Sheffield Gathering

I've always loved seeing videos and hearing about gatherings. Today, one was held at Sheffield. As I write this it is almost midnight in the United Kingdom. Today some YouTube participants got together to meet, play and fellowship. Familiar faces, all.

Hopefully, we'll get to see posts of the event and hear commentary from those that attended. Check my channel for favorited videos on the event.

I did a video about having my own gathering. Hope you enjoy it if you haven't seen it.

A Better Way To Post

Ten years ago I couldn't have done this. You may have read my earlier post about what it takes to get my vlogs on YouTube. But, thanks to the internet, I now have a better way to get my videos online. Sam Caplat and I were on a chat one morning and I discovered he was a Adobe Premiere editor as well. I was mentioning what I had to do to create a 16:9 video (all the rage these days) and he mentions a converter program to help. I know they existed and he recommended the perfect one. Save the day Sam!

This takes about half an hour off of my editing time and allows me to export from one computer and right on to YouTube. Brilliant stuff! The program I use in named Prism from NCH Software.

Now..what to do with all this extra time!?!

Barry Aldridge

There is a popular poster named Barry Aldridge on YouTube. I hope you non-tube types can follow this story. When you post on YouTube people can make word replies or video replies. Video is much more fun. One day Barry, who has way over 2,426 subscribers, was asking for our favorite Walt Disney movie. Great question since every one on earth knows about Uncle Walt. I answered with a video response. You can read about it on his blog here.

I didn't know he had posted my video on his site. So when I saw that I thought there must have been some mistake and posted another reply video. You may read about that here.

I can't say enough about his generosity and kindness toward my posts. I truly do this for fun. It's a nice release for me and I have truly enjoyed my circle of friends who have been connected by our common love of making videos. Be sure to read his blog and watch his videos.

Thank you Barry!

Thank You for 200

Thank you for 200 subscriptions! When I first started making videos for Youtube I never dreamed that my 8 subscribers would eventually become 200. I know that to many of you that 200 is not a lot. But to me it is more than I ever thought I'd get. As I type this it's actually 208. Pinch me. Thank you and please know there's more to come.

There have been some great people who have been very kind in promoting my videos and encouraging their subscribers to sub me.

Happy New Year

It's been amazing watching all of the New Year's Eve videos. With the click of a mouse you're connected with friends all over the world. I never really thought much about YouTube and what it was. I enjoyed watching old clips from television shows and the occasional personal posting.

What I was missing was the community. I have enjoyed videos from some amazing people who have encouraged me and been extremely helpful. I just wanted to say how grateful I am for all of those who have lead by examples with great, creative original content. You continue to inspire.

How I Fake Widescreen

I have been asked how I am able to use a 4:3 camera and old editing equipment to create Widescreen and HD content for YouTube. I'm hoping this will help someone. I think YouTube must have a wide definition of High Quality. If they mean "in focus" then OK.

First, I tape everything in standard 4:3 aspect ratio. I have tape marking my video camera so I can tell what will properly be in the frame. You can see the yellow tape I use in this doctored image.



I use a program named DVDFab to convert the video from the DVD to an ipod format of mp4. Now, I select the video from the menu of the DVD+RW. That's the kind of disc that allows me to erase and use again. I'm just using equipment I have around the house.



You select Advanced Resolution Settings that will allow me to fake widescreen.



Next, I select 672 X 336. This iwas the setting that gives me the closest appearance to widescreen of them all. You'll notice that you see lots of black around the picture. That will go away when you go to the next step.



Move the resize lever from Leterbox to Pan&Scan.



Now, see what's happened! Whatever fills the yellow box is what will be posted. Yes, that's me on the radio in 1988 in the picture behind me. lol



Click start to make the MP4 file. Now I'm done!



Upload the video to YouTube and you're creation is online! I hope this helps someone that lives in a parallel universe with exactly the same screwed up equipment as me.

Closed Caption

In a recent collab I was included as a contributor along with 15 other amazing people. A friend named Richie who also contributed sent me a file to close caption the video. I had never done that before and he was kind enough to tell me how to do it.

On December 28th I added close caption to several of my videos. I will try to add them from here on. I am not a good typist so it's difficult for me to do. But, having a hearing loss myself, I feel strongly that everyone should enjoy YouTube videos. The program is named Media Subtitler and it is very easy to use.