the evenings out here - Thoughts, rants and musings about absolutely everything except photography. Or cats.

Media Pro becomes Media Pro

Same again, please

in General Rants , Friday, May 20, 2011

So. It’s finally happened. (Microsoft) Expression Media, ex iView Media Pro, is no more, and PhaseOne MediaPro 1 is with us. And in theory - or it least, in marketingspeak - the integration of Media Pro and CaptureOne, which I wished for at least as far back as 2005, is here to.

Well sort of.  This is what we actually have:

BEFORE

ExpressionMedia2Snap001

Expression Media ... or is it MediaPro ?

AFTER

MediaProSnap500

MediaPro ... or is it Expression Media ?

So the difference is… the panels are dark grey instead of light grey, the colours are a taste to be acquired, to be polite, and the icons are nearly invisible. Excellent.

The much trumpeted CaptureOne “integration” is at lipstick-on-a-pig level, and apart from that very little has changed, although if you take a look at the product forum, you might conclude that an impressive range of exciting new bugs has been inserted.

In itself this is hugely disappointing, but on the plus side, the product is at least being developed, and by a focused and far more appropriate owner than Microsoft. I think we’ll have to wait and see what Phase One manage to do over the coming months. If release 1 is a stable (cough) baseline which they will then build on with frequent updates and bug fixes, including some significant new features, fine. If on the other hand they think they’re done here, and can sit back for two years and then release another facelift, well then it’s RIP.

As far as I’m concerned, I would like these features:

- reworked and easily application-interchangeable hierarchical keywording

- proper integration with Capture One, not whitewash

- support for versions, stacks, whatever you call variations on a master image. ANY master image, including scans (this then helps with proper C1 integration

- options for UI colour scheme

Posted in General Rants on Friday, May 20, 2011 at 05:18 PM • Permalink • Comments (4)

4 comments

Robert Boyer May 21, 2011 - 7:37
This was my go to software prior to Aperture (Version 1) I still have the PowerPC version laying around my HD (even thought it won't work now). I was sad when MicroSloth acquired it and am very hopeful with PhaseOne. They are a top notch company - Capture One is a top notch product (Yessss I use that toooooo - especially when shooting tethered, or used to use it daily).

I knew about this but I can say the even though I was never a real customer with Phase One they were amazing in the service department - at least with me years ago - I only purchased their software and rented a few of their digital backs while I was comparing to Leaf at the time. Leaf won me at that point but those things are usually point in time.

I think their is every reason to be hopeful - Phase One is a serious company that doesn't rely on mass markets to develop and maintain superlative products. This is a good fit for them. Hmmmmm maybe Aperture would be better off with Phase One as well.

RB

4 comments

Robert Boyer May 21, 2011 - 7:39
Ps.

I know you are not into getting new hardware frequently but I have to say the new Sandy Bridge iMac 27" machines are really worth a look = absolutely stellar performance, a great growth path forward with Thunderbolt, and.... dirt cheap.

4 comments

Robert Boyer May 21, 2011 - 7:47

Pss.

Wondering if we could chat about your wet-mount scanner experience when you have a moment....?

RB

4 comments

david mantripp June 28, 2011 - 11:04
Certainly, although my current feeling is that at least in my most common scenario (dedicated MF film scanner, 35mm film) it is as about as much use as a chocolate teapot. Incredible time drain and waste of money.