Episode 106: iMovie Series Part 3 of 7 - Adding Effects

D.Lee Beard explains how to apply special effects to videos and photos including how to make color adjustments, applying a sepia and grayscale tone, how to blur the edges of a video clip, how to apply a slow motion and fast motion effect to video clips, and how to reverse a clip to play it backwards. He also explains how to apply iMovie 09's image stabilization effect to those jerky handheld video clips.

D.Lee shows how to raise and lower the volume level of video clips in iMovie 09 including the "ducking" effect and the fade in and out effect.

Hidden advanced tools are also featured including showing how to create a video picture in a picture effect with one video playing in a box over another video.

Click Here to Play Episode 106 iMovie Effects

Episode 105: iMovie Series Part 2 of 7

D.Lee Beard explains how to add photos to an iMovie video project including applying the Ken Burns effect to your photos, cropping an image in iMovie, rotating an image in iMovie, adjusting how long the photo displays in the video, and how to adjust automatic settings when photos are imported (such as turning off the automatic Ken Burns effect or making all photos default to 6 seconds instead of just 4 seconds). D.Lee also shows how to grab a still image from a video.
Click Here to Play Episode 105

Episode 104: iMovie 09 Series 1 of 7 - Interface Basics

In this part 1 of 7 series on iMovie 09, D.Lee Beard starts off by explaining the basic interface elements of iMovie 09.

Click Here to Play Episode 104 iMovie 09 Part 1

Episode 103: Removing Flash Cookies

D.Lee Beard shows how to locate and remove those rarely found other cookies "Flash cookies" also called Locally Shared Objects (LSO's). Improve your privacy by selectively removing these items from your hard drive.

Show links are available at the AsktheTechies.com (episode 103, Computer Security Category).

Click Here to Play Episode 103

Review of Kodak Zi8 HD Video Camera

As a follow up to the Flip cam Mino review, D.Lee Beard reviews the Kodak Zi8 competitor.  Features reviewed: 1080 HD, 5MP Camera, audio quality and external port, image stabilization, screen size, HDMI output, and more.

Click Here to Play Episode 102: Kodak Zi8 Review

Episode 101: Viewer Questions on iPod, Compressor, and Installing Leopard Disks

D.Lee Beard answers viewer questions on an iPod not working, using Compressor to export HD video, and problems installing Leopard with certain deisks. This video is 9min 24 sec - recorded October 2009.

Click her to Play Episode 101 Video

Episode 100: Skype 2.8 Review - Skype Screen & Video Phoning

Brandon Jackson returns for the 100th episode of Ask the Techies to join D.Lee Beard in explaining how to share your computer screen with a fellow computer user remotely using the free Skype application and service. This works on both Windows and Macs and between Windows and Mac OS X and can be a great way of offering and receiving technical support. They also show how to use Skype to video and audio phone people for free (who also sign up for Skype), in addition to the paid phoning landline phones service that Skype offers. This Skype review is 13min 08 sec - recorded 10-2009.

Click Here to Play Episode 100: Skype 2.8 Review

Episode 99: Apple Tablet - E-Book: Truth and Speculation

D.Lee answers viewer questions on what is that computer that D.Lee Beard uses that appears to be an Apple Tablet PC. D.Lee also speaks on the rumors of a soon to be released Apple tablet ebook reader and shows you how you can get your own tablet Mac today! (11min 16 sec)

Now With Chapter Markers!

There is lots of information in this video but you can easily navigate to the topics you want by using the chapters feature in the Quicktime Player.

Click Here to Play Episode 99: Apple Tablet - E-Book: Truth and Speculation

Episode 98: Quicktime X Review & Demo

D.Lee Beard reviews and demos Mac OS X Snow Leopard's Quicktime X. He explains how to trim the video in Quicktime X, how to view chapter markers in Quicktime X, how to view flash video .flv video in Quicktime X, where to find free public domain video content online, how to convert .ogg video files into MP4 video format, and more.

Episode 98: Quicktime X Review & Demo HD Version

Episode 97: Mac OS 10.6 Snow Leopard Review

Should you upgrade to Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard? Host D.Lee Beard helps give you the information you need to know to decide.

In this episode, D.Lee explains how to change icon sizes, how to add the date to the time portion of the menu bar, how to easily substitute text for abbreviations or substitute abbreviations for full text (and save on typing), how to use the new features of the Mac OS X Snow Leopard dock, how to view thumbnails of all open windows or only one applictions windows using the new Expose features in Snow Leopard, how to scan and annotate pdf documents with arrows and text using the updated Preview application, how to use Apple's Services menu to make your life easier, and explains the new faster iChat.

Now With Chapter Markers!

There is lots of information in this video but you can easily navigate to the topics you want by using the chapters feature in the Quicktime Player version.
Play Episode 97: Mac OS 10.6 Snow Leopard Review

Flipcam Mino HD Review

Is the Flipcam portable video recorder going to meet your needs? D.Lee Beard presents a review of the Flipcam Mino HD digital video recorder. Included in the review are ease of use, storage capacity, audio quality, video quality, user interface, and whether it is a good choice for lecture, interview, and/or field video recording.
Flipcam Mino HD Review

Episode 95: Firefox Add-ons, Deleting Your Past

D.Lee Beard explains how to delete your browser history & other info., engage in "private browsing", and how to create new user accounts (and delete unneeded ones) in Mac OS X. The second half of the show explains how to use Firefox add-ons (plug-ins) to personalize your browsing experience, help you learn a new language, completely block animated ads on web pages, and speed up your web and video web searches in a very cool 3-D way.
Episode 95: Firefox Add-ons, Deleting Your Past

Episode 94: Hard Drive Partitions

D.Lee Beard answers a viewer question on changed hard drive partitions on Mac. (3min 59 sec)

Episode 94: Hard Drive Partitions

Episode 93: Moving iPhoto and iTunes Libraries

D.Lee Beard answers viewer questions on how to rip your DVDs, and how to move your iPhoto and iTunes libraries to an external hard drive.
Episode 93: Moving iPhoto and iTunes Libraries

Episode 92: Final Cut Pro - Intermediate Tutorial

This Final Cut Pro tutorial, part 4 of 4, covers intermediate editing with Final Cut Pro 6. In this video, D.Lee Beard explains how to move only a selected group of clips, adding graphics, resizing graphics and video, capturing a freeze frame image from a video clip, creating and adding a background image to fill behind a graphic, applying transitions, correcting color, adding lower thirds to video, rendering video, and exporting video into different formats using Compressor. (42min 39 sec)
Episode 92: Final Cut Pro - Intermediate Tutorial

Episode 91: Final Cut Pro Basic Editing Tutorial

D.Lee Beard provides a tutorial in the basic of editing video with Final Cut Pro including working with layers, adding video to the timeline, zooming the view, turning off layers, unlinking audio from a video clip, trimming clips, slicing clips using the Blade tool, turning snapping on and off, when to use the Right Delete key and when to use the Backspace Delete key, using the pen tool to lower video and audio volume/levels, and turning on waveforms to synch two videos shot at the same time. (29min. 53sec)

Episode 91: Final Cut Pro Basic Editing Tutorial

Episode 90: Final Cut Pro Basic Interface and Settings

D.Lee Beard provides a tutorial in the basic Final Cut Pro interface, system settings user settings. This is in preparation for Episode 91 where he will explain the basics of how to edit with Final Cut Pro. (12min. 35sec)

Episode 90: Final Cut Pro Basic Interface and Settings

Episode 89: Importing video with Final Cut Pro and iMovie

D.Lee Beard explains how to import video into Final Cut Pro and iMovie including HDV video, SD digital video, SD analog video, and video directly from a miniDV HD camcorder. This video uses a Sony HVR video deck, an analog to digital video converter, and a Canon Vixia HV30. Thanks to James Madison University for their assistance in creating this video.
Episode 89: Importing video with Final Cut Pro and iMovie

Episode 88: Can Macs and PCs Get Along?

In this video, D.Lee Beard answers viewer questions on upgrading Mac OS X vs. upgrading Windows, is Vista more secure than Mac OS X, how to get music and videos off an iPod and onto another computer, and can you use an Apple Mac keyboard on a PC? (9min. 20sec)

Episode 88: Can Macs and PCs Get Along?

Episode 87: Viewer Questions: Font Blurriness on Macs & Mac Remote Desktop

In this video, D.Lee Beard answers viewer questions on Mac font blurriness and remote desktop control on a Mac. (5min. 28sec)

Episode 87: Viewer Questions: Font Blurriness on Macs & Mac Remote Desktop

Episode 86: ScreenFlow, Star Trek, Gaming: Mac or PC?

In this video, D.Lee Beard explains how the techies videos get that smooth zooming in on the computer screen, where to find you own Star Trek communicator plus other replicas. He also addresses a viewer question on which is better for computer gaming, Mac or PC? (7min. 7sec)
Episode 86: ScreenFlow, Star Trek, Gaming: Mac or PC?

Are Macs Worth the Money?

D.Lee Beard shows off his new Star Trek cellphone, addresses an IT department security e-mail, and answers viewer questions on whether Mac laptops are worth the money, why is Final Cut Pro so much faster on the Techies' computer, and how to change your Mac system keyboard and menus to other languages.
Are Macs Worth the Money?

Martin Luther King Day Episode

D.Lee honors the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., and more viewer questions answered including thoughts on Apple's iWork, formatting a Mac, and backing up your hard drive. Also, in response to a viewer comment, D.Lee presents a call to action to viewers for new Ask the Techies opening/closing music. (17min. 23sec)

Martin Luther King Day Episode

VNC, iMovie, AC Adapter, & Everything (Ep.83)

In this episode, D.Lee Beard answers viewer questions on how to control a networked Mac via a PC (a follow up tip), when should you use the AC Adapter on your laptop, how to clear out those unwanted video clips in iMovie from your hard drive, and where to learn everything about computers in video format. (26min. 26sec)

VNC, iMovie, AC Adapter, & Everything (Ep.83)

We're Back and in HD!

HD version available at AsktheTechies.com . After a 6 month hiatus, viewer questions are answered on formatting Mac hard drives, iMovie stuttering, and can you connect to a Mac from a PC?
We're Back and in HD

Windows Remote Desktop: Secure through SSH

Nathan Galieti is back again to expand on his previous Ask the Techies videos on SSH and Windows Remote Desktop. In this video he shows you how to use SSH to securely connect to your Windows computer via Windows Remote Desktop from both a Windows and Mac OS X computer. View more and comment on this episode at: http://AsktheTechies.com

Windows Remote Desktop: Secure through SSH

Viewer E-mail & Verve

D.Lee Beard addresses viewer e-mails on Firefox 3's back button fix, Ad blocker for Safari, and Verveearth. (7min. 11sec). Remember to vote on our web site whether you like the several shorter segments or long 1/2 hours combined episodes: http://AsktheTechies.com

Viewer E-mail & Verve

Securing your internet connection while away from home with SSH

Nathan Galieti explains SSH and how it can make your web browsing more secure by tunneling through your home computer. Both Mac OS X (*nix) and Windows directions are explained. (please excuse the poor audio quality on this episode as we ran into some technical difficulty and did not have time to reshoot the topic. It is our opinion that the hosts are still understandable and that this is still informative).
(16min, 17sec)
Securing your internet connection while away from home with SSH

Viewer Questions on Mac virus and building a Mac PC

D.Lee Beard answers two viewer questions. First, a strange e-mail attachment from a friend: is it a virus? Second, how to build your own Macintosh computer PC.
Viewer Questions on Mac virus and building a Mac PC

More Audiobooks for Free

D.Lee Beard addresses a viewer e-mail on our previous episode on free audiobooks online. (2min 5sec)
More Audiobooks for Free

How to Save a Document into Various Formats

Tim Welsh explains how to save a Word document into more universally acceptable formats such as .doc, .rtf, and .pdf using MS Office and NeoOffice.
How to Save a Document into Various Formats

Episode 76: OpenOffice2 Review

D.Lee Beard explores the free open source OpenOffice and NeoOffice as alternatives to the expensive Microsoft Office suites.
OpenOffice2 Review

Ep. 75: Firefox 3, Word Grammar, Mac OS X desktop/screensaver, RAID, synch Mac and PC

D.Lee Beard presents a demo and review of Firefox 3 beta. Tim Welsh explains how to take control of MS Word's grammar features by customizing what it checks or doesn't check for. Viewer questions are answered on how to change the Mac OS X desktop pictures, how to change the Mac OS X screensaver images, to RAID or not to RAID, and how to automatically synch files between a Mac and Windows PC. (36 min. 33 sec.)
Firefox 3, Word Grammar, Mac OS X desktop/screensaver, RAID, synch Mac and PC

Ep. 74: AppleTV, Photoshop Warping, & Viewer Questions

In this episode, D.Lee presents a review of the Apple TV and show you how you can use it to watch your favorite Podcasts even without a computer.

Brandon explains how to warp an image around a 3-D object using Photoshop.

Viewer questions are answered on where is the missing Sorensen codec in iMovie, GIMP, upgrading a hard drive on MacBook Pro, how to securely dispose of that old computer hard drive that won't even boot, and are external Firewire hard drives reliable?
Send us your questions at:
Questions@AsktheTechies.com

Ep. 74: AppleTV, Photoshop Warping, & Viewer Questions

Episode 73: Jawbone and Google Astronomy

Tim Welsh joins D.Lee Beard to present a review of the Jawbone Bluetooth wireless cellphone earpiece/microphone. Can the Jawbone's noise cancellation feature block your obnoxious friend yelling right next to you? How comfortable is the Jawbone?

The Techies also explore the universe with Google's new online Google Sky feature as well as Google Mars and Moon. And as usual, viewer questions are answered as well. Send the Techies your viewer questions at questions@AsktheTechies.com

Episode 73: Jawbone and Google Astronomy

Win the Techies' Slingbox A/V

Watch this video to learn how you can win a Slingbox A/V from Ask the Techies!

How to Win a Slingbox Video

Episode 72: Slingbox Review, Free Audiobooks online, Viewer Questions

In this episode, Brandon Jackson joins D.Lee Beard to present an in-depth review of the Slingbox A/V, explore where to find free downloadable audiobooks online, and to answer viewer questions on using an iMac as a display and how to share files over a local network between a Mac and a Windows PC .
Links to audiobook sites are available at our home page, AsktheTechies.com
Be sure to check out our next video to learn how you can win the Techies' Slingbox and begin watching your home TV from all over the world via the internet.
If you subscribe to this video feed but don't use an iPod to view Ask the Techies, you should move to our H.264 web version for improved quality and smaller file sizes.

Episode 72: Slingbox Review, Free Audiobooks online, Viewer Questions

Episode 71: Epson R280 & Free Books Online

In this video, D.Lee Beard reviews two products: the Epson R280 6-color inkjet printer which can print on CDs and DVDs as well as 8.5 x 11 paper, and a review of the Kingston 19-in-1 Media Card Reader. He also explains how to find free books online, and viewer questions are answered on video instant messaging, and mac compatible mp3 players.
Be sure to check out our http://AsktheTechies.com web site, Episode 71, for links to items discussed in this video.

Episode 71: Epson R280 & Free Books Online

Episode 70b: (updated version) Portable DVD/iPod Player Review, Mac OS 10.5.2, Digital TV Broadcasts, & more!

D.Lee Beard presents a review of the Phillips portable DVD player with iPod docking ability, review of Mac OS X Leopard 10.5.2, discusses the fear mongering going on about the switch to Digital TV in February 2009, presents viewer feedback on free programs to build animated gifs, and he answers more of your viewer questions.

Links for the show are available at our AsktheTechies.com web site.
Episode 70b: (updated version) Portable DVD/iPod Player Review, Mac OS 10.5.2, Digital TV Broadcasts, & more!

Viewer Questions on Converting Songs & Video Into iPod Format & more!

D.Lee Beard answers viewer questions on how to convert songs and video into iPod compatible formats using iTunes, how to rip a DVD into a format that iMovie can read, and more.
Viewer Questions on Converting Songs & Video Into iPod Format & more!

Episode 68: How to Create an Animated Gif

Photoshop wizard, Brandon Jackson, explains how to create an animated gif from your images and from video. More specifically, he explains how to limit the number of times/cycles your gif animates, how to specify the duration of each specific frame in your animation, and how to automatically add in between images - tweening.
Animated gifs are a great way to express information in place of just a single image and even works on older computers and web browsers (unlike Flash).

Episode 68: How to Create an Animated Gif

Episode 67: Macworld 2008

D.Lee Beard clarifies out Second Life system requirements. D.Lee also offers a review of Apple's Macworld 208 announcemnts including the MacBook Air, Time Capsule, Apple TV and HD movie rentals. Should you get the new MacBook Air? He fills you in on what Apple didn't tell you to help you make an informed decision.

Episode 67: Macworld 2008

Episode 66: "Second LIfe" Orientation & Introduction 1-Hour Special

Chris Keesey of Ohio University joins host D.Lee Beard in explaining the popular online 3-D world known as Second Life.

They explain what Second Life is, some of the basic terminology, how to get onto Second Life, what is in Second Life that makes it special (including a visit to Babylon 5), how to move around and navigate within this 3-D world, how to communicate with others, and more as they walk you through a personalized demo of Second Life.

There was so much to cover that the techies made this a bonus 1 Hour long special!

Join D.Lee Beard and Chris Keesey in Second Life for a special Second Life LIVE EVENT Friday, January 25th at 1pm Eastern Time (USA) on the Ohio University Second Life Campus Auditorium D.Lee and Chris will be answering LIVE viewer questions about Second Life and technology in general.

Go to http://AsktheTechies.com for a quick link to this Ohio University Second Life event location.

Episode 66: "Second LIfe" Orientation & Introduction 1-Hour Special

Episode 65: Support the Techies & Viewer Question Marathon

In this episode, D.Lee Beard announces the independence of Ask the Techies as a private company.

D.Lee also goes on a viewer question marathon answering questions on: creating a web site including domain registration and hosting; how to format a hard drive for Mac System 8; suggestions for video telephoning; is Windows Vista bad; is Mac OS X more secure; viewing magazines online; and he shares viewer comments on previous episodes including leopard and a solution for a wireless USB hub for Mac. This is a long episode, but there were just too many good questions this week. (50min 36sec)

Episode 65: Support the Techies & Viewer Question Marathon

Episode 64: Feliz Navidad & Viewer Questions

In this episode, Viewer Questions are answered on how to defrag a Mac hard drive, problems erasing an NTFS hard drive on Mac OS 10.4, how to uninstall programs and their related files on a Mac, problems with Parallels, and how to create a wireless USB hub.
Hosts: D.Lee Beard & Brandon Jackson

Episode 64: Feliz Navidad & Viewer Questions

Episode 63: Mac OS X Leopard 10.5 Final Review

Is Leopard the new Vista? Should you upgrade now or wait? In this episode, Brandon and D.Lee present the last part (3) of their Mac OS X Leopard review.
Among the topics discussed are Parental Controls, Safari 3 features, the ever changing dock icons, PhotoBooth video, improvements to Preview, spaces, guest account, and more. 40min 50sec. http://AsktheTechies.com
Episode 63: Mac OS X Leopard 10.5 Final Review

Episode 62: YouTube Us Your Questions, Mac OS X Leopard Review Part 2

D.Lee and Brandon invite you to send us your question via video. They show you how and for free! Also, where else to find video internet shows including iTunes, Joost, Miro, Veoh, and Blip.TV Their review of the new Mac OS X Leopard continues with information on how to instantly view files without having to open a related application, the new cover flow feature for viewing a folder of files, Dock feature new and missing, record your video chats using iChat, how to create your own widgets, and cool new hidden features of the new DVD player built into the Mac OS X Leopard.
Hosts: D.Lee Beard, Brandon Jackson
Camerawork: Cody Moore

Visit us at: http://AskTheTechies.com

Episode 62: YouTube Us Your Questions, Mac OS X Leopard Review Part 2

Episode 61: Photoshop background blur and Mac OS X First Looks Review

In this video: How to blur the background of an image in Photoshop CS3. Also, the Techies offer their first look at the new Mac OS X Leopard operating system. This is NOT your "fanboi" review. They point out some of the best features AND tell you what Apple was afraid to tell you.

Episode 61: Photoshop background blur and Mac OS X First Looks Review

Episode 60: Parallels 3 Review: Windows Apps on a Mac - Now Easier!

D.Lee Beard and Brandon Jackson demonstrate some of the more powerful features of Parallels version 3 such as "Coherence" which allows you to run Microsoft Windows applications along side your Mac applications without having to view a Windows desktop. (24min 44sec)

Hosts: D.Lee Beard, Brandon Jackson
Camerawork: Cody Moore, D.Lee Beard

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NEXT WEEK: Photoshop background blurring tip, Mac OS X.5 Leopard: a first looks review, how to erase and format CDs and hard drives on a Mac, plus how to resize a partition using Apple's Disk Utility.

Visit us at AskTheTechies.com

Episode 60: Parallels 3 Review: Windows Apps on a Mac - Now Easier!

Episode 59: iMac Glossy Review, Hard Drive Recommendations, French Videos (ooh la la), How to Zoom in a Screen, & Viewer Criticisms

D.Lee Beard presents a review of the glossy screen 2007 iMac: this is not your typical "fanboy" review.

This video is also chock-full of viewer e-mail including questions on hard drive brand recommendations, watching French fromatted videos, how to zoom in the computer screen on Macs and Windows, and criticicsms on the Techies video sizes & Mac vs. PC review. (38min 56sec)

NEXT WEEK: Run Windows on the iMac with Paralles: in-depth

Visit us at AskTheTechies.com

Episode 59: iMac Glossy Review, Hard Drive Recommendations, French Videos (ooh la la), How to Zoom in a Screen, & Viewer Criticisms