthusiasts, the possibility of managing video footage collections. iDive transforms your videos into a catalog that's easy and quick to put together and access."

Does the application live up to its promise in a true production workflow?

The Juice

With iDive 2 from Aquafadas (http://www.aquafadas.com), you first capture your digital footage and organize it by date and/or event. Just hook your camera to your Mac, launch the US$79 app click a few times and your importing your footage.

Once captured, your footage is then logged. You can even catalogue your CDs and DVDs, not just memories from your camcorder tapes. You can even organize clips that you download from the intent, from sites such as You Tube. Think of it as a video iPhoto, in that sense.

As for cataloging, iDive works in many formats from the ubiquitous QuickTime to MPEG2 and AVCHD (it is also linked to Aquafadas' VideoPier, to read other formats). You can navigate your libraries in either list or thumbnail mode. You can also set it to import your footage and separate it by scenes. This takes longer to perform but could save you a ton of time in post.

As for exporting, you can export your chosen footage to any Quicktime format from iPhone/iPod touch to Apple TV. You can save the thumbnails from throughout your clips as images. You can export directly to iMovie, Final Cut Express, Final Cut Pro, Avid and iPhoto.

The Pulp

iDive 2 sports a new GUI which I found easy to use on the small real estate of my 13" MacBook Pro. I was able to access any library, view all relevant clip information , such as apsect ratio, clip duration, etc. Plus, there's even a small screen at the bottom of the pane to watch my clip. And, if I wish, I can switch it to full screen mode.

At first, I felt a little daunted when I launched the program. But their support is so thorough that I was able to answer my initial question in no time with their extensive .PDF file. After that, the interface led you through the steps effortlessly.

The Rind

Nada.

If you're going to be juggling any amount of footage, then you most definitely need to get iDive. And if you do any video work for a living or income, then Aquafadas' iDive will pay for itself within your first production. You don't have to waste your time (i.e.., money) cataloguing your libraries or, more expensive yet, paying someone to do it for you.

I have used several Aquafadas products (particularly Pulp and Advanced Pulp) and can't say enough about their quality or attention to detail. Even to the point that the creators man the forums. Can't ask for better support than that.

You know the more video applications advance, I can't help but feel that we have now officially surpassed the workflow of Max Headroom.