Tech Tuesday: Mother's Day Tech Gifts

Continuing with our week long celebration of Mom, we decided to take a look at some of the techie items that Mom has on her Mother's Day Wish List.

B&H Photo Video is offering up quite the assortment of Mother's Day Deals, and we approve of this one;

Canon Powershot A3300 Digital Camera

For a price tag that hovers around the $250 mark, this little camera packs a punch. Armed with 16 megapixel resolution and a video option that captures 720p moving images, you're Mom is minutes away from opening up her own Production Studio.

If you buy the camera through B&H, you get a fashionable bag to hold the camera and they'll even throw in a 4GB memory card. Order this week and shipping is free.

If you're worried about the learning curve that Mom's going to have to go through to learn how to use her new camera, don't. The Canon Powershot A3300 has a built in "Smile Detection" system that auto focuses  on your subject and a SMART Auto setting that lets the camera decide what's the best setting to use in any given light situation.

Pandigital Photo Frame

These Digital Photo Frames were the craze a few years ago. Expensive and technically difficult to operate (at first), as with all new technology, the prices are finally dropping down to reasonable levels. The Pandigital Photo Frame, with a mail in rebate through B&H, will only cost you $40.

This seven inch photo frame comes with 1 GB of internal memory (6,000 photographs) and has the ability to play back photos from most memory cards (5-1 card reader) and USB sticks. There's a Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connect option on the Pandigital Photo Frame as well.

Acquiring photos from your computer is as simple as connecting the Frame to your home computer via USB cable and then preforming a little drag-n-drop action that'll get your photos up and running on the Pandigital Photo Frame in no time at all.

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Tech Tuesday: Pimp My iPad

With the not so distant release of the first generation iPad and the recent release of the iPad 2, we've decided to sift through the endless accessories that are on the market, and break down which ones you need and which ones you can live without.

Apple Digital AV Adapter - $39.00 Apple Store

Apple Digital AV Adapter

If you're like a recent wave of iPad users who have begun to replace their television service providers (Cablevision, Dish, DirectTV, etc) with your portable entertainment device, you might want to look into purchasing Apple's Digital AV Adapter. This little device allows you to connect your HD television (via HDMI cable) to your iPad. What's neat about the little adapter is it's two port functionality. One port connects to the television, while the other port allows for simultaneous charging of your iPad, thus eliminating a power failure right when Meredith goes to kiss McDreamy.

Or whatever you're watching these days. Don't judge me.

Apple iPad Camera Connection Kit - $29.00 Apple Store
Let's say that you're my father-in-law and are about to take a trip to Italy. Let's also say you have a pretty bitchin' Nikon camera. Add in the fact that you're interested in downloading photos to your shinny new iPad2 during those long bus rides you'll be taking through your Italian journey. What say me? I say get the iPad Camera Connection Kit which allows a USB or SD Card hookup to your iPad for doing such things.


iGo Stowaway Bluetooth iPad Keyboard $149 - $265 Multiple Vendors

This Bluetooth keyboard is sleek and sexy looking and it comes with a built in stand for your iPad. The iGo Stowaway is missing a couple of keys, so typing might be a little challenging in the beginning. The price tag is a little shocking, especially if you've just laid down a ton of dough for the iPad, so if you're looking to save a couple of dollars check out the Apple Version of this product:

Apple Wireless Keyboard

Apple Wireless Keyboard - $69.00 Apple Store

Bluetooth isn't just limited to your desktop or laptop anymore. Thanks to the instillation of Bluetooth technology into the iPad, you can ditch the old iPad Keyboard and all the tangled wires that came with it. The Apple Wireless Keyboard helps keep your desk neat and tidy, but we've come to miss the number pad that most apple keyboards have.

Pogo iPad Stylus - $8.99 Amazon

Pogo iPad Stylus

Tired of constantly wiping off fingerprints from your iPad's display? You might find the Pogo iPad Stylus a handy way to maneuver around your iPad without leaving any trace evidence on the screen. This Stylus is generally sturdier than other versions that you can find on the market, and as a bonus, the folks at Pogo made this version a little more sensitive. If you're a painter that loves to use the iPad as a canvas, the amount of pressure placed on the Stylus will reflect in the brush strokes on your iPad.




Have an accessory for your iPad that you just can't live without? Leave a comment below and let us (and the world) know about it!

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Tech Tuesday: USB Microphone Review

Every once and a while I'm asked to do some voice over work. For those of you who have to hear my voice on a constant basis, I'm pretty sure you're finding that hard to believe.

Hey, there's a demand out there for audio tracks narrated by a guy who sounds eerily similar to Kermit the Frog.

As much as Kristen hates my voice over "voice", (she says it sounds too serious) I tend to enjoy it because it reminds me of my time as a DJ on my college radio station.

I needed to find a microphone that would do three things:
     - Fit into my budget
     - Not take up too much of my time
     - Sound really good.

I found that in the Snowball Mic, created by the company "Blue Microphones". The Snowball mic is a small USB powered Mic that works perfectly with my audio editing software (Soundtrack Pro) and provides a really clean sound that's unusual for a USB Mic.

My original Voice Over setup included a analog mixer, a shitty karaoke mic, 20 feet of cables, and had to be run through a digital converter box to get into my computer. So, I was a little shocked when the Snowball Mic showed up looking like a lawn ornament with a USB cable.

Here's an example of one of the Voice Over tracks I created using the Snowball Mic:



The creators of the Snowball Mic have now come out with two new USB Microphones: the Yeti and the Yeti Pro.

These old school looking Mics both have USB controls and the Yeti Pro offers a XLR output.

Both the Yeti and the Yeti Pro offer four switchable pickup patterns, which is great, because you're not having to purchase four different mics, just one will do!
     - Stereo (vocals, choir, instruments)
     - Cardioid (podcast, voice over, vocals, instruments)
     - Omnidirectional (conference calls, field recordings, events/orchestras)
     - Biodirectional  (interviews, instruments, vocal duets)


Here are the Computer Operating Specs you need in order to run the Yeti Mics:


PC: Windows 7, Windows Vista, XP Home Edition or XP Professional
USB 2.0 High Speed; 256 MB RAM (minimum)
Macintosh: Mac OSX ( 10.6.4 or higher )
USB 2.0 High Speed; 256 MB RAM (minimum)

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Tech Tuesday: On Camera Lighting

I never used to be a fan of videographers who flipped the high beams on when filming a wedding. I can remember being at a friend's wedding and being very aware of the videographer's location at all times.

One of the best compliments Little Guy Productions gets is the statement "we didn't even know you were there." We pride ourselves on not being the center of attention, and carefully filming without you noticing.

That being said, as we move into the brave new world of High Definition shooting, I had to break down and pick up some lights for the Panasonic HVX and the Panasonic HMC-150.

From my trusty friends at B&H Photo Video, here's what I picked up.

For the HVX I went with the VariZoom S-2010P Dimmable On Camera Light. The "P" in the light's name stands for "Panasonic" meaning there's a battery adapter that will work with your pre-existing Panasonic Battery. Very handy if you've got a couple of extra batts lying

around.

The VariZoom S-2010P costs $319.99 and has a 40 Watt output at 5600K. The description on the B&H site says the light comes with 4 barn doors, but we beg to differ. There are two legitimate barn doors and two "fake barn doors". We're assuming that the filters can be used as the remaining two barn doors, but then you can't use your filters.

The TorchLED is a bitchin' little light; it came fully charged and ready to roll with three "sippy cup looking" filters that attach at the front of the light. Its internal battery charges through DC, and it boasts 150 minutes of continuous lighting capabilities. Price Tag: $219.95 plus an additional $14.95 you're going to have to plop down for the shoe mount adapter, because it doesn't come standard with one.

The TorchLED emits the equivalent of a 50 Watt Light.

Both the Varizoom and the TorchLED are pretty light, which will make going hand held during the reception a little less stressful on the shoulder and back.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

So we just filmed our first wedding of 2011 using the VariZoom S-2010P and the TorchLED and I'd have to say I'm pretty impressed with how the lights turned out. After testing them out with my wife/co-shooter, we initially were worried that they'd be way too bright and obnoxious.

But after the lights went down and the DJ started his light show, it almost didn't matter that we had lights on the camera. The HVX and the HMC-150 seemed to blend into the background, and after looking at the footage, I didn't see the dreaded "Cover your eyes and get that camera out of my face" shot that I was so worried about.

Battery life for both was fine. The "filters" for the TorchLED were a little awkward to install "on the go", but were fine in the end.

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Tech Tuesdays: Glidetrack Hybrid

There's a great new toy for all you HD DSLR Video shooters out there; the Glidetrack Hybrid. B&H Photo Video describes the Glidetrack Hybird as a Heavy Duty Mini Dolly.

Honestly, is there a cooler description than "heavy duty mini dolly'?

Don't think about it too long or your head will splode.

Retailing at $475 for the 20 inch version or up to $665 for the 78 inch version, the Glidetrack Hybrid redefines the way you're going to be using your HD DSLR.

In the following video, the makers of the Glidetrack Hybrid demonstrate the various uses of its new dolly and adds in the video that's being shot with the Canon attached to the G-Hybrid:

Glidetrack Hybrid from Glidetrack on Vimeo.

And finally, the sales pitch from the folks at Glidetrack:

New Hybrid bearings offer a combination of both sliding AND roller bearings, giving you the best of both worlds, as show above. This includes an open architecture design that uses individual greaseless self lubricating plastic bearings and liners that can quickly and easily be swapped out if required. It is easy to ensure optimal performance, as you can literally take the carriage apart, wash or blow it down, and you are ready to shoot again.

These new style Hybrid bearings offer you all the advantages of both styles of bearing without any of the disadvantages.

New style adjustable end feet that offer the users the ability to QUICKLY adjust for uneven ground, run the unit horizontally, at inclines , vertically......or even upside down!

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Tech Tuesdays: The New MacBook Pro

I can't tell you how many times I've started an article or a review with the title "The New MacBook Pro" and then gone ahead and had to write a whole new article about Apple's latest release, just a few months later.

This time, with Apple's latest "New MacBook Pro", we've actually got something to write about. Something a little more than the usual "well, it's got a bigger screen".

Introducing the Thunderbolt Port. Sounds epic, and technically, it is.

The Thunderbolt port is supposedly twelve times faster than the Firewire 800 jack on your computer, twenty times faster than your ancient USB 2.0 port, and twice as fast as your USB 3.0 ports.

Yeah, we didn't know there was a USB 3.0 port either.

Still not convinced? The Thunderbolt port allows you (through adapters) to daisy chain your monitors, hard drives, and Ethernet ports and your computer won't take a single hit in performance along the way.

Why's that you say?

Behold, the first Macbook that has a Quad Core Processor (RE: Editors, media managers, and photo junkies; it's okay to start salivating).

Apple says they've put the Laptops through a battery of tests to improve one of it's biggest weaknesses; the battery. Apple touts the ability to sit in an internet cafe for seven hours while connected to a Wi-Fi hotspot before your battery will run out.

The new MacBook Pros come in 3 screen sizes, 13", 15", and a 17". All of the ports from the last generation of MacBook Pros are still present; one FireWire 800, two USB 2.0 (the new 17" has three), one SD card slot (which supports SDXC cards), and one Ethernet jack. The 17" model still has an ExpressCard slot (but doesn't have the SD card slot). The 15" and 17" models are both quad core, but the 13" feature dual core i5 or i7 processors.

The new MacBook Pros are already available for pre-order at B&H. Take your pick from the 13" with the dual i5 or i7 processor, the 15" with a 2 GHz or a 2.2 GHz quad core processor, or the 2.2 GHz quad core 17".

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Tech Tuesdays: Memory Card Class

The price tags on many memory cards have recently begun to drop. These days, a 4GB SD Card can be picked up in your local drug store for a fraction of the cost for the same card sold only a couple of years ago.

With inexpensive memory cards flooding the market, photo buffs may inadvertently overlook one of the most important traits in a memory card; it's class.

Most memory cards that can be picked up in your local Staples, CVS, or Best Buy are Class 4 or Class 6 memory cards. These cards are perfect for your standard point and shoot cameras like the Canon Powershot or a Kodak Easy Share camera.

What if you're using your Canon Rebel T2i to shoot video? If you use a Class 4 or a Class 6 memory card, you're going to get some funky video if you attempt to pan, zoom, tilt, or are not one of the 0.01% of the population whose hands never shake when holding a video camera.

In the following clip taken on my honeymoon in St. Lucia, notice what happens when the camera is moved quickly (Roughly 20 seconds in). The camera being used is a Canon Rebel T2i with a Class 4 SanDisk 16 GB SD Card. If you watch the video all the way through, my wife decides to enhance the video with a little bit of post marital excitement induced dancing.



If you rewind at the point where the camera shifts, check out the top right hand portion of the video, in the blue sky area. Notice the artifacts that appear (wavy lines). The slow memory card is attempting to catch up with all the information the camera is trying to send it. A slower write speed doesn't allow for the information to be properly processed, therefor the artifacts begin to appear in times of "high information overload".

To combat this problem, use a Class 10 memory card. With write speeds up to 30 MB per second, a 16 GB Class 10 SDHC Memory Card made by SanDisk will cost you roughly $100 while the 32 GB version with the same speed will cost you closer to $200 per card.

Check out this footage that was shot with a Panasonic HMC150 Camera, using a 32 GB Class 10 SDHC Memory Card. Notice that despite all the zooming, moving, panning, and general hand held insanity, the video looks crisp, clean, and artifact free.

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Tech Tuesdays: Canon Rebel Update

Canon announced an update to its pro-sumer Rebel Cameras the Rebel T3 and Rebel T3i. Here are the specs:

Canon Rebel T3
Megapixels: 12.2
Sensor: CMOS
Image Processor: DIGIC 4
Video Option: HD - 30p/25p fps
ISO Range: 100-6400
Viewing Screen: 2.7" LCD

Canon Rebel T3i
Megapixels: 18
Sensor: CMOS
Image Processor: DIGIC 4
Video Option: HD - 30p/24p/25p, HD 60p/50p fps, SD 30p/25p
ISO Range: 100-6400 - expandable to 12,8000 in low light situations.
Viewing Screen: 3" LCD (swivel based)

Both cameras have a 9 point auto focus system and take SD, SDHC, or SDXC memory. Remember, if you're using these cameras to shoot HD video, be sure to plunk down the couple of extra bucks to get a higher class memory card (preferably a Class 10).

Both cameras will work with Canon lenses that preceded this model, and most kits come with the stock 18-55 stock lens.

The T3i has a new feature called "Scene Intelligent Auto mode" and a "Picture Style Auto mode" that incorporates a new EOS Scene Detection System.

The T3i costs $799 (body only) and $899 (Kit) if you order through B&H Photo Video while the T3 kit costs you $599.

Both cameras are expected to arrive at B&H in March.

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The Value of Backing Up

A couple of years ago, while Little Guy Productions was located at it's Limaland Branch, the upstairs washing machine went haywire and caused a flood in the basement.

The same basement where all of our Hard Drives, camera equipment, computers, and Bobble Head Dolls were located.

Thankfully, the water stopped inches short of my old Macintosh G5 computer and all the fun little surge protectors that were lined up next to it.

Unfortunately, some of my mom's photos and reels of film were damaged in the flood, which sadly brings my "backup" mantra into the forefront of many conversations I have with my tech pals.

Today's technology is great; most cameras allow us to see photos seconds after they're taken and memory cards allow us to store over 1,500 images on a single disk. Photo albums seem to have become a thing of the past, replaced by the new tradition of passing cameras around the table to spark a "remember when" moment.

In short, those photos need to be backed up. They can't stay on that card forever.

Now you need to think about how to store them:

External Hard Drives
My favorite brand is LaCie. I've used countless other drives in the past (Mercury Drives, G-Drives, Nextor) but have and will continue to purchase LaCie. We've got a couple of options - LaCie Rugged drives are great for those on a budget, while their mega counterparts (Big Disk, Big Disk Extreme) offer you big bang for a hefty price tag. I've had the best success rate with LaCie, only having one Hard Drive crap out on me (it was a Rugged).

Outside Company
I also back up important files and some photos to an off site server, using Apple's Mobile Me program. For $100 a year, I can store 20 GB worth of information on their servers. It's not a ton of space, but it's almost fail proof. Another great company that offers consumer solutions to data backup is Carbonite. Carbonite has a flat yearly fee ($54.95) that covers unlimited data storage. If you have oodles of stuff to backup, that's not a bad deal at all.

Disks
You can always archive your stuff to CDs or DVDs, but they have a limited shelf life. If you're okay with re-burning all your Data every five years, this is probably the cheapest solution. Be mindful that cheapest, in this case, also means cheapest quality. CDs and DVDs do not take scratching, fingerprints, small breezes very well. If the CD/DVD is damaged so goes your information.

Be wary of companies that sell Gold Archiving Disks. They'll tell you that the CD/DVD is safe for archival purposes for 300 years. Here's my beef with that line of logic from a shifty salesman:

300 years?

DVD technology has only been around for 10-15 years, tops. The way technology evolves, I can't imagine they'll last as long as their predecessors (Beta, VHS). That would mean, even if by the remote chance that they do last 300 years, you're going to need to "WILL" your future families a computer that can handle reading them. Good luck with that.

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Little Guy Holiday Camera Guide

The Holidays are right around the corner, so that can mean only one thing;

The 2010 Little Guy Productions Holiday Camera Guide is hot off the presses!

We're always getting asked the question "what type of camera should I buy?" So, based off of picture, budget, and ease of use here are our picks for 2010

The 2010 "So Easy My Mother Can Use It" Camera Award Goes To:

Canon Powershot A3100

This camera is perfect for the budding photographer. It has a 12.1 Megapixel Resolution which would allow you to print a photo up to 20" x 30" (great for canvas art prints). It has that cool "Face Detection" mode that's great for a beginner. It auto detects faces and correctly focuses on them to get great looking photos (never worry about fuzzy shots again). In addition, the camera has a top notch built in flash and is actually one of the best entry level cameras in terms of shooting in low light situations.

Cost: Retails for $139.95 at B&H (get the red version!)

Ease of Use: Winner of the 2010 "So Easy My Mother Can Use It" Award. It's Windows 7 ready and if you have a Mac, it works great with iPhoto's plug and play capabilities. 'Nuff said!

Value: Canon cameras rock, and for this price it's almost a no brainer. Don't forget to order memory cards (SD, SDHC, SDXC) because the camera doesn't have its own built in memory.

Added Bonus: Shoots video (files are in .avi format, so Mac users beware).
On Second Thought: Battery drains quickly when using the viewfinder. Bring lots of spares.
LGP RATING: 8 out of 10 Stars

The 2010 "Dark Horse" Camera Award Goes to:
Nikon Coolpix L110 Digital Camera

I'm never one to market Nikon Cameras, but the Coolpix is great if you want to move away from amateur hour and start to get a little serious with your photos. Like the Powershot, it's a 12.1 Megapixel camera, but it has adjustable zoom. With the Coolpix, you can move the lens, instead of your entire body, to get the perfect shot you're looking for. It also had 15 different modes to shoot in if you want to start to experiment with your shots, and a Scene Auto selector if you get a little shy.

Cost: $196 at B&H
Ease of Use: More difficult than your point and shoot, but not as advanced as the prosumer DSLRs.
Value: Great camera for taking photos. It has a built in video camera, but it seems that it was an afterthought.
Added Bonus: Shoots video, but only up to 2GB worth per clip.
On Second Thought: The flash tends to cause some user frustration, occasionally blowing out photos.

LGP RATING: 6 out of 10 Stars (7 out of 10 if you ignore the video function)


The 2010 "This Will Get You Off the Naughty List" Camera Award Goes to:
Canon EOS Rebel T1i

This is the leading camera that teeters on the edge of prosumer-professional cameras. It's a 15.1 Megapixel camera that shoot High Definition video (H.264 files). This camera takes unbelievable photos in the automatic mode, but let's be honest, if you're buying this camera, it's because you or your loved one knows a little thing or two about cameras. As all Canon Rebel cameras, interchangeable lenses come in all shapes and sizes, but with most starter packages, you'll get the basic 18-55mm lens.

Cost: Normally $749 at B&H, but there's a $100 instant rebate offer that ends Jan 8, 2011.
Ease of Use: Difficult. Please read the user manual before use, or call me about a hour training session.
Value: If you plan on using your camera religiously, I recommend spending extra and you'll wind up getting your money's worth.
Added Bonus: Pick up the Canon 430EX Speedlight Flash to bump your photos up to the next level. Built in flash sucks hard.
On Second Thought: You need to purchase high class/speed memory cards (rating 6 or above) in order for the video to look good. Class 4 works great if you're just shooting photos. Higher class memory cards cost big bucks (Class 10 32 GB - $198.99).
LGP RATING: 9 out of 10 Stars

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Crossing Over

Last Sunday, Little Guy Productions filmed a wedding at St. Francis of Assisi Church and the reception at Terrace on the Hudson (Haverstraw, NY). We were teamed up with super photographer Nick Carter, one of my favorite photographers (and humans) to work with.

Whenever we work together, Nick and I tend to examine/pick brains about latest gear/trends in the wonderful world of wedding documentation.

Nick seemed extremely interested in the Canon Rebel T2i, 5D, and 7D's ability to shoot high definition video. He was doubly impressed when I told him we were using these cameras to film corporate stuff, not just home videos anymore.

When I explained to him my eventual move to HDSLR videography, that caught his attention.

And that's when I started to sweat a little; I could see Nick's brain in gear; he's going to enter the world of wedding videography, and then I'm doomed.

I began to wonder, which is easier; a photographer moving into the world of videography, or a videographer switching from 30 frames per second to one.

I love comparison shopping.

Photo to Video:
I'd love to give Nick one of my High Definition Cameras. His creative eye is brilliant when using a still, and his understanding of light and shadows, color, composition; all would aid in a smooth transitions to the world of video.

I'd imagine it would be frustrating for a photographer to be working with a fixed lens for a length of time.

There's little margin for error as well, it's not like you can ask the priest at a wedding to go back and have the couple repeat the vows because you were changing out a tape or there was some static coming through the wireless lavs.

Sound. There's something that takes a good while to learn and master.

I figure that thinking about sound has caused me to lose at least 300 hours of quality sleep at night.

Finally, the editing process is something that the photographer would have to pick up. These days, Final Cut Pro is almost too easy to use and isn't cost prohibitive. Most photographers already own a Mac, so investing in a couple of extra hard drives won't crush the budget.

Video to Photo:
As a videographer, I'm constantly on the move, constantly tweaking shots, scanning for my next shot and trying to predict what I should be shooting next. Here's an example of what went through my head at St. Francis this weekend:

Piano guy singing...priest should be getting up to speak soon...look the flower girl is asleep; should I shoot that....probably not...Bride probably won't appreciate....Kristen is fiddling with her camera, better stay wide on this until she's calm....Priest is moving to get up....swing over to Priest in three, two, one....focus looks a little soft...crap auto focus is screwy because of the mic on the alter....switching to manual...hehehe, switching to manual, sounds like something Han Solo shouts during that Tie Fighter battle on the Milenium Falcon...speaking of ties, where the hell is that tie I had that went with this red shirt....

All in a matter of two minutes.

I don't know what I'd do with all that extra time if I were a photographer. I've seen some photographers who take two or three shots during the ceremony and then take the rest of the day off.

And they have the nerve to go up and accept communion. They've obviously broken the little known 17th commandment; Thou shall take more photos than Aunt Nelly during a Wedding Ceremony.


As a videographer, I understand the principles of shot composition; rule of thirds, predicting movement, color balance, lighting, etc.

File management and the editing process would be a tough conversion. Most videographers have a basic understanding on how to navigate their way through Photoshop, but probably not enough to make an album that'll "Wow" a client.


So, as per most of my comparison articles, I can never seem to find a clear cut winner. Switching from Photog to Videog or the reverse is probably easier to do on the production end of life. Post Production seems to present the biggest challenge.

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Pro Prompter HDi for iPad

So, we're sitting around the office, trying to justify purchasing Apple's latest gadget (iPad).

And almost like a sign from Steve Jobs himself, a B&H newsletter arrives hailing a new piece of hardware that almost makes the iPad purchase a done deal.

We're talking about Pro Prompter's HDi for the iPad.

In B&H's NAB Roundup newsletter, Ron Seifried introduces the HDi, a system that converts the iPad into a teleprompter:

The Pro Prompter HDi designed a secure support system made of aircraft aluminum that attaches the iPad to the base and the whole configuration attaches to the camera.

According to the Pro Propter peoples, here's what they have to say about their new toy:

Our award winning ProPrompter HD now holds the revolutionary iPad, safe and secure, goes anywhere your camera and iPad go and comes in a custom military grade case. We created mobile teleprompting in 2002 and were the first to create a professional teleprompting App for the iPhone/iPod touch along with hardware released at NAB 2009. Now our App has had 4 free updates, became an App store staff favorite and then we introduced the first remote control feature in a teleprompting app. The NEW ProPrompter HDi is the ultimate mobile teleprompter.

When paired with the iPhone or iTouch app, which acts as the control mechanism for the prompting software, the iPad morphs into a handy field teleprompting machine.
The system (via B&H) costs $894. Factor in the cost of the iPad ($499, $599, $699 for the Wi-Fi models) and you're looking at a teleprompter system that could run you (tops) $1,600.

That's a far cry from the Autocue series that run anywhere from $4,000-$6,000. And that doesn't include software costs, cabling, or control mechanisms.

In today's glorious economy, that's a price most small studios can't afford.

And it's just one more reason to get the iPad.

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