Using QR Codes on Calendars

In this quick video I talk about using QR Codes on calendars. They could be used to highlight various resources. The QR Codes could also point to a placeholder or holding page which is only activated after a certain date. That way you’re not tied to specific content when planning your calendar. You can plan on the go and share any late breaking resources or new technologies, competitions, giveaways, time critical resources like study skills etc.

This video was shot, edited and uploaded on my iPhone 4 using the new free vimeo app. That was the primary reason for putting the video together :-)

Things I did

1. Shot the clips. The front facing camera records at a lower resolution than the rear facing cam so the first clip was set to fill the frame.
2. Trimmed video clips
3. Added a short fade-in transition between clips
4. Added a still image for the title slide from the camera roll*
5. Added a text title

*took me a while to figure this one out. You’ve got to allow the app to use your location to gain access to your camera roll. It’s some crazy Apple restriction which I’ve seen in other apps.

Things that were problematic

1. Couldn’t add my own music made in Garageband from iTunes – didn’t recognise any tracks via wireless or connected directly via usb
2. Using built-in music as soon as you adjusted the audio it would mute the track – so no music in this video.
3. Couldn’t upload in HD quality – render failed. Then when it did upload second time round Vimeo declared that it was an incompatible format :-/ Uploaded it in SD quality on the second attempt
4. Bombed out a few times without saving my edits.

Overall, despite the bugs it’s a good first attempt and all the better for being free. Looking forward to the bug fixes and some refinement in the user interface.