I’m watching three NCAA badketball games live right now … on zero TVs. I paid just $4 for access to March Madness Live, and I can access it on my computer, my iPad and my iPhone. Every minute of every game. Awesome.
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Now that
I’ve started live webcasting, I keep looking for new tools to make the process easier and more fun. If I ever end up doing a news show, it would be cool to have a teleprompter. So, I set out to find a DIY solution.
Here’s what you’ll need to make my ghetto-prompter:
- Apple iPad with the box it came in
- 8x10 glass photo frame with cardboard backing (less than $2 at Walmart)
- Duct tape
- Teleprompter app for your iPad (I use Teleprompt+)
Here are the steps to follow:
- Step 1: Remove the top cover and plastic insert from inside the iPad box, and set it aside. You’ll need them later.
- Step 2: Remove the back of the photo frame and tape the frame (with glass) onto the iPad box. You’ll want the frame facing upward as if it is a lid on the box. Use the duct tape to create a sort of hinge so that the frame can easily open and close on the box.
- Step 3: If you bought a frame that has a stand on the back, tear off the stand and use it to prop the box open (like a kickstand) at about a 45-degree angle. If your frame doesn’t have a stand, create one by cutting up the cardboard frame back.
- Step 4: Place the plastic insert back into the box and put the entire ensemble into the top cover. It may work better to place the “kickstand” between the boxes.
- Step 5: Turn on your teleprompter app on your iPad and place the entire ensemble in front of your camcorder and you’re ready to shoot.
Some things you can try to make your ghetto-prompter experience a little better (from Kaminski’s video):
- Better glass: If your glass isn’t giving you a clear image, you may need to sub it out with a piece of glass with a mirrored surface, preferably beam-splitting glass. You can also try attaching a DIY mirror tint to the glass.
- Reduce glare: Covering the camera, and the top and sides of the teleprompter with a towel will reduce the glare on the glass. That’ll make it easier to shoot through and read from.
- Tripod stand: Attach a platform onto a tripod or light stand so you can set up your ghetto-prompter away from your main studio.
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On Saturday, I made my first (real) live webcast using something other than my iPhone. Check it out. Here’s the gear I used to make it happen:
- Camera: Sony Handycam DCR-HC42 - It’s an old-style MiniDV camera that allows analog pass-through on a FireWire connection.
- Computer: 13-inch MacBook Pro - I use my trusty Patch laptop with a good, solid wi-fi signal to get the video from my camera to the Internet. Wired signals are better, of course.
- Software: Ustream Producer - For now, I’m using the free version of Ustream Producer to send my webcasts to the Hudson Patch Breaking News Channel. Hopefully I’ll be able to upgrade to the Pro or Studio versions someday.
- Tripod: Sunpak 6000PG - The green thing on top is a DIY platform I had to build because the camcorder I use has to be docked to use the FireWire connection, and the dock doesn’t have a tripod attachment. It’s made out of a cutting board with a non-slip surface; I found it at Target.
- Laptop Stand: Mainstays 26-inch Personal Folding Table - When you record video, you only need a tripod. When you stream video, you need to make room for a laptop too. I use a cheap personal folding table I bought from Walmart.
Here are some other items that you may want to consider to make a decent webcast:
- Microphones: Azden WMS-PRO Wireless Microphone System - Good audio is essential for a good webcast. I wasn’t able to use my mics for Saturday’s stream because my camcorder doesn’t have a jack to plug in external mics. I did, however, order an adapter that’ll allow me to do that in my future webcasts. These aren’t the best mics, but they’re a good value for the money.
- Headphones: iPod earbuds - It’s a good idea to monitor the sound you’re receiving. You’ll want to know if your mics are hissing, popping or … gasp … not turned on. If you want to get a serious set of headphones, I recommend the AKG Acoustics K-240 Semi Open Studio Headphones.
- Lighting: NEEWER CN-126 LED Video Light - I don’t know a thing about lighting, but if you shoot in dimly lit places, a small LED light mounted on your camera can go a long way. It won’t give you the look of a professional studio, but it’ll help make the subject visible.
- Power: GE 6-Outlet Surge Protector - I keep this tiny six-outlet power strip in my laptop bag at all times. It’s handy to have a few extra outlets in case you have to recharge your other equipment. Also handy to have is a heavy-duty 50-foot extension cord, in case your subject isn’t near a wall outlet.
Have you done this before? Are you a pro? What can you teach me? I need all the tips and advice I can get. Hit me up on
Twitter or
Facebook.
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For Christmas, my girlfriend Lisa bought me a gift certificate for an introductory flight lesson with
Osceola Aerosport, and today I cashed it in.
It was a sunny, mostly cloud-free day and flight instructor
Rob Dybvig walked me through my introductory lesson. He walked me through the pre-flight checklist and had me flip all the switches, turn the key and adjust the controls. Rob taught me what all the instruments do and how to keep the plane level at 3,000 feet and pointed at a specific heading.
After taking off in Osceola, I flew the
Cessna 172 (tail number N79118) over my apartment building in Hudson and all the way back to Osceola. Though the skies appeared clear from the ground, there was some haze in the distance. We had about 10-15 miles of visibility. I maintained control of the plane through the whole flight until we circled for our landing approach. After landing, Rob let me do another takeoff before we circled around to land for good.
After landing, Rob took a few photos of me with the plane and spent quite a lot of time answering my many questions about how I can get my own license.
So, if I ever have a spare $500 per month for a year, I hope to put it toward earning my private pilot’s license. In all, it’ll end up costing me in the ballpark of $7,000. Anyone want to give me a scholarship?
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Jealous?
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Thanks Mom!
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The girlfriend got me a flying lesson with Osceola Aerosport!
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Hudson Patch was presented with one of two “Site of the Year” awards at a regional Patch gathering on Nov. 14, 2011.
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On Thursday, Dec. 22, 2011, I was lucky enough to be part of a panel of Western Wisconsin journalists talking about 2011’s top stories on The West Side radio show on Wisconsin Public Radio. Show host Rich Kremer led the discussion with Tom Giffey from the Eau Claire Leader Telegram, Jerry Gallagher of WQOW TV and me. Listen to the show at http://www.wpr.org/webcasting/playmp3.cfm?FileName=tws111222.mp3&pagename…
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