CasablancaExpert

MSUS Hints at Forthcoming new ProClub 2011 Software for Club Casablanca Members

News from the NTSC Beta Testing branch of MacroSystem US:

"Pro Club 2011 software is nearly ready. It's a nice little add on pack of patterns, fonts, and sound effects that will be for Casablanca Club members."

For the past several years there has been an add-on software product for your Casablanca that was available only to those who are members of the 'Club Casablanca' program of MacroSystem US.  You can read more about this program on the MSUS website here: Club Casablanca.

NOTE: Club Casablanca is separate and not connected with the Casablanca Expert.com members community & on-line tutorials.

Limited Time Opportunities for NTSC Casablanca Customers

Reminder that two sales/opportunities conclude at the end of December 2011 -
* Smart Edit Upgrade Offer - MSUS is offering their upgrade benefits (discount for those trading in their Smart Edit unit towards a new Bogart editor. This Trade-in special provides the following incentive for those upgrading from a Smart Edit unit towards a new Casablanca S-6000:

NOTE: The following pricing is copied from the MSUS December 2011 Price List - no guarantees suggested or implied. Final savings contingent on your deal with MSUS or their official representative
TRADE-IN 1 Trade In of Prestige ($500.00 discount off S-6000)
TRADE-IN 2 Trade In of Renommee or Solitaire ($750.00 discount off S-6000)
TRADE-IN 3 Trade In of Renommee Plus, Solitaire Plus, S2000, or S4000 ($1,000.00 discount off S-6000)
TRADE-IN 4 Trade In of S4000 PRO.  ($1,250.00 discount off S-6000)

SOFTWARE SWAP Transfer software from prior unit to S-Series unit - for those wishing to keep their Smart Edit unit but transfer software from that unit over to a new Casablanca S3000 or S6000 = $350.00

* Bogart Software Sale - the current software discount is good only during these last days of December For members of Club Casablanca - this is a 40% discount off regular (list) prices for software, while non Club-members receive a 25% discount off regular software pricing. You can download the MSUS December 2011 software price list here.

Contact your Casablanca reseller to take advantage of these limited time specials.

It's Official - MSUS to Continue Offering Smart Edit Software in North America

Now it is official - MacroSystem US will continue the sale of Smart Edit software for their North American customers, as told in this announcement sent today via the MSUS Email Newsletter:

Smart Edit Re-Think
As mentioned previously, MSAG will no longer sell or support any SE software, and we thought we were going to discontinue sales here in the US. But many of you asked us to reconsider, to see if there was some way we could continue to sell the software here. And the good news is, we can.

So, we're eating a little humble pie, and also are very happy to announce that we will be able to sell SE software on an ongoing basis. Of course, there won't be any new development for SE, but we'll be able to sell the huge library of programs in the stable.

For all of you smart enough to jump on the sale, good all over you. There was software sold at cheaper prices than we've ever offere

Smart Edit Software Will Continue to Be Available from MSUS Resellers!

Earlier this Fall MacroSystem US announced they would conclude selling all software for the Smart Edit Casablanca series after this December (2011).  I thought it was a questionable decision myself - and discussed this on the Monday Morning Coffee Klatsch.  Several MSUS reseller also shared their disappointment of this decision, and I shared on this blog that one international reseller - Dalco UK would continue to provide Smart Edit software, no only for their customers in England but also to customers around the world.

I heard a rumor late last week and that was pretty much confirmed last evening with an email I received that Macrosystem has announced that resellers in North America will continue to offer both the Smart Edit Operating System and all the add-on software to their customers!

Macrosystem and the Future with 4K Video

Macrosystem AG CEO Jörg Sprave commented last Friday (on the Cassie Tips List)  about the state of 4K video technology, and what that developing technology means for Macrosystem and Casablanca editors:

It may sound odd to you now, but my prediction is that within 2 years, 4k will be hot at both NAB and CES, with all the major TV and camera manufacturers showing off their new models.

What does that mean for MacroSystem? Well, I believe it will affect our (Europe-only) entertainment center market first. We are moving this product range into the high end home cinema market anyway. These customers use high end beamers (projectors) and will soon adapt to the new 4k models. We will have to upgrade our "digital powerhouses" in order to provide content.

For editing, we still have to focus a lot more on perfectionizing our software and the workflow, which we will. Not many customers will want their wedding done in 4k soon. But there will come a time where 4k editing will be a feature of our Casablanca editing systems.

Does that all sound unreal? Maybe. But that's normal. It is called "progress".

You Can Still Purchase Software for your Smart Edit Casablanca!

As I have posted in previous articles, Macrosystem AG (Germany) and MacroSystem US (North America) have discontinued sales of Smart Edit software for the Generation 2 Casablanca line of digital video editors - this includes the AVIO, Kron, Prestige, Gymons, Claro, Solitaire/Plus, and Renommee/Plus.

  A number of our colleagues have made the move to upgrade to the newer Generation III Casablanca series - which now features the S-3000 and S-6000 editors.  But if you are staying with the Smart Edit OS series of editors (or perhaps, like me) you have both a Bogart OS editor and a Smart Edit OS editor, you may find comfort in the fact that there _is_ a resource available to you and me where we can purchase Smart Edit software still.

Dalco UK - long a Macrosystem reseller and the Distributor for Casablanca products in the United Kingdom (UK), Dalco now "have been appointed SmartEdit International software resellers and can provide license numbers for any country."

You can visit their web page Smart Edit International Software and check out the pricing for the Smart Edit software -- you will note the prices are in pounds (₤).  Dalco UK has kindly provided a currency converter at the bottom of the page, you simply tally up your desired software purchase total in Pounds, enter that number in the Currency Converter and click 'Go!' and you will be provided the accurate price in your own currency (if you're not paying with US Dollars, you can change the menu under 'To this currency'.

Then click on the 'Email' icon at the left middle side of the page and a form pops-up where you fill in the blanks with your contact info, your Casablanca Smart Edit serial #, the current Smart Edit OS version you are running and the titles of the software you wish to purchase, and send the email off to Dalco UK.

Once confirmed, you will receive an invoice back via eMail with your order total. You initiate payment to Dalco UK and they will send you your license codes to use on your Casablanca editor!

 

Thanks Dalco UK -- I am delighted that my Smart Edit colleagues will have this service.

MacroSystem US Announces Fall Software Sale 2011

MacroSystem US today made the following announcements

NOTE: these specials and prices are only valid for customers in North America. If you're reading this post from outside the United States and Canada, please consult your distributor or reseller.

 

Fall Software Sale
Beginning on the 21st of November, we'll have our fall software sale.  Starting this year, the sale is available only for Bogart machines.  This sale will end on December 22nd, and is not to be combined with any other offers.
 

The Fall Software Sale is as follows:

• For Club Casablanca Members:  Any software package will be 40% off normal retail.
• For everyone else:  Any software package will be 25% off normal retail prices

Click Here for a current Price List for MacroSystem US (NTSC Only)
 

Smart Edit Trade-In Program Ending
The current trade-in program will end December 31st for all Smart Edit machines.  As of January 1st,2012 the only trade-in programs will be for earlier versions of Bogart machines.  Further details will follow in a future email announcement.


Club Casablanca Special
Join Club Casablanca now, and get the rest of 2011 FREE!
When you join, you will receive ProClub 2010 (the 2011 Club exclusive software), and you will also receive free the new Club exclusive software pack coming in early 2012.  You will be billed now for the 2012 dues of $49.00.

Further deatils on Club Casablanca can be found on the Club Casablanca web page.

Wondering What Change or Improvement Was In a Particular Smart Edit OS Upgrade?

I had some keyboard dialogue this morning with a website member who was asking about the different versions of Smart Edit, and what would be gained by upgrading to a particular version.  I referenced an article on my website (www.CasablancaExpert.com) and thought this might come in handy for any other colleague in a similar situation.

This article - which is in the free, public resources - is from the old MacroSystem AG website that lists all the different versions of the Smart Edit software.  You can access this page here: Casablanca Smart Edit Versions

Casablanca Expert eNewsletter for November 2011

Today I sent out my free monthly email Newsletter for the Casablanca (video editing) community -- if you did not receive your copy, please check in the Junk Mail folder of your email program and if not there still, let me know so I can check the email distribution list. If you've not yet signed up for this free email newsletter, here's your opportunity:

Email Marketing You Can Trust

And you can read today's Casablanca Expert eNewsletter via the link below...it's chock full of information, news, and even several useful tips! 

Casablanca Expert eNewsletter for November 2011

 

Last Week of Smart Edit Software Availability

A reminder to my colleagues and readers that we are in the final week of the Smart Edit software sale. 

You have up until this weekend for the software sale (at least in NTSC) with discounts up to 55% off list price.

MacroSystem US announced last month that Smart Edit software (add-ons and Operating System) will no longer be available after November 13, 2011) - see this post if you missed the earlier conversation: Smart Edit Finale - Macrosystem Discontinues Smart Edit Software

So - get out your software activation codes list and see what you don't have and what you really want, or may want next month or next year because this is your last chance to obtain software for your Smart Edit unit/s.