April 14th, 2010 — Tags: camera, review, Video
A couple of weeks ago, I was heading on a trip and wanted to bring along a nice video recorder. Having heard of pocket size flash-based video cameras like the Kodak Zi8 and the various Flip products, I decided to give the Flip UltraHD a try.
Note: Before we go on, I forgot to take any photos of the actual device but there are enough reviews online that there’s no real los (here, here and here).
The device itself is twice as thick as an iPhone, and nearly the same in other dimensions. Usability was simple, a big red button that starts and stops the recording, and some navigation for reviewing your videos. What I found really impressive was the actual quality of the video. The video was crisp, and it recorded decent enough audio (in the direction the camera is pointing). The big drawback was the shaky quality of the videos when you record while walking. That, along with the small viewing angle – which meant I had to be at least a few meters away from subjects to get them fully in the frame – are the two drawbacks of this device for me.
Here are two sample videos I took with the Flip, and you can judge for yourself. First video is taken indoors to show how the camera works in low light, it is not HD. The second video was shot outside with good lighting but it was taken while walking and you can see the shakiness of the image. (To see the HD version click on the link to go to Vimeo)
Flip Ultra HD – Indoors from khosrow on Vimeo.
Flip Ultra HD – Outside from khosrow on Vimeo.
Overall, I would get this camera for doing quick shoots and things that one would normally use a cellphone or point and shoot camera for. For longer videos, I would look to other more advanced cameras.
Free Hoder (eventhough he’s kind of a jerk)
January 29th, 2010 — Tags: internet, iran, Politics, Video
Source: Search Engine
Done with with a touch of humour this piece brings up a few good points. All the more reason more people should subscribe to Search Engine podcasts.
Google Wave in 2 Minutes
October 3rd, 2009 — Tags: google wave, Technology, Video, Web 2.0
And like the video says, “if I could get an invite, it would be great!” Anyone?
[via: Lifehacker]
Elections in Iran
June 11th, 2009 — Tags: iran, Politics, Video
In a few hours people will be going to the polls in Iran. I think this will be a historic election, not because of the involvement of people. The people have woken up, and this wave is going to be hard to stop. Whoever gets elected will have to start listening to the populous. Iran has entered the 21st century and I am very excited for it!
And a song that shows an interesting parallel. The song was popular during the 1971 1979 revolution and is now the song of the front runner candidate (not that he’s in any way affiliated with the original movement that represented the song).
Imagine
June 3rd, 2009 — Tags: john lennon, Life, peace, Politics, Video
Festival on the Main
May 31st, 2009 — Tags: Festival, Life, Montreal, Video
This weekend, the Main was closed from Sherbrooke to Mont-Royal and was turned into a pedestrian street. All businesses put out their merchandise, or food, or anything else and that part of the city was alive!
While on our way back home we ran into a breakdancing crew doing their thing, so I broke out the Qik camera.
Noteworthy: At around the 3 minute mark, the breaker in green seems to have hurt himself but I never figured out if he actually did.
Game Theory in Public Policy
April 26th, 2009 — Tags: iran, Politics, Video
It’s an interesting notion to use mathematics in the setting of political policies. What’s a little chilling to me is what would happen if the math suggested something like an all out attack on a nation? Are we to believe the math hard, cold math just because it is unbiased and doesn’t lie? Is the assumption (the 90% assumption) that reality will follow these predicitions?
Luckily what Bueno de Mesquita predicts is a good outcome for both Iran and the west.
Kamkar Ensemble in Montreal
February 21st, 2009 — Tags: iran, Music, Video
A fantastic concert, took me to another world! I took some video (poor quality):
And here’s a an older video of them I found on YouTube
Video: A Closer Look At Gaza
January 27th, 2009 — Tags: channel 4, gaza, Video
This is a segment that aired on Britain’s Channel 4. The first video is a report followed by an interview with Mark Regev, the Israeli spokesperson.
[ via: Kamangir ]
Chalet In Mont-Tremblant
January 26th, 2009 — Tags: cottage, Mont-Tremblant, Video