My friend Jamie seems to be getting much better results from the Poor Man’s Steadicam, so I have to conclude I haven’t mastered the tool yet. In the short video above, notice how smoothly they come down the stairs and even when Jamie starts jogging, the shot remains very steady. Well done, Jamie and Anonymous Cameraman.
Category Archives: Gadgets & Apps
Marantz PMD620
“Oh, you shouldn’t have!” I shrieked, as I opened yesterday’s birthday present. The only way Barb could have known I wanted the Marantz PMD620 Professional Handheld Field Recorder is… I told her.
I’ve been using the larger PMD660 for a year to two but found that a nice home with Jamie. So far I like almost everything I’ve seen and heard about the 620. The built-in mics are just so-so but I’ll plug in an external mic for most work.
The size is what appealed to me. About the size of a deck of cards. And the display is easier for me to read than with the previous model. Download this short MP3 file if you want to hear what it sounds like. I’m using a Heil PR-20 mic.
Twitter growing on me
It started working for me when I stopped thinking about what I was doing and turned my attention to what my friends are doing. I’m only “following” a few people so far (Jamie, David, Andy, Kevin, Jackie, George). For me, this works a little like the Buddy List in iChat. Knowing that George is attending a conference in California or that Kevin is looking for interns, is useful or –at the very least– interesting.
I’m still getting the hang of Twitter but if you are a Twitter-er, let me know so I can “follow” you. Trust me, it’s not as dip-shitty as it sounds.
The Poor Man’s Steadicam
My pal Jamie suggested I try the Poor Man’s Steadicam to bring a little stability to my video.
“The camera operator may walk (or even jog), move through tight hallways and doorways, and even climb up and down stairs without shaking the camera. Unfortunately, professional steadycams cost around $1500. Even the cheap 3rd party ones cost $600+. Not exactly a bargain considering many of us use cameras in that price range. So, I decided to make my own version. It turns out, it only costs $14. Not too bad.”
Spooky phone call
My friend George and I get together most Saturday mornings for coffee and conversation. While chatting this morning, George gets a call and he unholsters his iPhone. He gets a funny look on his face and says, “It’s from Steve Mays.”
I’m thinking it’s from Barb. She couldn’t call me for some reason, so she rings up George.
“No,” he says, “It’s from your cell phone.”
I pull my Tracfone from my coat pocket and, sure enough, it’s calling George.
If you are unfamiliar with Tracfones, I should tell you it doesn’t have a “redial” feature. And while I have George’s number in my phone, it’s about six down in the list. So how could this have happened?
I would have had to bump (against my chair) the down arrow six times… and then bump the “dial” button. Now, I ask you… what are the chances of that happening and the recipient of the call be the person I’m talking to? Hmmm?
Apple TV. Take Two.
I think they got it right this time. My Apple TV brings the net to my living room. I can rent movies, buy TV shows and music, watch podcasts and YouTube videos and view photos from Flickr (mine or anyone else’s).
I can Tivo all my favorite shows and watch them when I want but the new Apple TV feels like a very different viewing experience. Give me a week or two to get familiar with it. I’m looking forward to watching more video podcasts. This might be the future of TV. Smarter folk than I seem to agree.
Flip Video from Davos08
Jeff Jarvis is attending Davos08 (a “World Economic Forum), where “small video cameras are the hot thing,” and he’s posted a short video clip (with the editor of a big German newspaper) he (Jarvis) shot with one of the little FlipVideo cameras.
These things –which are cheap and the video isn’t too bad– seem to have been designed for making it easy to shoot video and put it up on the web. The camera even has a little flip-out USB connector you just slot into your computer.
From the image on the website, it looks like there are just three buttons on this thing. I was skeptical until I saw the video Jarvis posted. If you’re looking for something easy and fun, this might be it.
Nokia Internet Radio service
Mark Ramsey (Hear 2.0) asks how long before mobile phones in the U.S. look like this Nokia phone available in Europe. As I watched the video demo, I imagined listening to a Missouri Tiger “broadcast.” Or an all-news channel from one of our state networks. Ramsey’s headline says it all.
WiFi detecting T shirt
I fear it’s a bit late for this holiday season, but this WiFi detecting T shirt would make a great gift for that geek on your list. Not only finds WiFi signals, but displays the strength.
Runs about $30 and you can remove the electronics for washing, although that wouldn’t be much of a problem for the people on my list.
Spotted this at Keith Povall’s Sturdy Soapbox.
World’s smallest indoor radio-controlled airplane
“The Butterfly” and it is billed as “The Living Room Flier” a full radio controlled mini plane you can fly around your living room. “Full Proportional radio control enables you to fly with precision in any room 12′ X 16′. Just add 4-AA batteries to the combination transmitter/charger and you’ll be ready for action anytime Take the Butterfly with you ANYWHERE in it’s own protective aluminum briefcase (included!). The Butterfly costs $239 and it would take Lucy about 2 seconds to shred it.