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Shooting for the (very) Small Screen

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Just as computers revolutionized work and play, Personal Digital Assistants (also known as PDAs) could change the way we see the world. Initially we only used PDAs as organizers, but now PDAs are also cell phones, cameras and music players. And now they can even play video. PDA manufacturers have been trying to put video on their machines for several years, but only recently has the quality of the video been good enough for it to be marketable. Initially PDA processors were much too slow to handle the amount of information it takes to produce good-looking video. We're seeing fast processors in most new PDAs from Palm and Windows based machines, and they will run video.

But why would you want video on a PDA? The possible applications are numerous. From the video enthusiast showing off her portfolio of work, to the ad agency pitching a campaign to the couch potato on the road, PDAs alter how and where we watch video. It's always good to be prepared for the next big innovation in video technology, so here are some tips on how to make your video look its best on a PDA.

The Small Screen
When shooting for the small screen of the PDA, which is only a few inches in diameter, you should think big. Make everything as large as possible on the screen. Instead of shooting someone from the shoulders up, fill the viewfinder with their smiling face. If you are videotaping a parade, shoot a lot of close ups of marching feet instead of too many wide shots of the whole procession. When videotaping your pet parakeet, get in close to show off its beautiful colors. If there is too much happening in the video, it will be hard to tell what's on the screen.

Try to stay away from camera movement. Keep the camera from shaking by using a tripod or by putting it on a table. If you use a tripod, avoid panning, tilting, or zooming. On a PDA, the movements will make your subject hard to see. What you are looking for in a PDA video is as simple and clear a shot as …

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Brian Schaller | June 2004

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