nacmacfeegle

"Oh, and IMO as for buying a competitors AAD, there isn't one on the market that has the track record, reliability, or service and support, that the AirTec units do. " Yeah JP, I know, I was just being sulky and petulant.

If it gets skydiving on prime time TV its all good, right? But having a Herc circling with a load of unwanted celebrities sounds awfully expensive to me..... -------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson

Me? what would I do? lemme see now... Go to America to jump---done it.

"With my equipment, I must then copy the video back to the camcorder to make an analog copy. I can probably copy the video back to the camcorder and make an analog copy on a separate VCR in one pass, but I haven't tried it. " If you connect a vcr to the analogue ports on your cam this should be possible, ie the cam acts as a 'convertor' from the dv stream to the analogue outputs. Its nice to have a tv hooked up on this pass through, set up to see the edit in process, its easier on the eyes than the windows on the pooter. The Firewire remains connected so you don't actually have to make a dv tape then re-record it. Once you have worked with a cam, computer, and loop thru tv, you won't ever want to go back.

Despite what Paul is saying, IE to let this go, I can't. Trust me, we seldom see flaming here, even over subtle things, so take this as advice from someone who has been exactly where you are now, only I was standing there in 98. "No desktop computer is necessary," Show me a realtime PCMCIA card and I'll gladly munch on a huge slice of humble pie. By real time I don't mean capturing or viewing in real time, I mean realtime as in title rendering, with basic effects such as wipes, slides, and pushes that are available on an analogue desk with a titler hell you don't really need a genlock but it would be nice. "You apparently aren't familiar with the most recent technology. I'm not speculating here. I already possess this technology" Enlighten me, for what its worth I have been using Pinnacle systems hardware commercially, ie to earn money to fund my addiction, since 98, I used a DC30+ card, and later a DV300 on a PII 266 with only 16GB of HD space, they still serve me well. I've humped computers around the world to do this. Show me a PCMCIA card that is capable of realtime editing, as the rest of the world understands the definition of the term, and I'll gladly buy you a slab of beer. Thats real time as in absolutely no rendering required for seamless timeline playback for say, a cross fade, or a horizontal slide, 2 commonly used transitions in a tandem video, how about a rolling title overlay (say an alpha matte type transparency)without prerendering. Pinnacle, the company you link to do a 'budget' realtime card called a DV500, you will need a large hammer to install it in a laptop, its a PCI card and simply won't fit, plus it needs an AGP graphics card to support full functionality. "Maybe you need to review the technology again." Nope, I can't use footage from these cameras, I have in the past (as a video co-ordinator for national and international events) dealt with the likes of Reuters, CNN, SKY, the BBC etc, they expect the best quality footage, and simply will not accept anything less. The difference in quality may be marginal on vanilla (first generation) copies, but once it has been through a broadcast system, via say a satellite van, the differences in quality become very apparent. But Paul can enlighten further, he actually earns a living in post production (I believe) and could perhaps illuminate the issues of generation loss in a commercial arena. I'm not saying that every time I deal with a tandem, I intend to use the footage for broadcast, but why should I have two camera setups? I might as well film everything in a decent quality format. I also film a lot in marginal conditions, the differences in the camera systems you describe is more pronounced under less than ideal lighting. "however, the resolution is not bad even at this compression level" Yes, agreed, compression for web delivery has improved leaps and bounds since I was Beta testing the MS ASF system in 99 at a live event (British RW formation records). Your spycam is indeed ideally suited to this level of compression quality and the delivery format. "I'm not speculating here. I already possess this technology, and I'm not extraordinarily wealthy" I've had an OHCI compliant card since 2000, I couldn't use it because my favoured software (Premiere 4.2, and the terrible ver 5, OHCI compliance came with ver 6) was not, at that time, compliant with an OHCI interface. It is now and it does indeed rock, but my DV300 also gave me device control, allbeit limited to camera only, no hard drive chaining was available in those days. For what its worth I have been editing commercial video on my laptop, a PIII, 700, since 2001. "but affordable digital equipment is not fundamentally slower." Yes it is, in a tandem video scenario, which is what we are really discussing here. The NLE based system kicks mixing desk ass when it comes to making longer custom boogie or event videos, and where the accuracy of the edit is more important than the overall face in the frame requirements of a tandem flick. If you were making one tandem video, there probably wouldn't be a whole load of difference, the laptop might even score out on top, but we are talking about repetitive factory style production. The shooting is to a storyboard and the edit is to a story board, and as long as there is discipline from the fliers, and the editors, the analogue desk will prevail. Hell, good tandem camera fliers like JDHill, who posts here regularly, will hardly need any editing at all, they film with the edit in mind, and most of the work is done in camera. I fully understand your enthusiasm, but your claims just don't stand up to scrutiny, and I'd hate to mislead the good peeps of the forums with ambitious performance claims. -------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson

One of the guys at the work has one for sale, complete with trailer etc, he was asking 1400 quid so would probably go for around 2000 dollars. I was tempted, but am saving my ill gotten gains for a hoose in the glen. -------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson

Its been a long time coming Chris, have a blast.

I suspect you are right Lisa, a quick google shows no results. Them things you are talking about sound more like something one might use, as opposed to wear to comply with a rule. The aquabouy 'float' was about the size of a crisp (chip?) packet! -------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson

I think the guy is asking about personal floatation devices, ones you would wear if you knew you were about to go into water for say a demo. We used to have to use 'Aquabouy' devices at a one of my regular DZs. I actually opened one up once for shits and giggles, and afte a very quick bit of math I decided it might just save my rig. But it was legal. DON'T get an aquabouy. -------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson

Lucy was born April 25, 2002 Calum...........July 18, 2002 So Lucy has a head start, and by golly she's gonna need it. "Justin may be getting the edge by adding video." Pah, and pah again. I find the value of video is merely fleeting, the still image carries so much more power and depth...blah blah blah.... -------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson

"I'd be more than interested to see you try to beat one of the editors at Perris on analog equipment with whatever laptop digital system you think you can beat them with." This is the truth of the situation, I'm a big fan of using a computer based NLE system for cool edits (I have been for about 5-6 years). But for tandem factories you simply cannot beat a good analogue mixing desk operator, even with a dogs bollocks real-time suite. Which as far as I'm aware doesn't exist for laptop applications right now. Or at least not within the realms of even prosumer's budgets. So you are talking about a desktop dedicated computer, with a real time hardware accelerated card for the time being. On the camera issue, I would be reluctant to surrender the quality available from even my basic PC7 for what I see as marginal safety and comfort reasons. 3 words echo in my ears from my early days of editing, quality, quality, quality. CCD development is moving along though, and with it the quality of 'spycams'. However I would rather see higher quality pictures than multiple camera mixes. And strapping a camera anywhere but the video operators head will not compensate for poor camera flying. The quality of the final tandem video is not dependent on the POV shots, computer editing effects, or snazzy titles, even a stonkin' music mix. It is directly attributable to the flying ability of the camera operator. "I'd wager good chunks of cash they'd be done before your had ingested all your material." And.... "With digital editing, the time required is not so great. With practice, I'm sure I could digitally edit video from two cameras in less time than videographers once took to produce a video from one camera with analog equipment." You obviously haven't thought this through, or have very little experience editing to a deadline, under pressure. It is physically impossible to NLE faster than a real time, old fashioned mixing desk. The NLE system requires 'capture time' (as a minimum) the mixing desk does not. Good chunks of cash, c'mon guys, lets keep it reasonable....Multiple cases of green bottles puhleeeze. A fool and his green bottles are easily partied.

hehehe, love that picture of a wee ballon turning the pointer. Which is more or less how they work, just grossly simplified. -------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson

Give in? Give in? Pah, To paraphrase the great Winston Churchill... Here is the answer which I will give to Justin Fields... We shall not fail or falter; we shall not weaken or tire. Neither the sudden shock of cutie pie pictures nor the long-drawn trials of post whoring and exertion will wear us down. Give us the camera and we will finish the job.

I've been slacking. No dimples, I can't complete with dimples yet Justin. We need a distraction from the slimey politicians misleading us........ -------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson

"which I've never been able to find active (it's mostly active when US folks are in bed)." The page/room is active 24/7, its just that we are not. Its always nice to see far flung skypals there.

Some nice pics from the UK here..... http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_depth/photo_gallery/2952026.stm -------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson

Thanks Mash, I'd be interested to hear what they have to say.

I find it hard to believe that there is no open circuit fault detection on a Cypres, or any other modern design AAD. Has anyone thought about e-mailing Airtec with this? Although this is not an excuse to bad news your rig. -------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson

"dont forget the ice cubes Will... And a straw" Aaaargh, Nac is now enraged at the sacreligious treatment of his holy water. -------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson

Have a cool last day Lisa, Enjoy the sabbatical. Bring us pictures. -------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson

"Glenfiddich and Coke" -------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson

Would Oban or Cardhu do? Oh yes, yes indeedy, you have always had good taste Rem, As for the Fiddich, its good enough for the Boers. -------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson

Y'know what? I think I can see my house from there!. -------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson

I dunno about not taking it to terminal, but its a good idea to do some high hopnpops to get the feel of the way the new thing flies. -------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson

Agreed Skreamy...... http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/2948900.stm -------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson