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| - Stock footage is so expensive is there a lower cost alternative? - Will there be an issue with using Panasonic tapes in a Sony deck? - Will it hurt magnetic tapes if they're subjected to x-ray at the airport? - How should you Care for Your Recorded and Blank Videocassettes? - Should I use a tape rewinder as opposed to using my VCR to rewind tapes? - What is the difference between Professional and Consumer versions of the same videocassettes? - When using 100' or more of S-Video cable from a camera to a projector wil the signal degrade? - Is there a CD-R that can hold more then 90 minutes? Q: Hi Andrew, great newsletter by the way! I need some stock footage of wildlife for a project I am working on, but the prices being charged seem to rule it out for the small independent production company such as myself. Do you know of any alternatives? A: Happily, the answer is yes! A you rightly say, for the smaller video producer, stock footage is usually prohibitively expensive, with a single clip sometimes costing hundreds of dollars. Enter Digital Juice, who have revolutionized the stock footage industry with their VideoTraxx film and video library. I believe the set contains around 3200 film and video clips on 34 DVD-ROMS, and the entire package retails for $599, which is one of the best bargains you'll find. The quality is excellent, with 36 categories to choose from including business, recreation, people, industry, aerials, landscapes, technology and yes, there is a section on animals that has 78 clips to choose from! Highly recommended. Take a look at the Digital Juice Website by clicking here. Q: Hi Andrew, I have a Panasonic camcorder. I know it is best to use the same brand of tape that your camcorder is. If I purchase a Sony DSR-11 to use as my transfer to computer deck, so I don't run down the recording heads on my camera, will there be an issue with using Panasonic tapes in the Sony deck? A: Hi Eric, the Sony deck will play Panasonic tapes just fine, there is no problem with that. The issue with tape compatibility is not about matching the tape to the hardware. The important thing is that you should stick with one brand of tape continuously. So it's no problem to use Panasonic tapes with a Sony device for example, but whatever brand you choose you should stick with to prevent the problem of clogged heads where the tape formulations of different brands interact. Q: Will it hurt magnetic tapes if they're subjected to x-ray at the airport? A: Magnetic recording media are not affected by x-rays. It's important to note, however, that some international airports are now using magnetic devices to inspect luggage. This type of device may effect your pre-recorded audio or video tape. If it's permitted in the country you're visiting, you should hand carry your material through airport security and ask for a non-magnetic inspection. Q: How should you Care for Your Recorded and Blank Videocassettes? A: "Hey, let's watch that movie I taped a couple of months ago. Now where did I put that videocassette? I wonder if it's in this pile of stuff on the floor... ." And when you find that tape, do you sometimes wonder why that special movie looks or sounds funny? Maybe it has white spots on the picture, or the actors sound like they're underwater? Sound familiar? Chances are that your tape isn't really to blame; maybe you shouldn't have been treating your videocassettes like an old sock. Taking care of your recordings is really quite easy. There are some really simple things you can do if you want your tapes to look and sound as good as they did when you first recorded them. All you have to do is follow some simple steps: 1. When you buy new blank tapes, store them in a cool, dry place. Keep them out of direct sunlight and away from sources of heat. 2. As soon as you unwrap a new videocassette, label it immediately. Failure to do so could cause you to accidentally record over something you particularly wanted to keep. 3. Once you've finished your recording, rewind the tape to the beginning. Then, remove the protective "erase tab" on the back of the cassette; this prevents you from recording over that which you just recorded. If you want to reuse the tape at a later date, simply put a small piece of tape over the opening. 4. If your recording is especially important -- a special family event or a rare movie or TV show -- consider making a copy with a second VCR. 5. Keep the cassette in its sleeve or an accessory case. This will keep dust and dirt from getting on the videotape and causing problems later on. Dust and dirt not only damage the tape, they can also damage your VCR. Dirty recording and playback heads can not only ruin your tapes, they can require expensive repairs. 6. Keep your recorded videocassettes away from speakers or other types of electronic equipment. Most equipment emits a small magnetic field that can erase bits of your recording. 7. Store both your recorded and blank videocassettes upright, like a book. Be sure the spool with the tape on it is at the bottom. 8. Periodically take your recorded cassettes off the shelf and fast-forward and rewind them in your VCR. This ensures even tension across the tape itself while in storage. 9. When you are ready to watch a tape that you recorded some time ago, first examine the cassette to make sure it looks like it's in normal condition. If the cassette looks wrong -- if a piece is broken, if something appears loose inside -- do NOT put it in your VCR. If you think something is awry, don't try to fix the cassette yourself. Contact the tape's manufacturer for advice on how to handle the situation. Q: I have heard that it is advisable to use a tape rewinding device rather than using the VCR to rewind the tape. Is that true, and what is the reason? A: When you rewind a video cassette, the tape itself is still in contact with the head of the VCR which can cause premature wearing. Video heads are costly to replace so for this reason it is a good idea to use a video tape rewinder. I have seen them available for VHS, 8mm and MiniDV tapes, I am not sure about other formats. Q: What is the difference between Professional and Consumer versions of the same videocassettes? A: The Professional versions of these videocassettes have been held to tighter processing and quality control during manufacturing. This results in tapes with even lower dropout levels then the equivalent consumer product, and an extremely high level of consistency from tape to tape. Q: Hi Andrew, I will be filming a religious service from the rear of the sanctuary, but we also want to take an audio/video "feed" downstairs to the parish hall where we will have seating for a possible overflow crowd. I will have an XGA projector & 6' screen and powered speaker down at the remote location. It is some 75' from the camera & audio mixing board at the back of the church to the location of the projector/speaker at the front of the remote location. My camera is a Sony mini-DV TRV17. It has S-video out, DV in/out, etc. My projector is a Toshiba DLP XGA. It has S-video in, RCA input, etc. I was planning on using a 100' S-video cable from my camera to the projector downstairs. However, one person says that's too far; the signal will have degraded. The picture downstairs doesn't have to be IMAX quality, but I still want it to look good. A: Hi Jeff, a 100' S-video cable should be fine. That distance is getting near the limit you would use without a signal booster, so you may want to have a signal booster available just in case. Place the signal booster on the camera end of the cable. Site your projector far enough away from the screen so it fills the entire screen, the bigger the picture the better. If you see ground loop problems on the image, this can usually be rectified by powering the projector from the same outlet as the camera (you will need a long extension cord), or you can lift the ground from the projector plug by using an adaptor for that purpose (consult a qualified electrician before making any such adjustments to ensure the safety of everyone). Q: Hi Andrew, I will be filming a religious service from the rear of the sanctuary, but we also want to take an audio/video "feed" downstairs to the parish hall where we will have seating for a possible overflow crowd. I will have an XGA projector & 6' screen and powered speaker down at the remote location. It is some 75' from the camera & audio mixing board at the back of the church to the location of the projector/speaker at the front of the remote location. My camera is a Sony mini-DV TRV17. It has S-video out, DV in/out, etc. My projector is a Toshiba DLP XGA. It has S-video in, RCA input, etc. I was planning on using a 100' S-video cable from my camera to the projector downstairs. However, one person says that's too far; the signal will have degraded. The picture downstairs doesn't have to be IMAX quality, but I still want it to look good. A: Hi Jeff, a 100' S-video cable should be fine. That distance is getting near the limit you would use without a signal booster, so you may want to have a signal booster available just in case. Place the signal booster on the camera end of the cable. Site your projector far enough away from the screen so it fills the entire screen, the bigger the picture the better. If you see ground loop problems on the image, this can usually be rectified by powering the projector from the same outlet as the camera (you will need a long extension cord), or you can lift the ground from the projector plug by using an adaptor for that purpose (consult a qualified electrician before making any such adjustments to ensure the safety of everyone). Q: Hi Andrew, is there any recordable CD audio media that can hold more than 90 minutes of playing time? A: Mark, the answer is no, not currently. One option might be to record the files as MP3 audio onto a CD if you have a requirement for a longer length. | ||
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