Video Preview Device Recommendation
 

I used to have a little zoon, Zen, or something similer to that.... It was about 2 inches..I believe they called it a MP4 player. Well the darn thing was so small and compact that i misplacd it and cant find it.

I am looking for something to watch videos while sitting on an airplane, or to show a client while having a cup of coffee.
I was thinking maybe the ipad now that the ipad 2 is out, perhaps they are down in price.... I would like to stay in the 200.00 range

Suggestions

Re: Video Preview Device Recommendation
 

Go to the apple store, seach away...they have a variety of small and/or diminuitive video/music players. Many other manufacturers do as well these days.

Re: Video Preview Device Recommendation
 

I think I figured out I need an MP4 player...Im going to check into ZUNE players again. Thanks...

Re: Video Preview Device Recommendation
 

I'm sorry to say, they've (Zunes) been discontinued. You're most likely to find what you're after with one of Apples offerings

Re: Video Preview Device Recommendation
 

I got the chance to test drive an ipad2 today I really like it...lil pricey yet.... but being a PC person I could really like one of these i think. Actually I think my wife would like it a whole lot more! But then I would never see it. lol

Re: Video Preview Device Recommendation
 

I'm a PC guy too, but I bought an ipad ( the first generation) about a week after they became available. I never in a million years dreamed I would use it as much as I do; for entertainment it's fantastic, I use it for word processing, photo storage and editing, and more and more I'm finding seriously useful apps for film-making...teleprompter, slate, a variety of scripting tools, various calculators, etc..
a wonderful machine, truly wonderful

Re: Video Preview Device Recommendation
 

Wayne..

I am confused....How would you edit on this thing? Do you mean photo editing?

Am I able to put PDF documents on it and view them?

Is there a way to format the ipad so it doesnt have all the junk on it like i saw at the store?

Re: Video Preview Device Recommendation
 

You can edit both stills and video on the ipad 2. The apps are highly customizable. I suspect the store's copy had a bunch of "entertainment" software on it, but there are literally thousands of applications for photography and video...I read a brief online this afternoon that Adobe is releasing a full verson of photoshop optimized for ipad; not a "lite" version...the full meal deal. the number of video editing apps will likely surge as well with the new model since it has the ability to run iMovie as well.

for configuring, you simply go to the Apps store, pick and choose what you want and download them. Many are free, many more are only a couple of dollars. I currently have 9 different photo editing programs on mine, as well as several video-centric apps. I use the ipad for a teleprompter ( there are several really good apps, quite inexpensive), as a slate ( again, numerous apps for that), a number of script writing tools, aperture calculators, hyperfocal calculators, various clocks and timers, all very useful.

Of course, its wonderful for watching movies, or t.v.shows, as an electronic book reader. I use it many times a day; certainly more than my laptop since everything is almost "instant on"

Forgot to add that yes, you can put PDF's on it with a variety of different applications. I keep electronic copies of all my equipment manuals in the Ibook application. I'm a voracious reader, so I use it as an ebook reader a lot. Right now, I've got in excess of 40 books on it, three fulll length HD movies, probably 30 or 40 different t.v. Episodes, about 3500 photos, my stills portfolio, my video demo reel...so much stuff, it's hard to recall everything I've got on it.

One other thing that I use it for is maitaining electronic photo/video release forms. There are several ways of accomplishing that; I have a standard form, and just have the talent sign with their finger. If you take payments for things via credit card, there is even a service that you can plug in a small credit card dongle to the ipad, swipe their card and have them sign with their finger. You pay a small processing fee, but it's just like having a protable credit card terminal with you all the time.

Re: Video Preview Device Recommendation
 

"Sign with thier finger" Now you have me interested....

So let me get this straight... I can put my model releases on there.. (in Word or PDF format? pull them up and they can sign it with finger. I am interested in this app.

You said you also found a teleprompter and slate app as well? was this also at the app store?


I purchased an ipod a week ago, but its going back to the store because its simply to small for my big fingers!

Re: Video Preview Device Recommendation
 

yes. there are a few teleprompter apps, as well as a few different slate apps available, all in the apps store.

pro-prompter, Movie*Slate ( a clapperboard and shot log app) are just a couple of those available.
Several different apps that will let you save copies of documents and sign on screen, as well as editing tools for Lightroom, FCP, and in the very near future Adobe CS5 and CS 5.5, as well as other Adobe creative suite programs.

I use lightroom a lot for stills, and I use an app called LRpad. It allows me to have an image displayed on my computer in lightroom, and adjust all the sliders with a fingertip on my ipad, with the results transmitted to LR via wifi. the latency is almost non-existent...your image changes as you move the slider, and it's much easier than manipulating them with the mouse. with the ipad 2, you now also have Apple iMovie available, so you can shoot and edit video onboard. I think it's only a matter of time before someone writes an app for Sony Vegas, Final Cut to allow you to use the ipad as a control/input/viewing surface.

With Adobe providing a SDK for the CS line of products ( announced at NAB yesterday), I suspect the ipad as a production tool is going to become very much a reality.
Oh, forgot to mention...the Cube also now streams wireless video out to the ipad, so you can even put it to use as a remote monitor should you need to.

I tend to be an early adopter of new tech, and I was with the ipad too. it's an amazingly useful device, and a darned fine media player/ebook reader to boot

Re: Video Preview Device Recommendation
 

David,
I had to go and get my ipad to see what the program name was for the release. it's called "Easy Release", cost is $10. they are just releasing an update to it, that adds a bunch of functional improvements; multi language support, the ability to take a photo of the talent and imbed it in the release, fully customizable legal text to suit your specific location.
It's accurate enough that it has approval for use with submissions to Getty Images, and Alamy.
The nice part about the app is that once you've completed the release and gotten the "fingertip" signature, it automatically emails a PDF to you. I just drop them into the file folder that I create for each project with all the working edits, renders, clips, etc. so I have everything in one place at the end of each day.
BTW, this app is also available for the iphone and the touch as well.

Re: Video Preview Device Recommendation
 

Wayne...

I have to tell you... that model release app is really slick. I am always misplacing blank releases.... and also completed releases.

The bad news is i cant find an ipad2! As fast as they come in to the local Apple store they are sold.! Best buy is having difficulty getting them as well!

Ill keep trying!...but the ipod is going back!

Re: Video Preview Device Recommendation
 

It really is. I had the same problem; by the time you'd finish a day of shooting, I'd spend hours gathering paper up. No longer, thank goodness.

You may actually have better luck ordering directly from Apple, or from a Canadian supplier. For some reason, the second version of the ipad hasn't pulled nearly the interest the first one did. I live in a relatively small city on the Canadian prairies, and there are at least three separate locations within 5 miles of me with lots of stock

Re: Video Preview Device Recommendation
 

I got my iPad2 at a store that specialize in Macs, everyone else was out. But then again, I'm in Canada as well :)

It's definitely a great little device... I wish that it's support for full HD video was better. It's only in 3rd party apps, not native.

Re: Video Preview Device Recommendation
 

Have you rendered your own videos and tried them on the ipad? What size, resolution, bitrate is optimal for the ipad, and is there a difference in rendering out for the ipad, vs ipad2?

Re: Video Preview Device Recommendation
 

I finally found one!!! cant wait to get playing with it.

Re: Video Preview Device Recommendation
 

That's great news! I suspect you're going to VERY happy with it. I have to say that when I bought mine, I was expecting to use it primarily as a media delivery/entertainment device. I've become increasingly dependent on it for "work"...I send probably 70% of my email on it, do a lot of word processing, spreadsheets, powerpoint presentations, etc with it almost daily. When I'm shooting, I use it almost constantly for a variety of things...I suspect that by the end of the year it's going to be as common on a shoot as a tripod. I agree with the arguement that it's nothing more than a big ipod; but in this case, size REALLY makes a difference.
I'll be interested to hear what you think of it

Re: Video Preview Device Recommendation
 

FWIW.... I am a PC guy... I never did like the way that lil goofy mouse worked on the Macs in the studio. I dont like change so I refused to learn Final cut Pro after learning and investing in Vegas Pro, What really sold me on the ipad was all the apps that are available. I am not sure what the marketing strategy is with Apple trying to convert us PC guys/gals but it may be working!

Re: Video Preview Device Recommendation
 

Good evening,

I believe that apple's big business is all this small stuff!!! I just bought an 160 gbyte classic and I am a pc guy!!! its pretty nice too!!!

Still prefer Vegas 10 64 bit though!!!

Re: Video Preview Device Recommendation
 

Whatever else you do DON'T let your wife mess with your Ipad if you want to keep using it yourself!

After her first experience with mine, my wife IMMEDIATELY started asking to use it - and it was just days before she was asking for one of her own.

Now, she hardly EVER touches her laptop anymore. ALL her email, magazines, and on-line research INSTANTLY switched to her iPad.

The iPad is TOTALLY an equal access revolution. In my experience this technology, somewhat unlike the traditional keyboard driven computer is something that "speaks" to men and women almost equally from the first use.

Which is pretty darn cool, in my book.

If Apple ever has sales slow down, all they have to do is offer these in "HIS & HERS" pairs and they'll spark yet another sales frenzy.

Re: Video Preview Device Recommendation
 

Same experience here too, Bill. My wife is decidedly NOT a techie. She has a cellphone only because her job requires it; same thing with her laptop.
She has always had zero interest in any of my "tech" stuff, be it computers or cameras. That changed the first time she saw my ipad.
She was able to feign disinterest for about a day; then it was a couple of days of MY hunting around to find where SHE and my ipad were.
She ordered one of her own within a week; something she has NEVER done before with anything computer-wise. Her laptop is used very sparingly now...only for work issues that she can't access from the ipad due to corporate security issues. Everything else she does on the ipad.

Re: Video Preview Device Recommendation
 

I can see where my wife would like it as all she does is surf on the web. It would be perfect for her. One thing I did learn is that it works better on wireless "N" instead of "G" only makes sense right?

I am trying to incorporate it into business use and find it a lil unfriendly talking to my PC. I am taking one thing at a time. I bought it as a presentation device, so i am first trying to master Video and photo folders/albums

Ill keep u posted!

Entering the garden of Eden perhaps?
 

Well, I am really getting the hang of the ipad2 My wife and I are looking at upgrading to iphones this weeekend. It is a GREAT device for what i needed it for. Here is what I have learned so far...Again please remember that I am a PC guy and this is my first Apple product

1: MOST IMPORTANT-The ipad is NOT a replacement for your laptop or desktop. Its merely an extension of your computer Its not really designed for file creation

2: Its a very personal device-meaning some may want to use it just to play games and surf the web, while others want it for productivity. Me...I needed a tool to present my portfolio to clients, both photo and video.

3: The camera takes "okay" pics in good lighting, but very grainy in poor lighting. I didnt buy it to use the camera future LOL

4: The display is very difficult to see in bright sunlight (actually non exsistent) this test was done on a sunny day with snow on the ground.

5: Apple support is OUTSTANDING.... i had to wait in que for 10 minutes, but was connected to a person in Atlanta GA. ENGLISH was his first language. He was very helpful.

6: The ipad2 is very difficult for me to hold as I have carpal tunnel and its so small. A cover or case is all that was needed to make this problem go away.

7: Itunes is the gateway for using your ipad2. You can not simply plug it into your PC and expect to drag and drop files like its an external USB device. You will need to learn about file nesting and manipulation on your PC.

8: Works okay on G wireless networks, but FLYS on "n" wireless networks (54mps compared to 300mps)

Finally its small enough to shove in a magazine and hide it from your wife if you dont want her to know you have one! LOL

Hope this helps some other ipad.newbie out there. A very special thank you to WAYNE REIMER who mentored me on this the past few days or it would have gone into the lake.

Re: Video Preview Device Recommendation
 

David,

You're most welcome! Glad that I was able to help a bit.
The more I use a tablet, the more convinced I am that they not only have a place in film making as a tool, I am equally sure that the variety of uses and apps dedicated to folks like us have only just begun to surface...sort of the tip of the iceberg.

I'm looking forward to watching and using some of the new apps as they are released...in the meantime, I'll keep churning along with what's available now and enjoying the heck out of this new technology

Re: Video Preview Device Recommendation
 

Can you believe I just bought an Iphone4 for the wife and I? I am a PC guy remember! or am I crossing the line?

Re: Video Preview Device Recommendation
 

Oh oh....you're slipping over to the "Dark Side" :^)

S'okay....I have one too, and does the wife...