jmfreefly

And even more issues at play - a) I am pretty sure that VCD is MPEG1, not MPEG2, which has (I think) less advanced codecs out there (for quality vs. compression). b) You can only fit so much footage on a VCD (since it is only 700 mb, a CD), compared to a DVD (4+ gb). Depending on how long the footage is, you may be highly compressing it. So, the more space available on a DVD would allow lower compression, and thus better quality (for the same codec). You may also not have converted it correctly (have no experience with the program you were using), but in the past I have accidentally rendered footage as non-interlaced , and it looks like crap on a TV (which needs interlaced). j

Well, I specifically asked about that kind of stuff on my homeowners insurance, and they said it was covered. "Even if it is my fault it is destroyed?" Yep. It also covers lost items or theft, even off premises (taking your video camera on a vacation is a good example). The only catch is there is a cap on the claims. j

ha! yeah, it doesn't actually smell like flowers.

ahh.. right. You guys jogged my memory about European cameras. How freakin idiotic. j

I am assuming that you had the velcro 'peeled' when you encountered the problem, right? If not, velcro can be much different release forces whether you peel (pulling the velcro directly apart) or pull in 'shear'. Assuming this isn't the problem you are citing, cables can definitely bind, and there are 'better' strip techniques and 'worse' strip techniques. But that being said, unless you are a monkey with long arms, you are going to be pulling in a direction that is at least 90 degrees perpendicular to the wing seam. It is always going to be harder than pulling the cable along the line of the wing seam (since you are pulling in a direction that increases the force on the tabs). I, personally, would not lube those cables with anything but a dry, teflon based substance (there are lube sprays that dry and leave only a thin film of teflon). And even then, less is better. Geting oil/lube/etc. on your suit can be a mess I think. j

Really?? You transferred the footage via firewire to the laptop, right? Or did you transfer it via analog?? I guess the PC-103 also has usb? If you did use firewire, you are saying that the firewire only allows playing, but not recording? That seems incorrect to me, but I have never seen one, so I certainly can be wrong. j

What do you mean "Switching between"? As in having a PAL clip and then a NTSC clip? Or just switching between projects, where one is PAL and the other is NTSC? Here is a link that compares the two standards PAL vs. NTSC Basically, there are two issues: 1) resolution and 2) frame rate. Translating between the two always involves some manipulation of the source (fabrication of data through interpolation). Basically, if you are playing on a normal TV (Not HDTV 480p or 720p), then you want the output to be interlaced. If you try to play a progressive source on a TV, it will look strange. j

Zep Smoke Eliminator

I agree, hands-on coaching is invaluable. That being said, a bunch of people end up doing a 1/2 cartwheel because they can keep the horizon in their visual the whole time. (This is assuming you are proficient in cartwheels in a sit) j

I bought a camera off ebay, and when I got it, it smelled overwhelmingly like cigarette smoke. (so bad I didn't want to look through the viewfinder). After yelling at the pawnshop that sold it (the rat bastards) for saying it was 'clean and perfect shape', I went on a quest to get rid of the smell. Two things basically got rid of it: 1) on external sufaces, I used a 'Smoke Remover' spray (I got mine at home depot made by zep (?) over with the trashcans and cleaners). Used it on a cloth, and wiped it down repeatedly. 2) For the guts, I ended up setting the open camera on an ionizer for days on end. Eventually (and some airtime), it removed the smell. But is it only smoke damage? or is it actual fire damage also. If it is smoke damage, it may still be covered. If the warranty is through Mack Camera, good luck -- I have found them to be utterly dispicable. I had a warranty on my PC100, and sent it in for warranty. They wanted to charge me 260 bucks to put the handle and doors back on, and said they would not fix it unless they did. Ridiculous. For $260, I can send it to sony and get all of it fixed for the same price. j

Whats the crap on the lens?

Depending on the locale, whenever the local weather often presents big, tall clouds.

HEEEYYY!! I know that avatar pic! Geeze.. I think I have that on my camera somewherez..

New or used? New, certainly buy from a reputable dealer that has been in business for a while. Used is somewhat trickier. If you are worried, there are several places (riggers / gear stores) that will basically escrow the rig and handle the exchange. Also, you may then be able to pay via credit card (paying the 3% fee or whatever), which is an added security. Overseas definitely makes it tougher. I have faith in people too, but I don't know if I agree with 95%. j

I have RSL-style shackles on my camera suit, and sometimes when I hook them up, they appear to be closed, but with a bit of a tug, they release. So, when I hook them up, I give them a positive push closed, and then tug on them to ensure they don't open. Additionally, if you are jumping with an RSL, yes, it is pointless to wait. That is why procedures usually say to arch and then pull the cutaway. Additionally, in a wingsuit, an on your back reserve deployment is a double edged sword. In one sense, you are less prone to a problem, as you can't have the reserve PC come up around your arms or legs, as you have a wing there and prevents it. On the other hand, you still could get the PC wrapped on a foot, hand, or head (eeek!). If that happens, you are most likely stymied by the wings until you cut them away. Precious seconds. So, bottom line is, probably less of a problem, but if it does occur, you are in serious doo-doo. Glad to hear ya saved your life. j

Yeah, a few of us at our dz have been contemplating ripping apart a PC100 and turning the CCD 90 degrees.. We have also been contemplating pulling the PC100 all apart, and building a helmet around the camera, with the lens and CCD right next to your eye, the tape drive in the back, and the battery on the other side. Perfect weight distribution, no real snag points.. It would be way cool.. although you would probably look like a Borg.. We figured though that we would need extra long ribbon cables, and they were going to have to be fabricated.. j

uh.. yeah.. it cites one in the article.. what am I missing?? www.sentex.net/~mwandel/jhead. A lot of other image programs like Bibble and such can inspect this data. j

Yeah, it is a shame, although we were prepared with lots of videoed landings. I think we saw just about every classic problem, some good swoops, and some in the 'what were they thinking' category. However, I would have liked to have more timely critiques, especially after absorbing some of the information. I guess I will just have to stockpile footage for critique the next time I see Brian. j

Search some of the threads for this topic (glide ratio). j

Brain Germain came to our dropzone this past weekend and gave his Canopy control/ Piloting/ Safety/ Swooping/ Canopy Design/ etc. seminar. All I have to say "Wow, what a great course." I told him at our first break "Ok, Brian, I already got my money's worth". 'Luckily' we were on a wind hold the whole weekend, so we were able to put 2 full days into the seminar. There was so much material pouring out of Brian's head, we needed the time to absorb it all. I don't think there was anyone in the course that didn't get a lot out of it. In conjunction with Safety Day after a fairly long winter layoff, it is exactly what our DZ needed. Thanks again, Brian! j

My best jumps have been mid 40s in my GTi. Haven't checked on my new S3. I have had spikes in the low 30s on my GTi as well. That being said, I am 'loading my wingsuit' that high. Anybody bother to calculate their Wingsuit loading?

Yeah, that was #1 on my earlier post. I am sure it probably does make it wear a bit quicker, but it is much cleaner. A mitigating factor to this downside is that you always look at it when you pack, so you should be able to easily track its wear. Although my lines are HMA and Vectran on my canopies, so they don't show wear as well.. j

Good. (hey, I am right sometimes!

Yes, I got some of that. Mostly the smirk and the shaking of the head by those that have never flown a wingsuit. j

ack.. misread how you do it. I use the bottom tab, and follow it around. It is ultra secure, and can't exhibit the mal described, unless somehow the excess works itself out and around the toggle keeper -- which is near impossible in my view. Attached is a drawing.. albeit poor drawing.