Hello. It is not easy being able to write every day … especially in this period. Despite being without a job … I’m still working !!!…. With the draft of the video interviews I’m wandering around the city to the house of my “candidate” .. the other day I was in Falchera for example, for those who did not know it is a neighborhood in Turin, but today at the Teatro Regio … ! … there’s a bit of difference … I would say it was great! I and the theater are two worlds apart but not because I’m not interested but because I can not go there … or I have approached us so much in my life … some rare occasions ..
But today, while wandering about the stage with an exceptional guide .. I thought that maybe I should get closer to this ‘world’! it was fantastic! … Cross my fingers hoping the experience will surely happen again .. I will give account.
The only problem with this project …. pour out what videos. create the mount …. and index it! Everio .. I use to download it first, then power directory .. I do not know that to change the format and make it smaller … and finally transania to index …: Result: _WHAT A DISASTER !!!!!.. if anyone knows give me some advice is welcome … because I’m stuck at step cuts … messes me too .. me … and hangs the pc ciaooo !!!!.. . are two days that I try …!!!!!!!! Oh well …

Switch to TV:
In this moment are awaiting it to end yet another episode of Dr House … a little bit … I hate to see me Gray’s Anatomy … much better for my tastes. . I hope that the decoder / digital BREAK !!!!!…..
just a final note: I would strike a blow in favor of Silver X Factor yesterday made me much trouble because he forgot the lyrics …
… is a young boy who is going to undermine so poor .. I do not like much but I was sorry too !!!… Morgan to help him get out !!!…
… Bye Charlie

The latest video sample I obtained is from JVC Everio GZ-HM400 AVCHD Camcorder.

• 32GB Internal Memory.
• SD/SDHC Memory Card Slot.
• 1/2.33″ CMOS Sensor.
• 10x Optical Zoom.
• 24MBPS (VBR).

The video quality is above average thanks to the larger CMOS sensor (at 0.429 inch). The video was taken in a low light condition thus the grainy pictures. You can view the h.264 video here or download the Raw file in ISO format (150.5MB).

The video is imported using iMovie ‘09; iPhone and iPod touch compatible.

JVC Everio GZ-HM400 info page

JVC Everio GZ-HM400 @ Amazon.com

In linux è un casino. Ci sono un sacco di tools e nessun che funziona decentemente. Falliscono, crashano, non sono più sviluppati, sono immaturi.
Ho provato 2mandvd, mandvd, q-dvd-author, dvdstyler, devede, tovid (che non è in debian).
Volevo unire i file mpeg-ps creati dalla jvc everio della silvia per fare un unico file da mettere su dvd video col menu più minimale immaginabile. I file sono .mod e vanno rinominati in .mpg perché funzionino. Tutti questi programmi mirano a produrre menu fichissimi (feature di cui non mi può fregare meno).
I risultati migliori li ho ottenuti con devede, che però si è rifiutato di unire i file in un unico titolo e scriverli su dvd senza re-encoding (dvdauthor fallisce con errori strani). Ho fatto il re-encoding (inutile e dannoso visto che la jvc produce file dvd compliant) e ho ottenuto un file con l’aspect sbagliato e un sacco di titoli, invece che uno solo.
Alla fine ho fatto così:

mencoder -forceidx -oac copy -ovc copy mov0*.mpg  -o prova.mpg

unisce i file e ricrea l’indice

idvid prova.mpg

controlla se il file è dvd compliant

Mencoder fallisce se non si aggiunge -of mpeg. il file generato così fallisce con devede col solito errore. Creo un altro file con un semplice cat e lo do in pasto a tovid. Il file prodotto è identico (dvd compliant). makemenu genera il menu. Con entrambi i comandi ci vuole -pal. makemenu fallisce se non si installa imagemagik.

Alla fine ci sono riuscito. Il problema è spiegato qui, cioè il file generato dalla telecamera non contiene questi indici (VOBU) che servono per fare di un file mpeg-2 un VOB compatibile per i dvd. Riproviamo allora:

cat mov* > file.mpg

unisco i file, poi:

ffmpeg -i file.mpg -vcodec copy -acodec copy -target pal-dvd file.vob

ricostruisce l’indice e sistema il maledetto problema VOBU. A questo punto ho un file che posso usare con tovid o devede. Seguo la guida “simple example” di tovid aggiungendo -pal e -wide:

tovid -pal -wide -in file.vob -out silvia

non tocca il file, crea solo un link simbolico. vlc e totem visualizzano il video correttamente, mplayer usa il 4:3 invece che il 16:9 se non si passa -aspect 16:9. Poi creo il menu:

makemenu -pal “matrimonio silvia” -out main_menu

che crea un menu spartano con un solo titolo.

makexml -menu main_menu.mpg silvia.mpg -out my_dvd

crea il file xml – che divide automaticamente in capitoli da 5 min – da usare nel passaggio successivo:

makedvd my_dvd.xml

Il dvd è creato con le cartelle VIDEO_TS e AUDIO_TS, e si può testare direttamente con vlc (open disc e path alla cartella che contiene le due sopra)

Finalmente ho la soluzione. E’ vero, si possono unire i file mpeg-ps con un semplice cat e funziona da pc, ma i file generati non vanno bene per creare un dvd (solito problema di indici). La dritta qui. Bisogna unire tra loro i file con avidemux (o qualcosa di simile), selezionare le opzioni giuste e salvare un file che finalmente si può usare con devede e tovid.
In avidemux aprire il primo file mpg e indicizzarlo, poi aggiungere gli altri file nella cartella. Selezionare copiare audio e video e selezionare mpeg-ps come tipo di file e salvare. A questo punto creo un dvd con devede marcando l’unico file aggiunto come dvd compliant e generando l’iso. Per testarla la monto con -o loop e la apro come disco in vlc.
NB: dvd generato in questo modo è interlacciato e non ha subito encoding

update: scritto su disco e provato sul lettore dvd: fail. L’aspect è sbagliato, pd! Riapro il progetto in devede: a quanto pare se il file è dvd compliant non si può cambiare nessuna impostazione. Ho fatto delle prove facendo encoding ma niente, le bande nere non compaiono. Riproverò con tovid.

update: è tutta colpa di quella merda di una jvc. il file mpeg generato contiene degli header con informazioni su come è fatto il file. in questo header l’aspect è erroneamente impostato a 4:3, anche se la telecamera riprende in 16:9. per questo motivo mplayer sbaglia aspect (a meno di forzarlo con -aspect) e la stessa cosa accade per i tool di authoring. non ho trovato ancora una soluzione per linux, ma in windows ci sono sdcopy e dvdpatcher. solo quest’ultimo funziona con wine e corregge il file.

update: c’è un’altra soluzione: tenersi i file con l’aspect sbagliato e forzare l’aspect con dvdauthor:

poi con k3b.

I’d like you guys to meet the video camera of my dreams – slim, compact and easy to use (not to mention oh-so-pretty in ruby red) – this JVC Everio Series G camcorder has a built in 60 GB hard drive and also takes Micro SD cards to add even more storage for longer events. Even at the highest quality setting this camera gets 14 hours of film time (which seems like a TON to me) but you can get as much as 75 hours on the economy setting (and more if you have external memory).

I was very happy with the video and audio quality of this camcorder and once I learn all the bells and whistles (or my husband shows them to me) I am pretty sure there will be nothing this camcorder can’t do – like any piece of technology you’ll find that it starts out good and gets better and better the more you play with it. The things my tech savvier husband can do with this camcorder are drool worthy – but for the normal people out there like me – you will still be able to use this camera in any basic capacity and get a video you can be proud of.

Load this camcorder into your high range video editing software and go to town – but if you don’t have that expensive software (I know I don’t) you can edit these videos using the included Everio software or iMovie for you Mac users. I edited some videos using both iMovie on my Mac and the included software from Everio on my in-laws Windows machine and both methods worked well for me – I think you will find the Everio software simpler to understand – perfect for beginner users – with a very easy upload to YouTube option. I think this is great because just getting the camcorder and uploading some videos shouldn’t completely baffle any first time users – it’s simple and to the point (although on a slow computer, keep in mind that the software will be just as slow – this is movie editing after all) and gives you everything you NEED to get started. Then the day that you say, “I love this and want to do MORE!” you can invest in some expensive software.

Here’s a video I took of my son at the park, edited in the Everio software and uploaded directly to YouTube. You will notice a little bit of wind noise, but I found a function in the camcorder which will reduce that noise (wish I’d found it while I was filming!). Still even with the noise, I found my son’s voice was still easy to hear and the video quality was good (although much better in the original high quality – you have to reduce the quality a little bit to upload to YouTube just because of file size – but you’ll find that’s true with any camcorder I think).

It’s all about versatility in my mind – have the file size you want – make the movie lengths you want – make it as complicated and simple as you want – and you can have your choice in color, too! This model camcorder comes in Onyx Black, Sapphire Blue, Ruby Red. They have other higher end models that come in different colors, with slightly different specs (zoom capabilities and memory storage options). And of course JVC makes all sorts of products that can suit any of your gadget needs.

Want to win one of the JVC Everio Series G camcorders? We’re giving away one camcorder to one very lucky reader!

Here’s how you can enter to win:

1. Tell us what other JVC product you would most like to own (besides this camcorder). This is mandatory to be eligible and all other entries will be null and void if this is not done.
2. Tweet the following message on Twitter: “Enter to win a JVC camcorder @Mommasreview – new chances to win every day! http://mommasreview.com”
3. For more entries – you can twitter this giveaway EVERY day until the contest closes on April 3rd - leave a comment on this post each day to tell us you’ve twittered again.
4. For a fourth entry post about it on your blog and leave a comment here with the URL of your post.
5. For a fifth entry subscribe to our RSS feed, leaving a comment to tell us you’ve done so. We’ll be posting more giveaways on Momma’s Review soon so subscribing will be a great way for you to stay informed about all the great things you can win in the days and weeks to come.
6. As a final entry donate $1.00 (or more if you’d like) to the I Heart Tucker fund. This can be done through PayPal and your donation would be greatly appreciated. Just visit I Heart Tucker and click on the donate button on the right sidebar, you can also enter raffles on the I Heart Tucker site with donations you have made!  Make sure to come back and tell us you donated.

This giveaway is open to US readers only (sorry to our international readers)!

The contest will close at 12:00 p.m. EST on Friday April 3rd.

For another chance to win a JVC Camera be sure to check out my friend Kristin at An Ordinary Life!

This giveaway is now CLOSED! Thank you to all who entered. The winner will be announced momentarily.

Still testing.  Now the video is the aspect ratio I want now (16.9.)  Just a simple setting to change in Premiere Pro 1.0.  Tried to convert to Microsoft AVI (not DV AVI this time) and it still will not play in Media Player Classic.  Perhaps I need another codec?  Oh well, we will see what happens.

Rendering (exporting) from Premiere Pro 1.0 - testing export to Microsoft AVI

Working on some film thoughts.  Listening to Kate Rusby music.

I may try out Converio (http://pagesperso-orange.fr/gilles.bihan/converio_095.htm,) try some more with Squared 5 MPEG Streamclip, and perhaps other video converters.  What NLE will I use?  For now, Premiere Pro 1.0.  No HD for now.  Use what you have to the best of your ability.  Will most likely test CBR1140 recording with the Everio to see if another method to get my files to a usable format (in this case, mpeg) will work.

Thanks for listening,

We will see what the wind brings,

God bless,

-b

P.S. Praise God!  I have been planting this blog address around in various comment boxes – YouTube, BlenderNation, Vimeo, e-mails… it may be paying off.  Here is an image of some view stats for the blog:

Minosa Films blog stats reach 80 views on 08-04-08

Praise God for everything.

P.P.S. I need to tell you what MIG (Miracle In Gansu play to DVD) is, and some more info about this blog.  We’ll leave that till later.  Till our next meeting, may God keep you.

May I grow still

I am still looking for a workable and effective workflow with the Everio GZ-HD7.  Using PowerDirector Express, I can convert the files to mpeg2 and use it in Premiere Pro 1.0.  But when I export the video, (as far as I know,) it squashes the widescreen footage, creating black letterboxes on both sides, and I cannot open the file with Media Player Classic.  I may check into getting a complient codec to read the exported files.

Cannot render file

So, some progress is being made, thankfully.  We will see whether I will need to purchase a commercial video converter or new editing (NLE) software soon.

I hope the ideas will come, and I need to sit down and brainstorm some film ideas!  Bonsai!

Well, God bless,

Thanks for listening,

-b

Well, the camcorder has arrived!  Praise God!

It is a JVC Everio GZ-HD7, and I tested it out this evening by recording a message given by Dr. Narendra Singh, and also interviewing him personally afterwards.  I recorded some additional footage of people’s conversations with Dr. Singh, etc., but I will most likely not be posting that.  I hope to post both the message and the interview online sometime soon.  (I recorded them in SP, though sometime in the future I may do most of my filming in FullHD.)  Oh, and Dr. Singh said I did a good job, and that he would be praying for me.    Praise God for that!

Praise God!

I hope to start doing some film making, inteviews, and more, but I can’t forget to do my other duties in life, or forget my talents.

Well, I guess that’s all for now!  Going to be trying out my camera in nature, filming Green Bank, working on film pre-production, and brainstorming film ideas!

God bless,

Thanks for listening! (and I always appreciate your prayers.)

-b

P.S. Dr. Narendra Singh believes he will die as a martyr (for Jesus Christ.)  May God protect him till his time comes, and may many more come to Jesus before, and after, that time.

The Super Nintendo game “Illusion of Gaia” is quite fun!  You can check out the rom.

Just found out real recently a way to do the subtitles for “Miracle In Gansu” (filmed play to DVD) by hand!  This is great!  Finding some LOTR subtitle files for The Fellowship of the Ring (check out this subtitle site, Subscene,) I opened one up in GVIM, and I can edit it! Yahoo!  That means I can do the MIG (Miracle In Gansu to DVD) subtitles and work to finish up the project. (I may post more about MIG later.)

Tomorrow the Everio GZ-HD7 camcorder should arrive, and in the evening I will test it out on a service with guest speaker Dr. Singh, a man of God from India.  He risks his life for Jesus Christ, and he will not back down!  Glory to God.

God bless,

Thanks for listening!

-b

Gracias a mi trabajito escribiendo para F1aldia y Bits20, y ahorrando un poco, he podido permitirme la compra de un nuevo juguete: una videocámara con disco duro.

En principio iba a comprárme una Handycam de Sony, la DCR-SR35E, pero por un poco más de dinero, al final me pillé una JVC Everio, la GZ-MG330. Tiene el mismo disco duro que la Sony, 30 GB, pero la mia graba en panorámico, tiene una lente Konica Minolta y su pantalla no es táctil (sí, esto me parece una ventaja).

Así que a partir de ahora podré editar mis propios videos y colgarlos en la red. Que por cierto, hablando de editar videos, al principio tuve algunos problemas para poder hacerlo. Me explico, después del salto, por si a alguien le pasa lo mismo que me pasó a mi.

La primera vez que grabé un video con mi JVC supuse que la extensión del archivo sería “.MPG”, pues según las especificaciones de la cámara el formato de grabación es “mpeg”. Pero cuando conecté el dispositivo al ordenador mi sorpresa fue encontrarme con un archivo “.MOD”, extensión que no había visto nunca.

En principio me dio un poco igual, pues podía visualizar el archivo con mi reproductor de video habitual sin fallo, pero el problema llegó a la hora de intentar editarlo. El Adobe Premiere Pro 2.0 no me reconocía el archivo. Total, que me puse a indagar por internet una solución y resulta que todo se arregla cambiando la extensión del archivo de “.MOD” a “.MPG”. Menuda chorrada!!!

It’s ordered!  Praise the Lord.

Leap.  Yes, this was a leap.  A leap of expectation, uneasiness, hardware, and more.  I hope it all works out!  Leap!  I wonder… leap!  Well, my last cameras I’ve used are the Canon PowerShot A510 and the Quasar VM-L450, so this new camcorder is a great leap indeed!

This evening (or shall I say, morning) I finally ordered my camcorder, an Everio GZ-HD7.  Quite expensive if you’ve never actually bought your own camcorder before.  (Boy, that was anti-climatic.) ;D  Before I bought it I did some final research into the proprietary file format it puts your video files into, .TOD (HD video) and .MOD (SD video.)  I primarily researched the .tod issue and found out about the .mod one along the way.  You can read up on it here: Struggling with TOD at The Digital Video Information Network, and some solutions: JVC Workflow and Squared 5’s MPEG Streamclip.

As I have no personal experience with the camera and the .tod issues yet I cannot recommend anything beyond what I have read, but I may post on this later.  Basically you can use the software that comes with the Everio GZ-HD7 and save-as the video, or rename it to .m2t, or something… boy, I need to read up on it already!

Anyhow, I better start making some films now that I will have the first step in the equipement.  ;D  I may get Sony Vegas MovieStudio soon, to handle the HD.  (I don’t think Adobe Premiere Pro 1.0 does HD.)

So, perhaps this is the end of the tunnel, (or just starting?)

Thanks for listening,

God bless,

-b

P.S. Hope to be making films soon… I may be starting a graphic design company as well, so, we’ll see how all that goes.  But may I not forget my roots.  Thank you one and all!   Thank you John Calloway (http://johncalloway.wordpress.com/) for the help in camera research, and Andrew Duncan for insight into the digital video world!  Thank you all my other friends, supporters, comrades in the arts, and brothers and sisters in Christ… may we all find the path.  God bless, your friend, b

As the days and hours close in on whether or not to buy the DV camcorder right now, I must step away from the situation and listen.

I have considered getting a DV camcorder for a short while now, and one person that I have asked is my friend John Calloway (http://johncalloway.wordpress.com/) who has supplied some great information and helped me in this long and tedious camera hunt.  Really, it hasn’t been that long or tedious, but it sounded good.

Anyhow, I am greatly indebted to John (thanks John!) because I am so new to this field of film media that I don’t know where to start when looking for a good camera.  Thanks bunches!

And I have decided which camera I want.  Notice I say “want”.  The JVC Everio GZ-HD7, (see product the page here) a good HD camera with a Fujinon lens, 3CCds, a manual focus wheel, pixel-shift technology, widescreen, etc., and it looks so good!

But I wonder and must pause, because perhaps I am not supposed to get a DV camcorder right now…

I have slightly considered getting a low-end model (for what I am considering) such as this Sony (see here,) or even a mid-range model, and then later, when the time comes, upgrade to a camera like this (the XH A1.)

But still the issue stands whether or not to get a DV camcorder at all at this point in time.  I know what camera I want, and that it would be great to have it, but … we’ll see what happens in the coming days, hours, and moments (the moments are the most important of them all.)

And with that, I take a swoosh of my hat and a curtious bow, and say “Goodnight, goodnight, to all a sweet goodnight!”

Ciao,

-b

P.S. I understand if you do not know why on Earth I am waiting to get the camera when I have the money to and want to, but when you are in a situation like this, between a rock and a hard place, you’ll understand my hesitation.  Until then, I can only ask for prayer for wisdom and submission.  Thanks a lot!