IAC DISCUSSION FORUMS

Thanks, Dave, for the history of how FACI came about. So, in literal terms, it means Fellow of the Amateur Cinematographers Institute. Not a bad title! By the way, if the Iinstitute does not like using the dreaded word Amateur in its title - hence, presumably, the favoured use of the abbreviation IA...

I am making a documentary on a Czech composer in 16:9 aspect ratio. There is some footage I shot two year’s ago of the composer’s last house in Central Bohemia which I would like to utilise in this project - but it was shot in 4:3 aspect ratio. It would save me a lot of unneccesary travelling, when ...

Thanks for your reply, Geoff - sorry it's so late but I've just returned from two weeks abroad.

Mmm...I don't think I'm going to be able to replicate those seemingly ideal archiving conditions.

So it's back to the drawing board!

Ian

Geoff, you say "my master tapes are now kept in a controlled environment that does not exceed 60% humidity at 70C maximum". I am curious to know what the nature of this "controlled environment" IS exactly. Is it worth sharing the info with other IAC members with the same concerns...

What I meant, Tom, by "64 min...the standard maximum space available on 4.7", is 64 min set at Best Quality, which is the setting I'm only really happy with. So I really can't make out why a computer-to-DVD project of 75 minuntes, set to Best Quality, and using Verbatim 8x DVD+R DL discs -...

Thanks, Mike, I'll give it a whirl on the Pinnacle Studio forum.

Meanwhile, if any other IAC members can give me any clues as to the problem, I'd be very grateful.

Ian

Until a few months ago I edited my video projects on Pinnacle Studio 12. Earlier this year I upgraded to the company’s latest editing suite, Pinnacle Studio Ultimate 14, targeted by Pinnacle in their marketing blurbs tat “serious enthusiasts”. But I have been having some problems when trying to burn...

Many thanks to Michael, Peter, Stephen and Dave for informing and entertainign me with your diverse and often fulsome views on (to quote Michael) "the old chestnut...of archiving". It has enlightened, bothered and amused me in just about equal measure. But it is Tom who has allowed me to s...

Thanks for that very full and well-reasoned reply, Dave. Up to now, despite the fact that the tapes have been through the camera nearly 20 times, I can detect no signs of problems. It's very good to have Daphne's views on this topic, too. From what I can recall of Tom Hardwick's writings on this sub...

Thanks for that, Stephen. What I'm doing at the moment, as part of a wildlife film, is pointing the camera at numerous manmade and natural objects in the garden and leaving the unmanned, camouflaged camera running for an hour - for example, it might be focused on the bird bath. Each hour over maybe ...

I'd be interested to know approximately how many times a MiniDV tape can be recorded over before image quality in the recording is compromised.

Has there been any definitive research done on this questions?

Ian Woodward

Thanks for your helpful message, Chris, but I think for the moment I'll stick with the release plate that comes wth the Vinten tripod.

It's easier than all the options!

Ian

Thanks Tom.

Your last sentence ("The screw can never come out of the camera, because it has 'nowhere to go'.") is brilliant in terms of reassuring me.

Of course you're right - I never thought of it that way!

Ian

Hi Tom Yes, the Vinten tripod is for video use only…this particular model was recommended to me by a cameraman at the BBC's Natural History Unit in Bristol (wildlife videography is a particular passion of mine). The tripod does indeed have its own plate - but it comes with just one screw to attach t...

I have a Canon XL2 and a Vinten V3AS-CP2F Vision 3as Tripod System. The camera’s manual refers to the two-piece Canon TA-100 Tripod Adapter to allow a quick mount/unmount of the XL2 onto/from a tripod. I’d really like to be assured that the adapter plate will fit onto the Vinten tripod before I buy ...