DSE

I was told by Cookie just this morning that the first boxes are shipping this week. If I understood the story correctly, they decided to improve a few aspects of the box, and preferred a slight delay to offer better quality than to rush/meet the exact deadline and offer a lesser quality product. One thing I'll tell you for certain; after hanging with Cookie in a variety of situations, his primary concern is customer satisfaction. Jeremy is the same way. That's all these guys seem to talk about when in business mode; making people happy and keeping them that way.

Generally, they may have less flare...but the Storm has massive flare. Several guys commented on this at Ramblers this weekend when I got caught in a bad spot. I bad-mouthed 7 cell canopies based on two experiences with my reserve. Then I demo'd the Storm...It's not a reserve with a different trim/lineset. It's an aggressive canopy by most comparisons.

I'd suggest that what they were trained with is the best option for them to initially purchase. I wanted electronic alti for logging; I bought an Altitrack because I prefer the analog face (which is what I started with). But if as a student, they had a large-face Digitude or similar, then perhaps a Viso is perfect for them, although it might not be what you nor I might want.

Of course your Dad can skydive. The question is whether he'll come out of the skydive with the same health he had when he first got into the aircraft. That's how it goes...mitigate risk. Ask his doctor whether he'll likely be safe or not.

wishing like hell I could be there. If Virgin Aus would allow me to shift a ticket for less than a coupla grand...I would be. Have fun y'all.... See you at Eden in June.

thanks for sharing, Brian.

you can: import from camera direct to timeline import from memstick in card reader direct to timeline import from files copied to local HDD import from files copied to databank device. Lofty, yesterday I copied that file from your card directly to my desktop using Windows Explorer (thank you for that, BTW, it's a great example of how to NOT land in an area known for rotors), and then later imported that file to a Vegas timeline for output to the web. IMO, the fastest means of working for Vegas is to copy the STREAM folder from the AVCHD folder, straight to a local/external HDD. It's VERY fast. If you're shooting SD video to the AVCHD camcorder, you'll find the media in the MPEG folder. Same thing; very fast copy. If you're not using Vegas, I recommend you _always_ copy the entire card menu structure over to your HDD. Some NLE's wanna see it all. Vegas doesn't care, because it ignores the header data and the metadata such as geotagging, etc.

It's certainly possible to run into "that guy" and I have on one occasion, needed to pull the TSA article on parachutes to share with a TSA supervisor. I do have a rather low opinion of most of em', they're like 6th grade hall monitors (which is why humoring them usually works). All in all, they *do* have the final say. Interestingly enough, I flew thru Ben Gurion earlier this year, and my rig wasn't a problem for Israeli security, but my production camera was. They held me over my flight...and when they dropped it...let's just say it wasn't pleasant for anyone. When it was all over, it was "Well, sorry...your camera equipment presents a security risk that we're not going to allow." But my rig wasn't. No amount of humor, documentation, smiles, nor showing printed and internet credentials made any difference. If I wanted to fly, my camera gear had to be shipped. It happens. And it surely sucks. BTW, Delta (and I assume most airlines) have ski boxes in the back room that cost 12.00. They also have replacement luggage that they'll usually sell you cheap if necessary...

I was in LAX only two days ago flying internationally, had no problems at all. Half of it, IMO, is in how you present it. When I've not told them in advance what it is (as I'm coming to the conveyor) I've had issues. When I'm not smiling, cordial, funny, I've had issues. Carried my hook knife, etc through both Terminal 5 (Delta Domestic) and Terminal 3 (VAustralia International) on Thursday night and Friday morning. No troubles, but I made jokes with both places, and had them smiling. I do carry the Cypres Xray card, but no one has ever asked about it nor have I offered. In addition to your tips, I'd suggest having a friendly, not talkative attitude, and help them see that you're not in any way wanting to make their day more difficult. They're assholes for the most part, so you've got to try to show them that you're in the game with them, not against them.

And he's just as nutty as Scotty is. he even wears black/yellow just like his older brother. T is taller, but everyone is taller than Scotty. Skydive Ramblers (Toogoolawah, Queensland) is a great place for wingsuiting, gang. Just watch out for kangaroos in the landing area. Seriously.

http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=3552653#3552653

Yep, it's possible! Having a bigot toe stuck up your ass helps you float a bit though.

that was your problem right there. Seriously, I agree with you. Getting your thumb inside the D ring assures a positive pull whereas with a soft handle, you might not be able to pull as confidently. Beginners likely don't have to worry about a high-speed spin due to larger canopy, but even so...A D-ring is a more secure option. I don't know that I'd agree with regulating it, however. If it was, the first person that had a Dring snag in the US would likely sue the USPA or a manufacturer for mandating D-rings up to XXX jumps.

Don't bother with him Andy. His view of the world is very myopic. I like 7cells. I like 9cells. I like anything I can fly, as long as *I* am the one choosing which canopy to fly :) But...but...but...! Sometimes your nine cell determines that you must fly your seven cell. I jump both, and spend more time under my Storm than I do my Sabre II's.

I think it's a battle between Don Kellner and Bill Dause. Hey LavaLady, looking forward to seeing you next week!

How long has the manufacturer been making jumpsuits? If you're looking for a totally custom make (ie; you have one arm longer than the other) and special design applique, expect it to take time. Cookie has to make molds, test, etc. It's not an overnight process. Your 500mm was already made and sitting on a warehouse shelf waiting for you to buy it. Once Cookie gets the pipe filled, I'm sure boxes will flow out of his factory like water from a stream. But filling the reservoir takes time....and filling while assuring a design that meets needs and isn't flawed takes even more time. Patience sucks, and I have none. But...if you want it good, don't expect it fast.

I don't know the cost of the upgrade. If you're doing RED, AVCHD, and to a limited extent, HDV, then I think it's a valuable upgrade. For the tandem speed workflow, you don't need it, but it DOES render/preview AVCHD, RED, XDCAMHD and EX significantly better than anythign else (all native, of course). It has some cool new tools, and the new interface is nice. Most importantly, it doesn't make me ass look fat, so yes...you need it.

And be sure that "Ignore Event Grouping" isn't accidentally pressed on your Vegas toolbar. It's a common enough "oops"

have you updated? No problem with VLC and transport streams here

why? It's skydiving. It's in the news. It's a new service to them. It went worldwide, thus probably making some folks aware of skydiving. They didn't disparage anyone in their press release. Other than our DZ, i haven't seen any other DZ advertise delivery to iPod...they're thinking creatively. dunno that I'd do a press release on it though.

Hi Oliver, I have two Voodoos, both with wingsuit mod. -This is a stunt jump -Wingsuit jump -Several pix of the Voodoo from different sides FWIW, I've owned three previous RI rigs, a Mirage, a Jav, and a Stunts Eclipse. I currently jump the two Voodoos most of the time, and have an FX as well. Love em' all. The open tray that is part of the wingsuit mod is very comfortable in freefly or RW jumps. I did a jump a couple days ago on my FX and the difference in opening threw me a little; I prefer the feeling of the open tray regardless of whether I'm in a wingsuit or not. I don't pack grommet-up lik a lot of wingsuiters do, and don't experience line twists at all with the open corners. Packers seem to really like the open corners once they've worked with them; I know I do. I'd much rather pack my Voodoo than my other rigs. Can you tell I'm a big fan of RI and open corners? Ask Brenda/Kit about the embroidered Voodoo eye; it's a little more spendy, but after a few hundred jumps, my Voodoo eye still looks like it came off the showroom floor instead of being frayed and worn. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

no way to protect the glass.

iMovie does not offer transfer, nor is there a plugin to use the professional card devices such as XDCAM, P2, etc. the MRU falls into this category.

I think no matter how you look at it, "open-minded novices" and their thought processes will always be discounted. So, yes. I think some of what we teach or demand as "the norm" may be to the detriment of novices. They might be new to skydiving, but I believe they're not stupid, and most of them have goals of one kind or another. Helping them in that direction early on gives them a focus, IMO.

I I agree that any speed change from the camera is clumsy. I've never been a fan of the slomo from DV cams either, however. Either way, I agree. You *can* edit CX100 in a linear system, but the playback experience is less than stellar. Playback at half-frame rate doesn't cut it, IMO. That's just another reason we're non-linear.