How to link to a YouTube video in full screen mode.

Sometimes you want to send a link to a YouTube video, but without the distractions of the rest of the web page. Well, you can do this by making a link that launches the video in full screen mode.

Here is how to do it:

Create a full screen link for a YouTube Video

Look up the video on YouTube and note the web page address which will look something like this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rx8RGA2QGg

Now copy the string of characters after after "v=" (in this case "4rx8RGA2QGg") and  put them into an address formatted like this:

http://www.youtube.com/embed/4rx8RGA2QGg?rel=0

In most web browsers and computer set ups this will launch the YouTube video in full screen mode.

Create a full screen auto play link for a YouTube Video

If you want the video to start playing as soon as the link is clicked just add the parameter "&autoplay=1" to the end of the link like this:

http://www.youtube.com/embed/4rx8RGA2QGg?rel=0&autoplay=1

Formatting the link to include it in an email

Finally, you can format your link within an email so it has a friendlier looking address. I have a tool which will do this for you which you can find here. It was orignally made to format links for putting in blog comments but it will do this too. This is the sort of link it produces:

Moon River

How to convert DIVX or any video format to MP4 for iPad

There are a couple of players for playing DIVX files on the iPad, but this does not get the files into iTunes for synchronisation so I went looking for a simple way of converting the files. After a bit of research I found a free programme called Any Video Converter.

1. Download and install Any Video Converter from here (being careful not to allow the install of toolbars and other ad related programming unless you really want it).
2. Follow the simpe on screen instructions to convert your video file to MP4 (Mpeg4) format. 
3. Select "Customised MP4 Movie". The only setting you need to change is the frame size which should be set to "original". 
4. Convert the file (this could take an hour or more for a very big file).
5. Open iTunes.
6. Add the converted file to your library (you may want to go to file > library > organise library to copy your file into your iTunes folder).
7. Plug in your iPad to synchronise it.
8. When its recognised click on it in the left hand menu in iTunes and go to the Movies tab. Make sure your new video is ticked to synchronise and apply the changes. It will be copied to your iPad.
9. When its all synchronised unplug the iPad go to movies and your video should be listed.

This is not as complicated as it sounds. Just follow the steps and it will work fine.

By the way, if you want to save a YouTube video onto your iPad download it to your computer in MP4 format at www.keepvid.com and then add it to your iTunes library as above. 

Christian Zeal and Activity by John Adams

This is a video I made to accompany the musical work "Christian Zeal and Activity" by the American Composer John Adams.  For better sound and video quality, click here to watch it directly in YouTube and  then select HD.



Adams came from an area in the US where it was common to come across evangelistic camp meetings in the countryside. When he was composing this piece he recorded a preacher from the radio and chopped up his words so they don't really make any sense. Adams point seems to be that people are attracted to a preacher not by their words but by the cadence of their voice and their delivery.