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Review: AIPTEK A-HD Video Camera

The Producer — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 13:29:26 +0000

A friend at work asked me about this camera and here are the results about it:

First the

Technical Details

1280 x 720 H.264 Video @ 30fps
Connect to TV/VCR/DVD player to record video, pictures and audio
Charge with USB or AC Adapter without removing battery
5MP CMOS sensor with still images up to 8MP
2x digital zoom with fixed focus

Now the review:

First and foremost at the Current $129 US Dollars this is a great deal - This is the cheapest HD Video Camera you can buy - Currently. Just remember you do get what you pay for. I would consider this a starter video camera. Something you can throw into your bag and keep with you when the moment strikes. You never know when you would want to take a photo or video. Be careful as this camera is made up of plastic - so when throwing this into your daily bag or purse just take a few precautions and this will last you for quite some time.

This AIPTEK uses H.264 as its video codec which makes this compatible with the iPod Touch, iPhone, iPod 5G and even the iPod Nano 3G.

Another point is that this can record 480p or 720p from an external device through it’s video input mini-port. It can upsample 480i to 720p (Remember the quality of the original will not improve)

This also comes with 2 outputs: Standard AV (In/Out) and HD out (YPP)

Some Additional Points to Ponder Before purchasing are:
The video taken by this unit is vest in daylight and bright lights - If not you will see noise in the video. This unit also tends to overexpose whites. You can use this with the night mode but remember any low light situation will increase the video noise considerably. Also note the lens is slightly soft - your videos will not be as sharp and crisp as a $1000 camera but remember the current price at Amazon is ONLY $129 - As I stated before you get what you pay for. But don’t let that lead you away from this great camera. I only wanted to repeat myself as some people may get the impression that this will be studio quality. This camera is ment to be used for the family and friends that want to have a great video camera with them when the moment strikes and they want to capture the moment. Or if you are doing a video VodCast (Podcast) The quality of this video is equivalent to a camera you could have purchased 2 / 3 years ago for the $300 to 500 range. So in all honestly you are getting a great bargain. Also note the internal memory is only 32mb and this unit will take standard SD cards -and at $7 a GB - I would recommend purchasing a 2gb Memory card since this will capture about 1 hour on that 2GB of memory. Not a bad deal in my humble opinion.

And Her is a review of it I found on Youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyU361NB1iw

Technorati Tags: review, AIPTEK, HD, Camera, Video, Camera, “Video, Camera”, Cheap, inexpensive, DIY, Podcast, VodCast

J.J. Abrams - The Mystery Box

The Producer — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 06:02:12 +0000

Today I was viewing some of the speakers at TED.com (Great inspirational Speakers) and one of the newer videos on there was a speech given to TED Last March (2007) by J.J. Abrams. He talks about his life and his obsession of boxes. Well this leads to how he got his first super 8 camera at 10 years old (From his grandfather). Well this leads to his love of Mystery Boxes. He talks about Mystery Leads to thinking and what can this thing be. This really is a great film technique to learn and master like he has. He really is good at it. From the way his little film is doing this weekend (you know Cloverfield) Remember it is what you think you are getting and not what you are getting. Your Mind creates what you want it to create better then any special effect. And as J.J. Abrams states in the following video - Go - Create - You have all the tools you need to create the next blockbuster. Most computers and Cameras are capable of making any movie. Just CREATE IT!

So Use the Following as inspiration and Create your Blockbuster.

Here is the writeup on Ted.com about this speech:

J.J. Abrams traces his love of the unseen mystery — the heart of Alias, Lost, and the upcoming Cloverfield — back to its own magical beginnings, which may or may not include an early obsession with magic, the love of a supportive grandfather, or his own unopened Mystery Box.

Technorati Tags: indie, movie, making, jjabrams, j.j.abrams, j.j, abrams, jj, mystery, box, ted, ted.com, inspiration, film, making, technique, techniques, boxes

DIY: Greenscreen - The Inexpensive Way

The Producer — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 15:49:42 +0000

Just to let you know that this past week I stopped by the local Joann Fabrics and was able to pick up a 72″ wide x 9 Feet long Piece of lime/electric Green felt that works great for an inexpensive green screen. I have to say in the samples I have completed thus far it really is working out quite well.

As with any green screen you need to make sure to evenly light it and make sure the actor / presenter is at least several feet away from it or it will reflect green onto them causing that to blend in as well.

The big reason I mention Joann’s is that this is that the felt is normally $5.99 a yard but at Joann Fabrics the felt is on sale for only $2.99 a Yard so this inexpensive green screen only cost me about $12 to make. I already had a way to mount this - I have a expandable Clothing Rack (Shown on Right) I picked up at the local target or wally world I forget which one. And to hold the green screen in place on the clothing rack I use several heavy duty hand clamps like the ones shown to the left. I got my hand clamps at the local dollar store. A Three pack for a buck. Pretty good deal - I bought 2 packs of them as the smaller one in the pack could not clamp over the clothing rack. But still quite useful in videography and photography.

Well after all is said and done the complete green screen kit was less then $40 bucks for a really easy to use inexpensive green screen.

Keep Videoing and Lights - Camera - Action!!!

Technorati Tags: green, screen, greenscreen, bluescreen, chroma, key, chromakey, videoing, indy, movie, making, effects, efx, special, cheap, diy, hack

DIY: Horror Makeup - How to Make Scars

The Producer — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 05:19:54 +0000

Today - I will present a couple of videos showing how to make quick and easy scars.
One is using bubble gum to make the scar and the other is using what is called Gel-10 by PlatSil.
These can be purchased at BITYMold - Online Store. Or Monster Makers.com - Online Store

Be sure to look around - and Support your local stores as well.

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/847434/scars_with_bubblegum/

BubbleGum Scar

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/898154/realistic_neck_wound/

Realistic Neck Scar

Technorati Tags: Movie, Effects, FX, Scar, Wound, Q-10, Makup, Film, Effect, Monster, Magic, Prop, Silicon, Rubber, Wax, Cut, Bruise, DIY, how-to, how, to

Info: Make sure you have Permits to video

The Producer — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 18:43:21 +0000

You don’t want to end up like this group of guys who were out filming for a class. What they did wrong was not secure any permits and let the local police know they were filming a student film.

They were trying to film a chase scene and had bb-guns. Well someone called the local authorities and well you can see the rest in the video.

Here is an excerpt from the Guerilla filmmakers handbook - on Shooting Permits

More to follow…..

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Video Tour: A Desktop Studio

The Producer — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 07:39:07 +0000

Today, I would like to take you on a small video tour about all you need in your studio. Everyone thinks that the video studio must be GRAND and put alot of money into it to get the best out of it. Well that is a Myth. I feel like Myth Busters today. Honestly, you don’t really need super expensive equipment to make good quality video in your studio. Sure it helps but as long as you have the time, patience to learn your equipment (IMPORTANT!!! READ THE MANUAL) - You really are off to a good start - You are reading this blog in hopes to learn a few hints and tips. (Well, thats why I am here to help you and along the way I pick up some hints and tips from you as well)

Keep reading this blog and don’t forget to add this to your RSS Feed. That is a good way to keep up with the current topics (But I digress)

Well now on with the tour: Bill Myers invites us into his Youtube / How To Studio. You will notice that on the wall is a nice green screen that I showed a few tutorials on a few days ago on Flop Film. This really is a nice and simple setup that WORKS. As I said you don’t need real fancy equipment that cost $1000’s of dollars. If you know your equipment and practice with it and play with it you will get better with it. So of the Greats had their start with Super8 Film. We have it even better. Digital is low cost and easy to edit on a PC. Stay tuned as in future articles we will talk about video editing. Cheap video Editing solutions and try to answer the questions that you wrote in about.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MozL2UzWmbU

Technorati Tags: video, studio, tour, desktop, pc, control, room, green, screen

DIY: How to Make and Use a Steady Cam

The Producer — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 18:38:37 +0000

I was talking to Jason today who found a good subject to include here on Flop Film. He was reading about how they made Evil Dead and how inexpensively they did all the different effects and shot video. One thing of interest to horror film makers or anyone wanting to make a better video is the use of the Steady Cam or what they called the Dead Cam in Evil Dead. You can order off of Amazon a wonderful steady cam and they have many to choose from. BUT, If you are like me and want to or need to be as cheap as possible we have found several ways to make your own DIY Steady Cam. First and foremost is “Johnny SteadyCam” and his amazing $14 Steady Cam. But since this is a website devoted to making your own videos I set out looking at Youtube to see if anyone published a video about making this steady cam. Well there were quite a few See Videos after clicking in to read.

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How to Do a Green Screen or Blue Box

The Producer — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 16:19:49 +0000

Today, my first hint that everyone seems to want to know is how to do a green screen.
Well, it really is quite easy to do. First you need to get ahold of a Green Screen or Blue Screen Material. You can go professional or cheap. I have read that several people went to their local Joann Fabrics and bought some “Green Screen” Material and used it. Depending on the cloth density this should work. The heavier the fabric the better. I still recommend picking up what some would call a Professional Green Screen. Here is a link to What Amazon Sells -Green Screen. Don’t Forget to add a few lights to make sure the background is fully and evenly lit. This really is the most important step. Without the even lighting the software will have a hard time getting rid of the Chroma Key Color you selected. Remember you don’t have to go expensive with these lights. You can run down to the local hardware store and pick up a couple of good silver reflectors and a few good quality lights to light this background. Well enough of the writing - on to the videos.

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/747305/how_to_make_blue_box/

Digital Juice Guide to Green Screens

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ApNtdN0xMw

Technorati Tags: greenscreen,, green,, Screen,, BlueBox,, Blue,, Box,, Chroma,, Key,, ChromaKey,, Video,, Indie,, Independent,, Home,, Make,, Lighting,, Movies,, Special,, effects

New Blog in Town - FlopFilm

The Producer — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 15:14:16 +0000

Yes there is a new blog in town on how to make a better video - be it a home video of the wife and kids or the next blockbuster you are making on your own. We are here to help you with your video production needs. Feel Free to give us a holler and submit a question or two or more as a comment to this post and we will be more then happy to help you out and answer your questions.

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