- Download to your computer for full-quality recordings: After creating a couple fun iMovie projects I shared them via email. When viewing them in my Sent box I thought the quality was rather lackluster, even though I had exported them to the Camera Roll at 720p. It turns out that when you send a video via email or upload it to an online service, it creates a copy with reduced resolution and quality so you get a reasonable file size. If you want to save, email, or upload one at full-quality, you should connect your iPhone to your computer and download the movie using iPhoto, Aperture or Image Capture. This will give you the full 720p version, which looks far superior to the copies I emailed.
- Avoid backlighting: In most situations the camera quality is quite good for a phone, but if you shoot something with much backlight the result is not pretty. The dynamic range (ability to sense extreme light and dark without making them come out pure white or black) is not great. Since there are no controls for exposure/brightness, do whatever you can do avoid backlighting or extreme front lighting on a dark backdrop.
It doesn't take much contrast to get a blown out image.
- Don’t move from light to dark in the same continuous recording: If you quickly transition from a very dark scene to a very light one, the automatic brightness adjustment is pretty jarring.
- Avoid refocusing while recording: The iPhone 4 will focus wherever you tap on the screen. This gives you greater creative control, but the focus occurs rather suddenly. It’s also very easy for the tap to cause a noticeable bump in your footage. Consequently it’s best to focus ahead of time and avoid focusing in the middle of a shot.
- Use an alternative tripod: Sure, there’s no tripod mount, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get a steady shot. Set your iPhone on a table leaning against a steady object. Lay down with your elbows on the floor. Lean your body against a wall. Or use come up with your own strategy – whatever you have to do to keep the camera steady for a long continuous shot.
June, 2010
29
Jun 10
Maximizing iPhone 4 video quality
26
Jun 10
How To: Lock screen orientation in iOS 4
While the new iPhone doesn’t have a screen orientation lock button (like iPad), iOS 4 does allow you to prevent auto-rotation of the screen using a software switch. This is handy in case you want to read a web page or iBook publication while laying sideways on your couch.
- Double-click the home button beneath your iPhone or iPod’s screen.
- In the task manager strip at the bottom of the screen, swipe your finger to the right until you see audio controls and circular arrow pointing clockwise.
- Touch the circular arrow to lock the screen. A lock icon will appear in the middle.
Repeat steps 1-3 to disable orientation locking.
26
Jun 10
iOS 4 integrates with third-party music apps
I discovered a nice surprise by playing with multitasking when Pandora was running. Not only does it keep streaming music in the background, it actually hooks into some of the same system services that control the iPod app.
For example, double-click the home button while Pandora is running in the background. (If the device is unlocked, it will bring up the task manager which includes audio controls. If it’s locked, it will bring up the audio HUD on top of the lock screen.) In both cases the audio controls connect to Pandora rather than the built-in iPod app. Similarly play/pause and other buttons on external keyboards will now control Pandora if it’s running.
Out of curiosity I hooked the iPhone up to my car stereo’s iPod integration cable. In this case the steering wheel buttons did not control Pandora.
24
Jun 10
iPhone 4 display
The double-resolution display on my iPhone 4 is beautiful! You can really see the difference between apps that have updated their icons and graphics and those that haven’t. For example, Twitterriffic (yes) vs. Facebook, Reeder and Beejive (no.)
21
Jun 10
iPad dock works with iPhone, iPod under iOS 4
Others report it works with their 3GS. Also works fine with my older 3G and an iPod touch running iOS 4.0.