Chris Pirillo » Video

Parallels Review

Chris — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 07:37:22 +0000

Parallels Review is a post from Chris Pirillo

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There have been numerous screencasts submitted over the past couple of weeks. Several of them are very, VERY good! I always knew that our community was full of talented individuals. It’s not too late for you to get involved, and have your screencast featured on this channel! Bwana has been hanging out with us for years, and is even a moderator in my chat room – when he has time! He’s gained quite a following of his own, and rightfully so. He does excellent work, and I’m always more than happy to have him do reviews for us. Today, he sent a screencast to me to give you all an overview of Parallels on the Mac.

When you first launch the software, you’ll only see the first two options: you’ll have to choose between a new Windows installation or to import a virtual machine. Since Bwana had already created a Windows image, he had a third option to use an existing VM.

The New Windows Installation option allows you to set up a virtual machine within Parallels to run inside of Mac OS X. There are several video tutorials online that show you how to set up and use a virtual machine. For the purposes of this video, Bwana chose to set up a new virtual machine in order to show you how it’s done.

Parallels is so easy to use that you can literally install Windows with just three clicks of your mouse. Run Windows programs like native Mac applications side-by-side using Coherence technologies. Gain instant access to your files, folders and data across both operating systems with SmartX technologies. And… you can remotely control your virtual machine using the iPhone application when you’re away from home!

Thanks to Bwana for sending a screencast in to us… and to all of you who are working hard and continuing to send in excellent material. I promise you – we’ll get them all up on our channels!

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How to Edit Video

Chris — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 12:18:12 +0000

How to Edit Video is a post from Chris Pirillo

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Most video editors suck. I don’t mean the people who edit videos. I’m talking about the software itself. Many of them require you to take classes in order to even begin to grasp how to make use of the program. You just want to edit video! Maybe you have video sitting on some kind of media like VHS tapes that you want to digitize, edit and share. If you’re looking to edit video without installing any software (or getting an advanced degree!) – you’re in luck!

Pixorial lets you easily edit your home movies online. You can upload your content from your own computer, or send old tapes to them and they’ll upload them for you. You’ll have your own password-protected account that stores all of your movies, right in one place. Some estimate the average lifespan of a VHS tape to be as low as eight years. Do you really want to chance losing all of those memories?

Pixorial lets you view, label and organize your video content all in one place, on your own password-protected digital video library on the web. It currently supports Firefox and Internet Explorer. Sadly, other browsers – such as Safari – simply cannot handle the high volume that is needed to temporarily store these files.

Making your own high-quality productions is fun and easy with Pixorial. If you can click, drag, and drop, you can produce something extraordinary to enjoy! Add titles, credits, transitions, and remix old and new footage.

Safeguard your memories today. Take a look at Pixorial, and see how they can help you make your life last a … well … lifetime.

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Kodak Zi8 Review

Chris — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 02:24:39 +0000

Kodak Zi8 Review is a post from Chris Pirillo

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You might remember my review of the Kodak Zi6 awhile back. The folks at Kodak recently sent me the new Zi8 to review – and I’m very thankful they have. I really like what they have done with it!

For one thing, this video was recorded using the Zi8, and no tripod. I wanted to show off the amazing Digital Image Stabilization on this little machine. Pretty awesome, isn’t it? The Zi8 also allows me to hook up an external microphone, to allow for better sound quality. That, my friends, makes this gadget priceless in my book. The frame-rate is perfect in low-light situations!

I recorded in 720p at 60fps! That may not be apparent if you’re watching on YouTube, but it will be if you use the download link below. Kodak also kept with the macro feature. You can see while looking at my Bamboo tree, the tree comes into focus and fades away the background. You can easily switch between focal points with just the flick of a button.

There is, of course, a built-in USB port, allowing you to connect to your computer and upload direct to YouTube and other sites if you wish. The Zi8 has a slot for additional storage of up to 32GB. That will hold more pictures and videos than you will likely ever take.

I highly recommend the Zi8. It’s a great recorder, with excellent quality video output. At less than $200.00, it’s an excellent buy, as well.

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How to Create Captions for YouTube Videos

Chris — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 06:07:49 +0000

How to Create Captions for YouTube Videos is a post from Chris Pirillo

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I have recorded and uploaded over 2000 videos on YouTube, and that’s a lot. Many people have asked me if I would ever go back and caption the videos using YouTube’s caption tool. Sadly, I just don’t have the time to do that. There is a way, though, that you can go in and caption your own videos easily. Caption Tube helps you create captions for your YouTube videos. It’s easy to use and it’s free.

You can incorporate your YouTube videos within this service. Sign in with your YouTube account ID, and it will list all of your YouTube videos that have been uploaded and processed. Press a button to import a video. I can choose to pause the video if I wish, add a caption and the text… even the start time and duration. Then just press the save button, and it’s finished.

When you’re done with captioning the entire video, there are a variety of things you can do. You can save them to a text file, email them to yourself, or even export them in one of a few different formats.

If you know of any other really cool services out there, drop me a line! I’d love to take a look at it, and maybe share whatever you’ve found with the rest of the world.

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16 Tech Things in My House

Chris — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 22:05:04 +0000

16 Tech Things in My House is a post from Chris Pirillo

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I was challenged by Lamarr Wilson to showcase 16 “tech things” in my house. Of course, I opted for the most portable items. How many of these do you have (or want)? Here, in order, are the items that I used:

If you’re inclined to record your own showcase, leave it as a video response to Lamarr’s original video, not mine.

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How to Record Better Webcam Videos

Chris — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 11:06:11 +0000

How to Record Better Webcam Videos is a post from Chris Pirillo

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Have you ever seen those videos online where the subject looks fantastic? But behind them, you see an unmade bed, or laundry that isn’t clean? You have to be cognizant of everything in your video, including your background. Behind me happens to be a nylon green sheet that is surrounded by a wire that allows you to easily collapse it and carry it around.

A WebAround can help you keep the focus on the subject of the video, instead of what may be lurking behind you. The WebAround is a collapsible webcam back drop that was designed and built recognizing the need for more privacy in a busy environment. Users instantly feel more comfortable using a webcam in a public or private.

The WebAround works best when the webcam is close to you (or your subject), and not so great when it’s far away. It works very well if you care to block what’s behind you. If you take this out in public, you might get embarassed carrying it around, but that’s just me. There’s now no need to clean up your room before you start to record!

I found it easier to set the WebAround behind me. It even comes with instructions on how to smooth out the wrinkles. My suggestion to WebAround is to make a cloth version. The nylon will cast a shadow, and needs to be less translucent. Hopefully they’ll take heed, and come out with something even better!

The video I made to demonstrate the WebAround was shot using my Macbook Pro, which sits at very close range. It worked perfectly, which is all I could ask for. Thanks to the people at WebAround for sending me this to review!

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How to Record Video with Sunglasses

Chris — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 05:13:17 +0000

How to Record Video with Sunglasses is a post from Chris Pirillo

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Yes, this video is being recorded live. I’m also recording a video of what I see in front of me. The camera is inside of these spy sunglasses! They’re a little over $200.00. You might ask if they’re worth it. Well of course they are! The video quality is pretty decent, and ready for YouTube. And best of all, no one will ever know you’re recording them, unless you flap your trap and tell them!

They record at 30 fps, which is better than most covert recording devices. They have a wide viewing angle of 60 degrees, and the videos are 320×240 .3GP format. You don’t have to install any software on your computer in order to transfer the videos – simply plug and play. You can download and use the free QuickTime program in order to view them.

The lenses are polarized, which really helps. They’re lightweight, so they’re easy to wear constantly. The Micro SD card involved is really super tiny, but it is 4GB! It comes with an adapter, so you can slide it right into any card reader pretty much. The glasses also charge via mini-USB, so you don’t even need a proprietary cable.

Imagine the possibilities of being able to record everything you see!

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What’s the Best Video Recorder to Buy?

Chris — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 08:04:38 +0000

What’s the Best Video Recorder to Buy? is a post from Chris Pirillo

I received this email from Kieran “Zer0″ Hill the other day, and thought it was worth sharing with the rest of the community – since I seem to be asked this question every day…

We have never spoken before, so I hope that you don’t have a problem with assisting me. The general impression that I got from your youtube video on the comparison between the Flip Mino HD, Kodak Vi6, and Creative Vado HD, left me thinking that you would not mind being asked for assistance on the matter. You seem to be a very knowledgable person on the majority of genres, which you do reviews the products of, so I feel that it would be very appropriate for me to as you my question that I have on this matter.

Moving on, my name is Kieran Hill (online gamer tag [EVGA]A.Zer0pWnZ) and I recently qualified for the grand finals of the Command and Conquer: Red alert 3 Ladder Season Finals in Cologne, Germany. On this trip, I will be an exclusive member to the alfa testing team on the next game, and will therefore be partaking in the CnC4 community summit. My point – I want to buy an HD video camera to document the entire trip, and to use footage on the show, which I am the lead producer of, Red3TV (the main RA3 web show on the internet, and a product of gamereplays.org.) I will be using the camera mostly indoors; in lowly-lit rooms, with a large amount of monitors present. I will need to have good audio quality for my video, so that any developer interviews, which I conduct, will be flawless, and good enough quality to be included in the August episode of Red3tv, (which is displayed in a 720p HD flash player.)

After the LAN tournament, I will be using which ever camera I purchase, in order to record the news coverage segment of the show, ( which we greenscreen.) My question, is in your opinion, which HD video camera should I buy? I am only 17, and therefore naturally want to spend as least possible on the product; however, I am not saying that price is an issue, rather that it is important that I am not spending an extra $300 for a few extra features, which I will not need.

The main things, which I am looking for in the camera that I purchase will be: (in order from most important to least)

Video quality in low-lighting areas
Audio quality
Compact design (I will be bringing this wherever I go during the grand finals and community summit)
Accessories functions available (I have a very expensive USB M-Audio microphone, which I wouldn’t mind connecting, along with an optical wide lense, which I could attach if needed.)

I would really appreciate it if you can give me any feedback possible on this matter. I also saw your Kodak Zx1 unveiling, so if you would like to expand on your thoughs about that, then please do.

Honestly? My choice is still the Creative Vado HD. It’s not perfect (sound is a bit tinny, no external audio solution, etc.), but it certainly leads its class in terms of overall quality. I have high hopes for the next iteration of the Vado, and have given the Creative team direct feedback on what they need to improve upon. Everybody is entitled to their own opinion, but my opinion stands: the Vado HD rules. And remember, I purchased the Vado HD with my own money.

SSD Video Camera

Chris — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 08:02:07 +0000

SSD Video Camera is a post from Chris Pirillo

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Last week, I uploaded footage of Wicket as I was testing optical image stabilization. That is a feature that is available on most cameras these days. I used the Samsung HMX-H106 to record that video… and will definitely be using it to record others, as well! It’s not as small as some of the cameras that I have, but the superior quality definitely makes up for that!

This baby features a 64GB solid state drive. Of course, it has a slot for you to add your own storage device as well… but why would you need to?! The 1920 x 1080 Full HD video means much greater clarity, brightness and detail than ever before. It also means that your video will be an exact pixel-by-pixel match for today’s very best large screen HDTVs.

It has 10x optical zoom, and shoots some excellent still pictures. I’m happy with the low-light capabilities of this particular video recording device, as well. It’s not often I find a camera that can handle cruddy light conditions well.

You can turn the image stabilization off or on with just the touch of a button. The camera also works perfectly well in extreme temperatures, high or low. Yet another huge plus for the Samsung is that it uses approximately eight times less power than a normal hard drive camera when reading or writing data. This means much MUCH longer battery life.

What type of video camera do you use, and why are you happy with it? What about it makes it the reason for choosing that particular model?

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How to Broadcast a Wireless Audio / Video Signal from PC to TV

Chris — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 08:42:31 +0000

How to Broadcast a Wireless Audio / Video Signal from PC to TV is a post from Chris Pirillo

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Let’s say you have an HDTV, a computer and Internet access. Why not put all of those things together by experiencing computer content on your computer? How would you get content from the computer to the television? You know you don’t want to run a cable from one to the other, right? So what else can you do? Lucky for you, the latest product from IOGear is here to save the day!

The Wireless USB Audio and Video Kit allows you to connect your computer to your TV wirelessly without the long and unattractive cable run. The system has strong, reliable signals – ideal for streaming media content across a room… even up to 30 feet away. There’s not even any complicated setup process.

The kit consists of three adapters: audio for speaker connectivity, VGA for the TV and Wireless USB for the hosting PC. Once you’re hooked up, you can do everything from watch your favorite YouTube videos to editing a spreadsheet for work – right on your flat-screen TV!

Broadcast whatever is on your computer onto your television. Make your family happy. Instead of gathering around your monitor, you can relax in front of the TV.

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Pinnacle Video Capture for Mac Deal

coupons — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 07:20:18 +0000

Pinnacle Video Capture for Mac Deal is a post from Chris Pirillo

From: Matt Gibbons
Date: April 23, 2009 2:16:55 PM PDT
To: Chris Pirillo
Subject: Coupon

Hey

i have a friend and he told me to contact you if i needed coupons for anything tech related. I need a coupon for the Pinnacle Video Capture For Mac because i am not going to pay $99 for it if it doesnt work well.

Thanks,
Matt

You can find our current deals on the Pinnacle Video Capture at Coupons.Lockergnome.com. Once you add in shipping the best deal right now is at:

Buy.com – Pinnacle Video Capture For Mac only $90.23 + Free Shipping

Hope this helps…

Ustream for Live Video Feed Broadcasting

Chris — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 08:55:24 +0000

Ustream for Live Video Feed Broadcasting is a post from Chris Pirillo

The Ustream gang has been working ’round the clock to fix any kind of showstoppers – and I’m happy to report that their hard work has paid off. The new Ustream.com is available for anybody to use. There have been quite a few changes:

Twitter integration on show pages – AWESOME!
Live, site-wide notification text feed at the top of all pages.
New front page promotion widget for featured shows.
Every show gets a ustre.am/8V styled short URL.
Recommended shows appear automatically on show pages.
The community can create highlights from recorded videos.
Status updates, though not integrated with ping.fm yet.
Elimination of WyldRyde IRC support.
It’s now Ustream.com, not Ustream.tv.

They tell me they’re working on squishing bugs, and I know I’ve sent them a few bits of feedback on what I’d like to see ‘em address in the near future. You can (of course) still find me on my live page – complete with classic chat.

I think what’s most interesting is the addition of Twitter on the live page. It’ll be interesting to see how that plays out, as I can see it getting abused (and incessant public tweets annoying to disinterested followers).

As a side note, over 10,714,196 people have watched me live at some point – racking up a total of about 5,000,000 viewer hours. That’s insane…

Where is My Dog?

Chris — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 06:13:03 +0000

Where is My Dog? is a post from Chris Pirillo

Do you know where my dog is right now? Well, it’s your responsibility to put her somewhere – with the second Community Video Challenge!

Take this video of Pixie and do something. Anything. It’s yours. Just be sure to upload it to YouTube and post it as a video response to the original on YouTube. Otherwise, few will see the fruits of your labor. I can’t add it as a response for you.

First, you’re going to need the Pixie Green Screen video. Then, you’re going to need to find a video editor that has a “chroma key” or “green screen” editing feature. If you have iMovie, it’s waiting for you. If you’re running Windows, well… there are tons of video editors out there that will let you play along.

Take your time with it, gang – this isn’t a contest. I really can’t wait to see what you come up with!

Need more help with “chroma key” editing?

I couldn’t help but join in the fun this time, too:

How to Transfer Music, Video, Photos from an iPod / iPhone

Chris — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 22:55:51 +0000

How to Transfer Music, Video, Photos from an iPod / iPhone is a post from Chris Pirillo

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You may have an iPod, or may get one in the future. When you buy a new one, getting your data off the old one is a bit of a challenge. You could cry yourself to sleep at night, or use an easy solution to get the data off the old one!

Using Pod to PC, it’s easy to pull the data off of your old iPod or iPhone. It is freeware that lets you transfer music, videos and playlists from an iPod or iPhone back to your computer and into iTunes. Additionally, you can recover your music in iTunes after your computer crashes by transferring the music on your iPod or iPhone back to your computer!

Of course, for you Mac users, there is Pod to Mac!! It’s exactly the same concept, by the same people. It’s just made to work on OS X instead of Windows. How beautiful is that?!

This service is completely and 100% free! It’s not the most beautiful utility I’ve ever seen, but it gets the job done very well. That is what matters, right? Bookmark this site – I guarantee you’re going to wonder how you ever managed without it.

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Community Challenge: Green Screen Me!

Chris — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 06:20:16 +0000

Community Challenge: Green Screen Me! is a post from Chris Pirillo

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Here’s your chance to do something with me! I recorded this while sitting in front of a green screen. “Chroma Keying” is a technique for mixing two images or frames together, in which a color from one image is removed, revealing another image behind it. It is commonly used for weather forecasts on the news. The weatherperson looks like they are standing in front of a large map. In the studio, it’s actually just a large blue or green background. The different weather maps are added to the screen using software.

You might already have the software installed (and yes, the new version of iMovie does an amazing job with chroma key / green screen shots).

So, here’s your chance! Decide what it is I was trying to say! Have fun, be creative, and make sure you show us what you come up with. Leave a comment here with the link to your creation, or upload it to your Geeks account.

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How to Handle Remote Tech Support

chris@lockergnome.com (Chris Pirillo) — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 06:30:00 GMT

Using GoToAssist is the easiest way to view and control another person's computer online. Use it to provide instant technical support to family, friends and customers. Start a session with just one click, and instantly connect with the other party.

Network Tools for Windows

chris@lockergnome.com (Chris Pirillo) — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 06:30:00 GMT

You need these network tools, no matter which operating systems and networks you have to support. SolarWinds ipMonitor: Affordable Network Monitoring for SMBs. Get turnkey network, server and application availability monitoring with SolarWinds ipMonitor v9.0. This easy-to-use, reliable solution for SMBs delivers out-of-the-box availability monitoring so you always know exactly what's up with Active Directory, DNS, Exchange, FTP, Web, IMAP, MS SQL Server, and SMTP. Download your free trial today. Or, try their totally free tools! And, through 2/29, save 20% when you purchase ipMonitor 9.0.

Get Your Own Web Site

chris@lockergnome.com (Chris Pirillo) — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 06:30:00 GMT

Starting at just $3.99/month, web hosting from GoDaddy includes 99.9% uptime, 24/7 support and free access to GoDaddy Hosting Connection, THE place to install over 30 FREE applications sure to help you get the most from your hosting plan and Web site. Enter code CP2 at checkout, and save an additional 10% on any order.

Plus, as a friend of Chris Pirillo, enter code CHRIS7, that's C-H-R-I-S and the number 7, when you check out, and save an additional 10% on any order. Get your piece of the internet at GoDaddy.com.

VMware and Parallels for Virtual Machines

chris@lockergnome.com (Chris Pirillo) — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 06:30:00 GMT

It doesn't matter if you're running on Windows or Mac OS X - every power user needs either Parallels or VMware (or both). There's never been an easier way to test software without destroying your primary operating system's stability. Think of how many times you wish you could press a 'reverse' button on your computer. Plus, there's no easier way to try new Linux distributions - see what all the fuss is about. Run Windows in OS X, run Linux in Windows, but the best way to do either is with VMware and/or Parallels.

Coupons for Online Shopping

chris@lockergnome.com (Chris Pirillo) — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 07:56:13 GMT

This feed is fueled by Lockergnome Online Shopping and Coupon Codes

Before you shop next time, see if we have a coupon first.