Way back in 2001, I learned of this company
called Serious Software who had created this amazing package that literally
transformed your home PC into a broadcast quality video production studio
reminiscent of the Video Toaster. Unfortunately, the software required a
more powerful PC than I owned, so I could never get it up and running. I
even went so far as to buy a green screen so I could do advanced chroma-key
effects (being able to superimpose a different background behind you).
Well, the other day I suddenly
had a need to produce a video for a site of mine, but I didn't want to do
something cheesy. Then I remembered Visual Communicator by Serious Magic. I
loaded the software on my new laptop which is much more powerful than the
PCs I owned back in 2001, and to my surprise it worked great. Then I found
out that Serious Magic was acquired by Adobe Inc. I bought the upgrade and
haven't stopped playing yet.
As you can see from the picture
above, the screen is divided into a video preview, a teleprompter and some
settings. I am using a cheap $50.00 Logitech web cam, but if you have the
right cables and equipment, you could easily set-up a DVD camcorder for even
better results. For the web though, the web cam is doing just fine!
To use the system, you pick a
look and feel from the library of themes. They have something for every
occasion and it is easy to add your own graphics. Some things are actually
preprogrammed like having your name slide up under your image while you are
talking. You can set timelines to time effects and sophisticated video
transitions just by dragging and dropping. The interface is very visual and
a five year old could run it!
You type in your script and set
the pacing. Then when you go to rehearse, you'll see yourself and the
teleprompter starts rolling. Once you are done recording, you can play it
back, tweak it, re-record it, etc. There is virtually nothing this system
can not do. It is that powerful -- a TV studio in a box.
To learn more or to download a
free trial, click the button below.
