[Rob Jackson]

Thanks for those suggestions Ty! I’ll try those and see what happens. For now, I just unplugged antenna “A” and it seems to be helping. Perhaps that distance between the antennae was causing an RF reflection issue like you said. I’ll look into those shark fins. I know some other people that really like those results.

The antennae are hanging vertical from the ceiling, and the wireless mic is a hand held, so no drooping transmitting antenna. Our next step is to try and move them out further into the room, but it’s a solid concrete ceiling so that gets a little difficult! I have noticed that it doesn’t seem to be a distance issue as I can go 30+ feet farther away and not have a problem. There seem to be two or three 2′ diameter spots that have issues.

Again, thanks for the suggestions!

[Rob Jackson]

Sometimes people just don’t know what to include, so they include nothing. I’m not a big poster here, but I read dozens of threads a week. I see this issue all the time. Could there be a comment on the post box, pictured here, that says “please include software version, computer specs, name of your 5th grade computer teacher, and whatever else you don’t think actually matters but we promise it really does.” Rather than an article that will be read by the faithful and not by the people looking to get quick answers. Or a button that needs to be checked before posting like an agree to service button that reads “I promise I’ve given all of the information I can even dream of giving about my problem.”

I’m not a web designer and know adding things can be time consuming. Not trying to make things difficult, just a suggestion.

[Rob Jackson]

To download the files so you don’t have to stream them:

https://forums.creativecow.net/readpost/248/158

He also sells all of the first 65 tutorials on one DVD:

https://www.videocopilot.net/products/series_one/

[Rob Jackson]

They already have cell phone tours where you dial a number for each exhibit and you get an audio file to listen to. I’d imagine there are places already utilizing some video features too. We looked into using that at the aquarium, but we’d have to install repeaters everywhere because cell reception is horrible. All that concrete, thick glass, and water. Those repeaters are expensive, we even had all the major carriers come in and do a walk-through with us.

You can already use cell phones to purchase things from vending machines in Europe. Once they’re embedded in our heads we’ll just be able to blink the information we want…

Here’s one company that offers those tours: https://www.guidebycell.com/gbc/toursindex.html

[Rob Jackson]

Well I’m with you on that thought process. I was pulled into this project after all of the ideas had been dreamt up and now I’m pretty much “The Implementer”.

The thought on the video tour is that we can do a lot of behind the scenes filming. We do have placards up, but we get new fish quite frequently and the placards really just cover the “main attractions” in each tank. Most of the animals here (we have otters, gators, an eagle, etc) are indigenous to the area, so we may go and film their natural habitats, show the effects of pollution and expansion, and also show how some of them came to be at the aquarium (the guys go out on the boat and bring back most of the species found in the tanks). These videos wouldn’t be long for the exact reason you’re thinking. We can already see the animals!! If we get into the iPod touch realm, one of the programmers here has been working on developing apps and may do an interactive tour with video trivia, touch screen actions, etc. The video tour would have a fair number of graphics too that would contain statistical data, answers to FAQ’s, and information about the various show times.

The other plan at this point is that we will film as many different projects at the same time as we can. We’re working on a Jeopardy style kiosk that will have video trivia, podcasts about behind the scenes operations and our extensive sea turtle rescue/veterinary care facility, and marine biology classes to be streamed into classrooms.

The audio tour is priority and definitely going to happen. The video tour will be filmed, but may not be used as a self-guided tour. I’m really just trying to do the research so if we do want to do a video tour, we can get right into it.

In response to an early suggestion about sponsors, there’s a grant in the works that will cover all of this, but if the grant doesn’t come through, then we will be brainstorming a list of potential sponsors and what they get for their sponsorship. Ads in the tour, audio or video, and names on the placards that identify which track to play at each exhibit, and a mention on the website along with the downloadable version.

Thanks again for the responses Mark!

[Rob Jackson]

Thanks for the response Mark!

We are definitely going to put it on the website first. We’ll have 1 or 2 mp3 players to use for our test users, but until the next set of grants goes through, there won’t be players to provide. We also have to find some way to make money off of it.

The idea, from the higher powers that be, is that we’d have something nice looking/modern to make the aquarium seem “in the now,” but we still have guests who are in the ’80s.

Great idea about headphones in the gift shop. Hadn’t even thought about the hygiene deal. I’ll talk to them about setting up a dedicated kiosk where they can download what they need.

I really like the design of the GPS Ranger, barzadventures.com, for a video player. Obviously GPS won’t work for us inside a building, but the player itself is really what strikes me. I’d like to take a player like that and have it respond to RF hotspots at each exhibit.

Thanks again Mark!

[Rob Jackson]

Have you looked at Revostock? They have video clips and After Effects templates all at pretty good prices.

[Rob Jackson]

This is why I pretty much ignore most Craigslist ads. Internships are not the same as these ads looking for “students/people who want to build their portfolio with a successful national company”, but yet refuse to name their company in the ad itself. Too many people looking for editing know they can get hobbyists and eager students with NLE’s to do a project for nothing or the promise of “more work down the road” as the NLE’s and cameras are so much more affordable than they were in the past.

When they realize the free work they get done isn’t up to par, they’ll pay someone to do it or just not do it at all.

[Rob Jackson]

I am dealing with almost this exact situation right now. Client wants a trailer for a short film put together. He brought me some songs from a local band, and “is in discussions” to get the licenses. I am expected to edit as though he has the licenses, and he’ll make sure he has them before posting the trailer online. Time crunch of course. I have made it very clear, in writing, that it is illegal for him to broadcast the video without getting the licenses for the music used. I will gladly create a spec version with a watermark for him to approve, but won’t let the final product leave my hands until I have proof of licensing. He’s not happy. I get the “I’ll assume all legal responsibility” speech every day.

If you tell your client you won’t do it because it’s ILLEGAL, and they don’t respect that, then perhaps they’re not worth keeping as a client, especially if you explain that YOU can be held liable, regardless of what he signs (as far as I know). Do this “small” favor for them once, see how many times it comes back up. The only agreements you can have them sign is to limit how many times, when and where they can show the video, and an agreement to pay any and all legal costs you incur should something go wrong, which may or may not stand up in court when you go to recoup your costs. (I am not a lawyer, check with your own atty before signing anything.)

Sucks to lose a client over something so trivial (to them at least), but better to lose a client than your entire business. Is there any way just to get the license for the song and add it to their bill?

[Rob Jackson]

This type of font is commonly called “dot matrix”. I believe there is also one called “Diodos”.

Good luck and post your completed video if you can. I’d like to see how you use it.