MWGemini

Maybe needs is the wrong word to use as I don't NEED a camera right now. I like that the 105 has a larger lens and does not require a docking station. However, to work with the setup we are making for video editing at my DZ, I'll need a 109, or have to change wires each time a different camera is used. I like the 109 because it has a 30mm lens, compared to the 25mm on the HC42, and it is the "standard" at my DZ. I like the HC42 because it is cheaper, lighter, and smaller. Mike

I haven't really been too concerned with helmets. As you can se from my profile, I'm a long way from strapping a camera to my head (currently 51 jumps). However, I've tried on the Bonehead Optik Illusion and liked it, but I prefer full face designs. I may end up making a custom helmet if I get motivated enough. Long term, I'm thinking that I'll side mount the camera and top mount a still camera, which seems to be the most common setup I've seen, both locally and from pictures posted here. That is a long ways of, though, probably close to two years. You say you would go for the PC over the HC. What are you basing that decision on (I'm leaning in the same direction, but would like to hear your opinion)? Thanks, Mike

I've been doing a lot of research lately, and the camera I thought would best suit my needs is a PC105. I liked the fact that it has a larger lens and does not require a docking station. However, it is proving to be very difficult to find, so I have looked into more recent designs. I'm currently debating between the PC109 and the HC42, which I can purchase for about the same price (less than $600). I've done a search on here, and there is not much about the HC40, and no local jumpers use one. Several use the 109 and are happy with it, however. According to Sony's website (and others), the numbers indicate the HC42 is a better camera, larger screen, better zoom, etc. It also has a 5mm smaller lens than the 109, which is smaller than the 105 (and other posts have stated the image quality is noticeably less). So, my concern is that the 25mm lens on the HC42 will provide inadequate image quality, despite all the other numbers saying the HC42 is a better camera than the 109. Another concern is that with the way the video system at my DZ works, the videographers will just be handing me their camera and taking another one to film the next student. They all have the 109, so we'll just plug each camera into the docking station for editing, and not worry about switching tapes. I'm assuming the docking station for the 109 and the 42 are not compatible. Does anyone know different? If anyone has used both, I would be interested in seeing a comparison in image quality especially, but also other factors, such as weight, battery life, general durability, overall thoughts on the cameras, etc. Thanks, Mike Edit: I've seen the HC42 for as low as $469 and the PC109 for as low as $563 (both on e-bay, I haven't found it cheaper anywhere else).

Weather.com is predicting heavy thunderstorms for tomorrow and possibly snow for Saturday. I though it was supposed to be spring by now. What's going on? I'm going to be selling some of my electronics that I no longer use, so if any of you want them, let me know before I put them on e-bay. I'd rather sell it to you guys anyway. Right now, I'm looking at selling a Wacom Graphire3 tablet and my PS2 with 11 games, 2 controllers, and a memory card. I probably won't get around to putting them on e-bay for another week or two, so there isn't any particular rush, but if you're interested, let me know. Eric- I might not be able to get out there tomorrow after class, but I will definitely be there this weekend to give you your camera back. Thanks again for letting me borrow it. I'm still working with software issues, but all the hardware is working great. Mike

According to their site, XP *IS* required, and I knew this before downloading the trial. I have a hard time believing that, however, and even after numerous searches on Adobe, google, and here, I could not find a solution, so I posted, hoping somebody here had figured it out. I'm perfectly happy modifying registry entries and messing with libraries if it means I don't have to change my OS. I won't change to XP for several reasons, primarily because it is (IMO) slower, less stable, and less secure. Not to mention that it is expensive and I've got more important things to spend my money on (like jumps). I COULD run a dual boot system, or set up one of my other comps with XP, but I don't see a need for that. Avid also requires XP, but ULead's MediaStudio runs on 2000, and they also have a free trial. I'm going to try that and see what I can do with it. Thanks, Mike

So- I've got the trial of Premiere Pro 1.5, and when I try to install, I am told the my OS is not supported (Windows 2000 Professional) and then setup quits. Is there any way to work around this (I can't and won't install XP, so that is not an option)? Thanks, Mike

This is funny- after I sent them a very rude e-mail, I get a curt but polite response, and my account is suddenly where it should be. Maybe it IS legit. If any of you are still thinking of trying it, the url is: http://www.FreeFlatScreens.com/?r=15785106. If you complete the survey, let me know, I'd like to keep an eye on it and make sure these people aren't ripping people off. Thanks, Mike

This weekend I'll probably be doing a lot of video stuff with Todd & Peter, but I've got to get at least ONE jump in. Anything is better than spending another weekend with nothing to do but be your errand boy . Seriously though, that was fun. I was surprised how busy it got yesterday. Countdown to the weekend begins.....NOW! Mike

I've tried contacting them several times about verifying my account, with no success. I've consistently gotten automated responses and/or lies from their customer service people. It appears that this service is a scam (which figures). Have any of you tried signing up also? If so, what was your experience? Thanks, Mike

I'm watching an old tape of Peter's, and in half of the videos, Steve or Chris are there. It sucks that we've lost two great guys in the last few months, but that's life. On a happier note, marion and I have discussed doing a Fondue Freefly Friday one of these days if you're interested. Plus we've got the Easter boogie coming up soon. Balloon jumps and maybe even night jumps, I've heard. That should be fun. The weather was perfect today. I can't wait to jump again. See you all this weekend. Mike

Yeah, we would like to have the leader flow smoothly into the actual tandem's footage, with no interruption. I'm guessing a new chapter would be fine, but I'm not sure if a new title would still allow for that. I'm not too familiar with the file format of DVD discs. Another concern for us is finalizing time. Currently we have a VHS to DVD converter that generally takes about 4 minutes to finalize the disc. If we can get something less than that, that would be good. Significantly less would be great. What I am expecting is to have to do 3 videos in approximately 30 minutes. With the current setup, that is not a problem, as our videos usually run about 9 minutes or so, which gives me enough time to switch tapes and set up the next one. If I have to wait several minutes for the DVD to finalize, during which time I am unable to edit, that will slow things down a bit. Has anyone else done what we are trying to do? Another idea I've had is to just use another input source (probably a VHS player) with the leader on it, and record that onto the DVD before beginning the edit. If anyone has used systems like this, or has a better way of doing it, please let me know. Thanks, Mike

I'm training to be becoming the dedicated video editor at my DZ. They are wanting to purchase a DVD recorder in the very near future, and ideally, we would like to have the ability to put a short introductory leader on every DVD we give to tandem students. Who out there uses a DVD recorder (from what I've read, DVD-R seems to be more widely supported), particularly ones with built in hard drives, and how does the process of storing leader footage and burning it to the DVD before the linear edit begins work? I'm looking for specific brands, models, and actual use stories, if they are available. Our leader footage would probably not be more than 3-5 minutes, if that, so the hard drive would not have to be huge, just enough to accommodate that. Thanks, Mike

Didn't think this would classify as advertising. If so, I apologize. The Columbia House thing was like 5 DVDs for $.49 and then you have to buy another 5 in the next two years. Some of the free ones were like requesting information from colleges or weight loss programs. I'm beginning to wonder if it is legit though, since I have still not received a confirmation e-mail from them (and I was expecting to be flooded with spam by now because of this). I guess time will tell. If you DO happen to do the survey thing using me as a referrer, please let me know so that I can keep track of how many I actually have. Right now, it is still listing zero. Thanks, Mike

I'm sure you guys have seen the free I-Pod offers, free laptop offers, etc. Well tonight, I was looking on e-bay and found one that linked to a site giving away free flat screen TVs. The catch being that you have to complete a short survey and sign up with a participating client. There are a few that you can complete for free that I saw, but one of them also happened to be a Columbia House membership, which is something I've wanted to sign up for for a while, so I did that. To be able to receive the free 19" flat screen (there are a few you can choose from, actually), you have to complete one offer and refer 8 people who each complete one offer. My referal link is: http://www.FreeFlatScreens.com/?r=15785106, so if any of you are interested in this, please use me as your referrer. I'm going to assume this is legit (I read the entire legal document they offer and it looks to be on the up and up), but you never know. I do know of people who have received free I-pods and/or laptops through offers like this, however. If you are still skeptical, I can give you more information via PM. Thanks, Mike

I've mapped for Wolfenstein (the original), Doom, Doom2, Heretic, Hexen, Duke Nukem 3D, Half Life, Unreal Tournament, UT2k3, and UT2k4. Possibly others, but if so, not much. I haven't made anything in a long time though. I'd like to try out the source engine editor, but I don't think this system can handle it. Mike

I think the best thing about the SLI is that you can build a system now with a single SLI compliant card, and then in another year or two, buy a duplicate for cheap and see an increase in framerate on most games (which by that time will be requiring much higher specs than the system has). IMO, somebody who buys two $600 cards NOW is just wasting their money and should give one to me . Mike

The other concern is that with a full face (which you are right, I've always considered as having a visor and fully enclosing the face), there is not a cutaway system. Other threads that I have read about the sidewinder/S2 have discussed that, and while one could probably be rigged up (I have an idea in mind), I wonder if it would be inferior to the ones I have seen on open face helmets (namely the Optic Illusion, the only helmet I have seen up close and have worn). However, in some of those same threads, people have said that the sidewinder does not need a cutaway system because it is much less likely to snag. Are cutaway systems generally regarded as mandatory by experienced fliers? From my (obviously non existent) experience, I would think that having one is a very good idea, if not an absolute requirement. I think I may have to brush up my glassing skills if I ever want to jump a full face (with movable visor) camera helmet that is capable of attaching cameras to, as the only system that comes close to what I (think I would) want is the sidewinder, but it does not have a mounting surface on the top, a invertable camera box, or a cutaway system, which are all features that I would like in a camera helmet, based off what I have seen and read. Again, I am NOT pursuing camera flying. I am simply doing research on the issue, which has stemmed from the fact that I will soon be editing tandem videos at my DZ (hopefully). I would like to jump a camera ONE DAY, but it will not be for at least a year, and probably 2 or more, in which time this entire discussion and all the research I am doing now may not be applicable. I appreciate all the information I have received so far, and thank you all for not flaming me (too much ) for being another noob asking dumb questions and/or questions that I shouldn't really be worrying about right now. Thanks, Mike

A topic that I have not seen covered much (and I may have just overlooked it) is a comparison between full face and open face for camera. Why is it that there are so few full faces? Are they better for some reason, or is it a cost issue? It was mentioned above that having that much weight would require a chin cup. Is this for stability reasons, or something else? Are full faces generally not stable enough to mount cameras on? Thanks, Mike

Ah. I've seen pictures of the original that you just posted. That and the one at my DZ are the only two I've seen, which is why I thought full faces were very rare and had locked visors. Do you know if the sidewinder 2 has the ability to mount a still camera also (which would block the visor, I imagine)? Have you ever jumped one? Are there any differences compared to the normal Oxygen (besides the camera)? Thanks, Mike

Well, I certainly won't be purchasing anything any time soon, so don't worry. I am an unemployed college student and can barely afford to jump right now. The sidwinder is more along the lines of what I think I would like. I currently use an old Factory Diver and am relatively happy with it. Does the visor still open on that, or is it locked into place? If I am unable to find one I am happy with when the time comes, I might try my hand at fabricating a custom helmet. I've worked with fiberglass and similar materials before and it wasn't that difficult, just time consuming. Thanks for the info. Mike

One of the people who jumps at my DZ showed me a picture she took in mexico of some beer billboard or something, with a parachute draped over the top and a skydiver mannequin trying to grab the beer. Pretty funny. Mike

As I said in my first post, I am a long ways off from jumping a camera. That does not mean I can't do research, however. Mike

I've been looking around lately for full face camera helmets, and have found very little information about existing models. I know there is one in the store at my DZ, but it is very big and bulky and doesn't fit me well. Although I have very few jumps, I do know that I like full face a lot better than open, and when I get into flying camera (long ways off), I would prefer a full face set-up, but it looks like few, if any, are being made. Do any of you have any information on full face camera helmets? Manufacturers? Models? Reviews? etc... Thanks, Mike

I've been told that on a busy day, we will have 20-40 tandems a day on the weekends, which is when I will working there. I don't know how that compares to other DZs, but I know we are pretty decently sized. The owner owns 2 DZs (the other being Lake Wales) and somewhere close to 20 aircraft, I believe. This weekend I will try to talk to the remaining videographers and see what their plan is. If they have to buy the equipment, I doubt that an additional $1300 for a dedicated player will happen. If the DZ pays for it, that may be another story. I'm also trying to do research into the DVD recorders. From what I've read on here, it seems -R is the more widely used format. I've also seen it mentioned that some models come with a built in hard drive that leader footage can be stored on, but I have not found much on that subject from what I've read so far (I've only read back to page 46 in this forum). Do any of you use a DVD record with pre-made leader footage that you simply append your videos to? If so, what brand and model? Thanks, Mike

Yeah, I figured the amount of duplicate attachments would not be worth the effort in developing a system to stop the transfer of duplicates. If I ever end up sending the same attachment multiple times in the future, I will do what you and Tom have suggested. Thanks! Mike