[Adrian Smith]

As I mentioned it will not be one but many different locations so it is impossible to say what any one connection will be. This is being produced for a client who will go from event to event. The video file will play back from different computers (usually a MacBook Pro). I have no control over what the computer will be or what the connection is (not clairvoyant – though I hear there is an app for that).

What I need to figure out is the best codec/ video format to give the client so they will have their bases covered. The client is not a techie but a marketing person and will not want umpteen different variations (SD and HD will have to suffice)

So I am presuming some version of an h264 QT file. I have also heard that playback in the ProRes format is also not bad (depending on the power/set-up for the lap top).

So given that the average scenario is a standard projector of decent power and quality projecting onto a 4:3 screen in a 500 seat venue can someone suggest some good settings/codec from a proRes source.

I’m sure there are other producers/editor who have clients with the same needs/issues (yes, I know, they all have issues).

Thanks

A.S.

[Adrian Smith]

Perfect. And yes I have an attenuator for the line level balance. Thanks again… I spent hours online looking for that very thing. Brilliant.

A

[Adrian Smith]

Hi Thomas:

Just thought I’d follow up and let you know I managed to fix the balance plate screw issue with 5 washers from Ace Hardware (two each for the actual retaining screws and one for the balance plate lever) and a generous squirt of WD40. Works like a dream now.

My total cost for a Satchel Video 18 (head and sticks) is now $203.38

Not bad, eh?

[Adrian Smith]

Thanks for your help.

A

[Adrian Smith]

Hi Tom:

Thanks for the quick response. Yes, you have pretty much got the gist of my question. It may be that the two screws (either side of the actual plate – either side of the red lever) are not the original (they don’t seem to be flat). So they may be impeding it. I keep reading in the manual that in order to release the plate and let it slide back and forth I’m supposed to pull the red leaver back as far as it will go. Well, i can’t pull it any direction. it does unscrew (in fact it came fully unscrewed so i don’t know if that did anything). It’s very frustrating as in every other respect this is a great tripod (and I only paid $200 on Craigslist for the head and sticks combined). I will check into the screw issue some more.

Thanks again

A

[Adrian Smith]

The window is for my benefit. I really like having window boxes. I’m a keen container gardener. On that note, has anyone had much success growing strawberries in our foggy coastal climate?

[Adrian Smith]

Dear Mr. Harsh:

I guess you missed the Business 101 lesson that went over the first (or second rule) of business: “Location, location, oh and location!”

You’ve gotta know how important ambient factors are in any business, i.e. good parking, pleasant environment, good neighborhood cafes, etc. This is especially true when dealing with corporate clients, celebrity interviewees, politicians, etc. Funky industrial parks don’t really cut it unless you’re catering to the hipster market.

Oh and by the way you can pretty much name your price at the moment for commercial space on the peninsular.

Sorry to rain on your reality parade.

Anyway, I got money to burn… and it’s groovy to be irresponsible.

Meanwhile, cheer up. The sun is shining and the surf is up. Go outside and tend your petunias!

[Adrian Smith]

Good advice and points all. I already use many of the studio spaces in the San Francisco area and you would be amazed at the asking prices and the very little (or too much) you get in return. You either end up with a noisy and overly reverbrant shack or the bridge of the Starship Enterprise. Even in this economy you have to get out the thumbscrews to get realistic prices out of the schmucks (over and over again). So my trick is to try and find the middle ground. 15 minutes from downtown is the coastal city of Pacifica. It is quiet, beautiful and affordable. But, sshh don’t tell anyone.

Anyway. Think I’ve obsessed over this enough for one night. Tomorrow I will be posting on how to grow petunias on your balcony for fun and profit.

[Adrian Smith]

Actually I have already tapped the Pinochet clan as investors. They are very keen on cooking shows apparently.

[Adrian Smith]

Chaps, methinks you ain’t comparing apples to apples (as they taught me in divinity school). I’m not about to set up an animation company or any kind of production company (other than the ongoing work I already do for the dear old Beeb – let the British license payer pay say I).

My venture would be to set up a modest building housing a modest insert stage for modest interviews like those I already do for the BBC, the New York Times, etc. I have a hard time finding affordable space at a moments notice and when I do it is often noisy, hard to get to or has terrible acoustics. So, my thinking goes… if I’m having hard time finding suitable studio space as an independent but very busy TV journalist…. surely there are others too in this predicament.

So no, I don’t want to compete with Industrial Light and Magic. I was thinking more along the lines of Click and Clack The Tappet Brothers Shoot a Video in their garage (but boy have they made it nice). The tea’s good too (and extra revenue and $1.50 a cup).