Latest Posts in Macworld Video

Setting up a Mac mini media center

If you’ve kept an eye on Macworld.com this week you know that I’ve been on a tear in regard to the Mac mini as a media server. In this week’s Macworld Video I cap off that coverage with a video overview of what you can do to make your Mac mini a welcome member of the family AV center.

Download Macworld Video #105

• Format: MPEG-4/H.264
• Resolution: 480 x 272 (iPhone & iPod compatible)
• Size: 18.2
• Length: 6 minutes and 41 seconds

Show Notes

This video just scratches the surface of what a Mac mini can do in the media world. For more details, read the series, which includes, Part 1: Revisiting the Mac mini Media Center, Part 2: Configuring Front Row, Part 3: Get Content, Part 4: Control Everything Remotely, and Part 5: Is it Worth It?

But wait, there’s more. Macworld editorial director Jason Snell provides a helpful glimpse at what’s worth watching from Netflix’s Watch Instantly service. And in this week’s Macworld Podcast, Macworld senior editor Dan Frakes and I discuss upgrading the Mac mini. Later in that same podcast I speak with a gathering of international Macs about the Mac mini as media server.

In the course of the video I mention several sites and products. They include:

• Other World Computing Mac mini upgrade videos.
• iFixIt Mac mini upgrade pages.
• XtremeMac 2-meter Toslink cable.
• Apple Remote iPhone/iPod touch remote application.
• Air Mouse Pro iPhone/iPod touch remote application.
• Rowmote iPhone/iPod touch remote application.
• Boxee media center application.
• Plex media center application.

To subscribe to the Macworld Video Podcast using iTunes 5 or later, click here.

You can also see a complete archive of all our videos on Macworld’s YouTube channel. Subscribe to that channels and you will be notified whenever we post a new video.

Or just point your favorite podcast-savvy RSS reader to: http://feeds.macworld.com/macworld/video/

[Senior editor Christopher Breen blogs regularly about iPods, Apple TVs, and other accoutrements of the digital lifestyle at Macworld’s Playlist blog.]

How to buy a camcorder

Whether you want footage of your new baby, your European vacation, or you want to be the next Stanley Kubrick, there’s a digital camcorder out there for you. But not all camcorders are created equal. Not only do they differ in price, but also they have a variety of features that can be confusing if you don’t know what to look for when you’re shopping.

This video from our sister publication, PC World, is a general overview of what to look for in a new camcorder. Learn about the different camcorders available, features to keep in mind, and the different technologies used.

Download Macworld Video #104

• Format: MPEG-4/H.264
• Resolution: 480 x 320 (iPhone & iPod compatible)
• Size: 10.1MB
• Length: 4 minutes, 17 seconds

Show notes

The video is a general overview of camcorders. However, high definition camcorders are all the rage. If you want more information on HD camcorders, check out the articles below.

• HD camcorders: Buyer's guide
• What to look for when shopping for an HD camcorder
• HD camcorders: The perfect camcorder
• HD camcorders: Capturing video into iMovie
• HD camcorders: Sharing HD videos

For more news, reviews, and tips, visit our camcorder product center.

To subscribe to the Macworld Video Podcast using iTunes 5 or later, click here.

You can also see a complete archive of all our videos on Macworld's YouTube channel. Subscribe to that channels and you will be notified whenever we post a new video.

Or just point your favorite podcast-savvy RSS reader to: http://rss.macworld.com/macworld/weblogs/mwvodcast

[Amber Bouman is the consumer affairs correspondent for PC World.]

Make your glossy iMac screen matte

The number one complaint about the iMac: The glare and reflections from the glossy screen. The glossy screen makes colors pop, but some people find it impossible to work with the screen because of glare or reflections.

We’re into the third generation of the aluminum iMac, which ushered in the glossy-only era. And there’s no indication from Apple that anti-glare (also called “matte”) screen options will ever be available. In fact, when I talked to an Apple representative about anti-glare screens, the rep said that users could apply anti-glare film to the screen.

In this Macworld Video, I’ll take a look at an anti-glare film for iMac screens. I’ll show you how you apply it to an iMac screen, and we’ll take a look at how the iMac screen looks before and after the film is put on the screen. I’ll be using an anti-glare film from Photodon.

Download Macworld Video #103

• Format: MPEG-4/H.264
• Resolution: 480 x 272 (iPhone & iPod compatible)
• Size: 6.9MB
• Length: 4 minutes, 23 seconds

Show notes

The anti-glare film I used in the video is from Photodon. I used the film kit for the 20-inch iMac ($41.45). There’s also a film kit for the 24-inch iMac ($47.20). Photodon offers volume pricing, as well.

Photodon also sells anti-glare film for MacBooks and MacBook Pros.

To subscribe to the Macworld Video Podcast using iTunes 5 or later, click here.

You can also see a complete archive of all our videos on Macworld's YouTube channel. Subscribe to that channels and you will be notified whenever we post a new video.

Or just point your favorite podcast-savvy RSS reader to: http://rss.macworld.com/macworld/weblogs/mwvodcast

[Roman Loyola is a senior editor for Macworld.]

A BodyGuardz for your laptop

Some people couldn't care less if their laptop looks like a well-used tool—scratched, scuffed, and generally broken in. On the other hand, some of us want our laptops to continue to look as good as new, no matter how much we use and abuse them.

To do so, you need to take steps to protect your laptop, but a good laptop bag can't keep your Mac notebook safe all the time. A good solution is an always-on protective film that's strong enough to beat back scratches from keys, rings, watches, tabletops, and other objects that would normally wreak havoc on your MacBook's attractive finish with minimal effort.

The problem is that while the best of these films are nearly impervious to surface scratches, they're also challenging to apply. You might even say intimidating, if you've ever seen someone perform the task. In this Macworld Video, I show you what's involved in installing one of these protective films, NLU Products' BodyGuardz, on a unibody MacBook.

Download Macworld Video #102

• Format: MPEG-4/H.264
• Resolution: 320 x 240 (iPhone & iPod compatible)
• Size: 13.3MB
• Length: 6 minutes, 42 seconds

Show Notes

You can see NLU Products' list of BodyGuardz for various Mac laptops here. ZAGG's various InvisibleShield models for Mac laptops are here. In the video, I also mention RadTech's Optex cloths. One way to get one of these cloths is by purchasing a ScreenSavrz display protector; you also get one if your purchase RadTech's OmniCleanz screen cleaner.

To subscribe to the Macworld Video Podcast using iTunes 5 or later, click here.

You can also see a complete archive of all our videos on Macworld’s YouTube channel. Subscribe to that channels and you will be notified whenever we post a new video.

Or just point your favorite podcast-savvy RSS reader to: http://rss.macworld.com/macworld/weblogs/mwvodcast

New iPhone games from the Game Developers Conference 2009

The annual Game Developers Conference was held this week, and the iPhone played a big part in the GDC festivities. Many developers were demonstrating their iPhone games, solidifying the iPhone as a gaming platform.

In this video, we take a look at five new iPhone games: Star Defense and LiveFire from ngmoco; Space Trader from HermitWorks; Dexter The Game from Marc Ecko Entertainment; and Defend Your Castle from XGen Studios.

Download Macworld Video #101

• Format: MPEG-4/H.264
• Resolution: 320 x 240 (iPhone & iPod compatible)
• Size: 10.4MB
• Length: 3 minutes, 40 seconds

Read more...

Safari 4 beta tweaks

In this, the 100th installment of the Macworld Video, I take a look at some tab tweaks for the Safari 4 beta—specifically, how to move the tab bar back below the bookmarks bar. And for those who prefer the new top tabs, I show you how to use color to make the active tab more distinguishable from the inactive tabs.

Download Macworld Video #100

• Format: MPEG-4/H.264

• Resolution: 320 x 240 (iPhone & iPod compatible)

Read more...

Hands-on the new iPod shuffle

The third-generation iPod shuffle was unveiled Tuesday and arrived in our offices Thursday. In this Macworld Video, I give you a quick hands-on demonstration of the new buttonless shuffle and how it works.

Download Macworld Video #99

• Format: MPEG-4/H.264
• Resolution: 320 x 240 (iPhone & iPod compatible)
• Size: 7.6MB
• Length: 5 minutes

Show notes

For more in-depth information about the shuffle and how it works, see our new iPod shuffle FAQ. We also offer a complete list of all our iPod shuffle-related stories, including a segment in this week’s Macworld Podcast.

To subscribe to the Macworld Video Podcast using iTunes 5 or later, click here.

You can also see a complete archive of all our videos on Macworld's YouTube channel. Subscribe to that channels and you will be notified whenever we post a new video.

Or just point your favorite podcast-savvy RSS reader to: http://rss.macworld.com/macworld/weblogs/mwvodcast

Sneak peek at The Sims 3

With the worldwide release of The Sims 3 only a few months away, Electronic Arts invited members of the media to preview the game. The new version includes vastly improved graphics; revamped game play that focuses on character development and the pursuit of life goals; and the familiar community sharing of user-created game assets that proved so popular in previous iterations. The Sims 3 will be available for the Mac and the iPhone.

Download Macworld Video #98

• Format: MPEG-4/H.264
• Resolution: 320 x 240 (iPhone & iPod compatible)
• Size: 16.8MB
• Length: 5 minutes and 6 seconds

Show notes

Not familiar with The Sims? It’s a life simulation game where you live life as a “Sim.” You can read Peter Cohen’s article about the introduction of The Sims 3. You can also visit The Sims 3 product page.

As the name implies, there are two previous version of The Sims. We reviewed The Sims 2 back in November 2005. You can also read our review of The Sims when it was first released nearly nine years ago.

The man behind The Sims is Will Wright. He’s also the mastermind behind games such as SimCity and Spore.

Stay safe managing your iPod

Despite our lawmakers’ best efforts to keep us from doing incredibly stupid and dangerous things while driving, some motorists still insist on taking their eyes off the road to muck with one electronic gewgaw or another. Understanding both the benefits and perils an auto-bound iPod can bring, I devote this episode of the Macworld Video to tips that may help save your life (or, more importantly, mine) while driving with an iPod.

Download Macworld Video #97

• Format: MPEG-4/H.264
• Resolution: 320 x 240 (iPhone & iPod compatible)
• Size: 10MB
• Length: 4 minutes and 30 seconds

Show Notes

In my home state of California, it’s illegal to use a cell phone to make or receive calls while driving unless you use a hands-free device. (Exceptions apply, however. It’s perfectly okay to use your phone to rat out drunk drivers or alert the authorities if you’re having a health crisis.) Drivers under the age of 18 are further restricted—no laptop use while driving (imagine!), for example. And, as the tax-payer funded DMV video found on this Web page explains, no, kids, you can’t text while driving even if you have a note from your mother.

In the video I point the camera at two FM transmitters—Griffin Technology’s $50 iTrip Auto SmartScan and one of DLO’s TransDock transmitters (priced from $80 to $100). Both of these transmitters will scan the dial for open frequencies, which can be a real time saver as well as a safer way to operate an iPod/iPhone in your car.

To subscribe to the Macworld Video Podcast using iTunes 5 or later, click here.

You can also see a complete archive of all our videos on Macworld’s YouTube channel. Subscribe to that channels and you will be notified whenever we post a new video.

Or just point your favorite podcast-savvy RSS reader to: http://feeds.macworld.com/macworld/video/

Hands on with the Kindle 2

Earlier this week, Amazon starting shipping the new Kindle 2 e-book reader. Priced at $359, the Kindle 2 is thinner and a bit lighter than the original Kindle.

This video features a hands-on demonstration with Amazon’s new e-book reader. Learn about the Kindle 2's new features, and whether it's an improvement over the original Kindle.

Download Macworld Video #96

• Format: MPEG-4/H.264
• Resolution: 320 x 240 (iPhone & iPod compatible)
• Size: 8.5MB
• Length: 2 minutes, 52 seconds

You can also watch the video on the Web by clicking on the Play button in the video box below.

A full review of the Kindle 2 is in the works. Our sister publication, PC World, gave its first impressions of the Kindle 2 when it was unveiled earlier this month. You can also check out this photo slideshow that compares the original Kindle and the Kindle 2.

To subscribe to the Macworld Video Podcast using iTunes 5 or later, click here.

You can also see a complete archive of all our videos on Macworld's YouTube channel. Subscribe to that channels and you will be notified whenever we post a new video.

Or just point your favorite podcast-savvy RSS reader to: http://rss.macworld.com/macworld/weblogs/mwvodcast