Here is a video review of the Panasonic AG-DVX 100B, a popular standard def miniDV camera that lets you shoot in 24p, 30p or 60i.

All the features Panasonic packed into this camera are pretty amazing.

The AG-DVX 100B is an updated version of the revolutionary DVX 100, the first small camera to shoot 24-frame per second video, which simulates the look of film. Huge, expensive video cameras had that nifty little trick down, but Panasonic brought it down to scale for lower-budget cameras.

If you shoot in these alternative frame rates, make sure you have video editing software that candle handle it.

For the price, (lists at $2,595) the AG-DVX is an amazing piece of video machinery. It packs lots of professional features into a 4.19 pound package.

Like all the cameras in this category, (Prosumer, a blend of a low-end professional or high-grade consumer level) the Panasonic AG-DVX is a 3-ship camera. It has 3-CCD, 1/3″ Interline Transfer-Type chips.

For quality audio recording, the AG-DVX 100b features two XLR inputs.  The camera also has a headphone jack too.

In reading all of Panasonic’s sales material on this camera, it seems clear they designed this camera for quality run-and-gun shooting, like news gathering and documentary style shooting.

It does well in low-light situations, it has a wider than average lens, plus it has a user-friendly mix of manual control, automatic and auto pre-set. For example, it has three buttons the user can customize to activate anything from the SMPTE color bars to the auto tracking white balance.

It also has unique features that allow it to be easily used in a multi-camera shoot. For instance, connect via firewire (IEEE 1394) and you can transfer or synch time-code, or transfer and match up user files containing camera parameters for a more uniform image between cameras.

For times when you want to mount the camera in a hard-to-reach position, you have wired remote control over zoom, iris, focus, and record/pause.

Even though this is a standard def camera, you can shoot in widescreen 16:9. The AG-DVX100B features three 16:9 Wide Modes, including something they call the “New Squeeze Mode” With the standard lens, you can record in letterbox mode or the newly added squeeze mode. This gives you extra flexibility when using the AG-DVX100B together with equipment from other manufacturers.

Activating the Aspect Ratio function on the LCD allows for a letterbox display for easier framing when shooting in Squeeze Mode or when using the Anamorphic lens. If you want to take this to the max, you will need to use the optional 16:9 conversion lens (AG-LA7200G, sold separately). Using the conversion lens will let you take full advantage of the higher image quality made possible by using all of the CCD pixels.

A quality lens is all important for a quality video camera. This one comes with a Leica Dicomar including an OIS, or Optical Image Stabilization system. It’s zoom out is wider than some, starting at 4.5mm, which is equivalent to a 32.5 mm on a 35mm still camera. It’s a 10x optical zoom, 4.5 – 45mm (10 x Optical Zoom) f/1.6. 10x is not a terribly long zoom and the short zoom was one of the most commonly listed consumer complaints.

On a practical level, a wide angle lens is much more advantageous and useful than a telephoto lens. The wide angle helps is small areas and most rooms you will find yourself shooting in are way too small!

In telephoto mode, you can focus at a minimum distance of .6 meters, or 1.9 feet. That’s good and close for a fully zoomed in shot. The lens also has a macro feature.

One cool feature was that they slowed the servo zoom (automatic) down from 20 seconds to a dramatic 30 seconds. So a nice, super slow zoom is easy with this lens.

As with all video cameras with the prosumer class, the videographer using the Panasonic ag-dvx100b has manual control over all of the many functions that affect picture quality, like shutter, white balance, exposure, focus and so forth.

If you are in a situation that calls for speed, all of these controls can be set to automatic if you wish. The sales literature brags on the speed of their auto focus but I know I will never like auto focus!

If you are in a dark place with no way to add light, the camera allows you to kick in some gain. (Video Noise) Your variable gain selection follows:

0dB, 3 dB, 6dB, 9dB, 12dB, 18dB O dB Fixed during Slow Shutter Mode

As a higher end camera, the photographer also has control over the shutter. You can set a range variable from: 1/24 sec – 1/2000 sec (Different Ranges for Different Recording Modes)

In reading the mostly stellar consumer reviews, the short zooming capacity (10x) was one of the major complaints. Even so, most people LOVED this camera.

Here is a fairly typical comment. To quote one consumer review: “I always shoot in 24p and this camera by far gives you better looking mini-dv video footage than any other camera in its price range. As a media study student…I have had access to many different cameras…I’ve used them and tested them and this one by far comes out on the top of my list…as a non HD camcorder.”

All in all, this is an extremely versatile video camera that gives you all the features normally found in camera costing (and weighing) three times as much.

Click here to see the at the Panasonic AG DVX 100B video camera at the B&H Photo website.

Panasonic AG-DVX100b Specs

If you are looking for a powerful, effective, yet easy video marketing solution, let me suggest CoVideo.CoVideo is an all-in-one solution for online video marketing.  With a CoVideo account you can:

• EASILY Create Talking Head Videos (Uploading the video and file conversion are both automatic.)
• EASILY Email or Blog those Videos
• EASILY Host and Manage your Videos
• EASILY hold online Video Meetings, Conferences, Presentations, Webinars, whatever you want to call ‘em!

CoVideo helps you with every step in implementing and profiting from online video marketing.

From getting the videos made, to hosting and distributing them, CoVideo offers a complete solution with a wide variety of functions.

Watch the video above to see how a car salesman named John Zarlino used video email to impress his customers and increase sales.

The video email system John used is incredibly easy and affordable.  All you need is a webcam, a high speed connection and a basic CoVideo account.  It only costs 29.95 a month.

From your CoVideo account, you click one button and the video recorder comes up with your webcam signal inside of it.   Click one more button to record your video and have it automatically uploaded into your video library.  From there, you can email it out inside of an interactive template or grab some embed code and use it to post the video on a blog.

In addition to easy video creation, video emailing and blogging, an advanced  Covideo account gives you a fantastic platform for holding online meetings.  CoVideo  meetings can take many forms.

You can have up to twelve people on the screen at once, each with the ability to speak, hear and interact.

If you want to show slides, videos, or an interactive white board, you can do that too.   The two videos below demonstrate the CoVideo system.  The first video describes the versatile meeting functions.  The second video is an overview of the entire CoVideo system.  Both videos are part of the extensive online video marketing campaign I am producing for the Center for Great Management Practices, (CGMP), a company promoting the CoVideo platform.

The CoVideo platform is capable of many incredible things, and they are constantly improving it. If you’d like further information on how the CoVideo Platform can benefit you, please do not hesitate to contact me.

The Center for Great Management Practices has hired me to create their online video marketing campaign. I was quite flattered to be asked. I truly love the product so find it easy to think of creative ways to promote it.
Thanks for reading Video Production Tips
Lorraine Grula

Video demo showing how easy it is to add interactivity to your videos using the Veeple service.

Adding interactivity right inside your video has been shown to DRASTICALLY increase conversions and viewer engagement. Viewers don’t have to wonder how to access your sales page or other info, it’s right there inside the video!

Recent research shows that conversions rates with interactive video beats the conversion rates of standard video by up to 12 times.  That’s an incredible increase.

IMHO, interactivity inside videos is absolutely where online video is heading.  Someday, video interactivity will be so common people will just expect it.  I say that because it works so well.  Wide-spread use is simply inevitable.

Interactive video is easy to do with the Veeple system.  In my experience, the Veeple system is WAY easier to use than most online video hosting services, plus you get the interactivity.

This video post demonstrates how to add an interactive spot using Veeple.  As you watch the video, make sure and click the PDF icons to download both a free report on interactivity and some PP slides that compare Click Through Rates.

There is also an interactive link to an in-depth video interview that I did with the Veeple CEO, Scott Broomfield.

If you are looking for a way to get your videos on line and have them really work at converting your customers (and impressing them with your cutting-edge ways) then look into getting the Veeple service.  I have been proud to recommend them as an affiliate for over two years, ever since they first came online.

Thanks for reading video Production Tips.
Lorraine Grula

Broadcast quality video production is easier and less expensive today than ever before.

A basic definition of “broadcast quality” could be a show done with multiple cameras and microphones, (or edited to look that way) along with chroma key and other digital video effects.

Thanks to high-powered computers, creating such a video can be done with a minimal amount of equipment and therefore a minimal budget.

Gone are the days when you needed a huge studio or editing suite filled with thirty or forty components run by ten crew members at a budget of five-million dollars.

One powerful computer with the right software can replace a good deal of those components and consolidate most every task inside of one computer.

That saves not only tons of money but tons of room.  You can get by with a MUCH smaller space if you don’t need all that stuff.

This makes videotaping in remote locations easier and more practical.  So even if you are way out in the boondocks, broadcast quality video production takes less money, less space, less equipment, less personnel, and less effort than ever before.

Of course, you can also put the same equipment in your basement and still have room for the pool table. 

There are a growing number of different software choices that essentially turn a high-powered desktop computer into a very compact TV and video production studio.

Probably the single BEST solution for setting-up a desktop video studio currently on the market is the VT5 by NewTek.  It runs a bit under $9,000, and that does not include the actual computer.  The VT 5 includes a huge video card, a breakout box, various converters and accessories.

In addition to the VT5, a complete operation will  need cameras, mics, lights,  monitors, play/record decks, and cables.

NewTek has been developing innovative digital video editing solutions for a very long time.  The VT line has met with great success.

How well I remember New Tek when they first came out with their revolutionary Toaster.  Baaaaaaaaa!  (It had a fluffy sheep wipe!  Honestly one of the most useless digital effects I can think of for the kinds of videos I made. )

A longtime working buddy of mine from my TV News days today operates a remote mobile production van that uses a NewTek.   The van is owned by the country government.  He works as their Video Production and Studio Manager.  The county uses the Remote Production Van to create incredible, high-quality shows of county sponsored events: parades, fairs, school events like graduations, dedication ceremonies, and sporting events.  The van stays busy.

My buddy, Newt Danley, was nice enough to show me around the van and describe how he has the equipment set up.  I made a video about it for my readers here at Video Production Tips.  The video shows you what it takes today to create videos that rival what those in the big leagues have been doing all these years with their huge budgets.

Now, even low to medium budget groups can take advantage of desktop video production and create broadcast quality programing.

If you are interested in studio-quality video production, whether you want to stock a mobile production van for remote locations like my friend Newt, or  use the same equipment to set up a stationary studio, the NewTek 5 is probably the single best way to do it given all the similar products on the market.

The other products I have seen are not nearly as versatile or robust.  You can buy the New Tek VT 5 from B&H Photo.

Below, I have copy/pasted some sales copy off the NewTek website, giving the product’s features, requirements and specs.  Below the NewTek copy, I have put a list of additional equipment Newt uses in the mobile production van.

Now go forth and make video!

Thanks for reading Video Production Tips.

Lorraine Grula

COPY FROM NEWTEK:

The VT 5 Live SX-SDI Bundle from New Tek is designed to function as a complete television control room for your desktop. It is intended for use in live and post-production video studios. This model also includes the 8-input SX-SDI switching breakout box.

It supports NTSC and PAL standards. Other features include network-style, live, virtual sets and specialized tools for high-end post-production work. It offers (24) inputs with hundreds of real-time transitions and 3D DVEs. The solution also includes a character generator, a 2D video paint and animation system, real-time keying, and a digital disk recorder for integration of captured video clips.

Some of the benefits and features you will gain with this system include:

• NewTek LiveSet effects engine
• Completely integrated live virtual set system
• LiveMatte provides sophisticated keyer previews
• Optional LiveControl LC-11 switcher surface
• Optional TimeWarp replay and slo-mo controller
• 8-input SX-SDI switching hardware
• Optional LiveText remote titling and graphics software
• Optional DataLink real-time linking and display of external scores or files
• Live streaming in Flash, Windows Media or VC-1 formats
• On-screen Video Monitor supports any resolution/aspect
• Monitor offers action safe/title safe overlays
• Still Frame option on capture panel
• iVGA Recorder captures remote client displays as video
• DDRs support different clip aspect ratios
• DDRs support file formats listed below, including Apple QuickTime
• VGA output to projector includes real-time image enhancement
• VGA supports remote applications, such as LiveText
• Record show in I-frame MPEG-2 with optional MP3 audio
• Clock now on main interface
• Create and export title templates for VT[5] or TriCaster
• Title templates can be placed on Effects bus
• Render scrolls/crawls to any SpeedEDIT formats (HDV, etc)
• Audio/Video drivers support Windows Media Encoder and Flash encoder
• AVI wrapper has been re-written to support more project features
• SpeedHQ codec supports
• 4:2:2 video with and without alpha channel
• 4:4:4 video support with and without alpha channel
• Complete multi-core and multi-CPU decoding
• Customizable UI colors in Preferences
• Significantly improved readability across all modules
• Windows Vista UAC support
• Standard (non-admin) windows accounts supported

The VT[5] features live switching and Web streaming of up to 24

cameras, and now includes LiveSet™, NewTek’s proprietary live virtual set technology that allows users to implement multi-channel virtual sets in a live environment with unprecedented realism and video quality.

VT[5] also includes advanced new keying capabilities, integrated SDI switching support and automated clip playback, with simultaneous output to video, projector and Web stream. VT[5]’s extensive HD post production capabilities include sophisticated real-time, non-linear editing, video painting and a full-featured animated character generation package. VT[5]’s real-time, uncompressed video processing with component and SDI output delivers unsurpassed video quality. The optional Serial Digital switcher adds an additional eight SDI inputs and SDI routing functionality to the new VT[5] system.

Live Virtual Sets

NewTek’s proprietary LiveSet™ system in VT[5], allows separate virtual sets to be assigned independently to all switcher inputs, including all cameras and DDRs. In addition, each input has an independent LiveMatte™ matting module that eliminates the need for expensive hardware for each source connected to the system. Each virtual set supports virtual cameras with multiple angles and zoom levels, with support for secondary video sources for on-set virtual monitors.

All effects are rendered with unprecedented photo-realism, including reflections, refractions, shadows, bump maps, and sophisticated filtering.

Additionally, the advanced new keying capabilities included in the LiveMatte™ technology enable refined previews of mattes for the precise isolation of color, edge and spill for the sharpest possible results.
Features

• Live Switching
• LiveSet™ Effects Engine
• Live Virtual Sets – multiple angles and multiple focal lengths per set
• Upstream effects row
• 8 Component inputs
• 8 Y/C inputs
• Up to 24 Composite inputs
• 8 Serial Digital inputs (with SX-SDI)
• DV input Support
• Real-time FireWire input or output
• Automated Audio Mixer
• 4 Component outputs
• 4 Y/C outputs
• 5 SDI outputs (with SX-SDI)
• Preview output
• 4 Composite outputs
• 3 RS-422 machine control ports
• Real-time, advanced chroma keyer
• LiveMatte™ keyer previews of color, edge and spill
• Cue mode in Digital Disk Recorder
• 200+ digital transitions
• Dual GPI In / Out
• 8 Internal Tally light controls
• Background generator
• Internal Genlock
• Audio Mixer
• Mix 8 stereo live and 8 4-channel online audio sources
• 4-track audio: 4 discrete channels of audio in and out
• Supports SDI embedded audio (with SX-SDI)
• Talk-over, reduces mix levels for mic inputs to talk over
• 4 adjustable XLR balanced mic / line inputs with Phantom power
• 6 stereo unbalanced audio ins from live sources
• 8 stereo inputs from computer sources
• DV and SDI audio inputs
• Floating point audio with distortion-free audio levels
• EQ, balance, mute and mono for all 16 audio inputs
• Aux Mix: stereo aux send and aux returns for external sweetening
• Automated mixing: transition between audio presets
• Calibrated audio meters
• Audio-follows-video option
• Manage your output mix with Input Pass Thru
• PA Mix Out: for live PA or control room feed
• Balance on all inputs and outputs
• Digital Disk Recorder
• Multi-format, multi-standard on-screen tape deck
• Compressed or uncompressed playback
• Detects clip aspect ratios for playback
• Play back a single clip or list of clips
• Cue clips to roll when triggered by Switcher
• Real-time transitions between clips
• Count up or count down project time or clip time
• Operate multiple DDRs simultaneously
• EDL import/export (Grass Valley, CMX, Sony, Excel)
• Proc Amp
• Brightness
• Contrast
• Hue
• Saturation
• U Offset, V Offset
• U Gain, V Gain
• Track Preview function
• More than 70 adjustable parameters
• Calibrate computer sources as well as analog sources
• Auto Calibration for 75 IRE bars, 100 IRE bars, video pass-through
• (requires SX-84)

Video Scope

• Full-frame data
• 60 fields-per-second
• Monitor Program or Preview
• Waveform of Y/C, Y, C, YUV or RGB
• Vectorscope at either 75% or 100% Chroma

Video Monitor

• Fully fielded on-screen playback
• YUV video display
• Monitor Program, Preview, Key / Aux or DSK buses
• Display supports for 4:3 and 16:9 aspect
• Underscan mode
• Zebra stripes for 75 IRE and illegal video
• Proc-Amp for matching computer display to reference video monitors

CG Designer

• WYSIWYG text and graphics editing
• Save projects or pages
• Display Program output within CG interface
• Use any installed TrueType™ font
• Create Title Templates
• Export Title Templates
• Assign a Title Template to any source in Upstream effects row
• Save pages as 32-bit images or animations
• Soft shadows
• Create graphic objects (boxes, circles, splines)
• Instantly save or recall text styles
• Powerful drawing tools

Title Templates

• Easy creation of live pages
• More than 80 styles
• Customize/create new templates in CG Designer
• Export any title to upstream effects

iVGA

• Import external computer displays as switcher source
• Queue up to 3 iVGA sources
• Client provided for Windows and Mac systems
• Software-based scan conversion to video resolution
• Dedicate iVGA output to connected projector
• Digital Video Effects:
• More than 200 real-time transitions
• Expansions
• Wipes
• Curls
• Trajectories
• Fades
• Overlays
• Rotations
• Compressions
• BordersSpeedEDIT

World’s Fastest Video Editor

• SD and HD editing
• Real-time HD editing and previewing
• Resolution independent
• Frame-rate independent
• Fully multi-threaded for dual-core and quad-core machines
• SpeedHQ™ codec with 4:2:2 colorspace and alpha support
• Integrated Timeline and Storyboard editing
• Unlimited layering in real-time
• 3D control of position, size and rotation of layers in real-time
• Spline-based movement of all animations
• Unlimited undo, saved with project
• Real-time 3-wheel color correction
• 4-band color selection
• No rendering of complex projects required
• Create subprojects within a project
• VST Audio plug-in support
• CG Post™ for moving text
• Project Backup Wizard
• Time-code overlay filter
• Real-time Targa sequence playback
• Multi-format and multi-standard editing
• Real-time playback of compressed and uncompressed clips
• Real-time FireWire in and out
• More than 200 real-time transitions
• Real-time slow motion and reverse
• Real-time chroma and luma keying
• Real-time high-quality scaling of graphics
• Real-time video and audio filters
• Real-time audio mixing of unlimited layers
• 3D audio positioning
• 12dB of audio headroom prevents digital distortion

Deck Controller

• Control external decks from your VT[5] desktop
• Supports multiple RS-422 and DV decks
• Interfaces with batch capture deck lists and configurations
• Jog and shuttle support
• Record allows user to generate time code settings
• Aura Video Paint™:
• Amazingly fast 16-bit paint engine
• Paint over live video
• Four-point pixel tracking
• Color isolation
• 3D compositing
• Stroke recorder
• Wide range of text controls
• Instantly use a graphic’s alpha channel
• Animate text along a path
• Native DV support
• AVI and QuickTime audio support
• Apply Photoshop® filters to any animation

VT[5] Supported File Formats

Video Formats

• AVI
• MPEG-1
• MPEG-2 (program & transport stream)
• HDV
• QuickTime (with alpha support)
• MPEG-4 (including iPod and PSP)
• Raw DV
• DVCPro 50
• DVCPRO HD
• Image sequences
• Output to Flash

Graphic formats

• JPEG
• PNG
• Targa
• Tiff
• BMP
• WBMP
• PCX

Audio Formats

• WAV
• MP3
• AU
• SND
• AIFF
• WAX
• DIF

LIST OF ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT IN THE MOBILE PRODUCTION VAN HIGHLIGHTED IN THE VIDEO. When the video quotes a budget of around $30,000 for the whole set-up, it includes the monitors, record decks, etc in the following list.  $30,000 does NOT include the van itself. 

Preview monitors-2 racks of 4 each.  Datavideo TLM 404 4- inch monitors (Only one set of 4 was installed when we shot video).

Computer monitors-2 Marshall V-R151P rack mounted 15 ” monitors.

Program monitor-One Magnavox 15 ” free-standing monitor bolted to metal shelf.

VCRs-One Panasonic SD-255 (main)

DVC Pro:  One  Panasonic AJ-D230H (back-up)

DVC Pro Slo motion- One Panasonic PV-HS2000 (three at time of taping. )

Audio mixer-Australian Monitor(brand name)TX6000 (small, rack mounted)

Back-up batteries-2-APC XS-1500

Field Cameras-Four Panasonic AJ-D215 w/studio configuration

Scoreboard cam-Panasonic PVG-S120 (consumer cam)

Tri-pods-Heads- Bogen 3066  (Manfrotto)

Tripod Legs- Bogen 3182

Video cables are BNC

Audio cables are XLR

Video email is finally coming of age. Sending video out via email to a large quantity of people has proven to be a video marketer’s bugaboo challenge.  Video files are too humongous for starters.

Plus, video files are tops on the list of files types to block for security reasons.

Autoresponder services like Aweber won’t touch video email.  They experiment around with it then say, “not now.”

Big waves were stirred when Google announced the ability to send You Tube videos easily through gmail, but when you get past the marketing hype, the service is not very practical since it is so limited.

Here’s what Aweber advises on that….

Sounds Like a Lot of Obstacles – Can You Really Use This to Send Video Emails (Now)?

For most people, probably not yet. The fact that it’s only Gmail, and only YouTube, and only for people who have turned on the YouTube previews in Labs means most of us can’t reach more than a tiny fraction of our subscribers like this just yet.

WHAT TO DO????

Lucky readers of Video Production Tips get to discover all about the easiest way to send video emails imaginable.

CoVideo Video eMail.

Everyone who examines the CoVideo email platform is incredibly impressed with it.  Impossible not to be IMHO!

I am working with the CoCideo folks to produce promotional and training videos for their services.   Today’s post features the video I created to describe their basic video email service.  It’s a fantastic service and it would not be hard at all to carry on for about 30 minutes about it.  BUT, I can’t do that, of course.  Thirty minutes is way beyond what most people would be willing to sit through.

My solution for that is to make a series of videos.  Each one can be short and focused.  This one is the overview.   IMHO, the overview is the single most important video and better be compelling or the rest might not matter.

The overview is for a very broad audience and is probably their first exposure to the product.

This means the video needs to be comprehensive but still short.  Keep it short by “saying” as much as you can with each and every element you use.  Use your video to say it so your narrator doesn’t have to.

In making this video, I let the script verbally describe the overview big picture.  Then, I concentrated on visually highlighting the service and templates without describing them verbally hardly at all.

How gorgeous and classy looking these video emails are is a major selling point.   So my promotional video needs to reflect that.

Video production is the classic “show don’t tell” medium.  The interactive templates are a perfect example of something people need to see rather than just hear described.  To fully get that job done, a viewer needs to see lots of examples so I chose to make the entire video a showcase of examples.

My hope is that viewers will see something similar to what would work for them.  If they can more easily picture something personal to them, then they are more likely to realize the product is a good fit for them and purchase.  In all my years of doing this, I have concluded that most people need to be shown an example that is about 95% exactly what they had in mind or they don’t really make the connection.

The CoVideo video email system is extremely easy to use and I mentioned that in the narration, but will highlight that in a separate video where I use entirely different visuals.  As with most video making, it will be the visuals that really tell the story.

The visuals you use will make more of an impact than anything your narrator says.

HOW DOES COVIDEO V-MAIL WORK?

Let me describe quickly how the CoVideo email system works.  You can send out any video in your library with just a few clicks.     You get videos in your library in any one of a number of ways.

If you want a simple talking head of yourself, you can record it with the one-step recorder-uploader.  All you need is a webcam.  One click and you’re recording and uploading at the same time.  If you like the video, save it and name it.  It’s now in your library, ready to email out.

You can upload and use any video you have access to. If you do not want to make the video yourself, CoVideo can produce it for you using any style or budget level that works for you.  From Hollywood style with professional actors, to low-budget production they have the resources to handle it all.

All videos you send out go inside an interactive template that features seven links.  You can send folks to another video, your order page or your Twitter profile.

Pick from any one of hundreds of generic or Special Occasion templates.  You can also purchase the branded package.

If you do not have an email list, CoVideo can supply white-listed email addresses sorted by zip code.  This is perfect for any business trying to target specific areas.

CoVideo Video email service has tons of benefits.  If you are interested, please contact me directly.

Thanks for reading VPT

Lorraine Grula

Video demonstration of the EZS3 service that provides an easy way to use an Amazon S3 account for inexpensive video hosting.

Amazon S3 is a fantastic solution for inexpensive video hosting.  The only problem is  Amazon S3 is not AT ALL easy to use.  In fact, even my webmaster balked and he is way more technical than me.   Plus, Amazon S3 is real bare bones, you do not get anything but cheap storage space.

To effectively use Amazon S3, it is absolutely essential for you to have some way of interfacing with it and something to give you the player software and other extras to make it function online.  EZS3 provides exactly what you need.

EZS3 is an in-the-cloud service so you have nothing to download. They keep improving it too, so in that sense, I feel like it’s absolutely better than buying a software package that is never upgraded.   Using EZS3 is drag and drop simple.

I first recommended EZS3 about a year and a half ago.  Since then, I have only grown more impressed with their service.    I am happy to have such fantastic products within my niche to recommend.  If you need reliable, inexpensive hosting that you have complete control over, then an Amazon S3 account is right for you.  To go with it, get EZS3.  You can now get a free account that of course does not have all the bells and whistles of a paid account, but it will get you started.  For Free!

Below is the first post I ever wrote about EZS3.

Original Post:

To include a video on your website, you need to have it hosted somewhere.  Many people have turned to You Tube for hosting, since it is free.  FREE!  Can’t beat that with a stick.

Well, maybe you can.

People are starting to balk about hosting their videos on You Tube since doing so gets you stuck to the You Tube player and the poor quality You Tube resolution.  Some video “gurus” are even claiming that if you rely on You Tube to host your videos then you look like a rank amateur.

So what is the alternative?  Pay a fortune for bandwidth and clog your hosting service with gigantic video files?

No need to do that.

Amazon.com has added file hosting to their Amazon Web Services.  They call it S3, or Amazon S3.  The S3 stands for

• Simple
• Storage
• Service

Amazon S3 has such low prices for storage and bandwidth that they are able to compete with FREE and have become the video file hosting of choice for many businesses and individuals.   Amazon S3 is currently the most popular solution for large bandwidth operations.  It’s free to sign up.  You only pay for the bandwidth and storage space you actually use, and those rates are rock bottom.

There’s only one problem.  Amazon’s definition of “simple” is probably not the same as yours.

It’s inexpensive for sure, but honestly, not that simple.  Unless you know multiple computer languages, you will find Amazon S3 terribly confusing.

Darn, I knew there had to be a catch!

Fortunately, it did not take long for someone to see the need and fill it.

EzS3.com.

EZS3.com is a service that links to your S3 account and gives you a TRULY simple way of uploading and managing files.

I would hesitate to use my S3 account without EZS3. It makes that much difference.

An EZS3 account gives you the ability to easily upload and download files with just one click and a drag and drop mechanism.  (It looked just like a standard FTP layout)  You can also easily create folders and move files around.  EZS3 works “in the cloud” you do not have to have any special software on your computer.

EZS3 also lets you easily create customized players and wrappers for your videos, which is totally cool and helps you get a standout unique look.

Only want to let certain select people view your videos?  EZS3 allows you complete control over access, which is essential for video marketing.  If you click the cool little graphic below, you can go check out EZS3 for yourself!

Analytics are part of the package too.  EZS3 gives you the ability to track your video views and see who is embedding your video.

EZS3 lives up to its name E-Z!  Easy baby!

Part of what makes it easy is the design, EZS3 is clean, simple and intuitive.  It really is.  I am NOT particularly technical and often have a big learning curve with stuff people claim is EASY.  (So either I am a moron or they are lying.  There’s a conundrum for you.)  But this really IS easy; I was uploading stuff within five minutes of signing up.

Another plus for the “yes it’s easy” column is the many well made, easy-to-understand tutorials they have scattered about.  The narrator’s accent was a bit heavy but this Southern gal understood.  (My voice is accent-free.  NOT!)

So if you are looking for a new hosting solution outside of You Tube, you need to not only get an amazon S3 account, but you need to sign up for EZS3 as well.  They even help you sign up for the S3 if you don’t already have one.

So go check it out!  Anything to make life easier.  EZS3, something you really CAN’T beat with a stick!

Thanks for reading Video Production Tips
Lorraine Grula
Internet Video Gal

Video editing does not get any easier than Animoto.

Animoto is an in-the-cloud automated video editing service that allows anyone to create spectacular videos without having a clue what they are doing.

It’s push button simple, quick, and incredibly inexpensive, even free if you stick to 30-second videos.

The video in this post gives a demonstration of what you can do with Animoto and shows you just exactly how easy it really is.

Here’s an example of an Animoto video I made using pictures of my darling daughter, Ondrea. The heavy emphasis on motion with still pictures makes this a very typical animoto video.

TRUE STORY!

A lady I know wanted a video of her daughter to celebrate her high school graduation. She brought a box full of still pictures to a local video production service and asked how much it would cost to put together something about 3 minutes long using a popular song.

“$350 minimum and we can not use any music that’s not royalty free,” was the quote.

Ouch.

I suggested she try Animoto for $30.

The video production service was NOT ripping her off. Given the way they’d have to edit, using a standard video editing program and manually adding movement to the still photos, $350 is a fair price. Editing video that way is tedious and time consuming.

Creating a similar video with Animoto is extremely fast. Since everything is automated it’s not the least bit tedious.

I can’t think of a better way to illustrate the value of Animoto than that story.

Compare the two drastically different video production methods

* Manual: $350 and hours of detailed work
* Animoto:$30 to make all the videos you want for a year and it just takes a few minutes.

Which would you choose?

For further information about Animoto and to see another video demonstration I did using their system, check out this other VPT post on Animoto.

I often say that Animoto is so easy a dog could do it. One of my readers, Robert Boni of United Sound and Video in Florida sent me this adorable picture of his doggie at the edit controls. I just can’t resist posting something this cute. Thanks Robert!

Thanks for reading Video Production Tips.
Lorraine Grula