Macintosh DigiTales Toolkit

DigiTales (MAC) Software Toolkit recommendations are meant to give beginners a jump start in choosing software and hardware in the market place: The BASIC software listed will be plenty for amateur hobbyists who are not likely to need the high-end functions or be inclined to invest more learning time and dime to have more features. The PRO software listed will generally be more suited to professionals, serious hobbyists, or long-term specific classes whose needs for more features are going to be worth the investment of more time and dime.

Retail Costs are listed to give a sense of the expense involved but prices may change or be available at discounts. Be sure to shop around for education or academic pricing (www.academicsuperstore.com) if you qualify. Many catalogue and online discount stores also have specials for the general public that can make the overall retail cost be lower.

CLICK on products for additional vendor information.

BASIC Macintosh Software Toolkit + Retail Pricing		PRO Macintosh Software Toolkit + Retail Pricing
• iTunes (no cost) • iPhoto (no cost) • iMovie '06 or '09 (no cost) • GarageBand (no cost) • iDVD (no cost) • Quicktime (no cost) • Adobe Photoshop Elements ($99) OR Image Blender 3 ($44.95) Optional but Recommended: • Inspiration ($50) • QuickTime Pro ($30) • MPEG Streamclip (Freeware Utility) • SoundzAbound Royalty Free Music (Varies) BASIC MAC Software Cost: $99		• iTunes (no cost) • iPhoto (no cost) • Adobe Photoshop Elements ($99) • Final Cut Express ($99) • iDVD (no cost) • QuickTime Pro ($30) Optional: • Final Cut Pro ($999) • Inspiration ($50) • SoundzAbound Royalty Free Music (Varies) PRO MAC Software Cost: $228

 

DigiTales (MAC) Hardware Checklists provide general lists for workstations, optional but useful additional hardware and an optional PRO Voice Station. By reviewing these checklists, you can comparison shop with other products.

Workstation Function Checklist

• Memory - more is better! Recommended 1 Gig RAM and 80-120 Gig harddrive
• Processor speed - faster is better! Minimum 600 Mhz with 2 Ghz recommended.
• Fire wire cards for importing and exporting files - Standard on MAC
• Wireless card - Standard on MAC
• Sound cards - Standard on MAC
• CD burners - Standard on MAC
• DVD burners (MACS need to add the SuperDrive option in order to burn disks using iDVD - external DVD burners will not work with iDVD)
  

Specialized Hardware Function Checklist

• Internet connection
• Logitech USB Microphone
• Multimedia headphones
• An analogue to digital video converter box (Dazzel Hollywood DV Bridge)
• A color flatbed scanning station
• An external fire wire 200+ gig hard drive
• A digital movie camera w/ tripod and fire wire connection
• A still digital camera with USB connection