Is This Guy Crazy?

[Dan Auito]

Or is just me. If you have about 1/2 hour to burn. Click here: http://www.eazam.com/

[brianb_cobbres]

Welcome to the new, new media where anyone with a camcorder or digital recorder can make like a movie star. This is youtube with a script.

That said, watch for it. There are a couple of web based networks forming to take on the traditional TV and radio markets. The latest is a site/network called Super Deluxe or something similar. You can thank Steve Jobs for making all this possible with the success of the iPod as that spawned a whole new industry of podcasters making both audio and video podcasts. iTunes has a large selection of free podcasts and Adam Curry, of MTV fame, has set up the Podshow network with over 1,000 different shows. Production and distribution is so cheap just about anyone can push out there own show. Most of these shows are horrible but the cream will rise to the top and it is fun downloading random shows just to see or listen to the trainwreck.


I just realized I know way to much about this subject.

[Aldo]

Okay, so fill me in. I followed the link and was required to install a plug-in. I gave that a shot and was sent to a page which had (cross my heart, hope to die) not less than 30 question marks for every letter on the page. Two of the four offerings were for a an earlier version of Windows Media Player than the one I have and the other two just looked too weird to trust from an unknown site. This is the short version of my experience.

Anyone else have that problem?

[Debbie]

Yep! Got a problem---I don't have 38 minutes to view/listen.

Fill me in too guys....what's crazy about it?

[brianb_cobbres]

All you need is the lastest Windows Media Player and should run just fine.

Basically it is some guy playing at being a motivational speaker and he does sort of look like he lives in a van down by the river. Get the reference....

[AIR]

def one of my favorite chris farley skits! Anyone notice the BORAT sound bites?

[Debbie]

def one of my favorite chris farley skits! Anyone notice the BORAT sound bites?

I am familiar with Chris Farley and he can be funny at times. But Borat? Hubby and I have seen clips during tv commercials, Borat didn't appear to be a funny guy at all. Or, is his fame is about stupidity?

[brianb_cobbres]

I am familiar with Chris Farley and he can be funny at times. But Borat? Hubby and I have seen clips during tv commercials, Borat didn't appear to be a funny guy at all. Or, is his fame is about stupidity?

I just watched Borat on my iPod. I dont get it, it was more uncomfortable than funny. Meh 2 out of 5 stars

[AIR]

I havent seen the movie yet. I loved the ALI G show on HBO, he plays different roles and they are hilarious. I have heard mixed reviews about the movie. BOYAKASHA!!!!

[Jim FL]

Dan and others,
I remember Azam meow. (mis spelled to help the search engines NOT catch it).

Anyway, as I recall, he began as a total newbie posting on a few of the forums a couple years ago. (maybe 3-4 years, time moves faster as we get older.)

I recall seeing him post some really, well, no question is stupid, but, not real bright ideas, and questions.
After just a few months, suddenly he began to sell information and mentor services.........rejecting more students than he actually accepted.
At the time, it seemed quirky at best, but a sales strategy that seemed to work.
I had the occassion to speak with a former student of his who had paid high dollars to be involved with him.
The student moved on to other things, and from what I could tell, did not seem to gain much from his mentoring experience.
Now, this could very well have been the students lack of effort or something.
Since I don't personally know, nor have I read or participated in ANY of Azams programs, I cannot say for certain his stuff does not work.

It was just difficult for me to grasp the idea of learning from someone with VERY limited experience, or at least, un-verifiable experience.
He did wind up getting the boot from most if not all the forums on which I'd seen him post previously.

The media clip here did reminded me of a cable access show or something........down by the river, eating government cheese.........

My advice for those looking into his products and services.............look hard, and talk to others who have used them, BEFORE spending a dime on it.

Funny video though.

Which makes me think actually.........how on earth does one shoot a video like this and get it from the camcorder to the PC and then eventually to the web?
Is that a difficult thing to do.......for a non computer person?
Reason I ask......perhaps we can get some of the future MB get together on video and offer it up to those who cannot attend.........after the event.

Can you tell its slow here today?

Take care all,
Jim FL

[Dan Auito]

Jim your always thinking in addition to being well informed. I'm sure if someone has an upto date camcorder and some computer software we could go global!

Azam is a ways out but hey, everyone seems to have an angle.

[brianb_cobbres]

how on earth does one shoot a video like this and get it from the camcorder to the PC and then eventually to the web?
Is that a difficult thing to do.......for a non computer person?


Do you own a digital camera? Same process. Shoot the video with a digital camcorder, plug cam into computer and download file, use any one of a hundred video editing programs to cut it up and add graphics, export it in the correct format. Look at it this way. Millions of little kids are doing it and posting to youtube so you should be able to do it as well.

[Debbie]

Better yet, have a child or grandchild do it for you. :icon_aets

[Jim FL]

Dan,
My 14 year old daughter informed me that she knows how to do this, AND, that we have a digital DVD camcorder which just might work.

So, She has been promoted to 'technical advisor', and will be helping to teach Daddy how to operate some of the equipt. we have.

I guess myspace is not such a bad thing after all. :-)

Thanks Brian for the info..........I'm seriously going to look into this so we can perhaps get some things on video here at MB's.

Take care,
Jim FL

P.S. As 'quirky' as Azams video was, I did actually enjoy it.

[Dan Auito]

That would be awesome Jim. Hey we can call your daughter in on the Savannah show and make her the production manager. She can video her Dad for the big screen while you're giving your speech on Subject2!

[brianb_cobbres]

Start with an audio podcast and work you way up from there.

[Aldo]

Based on Brian's reply, I gave it another shot and had the same results. This is on a confuser about a month old with WinXP Media Edition. Maybe I just wasn't destined to see this.

[brianb_cobbres]

Do you have windows media player 10? Just because you bought the computer a month ago does not mean the software load was flashed at that time.

If your not sure it wont hurt to download it again.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/player/10/default.aspx

[k6saunde]

Dan,
My 14 year old daughter informed me that she knows how to do this, AND, that we have a digital DVD camcorder which just might work.

So, She has been promoted to 'technical advisor', and will be helping to teach Daddy how to operate some of the equipt. we have.

I guess myspace is not such a bad thing after all. :-)

Thanks Brian for the info..........I'm seriously going to look into this so we can perhaps get some things on video here at MB's.

Take care,
Jim FL

P.S. As 'quirky' as Azams video was, I did actually enjoy it.

I'm sure your tech saavy daughter already knows this. But to transfer your movies from the camcorder to your pc you will most likely need a firewire port on your PC. Also known an a IEEE 1394. If you don't have one you can buy a card for either a desktop or laptop that you can install yourself. Or at least your daughter can. The desktop card should cost about $60 and the laptop about $70. I have seen them for less and more.

The key is a good editing program once you have the video copied to your computer. Most cameras come with a watered down version of the video editing software. They are ok but only useful for the total newbie. After you use it for awhile you will want to do more than the software is capable of doing. Then its time to upgrade to a fully functional software with all the bells and whistles.

First things first. Do yourself a favor and copy the uncut video to dvd, for two reasons. One, so you have a backup of the original file. So if you make a mistake and edit/delete something you didn't want to. You can just start fresh with your copy. Two, it allows you to erase the tape and reuse it.

None of it is very difficult to learn or do. Just a little time consuming. To transfer the video from camera to PC will take 1 hour for an hour long video tape. Then a half hour or so to create the DVD, depending on the speed of your drive, PC, how much memory, compression ratio, etc.

Then how ever long it takes to edit the video add text, music, effects, etc. One thing you should be aware of. the video will not show on your pc as one hour long video. Unless the camera was on for the full hour. Most likely it will show several clips. Each clip is created whenever you start and stop recording the video.

Your other option is to purchase a directDVD machine that will copy your video directly from your camera to a DVD. This only takes an hour for an hour tape. Faster and simpler than using a PC to do it. The DirectDVD is from Sony and costs about $250. I have seen them for less. Then all you do is put the dvd in your PC and start your editing.

If you need any help let me know.

Keith :punk:

[smidgen]

Lord Have Mercy, this podcast is getting so much play from the Big Wigs in here it is scary! You guys have eagle eyes for all over the web!

Being Suzy homemaker myself, I am sewing some quilts for my familyso I don't have that much time to surf..... you guys on the other hand..... wow, talk about BIG Brother.... teasing!

[Aldo]

Actually, I installed Windows Media Player 11 about two weeks ago.

[Jeffery (LCLA)]

Aldo, I can't get it to work either. I went directly to the site and the buffer restarts every few seconds. I got on my desktop and went to the link and same thing happens. I went directly to the URL where the file is located and tried to play in my Windows Media Player 11 without luck. So, I took a side door into the site where the file is located and tried to download it to my machine (2 Ghz processor, 1.75 Gig Ram and enough hard drive space to build a house on with a Broadband connection that's clocking at 2600 Kbs) and it's still taking over 2 hours to download.

[Debbie]

Hey Jeffery---

You're actually younger than I imagined!

Your pic resemble a rock star singer!

[Jeffery (LCLA)]

Hey Jeffery---

You're actually younger than I imagined! My daughter took this pic, I'll have to thank her for that magic shutter finger of hers. If I didn't have the hat on, you'd have a different opinion; there's no hair.

Your pic resemble a rock star singer!That's just the shades.

Thanks.

[Dan Auito]

Funny bro. That hat looks like white bozo the clown hair due to the poor quality grainyness reflected from the forum software.:xxrotflma

[Jeffery (LCLA)]

Hah! That's funny. I guess it is hard to tell that it's a boonie hat.

[Dan Auito]

Once it was pointed out that it was a hat, you looked cool again bro. But if that was white hair, we would have had to tell you to get it cut.

[Jeffery (LCLA)]

I changed my profile picture to the full size of the avatar pic. You should see the had easier.

[Aldo]

Jeffery, thanx. Jumping through a lot of hoops to get unknown info doesn't work for me. After that, my download speed is 4.99 Mbsp and, even at that, I'm not willing to spend the time required unless I have assurance that it's worth my while.

Curious. Would you happen to know who super-imposed that hat on my aunt Emma's pic? Nice job, and I'd like to know how s/he did that.

[Jeffery (LCLA)]

Jeffery, thanx. UR Welcome Jumping through a lot of hoops to get unknown info doesn't work for me. It was just one of those challenges that I had to tackle. After that, my download speed is 4.99 Mbsp and, even at that, I'm not willing to spend the time required unless I have assurance that it's worth my while.

Curious. Would you happen to know who super-imposed that hat on my aunt Emma's pic? Must have been my eldest daughter. She's quite the shutterbug. Nice job, and I'd like to know how s/he did that.

I did get to see the video. I left my media player on while I was working on something else and about an hour later, the video started. I agree with Dan, he seems to be teetering on the edge of sanity. Had I been more receptive to his message, I probably would have watched the whole thing.

It was mentioned in an earlier post about video editing. I have some experience editing. My kids are interested in photography and videography, so I'm setting up a small studio for them. We have the software to chromakey (taking the green background out and inserting another background like they do for the weatherman), and I'm testing video editing software. I'm currently working with Adobe Premier but to be honest, I like Windows Movie Maker 2 more. WMM is way more user friendly.