We were long overdue for an update, so we pinned Scott down while he was out playing in the Chugach Mountains.

Links mentioned in the update:
Get the Alaska HDTV app
AlaskaStockPrints.com – Alaska pictures for home or office decor
Alaska Outdoors Television – Outdoor lifestyle adventure television series.

Season Greetings from all of us here at Alaska HDTV!

Keeping with the winter and snow theme, I just got word from Kelley Ferro over at TripFilms.com that we got a little highlight in her recent review of snow themed videos. Thanks Kelly!

Watch more travel videos at tripfilms.com

It’s been at least 6 months since I first tried on this (then new) pair of boots. The V-Lite Altitude Ultra WPi boots are classified by Hi-Tec as a light hiking boot. I would agree they are lightweight, but they have managed to hold together through many productions in Alaska including the sea, the mountains, rivers and the snow.

First off, let me say that the comfort of these boots was immediate and has been great since the day I first put them on. Secondly, the durability has been impressive and their new ion-mask technology has really impressed me. My feet stay extremely dry regardless of conditions and the boots have generally retained most of their “new” looks as a result of this previously British military only technology. Find out more about ion mask at Hi-Tec’s Wet is Dry website: http://www.wetisdry.com/

The short story here is that I really like these boots and have been wearing them almost daily for 6 months. For all practical purposes these boots are lightweight, durable, good looking and really waterproof. Having said all of that, I do have one nit to pick. The shoelaces break prematurely.

I have been through three (3) sets of shoelaces with this pair of boots. It’s not a flaw of the laces that come with the boots, it’s the metal eyelet (third from the top of the boot) that is the culprit. Apparently the design of this eyelet lacks the smooth edge that would keep from cutting into the laces. Unfortunately it’s not an isolated incident with just one boot…it happens on both boots.

Pros:

• Lightweight
• Truly waterproof
• Durable
• Comfortable
• Affordable (compare to the other fancy outdoors names)

Cons:

• The need for a shoelace budget

Despite my laces experience, I do like these boots. An excellent balance of weight, performance and durability. Just be sure to pack a few spare laces in your backpack! I would definitely buy another pair to replace these…

A special thanks to Hi-Tec for providing these boots. Find out more about Hi-Tec at: http://www.hi-tec.com

What’s new in this version

• Star Tab - You can now mark with a star, your favorite videos or those you want to quickly reference for viewing later. The starred episodes are quickly accessible from the new third tab of the app.



• Offline Mode - There is now the option to download starred video episodes and play them back later when you are not connected via WiFi (or have a slower connection). Getting on the plane to visit Alaska? Download a few videos from the app and watch them later!



• Bug Fixes – Several overall app usability updates and graphical tweaks were made.

Thanks again for your support and we hope you are enjoying the incremental improvements to the Alaska iPhone app! If you haven’t already downloaded the app, get it here in the iTunes store: http://clicky.me/fortheapp

Finding quality videos can be tough sometimes. You have better things to do with your time! So we did the work for you! Here we have compiled a short list of 10 great videos we found that show off Alaska.

This list is in no particular order.

Alaska HD

This great video by Mark Mostad has it all: eagles, whales, sea otters, great mountain shots, airplanes and more.

Tailgate Alaska | Episode 6

Tailgate Alaska is an awesome concept: set up camp once a year and get pros, beginners, and anybody who wants to join in, together to enjoy some of the worlds best snowboarding! Just as amazing are Media Knievel’s well produced videos of the event. I chose to highlight episode 6, but you should definitely check out the rest, as they are all great!

Also available on: YouTube

Ravencroft Lodge

This video, by Boone Hodgin, is produced piece to showcase Ravencroft Lodge. It’s not your typical promotional video though. There is no talking, just a music track set to some great shots of: fish, bears, whales, eagles, sea otters, seals, mountains and more. Any person longing for Alaska would be remiss in not watching this one.

Also available on: YouTube

The Magnificent Moose

Title says it all. This video, by Dennis Zaki, has some incredible shots of moose in Autumn. Magnificent Moose is a must watch!

Although you can find Dennis on YouTube, it doesn’t look as though he posts his nature videos there.

Falls Creek, Alaska in Autumn

I don’t think I could ever get enough of Alaska in Autumn. Maybe that is attributed to how short it is? Regardless, it’s a beautiful season for Alaska and Dennis Zaki does an wonderful job of capturing it.

Although you can find Dennis on YouTube, it doesn’t look as though he posts his nature videos there.

Alaska Brown Bear Cubs

No music in this video, just great footage of two cubs doing what cubs do best, play! Video by Melissa Miller.

Aurora Near Fairbanks

This is an absolutely amazing time lapse of an Aurora Borealis up by Fairbanks. Kudos to Poul Jensen who captured this amazing shot.

Turnagain Ice Tide

Turnagain Ice Tide, by Chris Flynn, is combination of some really great time lapse shots, music and sound bites from weather reports. The sound bites give you a little insight into what it can be like living in Alaska sometimes (-65°F). It makes you happy you can watch it without having to weather the cold (unless, of course, you want to).

Solomon Gulch (Valdez, Alaska)

Brad Kelone shows us the scenery of a beautiful hike up Solomon Gulch in Valdez.

Also available on: YouTube (much lower quality)

Denali National Park Flightseeing

Medical Staff Recruiter Bradford Clark gives us a glimpse of some of the amazing views you can have by coming to Alaska. Regardless of how effective this is as a recruiting tool, it’s enjoyable to watch.

Also available on: YouTube

Did you like the videos we found? Know of any other great videos we didn’t post? Leave a comment, let us know.

Alaska HDTV Launches the Alaska Travel iPhone App

November 11, 2009, Anchorage, AK – Alaska HDTV, Alaska’s best network for Alaska content, has launched the first Alaska Travel iPhone app to include mobile video of Alaska destinations, wallpaper images exclusively provided by Alaska Stock Images and the inclusion of Alaska travel discounts and promotions. It’s the Alaska travel guide and coupon book, all in one place.

The Alaska Travel iPhone App is designed to provide a visual sampling of what to see and where to go with short video episodes from regions around the state of Alaska. Attached to each of these video episodes are related wallpaper images of great Alaska scenery for users to decorate their iPhone or iPod touch. In addition to the video and wallpapers, many episodes will include related travel discounts, for example there is a 2-for-1 discount offer for a amazing jetboat excursion to the LeConte Glacier.

Alaska Travel iPhone App includes:
- Great videos from around Alaska
- Exclusive Alaska wallpaper images from Alaska Stock Images
- Travel discounts and promotions for the current season
- Monthly addition of new videos, discounts and exclusive bonus content

Pricing & Availability
The iPhone app is available now for $2.99 in the popular Apple iPhone App Store.
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=334673504&mt=8

Additional information
- Short link to iTunes App Store: http://clicky.me/fortheapp
- Video screencast: http://www.alaskahdtv.com/screencast/
- Description of the app: http://www.alaskahdtv.com/2009/alaska-hdtv-travel-iphone-app/

About Alaska HDTV
Alaska HDTV Productions, an Alaska company, is based in Anchorage, Alaska. Alaska HDTV is a network of High-Definition productions including television, podcasts and unique applications like our new iPhone app. Website: www.alaskahdtv.com

About Alaska Stock Images
Alaska Stock Images offers the finest Professional Rights-Managed and Royalty-Free stock photos of Alaska… Website: www.alaskastock.com

Media Contact: Kevin Kastner

Version 1.2.1 is now available. Click the link below for information about the upgrades to the new version.
New version update!

We’re extremely excited to announce the arrival of our first iPhone app. Not only is it our first application, it’s the first and only Alaska travel video guide app in the iTunes Store today!

Watch the screencast.

What’s in it?

Get the latest Alaska travel adventure video episodes from the Alaska HDTV podcast and videos from other great destinations PLUS bonus features such as:

• Wallpaper images of Alaska
• Exclusive bonus videos and interviews
• Monthly news and updates
• Alaska travel discounts and promotions

Inside Alaska

Alaska HDTV is made in Alaska, by Alaskans. If you are looking for an “Inside” view of Alaska destinations with the authenticity of a local Alaskan perspective – this app is for you!

Get the app
The Alaska Travel App is available inside the Apple iTunes App Store. Version 1.1 is available at an introductory price of $2.99, so buy now and start saving on your next adventure to Alaska!

Once you get the app, be sure to rate it and post a comment inside the App Store. Thanks again!

Special Offers

Alaska HDTV’s Video Travel Guide also has integrated discounts and special offers! For example, Alaska Waters is offering a 2 for 1 deal on their amazing jet boat glacier tours and save on Alaska Railroad travel by booking early. Get the app and start saving money on your next trip to Alaska!

Discounts and promotions are associated with individual episodes and may change from time to time, so it’s a good idea to watch for announcements. (Please note, not all bonus content is available for every episode.)

Exclusive Wallpaper Images of Alaska

We partnered with Alaska Stock Images to be the exclusive image provider for wallpaper images in our iPhone app. Alaska Stock is the preeminent stock photography house for all things Alaska. Every month we will be releasing a new wallpaper image at the top level of the app and most episodes will also have a Alaska Stock images associated with them.

Find a image you really like? You can get them in real life by buying a large print, calendar, greetings cards and more at www.alaskastockprints.com

buy now and save.

Alaska Video Content Partner
We are excited to announce our recent alliance with 59th Parallel Productions and Alaska Outdoors Television! Season 1 will be rolling out monthly here on Alaska HDTV beginning October 2009!

Here’s a teaser clip from Alaska Outdoors Television:
Bungee Fishing

What is Alaska Outdoors Television?
ALASKA OUTDOORS TELEVISION (AKODTV), Alaska’s new premiere fishing, hunting and extreme outdoor recreational television series transports the viewer from outside the screen to inside the adventure through half hour programs.

Explore unscripted Alaskan adventure as hosted by professional guides and extreme Alaskan outdoor enthusiasts. From guided trips to unguided adventures, ALASKA OUTDOORS Television guides the viewer through exotic adventures to affordable weekend journeys.

About the shows
We’ve created a new “Outdoors” category under the Videos button for all the fishing, hunting and outdoors videos. AKODTV videos will be divided into two parts to reduce the download size.  Note: Some of the outdoors videos will include hunting, so if you are squeamish about that sort of thing you can always stay focused on the Hikes, Adventures and SanitySavers.

Where else can I find Alaska Outdoors Television?
Visit the AKODTV website: http://www.alaskaoutdoorstelevision.com
TV Schedule: Every Saturday at 5pm on FOX 4 KTBY Anchorage

About the Alliance

Alaska HDTV and AKODTV have created an alliance to develop an independent media group designed to leverage the talents, audiences and creative ability in an effort to rapidly expand Alaska independent productions. Our goals are aligned to demonstrate by example the power of collaboration and cooperation. More details about our relationship will be announced soon.

Special thanks to Executive Producer, Tim Delarm for allowing Alaska HDTV to share these great productions with you! Please send us your thoughts, comments and feedback. We hope you enjoy watching Alaska Outdoors Television on Alaska HDTV – and if/when you’re in Anchorage, be sure to tune into the new season coming out this Fall on Fox 4 KTBY.

Subscribe to the Podcast
For iTunes users: http://clicky.me/itunesalaska
Get the RSS feed: http://clicky.me/podcastalaska

Get the Podcast in HD
For iTunes users: http://clicky.me/itunesalaskaHD
Get the RSS feed: http://clicky.me/podcastalaskaHD

Press Release
The official press release published September 21, 2009. (PDF/73K)

Snow Leopard & Final Cut Studio Seminar
Come join us in Anchorage for a two part seminar hosted by MacHaus, Alaska HDTV and Apple Inc.

Register Now at Apple.com
(It’s free)

Snow Leopard Presented by Apple
The first portion will run from 5:30-6:30. An Apple representative is flying in to present the latest Apple operating system Snow Leopard along with all its new features and advancements. A small break will then follow before the next portion of the seminar covering Final Cut Studio proceeds.

Break Sponsored by MacHaus
Between sessions experts in Apple hardware and software will be available to help answer questions you may have.

Final Cut Studio Presented by Alaska HDTV
After a small break from 6:45-7:45 there will be a second seminar, this time covering Final Cut Studio and its latest features and advancements. Alaska’s very own Alaska HDTV will be on hand and available to help answer any videography questions that come up.

Any questions you have can be sent to training@machaus.net

If you would like to register and sign up for the seminar, please visit Apple Seminar and Events page, search in the state of Alaska and select the seminar(s) you wish to attend.

When
September 29, 2009
5:30 PM –  7:45 PM

Location
Anchorage Center for the Performing Arts
Elvera Voth Hall
6th Avenue Entrance
621 W 6th Avenue
Anchorage, Alaska 99501

View Larger Map

Sponsored by: Apple, Inc. | MacHaus | Alaska HDTV

We’re enjoying the additional attention and exposure iTunes is giving our production, and it’s an honor to be featured next to other great outdoor podcasts. It’s great being featured, but hearing from you all is always the best!  So why not take a moment and share what it is you like about Alaska HDTV – Please write a review on our iTunes profile.

Thanks all for your ongoing support and comments!
Cheers,
Scott