The article explores a peculiar editing choice in Apple TV+'s Severance. Specifically, it highlights how scenes depicting remote desktop software usage were altered, seemingly to avoid showcasing specific brands or potentially revealing internal Apple practices. Instead of realistic depictions of screen sharing or remote access, the show uses stylized and somewhat nonsensical visuals, which the article suggests might stem from Apple's desire to maintain a controlled image and avoid any unintended associations with its own internal tools or workflows. This meticulous control, while potentially preserving Apple's mystique, ends up creating a slightly distracting and unrealistic portrayal of common workplace technology.
This blog post explores advanced fansubbing techniques beyond basic translation. It delves into methods for creatively integrating subtitles with the visual content, such as using motion tracking and masking to make subtitles appear part of the scene, like on signs or clothing. The post also discusses how to typeset karaoke effects for opening and ending songs, matching the animation and rhythm of the original, and strategically using fonts, colors, and styling to enhance the viewing experience and convey nuances like tone and character. Finally, it touches on advanced timing and editing techniques to ensure subtitles synchronize perfectly with the audio and video, ultimately making the subtitles feel seamless and natural.
Hacker News users discuss the ingenuity and technical skill demonstrated in the fansubbing examples, particularly the recreation of the karaoke effects. Some express nostalgia for older anime and the associated fansubbing culture, while others debate the legality and ethics of fansubbing, raising points about copyright infringement and the potential impact on official releases. Several commenters share anecdotes about their own experiences with fansubbing or watching fansubbed content, highlighting the community aspect and the role it played in exposing them to foreign media. The discussion also touches on the evolution of fansubbing techniques and the varying quality of different groups' work.
The creator of VideoToFlip.com offers a service that transforms digital videos into physical flipbooks. Customers upload their videos, choose from various sizes and paper types, and receive a custom-printed flipbook that animates their video when flipped. This allows for a tangible, nostalgic way to experience digital content. The service is marketed towards individuals seeking unique gifts or a personalized way to preserve memories, and also caters to businesses looking for promotional materials.
HN commenters were generally impressed with the craftsmanship and niche nature of the business. Some expressed concerns about copyright issues when converting copyrighted video content into flipbooks. Others questioned the practicality and longevity of the offering in a digital age, while some praised its unique tactile and nostalgic appeal. Several commenters suggested potential markets like gifts, promotional materials, or educational tools. There was also discussion about the technical process, including printing methods and binding techniques, with some users offering alternative approaches. Finally, a few users shared personal anecdotes about creating flipbooks in their youth, further highlighting the nostalgic element.
The open-source "Video Starter Kit" allows users to edit videos using natural language prompts. It leverages large language models and other AI tools to perform actions like generating captions, translating audio, creating summaries, and even adding music. The project aims to simplify video editing, making complex tasks accessible to anyone, regardless of technical expertise. It provides a foundation for developers to build upon and contribute to a growing ecosystem of AI-powered video editing tools.
Hacker News users discussed the potential and limitations of the open-source AI video editor. Some expressed excitement about the possibilities, particularly for tasks like automated video editing and content creation. Others were more cautious, pointing out the current limitations of AI in creative fields and questioning the practical applicability of the tool in its current state. Several commenters brought up copyright concerns related to AI-generated content and the potential misuse of such tools. The discussion also touched on the technical aspects, including the underlying models used and the need for further development and refinement. Some users requested specific features or improvements, such as better integration with existing video editing software. Overall, the comments reflected a mix of enthusiasm and skepticism, acknowledging the project's potential while also recognizing the challenges it faces.
FFmpeg by Example provides practical, copy-pasteable command-line examples for common FFmpeg tasks. The site organizes examples by specific goals, such as converting between formats, manipulating audio and video streams, applying filters, and working with subtitles. It emphasizes concise, easily understood commands and explains the function of each parameter, making it a valuable resource for both beginners learning FFmpeg and experienced users seeking quick solutions to everyday encoding and processing challenges.
Hacker News users generally praised "FFmpeg by Example" for its clear explanations and practical approach. Several commenters pointed out its usefulness for beginners, highlighting the simple, reproducible examples and the focus on solving specific problems rather than exhaustive documentation. Some suggested additional topics, like hardware acceleration and subtitles, while others shared their own FFmpeg struggles and appreciated the resource. One commenter specifically praised the explanation of filters, a notoriously complex aspect of FFmpeg. The overall sentiment was positive, with many finding the resource valuable and readily applicable to their own projects.
Summary of Comments ( 311 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43517301
HN commenters discuss the plausibility and implications of the remote editing process depicted in Severance. Some doubt the technical feasibility or efficiency of using remote desktop software for high-end video editing, especially given Apple's own ecosystem. Others suggest it's a commentary on corporate surveillance and control, reflecting real-world trends of employee monitoring. A few commenters highlight the show's satirical nature, arguing that the implausibility is intentional and serves to underscore the dystopian themes. The most compelling comments analyze the remote editing as a metaphor for the detachment and alienation of modern work, where employees are increasingly treated as interchangeable cogs. Several also appreciate the attention to detail in the show's depiction of outdated or quirky software, viewing it as a realistic portrayal of how legacy systems persist in large organizations. A minority of comments focus on the legal and ethical questions raised by the severance procedure itself.
The Hacker News post titled "Why Apple's Severance gets edited over remote desktop software" sparked a discussion with several interesting comments. Many commenters focused on the perceived inefficiency and security risks of using remote desktop software like Teradici for high-bandwidth tasks like video editing.
One commenter questioned the logic behind this setup, pointing out the significant latency and bandwidth limitations that come with remote desktop solutions, especially when dealing with large video files. They argued that a local network or a dedicated high-speed connection would be far more efficient and practical for such a demanding workflow. Another commenter echoed this sentiment, suggesting that the decision seemed driven by security concerns rather than technical advantages.
The discussion then delved into the potential security implications. One commenter speculated that the production company might be overly cautious about leaks, opting for remote access to prevent unauthorized copies of the footage from leaving the controlled environment. Another user suggested that this approach might be a way to compartmentalize access, limiting what each editor can see and do within the project. This could be beneficial for managing large teams and protecting sensitive material.
Several comments highlighted the apparent disconnect between Apple's reputation for cutting-edge technology and their choice of a seemingly outdated remote editing solution. They found it ironic that a company known for its focus on user experience and seamless integration would rely on a method that could potentially hinder the creative process.
Some users offered alternative explanations for the setup. One suggested that the remote access might be temporary, used only during certain phases of the production, while others speculated that it could be related to specific software or hardware requirements.
The comments overall reflect a sense of bewilderment and curiosity about the production company's decision. While the reasoning behind it remains unclear, the discussion on Hacker News offered several plausible explanations, ranging from security concerns to logistical constraints. However, the general consensus seems to be that the chosen method is suboptimal for the task at hand, especially considering the technological resources available to a major production.