Workflow on the Bloggie video

In the last couple of years, videocams that use flash memory instead of tapes have seen a dramatic improvement in quality, thanks to new compression technology (H.264), high definition video, and large and inexpensive flash memory cards. The Sony Bloggie is an excellent example. The workflow is simple; all you have to do is to shoot in VGA mode, download the video clip to your computer (just like a still picture) and emailed as an attachment. Every Start/Stop process on the videocam creates one clip. You simply choose which clip you want to use.

If you are into video production, you can choose to shoot in higher resolution. You can use ProShow to edit, combine clips, mix and match still pictures, and produce the final output in any format you choose. This is by far much simpler than using a tape-based videocam.

Long before ProShow came along, I used Pinnacle Studio 7 to do the same work of mixing still pictures and video, and cut a DVD for viewing on a player. The workflow using tapes was much more challenging. It involved a lengthy process of "capturing" the video into a computer. For non-digitized video (pre-DV tape days) you must have a video capture card. For digitized video you must have a Firewire port on your computer. In both cases, you need to have the capture software installed.Next, I used Studio 7 to do the editing, and then did the rendering overnight before burning a DVD. Unless you are dead serious into video production and demand very high video quality, I think videocams like the Sony Bloggie are more practical.