Category Archives: Podcasting
I'm really impressed by the video quality of Logitech's 1080p HD Web Cams. As a matter of fact I've started using them for my Adobe Creative Suite Podcast when I'm recording an episode in studio. The only problem that I have with them is that Logitech (along with all the other webcam makers) seem to think that the only place anyone would ever want to mount a webcam is on top of their monitors. The reality is I already have an HD webcam on my MacBook's. It's called an FaceTime HD Camera. If I'm doing a video chat it's great having it built-in. However, If I want the camera further back to capture more of the set that's when an external video camera works best.
Drill a hole
There is no physical reason why the Logitech HD C910 pictured above couldn't have a standard tripod mount built-in. As you can see the mount is just dead weight with no electronics in it. There's even room for a standard mount without changing the design. I've even seen some do-it-your-selfers out there posting all the steps necessary to do it yourself. While I know it wouldn't take much for me to do it, there's not reason for Logitech not to build it in.
My Solution
Instead of drilling a hole. I just went with something I already had in studio. A Justin Clamp mounted on a light stand. These are great for mounting speed lights and holding reflectors on standard light stands. They also work great for holding the Logitech Web Cams. The only problem is that they cost almost as much as the webcams themselves. If you're buying one for just the purpose of holding a webcam or reflector, then there is a much lower cost alternative. The Manfrotto Spring Clamp is less than half the cost of the standard Manfrotto Spring Clamp with Flash Shoe and it gets the job done just as good. You can get one here for about $17 or less.
Logitech Could Even Take It Up A Notch Further
Besides adding a tripod mount hole they could really kick things up by adding or selling a separate stand to allow the camera to be pointed down at say, oh I don't know, a mobile device such as a tablet or smartphone. More and more presenters are having to present from their mobile devices and the current solutions are expensive and bulky or low quality video. I love having video out on my iPad 2, but the problem with that is that people can't really see the gestures that you're doing. They just see things happing on the screen. If a Logitech HD webcam could be mounted on a lightweight stand that's easy to travel with (See my Point 2 View review), then it would make them even more attractive.
What say you Logitech?
You build great webcams. Please look outside the box and look at more uses than just sitting it on top of a monitor!
UPDATE: Twitter follower @EricKintz alerted me to this Logitech Model (C615), which does in fact have a tripod mount on it. Woot!
September 14th, 2011
12:52
How to Remove a Background from an Image in Photoshop CS 5
One of the number one "how to" questions about Photoshop is "how to remove a background from an image or how to extract an image from the background." I've recorded videos on this in the past and people always comment/ask what about when the background is not a solid color like grey or white? In this video the background is multiple colors and I walk you though how to do it from start to finish.
See more of my Adobe Creative Suite Videos on my Adobe Creative Suite Podcast and get the App here. It features EXCLUSIVE CONTENT that no one else gets to see. This episode has a BONUS CLIP that is available only in the App:
June 2nd, 2011
12:03
Twenty Million Downloads and Counting!
Hey Everyone! I just wanted to take a moment and share some exciting news (well exciting for me anyway), my Adobe Creative Suite Video Podcast has just hit another major milestone! I just passed the 20 Million Download mark. That's right! My videos have been downloaded over 20 Million Times! Woohoo! I want to thank everyone who has subscribed, watched, downloaded, tweeted about and come up and thanked me for my podcast episodes in the past!
Still In the Top 10 of All Software How-To Podcasts for 4 Years Straight!
While reaching the 20 Million Mark is great, I'm even happier that my podcast is and has been in the Top 10 of ALL Software How-To Podcasts on the iTunes Store for 4 years straight.
Get the Apps
Back on April 14th 2011 I announced the long awaited "Learn The Adobe Creative Suite with Terry White" App had been updated to be a Universal iOS App, which means that you now get to see the videos in all the iPad 10" glory without having to screen double them. The App is now available on the App Store and is of course a FREE update to anyone who already had it.
If you're new to the App, the advantage here my regular podcast is that many of the episodes have Exclusive Bonus Clips. These clips can only be seen in the App and aren't published anywhere else. Often the Bonus Content includes additional tips and techniques or expands in an area where the regular episode left off. On the iPad these Bonus Clips are highlighted right below the regular episode so you'll more easily be able to identify the episodes that have Bonus Content.
There are literally hundreds of videos available on the various Creative Suite Apps all the way back to CS2. Thankfully the App has a built-in Search feature as well as the ability to Star your favorite episodes and download the ones you want to be able to watch offline.
I want to personally thank you for your support in my podcast as well as my App!
See more of my Adobe Creative Suite Videos on my Adobe Creative Suite Podcast and get the App here for $1.99:
Continue reading “Twenty Million Downloads and Counting!” »
November 11th, 2010
6:48
What’s New in Adobe Illustrator CS5 – My Complete Walkthrough
See my complete walkthrough of the NEW Adobe Flash Illustrator CS5
See more of my videos at Creative Suite Podcast.com
March 22nd, 2010
12:35
A real tripod mount for your iPhone
More and more I'm seeing the iPhone being used for some serious photography applications and workflows. Don't laugh, it's true. Chase Jarvis published an entire book of photos captured with nothing but an iPhone. Now that the iPhone 3GS does video, I'm even seeing Steadicam rigs. I'll be the first to admit that I'm not all that impressed with the iPhone as a camera. It's OK! It's fine for the occasional snapshot and of course in the words of Chase, the best camera is the one you have with you. A while back I reviewed an iPhone App by Joby called Gorillacam that allowed you to do timed captures. Here's another App that tries to be the only photography app that you'll need and even adds video capture to the iPhone 3G. With these apps that can do video capture and time lapse photography, the next thing you're going to want is a way of mounting your camera on a tripod. While I love the Gorillapod series, the only way of using one with the iPhone is using their specific Gorillapod Mobile. Well not anymore! The good folks at G Design have come up with the perfect solution. The U+3G is a holder for your iPhone 2G or 3G/3GS that has a standard tripod mount on the bottom. This of course will allow you to mount your iPhone on ANY standard tripod that you already have.
March 16th, 2010
3:29
Get a Snowflake for Podcasting on the Go
I recently spent a lot of time reviewing various desktop USB microphones for podcasting. Recently I've been traveling a lot for business and I'm not always able to use my favorite desktop mics on the go. Although I've had the Blue Snowflake mic for a while now, I've really been using it a lot lately and I'm reminded of just how great of a Mic this is. I recorded my last two episodes of the Adobe Creative Suite Video Podcast with it while on the road right in my hotel room. As a matter of fact this Mic lives in my suitcase. That way I know I always have a great mic with me when I'm on the go.
Continue reading “Get a Snowflake for Podcasting on the Go” »
February 22nd, 2010
3:14
You’ve chosen a winner! The best USB mic…
Last Monday I asked for your help in choosing the USB mic that sounded best to you for my podcasting. I already had my favorite choice, but I figured my choice isn't as important as what sounds best to my listeners. Well as luck would have it, my favorite choice was your favorite choice too 
You chose the…Rode Podcaster Studio Kit (Sample 1)
I have enjoyed using this mic since day one. My only complaint has been that the volume/gain level isn't as high as I would like. However, I did think it was the best sounding and apparently so did many of you. However, it's also clear to me that different ears have different tastes. So although the Rode Podcaster got the most votes, it doesn't mean that the other two choices aren't good. Apparently they are because they each got votes too.
Continue reading “You’ve chosen a winner! The best USB mic…” »
February 15th, 2010
12:22
Which USB microphone sounds best?
A couple of weeks ago I did a review of my NEW Rode Podcaster microphone and while I've been enjoying the mic there was one thing that stuck with me from the comments section. It was the fact that a couple of people commented that they actually thought the MKL Studio 1 mic sounded better! What was funny is that was my least favorite choice. I didn't think it was bad, I just thought the Rode sounded better. This got me thinking that maybe it's not my ears that matter. After all YOU'RE THE LISTENER! So what sounds best to you is what really matters.
Since that time I came across a deal on the Blue (another favorite brand of mine and many of yours) Yeti THX certified mic and I couldn't resist and rather than do another simple review talking about what I liked and what I didn't like (by the way I like it a lot), I thought it would be even more fun to let YOU decide which one sounds best?
Your vote matters
I put together a quick test. I wanted to compare the Rode Podcaster against the MKL Studio 1 (that many of you thought sounded better) and my NEW Blue Yeti mic. I thought it would be fun to have a blind taste sound test where I would record the exact same thing (my voice) using all 3 mics and put the sample recording here for you to judge. Whichever one that you pick as the best sounding one will determine which mic I use from here on out. I'm making this a blind test so that brand loyalty doesn't enter the equation. Next week I'll reveal the winner from your votes and which sample belonged to which mic.
January 25th, 2010
12:34
Good, Better, Best Podcasting Microphones
I'm always recording video reviews and tutorials and it seems like I'm now doing more than ever. So I started looking at my equipment and looked for things that could be improved. While I didn't really have any complains with my Blue Snowball mic, I just wondered if there was something better? Like anything you can spend a little or a lot, but the real question is "does spending a lot on a USB mic get you any better results?" As I've said in the past, I'm not really an audio expert and have been feeling my way through this stuff for years. So I decided to test out a couple of new Mics to see which one I liked best.
The Rode Podcaster USB Mic
Well it has "Podcast" in the name, it must be perfect right? All kidding aside one of the things that drew me to this setup was not only did it look like a more professional solution, but it came with an adjustable arm that clamps onto my desk. This way I can easily position the mic where I need it and move it out the way when I don't need it. There's enough crap on my desk already, so this was a big plus. The Sound quality seemed really good, but honestly to my ears it didn't really seem any better than the Snow Ball. Again I'm not an audiophile so YOU may be able to tell a big difference, but I couldn't. However, the design won my heart and I knew that anything else would have to compete with that!
Continue reading “Good, Better, Best Podcasting Microphones” »
December 7th, 2009
3:53
Celebrating my 300th Episode!
Today marks the 300th episode of my Adobe Creative Suite Video Podcast! I'm thrilled that the show has been such a success. When I first launched the Creative Suite Podcast back on February 13th, 2006 I had no idea that it would be the success that it has been.
The show has consistently ranked in the Top 10 of Software How-To Video Podcasts on iTunes
I will cover the technology, gadgets, events and cool toys that have affected me in some way. I will also give recommendations on the products that I have actually used.
October 24th, 2011
12:42