Polaroid Snap Touch Review & Outro changes
I’ve been focusing on retro tech for a while, so it seemed like it was time to mix things up with a camera review. This video looks a bit different to some of the more recent ones I’ve done as it’s not bookended with spoken sections to camera. Adding these would have delayed the video a day, plus they didn't seem essential on this one and I've spent that time working on something else...much needed changes to the outro.
I explained recently that youtube are discontinuing annotations and therefore the part of my old outro that stated “Click here to subscribe” would no longer function. You may have noticed that this part of the video has been looking a bit tired for a while and that's because I accidentally deleted the original files a while ago, so the version included on the videos is an old 1080p render copied from an earlier video.
Youtube's changes forced my hand to finally update things…so I’ve spent the Easter weekend creating a new outro with footage collated from some of my more recent videos. The idea behind running these clips is to show new viewers that there is an extensive back catalogue of videos on the channel..and possibly encourage some of them into becoming subscribers.
You may have seen that whenever I make a video where my LaMetric clock is visible in the background, dozens of people ask me about it in the comments. I made a full review video about this device in November, but a significant proportion of the viewers don't seem to know that there are more than a couple of videos on the channel, so I hope adding clips of older videos might encourage them to explore.
However once I’d created an early version of the new outro and tested it out…I realised that playing this at the end of every video made the runout too long. I kept trimming it for length, but after a lot of trial and error, I hit on the idea of running the Patreon roll of honour text over the top of these video clips. This gave the clips more of a purpose..and I think it provides interest to subscribers and non-subscribers alike. I plan to swap out some of the video clips played during this section over time to keep things fresh.
Now for the scrolling text I tried the existing Star Wars type crawl, but it just didn’t look right without a star field to disappear into, so I’ve switched to a more traditional credits roll. iMovie only has two scrolling credit options and the maximum text size on this is a tad smaller than I would have liked…but until I get the opportunity to re-train myself in another editing package it’s the best option I have available to me.
After this section, right at the very end of the video I’ve added a 15 second ‘end screen’ onto which youtube automatically overlays subscription details and playlists. These can be seen by viewers on mobile as well as desktop devices and this is why youtube discontinued annotations, as these only worked on desktop devices but viewership is shifting towards mobile.
I’ll keep working on tweaking things over the coming videos, and I know that few people like change, so hopefully these ones won't have caused any distress. I think it looks good - it's nice to have a 4K/UHD outro at last.
In other news, I'm about two videos away from starting fresh on a project that I can document as I make it...so the behind the scenes making-of video will be along soon.
As always, thanks for your continued support.
Comments (26)
LOVE the new outro! The video montage is fantastic. I think I've seen every video featured in it! I didn't find the credits distracting and they were legible enough that I was able to find my name in the scroll while simultaneously watching the video clips, on a mobile phone, even, so no complaints there! The choice in music is a really nice touch and adds a lot of depth and emotion to the sequence. I think that I may have enjoyed the outro even more than the camera review. Every time I think you've achieved perfection, you raise the bar again.
Thanks. Just before uploading I added in a few more clips in order to slow the scroll speed a bit, so I'm glad it was legible on a phone.
The new outro is a good idea. However, I noticed myself trying to watch between the characters of all $5+ contribiters (hail to you all) and found it somewhat distracting. But then again: before I never watched the Star Trek credits, so it's definitely an improvement from that point of view. Thanks again for an interesting video.
I like the new outro. It makes your videos look even more professional than they did before. This made me remember a statement Lt Cmdr. Data of Startrek TNG made in season 1 (I think) "Traditional TV has not made it much beyond 2040". Back then I thought that's a daring estimation, but now I can see that coming. You are one of the guys who is making this happening, right now. And that's a good thing.
Thanks old chap...the previous outro was a bit tired and text heavy. After getting complaints about the comedy outros...I put a warning to advise people to press Stop to avoid them ...but it was a bit messy in hindsight.
Another entertaining video, the new outro looks great. 👍
I only watch videos on my mobile when I'm on lunch at work. At home I always use my tele or the desktop. I guess it makes sense that most people use phones nowadays. I just don't like change I guess!
Hi, Mat, I like the new outtro, too and spotted the different mix of the outtro theme. A nice change. If you are going to 'retrain' on another editing package, I suggest you throw Adobe Premiere Elements into the mix and give it a try. It may be the cut down version of Premiere, but at the moment, I am doing everything with it, and have never needed a facility it doesn't have. Check out the spec and the price. Cheers, SB.
I'm really trying to avoid having to do this as it would definitely be a difficult adjustment and would no doubt lead to a drop in quality for a period while I got my feet. I'm trying to hold out as long as possible...but perhaps one day, I'll have to upgrade.
The new outro is excellent! Looks way more professional as well!
I would like to pay more, and have my name perm on screen in the credits. :P
I'm just checking - do you mean not-scrolling...or that you should be there, but you are missing.
Very nice new outro, love the end audio.
I also like the new Outro. It has the intended effect to look for more of your videos. I know there isn't much space with the scrolling credits, and it may look a bit busy, but a date for each video in one of the corners would be helpful in tracking down the exact video each clip is referring to. Then again you would have to spend time away from your other projects and we wouldn't want that. Maybe just create a Playlist with the videos included in your Outro? Either way I'm enjoying your channel. Thank you and I wish the best for you and yours.
It's not a bad idea to add the dates on - I wonder if that would be enough info to help people to find the videos.
i really like the new outro, very classy , to me at least
My first digital camera was Polaroid's first digital camera. It was inexpensive and I thought pretty cool. I had to return it a few days later because it literally started burning up inside. I then upgraded to their next model, and that was a big waste. Other than the Cube, I don't think they have much else going for them.
I like the new outro. Nice work!
Fantastic video on a mediocre camera. My favorite part was the magnetic lens cap, otherwise, nothing too exciting. Loved the new outro, great job!
When I set out making this I was hoping it was going to be a pleasant surprise. The Polaroid branded Cube cameras were surprisingly capable with a few nice features. Unfortunately it ultimately let me down.
Nice video... I liked seeing the photos and video around town. So, I will say I've never been a big fan of scrolling Patreon credits. That's mostly because I don't believe anyone ever watches them except maybe the donors themselves and that's only once just to see if their name is in there. I suspect it hurts the audience retention statistics of the videos. That being said, now that you have those other scenes rolling by in the background, it actually made me watch it this time just so I could see what all you were going to show. Granted, I probably won't watch them next time, though. But it is definitely an improvement.
Maybe I am missing something, but what is with the beeping/whirring chatty noise at the very end of the video? <a href="https://youtu.be/AraqjFk33Uk?t=16m59s" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/AraqjFk33Uk?t=16m59s</a>
It's a computer sound effect used by Universal in the 1970s...most commonly heard on the Six Million Dollar Man / Bionic Woman. It's a bit of an in-joke..a few people will recognise it.
One thing I that caught my eye on your outro was that old black radio where the front drops down. What was it. Looked very cool.
That's the Panasonic SG-515 - <a href="https://youtu.be/ypex04AvuWA" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/ypex04AvuWA</a>
I was never a fan of the newer Polaroid cameras and this just cements that feeling. I had an older pop-up one which I genuinely liked for its simplicity, but then they stopped producing the paper for it.