Kodak Zi8 The PERFECT Pocket Video Camera
October 10, 2009 by Cliff Ravenscraft
I’ve been on the lookout for the perfect pocket sized video recorder to meet my needs. I’m an audio guy mostly, but I occasionally have a desire to create video content from time to time. For example, there are times when I want to do product demos such as the video demo I did for the Tascam DR-07.
The main reason I haven’t done more of these videos than I have is due to the desire to have a much higher level of audio quality in the videos that I produce. There are a lot of point and shoot cameras that have pretty decent video quality, but I want to use my professional audio gear to produce the audio for the video and I don’t want to have to add the audio to the video project in post production. Therefore, the perfect camera for me would be one with an external audio input jack.
Today, I found just the camera I’ve been looking for in the Kodack Zi8. I learned about this terrific camera while watching Cali Lewis’ GeekBrief.tv episode 641. Would you believe that within 30 minutes of watching her video, I had this camera in my hands? I’m not kidding! I immediately did a search online for the camera, looked over the specs, and started to call stores to see if anyone had it in stock. Luckily, I found a local Best Buy store who had ONLY ONE in stock. I immediately left the house and picked it up.
While the audio input jack was the most important thing I’ve been looking for in these little mini cameras, I am excited to tell you that the Zi8 also includes several other features that I’m excited about. It shoots video in full 1080p HD, though I’m more impressed with the 720p at 60 frames per second. It has terrific image stabilization. It takes 5 megapixel still images. Both the video and the still images are captures in 16×9 format, which I LOVE by the way. It takes high capacity SD Cards up to 32Gb so I could actually record as much as 20 to 30 hours of HD video on one card. It comes with software for the PC that allows me to very easily upload directly to YouTube, Facebook, Vimeo, and other sites. And the video is recorded in to a .MOV file that I can just as easily drag and drop onto my Mac Desktop and edit it with Screenflow or iMovie.
Of course that’s a enough of WORDS about this VIDEO camera. So here’s the video I created as soon as I took it out of the box. Note: I didn’t spend any time at all editing this video. Just wanted to test video quality as quickly as possible. Take a look at this video and tell me what you think! [Read more]
What Is Google Wave?
October 2, 2009 by Cliff Ravenscraft
By now, I’m sure you have heard about Google Wave. I got excited about this project as soon as I first saw the developer conference demo back in June of this year.
The only issue with that original video was that it was more than an hour long. Personally, I felt that it was worth every moment I spent soaking in all that Google Wave could do. However, the length of the video was a barrier to entry for the mass audience to get a feel for what would be coming from this service.
Finally, there is a much shorter video. In fact, here’s a video that does pretty darn well at explaining the main points in under eight minutes. Have a look:
[Read more]
Equipment Diagrams
July 25, 2009 by Cliff Ravenscraft
Hey folks,
I’m just posting this here to let you know that one of the many services that I provide is personalized equipment setup consults, even if you have purchased your equipment elsewhere.
This morning, I had an hour long consulting client who had purchased the following equipment elsewhere. (He said in the future, he’ll buy from me)
Shure SM7B Mic
Behringer 1204 Mixer
Edirol R-09HR Recorder
DBX 266XL Dual Compressor/Limiter/Gate
He was looking for a podcast consultant because he had no idea how to hook all the equipment up and what cables to use.
Within one hour with me on the phone (AND SHARING MY SCREEN WITH HIM using GoToMeeting) we did the following.
I pulled up images of all his equipment and created a setup diagram with him, while we were on the phone, explaining every step in the process.
I was able to walk him through what each of the buttons and knobs are used for on his mixer, I was able to give him advice on how to get the PERFECT audio levels every single time he records, and soooo much more.
In the end, he felt as confident that he knew exactly what to do and was on his way to a local store to pick up a few cables to build his studio setup.
I might mention that folks who have hired me to help them do this usually spend MANY HOURS researching this stuff online before they actually come to me for help. In one hour with me, they know what they need to know to get up and running so that they can do more important things LIKE RECORDING THEIR CONTENT. 
After each of these calls, I save the equipment diagram and email it to them.
Here’s an example….
Social Media Serenity – Twitter – Facebook – Google Reader And More
July 18, 2009 by Cliff Ravenscraft
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Social Media Serenity
A Balanced Approach To Social Networking
In this episode, Erik Fisher and myself, Cliff Ravenscraft, explain our reasoning for starting this podcast and share our thoughts on what we will be discussed moving forward.
Erik and I both share that our top social media sites/services that we use are Twitter and Facebook.
In the discussion, we discussed the Twitter Facebook Application and the Selective Twitter Status Application. Also, we made mention of Ping.fm and Hellotxt.com for the ability of posting your status updates to all the social networks
We also mentioned the use of Google Reader. In the discussion of what RSS feeds are, we referenced a video called RSS In Plain English.
Update 07/18/2009: [Read more]
Facebook Wall Like Theme For Your Community
June 20, 2009 by Cliff Ravenscraft
I just came across the video embedded here that shows off a Wordpress theme that allows you to have your own version of a Facebook Wall for your community. I see real potential here for some podcasters. I’m thinking about possible uses of a gspn.tv Community Wall. I’m going to take some time to think on this one.
You can download the theme by CLICKING HERE.
109 Podcast Answer Man – Edirol Recorder and Voice Mail Options
April 27, 2009 by Cliff Ravenscraft
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Podcast Answer Man 109
Edirol Recorder and Voice Mail Options
In this episode, I answer some questions from one of my clients who has recently ordered a few pieces of audio gear from me. He’s considering the purchase of the Edirol R-09HR recorder and wanted to know if I recommended that he should use an external mic when doing interviews.
I share a few sample recordings using the Edirol with and without an external microphone. In the example where I do use an external microphone, I’m using the Electrovoice RE50/B microphone. Both the Edirol and the Mic are available for purchase through me!
I take consulting requests and equipment sales directly from you at 859-757-1399.
Also in this episode, I share three options for having a Voice Mail Feedback Line. The first two options, J2.com and K7.net are free services. The third service, which is the one that I use, is BroadVoice.com. If you choose to sign up with BroadVoice, please use my listener feedback line as the number that referred you to them. My Voice Mail Number with them is 859-795-4067.
Discuss podcasting with other listeners in the Podcast Answer Man section of the gspn.tv Community Forum.
EQUIPMENT SALES: Please consider purchasing from me when making your next purchase for audio gear to improve the sound of your podcast. Email me at Cliff@gspn.tv or call me at 859-757-1399.
PODCAST CONSULTING: I’m also available for one on one podcast consulting. Whether you want someone to get everything set up for you or you just need a little help along the way, I’d love to work with you. I’m able to demonstrate using screen sharing technology during our call which makes it just like I was there sitting next to you at the computer. If you are interested, email me at Cliff@gspn.tv or call me at 859-757-1399.
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