Friday 31 May 2019

Exhaust: Log Fitness Activities with Steem.

Another part of the Steem phenomena , just joined now and will use tomorrows USO ride to find out how this works.

you can also add in your GPS files in the form of GPX or TCX formats instead of needing to add the time, distance details manually.

Perfect, I can test this:- 
camera1 (Sony FDR-X3000: video & GPS)
camera2 (Sony HDR-CX450: video)
- partial recording (for D.tube)
mobile phone (Huawei P8lite with Endomondo App: GPS).
- full ride (for Exhaust)


Wednesday 29 May 2019

Sony Wind Noise Reduction Mod & Arduino Cycle RearLights.

https://d.tube/v/kiwibloke/yfu114iq
This modification to the Sony FDR-X3000 greatly improves wind noise reduction, and this is exactly how I record my rides. Even though I have the camera mounted on the handle bar, I really wanted to mount it on the stem (still haven't figured this out yet). I want to reduce the sideways movement and helm or chest mounts seem to restrictive to my own movements.

I really enjoyed creating my own rear lights for the bike. Using a Dual 18650 Powerbank case (these are really cheap on Ebay $1.60NZ), mounting an Arduino Mini Pro in 1 of the battery spaces, opens up many Arduino Project possibilities. Using the WS2812 programmable LEDS was an obvious choice, at one stage I was riding down the street at night with rainbow colours streaming all over my bike, yep totally illegal. Back to basics, red only (I did add a red yellow startup flash loop at the beginning, couldn't resist).

Photos: Huawei P8 Lite
Camera: SONY HDR-CX405
Video Editor: kdenlive on Linux Mint
**D.tube Exclusive**

Cool Down Ride: Petone to Oriental Parade, Wellington, New Zealand.

https://d.tube/#!/v/kiwibloke/h0obf15l
This is a more improved and shorter version of the same ride I uploaded onto youtube. This time it's been uploaded onto D.tube.

 --------------------------

On a typical Saturday morning I go out on the USO Bike group ride, afterwards I always do a cool down ride. Ending the day with a steep hill climb back over to Wainuiomata.

This is one of the routes I take as my cool down ride, which is usually another 40km but at a leisurely pace (between 15/35kmhr). I would only come out this way if it is raining, cold, windy etc when it's uncomfortable for people to walk along the Harbour, this place can get crowded where you have to get off your bike and walk.

Camera: Sony FDR-X3000
Overlays: created with Dashware on Win10 64bit
Video Editor: kdenlive on Linux Mint 64bit

Tuesday 28 May 2019

USO Kupe Ride, Wallaceville to Boulcott, Lower Hutt, New Zealand.

My 1st D.tube only Post

https://d.tube/#!/v/kiwibloke/hph22kis
This is the tail end of this mornings ride, from Arise Church, Petone, up the Blue Mountains Road, Pinehaven. Through Whitemans valley then back over Wallacaville Hill. The video picks up from Trentham and finishes as we head into Boulcott, towards our favourite coffee stop, Janis!

Camera: Sony FDR-X3000
Overlays: created with Dashware on Win10 64bit
Video Editor: kdenlive on Linux Mint 64bit
Bike: Specialized Allez 2018 (Entry Level Road Bike)

Monday 27 May 2019

Steem Ranking and Badges

http://steemitboard.com/ranking/?p=5608&s=reputation&hl=kiwibloke
As I slowly get into using the Steem system, it will be interesting to see how this ranking and badge system works for me. In 6months time I am going to revisit and see much difference I make.

Having a ranking and badge system really encourages me to participate more, even leaving comments makes a difference.

Definitely time to become more active.

Sunday 26 May 2019

d.tube: What is this ?

D.Tube is the first crypto-decentralized video platform, built on top of the STEEM Blockchain and the IPFS peer-to-peer network.
Basically another video platform like Youtube, Bitchute.

If you want more detailed information visit this link https://about.d.tube/

I've been part of the Steem Blockchain for a while now, I still have no idea how this works but it is about time I use it's video platform.

All STEEMs applications seemed to be inter-linked, which is a good thing.
Upload video onto d.tube, it automatically appears on my steemit blog.

My thoughts on all 3 platforms - Youtube, Bitchute, d.tube:-

Youtube
massive user base, well supported
searching works well
over censored
video quality is downgraded to improve the stream

Bitchute
small user base
best place to find CCL music to use in your videos
video quality is downgraded to improve the stream

d.tube
small user base:- vlogs here are more personal and engaging
searching sucks
video quality is downgraded to improve the stream BUT will stream source
- eg upload a 1080p5fps mp4, you have the option to watch it at this speed
- default view of 480p is really good.
huge problem - cannot play the videos from the site on my Android phone!

Here's my 1st upload to d.tube https://d.tube/v/kiwibloke/3qlm8m3c
The same "My Wainui Training Cycle Loop" as found on Youtube

So I'm going to use this exclusively for the next few months, then see how I feel about it.

Friday 24 May 2019

My Wainui Training Cycle Loop


This is a small street cycle loop around my small suburb of Wainuiomata (9.7km) that I ride on a regular daily basis. The goal is to do a minimum of at least 2 laps with a cycle interval workout lap.

Sony FDR-X3000 with Dashware Overlay Software


Back to trying to add overlays to my cycling videos, this time I bit the bullet and bought a computer with windows10 installed. I finally get to play around with both Virb Edit and Dash Ware.

Sony's inbuilt GPS tracking software had issues where the date and certain data types were wrong. I had to convert the .LOG file to .GPX which fixed these problems.

NOTE: The Sony FDR-X3000 does not produce GRADE GPS data, disappointing.

Timelapse 4K UHD: Wellington Harbour (again).

This turned out better than I thought it would, such a gloomy and windy day.


the Sony FDR-X3000 is the best camera I have ever bought ..

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USO Fresh Ride Eastbourne

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