Davo'z Flicks

Kittyhawk and Mustang

2008-06-29T19:32:00.003+09:30

This post is a sort of adjunct to the previous one.

The "screenshot" in the previous post belongs to this clip ..

Which have only just had the facilities to upload .. but was created and rendered into .WMV in Magix P12, not P14.

Clip is of an air display by a P40 Kittyhawk and P51D Mustang (CA-18) at the Jamestown (South Australia) Airshow in October 2006. Includes a "mock" attack on a General Grant tank.

Pyrotechnics arranged by Mark Hollowell.

Magix Movie edit Pro 14e

2008-06-22T13:22:00.010+09:30

Have just downloaded Magix Movie edit Pro14 e-version and - apart from some hassles with the WiFi link which kept dropping out (not guaranteed to reduce frustration levels nor increase a cheerful attitude about a file size of 436.5 Megabyte) - have to say that initial impressions are a smidge less than neutral.

For a start, it costs twice as much ($US84.99) as Movie edit Pro12 e-version - Looks very similar, and so far haven't seen any particular additions or improvements apart from "support for Blu-ray Discs™ and AVCHD camcorders". In fact, there are more fades and special FX in the folders in MME P12.

So, for those with MME P12 considering an "upgrade", would suggest holding off for the time being.

On the other hand, do go to the website and check it out. There is also a "new" offering - iClone 2 SE which looks to be some sort of "animation" program, but might not be found unless one actually purchases, or downloads the "trial" version of MME P14e.

Further update(24 Jun): Am not all that "cluey" with this sort of thing, and have trouble understanding what i think of as "logical inconsistencies".

Magix P14 is an "updated" version of MME p12, not an "update" to it. For some reason can find .MVD projects created in MME P12, edit them in P14, but have yet to figure out a way to "save" them into the "Projects" section of P14.

Also, after rendering, they seem to disappear. Can find projects and rendered files in the "My audio/video" section of MME p12 - but for some reason can't find files in MME P14 "My Projects" folder. There doesn't seem to be the matching "My Projects" folder .. but that may be due to the fact that have yet to 'capture', and 'edit' anything INTO MME P14.

Am still working with it, but here's a pic of two new functions. There are arrows on the RHS just under the preview screen - show/hide.(click to enlarge)

Stay tuned.

Hiatus

2008-06-20T11:00:00.004+09:30

Yer, I know, long gap.

Much has happened; exited lawn-mowing, bought caravan, am "on the road" again. Internet connection will be sporadic and unpredictable. For the past 8 weeks, have been working on a farm out in the countryside of South Australia, so video and edit time has been sparse. The job was "casual" and have recently become "surplus to requirements" so have more time to spend on video.

More updates as time permits.

3D Animation

2008-01-16T20:46:00.000+09:30

Another reason that have been very quiet on this blog is that have been messing around trying to come to grips with a rather amazing 3D Animation program.

Was initially poking around looking for a free (or cheapish) 3D Animation program to create a simple effect to use in one of my short films (been in production for 6 months or so .. mostly shot, sort of waiting for the animation bit - and NOW, of course, will have to "re-shoot" it HDV .. heh ).

Found a whole heap of "free" ones on the net .. but one of the things that stumped me was that I had not the slightest idea of how they worked. Even the "help" files were sadly lacking in detail, or used words that had never heard of.

Then, stumbled across DAZ 3D. OK, the "starter" program is free .. and I presume it gives some idea of how the program works, but I also decided to "purchase" the Starter Pack which was actually quite cheap. Have, at the moment, spent roughly $AU100.00 just to get something decent to "play" with, but is not really necessary when starting out. They've organised it into a "modular" system - can spend as much as you like, from zero upwards.

HOOO BOY! Welllll. It really is a beautiful system. Took me a while to figure out how it all worked, as there are hundreds of menus for tweaks, twitches and morphs BUT, it seems to have been very thoughtfully put together, and is full of what I would call UNDERSTANDABLE detail, even for a dill-brain like me - and one of the things that I love about it is that the "puppeteer" makes things just so easy. (Well, it's not all that easy, but a bloody sight easier than anything else that have found - AND, it does come with a 300 page, easy to read and understand PDF manual, as well as understandable tutorials on the site.).

Won't put much detail here, just go to the site (click the logo at the top - click "3D Software" at the top then, from the Left-hand list- "DAZ Studio", then "Downloads") - OR "take the tour" and see for yourself.

At some point will write up what have been up to and perhaps a pic and video, but my efforts so far aren't really suitable as a "demo". Not to worry, will keep beavering away at it .. heh.

MAGIX MOVIE EDIT Pro 12

2008-01-16T01:07:00.000+09:30

There is, perhaps – due to the cheap price and strange name – MAGIX – a temptation to assume that it is a sort of “Mickey Mouse” outfit (shades of Walt Disney, Sorcerer's Apprentices and men if funny hats?).

In my opinion – far from it.

This is not intended to be a detailed expert “Review”, “Tutorial” nor “Recommendation”; written more as "information" for the "interested newcomer" and/or "enthusiastic amateur" contempating the move to High Def Video, rather than the "committed professional", as I have yet to see the result of taking it up to its full capability.

There are many Non Linear Editing (NLE) systems and programs available in the marketplace and this - apparently originating in Germany - is but an example of one of them.

Emphasis is, or has been, mostly placed on the American dominated and marketed “mainstream” programs, and there has been very little mention of this product in Australia so have taken it upon myself to give a limited - introductory - overview of its capabilities and functions. Limited - as while have been using the MME P10 version (off and on) for more than 12 months, and know quite a lot about that one - have only had this version for a few weeks. They are basically similar, and will look at the differences later on.

Have, several times, seen - from those just starting out on the adventure of Digital Video - the question “What NLE should I use?” “All I want to do is ... ”.

There is no definitive answer to that one, and the answers generally revolve around “Depends on what you want to achieve” or "How much spare money or time do you have".

Am also assuming that most newcomers have, in the back of their mind somewhere – images planted by “Broadcast Quality” TV visuals and effects (I know I do), but unless we are a Packer, Stokes or Murdoch, the price and upkeep of “Broadcast Quality” Editing hardware and software is slightly beyond the reach of most average pockets.

So, what to do? Where to start?

We all start with a camera. These days, more than likely, a digital Video camera. Then, at some point, comes the thought – the desire to .. well, “tissy things up a bit”. Some simple and easy to learn system to take out all the really crummy shots, join the good ones together, add a title or two. Perhaps add a background music soundtrack, easily burn the result to DVD .. nothing fancy .. really.

It's my guess that ALL of the Digital Editing systems can do that. Some are easier to understand than others, but the tricky bit comes later.

Can only speak for myself, but at some point comes the thought .. umm, would be nice if I could make that transition look like a “turning page”, errrm, that crossfade really should be a few seconds longer .. can I change fonts and colours in the titles? etc., etc ..

At that point I think the word is “hooked” (addicted?), and one begins to explore what the NLE really IS capable of.

At this point will have to do a bit of conjecture, since I've never really had much practical experience with the more “popular” mainstream NLE's, but it looks as if there is an “entry level” package of between $100 and $250. After that there seems to be ever increasing costs involved in “upgrading” to the more complex packages.

At $US49.99 for the downloadable e-version ($US59.99 [+postage] for the boxed CD) Movie Edit Pro 12 handles the very simple, easy to learn, potter about with 4:3 Standard Definition - right up to the incredibly complex; including the settings and capability for full 1080i High Definition Video. (10 “initial” settings range between Standard definition PAL 4:3 720x576; 25fps[including matching NTSC settings] – to HDTV 1080i, 16:9, 1920x1080; 25 or 29.97fps) – as well as DVD burning.

IMPORTANT UPDATE:
I did say that was still learning about the full functionality of the edit system

The download e-version HAS been stripped down for quick download BUT, additional components and plug-ins ARE available as free downloads. Just click on the "help" button and look for "downloads".

This is of particular interest for the "home editor" as there is a function within the Program to easily create Musical backing tracks. Have just downloaded Soundtrackmaker pack01 (59.5MB) which contains a selection of musical tracks. These can be manipulated in the "Soundtrackmaker" section to alter the "mood" by clicking a selection which includes "happy", "sad", "jazzy" .. etc.

There are also additional "transitions" designed for 16:9 format (plug-in pack 02 - 54.6MB), as well a whole heap of other component downloads.

I still think it the best, simplest and easiest - cheapest “bang for the buck” that I know of.

A FEW DETAILS.

At this point, I don't have any “example” video edited on the MME P12 to show, as there are a whole heap of “new” settings relating to HDV and DVD to learn - but this is a screenshot from when I was working Standard Definition in MME P10. (On a Compaq, 1.8Ghz, 512 RAM, 80 Gig HDD).

The “result” of that screen can be viewed at
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=b-QrPMZjC3g
(some notes about that video: The "flying" B24 was a "still" photo - the "pan" was created through this edit program, as was the "explosion", from some of the "included" "visuals" and FX library. It's all on the Timeline.)

From memory, I think it took me – without any instruction or guidance, apart from the “help” files - 10-15 hours over several weeks to learn what P 10 was capable of – and another 15 hours over two weeks to “edit and create” the video clip mentioned above.

At this point, perhaps a note about "time".

It should be quite easy to "pick up the basics" of this system in a few hours, i.e. Record (capture) footage, choose a "take" or takes, Drag and drop them into Timeline, trim and butt them together - or select transitions and/or crossfades from the drop down list in the "storyboard view", add Header and Tailend titles .. then send the result back to the camcorder or DVD. (MME P12 burns to DVD straight from the Timeline[?]).

The "time" taken for this will depend on the length of footage involved. Thirty minutes of footage is 30 minutes of footage, and takes 30 minutes to Capture, just for a start. Then there is "render" time which - depending on length and compexity of the Project, as well as computer Processing power - can take several hours.

So, for those just starting out, will recommend a great deal of "time" spent on "Offline" Editing. I presume most Digital cameras can display "Time-codes" or "Frame counters". Time spent with the camcorder noting down the "start" and "end" numbers of the footage that one really wants, is time well spent (and conserves computer resources). In other words, only Capture the footage that is worth editing.

MAGIX Movie Edit Pro 12

[NOTE: Click any pic for - really big(1440x) pics]

Here is a screen-shot of the “Opening” screen, and basically gives three choices in tabs at the top – Record, Edit, Burn.

The central screen doesn't have to be there, as it has a “Don't show this screen again”, but basically asks “what do want to do? Load existing project or create new project” and contains the “Initial settings” drop-down for the project.

So, depending on the Aspect ratio and settings on the original footage - The full list from the drop-down is :-
PAL 4:3 (720x576; 25fps)
PAL 16:9 (720x576; 25fps)
NTSC 4:3 (720x480; 29.97fps)
NTSC 16:9 (720x480; 29.97fps)
HDV1 720p PAL 16:9 (1280x720; 25fps)
HDV2 1080i PAL 16:9 (1440x1080; 25fps)
HDTV 1080i PAL 16:9 (1920x1080; 25fps)
HDV1 720p NTSC 16:9 (1280x720; 29.97fps)
HDV2 1080i NTSC 16:9 (1440x1280; 29.97fps)
HDTV 1080i NTSC 16:9 (1920x1080; 29.97fps)

This is the screen that opens when clicking “Record” and gives a self-explanatory list of choices. Digital video (DV),(Have just noticed the box, second from left - says "Analogue Video", with a tick-box to "record directly onto DVD" - must check that one out, later, and see if I can connect a VHS player), Audio (microphone, tape recorder, Minidisc, Record player), Single shot, then HDV camcorder (HDV1, HDV2).

XP has recognised the camera, and is now ready to capture. Footage is "previewed" using the Play/stop buttons on the screen until a suitable section is found. Click "Record". Can watch progress (and any "dropouts") in the area bottom right.

EDITING

Next is the “New Project” screen, and has a total of 16 tracks to play with, but can also be “customised” to reduce the number of tracks on view. I find that 8 tracks fit comfortably on my computer screen without having to scroll down.
(lord only knows when I might need more than six tracks - but they are there, if needed).

This is the screen where one begins. The area at the top right (called the Media Pool) is where one can find anything that happens to be on the hard-drive to drag-and-drop into the Edit tracks. Above it are tabs to find "Import", "Fades", "Titles" and "Video Effects" (which, like everything else, are Drag-and-drop). Want to increase the colour saturation? Increase or decrease the Gamma? Just "select" it then drag-and-drop onto the Take that you want to change. There IS also another pop-up panel for "Fine tuning" any of the "visual adjustments" - but won't go into that detail here.

At the moment it has the “my Audio/Video” choices (edit projects with the Magix .MVD filename awaiting completion), from the list of buttons located between the “preview” screen and the area at top right which include “My Music” (at present is set to my WinXP music folder, but could be any folder on the hard drive), “My Pictures” (my WinXP photo folder) .. and a few others.

Oh, the third button down is “Takes”, which is where Magix stores everything “captured” from the video camera during the “Record” phase. It automatically separates out each “take” according to when the camera was turned on or off (well, generally; can be turned off to make one long “take”) and stores into a folder (your choice of name).

The blank screen top left is the "preview" screen, which can "automatically" monitor or preview any of the Takes, Audio, Transitions, Video FX, Title FX - when clicking on any icon or thumbnail in the Top RHS screen (Media Pool) - as well as being the Main preview screen for the whole "movie" when the cursor is clicked on any "object" in the Timeline tracks. You should be able to see the controls just underneath it. (Back to start, Nudge back, Stop, Play/pause, Nudge forward). And yes, can be made to display a Frame counter and/or Full screen.

The thin vertical red line seen running through the first "frame" just to the right of the LHS track control boxes is "where you are at" on the timeline, and should be showing a pic in the preview, but the "object" was chosen at random, and is an .AVI "3D animation" (created in DAZ 3D) in a "black box" - so it looks like the "PrtScr" didn't like it - but while am here, just to the right of the "screen controls" mentioned above, is the "scissors" icon - the "trim tab". The drop-down menu gives you "cut scene" which slits the selected object(the pink bit) at the red line; "delete scene beginning", which deletes anything to the left of the line in that object(take); "delete scene ending", which deletes anything to the right of the line in that take only, and automatically bringing adjoining "takes" together. Deleting whole takes, or groups of takes from the Timeline (selected by "Shift+ click"), is done with the "X" button .. but not to worry - there is always the "Undo" button.

Down at the lower Right-hand corner you can just see a "+" and "-" which are used to horizontally "expand" or "contract" the Timeline for very Fine-tune trimming.

So, just open the folders, icons or thumbnails that are displayed for easy preview or selection in the Media Pool, then drag-and-drop into whatever track one chooses. Transitions can also be easily added or controlled from the "Storyboard" screen.

TITLES

This is the title control panel, where one writes, and sets up the fonts, movements, placement and scrolling. After clicking "Apply" the title(s) appear on track 3 - you should see it as a yellow rectangle in other pics ("active" objects are coloured pink). Once there, they can be controlled with the cursor and little corner handles like everything else. Make them longer, shorter, fade in or out faster or slower, slide them backwards and forwards along the track. Same with any "object" on any track. Click and hold on any of the control handles. Slide the central one up and down to adjust the "intensity" of any visual; or "volume" of any Audio. (these adjustments are, of course, "rough" - there are "fine-tune" panels for pretty well everything)

AUDIO

I rather like the way it handles AUDIO.

The audio track from the “captured” take can also be separated from its original “image” and "nudged" a few frames left or right to fine-tune synchronisation - or taken (dragged) wherever one likes.

Everything is controlled from just one screen. Any “manipulation” panels pop up as 1/3 size on top of the “Main” screen, and are “floating” - so can be placed in whichever corner is out of the way.

There is a 16 track "mixer", for multiple Audio tracks.

There is also “contour” cursor with which one can “adjust” small sections on an Audio track – useful when one wants to “nick out” an unfortunate click or thump on the original track. Have magnified the section for clarity (magnification courtesy of my mouse – not Magix).

And can add an Audio FX control panel - for each individual track. Equalizer, Reverb, Compressor.

DVD burning

Can't say much about this aspect, haven't got that far on the "learning curve" yet. This, though, is the screen that pops up when clicking on "Burn" tab at the top.

If the reader is seriously considering purchasing the download Edition – or for more details (on their Website promo) click here -

Save $5 off MAGIX Movie Edit Pro 12 - Use Coupon Code MAGIXCJ08

There is, of course, a great deal more to be said and, frankly, have yet to discover what hides behind 90% of the drop-down menus in this one.

ADDENDUM: OK, TO PUT THINGS INTO PERSPECTIVE.

I had, actually, forgotten to change some of the settings in this program, which is why there is no "appropriate" screen shots or Demo clip to display re. HDV.

Also; Tech specs for the computer that am now working on :

ACER 7720G Travelmate
Intel Core 2 duo T7500
2.2 Ghz, 800Mhz FSB
2 Gb DDR2
17" WXGA screen
1280 MB ATI Mobility Radeon HD 2600 Hypermemory
2x160Gb DDR (320 Gb) HD drive(s)
DVD Super Multi DL.

Equipment Upgrade

2008-01-15T07:09:00.000+09:30

Another reason for the dearth of posts is that have "upgraded" a lot of equipment. Would be nice to say that Santa was good to me in December, but have managed it by dint of savings and tight budget.

The new equipment comes with a considerable learning curve so, once again - there will be few posts for a while until i can figure out all the little operating details and get back to creating , and posting, video clips.

Acer Travelmate 7720G
Canon HV20 High Def camera
Libec TH-650 tripod
Rode video microphone

as well as "upgrading" the MAGIX Digital video edit program, which copes quite happily with full High definition 16:9 video footage.

(.. and click this link .. heh)

Save $5 off MAGIX Movie Edit Pro 12 - Use Coupon Code MAGIXCJ08

Transitions

2007-12-26T18:06:00.000+09:30

One of the reasons that there has been no posts on this blog for some time is that have forgotten how to sign in to it. Frankly, managing multiple blogs on "Bluuger" is the proverbial pain in the arse, posterior, neck, psyche - or whatever part of the anatomy hurts most.

At some point will try to migrate this blog to Wordpress, which has the facility to manage multiple blogs from the one "control panel" - but the technical details are complex, and not yet fully understood.

In the meantime, this is the embryo "new" Address.

http://davinozvid.wordpress.com/

Cheers and Best of Season's Greetings to the occasional visitor, and may all the joys for the next series of years arrive with no strings attached .. heh.

Pip Borman Aerobatics

2007-08-26T14:43:00.000+09:30

Has taken a while, but have just posted this clip to youTube. Pip Borman aerobatic display in his Edge 540 at Jamestown Airshow October 2006. 4 minutes 5 sec.

Apart from being pleased that I could keep him in frame for the entire length (all one take, except the last bit) this one is a sort of an experiment.

Have been curious about the creation (composition) of "original" electronic music, so spent some time (a lot) finding snippets (can't remember what they are called in the "bizniss") of sounds and electronically created music, and trying to match them with the "action" of a video clip. Magix Movie edit gives me 12 tracks to play with so, with this one, have "created" the backing "music" track from scratch. Am still not really happy with it, as there are some timings that went askew, and probably some beats and keys that don't quite match.

However, it really DID take a long time fiddling, became impatient, and posted it.

Pip Borman aerobatics clip

This one was rendered into .wmv, and ended up at roughly 8.5 MB.

Visiting Truscott Airbase.

2007-08-05T16:33:00.000+09:30

Ok, have .. after all this time, managed to complete and upload the last of the three parts of that visit to Truscott Airbase. Part three is not all that exciting (which is why I haven't thought of it as urgent). Just a series of aerial shots from the aircraft on the way back from Truscott to Kununurra. Gives some idea of the Kimberley region of North-West Australia.

Davoflix
profile page.

Am still alive

2007-07-29T19:59:00.001+09:30

One of the things that annoys me in this "U beaut Hi Tech" world is that I keep forgetting the "sign in" process. Stuffit, just wait.

Part 3 is complete, but am still trying to figure out how to "get it there" in the best quality.

Could, of course, just "chuck it up", and let the images speak for themselves ..

Update 2.

2007-05-28T19:20:00.001+09:30

Gaaaaah! Have managed to get two of the three part series onto uTube, but am still battling with the recipe for "best quality".

Part 1 is four minutes long and rendered into .wmv. Somewhere close to 49MB. Quality playback via uTube acceptable. Part 2 .. 5 minutes 19 sec .. was also rendered into .wmv .. and ended up as 130MB??!!. Re-Rendered as .mp4 which cut the file size down to 19MB .. but the playback quality on uTube is crap.

Will figure it all out .. one day ..

In the meantime try here .. which should take you to my efforts so far on youTube.

Update

2007-05-17T09:09:00.000+09:30

Just a note to say that haven't really “forgotten” this blog. Have recently moved house, so much of my stuff was in cardboard boxes for a couple of months.

Am gradually getting re-organised; the editing equipment - camera, cables, tapes, etc.- are gradually being restored to functionality.

My first priority, with minimal "spare" time for the past weeks, has been to edit the footage that was taken in 2004 of a journey that I made to Truscott Airbase - a "secret" airbase in the Kimberley region of North-west Australia.

Am getting very close to posting the footage to youTube. Have split it it into three 4-5 minute sections.
Part 1, the trip from Kununurra to the Airbase:
Part 2, the footage of the Base itself and what we saw - the wreckage of at least two aircraft (B24 Liberator A72-160 and Spitfire A58-364) were still visible - and:
Part 3, views of the Kimberley from the aircraft on the trip from Truscott back to Kununurra.

Cessna "Bird Dog".

2007-03-11T01:58:00.000+09:30

mm, keep forgetting that I have this blog. This "display"was supposed to be in conjunction with the T-28 Trojan, but the Trojan had some difficulties getting airborne at the time and didn't quite make the "rendezvous", so the Cessna had to pretend to be a heavy hitter.

From the Airshow programme.

VH-FXY. This aircraft was the second to last one of the 1915 made and was flown by a National Guard unit in the USA from 1953 until 1969. In that year it was converted for military use and fitted with self sealing fuel tanks, rocket launcher and anti ground-loop axles.

Shipped to Vietnam later that year, it was flown by the 219th RAC where it collected over 40 bullet holes in service, a testament to the dangers of low level flying.

Given to the South Vietnamese in 1972 it eventually fell into the hands of the North Vietnamese.

In 1989, Col Pay procured this, and several other aircraft from Saigon and so this Bird Dog came to Australia. Rob Fox bought this aircraft from another owner, but it had been dismantled and parts were scattered all up the Eastern seaboard of Australia. So began a 9 year restoration during which Rob even met with one of the former pilots from the USA.

Rob can be very proud of 0-12471, a typically difficult but highly rewarding restoration of a warbird with a rich history.

Rob Fox is currently editor of Flight Path aviation magazine.

(click pic , not "play")

North American T-28 Trojan

2007-02-17T08:06:00.000+09:30

Info from the Jamestown Airshow programme of events.

Built in 1954, this aircraft entered service with the U.S. Navy in 1955 where it was used as an instrument flight trainer until 1972. Placed in storage for four years it then entered service again in 1976 and was used until retired in 1983. Entering civilian service the aircraft received a huge restoration in the late 1990's and was brought to Australia by Wayne Pearce in 2004

Extensive work was required to put it onto the Australian register [VH-DUD] and today this beautifully restored aircraft is finished in the colours of the Navy attack squadron VA-122 and in particular the personal mount of H. Charles McCoy.

This aircraft was supposed to perform in a joint display with the Cessna "Bird Dog" [VH-FXY], but there was some difficulty getting it airborne at the time. The video is short, 1 min 10, as it was only towards the end of the day that the Trojan took to the air.

Harvard T-6's Jamestown Airshow.

2007-02-11T16:19:00.000+09:30

Am gradually getting the hang of this. This clip "captured" with higher settings (can't remember details), took five hours in total - from finding the sections on video, capture, edit, render to *.wmv and upload to youTube. Enjoy.

Template changes

2007-02-04T15:43:00.000+09:30

Hoo boy. Have tried the "upgrade" to a new template (as suggested by Bl**gger) and lost a whole heap of stuff from the sidebar. Oh well, this IS an experimental bl*g after all.

One of these days will figure out how it all works, and get it looking how I'd like it.

Mustang

2007-01-31T22:02:00.001+09:30

As mentioned previously, these videos are still in the experimental stage, and am still fiddling about trying to find the best settings for recording (transfer from Digital Hi8 tape to computer), edit, mixdown and then upload to youtube.

This one was transferred with different settings from the previous .wmv 's.

This aircraft is a CA-18 Mustang. Similar to the P51 but assembled at the Commonwealth Aircraft factory at Fisherman's Bend in Victoria from imported components. Approximately 200 were built here.

A68-105 began life in September 1947 and after some 250 hours with the RAAF was sent to Tocumwal for scrap. This one ended up at the Fleet Wings Service Station in Melbourne, moved to Moorabbin Airport as a static display, then moved again to Point Cook.

It was rescued and restored by the current owners, Judy Paye and Richard Hourigan of The Old Aeroplane Company, and flew again in 1998.

Powered by a Packard Merlin V-12 engine through a 4 blade Hamilton Standard propeller, the aircraft is painted in 3SQN RAAF colours as flown by SQN Leader Murray Nash in Northern Italy.

FA-18 Hornet, Jamestown Airshow

2007-01-29T19:37:00.000+09:30

This display was a complete surprise at the show, was not on the programme, and only announced about half an hour before the arrival of the aircraft.

Tried to keep it in frame, but those things are FAST. Was not able to keep it in frame at the last flypast, so missed the "vertical departure".

And there is, of course, this F-18 video on youTube showing some speccy vapour trails.

YAK 52 Jamestown Airshow.

2007-01-15T21:25:00.000+09:30

YAK-52,at the Jamestown Airshow. October 2006. Pilot Chris Sperou.
Including quick shots of the P-40 and Mustang as they fly past.

Beta blogging

2006-11-03T23:03:00.000+09:30

OK, in the interests of experiments, this blog has changed to the "beta" version of blogger.

Metacafe

2006-10-29T19:08:00.000+09:30

OK, to be fair, have just received an email from Miri at Metacafe admitting a "mistake".

Still can't figure out why they need more than ten "reviewers", but such is the way of this world.

Comparison - P40 Kittyhawk

2006-10-29T14:19:00.001+09:30

OK, have just uploaded the same clip into youTube. The upload took 95 minutes.
P40 Kittyhawk

(addition - Jan 1 2007)
Am slightly unsure of the background, but it most probably belongs to Alan Arthur.

This aircraft was constructed from a New Zealand P40 (NZ23125) at Wangaratta and Deniliquin over the past five years. The Allison engine was reconditioned in the USA. The entire project was shipped to Pioneer Aero Restorations in New Zealand for completion and was finished just in time for the Wanaka Airshow this Easter.

It was then brought to Australia, and the Jamestown Airshow was its first public appearance in this country

Curtiss P40 Kittyhawk

2006-10-26T22:33:00.000+09:30

Metacafe are giving me the irrits at the moment. Apparently there is some sort of "review" system before a video gets released to "the public". Have just received notification that the "Inverted aircraft .." video in the post below has been "rejected" as one of their "reviewers" has " seen it before" .. so there is a "duplication" and the video has been withdrawn from "public" view. This is a whole load of crap as there is only one, and it belongs to me.

When I first uploaded them, the videos "hung" under "review" for several days. There is no information as to how many "reviews" it needs, nor how long, nor what they need as a rating, so had to email them to find out how long it would be before they were released. I did, however receive a very nice email from one of the staff, and the videos were relased soon after. Am a little bemused, considering some of the crap that makes it into their "public space".

So far youTube has the best management system. (and no bloody "review"system. When it's finished uploading .. there it is, available for "public" view and embedding.)

Actually, now that I think of it that may well be the problem with the Metacafe system. The URL was available to me shortly after the upload, so I put it into this blog. Unbeknownst to me it was not actually "available" to the Metacafe viewing public but was also being distributed to the "reviewing community". In the meantime, someone must have found it on this blog .. or something.

I sent an email of enquiry this morning, but have heard nothing back. Meanwhile, this is probably the only place where you can access it.

So, am still experimenting. This one has been uploaded to photobucket. Am not all that impressed with them, either. They apparently organise and handle "still" photos extremely well, but the "video" section is new, so the "management" screen for the upload is a pain in the proverbial. The upload took just under an hour.
This clip is 1 minute 38.

The quality of this one, while still a compromise, plays and looks quite good on my Windows Media Player, but am not now sure of the quality of replay here, as photobucket have changed the file extension. It was originally rendered and uploaded as .WMV with the setting "Windows Media 8 best quality based VBR for broadband" whatever that means. I did try several experiments with rendering it into AVI and MPEG4, but the playback in the Windows Media Player was crap, so went back to what seems to work best.

Jamestown Airshow (3)

2006-10-22T17:43:00.000+09:30

Chris Sperou and Warren Stewart do some "close quarter" flying. Just over 2 minutes.

Chris Sperou Aerobatics - video powered by Metacafe

Chris Sperou. Ribbon cut, Inverted. 1 min 12.

Inverted Aircraft cuts ribbon - video powered by Metacafe

Jamestown Airshow (2)

2006-10-20T17:41:00.000+09:30

Haven't really had time to write up the whole day, but here are a few pics. They all flew (except the tank :-), which actually got "blown up" several times with some speccy pyrotechnics), but anything actually in the air is on video. Am trying hard to edit stuff (i do have a 'day job') so have only managed a couple of short clips which are now on METACAFE, but probably not available to the public just yet, as they have some sort of "review" system. Will include the links in a further post.
General Grant tank
T-28 Trojan

P40 Kittyhawk

T-6 Harvard (one of three)

CA-18 Mustang
(background)

DHC1 Chipmunk (there were three)

Tiger Moth (one of several)

Douglas DC-3 (was supposed to, but didn't fly)

Stampe

(Dunno)

Jamestown Airshow (1)

2006-10-16T08:26:00.000+09:30

Well, made it there and back in one piece. A very enjoyable day. Have just over an hour of footage, including some speccy aerobatics by Chris Sperou in his Pitts special. Other aircraft include a Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawk, CA-18 Mustang, Chipmunks, T-6 Harvards, YAK-52, T-28 Trojan and a surprise visit from an FA-18 Hornet which did three low level fly-pasts. Did my best to keep it in frame - but those things are FAST!

Will have to do a series of short clips, so will take a week or so. In the meantime, have fun.

New challenges

2006-10-14T13:59:00.000+09:30

Am off to the Jamestown Airshow this weekend. 450Km round trip. Given the unpredictability of motor vehicles and road trips - if I make it back, should have something interesting to post... later.

In Memoriam

2006-09-20T23:04:00.000+09:30

This is another experiment. Am becoming more familiar with MAGIX movie edit pro-10. It gives me 12 'tracks' to play with.

Can 'record' or 'transfer' everything from the video recorder, and it generally 'recognises' each 'take' as separate, depending on when the camera is turned on or off. (needs choice). One of the things that am finding difficult and time consuming, is figuring out how the whole thing works.

OK, given 12 tracks, i generally 'drag and drop' the 'takes' into track 1, have a squizz, and see what happened. After that it is a question of figuring out the timings. Very easy to 'snip' takes at whatever point one chooses, as well as 'delete' the beginning and endings of takes without altering the originals. “Timing” takes time.

After that, it is very easy to 'drag and drop' any other “object' into the other tracks.

“Objects” are anything that you can find on the hard drive – still photos, music tracks, Special Effects .. Magix has many useful 'scene changes' and Video FX. Just 'drag and drop' onto the top of the Object.

One of the most difficult (and time consuming) things, have found, is trying to “find” them amid the plethora of 'drop down' menus.

So, as I said, this is an experiment using the various facilities within the Magix movie edit program.

It also gives me the choice as to how to 'render' the edited video. There are 20 or so options ranging from straight .wmv to choices regarding 'dialup' and broadband.

For this one i chose broadband save, even though the 'screen size' is smallish, as the 'dialup' option created a very crappy version, the technical quality of which, was not prepared to allow. If, however, there are interested 'dialup' people, can create a version just for them (gee, am i considerate, or not? Heh)

And yer, underneath all this cynical crap, am a soppy sentimental .. heh.

Sunday Markets, Broome.

2006-08-03T21:52:00.000+09:30

OK, have just finished another quick edit. (I love Magix.) Began at 6pm this evening, loaded the Hi8 (digital record) footage from the tape of the Sony TRV355E via USB into a Compaq 1.8 AMD processor, 512 RAM, 80 Gig hard drive. Did the edit. Saved as .mvd (some sort of Magix file extension).

Used Magix to "save the file" as .mpeg

Uploaded file to youTube. File uploaded in 3 seconds. ?? think I. Waited a while but after 3 minutes message from youTube came back "file extension not recognised".

OK. Rethink. Saved file as .wmv. Uploaded to youTube. The 'upload' took 9 minutes.

The whole clip should be 1 minute 45 seconds.

Spending the whole day at this wonderful experience seems to be supplanted by 'speed of experience'.

And yes, I have "manipulated these images". But they are all "real", and belong to that day. I hope that you enjoy.

Cable Beach, Broome.

2006-07-22T10:45:00.000+09:30

This beach used to be a favourite "hide-away" for backpackers and hippies. As far as I understand, it is no longer possible to 'pitch a tent'. As with most things 'pristine', the "developers" have 'discovered' it, and the 'value'of the real estate has skyrocketted. It's still a nice beach, though.

Crocodiles. Broome.

2006-07-16T18:25:00.000+09:30

These are just some short scenes, taken while at Malcolm Douglas' Crocodile Farm in Broome. May 2004. Am trying to keep things short. Is also an experiment, as Magix Edit allows me to "mixdown" the edits into different file formats. The previous were saved as Windows media files (.wmv). This one has been formatted as Quicktime (.mov).

Barra fishing trip. Remix, try 2

2006-07-09T20:14:00.000+09:30

Am trying youTube. Have re-mixed the previous video of the Barra fishing trip down to just under four minutes. Simple upload system (though this one took almost an hour. Hope that it doesn't take that long to 'buffer down'.)

The post about the day is back here.

Baby blues (2)

2006-07-09T18:48:00.000+09:30

OK, looks like I may have to "go with the flow"and latch onto the "most popular".

Have uploaded this one to youTube, and the process was quick and easy. The whole process took about 15 minutes from go to whoa.

(Have a funny feeling that the subject, now age 32, might kill me if he ever saw it .. heh.)

Have deleted the previous post with the Revver video screen. At this point am not happy with some of the technical processes and glitches .. buut they are still in "Beta", so will try them again later.

Video screen for Post below.

2006-07-05T14:46:00.000+09:30

The clip is six minutes in length. Read through the post while waiting for it to buffer down.

OK, will try this. Click on the thumbnail which should take you to the relevant Video on Revver.

Barra Fishing Trip. Ord River, North-western Australia.

2006-07-05T14:42:00.000+09:30

(PS. This post is still under construction .. heh. Am finding that embedding a video screen in the post is a little more complicated than first thought. Might have to separate video screen from blog. Or just put a link to it. Dunno yet. )

Well now. Have completed a six minute version of the day's fishing at Macka's Barra camp on the Ord River and uploaded it to Revver.
The other post and 4 minute remix on YouTube is here.

There are several video hosting sites, and a review of ten of them can be found here.

I chose Revver as they put a “clickable” Ad at the end. This is all very “experimental” at the moment, and am still discovering the trials and tribulations.

I feel that the camera work is only so-so, but had only recently purchased the Sony TRV355E, and had much trouble with wind-noise in the in-built microphone. Would really have liked to have spent several days there. It's difficult trying to film an “expedition” while taking part in it; so missed quite a few good photo ops of some of the action. Will have to keep the clips fairly short, as this one took nearly an hour and a half to 'upload' on to Revver, and even with Broadband, takes some time to “buffer down” before you can view it.

THE TRIP.

Had gone up to Kununurra in May 2004 for another event and, due to some cock-ups with arrangements, found that I had a spare day. Well, it seemed silly to travel all the way up to the Kimberley Region in North-western Australia and not have a crack at the mighty Barramundi.

Scientific Name: Lates calcarifer

Barramundi are protoandrous hermaphrodites: they start life as males, reaching maturity at around 3 to 4 years of age and later change gender and become females, usually at around age 5. Small fish are almost exclusively male with the percentage of females increasing with overall length.

Distribution
Distribution map of Barramundi

L.calcarifer has a very extensive range in tropical and semi-tropical areas of the Indo-Pacific. Its distribution extends from the Persian Gulf to southern China and southwards to the northern Australia. Within Australia its range extends from the Mary and Maroochy River systems in south-east Queensland northwards around the entire northern coast to Shark Bay in Western Australia.

I was very fortunate to get on this particular trip, as it was pretty much a last minute decision.
So, with the Barra dream of every Australian worth his salt in mind, went to the Tourist Office on the Monday and made enquiries. They gave me several brochures, but no advice.

Umm, think I, then made tracks for the nearest Pub. Y' know how it goes .. "G'day, who's the best Barra guide in town? Rabbit, rabbit, rabbit..". After about six conversations, many beers and much differing advice - counted up the votes, and found that Macka's Barra Camp came out 4:2.

Macka's Barra Camp has become an institution when it comes to big barra in the Kimberley. In fact, one of Macka's specialties is catching the extra big, meter plus Barramundi. Even experienced Barramundi anglers can go a lifetime without cracking the magic meter long mark, yet at Macca's many such anglers have achieved this goal in one trip.

One of the strengths of Macka and his team of guides is that they ensure no effort is spared to see that you have a most exciting days fishing.

Macka picks you up at Kununurra, and soon after you are fishing aboard his 6 meter long craft which is specially designed for barra fishing, and includes all first class tackle and associated gear.

As the name suggests, Maccas Barra Camp it is not only day trips, you can stay overnight and extend your trip for several days or more.

For more information call 08 9169 1759 or check out his website
Macka's Barra camp

O.K... rang the number, found that there was one spot available the next day (Tuesday), and booked a spot on a day trip.
So, was duly picked up from Kununurra backpackers at 6.00am by Macka in a rather battered Toyota Troupie containing three other 'hopefuls'.

It is always a risk, taking a trip into the 'unknown'. They could have been hoons from the 90's, buuut, found myself in company with three similar age nutcases. Merv; life of the party, always with a comment, quip, quote or joke. Brian; quiet, reserved. Michael, likewise.

The bitumen disappeared about halfway into the hour and a half trip, through a gate, then bumped and tossed our way to the "camp".

One of the interesting things about some buildings in the 'Top end' is their relative impermanence. There are two seasons .. the "wet", and the "dry". The "dry" lasts for about nine months, and the "wet" IS. While cyclones are not all that frequent, they happen, so the general attitude is "why build anything permanent, when most likely will have to build it again next year".
So, we arrived at the camp, and were introduced to Andy, 'guide:boat driver:cook:mechanic:expert in pretty well everything.'
(there are always 'dream' jobs, somewhere.. and as Cher says, ".. if I could turn back time”.)
A fast zoom down the Ord river until Andy decided that it was 'bait time', pulled up at a quiet spot about halfway between the camp and the River mouth, and set off with his cast net.
Barra will take anything, but generally prefer live bait. These are called 'popeye' mullet.
Another fast zoom down toward the estuary, where Andy decided on a 'likely' spot. We moored, were instructed in the intricacies of 'bait casting' with this particular reel. (I had been used to a Penn 500, and these, while similar, seemed tinsy and tricksy).

After several trial casts resulting in over-runs, patiently sorted out by Andy, we settled down to anticipation.

Ten minutes later, there was a quiet pull on my line, and watched it travel out into the centre of the stream. Huh?? think I. Then the penny dropped, I flipped on the drag and hauled back on the rod.
Barra are fighting fish. It breached, thrashed its head from side to side, determined to rid itself of this annoyance. It dived, swam toward the boat and away, breached again. At all times one must keep tension on the line; at all times, anticipate .. let it run .. pull it back.
Unfortunately the person who picked up the camera to record this event left it on “full zoom” so there isn't a lot to see of the tussle except a lot of out-of-focus muddy water. Have tried to edit in some of the more recognisable images while keeping the relevant sound track.

After twenty minutes, it was close enough to have a net underneath, and lifted onboard.
It was a mighty tussle, and at the end of it I was shaking like a leaf in an autumn wind. This fish was 1.1 metres in length, and a female, so was required to return it to the water.

It was, in retrospect, an anti climax. I landed it at about 9am, and then caught another smaller Barra some 20 minutes later. You will see in the video that Brian “hooked” another fish, but Barra have a habit of “throwing” hooks, and he lost it. Try as he might, Andy could not find another fish. Mine were only two fish landed that day. From 9am until dusk we searched, tried several spots. Proving once again that wild fish are .. well .. wild. there are no guarantees in nature.

I think I was lucky (though prefer to think of it a superior skill heh heh). The other three were probably envious as well, but didn't let on.

Since the expense of getting up that way was considerable, I don't think that I'll be doing a "repeat" any time soon... but it's nice to have that photo on the wall.

Editing system

2006-07-03T08:59:00.000+09:30

Am using MAGIX Movie Edit Pro 10 silver Demo version, which came on a CD included with a magazine. At the moment I find it excellent, and much more flexible than Windows movie maker.

The Demo version is missing some of the functions of the "full"version, but is quite adequate for the experiments that am making. The ''full"version costs 30 or so English pounds (roughly $85 AUD) so haven't gone to that expense just yet. Will also search around to see if there is a better system somewhere.

[UPDATE; 14 Oct 2006] Have purchased the "full" version. One mistake was purchasing in English pounds. Found later that USDollars was cheaper, oh well. Have also purchased the "Music Maker" program for creating "background music" but the technicalities of that one are far too complex at the moment. Will just concentrate on figuring out how to best use the Video Edit system.]

Am finding the editing process very time consuming. Have almost an hour and a half of raw footage depicting the fishing trip on the Ord river, and am gradually whittling it down to some sort of comprehensive version that should give the 'flavour' of the trip, without making it too long to upload. This is difficult.

The 'first'version ended up at 29 minutes. The next version came out at 12 minutes, and am now working on a 3 minute version.

Broome

2006-07-01T16:07:00.000+09:30

The visit to Broome will appear in due course.
As will the visit to Kununurra North Western Australia and ..
Truscott Airbase. A long forgotten, but vitally important piece of Australian history - circa 1942 - 2006.

Initial post

2006-07-01T13:45:00.000+09:30

this blog has been created as a vehicle to show some of my videos. At this point, have not decided which "video hosting"provider to choose, but it looks like either Revver or YouTube.

Stay tuned, but don't hold yer breath.