Griffin Technology PowerMate 1040-PMT USB Multimedia Controller and Input Device (Aluminum, PC/Mac)

Fully programmable USB audio knob
Stylish, versatile, and extremely functional, the Griffin PowerMate universal controller may look like a mere volume knob, but don't be fooled--it can also jog through video footage while editing, scroll through long text documents, and zoom in and out of Photoshop images. And those are just a few of its potentially hundreds of functions. How can a simple two-direction knob do all this? By letting users configure the functions themselves via their computers' system preferences. In other words, the PowerMate's functions are defined almost entirely by the user's imagination and creativity.
The PowerMate works by sending keyboard shortcuts, called key commands, to your computer. For example, users can set the PowerMate to open a new Microsoft Word document by inputting [command + D], or highlight text by inputting [command + shift + left arrow]. Each setting corresponds to one of the PowerMate's six main movements: rotate left, rotate right, click, long click, rotate left with click, and rotate right with click. The default configuration controls your computer's volume, along with specific audio applications such as iTunes. However, the PowerMate also comes with several preset configurations for such programs as iPhoto, iMovie, Final Cut Pro, and Adobe Acrobat Reader, and allows the user to change the settings or add new ones (for virtually any application) based on their needs.
Design and Setup
With its heavy-duty, black housing that sits atop a pulsing blue light, the PowerMate just looks cool. Many owners have compared it to the volume knobs on high-end stereo receivers, and the description is apt. It's also cleverly engineered, as the blue light responds to your commands, brightening when the volume increases, for example, and dimming when you turn it down. Its main cord is only 22 inches long, but it comes with a 40-inch extension so you can position it either next to your mouse or on the opposite side for two-handed control.
The PowerMate, which connects to your computer's USB port, includes an installer CD, with separate folders for Mac OS 9; OS X; Windows 98, 98 SE, and Me; and Windows 2000 and XP, along with an Acrobat user's manual. Griffin has been making Apple accessories since 1992, so it shouldn't come as any surprise that the PowerMate is a little Mac friendlier. Mac users merely need to run a basic installation and restart their computers and the PowerMate is ready to go. Windows users, on the other hand, will also have to configure their PCs to recognize the USB device and then update their drivers, among other hurdles. It shouldn't take terribly long, but it's not exactly plug-and-play either.
Features and Performance
Simply put, we dig this device. For applications such as Microsoft Word and Excel, it's mostly just a fun add-on, as it doesn't do much that a mouse doesn't do just as well (though Mac users will doubtless appreciate the scrolling function). However, the potential of the device increases exponentially when applied to editing software. In GarageBand, for instance, you can set the PowerMate to play, pause, rewind, record, and skip measures--a far more convenient method than clicking the buttons or keys. You can also use the PowerMate as a jog/shuttle dial when editing your home movies. You can even adjust the speed of the action--a slow speed will leisurely advance the frames, while a quick speed will fly right through them. We tinkered with the PowerMate in iPhoto as well, setting it to zoom in and out of images (as suggested in the manual) and rotate them left and right.
It takes a while to adjust to the PowerMate, as your first instinct is to use it like a mouse. But you'll soon realize that shifting the knob across your desk doesn't accomplish much, so you'll be forced to develop a better feel. Many music and video editors will likely opt for two-handed control, managing the PowerMate in the left hand and the mouse in the right. Users should also test a variety of key commands in each application, as it's not immediately clear which functions are merely fun and which are genuinely convenient. But the more you play with the PowerMate, the more you realize its potential.
On the whole, the PowerMate is a blast, especially if you spend a lot of time laboring in multimedia applications. That doesn't mean it's a great fit for everyone--people who work exclusively in Word or Excel might find it overhyped. But you'd be hard pressed to find a desktop peripheral with more promise for audio and video professionals. --Rivers Janssen
Pros
Assignable knob controls virtually any function on your computer
Ideal for audio/video editing applications, music jukeboxes, games, and more
Easy to program; works with any application that uses key commands
Cool black housing with glowing blue base
Cons
PC setup is a bit cumbersome
Takes time to realize full potential
What's in the Box
PowerMate USB controller, 40-inch USB extension cable, CD-ROM with installation software, Adobe Acrobat user's manual (on CD).

Multimedia: Kelfkensbos in Nijmegen

Multimedia: De molen

The Definitive Guide to Multimedia--Fully Updated
Learn the basic elements of multimedia and the skills required for a successful multimedia career from this up-to-date, full-color resource. Covering both Windows and Mac platforms, Multimedia: Making It Work, Eighth Edition explains how to incorporate text, images, sound, animation, and video into compelling projects. Hardware and software tools are described in detail. Discover how to design, organize, produce, and deliver multimedia projects on the Web, CD-ROM, and DVD. Each chapter includes full-color illustrations and screenshots, professional insights from multimedia experts, self-quizzes, and hands-on projects.
Find out how to:
Master the fundamentals of multimedia, including text, images, sound, animation, and video
Record, process, and edit digital audio and use MIDI
Work with bitmap, vector, and 3-D images
Create vivid computer-generated animations
Shoot and edit digital video
Choose the most suitable hardware, software, and authoring tools for your project
Design dynamic Web content
Determine the scope and cost of a multimedia project
Acquire the best content and talent for your budget
Select and manage a multimedia project team
Design, produce, and test your project
Prepare a professional multimedia project for various delivery methods, including the Internet, wireless devices, CD-ROM, and DVD
Each chapter includes:
Learning objectives
Full-color illustrations
Helpful notes, tips, and warnings
Chapter summaries and key term lists
End-of-chapter quizzes and lab projects
The CD-ROM features:
Additional chapter review questions in a practice test application
Trial versions of multimedia software
Complete e-book