Flip Cameras Are Going the Way of the Dinosaur

Flip Cameras have been on the market since 2006 with it’s introduction at CVS as a disposable/re-usable camera. Since then Flip cameras have enjoyed a nice life being the best selling camera on Amazon since it’s debut.
Another milestone was when Cisco bought them for $590 million in 2009. However, the Flip camera is soon to be extinct. Cisco is shutting down operation and manufacturing of the popular device this year.
Why? you might ask.. Well, you have to look at a couple of big reasons.
1. Smart Phones
2. No internet connection on them for easy sharing.
3. No connectivity to TVs or capture cards.
4. iPod Nanos

The most obvious one would be the smart phone. With the introduction of the iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4. The affordable flip camera was not so appealing. Then the iPod Nano came out equipped with video recording and it seams like it was a done deal. Another big factor was no WiFi or internet connection. If you capture a precious moment with your flip you’d have to run to your nearest computer.. make sure you have the flip’s proprietary software installed.. make sure that you sync your device and then you were ready to upload. Sounds like a lot of work! With the introduction of apps that do this seamlessly on smart phones you can see why the flip lost it’s appeal.
Another downfall in my opinion was no connections to a TV. Most phones and iPods have connects to watch your videos on your TV. The flip did not have this option. This may have been good to bypass the Flip’s annoying software and give the user the ability to capture the video via our favorite editing application. Big mistake.
Finally, Apple has had Flip users in their sights for a while. Apple’s decision to give their Nano line up cameras has paid off well. Who’s going to drop $230 on a Flip camera when you can get an iPod that can do everything?.. well not everything but you know what I mean!

Ten Tips for Choosing the Right Wedding Videographer

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Ben McElroy of McElroy Films offers his top 10 tips for hiring the right wedding videographer to help brides avoid some common pitfalls.

Leominster, MA (PRWEB) November 30, 2009 — December is the most popular month to get engaged according to The Wedding Report. Once the initial excitement wears off and a bride gets down to the business of wedding planning, she can often be overwhelmed at the number of decisions to be made. The actual wedding planning is important, but choosing the right videographer to preserve that special day is just as important.

“Choosing a videographer may take a lot of homework, but your do-diligence will pay off immensely. Your video is going to last a lifetime so make sure you’re happy with every aspect of production.” explains Ben McElroy of Massachusetts based McElroy Films. “There are a few pitfalls brides encounter, such as hiring a bait and switch company that subcontracts the work and not reading the fine print in their contract. A little planning in advance can help avoid these pitfalls.”

Here are McElroy’s top ten tips for choosing the right wedding videographer:

-   Start researching early. Take the time to do your homework. Make sure you meet with the actual person who will be shooting your wedding and have a list of questions ready. Research their education and experience. Do an internet search and visit forums and blogs. Ask to see previous customer testimonials.

-   Hire early on in the wedding planning process. Brides often wait until the last minute to hire a videographer but hiring early can make the process go more smoothly and open up additional video opportunities such as “save the date” videos.

-   View samples of their work in advance. Look for samples on their website. Watch as many videos from their archive as possible and pay attention to the quality of work. Look at the overall picture quality, composition, and transitions. Another crucial aspect is the audio quality. Ask if they use wireless microphones for professional quality sound. Some videographers use on board microphones only, but the sound quality is poor, especially for vows and speeches.

-   Choose a video production company with customizable service. A good production company will keep up on the latest trends in wedding videos and will offer client-driven services rather than an outdated, one-size-fits-all approach.

-   Be specific about the mood, style, and special effects you’re looking for. Bring samples with you to show what you want. Ask to see the different types of special effects they offer.

-   Ask about their video style. Some companies are now offering a modern approach to video including Save the Date, Vignettes, and Couple Stories. Find out what else can be included in your video such as highlights, credits, or photomontages. Cinematic Weddings is a hot video trend. They create an overall mood beyond basic footage. Look for videographers using HD cameras and glidecams, shooting in 24 frames per second (FPS), and who are knowledgeable in cinematic editing techniques.

-   Consider their personality and appearance. Look for someone with the best personality and look to match the wedding theme. Be sure to tell the videographer what to wear for the wedding. If there is more than one videographer at the production company make sure to meet the person who will shoot the wedding.

-   Make sure they are unobtrusive. A great wedding videographer won’t be noticed while still achieving everything needed to capture the big day. Ask if the videographer has experience at your ceremony and reception venues already. Videographers with newspaper or television experience are more likely to know proper etiquette and how to be unseen. State specific requests, such as not interrupting guests with interview questions, in advance.

-   Look for a company that offers High Definition (HD) from start to finish. Many companies are now offering HD, but not all HD is the same. Some videographers shoot in Standard Definition and then burn the footage to Blu-ray. Ask about what types of cameras they use and have them explain the differences. They should be using the latest HD cameras with 1080p resolution.

-   Find out if they can stay within your budget. Look for any additional fees. Most deposits are non-refundable so keep that in mind. Ask if they are running any discounts or special promotions. Many production companies are now offering a gift registry to finance wedding videos. This can be added to overall cost or toward specific items such as additional hours or extra DVDs.

About McElroy Films

McElroy Films LLC is a professional high definition video production company serving Massachusetts and New England. Specializing in corporate, educational, non-profit, wedding, independent filmmaking and music video production, McElroy Films provides a high quality product at a fraction of the cost. McElroy Films prides itself on its client-driven results and boutique-like service by affording each project the attention it deserves.