Standerdizing video formats

[DSE 5]

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The use of composite video output is now allowed. Is this added for us to allow the use of camcoders like CX105/CX11 etc... ?

Seems like a reasonable (albeit poor) bandaid to a problem. Yes, this will allow you to use a composite (that's the YELLOW cable) to send a PAL signal out of the camcorder.

[PhreeZone 20]

That signal will not be 1080 right?

Yesterday is history
And tomorrow is a mystery

Parachutemanuals.com

[DSE 5]

That signal won't even be 576. More like 288.
It sucks, but in light of what they're apparently not willing to deal with, there you have it.
For these comps, Ebay, I suppose, if you want Firewire output.

They've at best got another season to get their junk together unless they're going to move backwards.

[billvon 2,991]

>It sucks, but in light of what they're apparently not willing to deal with, there you have it.

Interestingly, several 4 way competitors I know (one of whom is also a judge) have actually suggested that anything you can do to _reduce_ resolution is a good thing for a team. Giving judges better tools to spot a bust is not in many team's best interests.

[PhreeZone 20]

I've heard the same thing from a judge that too much resolution is just too much data to be looking at with a quick glace to see if it is a point or bust. That is why they prefer to use 14 inch or smaller monitors since their eyes do not have to scan that far to see if its complete or a bust.

Yesterday is history
And tomorrow is a mystery

Parachutemanuals.com

[DSE 5]

Well, the GoPro Hero is certainly low rez, and will output a composite signal straight from the cam.
And it's almost 4:3, so it frames four way better.

[billvon 2,991]

>Well, the GoPro Hero is certainly low rez, and will output a composite signal
>straight from the cam.

Yep, and it may be my new backup. Now I just have to figure out a tally light . . .

[freefalljason 0]

WOW!! I don't think I have ever seen a thread page where every post was made by a "greenie"
This is good stuff!!

I just had to break the string.

Blue Skies and please keep up the good work guys!
Jason

[pbwing 0]

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Anyway . . . Spot I think you're doing a bang up job.

+1!!

[skydance1954 0]

You're ignoring two very important points here:

1) that the video setup is for the convenience of the judges, not the competitors, and certainly not the videographers. They must watch a stupid number of videos in a real short period of time and post the scores. Video formats and resolutions are not their concerns, regardless of your (valid) arguments.

2) Videographers across the country set up their systems according to their own personal preferences and budgets. They don't know about, or care what the Nationals standards are for video delivery.

I dare you to ask any videographer on a non-sponsored team if they have checked the Nationals requirements prior to purchasing their equipment. Or even after. They don't. Hell, the competitors don't even read the rules themselves! They do the pools, train and then go to the meet. And sometimes find out that there are rules that negate a lot of the training they do.

There needs to be a discussion of what to do next, certainly. But you've pointed out that there needs to be updates to Omniskore, and the equipment used at the Nationals. Well, who's going to do the development? How long is it going to take, and who's going to pay for it? Who's paying for all the equipment upgrades?

For the "serious" videographers, our cameras break often enough, that upgrades are inevitable. But there are a lot of teams that train without them, and find a happy freeflyer to do the video duties at Nationals. Hence the plethora of inputs that the technical staff have to deal with every year. And that's not going away.

While a standard must be discussed and agreed upon at the National and international levels, mandating it over the next 24 months is both unrealistic and quite possibly improbable. You might halve the number of teams that can participate in the short term, which may damage the sport in the long term.

It's going to be an evolution - and it's going to take time. Back when DV first came in, it still took several years before Hi-8 went away. And that was a simpler situation. Several good points have been made about certain aspects of the technology being standard. But there are still questions about direction that have not been fully answered, to at least my satisfaction, and certainly not the judges.

The question is not "What technology is going to be the standard?" But, "What do the judges want to use?" And "What can we afford?"

And by "we" I don't mean the videographers.

I would recomend that the FAI examine the options, and make long range policy calls, which would allow people to choose future purchases more in line with those policies. And then at some point, have a "drop dead" date (say, 3 years out) where older formats and delivery methods will not be accepted.

After all, there are so many options right now, I don't think that anyone is in a position to positively identify what the future is. The only positive thing we know is that HD and widescreen is here to stay. But do the judges intend to use it?

Mike Ashley
D-18460
Canadian A-666

[DSE 5]

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After all, there are so many options right now, I don't think that anyone is in a position to positively identify what the future is. The only positive thing we know is that HD and widescreen is here to stay. But do the judges intend to use it?

But there aren't that many options.
A-we know it's widescreen
B-we know it's MPEG based
C-we know there is likely an HD component of some kind, even if shot SD. from HD cam.
D-Archive, instant recall will be needed,

Omniskore can easily fix a few small things to more easily deal with some of the new codecs and format sizes. Beyond that, i'll be cripped with out some major change.,. But it wont happen over night.

[rhys 0]

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I'm now wondering when the FAI/USPA are going to officially update the standards for the video format for Nationals/World meet. The current documentation says that it needs to be delivered in NTSC format for US Nationals or PAL for the worlds via FireWire.

I have read a great proportion of this thread but maybe repeating what someone else has said.

I have competed in the last 2 world meets and the last world cup as a camera flyer.

Solid state cameras first came up in the feedback meetings after the event had finished in Stupino in 2007, last year in mauberge the subject was also bought up and the organisers still seemed quite sure that firewire would still be the standard at the 2010 world meet, BUT.... it still could change between then and the next competition.

We are expecting the bulliten for this years world cup to come out in the next couple of months and if there will be a change in the 2010 world meet it will most likely be trialled at this years world cup in prague.

that is how I took what was said and that should not be treated as gospel. Many had complained/mentioned that MiniDV camera were already 'hens teeth'/obsolete and they should seriously consider changing to solid state sooner than later. They seemed to take notice but only they can decide what will happen.

Surely drag and drop would be a shitload faster than live capture, but then we wouldn't get a naughty sneak preview of other teams routines!

"When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix