Video Cameras
For schools with large budgets, go with one of the following digital HD formats :
1. JVC = Everio GZHD5, GZHD6
2. Sony = PMW-EX1, HVR-V1U, HVR-Z1U, HVR-Z7U
For schools with small budgets, consider one of the AVCHD or HDV models, but backup final projects to DVD, external hard drives or tape :
1. JVC = Everio GZHD5, GZHD6 $550-$700 (hard drive based)
2. Sony = HVR-A1U,
Video Camera Accessories
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Lighting Gear. Fluorescents are the "in" thing.
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Postings on this blog.
Posts from top to bottom:
Emerson College Visit, Video Editing Tips, What is Solid-State, Poll on Student Pay, Animal News, Equipment for K12, NAB 2008 Summary.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
NAB 2008 Summary by Ted Irving

NAB 2008 was awesome! That doesn't change most years. This year did not disappoint. But how can video instructors on the K-12 level benefit from an organization such as NAB? Were there any components of the conference beneficial to a high school student and their video teacher?
Despite a very large college student and professional job fair, not much would benefit our youth. Employers at the fair would not accept resumes except through email. Mother nature is happy. The exception, high tech gadgets, huge booths with massive flat screens and the sights and sounds of the Vegas strip. Every teenager would fall for those. Forgive my deceptive pessimism. I was excited. There are benefits for school districts seeking to build TV studios, teachers needing to replace old equipment and district network service departments needing to upgrade their infrastructure to laser fiber or wi-fi options. Oh...I can't forget digital signage.
NAB is the trip of a lifetime and most visitors enjoy the trade show. However, several days before the trade show is software training and workshops on the latest hardware and computer programs. They do cost, but they are well worth it. I can see students signing up for courses on After Effects, Photoshop, Maya and others. To get hands on training from industry professionals is worth it's wait in gold. But what of the future of K-12 broadcasting and how can Gods of NAB recognize this already massive media production and revenue generating market?
We need to continue networking through the National Student Television Network, Broadcast Educators Association, School Tube, Teacher Tube and other groups to get our voice heard. What I would like to see at NAB is more attention paid to a market that spends more money on media technology than most small to mid-sized television stations (my guess). I'm hanging on a long limb here, but it is my belief that every high school in America is involved in some type of video & audio production; podcasting, vidcasting, live newscasts, animation, etc. I have attended conferences where Avid, Apple, Grass Valley and other national media technology corporations courted teachers and school districts. It is still happening to this day. States such as Texas are creating mandates similar to www.achievetexas.org requiring all high school graduates to leave K-12 with not just a diploma, but a license or trade in a certification. Expenditures for broadcast technology by schools are in the thousands and some in the millions. National organizations have emerged from this new paradigm shift with visual education, such as, School Tube and Teacher Tube. Recently, the Wall Street Journal posted an article on these important groups.
Imagine this - a student missed the deadline to buy his/her schools new DVD Yearbook. Days later, the school announces it is selling scenes from the yearbook via cell phone. For just ten cents, you can view the homecoming you missed on your cell phone or download it to your ipod, take it home and ingest it into your DVR via bluetooth. Imagine districts streaming graduation to homes via wi-fi and fiber to those families that can't attend for a modest cost. Revenue streams in K-12 video production will and are becoming viable. School districts such as mine have invested in laser fiber as the core of their media infrastructure and broadcasting cable programming to computers and closed-circuit systems. We are adding to the fragmentation of television as we know it. Our industry can create many new and exciting fund raising revenue streams with this technology. We are also a revenue stream for vendors of NAB. The National Association of Broadcasters and others need to include workshops, seminars and training sessions for the K-12 level. Why? First and fore-most the industry desperately needs to foster, nurture and develop new talent behind the camera, especially in the area of engineering. Second, and I stress this...it is a revenue stream for the industry. Another client and partner. It just makes sense.
I can go on and on, but the turkey on rye bread sandwiches are ready...gotta go! Please post your thoughts and comments and tune in Thursday for my final post on equipment for middle and high school control rooms and studios.
LOST!! The Creators speak at NAB!!
Ok. I missed the whole lost series. However, most of you out there are Lost fans. We were treated by NAB to listen and ask questions of Carlton Cuse and Damon Lindelof, the creators behind the hit TV series. Their session was entitled, "Lost:Revealing the Secrets of its Success." One of the most interesting revelations was that each series costs somewhere around, over and above 3 Million dollars! But Wait! Let me warn you before you view the video below...no secret info was given, no new plot changes,nothing on the creatures living in the forests, NOTHING! So you have to wait like everyone else, episode by episode.
The Osgood Files
Charles Osgood has been a CBS morning anchor since 1994. He is also the voice behind the famous CBS Radio Network show The Osgood Files. Mr. Osgood was recognized at this years NAB conference for his lifelong work in radio and TV. To learn more about Mr. Osgood, visit his page on the CBS website, http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/1998/07/09/sunday/bios/main13584.shtml.
Below is a short videoclip from the conference highlighting his honor.
Below is a short videoclip from the conference highlighting his honor.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
The NAB produced commercial on the DTV transition for 2009
NAB and several other media entities have joined forces to educate the American public. Citizens need to know what their options are when the big switch in February of 2009 happens. Will your current analog TV work? Will your new plasma or lcd Hi-def flat screen pick up the new digital channels? it is time to prepare now! Check out the national ad.
NAB President comments on 2009 FCC DTV Mandate
Monday morning, NAB President, David Rehr reassured broadcasters that the 2009 FCC DTV mandate will happen and this is a historical time period for America and the world. As most of you know, American television will make a huge and scary transition to a new format...Digital Television. This new landscape will be composed of 1's and Zero's. Binary will replace analog. Will you be able to watch high definition on your current TV? This affects all of us; teachers, students, parents and every publican. Click on the video below to listen to NAB President David Rehr explain this exciting transition. Above, watch the commercial produced by NAB to educate the American public. Enjoy and get ready for the 22nd Century!
NAB President Video on FCC 2009
NAB President Video on FCC 2009
Tuesday-Monday Recap
Today I connect with the HCC students from the Stafford Broadcasting program. We have seperated into two groups. Group one is producing two stories; The future of AVCHD and the impact of DTV, Digital Television. The second group is producing a feature on the Vegas strip as well as an in-depth report on P2 technology and competing solid-state media brands.
Monday was great. Check out the summary video produced with Final Cut Pro 6 and a Sony Handycam.
Monday was great. Check out the summary video produced with Final Cut Pro 6 and a Sony Handycam.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Monday, April 14-Tim Robbins Speaks
The session with Tim Robbins (Shawshank) was awesome! NAB members and conference attendees enjoyed an excellent presentation. Mr. Robbins methodically ignited the audiences sense of humor while challenging broadcasters on the ethical and moral front of irrelevant celebrity coverage. To hear and see a sample, click on the video below.
Sunday, April 13
*** DISCLAIMER *** The content of this blog is strictly the views and opinions of Ted A. Irving. The information in this blog is not the opinion or views of parents, students or employees of the Fort Bend Independent School District or The Houston Community College System. Ted Irving is responsible for all content of this blog.
3 Hour flight. Just three hours to get from Houston to Las Vegas. I met with the HCC students, waited in line for two 5 passenger vans and took a $23.00 ride to the Mirage Hotel. After a nice buffet and brief meeting we all dispersed and headed our seperate ways until midnight. Boring, I know. The real action begins monday. Stay tuned for that posting with photos and video clips.
3 Hour flight. Just three hours to get from Houston to Las Vegas. I met with the HCC students, waited in line for two 5 passenger vans and took a $23.00 ride to the Mirage Hotel. After a nice buffet and brief meeting we all dispersed and headed our seperate ways until midnight. Boring, I know. The real action begins monday. Stay tuned for that posting with photos and video clips.
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