El correu electrònic “...és lo que té”. Un bon dia t’arriba un missatge que t’adverteix que “hi ha moguda” al Youtube. Aquesta vegada no es tracta de menors que peguin a un company per enregistrar un vídeo que vulguin penjar a internet; ni és la darrera ocurrència de Polònia o d’Àngel Martin a SLQH. És més senzill. Es tracta de Leo, una estudiant de Magisteri Musical, andalusa, d’uns 20 anys, que té el seu propi canal a Youtube, el Leonor Channel, on canta les cançons que li sol·liciten els internautes, els quals la posen en més d’un compromís.

            Leo diu que no vol fer cap càsting, ni entrar a cap Acadèmia, ni dedicar-se professionalment a la música. Només vol estudiar per arribar a ser mestra, i fer amics. Ja n’ha fet uns quants: els seus vídeos han rebut més de 134.000 visites, i el canal ja té gairebé 4.000 subscriptors. A la xarxa, les xifres encara són baixes, però tot depèn de amb quines altres dades les comparem. Les cançons i la seva interpretació poden resultar embafoses, però en aquest món del Youtube –on tot està inventat– les noves tecnologies permeten que, amb uns mitjans domèstics (com el programa iMovie d’Apple), qualsevol pugui tenir els seus tres minuts de glòria “amateur” si fa una presentació original, canti bé o malament.

            En qualsevol cas, per graciosa (o no) que sigui la versió de la xica, sempre quedarà l’original “You give me something” de James Morrison, single (encara existeixen els singles?) d’un àlbum (Undiscovered, 2006) que va vendre més d’un milió de discos al Regne Unit.

La guía después del salto!.

Segundo Método.

Primero con algun editor de video ya se iMovie en OSX o Windows movie maker editamos el vídeo ya bajado y convertido, lo recortamos a 4 segundos.

Luego de recortarlo lo exportamos en Archivo > Exportar Video

lo guardamos de forma Vídeo Internet o Correo Electrónico.

Después nos va a quedar el archivo que guardamos .Mov en caso de imovie y .WMV en Windows movie maker.

Ahí esta el archivo resultante, en mi caso quedo pesando 60Kb.

de ahi nos dirigimos a  gifninja.com

Nos vamos abajo donde sale un botón para subir el archivo.

Lo buscamos donde sea que lo guardamos antes en el editor de video

y le damos clic en elegir u ok. y después hacemos clic en MAKE MY GIF!

Según cuanto pese el vídeo será la velocidad que se demore en transformarlo.

Cuando termine al final de la pagina nos aparecerá nuestro GIF animado!

que tendrá nombre Ouput.gif, este lo guardas y luego lo subes a imageshack u otro hosting de imágenes.

en mi caso el vídeo se transformo así.

Eso es todo! Ya puedes poner tu gif de firma o avatar!

Esta solución es la mas cómoda para los que tienen usuarios limitados en windows o control parental en OSX y no pueden instalar programas.

Saludos!

La guía después del Salto.
El video que voy a usar hoy para la demostración es:

Again & Again Windows Xp

Primera Forma:

Necesitamos el Quicktime (Pro para convertir vídeos) o algún conversor gratuito.

En Quicktime abrimos el video y nos vamos a Archivo > Exportar

y seleccionamos formato .MOV (en OSX) y .AVI (en Windows)

Elegimos donde guardar, el nombre de archivo y esperamos que Exporte.

Después que tenemos el vídeo en el escritorio o donde sea lo abrimos en el Adobe ImageReady

Nos va a dar las Opciones de que si queremos importar todo el vídeo o solo el rango seleccionado.

En el caso que queramos solo una parte del vídeo hacemos clic con el botón mayúsculas apretado.

Apretamos Ok y esperamos

Después nos va a aparecer el vídeo cargado y abajo la barra de animación.

Ahora, para guardar en formato Flash SWF hacemos:

Archivo > Exportar > Macromedia Flash SWF

nos va aparecer esta ventana

En formato elegimos JPEG y si quieres ajustas la calidad, le damos a OK

En caso de que queramos un GIF

Solo tenemos que hacer clic en Archivo> Guardar Optimizada Como y nos va a aparecer este cuadro

Solo ponemos Guardar y listo!

Obtenemos algo como esto:

again-again-windows-xp.gif

En la próxima edición, veremos como se hace con solo un editor de vídeo y un sitio web. Nos leemos!

Last Weekend:

I recently bought a new flip camcorder from PC World, Crawley. I've taken it to work every day this week and finding the more I use it the more I'm enjoying it. The real bonus is its size. Literally fits into your hand. So, after leaving PC World I went round to my Mom's house to show her. She grabbed it and said: "come on lets record you introducing it". So my Mom picks up the camera and starts aiming it at me then hits record (a great big red button in the middle of the camera). Next thing you know she's shooting away at me and soon finds herself a little shocked that it's so easy. (Looking at the video clip you'll notice it's not half bad for a first attempt)

This weekend:

Anyway, I got home tonight after a long and exciting week at the office. I decided to record me logging into my Mac - whilst chatting - on blip of course. I plan was to record a small amount of video then import it into iMovie which comes pre-installed on all modern Mac's. I'd then fiddle with background sound (Violent Femmes, Fall out the window) and cut some of the unwanted material into a neatly packaged movie clip. Just an experiment at this stage. After I figured out how to export the finished product I uploaded it to my blip video site and see the final outcome. I'm so impressed with myself that I've decided to add it to my blog.

My first-ever video blog experimental post

[blip.tv ?posts_id=1304250&dest=-1]

Skip to the movie at the end if you prefer a visual "adventure."

Five of us islander ALTs decided to get together and have a nice barbeque in a park called Mine (pronounced Mee-nay) that the three newbies included haven't been to yet.  Adam, possessor of an expired International Drivers' Permit, delegated driving duty to me and it was cool to take my car for a more serious ride.  The southern three-fifths of us showed up early to spec out the site to see if we needed to bring the metal bars for the grill.  Luckily, they were built-in.

When we first arrived, we actually scoped out the whole park including the two major slides, and even before that Adam gave me a precious, precious gift: A jar of American peanut butter, honey roasted to boot.  It's a whole lot of slices of heaven.  Omnomnomnomnom.

The biggest slide looks intimidating, whether from a distance or up close.  It goes from the top of a considerably steep hill to the bottom, and is visible from down the mountain, across the field in the parking lot.  Built for Japanese children, it's a bit cramped in width, but still usable by the average adult.  Though it is steep at points, the way it's designed with spinning metal bars as one's seat prevents one from skyrocketing down, so it's not quite as scary as one might think.

The other slide was quite peculiar, literally a hill of astroturf rode down on plastic toboggans.  It's a sad imitation of sledding down a snowbank, and certainly lacking in speed.  However, if one dips the bottom of the sled in the disgusting box of "oil" provided, one does go a bit faster.  Running and jumping into the sled also appears to help.

Back in Toyotama on a mission to gather vittles and grilling supplies, a bit of searching and askings for help scored us charcoal, lighter fluid, lighter, and various food and drink supplies. I found a bag of my beloved sesame seed-covered mochi balls with anko bean inside.

Back at home base we attempted to get a fire going with said supplies, only the lighter fluid would not last sufficiently long and we really needed a torch blower device.  A second attempt was made to get the fire going with kindling shamefully gathered around the park, no live plants harmed in the process, but alas it was not to be.

Luckily, we were rescued by a kind group of Japanese people on the other side of the barbeque shelter.  They informed us that there were grills free to borrow from the park's office that fit in the grilling tables arranged around the regular built-in stone fire-pit things, and in fact the park attendants would set it all up for us.  Two guys from the informant group stayed on to help us keep it lit and prepared for the foodenings, and before long that was accomplished.

Following a nice meal of hot dogs, chicken, bell peppers, chips, real Oreos, strange but delicious Oreo wafer bars, and homemade sweet tea care of Adam we enjoyed some Frisbee action.  Rose, Kim, and I rediscovered playtime meant for children on the slides again as well as the nearby playground, which had a neat rope pyramid.

[viddler id=e7a6853f&w=437&h=333]

Putting this movie together taught me that iMovie HD 6, the old version and style of iMovie, is still quite relevant and useful.  That is why it is still available for download and use for free at Apple's web site (for those who have iLife '08).  The new version of iMovie is easier to use and quicker to work with, but the old version has additional features and the ability to make adjustments like speeding up and slowing down a clip, which is what I was looking around for today.

If you are having a bad day, watch this video and I promise you'll laugh.  It will help remind you of exactly what's important in life.

YouTube Captions allows you to upload a text file to add in captions throughout your video. Kudos to YouTube for taking this step in making videos accessible to as many people as possible. In addition, YouTube's AudioSwap allows a user to find a particular song to completely replace your existing soundtrack. 

I also think this is a great step forward in terms of finding a way to work with artists and record labels and settle on some form of agreement about use of artists' tracks. Some major labels such as Warner have progressed in this area by making deals with YouTube but the issue of copyright on YouTube is still dicey with other labels and independent labels.

As for AudioSwap, I have two issues with the tool.

One, the list of available artists and songs is tiny. It could very well be that YouTube is trying to get a feel for how many people will use the tool, but they need to beef up the roster quick if anyone is going to pay attention in the first place. Second, is the limitations on editing. When you go to swap out a song on your video, it completely replaces the audio track. Yikes, scratch any incorporation of a backing track. 

The limited flexibility on the editing end is a huge limitation for me and not something I would ever put to use, especially with access to user-friendly editing platforms such as FinalCut and iMovie.

Obviously YouTube is trying to give users some degree of baseline flexibility through their addition of annotations, captions and audioswap. Check out this video below for a decent overview of captions and audioswap.

I'm curious to see if the next step is for them to add in some form of basic video editing software that would enable a user to upload raw footage and conduct basic edits similar to iMovie.

-Scott

The Flip looks pretty popular from the reviews I've seen (apparently they have 13% of the video camera market, with over 1m units sold; even Lily Allen has one), which are all pretty much about the simplicity. However, most people I speak to have a response like "why wouldn't I just use my phone cam?"

I can be specific about why the Flip works for me - getting video from a device onto the Internet is a huge ball-ache. To shrink a file from the multi-gig beast that comes off your camera into something mini-meg that is suitable for uploading is a maze of confusing options and seeming arbitrariness. It's like having to become fluent with Photoshop just to resize an image (er, actually, let's not go there). There's always Qik.com, but I have failed several times to get the software to work on any of three handsets and the quality is kinda sucky.

For me, the Flip lets me do what I want to do - easily get video on the web - with the minimum of hassle. Here's why:

• Built-in USB connector - this is the "Flip" bit; it lets you plug the camera straight into a computer, no cables needed
• Software is pre-loaded on the Flip - you can plug the camera into anybody's computer and do what you need without having to worry about needing to install software from a CD
• No options - the Flip uses a really good set of encoding choices to turn the recorded videos into files that upload quickly and look and sound good; in fact, you almost forget that you're doing video editing
• One piece of software - you can transfer videos, put clips together into films, add effects, save them to disk and upload to the web all from the same piece of software

Tip for Mac users

Using iPhoto in the Classroom
February 10 from 4-7 pm in the tele
$68 CSD member; $102 non-member
Don’t be daunted by all those digital photos your students and you have been taking. Share them by email or create amazing web pages, cards and calendars. iPhoto automatically organizes your photo library and makes editing as easy as clicking your mouse. In this course you'll learn how iPhoto automatically organizes your library by Events, based on dates. you'll learn the new tools to let you edit like a pro. Build a stunning online gallery using .Mac, where visitors can view and download your photos, and add their own photos from a Mac or PC. Search your photo library in one place — filtered by name, date, rating, or keyword. You'll learn how to print high-quality, frame-worthy photos with colored textures, borders and mattes on your printer.

Using iMovie ’08  in the Classroom
February 12 from 4-7 pm in the tele
$68 CSD member; $102 non-member
iMovie ’08 makes viewing and working with video as intuitive as enjoying your photos. A built-in library automatically organizes your video, so all the clips you’ve captured and movies you’ve created are just a click away. With its revolutionary interface, iMovie makes it quick and easy to browse your library and create new movies. And iMovie is built for sharing. In just a few steps, you can add movies to your website, publish them on YouTube, and create versions for iPod, iPhone, and Apple TV.  And we got rid of the timeline!

To register, visit: www.csd.org/tele.

Å gjøre gode videopptak er tidkrevende. Å redigere videoen i etterkant er enda mer tidkrevende. Opp til 10 ganger lengden på videoklippene er må du regne med å bruke for å redigere de sammen til en god video.

Å ta stillbilder er mye raskere og enklere. Dessuten tar redigeringen langt kortere tid - ofte lik null hvis bildet er bra. Flere videoredigeringsprogrammer (f.eks. iMovie HD) støtter import av stillbilder og med enkle grep kan du panorere og zoome inn ut slik at du oppnår en effekt som ofte er brukt i dokumentarer der man mangler videomatierale.

Hvis man i tillegg har en behagelig radiostemme kan legge lyd over videoen der man forklarer hva som skjer. Alternativt så kan man legge på undertekst.

Her er et eksempel som viser effektene på et bilde jeg har tatt i brukbarhetslaboratoriet.

This year, that was just as good, but the food was pretty good too!

In an interesting move, ALT worked with local FE colleges to design and cook a menu, and what a fantastic job they did. The colleges working with the catering staff at Headingly Cricket Ground (where the meal was held) created, cooked and served a fantastic meal.

Anyway here is my video of the evening.

I did shoot this in HD using a similar camera to this Panasonic HD Camera. I then imported the video from the SD card into iMovie 08. This is a much quicker process than using tape and capturing that way. Once in iMovie, I edited the clips I had taken and added caption cards. The final cut was then exported into a Quicktime format, before been imported into iMovie HD 06.

Why import it into the previous version?

So I could add some special effects. I transformed the film into black and white, before I "aged" the film adding dust, hairs, scratches and a bit of a wobble....

I also removed the original soundtrack, which because of the environment was full of crowd noise! I then found some excellent royalty-free creative commons licensed silent movie type music, which downloaded and imported into the movie. The movie was now finished.

Now I could have converted it into suitable format and then uploaded to Youtube. However what I actually did was import it back into iMovie 08 and uploaded it to YouTube that way.

Why?

Because it was easier.

Last year at ALT-C 2007 one of the workshops I enjoyed was the Web 2.0 Slam, from which Hood 2.0 was born.

This year at ALT-C 2008 Frances, Helen, Josie and Christina presented us with the Digital Divide Slam.

Creatively create something which explores the digital divide.

So myself, Steve Wheeler and Joss Winn got together and thought about what to do.

We decided to do a talking heads video, influenced by Monty Python, Smith and Jones and Pete and Dud.

We had 30 minutes to develop, write, create, film, edit, export and upload this video. Shot in one take it's not perfect, but it was never suppose to be perfect.

We enjoyed making it, and the other workshops delegates seemed to enjoy it too - they voted us the winners in the workshop vote.

I was surprised to find out later that a lot of people thought we had created it the day before, or even before ALT-C. No we actually created it in 30 minutes. Thanks to a wonderful camera a Panasonic HD Camera and iMovie '08 on my MacBook Pro it was possible to shoot, edit and export a short film like this. Obviously the technology can't do anything about the acting.

It wasn't as easy I make out. I didn't have a SD card reader, and the Panasonic HD Camera I used records onto SD cards. Helen's laptop did, so I had to copy the files from the SD Card onto my 1GB USB stick which I did remember. I then managed to import the HD video files from the USB stick into the MacBook Pro. I then realised I had left my DVI-VGA adapter in my accommodation and there wasn't one to be found. Hmmm, so I had to export the movie from iMovie as a Quicktime movie, I then used VisualHub to export the movie to a Windows Media format, copy back to the USB stick and show the audience on Helen's laptop. I couldn't use Windows Movie Maker (as you may have thought) on Helen's laptop as it doesn't support the HD footage from the HD camera.

In the end it worked.

More slams can be found here.

Vote for this video here by Monday in the online voting.

The AVCHD video's were imported using iMovie '08 in 540p and edited on Final Cut Pro 6.0.4. I'm using an octo-core 2.8GHz Mac Pro with 4GB of RAM.

Currently it is only the rough edit. I'd be putting up the clips either on my sites or on Darren Carter's. Stay Tuned.

Darren Carter
Official Website | YouTube Channel | MySpace Page | IMDB
(Flash Player required to view Darren carter's Official Website, iPhones are not welcome)

Darren Carter video from JillyOnline show.

• Mac OS X 10.5.5
  The update to Leopard is getting closer for release. According to sources, Mac OS X 10.5.5 will be released around the time new hardware refresh is announced. How about the Quad-Core Macbook Pro, Apple?
• iLife '08
  Maintenance update to the iLife suite is expected to be released in the coming weeks. According to sources, we might see new version of the iLife suite as early as January 2009 or as late as Summer 2009.
• iWork '08
  Maintenance update to iWork suite is expected to be released in the coming weeks also. Apple is definitely working on new version of iWork suite. Based on the available informations, the new iWork suite will heavily utilize Mac OS X Core Animation.
• Apple TV
  Maintenance update to Apple TV will bring compatibilities with iTunes 8 including "Genius" feature.

Remember, that these are unconfirmed informations.

As a reminder, Apple has scheduled iPhone Software 2.1  release date on Friday September 12th, 2008.

I had some great recommendations for slide show software but, unfortunately, none are Mac-compatible. Have you used "Photo to Movie"? Or are you using something else that you would recommend that's Mac-friendly?

QuickTime 7.5.5 is available for Mac OS X and Windows XP/Vista.

QuickTime 7.5.5 includes changes that increase reliability, improve application compatibility and enhance security.

This release is recommended for all QuickTime 7 users.

For detailed information on the security content of this update, please visit this website: http://www.info.apple.com/kbnum/n61798.

Front Row 2.1.6 update provides improved iTunes 8.0 compatibility and bug fixes.

Both updates are currently available through Apple Software Updates. Direct link will be posted when made available.

This was my first ever video project done in Final Cut. Whew, thank God I took that class (VISA 2056 Intro to Video Art). I learned so much: from proper usage of video cams (big ones) to sound and lighting and filters and editing. I was used to working with iMovie, but you can only do so much with iMovie (agree?) You can never ever be satisfied especially with text treatments.

The premise of the project was to create a 5 minute video about our personal environment. I live in the heart of Rexdale, known as one of the most notorious places across GTA. Although I wouldn't say it's still true, I do remember the times when gang fights and street shootings were very common. But no matter how unsafe it sounds, Rexdale is still my home. "Sanctuary" is meant to illustrate how I managed to survive here all these years. Of course, with God's protection, but also in focusing on the beautiful things amidst the dangers.

By the way, yes, that goose hissed and semi-attacked me. Anything for a good footage.

Anyway, the first word that came to mind is "rabbit" when the imaginary Apple employee "accidentally" revealed the "mystery" product.

Remember that this is "fake" and don't even think that it is real.

The crews are putting some finishing touches on the venue. The camera crews are already put in place. Some closed circuit TV are being tested.

The products are said to be delivered sometimes in late Monday evening.

Can't really tell you what they are yet.

Throughout the day, I particularly valued being able to work with my colleagues. I found that working together was an effective  use of our time, as it allowed each of us to bring to the project our own skills and understandings - much like the ants in the picture on th left! Our difference in skill and understanding introduced me to new ways of doing and understanding. I have felt the need to blog about my experiences, as I feel they represent the experiences that I believe should take place in the teaching and learning environment. Working together with others allows us to share our knowledge and practice effective communication skills. More specifically, working together with ICT allows each person in the teaching team to experience new ideas and ways of teaching and engaging students in the classroom. Each person in the profession has differing levels of ICT ability, therefore I look forward to joining a school community to impart my ICT knowledge and improve the teaching and learning environment. I am also excited to meet new people and their skills with the hope of continually improving my abilities and teaching in ICT.