I never thought about it this way, but David Kender from Camcorderinfo.com is right. He wrote up an article chock full of good information for preserving tape and DVDs. First things first, media should be stored in a cool dry place (like wine). MiniDV tapes and DVDs are made from materials that break down overtime and storing them near stereo speakers or CRT monitors (not LCD or Plasma) accelerate the degradation of those materials (unlike wine). The best materials for long term storage are (from best to worst) gold, silver, composite or alloy materials. Probably the best thing you can do to preserve your memories is to migrate from format-to-format every 5-15 years. Once you lose a tape or DVD, you can never get it back, so make multiple backup copies and store in different locations (if only you could do this with wine). Storing tapes and DVDs is like storing fine wine
I never thought about it this way, but David Kender from Camcorderinfo.com is right. He wrote up an article chock full of good information for preserving tape and DVDs. First things first, media should be stored in a cool dry place (like wine). MiniDV tapes and DVDs are made from materials that break down overtime and storing them near stereo speakers or CRT monitors (not LCD or Plasma) accelerate the degradation of those materials (unlike wine). The best materials for long term storage are (from best to worst) gold, silver, composite or alloy materials. Probably the best thing you can do to preserve your memories is to migrate from format-to-format every 5-15 years. Once you lose a tape or DVD, you can never get it back, so make multiple backup copies and store in different locations (if only you could do this with wine). 3D animation tutorials
If you watched Elephants Dream like Sheila did you were probably inspired to learn some 3D animation. 3D Total has a host of tutorials from beginner to advanced which will help you master CGI. As for me, I don't have the patience for tedious 3D details, but maybe you do? Give them a read and show us what you have learned.
Edius Tips and Tutorials
Edius, the "forgotten" editor, is gaining ground fast in the NLE market. Every time a software editor poll is conducted and Edius is left out of the choices, the users launch a massive revolt. Well here's a website just for Edius users. Edius Pro Tips and Tutorials contains tons of information, plus written and video tutorials. Hey, even if you are just curious about this software you should check out the website to get a feel of how the interface works ('cause it's different). If you like what you see, go download the free trial and give a whirl.[via Videoguys]
Produce your own semi-professional videos
Over at the Download Squad, Ryan Carter has written an excellent article about his experience producing a video on the cheap. Ryan produced this video in a day and a half with no budget. His equipment included a Kodak DX7590 Digital still camera that records video (you read it right, not a camcorder but a still camera), a cheap tripod, a multimedia cart, duck tape (every production needs this), a laptop, Audacity software and a microphone. This is only part 1 and I can't wait for part 2. Don't forget to read the comments because some good suggestions are popping up.
CNET TV
CNET TV offers a variety of video shorts DV Guru readers might be interested in. The site, which is in beta, contains several channels including news, gaming, tips and tricks, gadgets, cars and how-to videos. The site has a slick design and appears to be all Flash components. Cruise on over there and checkout what they have to offer.Free 24 hour trial at Lynda.com
I found a little tip over at Hart Shafer's blog. You can sign up for a 24 hour free trial at Lynda.com. There are several free sample tutorials on the site, but this will give you 24 hours to access everything and see if you feel it's worth purchasing a subscription If you are not familiar with Lynda.com you must go check it out. There are tons of excellent tutorials available to watch online or purchase. [via Hart's Audition]
How to Destroy a City in Photoshop
Worth1000.com has a step by step tutorial for turning any normal looking city scape to a scene of destruction and chaos. Great results with a thorough explanation, what more could you ask for? While your typical wedding videographer won't find this very useful, if you have an action movie this would come in handy for a good background plate. Don't have a city to try this out on? How about Melbourne, Sydney, or Minneapolis? Post your creations in the comments section.
The Ultimate Photoshop Toolbox Guide
Photoshop has lots of little icons in the toolbox. It can be challenging to remember which ones do what. SimplePhotoshop.com has a list of all the tool icons, with its name, shortcut key, and purpose. If you need more info just click the icon and a Flash video will play showing you how to use it. I wish I had this when I was learning Photoshop.
Video Tutorial: How I dealt with the Stephen Colbert footage
DV Guru reader DaveC was having some trouble with the Stephen Colbert footage, so I made a video tutorial on what I did. I used Sony Vegas, but you could apply these techniques to any other compositing app. It is worth noting that this footage is pretty challenging and can take some time to get a good key. But this is good practice so when you do get some awesome green screen footage, it will seem 10x easier.
See higher quality Divx version
As a bonus, check out some of the videos others have made with the Stephen Colbert footage:
Stephen Colbert vs. Star Wars Kid
Stephen Colbert vs. Rancor
Stephen Colbert vs. Cave Troll
Stephen Colbert vs. Conservative Ghostbuster
Please posts your thoughts and YouTube links in the comment section below.
See higher quality Divx version
As a bonus, check out some of the videos others have made with the Stephen Colbert footage:
Stephen Colbert vs. Star Wars Kid
Stephen Colbert vs. Rancor
Stephen Colbert vs. Cave Troll
Stephen Colbert vs. Conservative Ghostbuster
Please posts your thoughts and YouTube links in the comment section below.
Continue reading Video Tutorial: How I dealt with the Stephen Colbert footage
Following up on How to get video files onto your Tivo
I subscribe to several techie vodcasts and I like to watch them on my TV, not on my computer or iPod. My normal routine has been to download via iTunes, update iPod, connect iPod to TV, string a homemade a/v cable across the floor so I can control the iPod from my cushy recliner and watch. Not too painful, but not very convenient (hey, it IS the digital age). So I set out on a mission to transfer vodcasts to my Tivo for easy, no hassle viewing. Here are some tips if you want to do the same:- Your Tivo must be connected to your network
- Your Tivo needs to be running 7.2 software or later
- You need Tivo desktop software 2.2 or later
- Download vodcast via your favorite podcatcher
- Convert vodcast to mpeg2
- Make sure converted mpeg2 files are in your Tivo folder (defined by Tivo desktop software, default is my documents\my tivo)
- From your Tivo unit, go to Now Playing
- You will see your computer with the Tivo software running listed at the bottom
- Select folder and you will see a list of your converted mpeg2 files
- Select the ones you want to transfer to your Tivo and they will queue up
Adobe Digital Kids Club
Adobe Digital Kids Club is a website created for teachers, students, and parents to learn more about digital media. The site contains resources for digital video and photography including tutorials, interviews, lessons and a place to showcase your work. Don't let the word "kids" fool you, this is an excellent resource for anyone getting started with digital media.ExpertVillage.com budgets $2M to produce 75,000 How-To Videos
ExpertVillage.com announced it has budgeted $2 million to produce 75,000 new Internet friendly how-to videos over the next eighteen months, using freelance filmmakers/videographers. To reach this goal, ExpertVillage.com today officially launched its Filmmaker Program located at http://www.expertvillage.com/submit, where new filmmakers or pros with downtime from their day jobs can go to find details on needs requirements, submission formats, and how they can earn $300 per video shoot. This all sounds pretty good, but before you get all excited make sure you read the FAQ. There are lots of requirements and you will need to determine if the payment will justify your time. But hey, it may be worth your Saturday to knock out a couple assignments and make some extra cash.
Producing Video for the Web online presentation
Adobe has posted a pre-recorded online seminar titled Producing Video for the Web on their website. This presentation contains some very good information concerning all aspects of video production. The seminar is presented by Scott Fegette, a product manager for the Adobe Developer Relations group, who provides the following outline for you to see what all is covered, plus allow you to skip to only the parts you are interested in:- Start: Introduction and shooting considerations
- 10 min.: Planning the shoot
- 18 min.: Phases of production
- 22 min.: Acquiring video for the web
- 30 min.: Editing
- 32 min.: Keying (green/bluescreen removal)
- 45 min.: Color correction and interlacing
- 46 min.: Exporting from After Effects
- 48 min.: Flash video codecs (and comparing codecs)
- 52 min.: Encoding your FLV file
- 53 min.: Key encoding definitions
- 56 min.: Serving up your masterpiece and video delivery recommendations
- 1 hr.: Survey questions and Q & A
For low budget filmmakers - Microfilmmaker Magazine
There is a great site available for independent filmmakers with low budgets. The site, Microfilmmaker Magazine, defines it's mission:...to provide all the things that microfilmmakers need: how-to guides on building steady rigs, dollies, and other equipment, discounts on services microfilmmakers can really use, articles on better filmmaking techniques from preproduction to post, reviews of the newest cameras, software, equipment, and adapters in a microfilmmaker's actual price range, a community section for filmmakers to converse and help one another, and even a critiques section on new Micro-Films.
The term "film" is used all through the website, but they acknowledge that they use the term loosely, since most low budget filmmakers can't afford film and use digital video. With all the information this website offers, the downside is that there is no search function (that I could find). But things are very well organized in different categories so you should be able to easily find what interests you. Go check it out!
