Spent most of the week closing out MTTS East. Lots of video and photos. And more dreaming of new equipment, mainly a Macbook Pro. Then came the complaints.
On video cameras
I took the The Flip with me for MTTS. Heck, most of you saw that video. Most of someone saw the video because I have over 30k views (combined) on the dozen or so that I posted from the week. The bulk of those views are from Motoringfile.com, primarily the JCW MINI in action video I posted last Friday.
And damn if I didn’t get more complaints than compliments on that thing.
Sure it’s shaky. Sure the sound isn’t that great. It was take with a The Flip Ultra video camera for craps sake. And the entire shoot happened in less than 5 minutes from the time we found out we could ride in the car to the time we were done.
Just in case anyone might have missed it, I operate on a very low budget. Esp. for the show. I have spent less than $600 in total for my gear (and one of the other hosts) and that includes the The Flip.
But the The Flip works very well for me. It takes video that is very easy to edit and my Mac doesn’t choke on them too badly. This is one of those things that I have to think about.
Well now I’m thinking about upgrading to a better camera. I really hate complaints. Complaints mean that someone, somewhere, was not 100% satisfied with my work. I think it’s pretty good, but what do I know.
So, research has ensued. What I’ve been looking for is a camera that, at the very least, shoots 16:9 and uses SD Cards for storage. No tape, no hard drives, no DVDs. And it has to have external microphone support. Remarkable, in low end cameras, this is a tough combination to find. So, I dialed the money up a few notches and this is what I have found.
For a while I was very keen on the Panasonic HDC-SD9. You know I’m keen on Panasonic, and I’ve used my point and shoot (Panasonic DMC-TZ3) for video and it produces great results, albeit with horrible sound. The problem with this video camera is it doesn’t have external mic support, and that’s kind of a deal breaker.
So, the other camera I’ve been looking at is the Canon HF100. It’s about $100 more expensive, doesn’t have as good of sensors (CMOS instead of CCD) and it’s a bit larger. But, it does have external mic input (and monitoring) and great video quality (here is an example.) Plus it will shoot at lower than HD resolutions and still keep the 16:9 format.
Hopefully I’ll be able to upgrade before MTTS LA. If not, I’ll leave the The Flip at home and either do video with the point-and-shoot or not do any at all. I really don’t like complaints. I would rather have no comments at all then have complaints.
And, if you are on WRR and look to the right and see a donate button and want to click it, feel free. Someone suggested I do that, so I have. Camera money only. Should I get enough to cover the cost, the button comes down immediately after I order.
For the last 6 months or so I’ve been going back and forth on my next computer purchase. As I’ve mentioned before, I like 2 machines. 1 that is mobile that I can keep small, light and having only what I need to have while I’m mobile. And the other for my desk which holds all of my media (music, photos, video) and does everything the mobile machine does.
I haven’t had that. Not since my PC died in early ‘07, shortly after I got the MacBook. And, while the MacBook is a great little mobile machine, it just doesn’t have the horsepower I need for doing other things. As it turns out, there are a few other issues I have with it as well.
So I’ve been watching the refurb shop at the Apple store for a 20″ iMac (the good one, not the low-end model), a 24″ iMac and a 15″ MacBook Pro. After my last trip, I’ve made my decision.
15″ MacBook Pro.
This came to me as I was trying to edit video on the road on the 13″ MB screen and watching as iMovie brought the machine to a smoking, screeching halt and declared 200+ minutes to export a 15 minute long video. No good that. Also I got the chance to check one out in person at that ginormous Apple store in Boston. If you ever get the chance, I highly recommend it.
So, when the time comes, I will get a 15″ MBP for my desk. Run it off the juice with the battery removed (if I can) and use it mobile when I need the extra power.
Something else that I discovered after last week was just how cool the iPhone was. Every day during MTTS it saved our asses no less than twice, and some days more often than that. Whether it was finding the nearest Starbucks or giving us directions from point a to point b, just have access to Google Maps, even as slow as it is over EDGE, was a godsend!
Now, I’m not going to do anything foolish like drop Verizon and go to AT&T. Besides not liking AT&T, the coverage, where I spend most of my time, is crap. And, since it’s the only phone I carry, I like it to work all the time.
What I’m actually hoping to be able to do is get my MBP sometime before Apple stops that student special so I can also get an iPod Touch. Um, sure, it’s, um, for teh lad. Yea, that’s the ticket!
All of which hinges, directly or not, on my getting work. Don’t forget, I am for hire! Feel free to pass along my contact info and whatnot to anyone that you think could benefit from my skills.
Ok, back to processing one more video. Then, and only then, will this round of MTTS be done!
A little non-MINI video for you…
I actually enjoyed Virginia Beach quite a lot. My room was ocean facing on the 3rd floor with a balconey, so I slept with the door open. It was exactly like sleeping on the beach, except without the sand.
If you happen to make it there and you are looking for a place to eat, be sure to check out The Raven. And, if you do get there, ask for Jessica. Tell her the White Roof Radio boys sent you. Some of the best service I’ve ever gotten from a teenager. No foolin’.
Finally back to the land of smog and dry heat!
Travel today went without incident. Flew through Denver again and even got my bags when I got home. Must have been my lucky day!
Just finished going through a ton of emails. I have more photos to post, I have some more video to edit and post and Todd has more audio. All of that will be coming up later this week.
MTTS was very very very cool! It was great to meet everyone that I hadn’t, and awesome to see those I already know.
Complete write up to follow soon. After I eat. And sleep. And do laundry. And kick the jet lag.
MTTS ‘08 Boston is coming to a close tomorrow. Finally got a little bit of downtime to do some laundry and get some more video processed. I should have the bulk of it up later in the week.
So, for those of you that haven’t driven from Miami to Boston in a week before, I have a few tips.
- Orange cones with lights are evil, hateful things that should be destroyed.
- South of the Border between the Carolinas is awesome and not to be missed. If you have already been, skip it.
- Savannah, GA, is a very nice city with a kick ass ice cream and coffee shop.
- If you are ever in Virgina Beach and are looking for a restaurant, might I recommend The Raven? If you go, ask for Jessica and tell her the WRR boys set you.
- When going to Miami, pack a sponge. Trust me
- I95 from south to north is really like a giant corn maze. Except with trees. And asphalt.
- Route 13 from Virginia Beach to Philly sucks. Unless you like orange barrels with lights. Please see above
- Best weather so far was in Philly. Couldn’t have gotten a better day if we were in with Ma’ Nature herself.
- Navigating New Jersy and Boston; I think I would rather hang out with clowns at the dentist office. Night. Mare.
- Worst roads of the trip? Boston. By far.
- Todd mentioned this tonight, but isn’t it ironic that I am currently in Boston celebrating a British automobile?
- In Florida, there are convenience stores called Kangaroo. Get you a good cuppa there if you are looking
- Social Engineering can almost get you a bacon wrapped donut at Dunkin Donuts. If we would have pushed it, we could have made it happen.
- Social Engineering can be effective to get all manner of things. Interviews. Drives in cars that aren’t quite ready to sell, tshirts, coffee and the occassional cocktail or meal. I’m just saying, it pays to be nice.
Last day of the event is tomorrow. I have tons more to post and Todd has more audio to edit. You’ll be seeing mtts stuff at MF for the rest of the week.
Fingers crossed my bags make it home with me. I just spent 3 hours tonight getting them all clean!
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