Vol. 2. Issue 9. December 2005
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In this issue---
* MONEY FOR YOUR MEDIA and Your Clicks for Free
* TAG YOUR VIDEOS ALREADY!
* RIPPLE TRAINING (Free Final Cut Pro Training)
* CHRISTMAS LIGHTS or VIDEO MAGIC?
* ALL YOU CAN DOWNLOAD: TWO VIRAL VIDEO BUFFETS
* WHY FLASH VIDEO IS HERE TO STAY: How the Ruling Flash Trickled Down to 'Free for All'
Two Complete Flash Video Making Solutions for $0
* AMAZING NEW VIDEO GIFT SERVICE: ONE TRUE MEDIA!
All-in-One Service for Your Film/Tape Conversions, Photo Scans & Online Editing
* STREAMING VIDEO & AUDIO SERVICES for $0
Secure Hosting with Instant Generator for $0 during December
* COMPANY OFFERS FREE VIDEO HOSTING to WEB COMMUNITIES!
Be a Hero! Add A Free Video Hosting Community to Your Webs for $0
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MONEY FOR YOUR MEDIA and Your Clicks for Free
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So you want to make money from your media? Good news! Free Media Guide is now updated and includes a section that lists free resources that allow you to make money from your media. While you're visiting Free Media Guide, be sure to check out the new resources for hosting, making and sharing. I've included several examples of shared media for your viewing pleasure...
While you're there make sure to check out the advertisers in the column on the right. Many times you'll find the newest resources there.
And there's also a book out called "Money for Content and Your Clicks for Free: Turning Web Sites, Blogs, and Podcasts Into Cash" that I found more on the mark than any other book out so far. J.D. Frazer is the author.
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TAG YOUR VIDEOS ALREADY!
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How can anyone find you if your viral videos are not tagged with your web address? How many times do I go video surfing and I cannot locate the source of the videos I want to vlog about? Too many times! So, dang it, tag your videos already!
I may want to give you credit, link to your website, or generate free publicity for you by writing an article about you, or I might just want to ask your permission to share your video in a remix video project.
What's a "video tag"? A video tag is a web address is overlayed on the video image for the duration of the video. This is a permanent tag and is literally part of the video and cannot be removed. Tags are seen for the duration of the videos because they would be distracting if they appeared and disappeared while you're watching. TAGS ARE NOT titles or credits at the beginning or the end of the videos-- those can be easily removed from your video. Tags could be covered up or blured by someone familiar with video editing tools. But most people who share your videos will not go to such lengths to cover up your video tag.
Below are a two examples of video tags. You can also see on this website that my videos are tagged too, even though they are not viral videos.
The only way I know how to tag videos is by using the built-in title feature available in most video editing software. Most of us can use the free video editing software by Windows, MovieMaker.
Also, feel free to call tags something else: BRAND, STAMP, IMPRINT, MARK, RETURN ADDRESS, USEFUL INFORMATION, or even SHAMELESS PLUG.
Regardless of what you call it-- Just do it already.
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RIPPLE TRAINING (Free Final Cut Pro Training)
************************************************************************************ If you edit on a Mac with Final Cut Pro, then you may be interested in knowing about Ripple Training. Ripple Training has tutorials for sale, but also has free tutorials here.
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CHRISTMAS LIGHTS or VIDEO MAGIC?
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Is this for real? How on earth did the person do it?
Click image to watch Christmas lights video. (File may buffer for few seconds before playing.)
Now that you've seen it, is this real or video magic?
It is not a real light display set to music, it's all video magic. It was done with video editing. How do I know? Play it again and watch the grass at bottom of screen for at least one minute.
Do you see the grass changing? Changing location and lighting? The changes occur with the sound of the music--just like the lights. Yes, it's subtle, but you can see it. That's the obvious sign of video editing--they're called jump cuts.
Of course those lights are real, but you will not witness this effect if you are really standing in front of this house. The 'turning on and off' of the lights in real time with the music is only achieved with video editing magic. So, in other words, this video took a long time to make. The video maker planned his/her effect then shot each different light scheme being turned on, then off, one at a time. A lot of hard work that paid off very well.
Jump cuts occur anytime there is an editing out of frames. Sort of like the jump cuts that occur on your master camera tapes when you stop recording then start recording again. Although that would be called "in camera editing". The Christmas lights viral video (above) has jump cuts that occur after the recording process becuase the edits are placed exactly to the musical beats.Try to do that as an in camera editing project some day!
Want interesting trivia about jump cuts? Jump cuts are how they made people and objects disappear and reappear in the TV series Bewitched and I Dream of Jeannie. Jump cuts are all part of video editing magic.
What video magic will you create with jump cuts?
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ALL YOU CAN DOWNLOAD: TWO VIRAL VIDEO BUFFETS
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I recently discovered two viral video 'buffets' that encourage you to email links to their videos, and one gives you the link to download them and host them yourself. This 'all-you-can-download attitude' is a great solution for many of us who are tired of sharing the same "files and codes" that are used by thousands of other people. This massive 'video code sharing' often results in slow to no-start video files on our webpages! This video delay effect more often occurs when using the most popular video code sharing websites.
The solution? Tag your videos and let people download and host them themselves. What is video "tagging"? It's attaching a web address to the video itself that cannot be edited out or covered up easily. I only discovered these two most recent viral video cafes becuase they were "tagged" with their web address. In other words, I saw their videos posted on personal websites. By surfing to random sites that linked to FreeVideoCoding.com I discovered VideoVat.com
and EbaumsWorld.com.
Below is a Video Vat video that I like watching again and again.
Click image to watch short video:
I highly recommend viewing viral videos on VideoVat.com over EbaumsWorld.com because EbaumsWorld bombards me with a pop ad every time I click to watch a video.
Video Vat is super easy to navigate and nearly every video is worth watching--a fantastic viral video collection. Another reason I like Video Vat is that their videos are easy to share by email, and easy to download (although Video Vat doesn't offer download links.) But because their videos are tagged with "VideoVat.com" I do not feel guilty for downloading and hosting the videos myself. After all, I want my readers to have an enjoyable viewer experience, not a sluggish or disappointing one.
Here's a screencast that shows you in real time how to locate video files embedded with Windows Media Player:
1. right-click the Window Media Player screen
2. select "properties"
3. in the properties window, look at the LOCATION of the video file
4. copy and paste it into an email to yourself, send it or save as draft
5. after sending or saving as a draft, right-click and choose "save as" to download the wmv file to your computer
Of course, the best download solution would be for Video Vat (and other viral video providers with tagged videos) to just offer download links like ebaumsworld does. It really is a win-win-win. Me-You-Them.
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WHY FLASH VIDEO IS HERE TO STAY: How the Ruling Flash Trickled Down to 'Free for All'
Two Complete Flash Video Making Solutions for $0
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Why should anyone choose to deliver video on the web in Flash Video format? Why not Quicktime, Windows Media Video or even mpeg4? Because Flash Video is the most easily viewable video format on the web today. Many experts even state that Flash Video is accessible to 98% of all web users. Check out this chart's "viewability" comparison found on Adobe - Macromedia website.
Most professional video content on the web is being delivered with streaming Flash Video (flv). Flash Video with the ".flv" extension is known for having the best compression to file size ratios. FLV video looks the best AND it's file sizes are much smaller than competing video formats. FLV files can be delivered as streaming videos or as progressive downloads.
If you're like many video consumers you may think the additional cost of Flash Video conversion software coupled with a Flash web delivery mechanism (ie: video hosting) is out of your reach. But you're wrong. I'm going to show you two complete Flash Video solutions that convert and deliver your videos at no cost!
But first, here's a little background on the web situaton. Total web domination by Flash Video FLV format is currently prevented in 3 ways:
1-- Digital cameras do not record in Flash format
2-- Movie creation software does not make FLV movies
3-- Common video players (Windows, QuickTime or Real) do not play Flash Video.
These three barriers have traditionally forced two additional expenses on Flash Video makers. First, additional software had to be purchased to convert their movies to Flash. And second, they had to pay for video hosting on a special Flash server. At least, that's how it was in the past....
Today, young idealistic online entrepreneurs have transformed the Flash Video landscape. There are free software and web-based services that do the same job for $0. There are two of what I call, Complete Flash Video Solutions. I have outlined them below. Enjoy.
FLASH VIDEO SOLUTION #1
A. Convert your video files to Flash FLV Format. Either go to Vencoder a free online video converter service made by Christian Baudry, OR go to Riva VX and download the free FLV encoder software.
B. Upload your FLV files to your web host or video host.
C. Download the free Flash FLV PLayer and instructions from this guy, Jeroen Wijering. The player is a stand-alone-player and does not have various components--it's just one simple SWF file that you upload. Jeroen also includes sample hmtl code for posting your new flv videos with your new player. (If your website is a business website for yourself or a company, then go ahead and buy the $18 lifetime license fee.)
FLASH VIDEO SOLUTION #2
A. Convert your video files to Flash FLV Format. Either go to Vencoder a free online video converter service made by Charles Baudry, OR go to Riva VX and download the free FLV encoder software.
B. Upload your FLV files to your web host or video host.
C. Go to FreeVideoCoding.com to generate your free video codes (including Flash player) for posting flash videos online. Video HTML is custom generated for your needs based on answers you give the form. FreeVideoCoding.com also links to it's own Flash Player and that link is automatically generated in the free video code. Play this sample flv video made with FreeVideoCoding.com video codes and a commercial licensed player from Jeroen.
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AMAZING NEW VIDEO GIFT SERVICE: ONE TRUE MEDIA!
All-in-One Service for Your Film/Tape Conversions, Photo Scans & Online Editing
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I often get asked "Where can I get my family movies (and photos) transferred to DVD?" And now I have found THE BEST ANSWER to this question - One True Media. Easily create video and photo montages, photo books, and custom DVDs all through this interactive online service.
One True Media really is a one-stop-shop. Just look at what they do!--
1. Convert your old films, tapes and photos to digital media
2. Load the digital media for you OR you upload your digital photos and digital movies yourself with your free trial account!
3. Provides the interactive tool to create your montages, photobooks, and DVDs online from the comfort of your home
4. Provides the ability to share your digital media with friends and family
5. Burn your projects to DVDs with designer covers and labels
6. Convert your projects to iPod friendly format for sharing via downloads
Use this coupon code "holiday 10" to get 10% off through Dec 19th. They also let you try their service for free! What are you waiting for?! One True Media
You can order by 9am December 21st AND STILL GET CHRISTMAS DELIVERY!! -- now that's service!!
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STREAMING VIDEO & AUDIO SERVICES for $0
Secure Hosting with Instant Generator for $0 during December
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If you're still undecided on which streaming media hosting service to use, then look no further. If you're unhappy with your current media host, then this 21 day free offer is for you.
During the month of December you can test drive what is (in my opinion) the best video and audio streaming services on the web today, for a full 21 days.
Try Instant Audio Generator to: deliver your valuable audio products instantly, securely deliver samples of your digital audio products, perform basic and advanced podcasting, enhance your blog or website and talk directly to your potential customers as they visit your sales page.
Try Instant Video Generator to: deliver your valuable video content without requiring customers to download, easily create webcam video blogs, deliver advanced video blogging to your clients and customers, and talk directly to your web visitors - even show them why they need your products and services.
Both streaming services provide secure, private, high-end delivery of video or audio content for thousands of businesses and people just like you.
BENEFITS INCLUDE:
Secure media delivery - Your files cannot be downloaded or stolen. Viewing Stats--Track how many times your clips get viewed Cutting edge delivery--Reaches dialup and broadband users alike resulting in more happy customers, and less money-back requests.
ITS TIME TO MAKE A DECISION
Free -- for 21 days. If they don't help you with your audio or video goals, you pay nothing.
To discover how you can add AUDIO to your websites
and e-mails with just a phone call (or with digital file uploads), click this link.
To discover how you can add VIDEO to your websites
and emails with just a webcam (or with movie uploads), click this link.
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COMPANY OFFERS FREE VIDEO HOSTING to WEB COMMUNITIES!
Be a Hero! Add A Free Video Hosting Community to Your Webs for $0
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Could your community, business or organization benefit from offering free video hosting services to it's members? Or maybe you want to offer free video hosting to a niche community as a way to promote your business products and services? Maybe you're a member of a filmmaking community, a pet community, a company that sells (fill in the blank). What about an XBox Community?
To be honest I can't even imagine all the possibilites because this offer is so unbelievable, even to me! But what I don't need to imagine is:
1) This free service doesn't expire
2) Doesn't cost your group or company any money!! Zero! Zip! Nada!
3) Your video community can be public or private
4) The interface is customizible, and
5) You control the content.
But don't take my word for it, read what the company says on their website:
"We work in partnership with large web site communities, and give those sites free video hosting and streaming. Since video content naturally forms
"channels" around community interest, video to your site is relevant. For example, a car community will create and publish car content and such a site naturally becomes an automotive "Internet Television" station with user-created "shows".
Vidiac Networks
has been setting up free video hosting communities for some time now and continues to grow stronger.
So check Vidiac Networks out and talk them up at your next meeting! Your web community may very well go giddy over Vidiac!
****************************************** That's a wrap! Say it with video! Nerissa Oden TheVideoQueen.com
If you edit on a Mac with Final Cut Pro, then you may be interested in knowing about Ripple Training. Ripple Training has tutorials for sale, but also has 
"We work in partnership with large web site communities, and give those sites free video hosting and streaming. Since video content naturally forms
"channels" around community interest, video to your site is relevant. For example, a car community will create and publish car content and such a site naturally becomes an automotive "Internet Television" station with user-created "shows".