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Jeff Wexler

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Everything posted by Jeff Wexler

  1. I usually use a newsgroup reader also for r.a.m.p.s. and it seems to be fairly quick (but subject, of course, to the traffic on Verizon's servers where the newsgroups actually reside since Verizon is my ISP). Most of the complaints I have heard have come from those who are using the Google Groups access to newsgroup for r.a.m.p.s. --- this has worked well, does not rely on your own ISP carrying the newsgroup, but it has been rather slow at times. Regards, Jeff Wexler
  2. One reason for asking about the audio quality, even for video assist purposes, relates to a specific way in which I rely on video assist. One thing is that I am very diligent about insuring that I am sending them a really good true signal (not just some approximation of what our recordings sound like) and I also inquire about the spec for their particular setup (digital at 16 bit, 24 bit, sample rate 44.1, 48, compression codec, mpeg or true PCM, etc.). I also check on playback using headphones connected to what I can determine is the probably most clean, direct output. I also check how things will sound being played back through whatever speaker-playback setup they have going. There are 2 primary reasons for doing this: the first is that it is important professionally to provide for the director the best possible sound for them on playback which in today's world is almost 100% of the time off Video Assist (not off the sound cart or any of my equipment). The second reason is that I want to be able to rely on the video assist recording as a last ditch backup to my recording should EVERYTHING fail in my setup on some take. This is one of the reasons I do not feel the need to run a backup machine (I have discussed this whole idea many times) because the video assist person is generally running a fully qualified recording setup that I could utilize if there were ever catastrophic failures on my part. Regards, Jeff Wexler
  3. R.A.M.P.S. is a Usenet newsgroup, not a forum. It takes the format of a forum with topic threads, posts and replies, but it is an entirely different animal. This forum (and most all of the others) is presented via forum software installation on a server. In my case, I have a Lunarpages account that hosts all of the various websites (my own and a few that I have done for family and others) and this forum which is installed and configured using a software package from Simple Machines Forum. Many of the forums out there are run under vBulletin, another very popular software program. Since I administer the forum I have to make all sorts of decisions as far as the settings go and one of those settings is to allow members to correct (Modify) their own posts even after they have been posted. Many of our members do this and I have also corrected other people's posts (mostly typos and things like that). If I wanted to get more aggressive as the administrator, I could also set it up such that every post would need to be reviewed by me first before even appearing to anyone else... now, I would never want to do that with this group but there are forums where this might be necessary. I hope this answers your question. Someone who knows a lot more about Usenet can probably fill in some details about how newsgroups work. Regards, Jeff Wexler
  4. I just signed up for the $100 Store Credit as one of the early adopters (paid full price) for my iPhone. I think Apple did the right thing on all of this and in typical Apple fashion, the issuing of the store credit was a simple, elegant and straightforward online experience --- go to a page on Apple site, fill in iPhone phone number, serial number, Apple sends immediate SMS text message to the iPhone with an authorization number, put the number in, store credit issued. Nothing like trying to redeem a rebate at Staples or get the online rebate for $20. for some printer. Regards, Jeff Wexler
  5. Yes, Mark has sort of pioneered this new (for us) distribution concept but the Aviom system shares almost nothing in common, except the RJ connectors and Cat 5 cable, with the simple inexpensive balun-type setups I was talking about. The Aviom units are expensive and active rack mount units and would be total overkill for the simple video assist feeds. For Mark Ulano, who has always been into lots and lots of equipment, multiple communication systems, wireless everything, the Aviom system is a must. For most of the rest of us I don't think there will be any big move to that sort of setup for most jobs. Regards, Jeff Wexler
  6. I second that --- Tanya is a really nice person and really knows her job --- good work ethic and an asset to any sound team. I can't find a local number for her, sorry. - Jeff Wexler
  7. That's not the point. If you want to use a single lightweight cable (Cat 5 variety) to send audio (either from a balanced output or an unbalanced output) and video, which is the typical use for this Cat 5 system we're talking about, you DO have to use baluns of some sort even if it is to allow connection to Cat 5 Rj connector. Regards, Jeff Wexler
  8. Wolf Seeburg has posted a rather extensive discussion of the use of baluns and Cat 5 cable on the Video Assist Group. He brings up an issue which I think has been overlooked or not well understood. I am only just scratching the surface here with my limited knowledge of these things so maybe someone here can enlighten us all. The issue regarding audio transmission is the common transformers that are used in the baluns we are typically using. According to Wolf, and this does make perfect sense, frequency response is severely impacted by the use of these very cheap transformers. So, this means that if you are feeding production audio to the video assist cart, that audio may well be of much lower quality than if it were sent over a normal mic cable as a balanced audio signal from our mixer. At the very least this means that using a Cat 5/balun distribution system would certainly not be appropriate for distributing primary microphone signals for use in a recording. It may be that the quality is adequate for video assist audio feed recording but I am not so sure. Regards, Jeff Wexler
  9. It might have been Vic Good or Jim Utterback (or actually, any one of a number of guys). Lots and lots of shows used the Fisher on every shot unless there was something that made it impossible to use (usually not the case since everyone else on the crew, including the production designer who built the set, knew that the Fisher would be used). Regards, Jeff Wexler
  10. This 16 foot Fisher Boom used to be used on almost ALL projects, even when we have fish poles that go out to 16 feet or more, the Fisher Boom is a totally different deal (and no, you don't need a Grip to push it around although in the past the grips have helped out when you need to "make a dolly move" with the Fisher. The whole Fisher Boom idea is having a resurgence now as more and more productions are going HD where you can have a continuous take of over 40 minutes! Your fishpole may go out to 16 feet but can you hold it out there for 40 minutes --- I don't think so. With more and more HD work allowing directors to just "keep it rolling" while they stroll onto the set to have a script meeting with the talent, we are going to have to change our procedures. Bill Kaplan told me a story about one production he was on where they had a day where there was a 20 minute period between "roll camera" and "action" and then the take was 15 minutes long! I know that many sound teams are dealing with this by putting ALL mics on the actors (because they have to stand there for the whole take) and so shots that could have been easily boomed in the old days are not boomed (and of course they now generally do not sound as good but the people who care about those things don't really have a voice anymore. I am hoping that the Fisher Boom will get back into the game --- but of course it is going to be vital that all the new people get trained. Nowdays when a Fisher shows up, lots of people think it must be a prop --- are we doing a period move? Regards, Jeff Wexler
  11. Apple has released a re-vamped version of Logic which includes as well the new Soundtrack Pro 2 (that ships already as part of Final Cut Studio). At the core of Logic Studio is Logic Pro 8, Apple’s professional digital audio workstation. Among the changes in Logic is a new, single window interface. According to Apple, the interface now allows instant access to music creation and production functions, including snap-to-transient selection and sample accurate editing directly in the Arrange window. Logic Pro 8 also features new audio production tools like Quick Swipe Comping and dynamic channel strip creation. In addition to surround production capabilities, the new version of Logic also includes multichannel tracks and busses, and support for True Surround software instruments and effects. http://www.apple.com/logicstudio/ Regards, Jeff Wexler
  12. Pictures of Scott Harber's sound cart - Jeff Wexler
  13. We have installed a brand new 24" iMac at the Union Local 695 as part of the work being done by the newly formed Education Committee. The plan is to have this Mac available for our union members for training --- everything from basic computer skills to file management, Pro Tools, Boom Recorder and so forth. The really good thing about the Mac is that with Boot Camp we are able to have both a beautiful Mac running OS X AND a Mac running Windows for those who wish to get some training on that platform. Courtney installed Windows XP and his BWF Widget Pro software on the iMac and we anticipate that we will be installing more software, both Mac and Windows, in the near future. Regards, Jeff Wexler
  14. Even using the SD branded DVD drive you will need some software to make your disks if you want to make those disks using your new MacBook. OS X and your MacBook can make these disks with the software built into the OS but many do use Toast for this purpose. I like Toast because it gives you way more options for formatting the disks (if you have to make a special disk for compatibility with post requirements) but it is not necessarily needed. Why not try burning disks with just the Mac and see if that works out for you. - Jeff Wexler
  15. summary of article as it appeared in Business Week: "Businessweek reports that Apple has studied the implications of joining the FCC Wireless auction to be held on January 16th The winners will get rights to use the spectrum that analog TV broadcasters are handing back to the government in 2009, given their mandated move to digital television. .... Signals at the 700Mhz spectrum, for example, could provide far faster Internet access than today's cellular or even Wi-Fi networks, and the signals can easily pass through buildings and work glitch-free, even in lousy weather. According to their sources, however, Apple is currently "leaning against participating" in the auction. With $14 billion in cash reserves, while Apple could easily afford participating in the auction, the logistics of running a "low-margin .... massive-scale network" could prove to be detrimental to Apple. This negative impact on Apple's margins and focus are seen as major reasons for Apple's reluctance to participate. Winning its own piece of the spectrum, however, would provide Apple with the ability to offer its own wireless network service to devices such as the iPhone. 'Apple is the most anti-carrier company there is,' says the former Apple executive. 'They're probably already frustrated with AT&T. If they put a few billion behind this, they could build a kick-ass network.' The article goes on to the possible implications of such a purchase, but feels it is quite unlikely. Google has been expected to make a bid on the wireless auction."
  16. Apple has sold 1 million iPhones as of today, ahead of Steve Jobs' prediction of the end of September. One of the largest bidders in the upcoming sell off of the 700 mhz spectrum looks like it will be Google. CNBC in a story today said that Google and Apple are talking about extending and expanding their already very close ties. Do you think the rumoured "G-phone" may actually turn out to be an iPhone and could possibly Apple and Google have their own network (and we could all say goodbye to AT&T --- in 2 years, of course). Both Google and Apple have powerful brand and TONS OF CASH. All food for thought (either way we will still have to find a solution to our vanishing wireless mic spectrum!). Regards, Jeff Wexler
  17. Here you go --- single hole (wires pass through hollow shaft) and it just sits in a rubber gasket with sticky back on the surface of whatever you mount it to. http://www.marteltesttools.com/products.php?cat=113&action=detail&id=69 Single Hole Mounting Perfect Monitor for 12 Volt Batteries 2-Wire Operation 4 to 24V d.c. Full Scale Reading 12.5mm / 0.5” LCD Digit Height Reverse Polarity Protection Regards, Jeff Wexler
  18. Yet another way to view the sound cart collection (I've got it all going on now). You can try the Picasa gallery provided by Google: http://picasaweb.google.com/jwsound/SoundCarts - Jeff Wexler
  19. Well, I don't have to write an analysis of this article, the editors at Macworld wrote a very good detailed response. Anyonew interested can read both at the Macworld site: http://www.macworld.com/ - JW
  20. I have now set it up so you CAN upload images to the site and have them added to the Sound Cart Gallery. Make sure that "Options" are not hidden and you will see a toolbar of sorts that provides buttons to download images, download the whole gallery or upload your own images. I do not know yet what hurdles you may have to jump through to upload, so just go ahead and try. Regards, Jeff Wexler
  21. Yes --- I screwed up when I batch processed all the images (some were very high resolution and quite large) so now I am left with uniformity, but uniformly bad. - JW
  22. I have used quite a few of these in the past (when not using linear supplies) < http://www.trcelectronics.com/Meanwell/rs-150-12.shtml > The switching vs. linear is something to consider as everyone seems to understand that the linear supplies (with big transformers, heavy and producing a lot of heat) are definitely superior, the switching supplies always have the potential for trouble (but they are light and cool running). Providing you get a fairly well rated (noise spec, etc.) supply, the issue is still the possibility of interaction amongst the various components that have DC to DC converters as part of their power supplies. I have found the only true test is to get one of these switchers and power up all the equipment it will be powering and listen for noise. Then go for it but realize that if you add another device to the cart, something new, you need to evaluate that. Also, when testing any given supply with your equipment, be sure to hook it all up WITH the battery in line as well --- the battery serves as a big buffer that irons out many potential problems that could be present if you powered the equipment directly off the supply. Regards, Jeff Wexler
  23. I read that article 'Apple is the new Microsoft" and he got a lot of things horribly wrong with his analogies to how he sees Apple roping people into one way of doing things. I am going to write an analysis of the article because it gives the appearance of being very insightful but it does not delve into in any proper detail the history of how Microsoft behaved --- and I can assure you, Microsoft DID behave badly (actually criminally) and Apple has not. The relationship of Apple to the music business, the iPod, iTunes and the iTunes Music Store, and the music consuming public, bears little resemblance to what Microsoft did to ALL the hardware companies (who make all those PC's that you could think of as iPods) with their Windows software --- any one of the examples brought up during the monopoly anti-trust cases will serve to illustrate this --- for example, the revelation that Microsoft was in a position to drive any one of these companies completely out of business --- whether it be Compaq, Hewlett-Packard, Dell, whatever. This is a power that Apple has never had and will never have (and I would contend would never exercise even if they had the power). There is a big difference between being dominant and number one through illegal and monopolistic behavior and being number one because you are the best. Regards, Jeff Wexler
  24. http://store.cd4power.com/cgi-bin/cd4power.storefront/EN/Catalog/ and look for Digital Panel Meters - 2-wire There is a large selection of LED and LCD meters with their greatest advantage being they are 2-wire hookup which means that which they are reading is also powering the meter. There is another source for inexpensive LCD meters that I Will have to look for --- they mount on the surface and require only 1 hole (1/4" I believe) to be drilled. The ones above require that you cut a rectangular hole --- not a lot of fun. Regards, Jeff Wexler
  25. Hey, Philip, I think I can set it so that you can add to the gallery, if what you are referring to is the Web Gallery, not the images posted at my website. I will look and see if this can be done --- I know I set it so that people can download the images from the Web Gallery. Regards, Jeff Wexler
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