The BEST Father’s Day gift – one user tells us why! (PLUS SPECIAL OFFER)

Posted on June 11, 2013 by Lindsay

muvee fan Rian has been using muvee Reveal X for over a year now. Rian is a self-proclaimed “typical geek dad” who lives in Victoria, Canada with his wife and young daughter.

We asked Rian what makes muvee so great: “I like to fiddle with my video and photos before letting anyone see them. What ends up happening is that I have endless hours of raw video and thousands of photos that never see the light of day because I don’t have the time.” muvee Reveal X is so easy to use, it solves this problem for him!

Rian kindly shared this great muvee of his family’s recent vacation to the US (he also noted he does not burn his muvees to DVD – that’s what his 85 year old Grandfather does!).

We asked Rian why all Dads should have muvee Reveal X on their Father’s Day wish list. “All those hours of raw footage and hundreds of photos wont ever get seen unless they are trimmed up and packed in a little video. muvee Reveal X does all the heavy work for you so you don’t have to fiddle with all the cuts and transitions.” 

Sounds like the perfect gift to us! To buy muvee Reveal X for your Dad this Father’s Day we have a special offer for you. Visit http://www.muvee.com to get it now!

 
Posted in Uncategorized

muvee’s video editing apps now on LG phones!

Posted on June 11, 2013 by Lindsay

This month, with AT&T’s launch of the LG Optimus G Pro, we announced that 2 muvee apps would come with the new line of G and F phones from LG.

Our apps, Video Wiz and Video Editor, use muvee’s patented technology to edit video directly on the device, unlike other applications that edit in the Cloud. Each app requires no internet connection, no waiting time, and does not consume users’ data plans.

Our favorite quote from CEO Terence Swee about these new apps came out of a brainstorming session.

muvee CEO says Cloud Video Editing is Dumb

Video Wiz is a similar product to the PC versions you know and love. It uses our patented automatic video editing engine to create movies from photos and video in just 3 steps. Check out the app here: http://youtu.be/JIoEbJzsvhQ

Video Editor is a manual editor that gives users full control over their story telling. It has a scrollable timeline which allows users to add transitions, effects, captions and even sound effects that they want to highlight. Users can insert a background track and also blend in audio from the video. Learn more here: http://youtu.be/thTYVGkPS2w

Here is the announcement on WSJ.com. And here is a photo of CEO Terence Swee and PR/Marketing Manager Lindsay Stevens at CTIA where they showed the app to the press!

muvee at CTIA 2013
Posted in muvee News | Tagged , , , , , ,

How to take photos that make impact

Posted on June 11, 2013 by nevin

How can you build impact in your photos? Here are some great tips that will help not only your photos but also the photo slideshows you create using muvee’s video editing software.

Get Closer

One of the biggest mistakes amateur photographers make is standing too far away from their subjects. Think about a professional photographer in action for a minute. You see them right in on whatever is going on: climbing rocks, hovering over their subject, putting their camera right in people’s faces, etc.

Take their advice and get up close and personal with your subjects too. If your subject fills the frame it will have more impact than if it is surrounded by a sea of nothingness.
Don’t be intimidated by getting closer to your subjects. Take a few steps forward until you are close enough to the subject for it to fill the frame. Using your feet to move closer will be more effective than using your zoom to artificially move closer to the subject.

Take Lots of Shots

Another way to build impact is to take a lot of shots. If you take 100 shots and get 1 perfect one, you still have one great shot. You don’t have to achieve perfection with each and every photo. You should plan on deleting many of your photos especially as you build your skill. See what works and what doesn’t and revise your plan for the next time.

Taking photos with impact will take time, but it is the mark of a talented photographer. It is worth taking the time to refine your craft so your shots will cause people to look again.
Check out this great wedding video slideshow for some ideas and inspiration:

photo by: colinlogan
Posted in Photo Tips | Tagged , , , , , , , , ,

Share your vacation memories with muvee’s video creator

Posted on June 10, 2013 by Lindsay

Your vacation was a lot of fun and inevitably you want to share those happy memories with family and friends. Unfortunately your loved ones might not be as excited about your vacation pictures as you are.

Let’s face it- vacation pictures can be a bit boring, especially when there are a lot of them. Luckily you have muvee Reveal X as your secret weapon.

In just three easy steps this video creator can turn vacation pictures into professional quality video slideshows people will actually want to watch. Now you can share your favorite memories without boring your friends.

Step 1: Add Photos

Photos are more fun when you can share them and video slideshows are a great way to showcase your vacation pictures. So grab that camera and capture your fun. Whether you’re swimming with the dolphins, sunning yourself on the beach or seeking thrills at an amusement park, you’ll find plenty of reasons to take a photo. Remember to take lots. The more pictures you take, the better your photo slideshow will be.

Once you have great photos simply load them into muvee Reveal X. Video clips are welcome too.

Step 2: Choose a Style

Bring your photos and video clips to life by choosing a Style to serve as your video’s personality. We have a variety of styles for every type of video. Choosing is as simple as clicking on the Style you like best.

Step 3: Add Music

Now that you have photos and a personality for your video slideshow, add some music and tie it all together. You can search for the perfect song in a large collection of tunes that you can easily add to your slideshow and license for small fee.

…. And Share

One, two, three and you have a great vacation video slideshow. Consider creating short daily highlight videos to share on Facebook so all your friends can feel like a part of your big trip. Vacationing is always fun, but when you use muvee Reveal X to share your photos and videos it’s a whole lot more exciting.

photo by: kevin dooley
Posted in muvee Tips | Tagged , , , , , , , , ,

Make a YouTube Videos about Fishing, Find Fame and Fortune!

Posted on June 6, 2013 by Charles

 Youtube videos about fishing

Nothing says summer like a relaxing fishing trip, but if you can’t make it to the lake this weekend you can still enjoy some good old fashioned fishing fun. These fun YouTube fishing videos will make you feel like you’re in on the action even if you’re sitting at home. Of course when you do get time to get out and do some fishing of your own you should return the favor and make a YouTube video of your own. After all can’t we all use a little more fishing fun?

Fishing Bird

Fishing isn’t just for people. Birds can get in on the action too. This clever bird has mastered the art of fishing by using bread for bait and a little patience. I love watching the bird carefully taunt the fish, but my favorite part of all is the moment of success when the bird finally catches its prey. Fishing is fun even when you aren’t catching, but reeling in your catch is always a cherished moment.

Fish vs. Turtle

Do you ever wonder what is happening under your boat? From our view atop the lake life is peaceful and blissful, but under the water it’s a whole different story. This video from National Geographic shows a feisty fish fighting a turtle. Apparently even turtles like a fresh fish dinner.

Fishing Bloopers

If you get through a whole fishing trip without having one blooper-worthy moment you’re doing great. These fishing bloopers will remind you of all the spills, splashes and laughs that a good fishing trip can bring. Enjoy!

Fish Scares Dog

Apparently “Fido” isn’t so excited about his owner’s big catch. This adorable little dog is very afraid of the freshly caught fish. It’s entertaining to watch the dog’s reactions as it investigates and tries to figure out what exactly is going on.

Fishing Fall

This hilarious fishing video is sure to get you laughing. A reporter covering a story about some aggressive carp is startled by their catch and falls over mid-story. The clip is definitely funny on its own, but the dry commentary and humor provided by Anderson Cooper throughout the video is truly the best part.

Are you ready for some summer fishing fun? Make sure you take along your camera and capture some muvee-worthy moments. Once you have great clips we’ll help you create shareable videos you can enjoy all year round.

photo by: jenny downing
Posted in Funny YouTube videos | Tagged , , , , , , , , ,

Basic photo tips: taking action and sports shots for photo slideshows

Posted on June 4, 2013 by nevin

For excellent summer photo slideshows, you can’t go wrong with sports and action shots. Here are some quick tips!

Use a high ISO

ISO speed controls the sensitivity of your camera’s sensor to a given amount of light. If you increase it, you will also be able to increase your aperture and shutter speed without darkening or blurring your photos.

This allows you to capture quick-moving play on the field, and can be very helpful in low-light conditions, such as shooting inside a gymnasium. However, boosting your ISO creates more “noise”, with less detail and more graininess.

Use a wider aperture

Aperture  refers to the size or diameter of shutter pinhole that lets in light. A wider aperture allows in more light. With more light available, you will be able to use a faster shutter speed, and reduce blurriness.

However, whenever you open up your aperture, you also reduce the depth of field in your photograph. Less depth of field means less of the scene will be in focus.

Aperture is measured in “f-stops”. Typically at an aperture of f22, the entire scene is in focus. At aperture f4 or f2.8, only the subject is in focus while the entire background appears out of focus.

Use a high shutter speed

In order to capture an action shot, you need a very high shutter speed, at least 1/500th of a second at a minimum. However, whenever you increase your shutter speed, you decrease the amount of light reaching the image sensor on your camera. This can mean dark, “underexposed” photos.
Posted in Photo Tips | Tagged , ,

Create awesome Father’s Day slideshows with Reveal video editing software

Posted on June 3, 2013 by Lindsay

A heartwarming video creation is perfect for Mother’s Day, but not so much for Father’s Day. If you’re still looking for the perfect video tribute for Dad consider creating something a little more manly like these Father’s Day videos. We’ve found you some inspiration, now all you need to do is create your footage and use our video editing software to create the perfect macho video for your old man.

Car Crash Extravaganza

If your dad is anything like mine he’d love spending some time with you watching car crash video clips. A fun compilation of anything manly makes for a great Father’s Day video, especially when you bring popcorn and watch it together.

If car accidents aren’t your dad’s style consider making a video compilation of motorcycle tricks, home video bloopers or anything else your dad loves.

Dads are the BEST!

 

Father’s Day Song

Marilyn Monroe’s special rendition of Happy Birthday to JFK won’t soon be forgotten. This funny Father’s Day video features a very lovely Marilyn singing his own version of the song to his dear dad. You could do something like this for father, but if you do make sure to bring your camera because the results will be too funny to not capture.

Frisbee Fun

This funny video was made by a couple of sons for their dad for Father’s Day. It features a clever script, some neat special effects and great music in the background.

You don’t have to be a talented movie maker to create something similar. Write a short script and film a funny video for your dad. A project like this is one the whole family can get in on. You’ll get a priceless gift for dad and some fun family memories as you put it all together.

Father’s Day is the perfect excuse to practice your movie making skills. What type of Father’s Day video will you create?
Posted in Photo Tips | Tagged , , , , , , , , ,

GoPro Hero3 vs. Panasonic HX-A100

Posted on May 29, 2013 by nevin

HD trimming software, different wearable cameras make it easier than ever to capture your adventures

There are many great video cameras on the market right now, but they aren’t all the same. The type of camera you choose will have a big impact on the type of footage you are able to shoot and as a result on the type of video you can create using muvee’s many professional video editing products, including HD trimming software.

If you like creating action or sporting videos or if you want to capture everyday life, a wearable camcorder might be what you need. Let’s take a quick look at a couple of wearable video recorders and see how they stack up.

Panasonic HX-A100

The Panasonic HX-A100 is a newcomer into the wearable camcorder market. It is compact and lightweight. This camera can attach to the head using a special earhook, eliminating the need to wear a helmet when recording. Another benefit of this device is the fact that it’s waterproof, making it a great choice for filming around water and in situations where the camera might get wet.

The HX-A100 has a built in image stabilizer which can come in handy when shooting action because the footage can get a little shaky and blurry. The camera can connect to Wi-Fi enabling live streaming.

While it doesn’t have a remote, it can be controlled remotely using a smartphone or tablet. The battery life is 140 minutes on a single charge.

GoPro Hero3

GoPro, and their line of wearable cameras, is often considered the industry leader especially when it comes to action cameras. Their cameras are known for durability, superior quality and amazing HD footage. Just like the many models before it, the GoPro Hero3 doesn’t disappoint. It’s waterproof to 197 feet and can be mounted to almost anything from helmets to handlebars to roll bars to surfboards and more. The mounting possibilities make this camcorder very versatile.

Another benefit of the Hero3 is the Wi-Fi remote which makes it easy to change modes, start and stop recordings, etc. without having physical contact with the camcorder. Like the Panasonic camera this GoPro model can connect to Wi-Fi for live streaming on the go. The video quality is amazing and there are a variety of shooting modes available allowing for custom footage every time.

If you’re in the market for a wearable, action camcorder both the Panasonic HX-A100 and the GoPro Hero3 are great choices, but you will find more available options, more mounting possibilities and better video quality with the Hero3.
Posted in Photo Tips, Video Tips | Tagged , , , ,

Content Creators – awesome movie making on Vimeo

Posted on May 27, 2013 by nevin

One of the quickest ways to transform your website from average to amazing is to add video. Movie making isn’t that difficult, but it adds a whole new dimension to your website and engages visitors. Video also helps to attract new users to your site by encouraging sharing. If you’re wanting to add video to your website, but need a few ideas check out these great websites and their use of video.

San Diego Zoo Blogs

The blogs from the San Diego Zoo are a great way to keep tabs on your favorite animals or to prepare for your next trip to the zoo. Many of the posts feature a photo or two, but my favorites include video and allow me to see the animals in action. This post showcasing the pandas on a snow day makes me want to pack up and head to the zoo.

Design Mom

Design Mom is known for its stunning home décor and helpful parenting ideas, but the site also has some great video content. The blog features an ongoing series known as Olive Us showcasing the blogger, Gabrielle Blair, and her family. Each video is heartwarming and adorable and teaches positive family values like kindness and caring. One of my favorites is this recent episode about shadow puppets. Check it out!

Ross Training

Get inspired to reach your fitness goals and enjoy some great video content over at the Ross Training blog. This cool video tutorial will show you how to create your own handstand pushup handles. You’ll find tons of easy ideas for affordable home fitness equipment as well as tips, techniques and inspiration to keep yourself in shape.

How can you use video to better engage users on your website? Making video is easy, but it won’t ever happen if you don’t commit and take that crucial first step.
Posted in muvee Tips, Video Tips | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Tips for Success When Using Professional Video Editing Software

Posted on May 24, 2013 by Lindsay

If you want to bring more traffic to your website, increasing your search engine rankings is critical. Luckily video can help and muvee’s professional video editing software makes it easier than ever to create and share videos.

Why Video?

Google, one of the biggest search engines around, owns YouTube which means that they look favorably on video when creating their search engine rankings. In many cases a high quality video will rank better than high quality articles, even if they are keyword rich. According to a prominent online newspaper, your website is 50 times more likely to be shown on the first page of Google search results if it features a video.

The SEO benefits of video are astounding, but as you well know, SEO isn’t the only benefit of video. Your site visitors love video. It is easy to access on mobile devices and a majority of internet users utilize video.

Additionally video is a great format to educate others about your business, share your ideals and vision and build your credibility. A few well-made videos can make all the difference for your business and your bottom line.

Some tips for using videos on YouTube

If you want to use video to increase your search engine results, you’ve got to do it right. Here are some tips for success:

Post to YouTube – Since Google owns YouTube, it gives videos hosted on this site a preferential advantage that you should definitely utilize. You may also want to post videos on your own servers as well.

Share – Social media is a great way to spread the word about your video. Encourage sharing and make it easy to embed links of your video on other web pages. The more hits your video receives, the better it will place in search results.

Make Professional Quality Content – A video can do a lot for your business, but it can also hurt you if it doesn’t share the right message. Make sure that your internet marketing videos are professional quality and that they accurately represent your business and ideals. Our fast video editor will help you make great videos, even if you don’t have any experience.

If all this talk of SEO is enough to make your head spin, here’s a practical example of how one company is using muvee Reveal to post videos on YouTube:
Posted in Video for business | Tagged , , , , , , , ,