Video on the Web

I recently wrote a post for the British Users of Mac Podcast about video on the web. I wanted to share it with my blog readers too, so here’s the original post:

I have done a lot of video work in these past year. I have learned a lot, and been upset about the outcome, but this is all a learning experience. British Users of Mac Podcast is a great podcast, but I want to see more video conversations (which is why I am writing this post), and I also want to show you another side of Apple. We all know about video, and all that good stuff, but the real question is: Do you know how to maximize it?

Trust me, I have asked myself this question numerous times! As of now, I don’t have a definite answer to this. There are so many services on the web that incorporate this, but don’t necessarily maximize video. One of my favorite streaming companies on the web is UStream.tv, which is a live interactive video broadcast platform. It enables anyone with a web cam and a fast Internet connection to quickly and easily broadcast to a global audience of unlimited size. In less than two minutes, anyone can become a broadcaster by creating their own channel on Ustream, empowering them to engage with their audience and further build their brand. I have worked with UStream.tv in many ways, from blogging to podcasting and even working! UStream.tv is just as great a service for “desktop streaming.”

In my opinion, one of the best companies is Qik, who enables you to share moments of your life with your friends, family and the world – directly from your cell phone! Keep your world in the know, share a laugh, tell engaging stories. Just point your cell phone and stream video live to your your friends on Twitter, Facebook, Blogs, etc. OR use your cell phone like a camcorder and stream hours and hours of video without worrying about storage on your cell phone. The things that Qik does are amazing, not because I work there. I’ve held that belief ever since my friend and top blogger Robert Scoble showed Qik to me. Qik really maximizes video from cell phones, and I can’t wait to see where this takes me and Qik!

Now, Apple also has a say in video. Probably not a front-end view, but surely a back-end view. Most of us know Apple because of their amazing hardware and outstanding operation systems, but they also have amazing software. Here is some of Apple’s Video Software:

• Final Cut Express 4
• Final Cut Studio 2
• QuickTime 7 Pro for Mac OS X

(Editors Note: iMovie)

I use two of these three applications:

QuickTime Pro for recording my videos, and starting soon, Final Cut Studio to edit the footage.

Most Apple computers that you can buy from Apple’s online store include an option to buy Final Cut Express 4 and/or Logic Express 8 (Logic Express is Apple’s semi-pro digital audio workstation application).As you can tell, Apple has a nice presence in the video community, but I want to see more! This was my rant about video.T ell me what you think by either leaving a comment, or send an email to daniel@bumpodcast.co.uk.

~Daniel Brusilovsky

Producer & Host, Apple Universe Podcast

Also, remember that Apple Universe is re-launching on Saturday February 16, 2008 at 8:00 PM PST! We will be streaming on Ustream and giving away software, games and having a great time!