Cajones

All DVD players sold in PAL countries play both kinds of discs. These multi-standard players partially convert NTSC to a 60-Hz PAL (4.43 NTSC) signal. The player uses the PAL 4.43-MHz color subcarrier encoding format but keeps the 525/60 NTSC scanning rate. Most modern PAL TVs can handle this "pseudo-PAL" signal. A few multi-standard PAL players output true 3.58 NTSC from NTSC discs, which requires an NTSC TV or a multi-standard TV. Some players have a switch to choose 60-Hz PAL or true NTSC output when playing NTSC discs. There are a few standards-converting PAL players that convert from a NTSC disc to standard PAL output. Proper standards conversion requires expensive hardware to handle scaling, temporal conversion, and object motion analysis. Because the quality of conversion in DVD players is poor, using 60-Hz PAL output with a compatible TV provides a better picture. (Sound is not affected by video conversion.) I don't know why the PAL manufacturers decided to do this, but it's certainly a plus. The new twist I expect to actually make it to market is "smart-DVD's" - these are Region 1 (US/Canada) DVD's that check if you have a Region 0 (plays any region) player. They are designed to only play on Region 1 players. Of course, there are players that allow you to switch playback regions (some right from the remote). The laws of physics are strictly enforced.

This provokes another good point about DVD's. DVD's can be made with Region Code 0 (zero) which play in any region. No need for PAL and NTSC versions, like VHS. The laws of physics are strictly enforced.

Yes. Low production = High per DVD costs. The way the numbers work, somewhere around 1000, the cost to produce DVDs is equal, with numbers about that being a bit cheaper than VHS. The laws of physics are strictly enforced.

The recent controversy over the Rantoul video delivery has created some questions I hope all of you can help answer. Producing both VHS and DVD variants of a Boogie Video drive costs up prohibatively. I really like DVD. I prefer it over VHS, hands down. Not everyone has a DVD player, and not everyone has a VHS player. VHS (for now, at least) is more common, however, and cheaper in terms of mastering and reproduction in the numbers produced for skydiving boogies. The question is this: If only one is produced - either VHS OR DVD - which would you prefer? Option 1 - self explanitory - you have no opinion because you're not a consumer. Option 2 and 3 - if the opposite of your preference is the only offering (i.e. I prefer DVD, but I still buy the VHS if that's all I can get), you'd still buy it. Option 4 and 5 - you'd buy only buy if your preference is offered (maybe you don't have a DVD player and a VHS player). These are factors to consider: VHS cost in the poll is $35, and DVD is $50 (by next year I actually expect it to be $35 - but lets assume $50 for now). Because of additional work required for DVD, deliver will add another 2-4 weeks. The quality of the DVD will be higher and allow longer playtimes/more features than VHS. This is a place for opinions about what YOU want. Your comments will all be considered, and can have an impact on future video offerings. Feel free to PM or post any questions/considerations I may be overlooking. Muchas Gracias, Cajones The laws of physics are strictly enforced.

No DVD this year. VHS/NTSC, only. No nudity (by request of the DZO). The DVD learning curve suffered by Grant (Martini Shot) has created a bit of a dilemma. The fixed baseline costs for producing a commercial DVD are insanely high, compared to VHS. We have already accepted the fact we will lose a lot of money on this years production (no sponsors and small distribution = negative return on investment) - this' to be expected as this is the first year at this boogie. It's hard to say how these costs will look in a year, but I do expect them to be lower that what the market is driving presently. If DVD is offered next year, VHS will likely NOT be offered (DVD only). The laws of physics are strictly enforced.

We're here! We are working hard to finish by the mid-March timeline. Please keep in mind - this is a projected time frame, and we will do our best to make it. Delays happen - one already has. I was actually a bit ahead of schedule, until my laptop died and made things much more difficult. I will be putting in plenty of overtime when I get it back from Best Buy repairs. No worries - its all part of life. My greatest hurdle, right now is finding music I can get permission to use. We have been talking to some hopefuls that've fallen through. If any musicians/groupies have some tracks we can listen to, it'd be a great opportunity to get some exposure for your music. The confusion with Martini Shot is easy to understand. Especially since those of you that've seen the WFFC video see my ugly mug in the credits. I do many of the wacky/unusual shots for Martini Shot (including camera flyer for Bridge Day). [disclaimer] I did not, however, have anything to do with the Rodeo deployment by FlyAngel and WFFC (Mary and Arano). [/disclaimer] As an additional note... As a henchman for Martini Shot Films, I am proud to have my name on the final product of WFFC 2002. Grant has worked very hard editing the Rantoul video. It took a few extra months, but worth the wait. The laws of physics are strictly enforced.

Pure Magic. What a great guy, and an incredible talent! Those of you who haven't met Mike - really must. A personal inspiration. The laws of physics are strictly enforced.

There are actually a few factors to consider in the internal vs. external as well as factors within 2.5 (laptop) and 3.5 (desktop) drives. Spindle speed (5400rpm, 7200rpm, 10,000rpm, etc) is a large factor in access times (how long it takes the HD to start finding data). The actual mechanics of the hard drive (how fast the head moves over the platters mostly) and data density (aureal density - how close together the data is packed on the platter and how many platters are inside the drive) also have a factor in drive performance. [This is a simplified version of some of the factors] External drives have some inherent latencies that can add to these factors. The chipset of the motherboard (sort of the nervous system of the computer) determines how parts of your computer interact (internal and external). In the case of external devices, there is an additional chipset (nervous system) which converts requests between the computer and the external device. Efficiencies of these chipsets varies and is a huge factor in hard drive performance. Confused yet? PM me the details of your system (be very specific - OS, chipset (if you know) or specific computer make/model, and peripherals installed) and what you plan to do with your extra storage and I'll try give you some advice to what would be most cost-effective or highest performing. The laws of physics are strictly enforced.

I almost spoke up, but then she might know I put her in the "spouse" category. Who knows how she'd react if she knew I love her that much... The laws of physics are strictly enforced.

Magic Mike rules the shutter! Sweet shots. Eloy is crawling with extraordinary skydivers. If you didn't know them, people like Omar, Greg, Betsy, and Magic Mike could pass as "just another skydiver" - not the incredible talent they really are. The laws of physics are strictly enforced.

That's just one of the many reasons I'm so very fortunate... She doesn't mind stepping off a cliff with me - she can fly! The laws of physics are strictly enforced.

I haven't heard of any cases involving the tandem video/1-off sort being sued. I do know it has happened to people selling boogie videos and sports videos. It's usually a slap-on-the-wrist for small stuff, but others have gotten fat fines, and had to recall their product from vendors. The laws of physics are strictly enforced.

The DVD master was finally approved, and the DVD's are pressed!!! They have already been sent to be printed on (or may already be done). The covers are already printed, so they should be shipping, very soon. The laws of physics are strictly enforced.

I definitely prefer the PC115/120 (115 is the 120 without Bluetooth). The bonehead d-box fits very nicely. Picture quality is excellent (as close to 3-chip as we've come, so far), and low-light qualities are respectable. It is heavier, and bulkier than the PC101 (and more expensive), but great quality images for the extra $$$. The PC101 is no slouch, either. It is smaller and lighter, with a slightly better image than even larger predecessors. The 101 would be my choice if you want to save a few bucks, and a bit of weight on your neck (and smaller = less likely to get smacked/snagged, generally). The laws of physics are strictly enforced.

Applied Magic systems are a great little solution for tandem videos and such. The price is actually a bit higher than a similarly capable turnkey PC or Mac. Throw in a DVD package, and the Applied Magic solution is even higher. What you're really getting is a no-frills editor, with exceptional stability. No internet connectivity, no USB connection to get pictures out of your digital camera, not even Solitaire. A very good solution for some, but not all. The laws of physics are strictly enforced.

It really comes down to what you need to do. The computer based NLE's are much more powerful and flexible than the dedicated NLE system you test-drove. There are some great NLE's out there, and most can be upgraded/updated. Limits come into play in one primary area - capacity. These systems are great for field editing, and would even be great for things like tandem videos, but are rather limited when it comes to needing huge bins for a larger composite. Familiarity is another issue. Most computer types can troubleshoot basic system glitches. Professional editors are generally "computer types." Tools are an even broader issue. Composing graphics and clips in other programs (such as Illustrator, PhotoShop, and AfterEffects) is common place. Not something you can do very easily on a dedicated NLE. My system is not just a tool; it's a box full of tools. BTW - there's more miniDV out there than you might realize. Avid Express DV is a wonderful tool for miniDV environments, but programs like Symphony and the Liquid types can do amazing stuff with miniDV. The laws of physics are strictly enforced.

Not true. The film industry uses PC's a plenty. Or SGI's, and even *gasp* Linux based AMD/Intel render farms. I don't see very many Macs in Cinema. Still seeing about 50/50 in the photo side, though. For serious scalability - Not a Mac. The laws of physics are strictly enforced.

Just one minor repair pays for the extended warranty. Not long ago, the tip of my CamEye broke off in the LANC port of my Sony. The warranty covered this repair that Sony would've charged for. The merchant actually gave me a new camera (exchanged the "broken" camera), so I had zero down-time. The same warranty company has replaced my laptop with a newer model laptop, when my old laptop had a third visit to the repair shop. I can be a bit hard on my stuff. Skydiving is not the environment typical consumers expose their cameras to. Sony is as tough as they come, but repairs are expensive. I look at my extended warranty almost like insurance - it's a gamble. They've saved me a few times, far outweighing the cost, as I buy them for the items I am going to use harshly. The laws of physics are strictly enforced.

I've never heard of CameraTopia, but I've heard of digitalliquidators. Seen mixed reviews from them, but they are generally about rock-bottom... http://www.digitalliquidators.com/cat2.asp?cat=2&cat2=2&manuf=Sony&page=2 $779, but be sure to ask all the right questions. Not where I'd shop, personally (there's something to be said about a good extended warranty), but good luck. The laws of physics are strictly enforced.

You could always use zip-on booties. They go over the lower half of your legs, adding booties to any suit. The laws of physics are strictly enforced.

The 115 is the 120, without Bluetooth. Nothing special to consider about mounting, that I've seen. Fits very nicely in the Bonehead d-box. Drilled a hole for the mounting bolt, and milled a short slot for the CamEye, and holes for mounting to helmet. Great camera. The laws of physics are strictly enforced.

Getting rights to top 40 stuff is definitely expensive. I use music with permission from the artists. It gives them exposure, and there're plenty of good bands out there that need exposure. Getting good music, in fact, is probably the greatest hurdle to producing a good video. One which I'm dealing with, right now, for the Eloy Boogie Video. Using copyrighted music and getting sued is very expensive, I'd guess. The laws of physics are strictly enforced.

i just watched signs and now i read this thread!?!?!? it must be a sign... oh no... they found me.... run..>!>>@!>!>$J@O$U)(#*&%R@#%& [cough]photoshopped[/cough] The laws of physics are strictly enforced.

I like the way you think. The laws of physics are strictly enforced.

I'd say listen to her. If she went to school for animation, she's most likely used both platforms (Mac/PC). She is most familiar with your abilities and needs. I am a cross-platform type, with Intel/Xeon's for my personal use preference. Not something you can pick up off the shelf at any computer store. The support that comes with most off-the-shelf types, combined with the help of "experts" such as your friend can take you well past "user-friendly" and into the realm of computer geeks, like myself. It looks like you're going with the non-Mac, so let me re-emphasize: Get Windows XP Pro. It'll improve the stability of your computer, and keep the frustration factor way down (I use Win2000 Pro for this same reason). Also, I recommend getting an Intel processor (Pentium 4 2GHz, or higher). This will alarm the AMD processor lovers, but the Intel processors are less problematic than the AMD's. The final recommendation is the most complex/difficult to satisfy... The Intel 845 chipset (this is the part of the motherboard/backbone of your computer system that coordinates the processor, memory, etc.) is found on many, many off-the-shelf computers. This chipset can create difficulties with Premiere that can be a real asspain to figure out. Sony (and possibly other manufacturers) support has a "checklist" in their knowlege base that can help configure your system to work well with Premiere. The salesperson is unlikely to know what chipset the motherboard of any of their computers is built with. Spend the time to research it. The Sony line is the most likely to work well with Premiere (they come with Premiere LE, with an upgrade option to the full version - you may not need it). Happy hunting, and PM me if I can be of some help. The laws of physics are strictly enforced.