Shell Games (Substitute)

[rickyboy]

Since m i c h a e l was on vacation, I thought a substitute for Shell Games would be appropriate.



I call this one http://rickhanson.org/vids/tail-call-juice.mov">Tail Call Juice.



Wait for it to load -- it's not as fast as m i c h a e l's vids.  ("Wait for it ...")



And please don't shoot spitwads at the new substitute!  :-)

[m i c h a e l]

Rick,



Very impressive! These are not easy to make. Now you have me wondering whether you're doing it by hand ;-)



Attempting to load the video within Safari resulted in a question mark over the Quicktime logo (after the video finished loading). I ended up having to download the file to view it successfully. I wonder why it's confused? As to how to have your videos begin displaying while the file is downloading, you need to enable streaming in your Quicktime file. How? Do you have Quicktime Pro or a similar program that allows you to select the Quicktime output settings? I've been using H.264 with multi-pass and streaming both enabled, and quality set to 64 (between medium and high). I'm using a program called Stomp, in combination with iShowU (both from the same company). Stomp exports to various video formats (I make a high-quality master video, which I then use to make the H.264 and YouTube versions).



Again, great job on your video.



m i c h a e l

[rickyboy]

As to how to have your videos begin displaying while the file is downloading, you need to enable streaming in your Quicktime file. How? Do you have Quicktime Pro or a similar program that allows you to select the Quicktime output settings? I've been using H.264 with multi-pass and streaming both enabled, and quality set to 64 (between medium and high). I'm using a program called Stomp, in combination with iShowU (both from the same company). Stomp exports to various video formats (I make a high-quality master video, which I then use to make the H.264 and YouTube versions).

Mine is recorded with iShowU, too! :-)



I did get Stomp also -- best $40 I've spent in a while.



I think I see my mistake.  After reading your message above, I fired up iShowU and noticed (finally) that I recorded the screen under H.264 at 25 frames per.  Should I have recorded it under "Apple Animation" or some such under the "Compression" setting?  I assume that's what you meant by "mak[ing] a high-quality master video."



Thanks again m i c h a e l!   --Rick

[cormullion]

More brilliant stuff! Thanks Rick, that was very entertaining. I'm now considering giving up writing words altogether so that I can sit back and watch you Hollywood types create your movie masterpieces.



Good idea to omit the solution first time round. Although finishing on such a cliff hanger commits you to producing a sequel...



PS: If you guys can get these videos to stream to iPhones and iPods too, that would be cool.

[rickyboy]

More brilliant stuff! Thanks Rick, that was very entertaining. I'm now considering giving up writing words altogether so that I can sit back and watch you Hollywood types create your movie masterpieces.

Hehehe.  I was going to sit back too and wait for m i c h a e l's meta-video.  :-)



But you're right -- I will work on that sequel.  m i c h a e l's tips to me should make it better.  Thanks!



(BTW, I know you weren't serious, but don't EVER give up on writing -- I always enjoy your writing.)

[m i c h a e l]

I think I see my mistake. After reading your message above, I fired up iShowU and noticed (finally) that I recorded the screen under H.264 at 25 frames per. Should I have recorded it under "Apple Animation" or some such under the "Compression" setting? I assume that's what you meant by "mak[ing] a high-quality master video."

Yes, here is what I do:

• 1. I record the video using iShowU with the following settings:
  
  • No Audio
    
    Frame rate: 29.97 or 30 (24 or 25 could not keep up with some of the faster typing)
    
    Quality: High
    
    Compression: Apple Animation
  
  
  
  2. I bring the video made with iShowU into Stomp.
  
  
  
  3. I use a slightly modified H264 preset (changed frame rate to 29.97). The H264 preset in Stomp enables the streaming.
  
  
  
  4. With the video and preset selected, I process it.

   



This certainly isn't the only or best way, but it's been working well for me so far.



Also, I agree with cormullion that your inclusion of a puzzle at the end of the video was a nice touch.



m i c h a e l

[rickyboy]

Thanks m i c h a e l!  I'll try just that in the next couple of days.