Cool New Video Camz

I think one of the really exciting current innovations in technology for video journalism is the integration of still photography and video technology. With the most recent line of slr cameras from Nikon and Canon, it is interesting to see how entry level professional cameras are choosing to integrate video technology. I’ve found that one of the most annoying things about creating video content is the hassle of transporting the equipment. As smartphones and still photography cameras become more capable of producting video content, it should really help solve that problem. In similar news, I got an HD flip cam for Christmas, and we’ve grown to love each other quicker than the protagonists in the second scene of a Rogers and Hammerstein musical.

Social Video and Oprah

In an article written last Thursday on Tech Radar, I was surprised to see that in addition to Hulu one of the sites that is gaining the most ground is Facebook in terms of online video content. Youtube, which receives an amazing 1 billion views a day, could soon be losing some of that staggering statistic as social network sites continue to develop more ways to incorporate video content with their services. The trend reminded me of the trend predicted in class a few weeks ago of the future of Internet search content. There it was discussed that perhaps in a few years, people will be searching sites like facebook and myspace for restaurant recommendations from their friends etc. rather than random strangers on the internet. Perhaps video content is heading down a similar path.

Secondly, I was surprised to see online video being brought into a media business conversation where you normally wouldn’t see it. In a recent Reuters article discussing Oprah’s imminent departure from her daytime television throne, ABC’s Sweeney discussed Disney’s various moves to push into developing content for various platforms and target specific audiences with that content. I also find it interesting that she forced her Daughter to have a television in her room. If only I had a TV executive as a parent growing up.