Don't get me wrong - I'm having some angry go at you or anybody in particular. The tools are out there, they're cheap and that's what everybody's using. More than anything, I'm frustrated with the manufacturers selling products competing using numbers as if they're a measure of quality. And the real reason I get worked up about it is all the file sizes and energy usage. It just feels we're being forced to be excessive at a time when we're supposed to be going the other way. I obviously have a lot of latent guilt about geek energy consumption.
On 23-Oct-09, at 2:22 PM, Ernie wrote: > The only reason I use my Kodak Zi8 and Zi6 is because I feel > comfortable > using them. The quality only comes into play when I want to do > something for > my family. > > Ernmander > > On 23/10/2009 14:16, "Rupert Howe" <rup...@twittervlog.tv> wrote: > > > > > > > > > > > OK. I've got to get this off my chest. > > > > I think that HD is massively overrated for shooting videoblog > posts of > > people talking. > > Or even videoblog posts of pretty things. > > That beautiful video I posted by Jay the other day, with all those > > super detailed little moving photographic moments - that was > 320x240. > > > > If you're Robert Croma, and you're doing something insanely visually > > beautiful at a large scale, great. > > > > But it's about the skill and artistry, not the resolution. Liss > > produces more beauty than most of us can handle, at 640x360. > Speakman > > at 320x240. > > > > If you only want a cheap pocket camera for videoblogging, why is > > resolution your priority? > > > > Why not get a camera that shoots much better images and colours at > > lower res video? > > > > And is great in Low Light - surely one of the most important > things of > > all for videoblogging? > > > > I've always been impressed by the visuals and low light capabilities > > of the good Canon point and shoots. Although they are getting sucked > > into HD now. > > > > Nokia's blogger marketing people sent me a Nokia N86, which their > ex- > > Kodak imaging chief has put a lot of effort into - a beautiful Zeiss > > lens and great processor. Shoots lovely video at 640x480, and great > > photographs at 8MP. Or even 5MP. That's a *phone* that shoots better > > quality video than your Kodak or your Flip. > > > > If you're not convinced by any of that, but you believe in energy > > conservation and limiting your emissions, then consider this: a > report > > by McKinsey published before the explosion in HD video predicted > that > > data centers would outstrip airlines in carbon emissions by 2020. > > Think about the energy costs of uploading *and* transcoding *and* > > storing *and* delivering all the multiple formats of your video > > (YouTube converts to and stores 3 copies: flv, mp4, HD) hundreds or > > thousands of times. And the power required by your computer to edit > > and playback HD. All to see your face in 1920x1080. > > > > RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA > > > > Rupert > > http://twittervlog.tv > > > > On 23-Oct-09, at 1:10 PM, compumavengal wrote: > > > >> > I'd like to bring something up that is often forgotten about > under > >> > $200 camcorders. These camcorders were originally designed for > point > >> > and shoot users. > >> > > >> > Having said that the features of the Zi8 are stunning: > >> > > >> > # 1080p (1920 ◊ 1080, 30 fps) > >> > # 720p/60 fps (1280 ◊ 720, 60 fps) > >> > # 720p (1280 ◊ 720, 30 fps) > >> > USB 2.0 (high speed), AV out, HDMI, DC in, external microphone > jack > >> > (support stereo) > >> > > >> > in an under $200 camcorder. I don't expect it to do low light > >> > shooting. I don't have expectation of white balancing. There is > no > >> > optical zoom. I won't ever use the digital zoom. > >> > > >> > I've owned a Xacti camcorder, never a problem with it. I have a > Zi6 > >> > and I love it. But I understand the constrictions these > camcorders > >> > by imposes on me. > >> > > >> > If I shoot hand held I'm gonna get jerky video unless I'm really > >> > careful. I have to be next to the person I'm talking to or no > more > >> > than 4 feet away. > >> > > >> > I have to be creative in finding ways to stabilize the > camcorder as > >> > I walk; like having the camcorder on a very small tripod braced > in a > >> > handbag pocket. This may or may not work for you. > >> > > >> > If I am recording an event or lecture I'm taking my 30x optical > zoom > >> > JVC Hard Drive Camcorder and a tripod. > >> > > >> > My point is that comparing $1,200 features to a $200 camcorder is > >> > inherently frustrating. > >> > > >> > If you need more stuff then you'll have to willing to jump to the > >> > next price class. > >> > > >> > Gena > >> > http://outonthestoop.blogspot.com > >> > http://createvideonotebook.blogspot.com > >> > > >> > --- In videoblogging@yahoogroups.com > >> <mailto:videoblogging%40yahoogroups.com> , David Jones > <david.jo...@...> > >> > wrote: > >>> > > > >>> > > My quest for a cheap new videoblogging camera continues... > >>> > > I came across the Kodak Zi8 HD pocket camcorder: > >>> > > > >>> http://store.kodak.com/store/ekconsus/en_US/pd/Zi8_Pocket_Video_Camera/produ > >>> ctID.156585800 > >>> > > Test footage looks really good: > >>> > > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JX-raL4iQoY > >>> > > and the main benefit is that it has an external mic jack. > >>> > > It even has a remote which is essential for solo video > blogging. > >>> > > Only downside seems to be lack of swivel head, so I won't be > able to > >>> > > see myself in the video. That would be annoying, but not a > >>> > > showstopper. At least it would stop me looking off-lens all > the > >>> > > time... > >>> > > > >>> > > The real test will always under my own conditions of course, > I shoot > >>> > > in mostly the same location indoors in a fluoro lit workshop. > >>> > > > >>> > > I was considering the Canon FS200 SD card camcorder (looking > for > >>> > > second hand because new is out of my price range), but the > sensor is > >>> > > only 1/6" so most likely has fairly horrible low light > performance, > >>> > > and the reviews mention this as well. > >>> > > > >>> > > I don't need the full HD, but 720 HD would be nice. > >>> > > > >>> > > Any comments on the Zi8 for video blogging? > >>> > > Anyone know of any other pocket video cams with an external > mic jack > >>> > > like the Zi8? > >>> > > > >>> > > My current cam is an old Canon Optura60 DV (NTSC), not > exactly a > >>> > > stand-out performer, so I figure a good pocket cam today > will likely > >>> > > beat it. > >>> > > > >>> > > Thanks > >>> > > Dave. > >>> > > > >> > > >> > > >> > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > > > > > > >> > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
