2009-06-28 Weekly Twitter Update
June 28, 2009 by admin · View Comments
- Time for dinner with Dad. Happy fathers day everybody! #
- Johnny gets his sidekick back. Sad loss today of Ed McMahon. #
- The weather is so lousy even my dog is in a cranky mood. #
- Bummer, my MacBook Pro has fallen victim to Nvidia’s product QA fail: http://bit.ly/18zazS #
- Whoa, Michael Jackson passed away? #
- Woohoo! Got a Google Voice invite tonight probably along with the rest of the world. Says it can’t verify my home number right now. #
- Tidying up before Melissa gets back from her trip.. Surprised that these dishes just don’t clean themselves! #
- iPhone/iPod owners : Check this out, I am really, really impressed with the accuracy of this text recognition app: http://bit.ly/Hu1bM #
- RT @gariphic: wow, house split in 2 in Wethersfield from yesterdays severe storms, see pic http://twitpic.com/8ksfp http://bit.ly/MGetA #
- Why do so many gifted artists die so young after leading such difficult lives? Is their talent inspired by circumstance or vice versa? #
- Don’t miss some hot steamed jazz this weekend in Essex! See Kate Dowd’s report here: http://bit.ly/NX8PG #
- My new Macbook Pro is so nice it’s actually fun to do work on it. #
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REVIEW: Canon Vixia HV40 HDV High Definition Camcorder
June 25, 2009 by admin · View Comments
I am a member of the Amazon Vine Program. Each month Amazon.com sends me products to review on their site. This month I received the Canon VIXIA HV40 HD HDV Camcorder.
Over ten years ago I bought Sony’s legendary TRV-900. It was a consumer camera so good and so 
ahead of its time that it remained on the market for four years – an eternity in the consumer electronics industry.
Canon has a similar product in their HV series HDV camcorders. They released such an outstanding product two years ago with the HV20 that the two new models since (the HV30 and now the HV40) are really just small refinements of a mature product
NEW FEATURES
So let’s get one thing out of the way up front: There really isn’t much of a difference between this camera and last year’s HV30 (which was a small upgrade on the superb HV20). As an HV20 owner, I felt right at home when this arrived and I powered it up. Video quality is about the same, they look pretty much the same, and overall performance is the same too.
What is different is the addition of true 24P recording which offers a more film-like frame rate over the standard 30 frames per second. It should be noted that prior versions of this camera (as well as Canon’s AVCHD models) also shoot 24P but that mode requires additional software to get to “true” 24P video when editing. You’ll want to check to ensure that your editing software supports true 24P footage as it’s not a configuration that is on many consumer cameras.
AVCHD OR HDV?
If you’re reading this it’s likely that you’re in the market for a new camcorder. It’s also likely that you’re confused over the multitude of different formats currently available: hard disk, flash memory, tape, etc. etc.
Despite the many recording mediums, the current crop of consumer cameras can be delineated into two camps: AVCHD (the hard disk and flash based cameras) and HDV (tape based).
HDV cameras have two advantages over their AVCHD counterparts. The first, while not as compelling a reason as a year ago, is compatibility. HDV was the first consumer HD format and is almost universally supported by just about every video editing software package released over the last three to four years. In addition the HV40 can also shoot in the older standard definition DV format, a format so old that even software and hardware from ten years ago can work with the footage.
Another factor to consider is the firewire port. Want to record directly to your PC or Mac? Or perhaps do a live broadcast to UStream or Stickam? HDV cameras like the HV40 stream compressed video in realtime over Firewire, something the AVCHD cameras don’t do.
Still, Canon’s AVCHD cameras are now recording at a higher bitrate and with a more advanced video compression algorithm that makes for better image quality. Canon’s flash based cameras, like the outstanding VIXIA HFS100, are mostly solid state and lack the complex (and delicate) machinery of a tape-based camcorder like the HV40.
CONCLUSION
Canon’s HV20 was a very mature product right at launch and that maturity continues in this iteration. Still, there’s nothing so compelling in the HV40 that makes it a necessary upgrade for HV30 or HV20 owners. For first time buyers, if you’re able to pick up an older model at a lower price you won’t be making much of a sacrifice in terms of features. It’s a great camera, just not any greater than the prior versions!
For most consumers HDV cameras are old technology. In fact I wouldn’t be surprised if the HV40 is the last tape-based camcorder Canon releases to market. AVCHD has matured to the point that I am now recommending that to friends over HDV based cameras. AVCHD’s lack of moving parts combined with the very low cost of flash memory makes it tough to recommend the bulkier mechanical alternatives like the HV40.
If, however, you’re using an older computer or need to stream video live the HV40 is one of the best (if not the best) HDV consumer cameras on the market.
2009-06-21 Weekly Twitter Update
June 21, 2009 by admin · View Comments
- Following @iran09 with constant updates on the situation in Iran. Students are being taken out of dorms and violently beaten by gov forces. #
- Violence escalating in Iran. @Change_for_Iran says Hezbollah forces now attacking students. Other tweeters say some have been killed. #
- Student videos from Iran http://bit.ly/4VrQU Thank you @iran09 for keeping the world informed of this escalating crisis. #
- Recommended twitter users to follow on Iran news: @TehranBureau @Change_for_Iran @iran09 #
- Keep your eyes on televisions tomorrow morning 7:30 am EDT – 4:00 p.m. Iran time. Major opposition protest with opposition leader planned. #
- RT @bklynfarmhouse: The pro-Mousavi rally in Iran – the power of Twitter/Internet is truly incredible: http://twitpic.com/7gtbu #
- Video of the rally now up on YouTube from @iran09 http://www.youtube.com/user/iran09twitter in reply to iran09 #
- Note from @iran09 – When RTing Iranian users, omit usernames — just say “RT from Iran”. Iran gov. is watching. Spread the word. #
- My front doors have now been the birth place of 13 house finches this year since April.. Four more will be hatching this week! Amazing. #
- Just posted: Volunteers Helped Us Cover Celebrate West Hartford this weekend! Photography by @agentmurphy http://bit.ly/idsjE . #
- RT @PCMag: The U.S. State Department asked Twitter to delay downtime to help with #IranElection. http://is.gd/13HBQ (via @patricknorton) #
- Went for a ride in two beautiful Model T Fords tonight at Rotary. Pics to come later tonight! #
- Is this a sign of something? My front doors have been the birthplace this year of 13 birds+4 more due soon. Now another bird has left eggs! #
- Posting something on @Ebay.. Hello 1998? Somebody wants their website back. #
- Anybody want to go iPhone shopping tomorrow night? #
- Video sample of the new iPhone 3GS : http://bit.ly/JIrHS Shot and uploaded to YouTube via 3G in less than five minutes! #
- Wow Facebook looks like it’s down.. Got to admire them, no fail whale – just ‘connection interrupted.’ #blamedrewscancer for the cause. #
- Going to make a bacon veggie cheeseburger. Does that defeat the point? #
- JibJab does it again! http://bit.ly/Dnyd9 #
- Filling up my 32 gig iPhone! Going from 8 gigs to 32 is a big step up, can hold almost all of my music! #
- RT @JasonCalacanis: Breaking: WSJ TECHNOLOGY ALERT: Apple CEO Jobs Had Liver Transplant Two Months Ago #getwellsteveweloveyou #
- Anybody else notice that the iPhone 3GS makes far less ‘GSM noise’ than prior versions? #
- Iranian forces shot people for exercising their right to speak. I support Obama, but no gov’t that does this should be negotiated with. #
- Happy father’s day to everyone! Especially all of those new dads this year. #
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iPhone 3GS Video Sample – YouTube Upload
June 19, 2009 by admin · View Comments
I just moments ago picked up an iPhone 3GS. It looks and feels just like the 3G, but has a new screen coating that seems to not get as greasy as the old one did.
But the real improvement here is the camera. Check out a short video I just shot on the way to the office. The phone compresses it pretty heavily, but the fact I could shoot, edit (I suppose trim might be the better word), and post this over the 3G cell network in less than 5 minutes is a major game changer:
Photo Slideshow: Essex Rotary Car Night!
June 16, 2009 by admin · View Comments
Tuesday, June 17th was the Essex Rotary Club’s classic car night. Many of our members have some beautifully restored vehicles. Even better our meeting time is around 6:00 p.m. making for some perfect light!
Click here to see a slideshow of some photos I snapped tonight of Ralph Hermann and Dave Winstead showing off their Model T Fords.
REVIEW: Canon HFS10 / HFS100 High Definition Camcorder
June 15, 2009 by admin · View Comments
I am a member of the Amazon Vine Program. Each month Amazon.com sends me products to review on their site. This month I received the Canon VIXIA HFS10 high definition camcorder..
The HFS10, like any good consumer camcorder, features an excellent facial recognition system, lightening fast auto focus, built in lens cover, etc. But it also has enough manual control to give aspiring amateurs their first lessons in controlling image and audio quality manually.
The manual control set includes white balance, focus, audio, shutter speed, and aperture settings. These controls are not buried in a host of menus – they can be brought front and center when needed. Each component can be turned on separately, allowing you to learn one concept (white balance for example) while the camera still automatically handles focus and exposure.
Canon also included a microphone port – something which nearly every consumer camera is now abandoning. Thankfully Canon knows that good video requires good audio! One of the first steps to ‘upping the game’ is using external microphones to enhance and focus the sound coming into the camcorder.
The bottom line is that Canon has produced a camera that’s very easy to use right out of the box, yet also serves as a tremendous learning platform for aspiring hobbyists (or even future filmmakers) to learn about the key concepts of professional video production.
There are two models available, the other being the HFS100. The only difference between the two (besides price) is that the HFS100 does not have on board memory. Given the low cost of flash memory these days, you might want to consider the HFS100 over the HFS10.
If you have a loved one showing some talent in video production and are looking to graduate them out of a Flip camera, this is the camera to consider. Along with a book on amateur video composition of course.
2009-06-14 Weekly Twitter Update
June 14, 2009 by admin · View Comments
- Heading out to do some grocery shopping. At a minimum need to replenish the dark chocolate supply. #
- Never realized how cool these Flip HD cameras are. Cheap too. http://bit.ly/3ZxJU2 #
- Geek tip for today: Do not purchase an iPhone today! Apple is likely rolling out a new phone this afternoon at 1 p.m. #
- iPhone 3GS – yes please. #
- AT&T does it again – Existing 3G customers must pay $500 to go up to 3GS. Fail. $299 for new users. #
- Hey Squarespace is giving away 30 iPhones! #squarespace #
- Great way to make me drive slower is to tailgate me. #
- I totally agree with this article: http://bit.ly/o27bc AT&T is foolishly alienating existing iPhone customers who will be free agents soon. #
- Posting new content! #
- White House photographer has to be one of the coolest jobs in the world. http://bit.ly/uFU0s #
- AT&T’s definition of ‘listening’ 2 customers is to republish lousy policies in PDF format. Comcast, despite their many faults, ‘gets it.’ #
- I find it odd that Facebook notifies me if someone sneezes in Mafia Wars but not when a person replies to a comment left on a Facebook Page. #
- The plane performed well but Sully’s still the hero of Flight 1549 – http://bit.ly/ytc9O #
- Solving problems. Creating new ones. Solving those problems too
. # - (via Rick Green’s @CTConfidential)- Jerry Springer is hiring! You can write a book about that experience: http://bit.ly/HiVN5 #
- I love new database technologies. Sorry I’m a geek but proud of it. http://bit.ly/zboJD #
- I grabbed http://facebook.com/lonseidman – get your name before somebody else does! http://facebook.com/username Now it’s time to sleep. #
- Iran’s “democracy” is a farce given that the ayatollah still holds power regardless of outcome. Dangerous country. Even more so now. #
- Great piece from the BBC about escalating unrest about the Iranian sham election : http://bit.ly/49g5N #
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2009-06-07 Weekly Twitter Update
June 7, 2009 by admin · View Comments
- Working on my Amazon.com review of the Canon HFS10 camcorder. Outstanding camcorder! http://bit.ly/gatuy #
- RT @Ternespt: The Camaro, sales way beyond forcast (5,400 in May) Order intake is about 6 times production (via @GMblogs) #
- Anybody know what kind of moth this is? @answers http://yfrog.com/5jlouj #
- Interesting idea-a podcast all about nighttime photography – http://blog.thenightwriterz.com/ #photog (via @ScottBourne) #
- Shad Bake – Essex, Connecticut – Be there! http://bit.ly/gVPgp #
- Working on setting up our next sponsor on LocalOnlineNews.TV and listening to the new DMB album! #
- I’m giving a presentation right now. Say hi! #
- Listening to President Obama’s Cairo speech while prepping for the Board of Ed meeting this evening. #
- Ok it’s now June. Some consistent summer weather would be nice. #
- It’ll be a lousy day and night today, but the weather should be great for tomorrow’s Essex Rotary Shad Bake! Mostly sunny and 76 degrees. #
- I will not be celebrating national donut day today. Sorry. #
- Cool, Google Chrome for Mac is secretly available: http://is.gd/OQgv thanks to @kevinrose for sharing. It’s very very very very alpha. #
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Stuff I find interesting- Does the iPhone 4 hate the AT&T MicroCell? August 8, 2010
- FCC calls off net neutrality negotiations August 5, 2010
- The Nightmare Scenario August 4, 2010
- Long lived new windows June 10, 2010
- Vintage Apple II Sites June 10, 2010
