Shooting Beautiful HD Video With A Pack Of Cards
First of all, thanks -- you guys have been great in helping me make ends meet in the wake of the downturn in papers by buying stuff on Amazon through links on Amy's Mall. For the uninitiated, even if you buy nothing I offer, or buy a 30-cent used book, if you go through one of my Amazon links to buy something, anything, I get a kickback (around 6 percent), and these days, every little bit helps.
But, enough about that. Here's an absolutely fantastic pocket HD video camera, the 60-minute Flip Video Camcorder
It's small -- fits in the palm of your hand, totally simple to use, and that little USB connector you see pops up to connect the camera right to your computer to transfer video in about 30 seconds flat, give or take a few seconds (for the five-minute quantities we shot). And it shoots really beautiful HD video.
We pulled selects from the three five minute pieces we shot, and edited it in iMovie 08 on my neighbor's slim, beautiful MacBook Air in a couple of hours. Completely simple. Word to the wise: Tech maestro Gregg says iMovie 08 sucks. I think iMovie 09 is supposed to be better.
FYI, for non Mac-users, the camera comes with software, too, but we used the more sophisticated Mac stuff, so I can't tell you about theirs. Still, I totally recommend this camera. I want to get one (when the economy improves) and carry it around everywhere in my purse so I can shoot footage of society's asshats and post it here.
Technology can be remarkably empowering when it's done right. I'm posting this from my iPhone for example.
Being a Mac guy, I'm not surprised that you had a good result.
BlogDog at March 21, 2009 3:28 AM
I'm a student at University of Houston with my major being photography/digital media. Our video art teacher (Stefan Hillderbrand) recommended this camera the first day - he even had 2 for us to play with. Incredible camera, now most of us have our own. I'm sure Amy doesn't need a lowly photo student to back her recommendation up, but hey, gotta give credit where credit is due.
Abby at March 21, 2009 5:39 AM
Actually, Abby, that's great to know. This was so incredibly easy to use -- I'm not one who's wowed by cameras, normally.
Operating requires four things: Turn it on. Push big red button to record. Push button to stop. Push button to flip out USB thingie to download to computer.
And gorgeous footage. It's at its best in the large file format you export from iMovie -- maintains a good bit of the quality of the HD.
Amy Alkon at March 21, 2009 7:23 AM
You people are savages... SAVAGES!
Crid [cridcridatgmail] at March 21, 2009 4:45 PM
To wit.
Animals..!
Crid [cridcridatgmail] at March 21, 2009 5:02 PM
Actually, the boobs are bigger and the hips are smaller.
Amy Alkon at March 22, 2009 1:33 AM
Distractions like that can't hide the truth: The base OS is nothing but a coarsely-shelled Unix derivative.
Listen, you stay out of the video editing business, I'll stay outta the advice racket, capiche?
Crid [cridcridatgmail] at March 22, 2009 1:45 AM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2009/03/21/shooting_video.html#comment-1639617">comment from Crid [cridcridatgmail]You got it. Anyway, my neighbor did the dirty deed.
If she/we did a good job on this and we have a bit of luck, editors will be hired!
Amy Alkon
at March 22, 2009 2:21 AM
If you wanna obsess over W/H ratios some more, see this:
- by Helga Stein To explore the ideals of physical beauty, this woman digitally shapes her self portraits into comical proportions reminiscent of Barbie dolls. The comments she attracts—”ur so hot,” etcetera—make me want to laugh and weep at the same time. My personal favorite: “Unreal curves! Wow!!” How unintentionally perceptive.
But truth is, Beyonce really is shaped like this.
Crid [cridcridatgmail] at March 22, 2009 2:48 AM
That's some WHR! Note the comments!
Amy Alkon at March 22, 2009 10:46 AM
Amazon recently had the 1 gig, 30 minute max length version of this camera on sale for $69.95. I bought it as a birthday gift for my nephew, who has a new baby. He was THRILLED with the ease of use and quality of the video. I can't believe how inexpensive this technology has become!
Omnibus Driver at March 23, 2009 4:59 PM
Some images just burn themselves into your immortal soul
Crid [cridcridatgmail] at March 23, 2009 5:12 PM
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