Josh Kaplan’s Post

DON’T SCREAM INTO YOUR MIC. I really feel like I shouldn’t have to say that. There are a few “Video Production 101” hills I'm willing to die on, and a big one is that peaking or distorted audio is never acceptable. I have to make my son put his headphones on when he listens to ANY gaming content on YouTube for this reason. It seems as though gamers haven't learned that when they scream into their microphones, it's going to distort their audio. Its SO prevalent, I'm pretty certain they don't care, or are even thinking it’s a “style.” (FWIW: it’s just lazy production, not a style) You are on a VIDEO PLATFORM and you're intentionally blowing out your audio? Nope. I'm out. There's never an acceptable use case for me as a viewer to stick around.m and let my speakers playback distorted audio. Q: Maybe they're doing it for comedy? A: 'Silly' isn't the same as 'funny.' Q: Maybe they're unaware that they're doing it? A: Is this their first video ever uploaded? That's the only way that can be true. Q: Are they trying to get on my last nerve? A: If so, they've succeeded. But in all fairness I'm not their target demo so they don't care. I enjoy Mr. Beast's content as much as the next person, but even HIS gaming channel I could never watch (thankfully he seems to be more focused on his high quality videos and philanthropy channel since the most recent "Mr Beast Gaming" video is over a year old). But only TEN SECONDS into that last year old video, the users mic distorts. That fast and they've given up. Good audio might not guarantee a good video, but bad audio always guarantees a bad video. And while it may be tolerable for some people’s ears, that doesn’t make it good quality. (Link to Mr. Beast's last gaming video: https://lnkd.in/gWmawC2k) (I wanted a gif of a gamer screaming...but honestly, CaseOh (pictured) usually does a good job of not distorting. Wanted to call that out.)

Just imagine all the Super Bowl goodness on a screen size you choose and can place anywhere you want. Read my latest on TheStreet, how to watch the #SuperBowl on #AppleVisionPro.

Hello everyone, My second YouTube channel, Total Retro Entertainment and Technology (TREAT) has a new video up. It involves emulating ZX Spectrum programs on a Nintendo DS. I'm willing to bet most of my American audience saw that and thought to themselves: "What is a ZX Spectrum?". Allow me to explain. The ZX Spectrum was one of the first home computers which was first sold in 1982. It ran at 3Mhz and had either a 16K or 48K configuration (yes, kilobytes). You needed separate interfaces for a joystick and printer, a tape recorder for programs, many of which took more than 5 minutes to load, and used RF video at first, and composite video later on. This was sold mainly in the United Kingdom and was an absolute success for the company, which was sold to Amstrad, another home computer manufacturer in 1985. It also used the PAL video system, which made it unfeasible for the North American audience, however, Timex partnered with Sinclair to manufacture first the TS-1000, a black and white computer that had 2K or 16K of RAM which came as a large brick that attached to the back of the computer, no sound, and needed a tape recorder for programs. This was my first computer in 1984. They then manufactured the TS-2068, which had a combination of 48K of RAM and 24K of ROM, however, they added joystick ports and a Command Cartridge port, the combination of which rendered the computer incompatible with the ZX Spectrum. ZX Spectrum ROMs were put into the Command Cartridge port to allow for about 90% of the software to run. A total of about 25,000 games and more utilities were created, and the graphics resemble an advanced version of the Tiger handheld games at times, but they're great to play (I love Chuckie Egg, a game from 1983, that had elements of Lode Runner, one of my all-time favorites). Multiple magazines in the UK were devoted exclusively to the coverage of this computer, and the reviews could sometimes be vicious. Now, thanks to modern technology, we can emulate the ZX Spectrum, buy clones of the hardware (I have one that can function as a laptop), buy accelerated versions of the hardware (I just got a ZX Spectrum Next issue 2 after waiting for more than 3 years), or with a HDMI interface, use the 40 year-old plus technology on modern televisions (I have what I think is an issue 2 with a chiclet keyboard that has this interface). Anyway, the new video is up, but it's a little shaky because of the way I set it up. Lesson learned. It can be found at: https://lnkd.in/ebmv39j5 I demonstrate Chuckie Egg and Match Day, one of the first soccer games developed. #retro #entertainment #technology #oldies #gaming #youtube #video

American company Roku has patented "smart advertising" technology for HDMI  https://lnkd.in/e85BDbFP In short, it's a special model that will track when you pause a video and push ads to you depending on the context. For example, if there is a bottle of champagne and mountains on the screen, the ad will feature a famous actor, a champagne brand, and Mountain Resort. Roku owns 53% of the market of devices for watching movies and TV series in the US, beating Samsung, Apple, and Amazon https://lnkd.in/e9Q7pgZg #SmartAdvertising #RokuTech #ContextualAds #TVStreaming #MarketDominance

How do people watch TV in your house? For Gen Z it's more and more not what you might expect. Last year, nearly one million 13-24’s streamed Channel 4 on PCs and laptops. loads of the young want that - in their bedrooms or student accommodation. For us that viewing is up 17% year on year in 2024! This week we upgraded Channel4.com to be about show-led design, with each page packed with wide-screen video and stand-out imagery to make hit shows easier to find. 16-34s are the biggest single cohort (49%) of Channel4.com streamers, with Gen Z representing 20% of the accounts that viewed Channel4.com. This is all about a viewing experience which mirrors what they expect from apps - all about reacting to what the audience demand - watching where and how they want.

The past few days within the gaming community, specifically those involved with Helldivers 2, could serve as a case study on the importance of carefully considering all angles when marketing and implementing new systems. Last week, Sony announced that Helldivers 2 would require PSN accounts for all players, citing safety and security concerns. However, this decision immediately raised issues: - Past data breaches associated with PSN. 🛡️ - PSN's unavailability in many countries, putting players in those regions at risk of permanent bans for breaching terms of service. 🌍 Today, on the day of the supposed implementation, Sony stepped back from this plan following widespread community backlash. The gaming community came together to express their concerns: - Flooded the Steam page with over 200,000 negative reviews. 🌊 - Filed formal complaints and sparked countless social media threads. 🗣️ - Initiated numerous refunds due to the proposed requirement. 💸 The lesson here is clear: Systems in place can only benefit those they're designed for. We see this time and time again in tech, video games, and virtually any system ever designed. A glance at any accessibility forum or Q&A will show how easily people can be excluded. When it comes to marketing and implementing significant changes, delicacy is crucial. Doubling down amid backlash, as Sony did before today's rescission, only fuels the flames of an unhappy, vocal community. 🔥 This Steam review sums it up perfectly: A game built around communal effort had its community band together against a system that would exclude hundreds of thousands—and won. 🏆 #GamingCommunity #SystemDesign #MarketingStrategy

Hello everyone! Today, I'm thrilled to introduce you to FlashLink⚡, a revolutionary gaming system that leverages the power of Wi-Fi mesh technology to create a dynamic and interactive experience for groups of up to six players. Imagine a portable system where you and your friends can whip out sleek, individual devices and instantly be ready to play. FlashLink utilizes a master device, controlled by the judge, that seamlessly connects with all player devices through a Wi-Fi mesh network. This innovative setup allows for a variety of exciting games, including our signature title: "Fastest Finger First." Here's how it works: When powered on, the master device detects all connected players. On the judge's command, players race to press a button on their device. FlashLink's magic lies in its lightning-fast response. The master device instantly registers the first player's response and displays the results on its screen, ranking all participants. It's a thrilling test of reflexes and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser! But FlashLink doesn't stop there. This versatile system can be used for a variety of games, from trivia quizzes with instant answer submission to collaborative problem-solving activities where teams work together on their individual devices. The benefits of FlashLink are numerous. It's completely portable, making it ideal for gatherings, parties, or even educational settings. The Wi-Fi mesh technology ensures a reliable connection, eliminating the need for cumbersome cables or Bluetooth limitations. Additionally, FlashLink's intuitive design and reset function allow for quick game transitions, keeping the fun flowing! So, ditch the outdated board games and tangled wires. FlashLink is the future of interactive group gaming, offering endless possibilities for entertainment, education, and connection. Let's get FlashLink in your hands and see who has the fastest fingers – or the sharpest minds – in the room!✨✨#ESP #Automation #game #wifi #robotics #innovation.

Excited to have released a first product on the Roll20 Marketplace, for anyone who plays 5e! https://lnkd.in/g73q-UaH A fully functional macro suite of attacks, checks, saves, skills, features, proficiencies, tools, initiative, and spells that uses the Roll20 Chat, saving you and your players space on the tabletop. The suite is set up to read the settings on the D&D 5e by Roll20 Character Sheet, meaning when you want to whisper a roll, or roll at advantage, it should obey the settings of the sheet! See the handout in game for troubleshooting tips!

You won't want to miss this comprehensive guide to the top soundbars on the market, reviewing for best for budget, gaming, music, and more. Whether you just need a quick glance at the list or details on pros and cons, this TechRadar analysis delivers! "In expensive soundbars, you’ll find features like wireless connectivity, which can be used in multi-room speaker setups, while cheaper soundbars play the audio from your TV when linked via either an HDMI or optical digital connection." Read it now on TechRadar: https://ow.ly/zChL50Rep5m

Is Nintendo missing out?---WOW---no they are not. Nintendo started with over 100 years ago selling playing cards, but they realized their real business was gaming (and they knew this). There are two types of companies, ones that know what they do and ones that know what they sell. Nintendo sells games, Encyclopedia Britannica sells knowledge (but they thought they sold books). Look at what's happened between the two---Nintendo keeps using technology to sell games (it does not matter if the games are playing cards or on-line gaming---they move with the times and look to see how knew technology can improve their process of selling and their products. Encyclopedia Britannica died because they thought they sold books but they were really selling knowledge. It's important to understand the difference between what you sell and the platform on which you sell it.---Those that adapt and are the most fit stay alive and those that do adapt go extinct.