Windows Photo Gallery and Movie Maker refresh: Vimeo integration, camera stabilization

DNP Windows Photo Gallery and Movie Maker refresh Vimeo integration, camera stabilisation

Microsoft's stalwart Photo Gallery and Movie Maker won't be hitting high-end studios anytime soon, but a new refresh for Windows 7 and 8 adds useful features that the teeming masses might appreciate. Topping the list for Movie Maker is video stabilization, which fixes camera jitter and "wobble" or rolling shutter -- a desperately needed feature for free software chockablock with shaky soccer mom and skater videos. Redmond has also added audio waveforms and an extra narration track, simple audio cleanup tools and text effects to the video editor.

As for Photo Gallery, the only new tool of note is "auto collage" which should let you create spectacularly cheesy montages using seven or more photos, regardless of artistic talent or effort. Finally, the software giant announced Vimeo as its new "publish partner," letting you upload your Gadget Cribs rip-offs from either program directly to the site. Let's see if the video hoster figures out a way to cordon off the onslaught of new freeware riff-raff from its regular hipster / film school crowd.

Filed under:

Windows Photo Gallery and Movie Maker refresh: Vimeo integration, camera stabilization originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 08 Aug 2012 09:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceWindows Team Blog  | Email this | Comments

Insert Coin: Stabil-i case reduces iPhone camera shake, fits in your pocket (video)

In Insert Coin, we look at an exciting new tech project that requires funding before it can hit production. If you'd like to pitch a project, please send us a tip with "Insert Coin" as the subject line.

Insert Coin: Stabil-i reduces iPhone camera shake, fits in your pocket

Ah, stability, a commodity valued by videographers who want to produce footage that won't make their viewers throw up. Reducing camera shake can be especially tricky when using a smartphone such as the iPhone, whose form factor and light weight make it easier to have the shakes while shooting. Currently, options for reducing camera vibration in iPhone videos include apps like the Dolly Cam and more hardware-oriented solutions such as the Steadicam Smoothee. Our latest Insert Coin candidate, the Stabil-i, happens to use the latter route, serving up a "video stabilization iPhone case" that's still reasonably affordable. According to its creators, the Stabil-i's design is based on concepts found in larger, more expensive camera stabilization systems used in the film industry -- minus 90 percent of the hardware and the expensive bearing system. The result, they say, is a device that does a good job in reducing camera shake while still being compact enough to fit in one's pockets.

Continue reading Insert Coin: Stabil-i case reduces iPhone camera shake, fits in your pocket (video)

Filed under: , ,

Insert Coin: Stabil-i case reduces iPhone camera shake, fits in your pocket (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 28 Jul 2012 17:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceKickstarter  | Email this | Comments