VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Mike Harrison

I'm purposely a bit behind the curve with new technology, and interested in hearing from those who've stopped printing scripts in favor of reading from iPads. So, specifically for voice-over use:

Which model(s) do you like/use?

What features do you consider necessary?

Anything else I should know before buying?

Any additional comments, pro or con, are most welcome.

Thanks!
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Mike
Male Voice Over Talent
I have taken leave of my sensors.

Jason Huggins · Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2012 8:01 am Post subject:

I just use a secondary monitor on my desk for sitting reads, and an iPad 2 on a mic stand for standing reads. I scroll with my trackpad while reading sitting down and just scroll with my finger on the iPad.

Markups can be an issue on scripts on the iPad, so you just need to find a program that works for you. I convert everything to Hobo Laughing

F and use adobe acrobat for iPad.

Bish · Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2012 8:10 am Post subject:

I use a first gen iPad. If this is to be a tool primarily for script reading, then you do not need cameras, super-fast processors, retina screens, lots of memory, 3G or the thinnest version. Mine serves double-duty as a media consumption device (movies etc.) and it's just fine. I use dropbox to transfer between my main Mac and the iPad. Goodreader (or any of the others) are good for pdf and doc viewing). $250 or less should cover it for a used 16GB WiFi unit in perfect condition ("buy it now" from reputable sellers on ebay).

Unless you absolutely need/want the latest and greatest, then the 1st gen is still a wonderful piece of kit and can be had for a good price.
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Bish a.k.a. Bish
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Mike Harrison · Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2012 8:18 am Post subject:

Thanks, guys.

I forgot to ask: as we all know, there can be copy changes during the session. Do a Hobo Tounge

s like Microsoft Word (or others) work on these devices?

Thanks.
_________________
Mike
Male Voice Over Talent
I have taken leave of my sensors.

Bish · Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2012 8:30 am Post subject:

Pages (the Mac word processor) is available for the iPad... I think it's $10 and does well handling heavily formatted documents (It has no problem with 99% of MS Word docs). But, there are also cheaper alternatives for basic editing of a doc.
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todd ellis · Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2012 8:33 am Post subject:

open office is free and works with most everything.
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captain54 · Lucky 700 Joined: 30 Jan 2006 Posts: 744 Location: chicago

The two main a Hobo Tounge

s for me are Pages and Goodreader. Pages is your Microsoft Word, where you can edit copy. Goodreader converts from Docx to Hobo Laughing

F and allows to mark scripts as if you were going old school marking a paper script with pencil

I haven't printed a script in months. The other valuable thing being able to copy and paste a script that is sometimes in the body of an email from an agent or client and throw it into Pages where it becomes much easier to maneuver

Doing the sit down reads at the desk, I got one of those 360 cases that allows the IPad to swivel and tilt horiz or vertical at three positions. Works great as a secondary monitor at the desk

Jason Huggins · Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2012 8:43 am Post subject:

I had to go with the ipad 2 for only one reason, yet there wasn't enough ram to handle a specific ebook that had an especially large chapter with a lot of pictures. My ipad 1 wouldn't load the chapter reliably and fast enough.

Really, you could use any tablet. An android tablet would probably even (don't stone me here) be more cost effective. You can get one with a gig of ram and faster processor for what you can get a first gen ipad for. If you don't need specific a Hobo Tounge

s (my reason for the ipad) I'd go with an android tablet.

No program that works on a computer (Mac or pc) works on a tablet (though they do have versions of many programs) because they are coded differently. You can't transfer any program to an ipad unless it is an a Hobo Tounge

created for ipad. There are penury of alternatives for most every task though.

Dayo · Cinquecento Joined: 10 Jan 2008 Posts: 544 Location: UK

Best thing we've done this year.

I can't imagine reading a script off paper now, the ipad does everything I need in a clean, slick and simple way.

Making notations is quick and easy once you get used to it.

I found you need both Pages and QuickOffice. Add a Dropbox account if you need and you're golden.
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Colin Day - UK Voiceover
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cyclometh · Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2012 10:43 am Post subject:

I love reading from my iPad. No more page noise when doing audiobooks.
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Corey "Vox Man" Snow
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DougVox · Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2012 10:56 am Post subject:

My favorite text editor for the iPad? (Works equally well regardless of which iPad you have.)

A screen protector and a dry erase marker. Works like a charm.

Not so good for long form stuff, though, 'cause when you scroll down the doc, any changes/deletions/additions you've made, stay where there are, while the script moves.

And I love the XClip stand...turns a mic stand into an iPad stand for your booth. (http://www.CrisKenna.com/)
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Doug Turkel (tur-KELL)
Voiceover UNnouncer®
UNnouncer.com

Jason Huggins · Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2012 11:07 am Post subject:

Ya know...I thought about using a dry erase marker for my screen. Maybe I'll gone that a shot.

captain54 · Lucky 700 Joined: 30 Jan 2006 Posts: 744 Location: chicago

Tom Test · DC Joined: 23 Jan 2007 Posts: 629 Location: Chicago, IL

I looked into this issue last year. A deal-breaker for me was that I sometimes get scripts in PowerPoint format, and nothing at the time could read them. (That may have changed since last year). So I simply drilled a hole in my booth to pass a cable through, and use a cheap 20 inch LCD monitor. I have a little wireless Logitech mouse that works great. My booth is crowded, so I don't have a keyboard in there for on-the-fly copy changes if the script is in Word (no help if it's pdf!).

My solution was cheap and works great. Guess I'll need some other excuse to buy an iPad? (I have an 8 yr old daughter who has been very, very good this year....)
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Tom Test
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georgethetech · Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2012 6:18 pm Post subject:

Nexus 7 blows doors off an iPad 1 or 2 in regards to performance, and price.
Not locked into Apple ecosystem, more flexible.

Again, only go Nexus if you don't need to use it to record, it does everything else as good/better than the iPad 1 or 2.

Otherwise I like this keyboard: http://www.amazon.com/Adesso-Wireless-SlimTouch-Keyboard-WKB-4000US/dp/B00083Y0YG/ref=pd_cp_e_1

I have the USB version, handy for laps or tight space.

LCD monitors are $40 at Salvation Army, cables at Monoprice are dirt cheap and reliable.
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