The Shifting Goalpost

Here is my first online HD video shot on Canon HV20 and edited using iMovie.

Anusha from Sandeep Meher on Vimeo.

1. Canon HV20: I had already decided for a HD camcorder as I didn’t want to be stuck with a SD (Standard Definition) camcorder while HD (High Definition) takes over the delivery mechanism (TV - HD and players - Blu-ray).

After much deliberation on the recording format (Tape or HDD - Hard Disk Drive), I decided on Tape as it still offers better quality than the compression formats on HDD, especially if you go for HD. This is because HD requires substantial storage space and hence rigourous compression if it has to be stored on HDD or Flash Drives (some camcorders have started offering that). This leads to convoluted workflow while editing and publishing. Also, contrary to my assumption, tape is considered to be a good archival medium.

And my research says that Canon HV20 is currently the best consumer camcorder to record HD on Mini DV tape, especially with its fantastic CINE setting.

Soon, I will post the results on Vimeo. Not Youtube. Vimeo lets you upload better resolution videos including HD.

2. Canon Powershot G9: This was a result of another painful and long decision making process. By paying 10% extra than what one pays for the G9, it is easy to acquire a DSLR (Digital SLR), but I decided against DSLR as I am still not dedicated enough to photography to warrant a DSLR.

On the other hand, I wanted complete manual control to be available for those genius moments and G9 fits the bill (my other camera Fujifilm Finepix E550 offered manual control but it has started showing its age). G9 is a compact with a retro rangefinder look rather than the sleek compacts/point and shoots that have flooded the market.

But the learning curve is not for the faint-hearted and currently I am a bit worried when I will be able to master it.

3. Wacom Bamboo One: Finally, a cheap pen tablet compatible with Mac and from a company dominating the product space and rightly so. What a difference a pen tablet makes in Photo editing!? It is unbelievable - a 3-5 minute lasso selection task using mouse or trackpad in an image editing software can be done in 10 secods flat.

Shevonne

This is one hilarious site about funny signboards in Marathi (found in Pune) - PuneriPatya.com. But there is one notice which is in English - check it - you won’t regret.

For those who do not understand Marathi, try this - sillysigns.blogspot.com.