mediageek

Category: geek stuff

  • Really Free Video Editing

    For the independent video/movie maker, Linux-based video editing apps are a holy grail of sorts. That’s because the truly pro-level apps like Premiere, Final Cut and Vegas all cost a good few hundred bucks to start, and even the “free” apps like iMovie and Windows Movie Maker require that you first buy a brand-name computer…

  • Lame Retro-Geek Mash Note

    Tonight I’m watching a laserdisc. Despite what many people think, even though it uses a laser to read the video information on the massive 12-inch disc, laserdisc isn’t digital. It’s analog, like a vinyl LP record. But, I’m afraid, not nearly as cool. Laserdisc was the videogeek aficionado’s format of choice through the 1980s and…

  • Reviewing Some Media-Making Gear

    Occasionally I post some reviews of electronics gear to Epinions. I post there because it increases the likelihood that my reviews will be found by someone who is looking for them and will appreciate them. Recently I reviewed Sony’s latest (and maybe last) minidisc recorder, the MZ-RH1, which also allows you to upload all your…

  • Making Sense of the New Hi-Def Camcorder Format

    The new PC World column from Richard Baguley, also my guest on today’s radioshow, is about the new AVCHD format for recording HD video to DVD-R and hard drives. I mentioned the new format as part of Sony’s announcement of two new HD camcorders last week. The main point of functionality I wonder about is…

  • Mediageek Joins the 21st Century Phone Era

    I just finished an interview with video and camcorder writer Richard Baguley and for the first time I conducted the interview using the free Skype voice over IP (VOIP) service. And I must say that I am very impressed with the quality and ease of doing it this way. Mostly, I am blown away by…

  • HD Direct to Hard Drive & DVD — But Will It Edit?

    Sony’s got the videogeeks all aflutter today with the announcement of new high-definition camcorders that record directly to mini-DVDs and hard drive. They’re basically a melding of existing DVD and hard drive cams with Sony’s entry level HDV camcorder. The hi-def part is made possible by the new AVCHD format/codec that Sony co-developed with Panasonic.…

  • Tape’s Not Obsolete

    When it comes to audio and video recording, we’re in the midst of a increasingly fast move from tape-based recording to solid state and hard disk recording. The most obvious reason for this move is that memory cards and hard drives can be immediately accessed by a computer, where almost all editing happens. This greatly…

  • DIY Audio Recording Links from Friday’s Radioshow

    On yesterday’s radioshow guest Jay Eychaner and I talked about the rise of inexpensive digital audio recording and its impact on independent musicians, radio producers and podcasters. For those looking for more information, here are some links: Tape-Op Magazine is a free, independent publication that serves the independent recording community. Transom.org has how-to articles and…

  • Simple, Graphic Camcorder Tips

    Most often the secrets to shooting good video footage amount to careful planning, and attention to details like lighting and sound. It doesn’t necessarily take multi-thousand-dollar gear (though if you have it and know how to use it, at least the raw quality of your audio and video will likey improve). CNET UK has a…

  • Uploading the Old Minidiscs

    I gave the new MZ-RH1 minidisc recorder a spin last night and I have to report that it works as advertised. I tried out three minidiscs recorded about 6 years ago in regular minidisc SP format and they uploaded to my PC and converted to WAV without a hitch. All these minidiscs were airchecks recorded…