Pixorial, Inc. » Pixorial Picks

Notes from Laura: Some interesting ways people are using Krowds – that you might want to steal!

admin — Thu, 01 Aug 2013 19:25:28 +0000

Over the past several days, I’ve been browsing through the many, many Krowds that have been created using our Krowds app, and I wanted to share some of the really cool uses I’ve come across. If these might work for you, please feel free to steal the idea! Music teachers showing off their students’ progress: a few music teachers (piano, violin, guitar) have started Krowds to feature the progress their students are making as they go from Chopsticks to Chopin. I’d imagine this would work great for anyone who teaches a performance skill — because you can really see the progress someone’s making. New home-shopping: when you’re looking to buy a new house, you tend to tour a lot of places, and drive by many more. Marco used Krowds to try to keep track of all the homes he and his wife toured, so they could compare notes later. (I also used Krowds this way recently, because we were house-hunting while my husband was in a cast with a broken foot! So I did most of the first-pass recon on possible houses, and he was able to check the videos to see what he liked. This helped us minimize how much time he had to spend hobbling on crutches to tour possible homes.) Tracking weight loss and fitness changes: Seems that a few personal trainers are using Krowds to monitor their workout client’s progress. I’m not sure how this will play out over many months, but so far it’s pretty obvious that a few people are having some killer success getting fit with their trainers — and video is a lot more compelling than photos because you can see people in action lifting weights and running on the treadmill, too! Collecting treasured family videos: This seems to be the most common use by far. I’ve seen many Krowds people are using to collect all manner of videos, including a lot that look like they were digitized from old-format VHS or videocamera tapes. It’s fun to see all the cool hairstyles and glasses from the ’80′s! (P.S. – did you know Pixorial can help you get your old-format vintage media digitized?) Sports: We’ve also seen a few sports teams using Pixorial to collect footage of games and practices. We’ve always figured this would be a perfect use for Krowds, because anyone can contribute video, even while they’re at the game. Capturing vacation memories: Phil and his fiancee took an amazing vacation to Italy, and they used a Krowd to collect videos of all the beautiful places they visited — and shared it with family and friends, so they could all see what they were missing. (I am still jealous!) How are YOU using Krowds? Tell us and you might get an Amazon.com gift card! Shoot an email with a link to your Krowd to *protected email*. Every week or so, I’ll select someone to receive an Amazon.com gift card for sharing their Krowd with us. We really want to know how YOU are using this cool app! Have a lovely rest of your week — and be sure to shoot some video! Laura Higgins SVP of Sales and Marketing, Pixorial

Meet Kent…

admin — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 06:35:21 +0000

Have you noticed anything different lately? Pixorial has a new Digital Marketing Manager, ninja, warlord, whatever you want to call him…we call him Kent. He’s joined the team to help spread our love for video here on the blog, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+ and YouTube. He’ll be answering your questions, inspiring you with video tips and ideas, and entertaining you with his wit and charm. So without further adieu, we’d like to introduce Kent! In 140 characters or less, describe yourself. I’m an optimist/futurist/musician/tech geek/foodie/Denver native who loves to challenge conventional wisdom. My mantra: substance over hype. How do you use Pixorial? Lately I’ve been using our technology to share videos on friends’ Facebook pages. I’m also gathering up a bunch of dusty 80’s VHS tapes to convert to digital. It would be a shame if those Christmas memories of ninja turtles and NES games were lost to the ravages of tape decay. What is your favorite Pixorial feature? Well…my favorite feature would probably be the one I can’t tell you about yet. There’s some amazing talent on the development team here, and they’re working on something that’s truly revolutionary. Ok, I’ll shut up before I get myself in trouble. One of the most awesome aspects of Pixorial is our automatic uploader. It’s real set-it-and-forget stuff. Upload Gigs of video overnight, then watch it appear in your library when you wake up. Seamless! What was the most recent video that you created? Right now I’m working on a Videocard for my little niece who just turned four. What other apps do you use? I love anything that makes life easier. The usual suspects like Evernote and Dropbox are essential for saving time and keeping track of information. On my Windows Phone, I use PageOnce to keep track of finances and bills, Seesmic to manage our social channels on the go, and Feed Reader to stay on top of my favorite blogs. Have a tip you can share? These days, a password-saving app is essential for sanity preservation. Check out KeePass or LastPass. No more having to remember which dead pets’ names you used to access that rarely-visited forum or site. Also…read Lifehacker every day. Time for a little show and tell! Favorite video? Chocolate Rain. Naw just kidding. Remember when MTV used to show music videos instead of pregnant teenagers? This one was pretty sweet… Temple of the Dog – Hunger Strike Oh, and of course the Indian version of Thriller is a must-see. Now for the inside scoop. What do you do when you’re not practicing your ninja moves at Pixorial? I’m a card-carrying music technology freak. My project, Seven7h Wave, is a hybrid of organic instruments like guitar and cello, and futuristic electronic sounds generated by software and crazy newfangled controllers. I spend too much time reading about geopolitics and the global economy. I also love sci-fi and space exploration, and am looking forward to visiting the moon someday. Seriously. * * * * * * * We are so excited to have Kent on the team. This guy’s got so much energy, he can’t sit still. No literally, he doesn’t sit. Kent can be found standing with his laptop on a bookshelf when he’s really getting into a new blog post or piece of content. Say hi to Kent and be prepared to be dazzled. We certainly are.

Pixorial Interview with Video Processing Magician

admin — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 11:59:55 +0000

Today we sat down with Tim, also known as the chief plate-spinner. Tim oversees video processing for Pixorial and is the person who ensures that our video quality kicks you-know-what.

How do you use Pixorial? I use Pixorial to share videos from my phone that are too big to email to friends. What is your favorite feature? I love the “View / Edit” button, because most of the time I just need to trim off a video’s boring parts. What was the most recent video that you created? A video of my grandfather’s John Deere collection (it’s quite impressive). When you are not spinning plates, what apps do you use? I probably use the IMDB app more than anything else. That and games. Have a tip you can share? If you’re filming something using a cameraphone, don’t switch from holding the camera sideways to up-and-down. Otherwise you’ll have to cut up and rotate half the video. (of course if you do this, you can change the orientation with Pixorial after you cut the video). Time for a little show and tell! (P.S. Tim doesn’t have a tattoo. This point will make sense after you watch the video.)

Assuring Video Quality – A Chat with Pixorial’s QA Master

admin — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 17:17:34 +0000

Today we sat down with Joel, master of deadlines and leader of quality assurance for all things Pixorial. He may sit quietly in his office throughout the day but his “approaching milestone messages” come through loud and clear in our inboxes. Joel monitors our entire development process from the beginning of a project until it goes live, which is a good thing too because our team is busy working on a number of different features and new apps at this very moment.

So let’s interrupt Joel and see what he has to say.

What is your role at Pixorial? Quality Assurance and annoying the Pixorial developers.

How do you use Pixorial? I use Pixorial for editing videos from my phone and for posting to Facebook.

What is your favorite feature? I’m not sure I could pick one favorite feature. As quality assurance I get to use everything Pixorial and I love it all! The simple editor, producer, the Facebook app, video albums, sharing to multiple social networking sites at once, the new Pixorial Mobile apps…these are just some of the amazing features that Pixorial now offers and I honestly like all of them, so I’m not picking a favorite :p.

What was the latest video you created with Pixorial? I recorded some of my co-workers engaging in an epic Foosball battle. I then used the Pixorial library editor to add some fun music and make it more exciting. I’m always amazed how a simple thing like adding music to a video can totally change the overall feel of a video clip.

When not annoying the developers, what apps do you like best? iTunes, GIMP, Rockmelt, PS3 games

Given your attention to detail, can you share a helpful tip? In most camcorders it will take a few seconds for your camcorder to start recording after you press the record button. For that reason give yourself a second or two after you start recording to have a subject start talking or an event to begin. Likewise, give yourself a few seconds after an event ends before you stop recording. It is much better to have too much video and edit out the pieces that you don’t want than have too little at the end of the day.

Okay, time for a little show and tell:

Video: Epic Foosball

Epic Foosball

VHS to Digital? Yes Please! A Chat With our Conversion Wizardess

admin — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 16:04:49 +0000

Today we sat down with Brigitte also known as the manager of memory preservation, for this week’s Pixorial Pick. You could say that on a daily basis, Brigitte helps make dreams come true for families around the globe however she would probably say that she is ‘just doing her job.’ In the lab, she oversees the conversion of formats including VHS, Hi8, Betamax, miniDV, and 8mm, just to name a few. She also helps to fulfill tape and film conversions to DVD. Thanks to Brigitte, our conversion process runs seamlessly, not to mention at a pace and quality which makes those other companies sit in wonder. So without further ado, we introduce to you, Brigitte. Please share your name and nick name around the office. Brigitte aka Bricketts What is your role at Pixorial? I am the Assistant to the Regional Manager, Pixorial, Englewood Branch. How do you use Pixorial? I use our service to convert and store my family’s history online including old family movies that were previously on 8mm film and VHS cassettes. What is your favorite Pixorial Feature? I love adding 80’s music to videos. What was the latest video you created with Pixorial? I created a video for my godfather. He found an 8mm film from 35 years ago in my great aunt’s attic that has my first appearance on film. I still have the same hairdo. When not managing the conversion lab among other things, what apps do you use? My phone is to old for apps – time to get off the beet farm and get a new one.

Have a video tip? Put friends, family or coworkers in every shot – no one wants to look at scenery.

And now for a little show and tell.

Pixorial Picks: A chat with Pixorial’s Web Developer and Design Hero

admin — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 16:12:45 +0000

Today we sit down with Erik, a member of the web development and design team. Erik is a nimble hero who can literally stop time and respond to web requests from the demanding marketing team. We don’t know how he does it but Erik manages to complete his development requests at the speed of light and still has time to rock the Foosball table. All in a day’s work I guess.

So let’s get to it…

What is your nick name? Around the office I’m known as Erelict (pronounced er-i-leekt) after the fashion show in the movie Zoolander.

What is your role? Renaissance Man – making web pages look pretty through code, design, promo videos.

How do you use Pixorial? To share videos with friends and family.

What is your favorite Pixorial feature? Safe storage of all videos online.

When not applying your mad coding skills, what apps do you use? There are apps besides Pixorial?

And now for a little show and tell! A celebratory video after the Green Bay Packers won a trip to the Super Bowl.

Pixorial Picks – A chat with our Facebook App Developer

admin — Sat, 12 Feb 2011 12:50:48 +0000

Today we sit down with our developer who is our Facebook API genius. He helped drive the efforts behind Pixorial’s Facebook APP and makes sure that whenever we are alerted to a new change, (and they happen more often than you may think) that we don’t miss a beat and that our users continue to enjoy the ease of posting and editing videos on Facebook. Of course he does a number of other things but we can’t reveal all of our secrets. So without further delay, I present Dan. Name: Dan also known as MrPlazmaDude What is Your Role: Web Developer – Integration with social networks and other such business. How do you use Pixorial? I am a big fan of Starcraft II and overall video game shoutcasting. Pixorial lets me upload all of my shoutcasts and organize them into folders for each game or parts in a series. Once I have everything organized I can select the matches I want to share and post them to Facebook or YouTube while I get my nerd on! What is your favorite Pixorial feature? I like having the ability to organize my videos into folders so that I don’t go crazy looking through page after page to find a video… that and search. Oh, and the ability to post to all of my social networks with the click of a button rather than logging on to each one and having to upload individually. What was the latest video you created with Pixorial? I recently shot video of a trip with a coworker to Glacier National Park. When not applying your mad coding skills, what apps do you use? I have the Grooveshark app on my phone. I plug my phone into my Aux port and have access to any song I could ever want while driving in my car. Video tip? Be as still as possible and try not to take video while walking. It can’t be nauseating for the viewer. Time for a little show and tell… In this video, my buddy is showing the gameplay for the MMO (massively multiplayer online game – for those who don’t know.) Rift during round six of its closed beta. He uses Pixorial to edit and archive his gameplay videos and then posts them to YouTube.

Pixorial’s Graphic Designer Featured as this Week’s Pick

admin — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 18:34:57 +0000

We recently asked our graphic designer to discuss his favorite Pixorial Picks. When not behind the decks delighting the masses on dance floors around the globe as the infamous DJG, Dean lends his talents to the look and feel of Pixorial’s web site, service and applications. Check out what Dean had to say about Pixorial. Name and Role: Dean, lead Pixel Pusher How do you use Pixorial? I use it to upload videos from my phone and share with friends on Facebook. What is your favorite Pixorial Feature? I love the Producer to edit movies! What was the latest video you created with Pixorial? A mashup video of my friend Max. When not applying your mad design skills, what apps do you use? I’m sort of the best Words With Friends player on earth. I also use FlightTrack a lot, and I don’t know how I could live without the Netflix app. Care to share a video tip? Duh, use Pixorial! Time to show off. Here is one of Dean’s recent creations:

Co-Founder, “How I Use Pixorial”

admin — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 14:27:18 +0000

Welcome to our first edition of Pixorial Picks where one member of the team shares their favorite features and other fun info. Today we interviewed the co-founder of Pixorial. Let’s get to it! Nickname: Brat (that I know of) Nickname I’d like to have: Oh Great One Role: Co-Founder, Wordsmith and Den Mom How do you use Pixorial? I keep all of my kids’ videos on Pixorial, and share highlights with my family. Favorite Feature? I love using Pixorial to add music to my clips. Why? It adds audio bling to my otherwise average videos. Last video you created? A video of my husband getting knocked over by my daughter on skis while he was shooting video of her. Your most memorable video? My son’s 5th birthday—I was so mom-excited that I captured his torso and the birthday cake, but cut-off his head Other than Pixorial, what apps do you use? I can’t live without Evernote, gmail & google calendar. I use Denver Rail every time I take public transportation, and listen to Pandora every time I go on a run. Video Tip: Make sure to capture people’s heads when taking video of them, and refrain from saying aloud “Is this on?” Stay tuned for more Pixorial Picks!