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The Numbers and Letters of Modern Video and What They Mean

Over the last 20 years, there’s been a boom in the video production industry. New formats advance and change it seems like every 5 years. Then we have to learn a new system of numbers and letters, what they mean, and how they fit into our workflow. But, what if you aren’t in the video industry, those numbers and letters may just seem like gibberish. Well, I think it’s time to break it all down for the lay person.

THE LETTERS

SD (Standard Definition): For those who grew up in the standard age of television, this is what you are used to. A square picture or actually rectangle because it was a 4:3 frame. Ironically what we are being forced back into with Instagram and Snapchat.

HD (High Definition): The video that became popular in the early 2000’s is up to three times the size of SD, and is popularized by being described as two numbers: 720 or 1080.

UHD (Ultra High Definition): Video that is gaining more popularity now. It is about 3 to 7 times bigger than High Definition and encompasses 4 K and 8K.

HDR (High Dynamic Range): This is about the lights and darks (contrast ratio) and how close the colors can seem to real life (color accuracy). Basically, it’s making the pixels better instead of adding more to create a better picture.

HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface): This is a cable and input/output mechanism for the transport of high quality uncompressed audio and video. There is a limitation for how far away from your device you can be with the cable.

HEVC (High Efficiency Video Encoding): This is an encoding mechanism for Ultra High Definition or 4K to be compressed and sent around the web just as easily as regular high definition is now.

MP4 (Motion Picture Expert Group Part 4): This is a file format that is a universal container for compressed video and audio. Like jpegs, it is a cross platform, easily read file for uploading and downloading up to high definition video.

AR (Augmented Reality): AR is the integration of digital information from a device and the user’s environment in real time.

VR (Virtual Reality): VR is a completely simulated environment created through computer technology.

MR (Mixed Reality): This is a combination of both Augmented and Virtual Reality where there are either real objects in a virtual world or virtual objects or characters integrated into real environments.

SRT (SubRip File Format): This is a file that holds video subtitle information and is used for captioning videos online. This is a standard file that is read by DVD’s as well as most video uploading systems.

THE NUMBERS

1080p (Full HD): 1080p refers to the absolutely pure form of the regular High Definition video format. The p stands for progressive scan, which means it isn’t field based. The best way to see full HD is from a Blu-Ray player connected by HDMI to a 1080p Television.

4K: This number refers to a video picture with a resolution of 4000 pixels. UltraHD is an offshoot of this video standard.

360 Degree Video: Also known as immersive video, it’s an interactive format that uses a device that has recorded a complete globular view at the same time. The viewer than has a chance to choose where they want to look in the video. The difference between this and VR, is 360 is video of a real world environment not created and you can interact with it on a screen.

120 FPS: This refers to the frames per second or the speed that a camera can capture a photo. By shooting this high, it means you can down convert it without losing motion quality. Plus, it makes for some great slow motion.

There you have it, just a few of the number and letter combos you’re going to see and what they mean. I know it’s something I have to stay up on, but now you have the ability to nerd out with me.

2nd Brain Collective Podcast – Jayme Taylor of Taylor*d Marketing

Jayme started her career while attending Michigan State University, as a telemarketer for the MSU Delvelopment Fund. Her love for mentoring and building relationships based on trust also began to flourish.

Having been in the media industry for 20-years, she has learned the importance of multi-platform marketing strategies and passes that expertise on to her clients.

Jayme is the Mother of 3-boys and resides in Okemos, with her husband Jeff. In her spare time she enjoys running, reading, watching her boys play sports and spending time with family and friends.

Learn more about Jayme Taylor and Taylor*d Marketing:

Guest Post: 4 HR Factors Your New Company Must Plan for

Human resources professionals work hard to keep workplaces productive and safe. They organize training, create hiring procedures, and coordinate employee benefits. These many responsibilities provide challenges that HR managers must plan to overcome.

Here are four ways HR departments can make positive contributions to their organizations.

Creating a Friendly Environment

Taking proactive steps to build a positive environment can save human resources personnel a lot of headaches. When miscommunications result in tension and blame, HR often must find a way to get things running smoothly again. If the environment becomes toxic, HR managers often become referees.

HR managers can foster a positive environment by properly handling disputes, encouraging positive employee interactions, and training bosses in leadership skills.

Another surprisingly effective technique HR managers favor is creating a warm and comfortable atmosphere through office decoration. Fresh flowers, appealing colors, and artwork make employees feel at home, resulting in a happier, more productive workforce.

How to Handle Disputes

Chandler notes that no matter how positive an office environment may be, occasional disputes are bound to occur. Having a process in place to handle serious disputes allows them to get resolved. The last thing anyone wants is for problems to fester.

HR managers have success with processes that allow employees to talk to higher-ups without fear of retaliation. Simply expressing a confidential opinion should never result in negative consequences. When issues are identified, they can then be appropriately addressed.

Leadership Skills Training

When managers show leadership styles that are positive and productive, a professional, cohesive tone pervades the work environment. When bosses behave in counterproductive ways and display negative leadership qualities, employees become demoralized and disgruntled.

Training is crucial because, despite the best intentions, some bosses simply fail to grasp how they can help create a productive atmosphere. Management training should always emphasize leadership skills, such as giving constructive feedback, setting expectations, and teambuilding.

Safety Training Classes

HR departments must always consider their safety training program. Without proper instruction, employees are likely to neglect safety procedures. They may also engage in dangerous practices without realizing it. Safety training provides them with the knowledge they need to perform their jobs with the contentiousness employers have the right to expect.

Many organizations find that the best method of training employees is through a professional training organization. For example, Advanced Heavy Vehicle Driver Training Centre provides extensive training in the operation of heavy vehicles, such as trucks, forklifts, and construction equipment. Third-party training courses offer the advantages of professional instruction and documentation of the company’s compliance with all regulations.

HR departments play a vital role in keeping workplaces functional and safe. By fostering positive work environments and properly training employees, HR managers provide immense value.

Anica is a professional content and copywriter from San Francisco, California. She loves dogs, the ocean, and anything outdoor-related. She was raised in a big family, so she’s used to putting things to a vote. Also, cartwheels are her specialty. You can connect with Anica here.

#BetterCallPaul on Michigan Business Rap: Are TV Commercials Still a Thing?

Paul goes live on air on the Michigan Business Rap to talk a little television related news.
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Paul has been a visual storyteller for as long as he can remember and decided to turn that into a career. He chose video as his medium and his award winning style has been seen nationally as well as praised locally. A self-proclaimed community proponent and pro-Michigan advocate, he owns and is creative video strategist for UnoDeuce Multimedia which is celebrating its 6th year in Lansing. Paul was just recently awarded the 2015 Entrepreneur Institute Micro-Entrepreneur of the Year.

Don’t forget to
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Thank you for watching this video. I hope that you keep up with the weekly videos I post on the channel, and just so we couldn’t keep this channel going without your support, so please comment, like and share.
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Also Subscribe to the main UnoDeuce YouTube Channel Here to see the client work we are putting out up to 3 times a week!

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Follow Me Online Here:

Website: www.unodeuce.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paul.j.schmidt
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#BetterCallPaul – A Conversation With Dr. Susan Maples

Our conversation this month is with Dentist, Speaker and Author Dr.Susan Maples.
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► Subscribe to the #BetterCallPaul Channel Here:
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Paul has been a visual storyteller for as long as he can remember and decided to turn that into a career. He chose video as his medium and his award winning style has been seen nationally as well as praised locally. A self-proclaimed community proponent and pro-Michigan advocate, he owns and is creative video strategist for UnoDeuce Multimedia which is celebrating its 6th year in Lansing. Paul was just recently awarded the 2015 Entrepreneur Institute Micro-Entrepreneur of the Year.

Don’t forget to
—-
Thank you for watching this video. I hope that you keep up with the weekly videos I post on the channel, and just so we couldn’t keep this channel going without your support, so please comment, like and share.
—-

Also Subscribe to the main UnoDeuce YouTube Channel Here to see the client work we are putting out up to 3 times a week!

http://bit.ly/2jklgle

Follow Me Online Here:

Website: www.unodeuce.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paul.j.schmidt
Twitter: https://twitter.com/pauldeuce
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pauldeuce
Periscope: https://www.periscope.tv/pauldeuce

Please Subscribe to our Channel!

2nd Brain Collective Podcast – Adam Suiter of 360 Photo and Design

Adam grew up in a family of engineers, so he understands that things should be thought through logically. But he wanted to be an artist, so he went to art school. He found that the “left-brain” thinking he had grown up with gave him a unique perspective on art and design. His “right-brain” teachers helped round him out so now he calls himself a “center-brain” type person. A creative, but logical thinker. He’s got a messy desk, but very organized client folders.

He graduated with a degree in Advertising Design in 2001. Thats where his love for commercial design really began. He likes simplifying complicated ideas with great design. He’s always been a shutterbug, but didn’t consider himself a professional photographer til about 2012 when he got certified by Google to shoot Street View inside Businesses. He’s dabbled in stock, portraits, weddings, and product photography. But he has a real passion for architectural photography. To him, a photo is more than a stand alone image, but a piece of a story that design can complete

He really likes helping entrepreneurs and small businesses look like they aren’t. Business owners who are passionate about their craft and who appreciate design are usually a good fit. Especially if a client has a great story to tell, he loves to help with that.

Learn more about Adam Suiter and 360 Photo and Design:

Originally published on 2ndbraincollective.com

Guest Post: Top 5 Drones for Kids in 2018

Drones are neat little flying devices and one of the most sought-after tech toys today. Not only are they for recreational use, they’re practical and can even be used for school projects. Perhaps you have been considering one for your kid, but not sure which one will be the best bang for your buck.

Here, we have reviewed the most top rated and high quality drones for kids in 2018.

DJI Phantom 4- Top RC Drone

The Phantom 4 is the latest version of DJI’s top-end consumer drone. It’s incredibly easy to fly, includes a high-speed sport mode and an excellent obstacle avoidance feature. Once an obstruction is detected, the drone will stop and hover in its tracks. The phantom also includes a 720p live view with 20mm wide-angle lens.

Home Lock, a return-to-home feature will bring the Phantom back. The automated and manual flight modes allow for easier control, which makes it the best remote controlled drone on the market. There is now a Pause button on the remote. If you press it, the drone will stop in place and hover. The Phantom’s VPS (Vision Positioning System) will prevent it from crashing into the ground when flying low in uneven terrain.

These high quality features land this drone in a relatively expensive category. Another downside to this one is of needing a third party app for real mission planning. As it weighs 3 pounds, you will need to register with the FAA before flying it if you live in the United States.

2. Hogs Star Wars Ultimate Millennium Falcon – Best For Indoor Flying

This ready-to-fly drone The Falcon is shaped just like the Stars Wars ship. It weighs only 2.24 ounces and because of its lightweight quality, its best to avoid flying it outdoors and suitable only for indoor use. Made of foam, the soft frame will allow it to bounce of walls and furniture without causing any damage. The ducted propellers also make it easy to fly and an excellent choice for beginners.

The Falcon can be charged via USB using a PC or a wall adapter. However, battery life is limited to 8 minutes max and takes over an hour to fully charge. Another downside to The Falcon is that the motors tend to make a high-pitched whining noise.

3. Hubsan X4 H107L – Best Drone On A Budget

Budget friendly Hubsan has a number of visual and functional improvements over its earlier version, the V1. The blue and white LED lights on each side of the motors offer great night-flying capabilities, which can be activated using the throttle trim.

The anti-flip mode is useful because this particular drone tends to loose altitude with flips. The drone needs more than half throttle to hover but more power to climb out, making its flight performance excellent. It also includes a protective ring for indoor flying. Maintenance of this drone can be challenging, but that’s to be expected given the price.

We also recommend picking up a lot of extra props for this model.

4. Sysm X5C 2.4G – Decent Camera (for the money)

The 6-axis gyro stabilization on this drone ensures maximum stability during flight, a wind resistant drone that can be flown both indoors and outdoors. The HD Camera and 2GB Micro SD card allow you to take photos and videos while flying, however battery life lasts only for 7 minutes. Despite this, users are usually very happy with this particular drone. It also includes a feature that allows you control flips with a press of a button.

The remote control X5C utilizes spread spectrum technology to ensure remote distance and anti-interference ability. Although it does take a lot of practice to learn how to fly this drone high, it’s still a great value for your money.

5. UDI U818A – Best Recreational Drone

For aspiring pilots, the UDI U818A is an excellent and affordable recreational drone with the pilot capable of full control. The UDI has fun and easy to use controls, a minimalistic design with a lightweight frame and is also fast and quick turning.

A small screw holds the rotors to the motor shaft in place, unlike other budget friendly quadcopters. It also includes several LED lights around the front and back of frame. The buttons on the shoulders turn the LED lights on and off and put the quadcopter into stunt mode. There are a few buttons on the front of the controller surrounding the LCD display, which take pictures, start and stop video, change the mode of flight and flip the quadcopter.

The LCD displays battery life, signal strength and how much thrust is currently being applied. The drone can fly up to 40 feet and although the controller is connected to a 2.4-GHz radio signal, there is no interference from Wi-Fi networks. The UDI can be operated with the controller only.

You can definitely not go wrong with a drone as a gift for your child. When you are choosing, keep in the mind the best drones for kids will be ready to fly, have a quality camera, stability and long battery life. They must be good at navigating and controlling the aerial camera while watching out for accidents.

This post was written by Isaac Atia, Founder of 10BestRanked.com, an authority blog where he reviews the top home, sports & outdoors products, and more.

#BetterCallPaul On Michigan Business Rap Talking Video Trends for 2017

Paul goes into depth about what trends to watch for when it comes to video for 2017.

#BetterCallPaul Facebook Newsfeed Updates

Facebook recently made some newsfeed algorithm changes. So, how does that effect your video strategy? Paul has those answers and more.
—
► Subscribe to the #BetterCallPaul Channel Here:
http://bit.ly/2jbP69q
—
Paul has been a visual storyteller for as long as he can remember and decided to turn that into a career. He chose video as his medium and his award winning style has been seen nationally as well as praised locally. A self-proclaimed community proponent and pro-Michigan advocate, he owns and is creative video strategist for UnoDeuce Multimedia which is celebrating its 6th year in Lansing. Paul was just recently awarded the 2015 Entrepreneur Institute Micro-Entrepreneur of the Year.

Don’t forget to
—-
Thank you for watching this video. I hope that you keep up with the weekly videos I post on the channel, and just so we couldn’t keep this channel going without your support, so please comment, like and share.
—-

Also Subscribe to the main UnoDeuce YouTube Channel Here to see the client work we are putting out up to 3 times a week!

http://bit.ly/2jklgle

Follow Me Online Here:

Website: www.unodeuce.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paul.j.schmidt
Twitter: https://twitter.com/pauldeuce
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pauldeuce
Periscope: https://www.periscope.tv/pauldeuce

Please Subscribe to our Channel!

Guest Post: Effective Marketing: 4 Unique Advertising Tips for Businesses

Promotion is essential to bringing in new customers and generating sales in your business. Unfortunately, it can also be difficult to do successfully, especially if you don’t have any prior marketing experience. Here are four unique tips that will help you advertise your business the right way if you’re new to marketing.

Make YouTube Videos

However much you may associate YouTube with videos of cute cats, it’s actually one of the most powerful advertising platforms in the world. This is because you can create a video that promotes your business or product and have it seen by hundreds or thousands of people worldwide without spending any money on it at all. With a small investment in PPC advertising, that number can jump into the tens or even hundreds of thousands. Be sure when you make your video, though, that you provide real value and information, rather than just making a video advertisement.

Hold a Giveaway Event

Everyone likes getting something for free, and most people like it well enough that they’re willing to advertise your business for you in order to make it happen. Host a giveaway event on social media for people who share your page with their friends and followers. By doing so, you can vastly increase your social media audience while at the same time generating enthusiasm among potential customers for your product or service.

Get an Advertising Wrap for Your Car

Believe it or not, one of the most powerful advertisements for your business may be sitting in your driveway at this very moment. Buying an advertising wrap, like those available from Mint Signs, enable you to use your car to promote your business while you do your day-to-day driving. If you have friends or family members who are willing to help you out, you can also arrange to put wraps on their cars to help make even more people aware of your business.

Partner with Other Local Businesses

A great way to promote your own business while at the same time helping out other small business owners is to cross-promote to each other’s clientele. For example, you might allow each other to put signs in your respective store windows or leave business cards somewhere your customers will see them. Generally, it’s best if the business you choose to cross-promote with isn’t a direct competitor.

Using these four simple methods, you can increase your business’s reach without spending too much money or having to create complex digital marketing campaigns. Though these ideas will get your started, be sure to expand your knowledge of marketing as much as you can. Remember, the more you successfully promote your business, the larger and more profitable it will have the potential to become.

Rachelle Wilber is a freelance writer living in the San Diego, California area. She graduated from San Diego State University with her Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Media Studies. She tries to find an interest in all topics and themes, which prompts her writing. When she isn’t on her porch writing in the sun, you can find her shopping, at the beach, or at the gym. Follow her on Twitter (@RachelleWilber) and Facebook