The Looxcie 2 Wearable Camcorder records as soon as you turn it on, recording continuously for 5 hours in MPEG 4 (great looking format). This would be just fun to have, but would also work for police, job sites, office work, anytime you need to record what you are seeing. Reviews say the Looxcie 2 is more comfortable, fits better over the ear and does an excellent job recording movement.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Sony DCR Camcorders now under $200!
The Sony DCR Camcorder series is still the best personal camcorder out there for capturing high quality home movies, gift for a student or anyone who wants a simple to use video camera. Because technology is changing so quickly, this first flash memory camcorder is under $200. We used these camcorders for 4 years in my media classes and we loved them. They are rugged (many students used them everyday through the school year), easy to upload into a computer and have a beautiful video and still image.Some of the camcorders below have additional accessories included like a flash card, extra battery and camcorder bag.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Roku and Pandora - SWEET! Easy Activation
I love Pandora and I recently bought a Roku. I just used Pandora on Roku for the first time. The Roku window told me to go to www.pandora.com/roku and enter an activation code. It automatically entered my Pandora playlists and favorites in seconds and Pandora is on my TV! Excellent integration.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Wacom Pen Tablet - We need these in class for Maya, Illustrator, everything!
The large Intuos4 Tablet is perfect for creative professionals who work in large format or who are trained to work from the shoulder or elbow. With 102.5 square inches of working area, this tablet provides a generous workspace. The large has eight ExpressKeys with illuminated displays that provide easy reference for your assigned functions. Weight: 3.96 lb. Software Included: Tablet driver software and electronic User Manual. Color: Black. Active Area: 12.80" x 8". Dimensions: 18.70" Width x 12.60" Length x 0.60" Height. Input Device Type: Mouse, Pen. Pressure Levels: 2048. Interfaces/Ports: 4-pin Type A USB. Click the picture to learn more -
Roku Review - Roku Radio not Roku's fault
I wrote in an earlier post that I was buying a Roku. My daughter took the Wii to college, making me lose my Netflix/TV connection. I love British dramas on Netflix and I am frankly sick of cable reruns. So I killed my cable as an experiment and bought the Roku .
It is too expensive to justify it as just a Netflix player but I liked the other available options. So it's a brave new internet TV world and I wanted to try it. Unfortunately in many cases it is Roku Radio on my TV. Here is my review:
First, Netflix works perfectly. I am all caught up with Downton Abbey and on to the second season on the PBS site.
But other options that Roku offers as "television channels" or show options, especially news, have been a huge disappointment because the channels themselves don't offer TV, just audio. The Roku forums are full of voiced disappointments like mine and all say Roku doesn't control the channels content. Much of the daily news broadcasts are audio podcasts. Anderson Cooper 360 - audio podcast. CBS Evening News - audio podcast. Anything else that is a 30 minute television program is broken into small segments, individual stories without an auto play function such as the CNN news videos on their site. They are labor intensive to watch. I read a Roku forum complaint that NBC Nightly News was in a whole chunk as video, but it disappeared.
This is especially glaring on the weekend. On Sunday night, I don't want to watch/listen to news from the previous Friday but that is all that's available. The Roku forums say the problem lies with individual networks who are slow to update, don't have the streaming capability, etc excuse after etc excuse. Why would I want an audio podcast of small segments of a two day old television newscast? The bottom line is they don't want to give it to you on Roku, they want you to go their websites - to click their ads, look at the sponsors - I get it - commercial TV. It paid my salary for 30 years, I appreciate commercial TV.
A google search for specific shows and channels has helped, and I will admit it has taken me a while to figure out how to find things on Roku. The biggest savior has been Nowhere TV, because that led to my finding live CNNi and BBC news live which is really all I need to feel up to date (and in the case of the BBC - 6 hours ahead of the game).
A quick, unscientific survey of Roku Newscaster and some of the other channels had this result:
Fox News - individual segments from their commentators that I have to launch, launch again and then play something else when that 6 minutes finishes. Most of it is from yesterday (which I get - this isn't commercial TV).
NBC News - a complete mess. Dates all mixed up, thumbnails of stories so it's a lot of work just to see what is there. Not worth my time. I do see they have the Today Show clips similar to my CBS This Morning viewing - more below.
WSJ - News Hub - Almost never there unless I hit it at just the right time. And their anchors and reporters are - forgive me - not meant to be on TV. Delivery is terrible, interviewing is embarrassing. The rest of them are thumbnail pictures of stuff I have to scroll through. Not interested.
Weather4us and other weather sites. The Roku remote isn't sophisticated enough to make typing into their online keyboard comfortable. I can get my current weather on the internet in 1/100th of the time the Roku channels would take me. Not worth it.
Livestation - stations from around the world. Interesting but not of daily use for me.
WTHR Indianapolis - again - many thumbnails to scroll through and I don't live there. I thought having other stations would be fun - too much work. Was interesting during this year's Super Bowl.
Blubrry - not news.
KLAS Las Vegas - ditto WTHR
Democracy Now! - not news
Nowhere TV - thank goodness for that channel. They have everything in video. I have taken to watching the CBS This Morning clips there when I get home from work. That has been worth my time. Huh - right next to CBS This Morning is Anderson Cooper 360 - video podcast. It's only 10 minutes but the CNN exclusive site has his 43 minute 'audio' podcast. It must all be about bandwidth and streaming. I gave up my cable - but I don't want to substitute audio podcasts!
I like having NPR, PRI, CNBC, PBS - but for the radio options I will just re-activate my Sirius rather than use the Roku. I also think all the personal channels individuals are creating are fascinating. This is citizen TV at it's infancy and it will be interesting to see what's around the technological corner after Roku.
In conclusion, if you buy a Roku and are disillusioned - here is my advice. Google what you are looking for and you might find a Roku option. The Roku forums are up to date and very helpful. Don't think this has anything close to real TV, nor was it meant to be. If you can live on movies and some TV shows for viewing you will be fine. If you want news, it's Roku Radio. EXCEPT for my beloved CNNi live and the BBC. This morning the CNNi was streaming the deaf signer with the actual channel in a smaller box so I don't think the kinks have been worked out yet for live streaming (and I learned some sign language for soccer so that was fine). If you need news immediately in the morning like I do, the CNN 4 minute audio podcast update is as new as you will get for the United States.
Stay tuned...
It is too expensive to justify it as just a Netflix player but I liked the other available options. So it's a brave new internet TV world and I wanted to try it. Unfortunately in many cases it is Roku Radio on my TV. Here is my review:
First, Netflix works perfectly. I am all caught up with Downton Abbey and on to the second season on the PBS site.
But other options that Roku offers as "television channels" or show options, especially news, have been a huge disappointment because the channels themselves don't offer TV, just audio. The Roku forums are full of voiced disappointments like mine and all say Roku doesn't control the channels content. Much of the daily news broadcasts are audio podcasts. Anderson Cooper 360 - audio podcast. CBS Evening News - audio podcast. Anything else that is a 30 minute television program is broken into small segments, individual stories without an auto play function such as the CNN news videos on their site. They are labor intensive to watch. I read a Roku forum complaint that NBC Nightly News was in a whole chunk as video, but it disappeared.
This is especially glaring on the weekend. On Sunday night, I don't want to watch/listen to news from the previous Friday but that is all that's available. The Roku forums say the problem lies with individual networks who are slow to update, don't have the streaming capability, etc excuse after etc excuse. Why would I want an audio podcast of small segments of a two day old television newscast? The bottom line is they don't want to give it to you on Roku, they want you to go their websites - to click their ads, look at the sponsors - I get it - commercial TV. It paid my salary for 30 years, I appreciate commercial TV.
A google search for specific shows and channels has helped, and I will admit it has taken me a while to figure out how to find things on Roku. The biggest savior has been Nowhere TV, because that led to my finding live CNNi and BBC news live which is really all I need to feel up to date (and in the case of the BBC - 6 hours ahead of the game).
A quick, unscientific survey of Roku Newscaster and some of the other channels had this result:
Fox News - individual segments from their commentators that I have to launch, launch again and then play something else when that 6 minutes finishes. Most of it is from yesterday (which I get - this isn't commercial TV).
NBC News - a complete mess. Dates all mixed up, thumbnails of stories so it's a lot of work just to see what is there. Not worth my time. I do see they have the Today Show clips similar to my CBS This Morning viewing - more below.
WSJ - News Hub - Almost never there unless I hit it at just the right time. And their anchors and reporters are - forgive me - not meant to be on TV. Delivery is terrible, interviewing is embarrassing. The rest of them are thumbnail pictures of stuff I have to scroll through. Not interested.
Weather4us and other weather sites. The Roku remote isn't sophisticated enough to make typing into their online keyboard comfortable. I can get my current weather on the internet in 1/100th of the time the Roku channels would take me. Not worth it.
Livestation - stations from around the world. Interesting but not of daily use for me.
WTHR Indianapolis - again - many thumbnails to scroll through and I don't live there. I thought having other stations would be fun - too much work. Was interesting during this year's Super Bowl.
Blubrry - not news.
KLAS Las Vegas - ditto WTHR
Democracy Now! - not news
Nowhere TV - thank goodness for that channel. They have everything in video. I have taken to watching the CBS This Morning clips there when I get home from work. That has been worth my time. Huh - right next to CBS This Morning is Anderson Cooper 360 - video podcast. It's only 10 minutes but the CNN exclusive site has his 43 minute 'audio' podcast. It must all be about bandwidth and streaming. I gave up my cable - but I don't want to substitute audio podcasts!
I like having NPR, PRI, CNBC, PBS - but for the radio options I will just re-activate my Sirius rather than use the Roku. I also think all the personal channels individuals are creating are fascinating. This is citizen TV at it's infancy and it will be interesting to see what's around the technological corner after Roku.
In conclusion, if you buy a Roku and are disillusioned - here is my advice. Google what you are looking for and you might find a Roku option. The Roku forums are up to date and very helpful. Don't think this has anything close to real TV, nor was it meant to be. If you can live on movies and some TV shows for viewing you will be fine. If you want news, it's Roku Radio. EXCEPT for my beloved CNNi live and the BBC. This morning the CNNi was streaming the deaf signer with the actual channel in a smaller box so I don't think the kinks have been worked out yet for live streaming (and I learned some sign language for soccer so that was fine). If you need news immediately in the morning like I do, the CNN 4 minute audio podcast update is as new as you will get for the United States.
Stay tuned...
Sunday, January 15, 2012
GoPro HD HERO Naked Wearable Camera with Advanced Accessory Kit
GoPro HD HERO Naked Wearable Camera with Advanced Accessory Kit, 1920 x 1080p HD, SD/SDHC Memory Card Slot, 5MP 1/2.5" CMOS Sensor, 1.5" Status LCD, Fixed Focus 2' Lens, 180' Waterproof, 5MP Still Images, Mac and PC Compatible HD HERO Naked Consumer Video Camcorders HD HERO Naked Wearable Camera with Advanced Accessory Kit
GoPro HD Helmet HERO Camcorder Basic Kit
Everybody's favorite new affordable camcorder - GoPro HD Helmet HERO Camcorder Basic Kit, HD Helmet HERO Camcorder, 16GB SDHC Memory Card, Camera Bag, Lens Cleaning Kit HD Helmet HERO Consumer Video Camcorders HD Helmet HERO Camcorder Basic Kit
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Trip to the Hotel Del Coronado
Just fantasy but this is where I would like to be right now! The Hotel del Coronado is the amazing historic hotel on Coronado Island across from San Diego. Some Like it Hot was filmed there with Marilyn Monroe, Jack Lemon and Tony Curtis.
They have a New Years Eve Gala, wonderful Christmas doings, restaurants, shops, the beach, you just don't need to go anywhere else. I've been lucky enough to stay there twice, once in the original building and the second time in the new towers. Three years ago my daughter and I stayed way high up in the towers and our view in the morning was the sun coming up, the lovely soft crashing of the waves and no people. I thought I would feel cheated not getting to stay in the original hotel but I now almost prefer the towers. I booked it on Expedia .....
Roku - so I can have Netflix on my old TV!
My daughter is taking the Wii to college. We have old TVs. There goes my TV access to Netflix and all my British dramas! I heard the tech talkies on the morning shows touting Roku, but I forgot the word until I ran across it today. This is what I am buying with my Christmas money! As soon as Netflix streams the latest season of Downton Abbey I will be ready with my Roku! Great invention, great idea and I am ordering today. It looks to me like you either want the purple, least expensive model or the most expensive with USB, Micro SD storage and full HD. I really only need the purple Roku because my TVs are ancient (think big end sticking out the back - no flat screen here). When I get it I will update this post. Oh - they say there are tons of other free channels, games, movies. I don't care about that - just Downton Abbey but I am interested to see if I can dump cable - absolutely nothing on but reruns - and watch my Roku! Stay tuned...
Monday, December 26, 2011
Zoom H2n Handy Recorder Portable Digital Audio Recorder & Canon EOS 5D Mark II Digital Camera Kit
If you shoot HD video with a DSLR camera, you have to find a way to record quality audio. My friends who shoot independent films use the Zoom Digital Audio Recorder.
Zoom H2n Handy Recorder Portable Digital Audio Recorder, Ultra-Portable Design, 5 Integrated Microphones, 4 Selectable Recording Patterns, Records to SD/SDHC Cards, 3.5mm I/O, Reference Speaker, 1.8" Backlit LCD Display, High-Speed USB 2.0, Battery, USB, or AC Power, Steinberg WaveLab LE 7 Included H2n Digital Field Recorders H2n Handy Recorder Portable Digital Audio Recorder.
Zoom H2n Handy Recorder Portable Digital Audio Recorder, Ultra-Portable Design, 5 Integrated Microphones, 4 Selectable Recording Patterns, Records to SD/SDHC Cards, 3.5mm I/O, Reference Speaker, 1.8" Backlit LCD Display, High-Speed USB 2.0, Battery, USB, or AC Power, Steinberg WaveLab LE 7 Included H2n Digital Field Recorders H2n Handy Recorder Portable Digital Audio Recorder.
My new favorite show - Brain Games on NatGeo
A smart show!! Brain Games is a fun, smart, challenging, and watch out - educational television program that held me through all the commercials. It contains concentration and brain information, brain games to play during the show, the powers of observation, sleight of hand, and just generally things that will blow your mind. I don't watch National Geographic (I prefer public TVs Nova if I want that type of show) unless there are Dog Whisperer reruns but I will look for this show every time I turn on the television.
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Restaurant Impossible Review (and comments on "fake" urgency)
I like reality shows in general if they live up to the quality of Project Runway. Shot well, interesting characters, produced and edited well and a reason to tune in again. I love television news so reality shows are like news on steroids. I really like Tabatha Coffey in Tabatha's Salon Makeover. The producers find the controversy in the characters (or they fake it well) and Tabatha handles it all with her iron fist and will.
Restaurant Impossible seems to be produced in the Tabatha model, with Trading Spaces thrown in. The problem I have with Restaurant Impossible is that they create fake urgency. In the Offstreet Cafe episode (and many others), there is some urgent 2 day timeline to get everything finished. Why? Are the staff, production crew and Robert Irvine so busy and so booked that they need to renovate a building in two days? He spends 1/3rd of every show yelling at the construction crew. It's weird. There are so many restaurant and food issues they could focus on without wasting air time creating a false urgency about not getting the interior finished. Reality check. We viewers know you are going to make it. Unless half your episodes end in the construction people failing, we know how it ends. What is the reason for the horrible deadline? Work another day already! Producers, it shouldn't be part of the show. It makes your viewers uncomfortable when he is yelling at the construction people who have been set up to fail because of the unrealistic deadline. Oh ... wait ... the construction people miraculously make their deadline every time and Robert never says, "good job guys". So that means any normal construction people would say, "forget you.. I quit. While I try to do my job revamping this space you continue to yell at me every episode? See ya..." See producers - it doesn't work. It means you don't have enough show to fill 22 minutes so you create fake controversy. Instead, why don't you talk about real restaurant issues... business, food, vendors, creating menus, getting in a shipment of wilted lettuce. It's not working.
It could be as good as the Tabatha show but it falls short because you are forcing the drama. Project Runway has built in, natural stress as does Tabatha. You are creating it. It makes it a formulaic, predictable ending with over dramatic, "oh my gosh" we pulled it off again music, crying...blah blah. It should be about food - it's on the Food Network. Not about a box of missing hardwood floor strips. The restaurant people are fascinating, the menu issues are intriguing - but if I wanted to stress over floor tiles I would be watching TLC.
Restaurant Impossible seems to be produced in the Tabatha model, with Trading Spaces thrown in. The problem I have with Restaurant Impossible is that they create fake urgency. In the Offstreet Cafe episode (and many others), there is some urgent 2 day timeline to get everything finished. Why? Are the staff, production crew and Robert Irvine so busy and so booked that they need to renovate a building in two days? He spends 1/3rd of every show yelling at the construction crew. It's weird. There are so many restaurant and food issues they could focus on without wasting air time creating a false urgency about not getting the interior finished. Reality check. We viewers know you are going to make it. Unless half your episodes end in the construction people failing, we know how it ends. What is the reason for the horrible deadline? Work another day already! Producers, it shouldn't be part of the show. It makes your viewers uncomfortable when he is yelling at the construction people who have been set up to fail because of the unrealistic deadline. Oh ... wait ... the construction people miraculously make their deadline every time and Robert never says, "good job guys". So that means any normal construction people would say, "forget you.. I quit. While I try to do my job revamping this space you continue to yell at me every episode? See ya..." See producers - it doesn't work. It means you don't have enough show to fill 22 minutes so you create fake controversy. Instead, why don't you talk about real restaurant issues... business, food, vendors, creating menus, getting in a shipment of wilted lettuce. It's not working.
It could be as good as the Tabatha show but it falls short because you are forcing the drama. Project Runway has built in, natural stress as does Tabatha. You are creating it. It makes it a formulaic, predictable ending with over dramatic, "oh my gosh" we pulled it off again music, crying...blah blah. It should be about food - it's on the Food Network. Not about a box of missing hardwood floor strips. The restaurant people are fascinating, the menu issues are intriguing - but if I wanted to stress over floor tiles I would be watching TLC.
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Marvin Gaye - What's Going On - we miss him...
There has never been nor will there ever be ... a finer singer than this man.
Penny...Penny...Penny.... Big Bang Theory is my favorite!
I am not sure how I missed The Big Bang Theory for so long. I really dislike sitcoms. Maybe there were too many in the 80s and 90s. I didn't love them then either. I watched Friends in the beginning, Cheers, sometimes Sienfeld. But the laugh track, studio setting and constant guffaws really got old. I haven't watched a sitcom in many years. I like stuffy, "cerebral", British dramas based on book titles (that is what Netflix says I am). Downton Abbey is to die for! But since I don't have the BBC channel and lately there has been nothing to watch at suppertime on my favorite channels - USA, Lifetime and Bravo, my daughter switched it to TBS for Big Bang reruns. I was slow to come around but the smart writing, Sheldon's quirky sideways laugh and the under construction elevator won me over. I am hooked! I just used the show open to explain to my media students what video keyframes are used for.
Thanks to cechly for putting together the Sheldon laugh compilation below!
Thanks to cechly for putting together the Sheldon laugh compilation below!
True Blood Party and True Blood for the Holidays Commercial with stunned Grandma!
Have a True Blood party for the holidays! Maybe not with your grandma...the HBO, True Blood for the Holidays commercial with the happy family and stunned grandma is great. "Merry Christmas Grandma, I love you so much!" LOL
Sony HVR-V1U HDV 1080i/24p Cinema Style Camcorder Kit, includes Anton Bauer ElipZ Battery Package, DVD, and Camcorder Bag
It is just amazing that a professional camcorder like this is now so affordable. Picture quality is stunning because it's HD, shoots on sturdy mini-DV and comes with everything you need to shoot your first indie film or documentary.
Sony HVR-V1U HDV 1080i/24p Cinema Style Camcorder Kit, includes Anton Bauer ElipZ Battery Package, DVD, and Camcorder Bag HVRV1U HDV Camcorder Professional Camcorders (ENG) HVR-V1U HDV 1080i/24p Cinema Style Camcorder Kit, includes Anton Bauer ElipZ Battery Package, DVD, and Camcorder Bag
Sony HVR-V1U HDV 1080i/24p Cinema Style Camcorder Kit, includes Anton Bauer ElipZ Battery Package, DVD, and Camcorder Bag HVRV1U HDV Camcorder Professional Camcorders (ENG) HVR-V1U HDV 1080i/24p Cinema Style Camcorder Kit, includes Anton Bauer ElipZ Battery Package, DVD, and Camcorder Bag
Keyboard Portfolio for IPad from ISound
I know there are iPad purists who say they don't need a keyboard ... I have to have a keyboard. This leather portfolio is perfect - inexpensive, practical, has the great touch fasteners and built-in stand. It's light, attractive and exactly the accessory you need to protect either your iPad 1 or iPad 2.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Editing VHS Videotape on your home computer
I've talked about the Pinnacle Dazzle on this blog a number of times, but here are step by step instructions on how to use it. Connect your VHS videotape machine to the Dazzle box, then the Dazzle via USB to your computer. The Dazzle comes with software that instructs you how to capture your VHS tape into a computer video format. Then you can edit that footage using a video editing software or send it straight to DVD using the Dazzle software. Click the following link to get started: How to Edit VHS Movies at Home
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Jelly Bean Music Video from songbird Kina Grannis!
This is a stop motion, yummy, eye candy (haha) music video from Kina Grannis that we watched in class. And yeah! - a making of companion video that made all my media students gasp at how long this took to film and edit. We were in the middle of stop motion projects ourselves and it gave them a huge appreciation for this art form. And it's a lovely song too!
288,000 jelly beans!
288,000 jelly beans!
Adobe Premiere Elements and Photoshop Elements
This is the video and photo editing software combo I encourage students to buy. Adobe Elements Premiere and Photoshop are the consumer version of Adobe's professional Premiere Pro and image editing software, Photoshop. Elements doesn't have all the bells and whistles of the pro version, but it works very well, so much more affordable and a good way to get started with both editing programs.
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Best Camcorder for Media Class
Sheer timing and luck put us in a position to order right at the time this new Panasonic shoulder mount flash memory camcorder hit the market. Perfect for a media production class, either high school or college. It is light, relatively inexpensive for a big camcorder and the video is stunning. There is an external mic jack in the front - just a mini plug but that's all we need. If you are a media educator, you know that equipment can take a beating from students, just because 100 students handle the camcorders every day. That's asking a lot of any technology. So far, the results with this camcorder have been spectacular. Our editing towers have the flash memory port so they take it out of the camcorder, plug it in, move the footage and they are editing. Make sure you buy at least a 16GB memory card. Otherwise you will be cleaning memory cards daily. Luckily Premiere Pro CS5 accepts any format and handles HD very well so we are exceptionally pleased with our purchase.
Pal version:
Pal version:
Spectacular Wetabix Commercial and The Making Of
Commercials like this make my job as an educator so much fun. We studied this commercial and the "making of" video in my high school media classes. It's amazing how all these talented, creative people came together to create such a fascinating way to sell cereal. The music was made by Mord Fustang from Estonia - yes Tallinn, Estonia. You can hear his other creations here at SoundCloud
. How lucky we are to live in a time when a music maker from Estonia can connect with directors from the United States for a British commercial, starring a super talented tween named (thanks to her parents for this!) - Arizona Snow. It's a visual feast for the eyes and ears. I love commercials so thanks to all involved for such a stunning 30 seconds. Also thanks to the dancers who endured the sweaty bear suits! We all wanted Weetabix cereal after we watched! The "making of" video is just icing on the cake and extremely beneficial for my students, to see what a totally fun career they could have in media.
. How lucky we are to live in a time when a music maker from Estonia can connect with directors from the United States for a British commercial, starring a super talented tween named (thanks to her parents for this!) - Arizona Snow. It's a visual feast for the eyes and ears. I love commercials so thanks to all involved for such a stunning 30 seconds. Also thanks to the dancers who endured the sweaty bear suits! We all wanted Weetabix cereal after we watched! The "making of" video is just icing on the cake and extremely beneficial for my students, to see what a totally fun career they could have in media.
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Best Camcorder Gift for Students!
If your son or daughter is begging for a camcorder to make movies and edit- here are three great options with several price tags. The camcorder itself is a great buy - flash memory, the great Canon brand, easy to use and takes great video. The other two options offer a tripod, case and even a tripod hood to cut down on glare. The camcorder shoots the MPEG 2 video format.
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