This process makes use of the Flip Mino HD or Flip Ultra HD cameras' built-in "FlipShare" software. Follow the manufacturer's instructions if you need help getting that setup. Also, please note, we cannot accept video from the older, non-HD versions of the FlipCam. (Note, from here forward we'll refer to the camera as 'FlipCamHD' to avoid confusion with Flipping, our process of transcoding video for the site.)
To get the highest quality possible from FlipCamHD we only allow single clips to be exported from FlipShare. You can use the trim function to choose the best In and Out point from an individual clip you've shot, but you cannot use FlipShare's 'Share' or 'Movie' function to edit together multiple clips into one. (This is due to a technical limitation of FlipShare - using the Share or Movie functions it generates a much lower quality video.) This important point warrants a moment of pause and thought about how to best use a FlipCamHD - don't try to do packages with it. Single take interview situations, video blogs or nat scenes will work very well.
A few FlipCamHD shooting tips: Keep it smooth and steady; Use TWO hands; Take a deep breath and relax; Try to avoid the all-too-easy fingerprint smudges on the lens; Try to shoot so that light is coming from behind the camera toward the subject, and avoid bright backgrounds; Avoid very noisy environments; To record yourself, use a table-top tripod and position the camera about 3-4 feet from your eyes.
To capture, trim and export a clip, follow these steps:
- Make sure the clip(s) you've shot are saved to your computer
File > Save to computer... - Find the video clip you want to export and click its "Trim video" scissors icon
- Set your desired In and Out points by dragging the "start" and "end" sliders. You may go frame-by-frame using the arrows on each.
- Click "Save"
- Name the clip by clicking on the filename above it. See our filenaming rules here. But don't include an extension.
e.g.: x_dc_russert_090527 - Right-click on the clip and choose "Export to..."
Ignore the warning, if you see it, about it creating an exact, full-quality duplicate, as that's exactly what we want! - Choose your Desktop as the destination and click "OK"
- Find the file on your Desktop and rename its extension from ".MP4" to ".mp4"
e.g.: x_dc_russert_090527.MP4 becomes x_dc_russert_090527.mp4 - Launch the file in QuickTime Player to check it fully.
You must also select and send a still frame from the video to act as its thumbnail tease image on the site:
- In FlipShare, select your trimmed clip
- Click Create > Snapshot
- Use the slider to choose a frame
A tight, compelling and representative image is best. Faces, with eyes open, are always good. - Click "Save snapshot", choosing your Desktop as the destination, and change the filename to match your video filename with ".jpg" extension
e.g.: x_dc_russert_090527.jpg
Those two files (.mp4 and .jpg) are ready to send to msnbc.com to be flipped.
If you're in 30 Rock, Redmond, London, DC or Burbank, copy the .mp4 and .jpg to your local \16BY9\ Flip Factory watch folder.
If you are outside of the corporate network, use our FTP to send it in. If you need help with FTP transmission setup, please consult your msnbc.com counterpart. They will provide you with the details.
E-mail info to your msnbc.com counterpart
When you send your .mp4 and .jpg files, you must also send the following information (usually by e-mail) to your msnbc.com counterpart:
- Filename of your .mp4 and .jpg
- A suggested headline for the video
- A suggested caption for the video (full sentences please)
- Any other relevant info
