Neat Image /Mac :: features
A small business photoshop plug-in for noise reduction. I'll try the free version with Graphic Converter.
Friday, March 18, 2005
REC.VIDEO Google groups/usenet posting: Video degradation with S-Video analog transfer vs. A/V mini-jack connection
I posted Google this question to usenet (google groups)
How much quality is lost when a @1998 SONY Hi8 analog camcorder transfers Hi8 output with a high-quality (Monster $40) RCA (video composite, 2 audio) to a mini-video jack cable VERSUS using a high quality S-video cable with a separate audio-only RCA to mini-jack cable?
Here's the background if needed:
I have a @ 7 yo SONY analog Hi-8 camcorder with S-video I/O. I just bought a Canon Elura 90. I have 30 days to return the Elura if I want something else.
Here's the problem. The 2005 Elura 90s don't have S-video input/output [1]. They use an all-in-one mini-jack connector for analog I/O -- similar to what digital cameras use.
One of the main things I want the Elura to do is reasonably high quality conversion of my legacy Hi-8 tapes to digital format. I'll then edit the digital tapes over time on my purchase-pending G5 iMac and burn DVDs to archive.
---------
[1] Instead they have a still camera capability. Arghh.
Update
I've been told that if you're going from 8MM (or, shudder, VHS) to Mini DV the signal degradation impact of the composite video connection (mini-Video jack aka Video mini-jack to RCA plug composite) isn't that great. The source material is crummy to begin with.
Hi8, though, is a much higher quality source. It has 80% of the resolution of a mini DV digital capture. My experts tell me that the composite video has a significant impact in this setting.
The best solution would be the analog 3 channel RGB to analog 3 channel RGB input. That would require a professional level Hi8 camera and a pro level digital video camera. Next best is S-video, which is what I'll be getting.
I bought the camera from a high-service vendor so they didn't blink when I explained I wanted to swap out for the Optura 50 which does have S-video analog I/O.
How much quality is lost when a @1998 SONY Hi8 analog camcorder transfers Hi8 output with a high-quality (Monster $40) RCA (video composite, 2 audio) to a mini-video jack cable VERSUS using a high quality S-video cable with a separate audio-only RCA to mini-jack cable?
Here's the background if needed:
I have a @ 7 yo SONY analog Hi-8 camcorder with S-video I/O. I just bought a Canon Elura 90. I have 30 days to return the Elura if I want something else.
Here's the problem. The 2005 Elura 90s don't have S-video input/output [1]. They use an all-in-one mini-jack connector for analog I/O -- similar to what digital cameras use.
One of the main things I want the Elura to do is reasonably high quality conversion of my legacy Hi-8 tapes to digital format. I'll then edit the digital tapes over time on my purchase-pending G5 iMac and burn DVDs to archive.
---------
[1] Instead they have a still camera capability. Arghh.
Update
I've been told that if you're going from 8MM (or, shudder, VHS) to Mini DV the signal degradation impact of the composite video connection (mini-Video jack aka Video mini-jack to RCA plug composite) isn't that great. The source material is crummy to begin with.
Hi8, though, is a much higher quality source. It has 80% of the resolution of a mini DV digital capture. My experts tell me that the composite video has a significant impact in this setting.
The best solution would be the analog 3 channel RGB to analog 3 channel RGB input. That would require a professional level Hi8 camera and a pro level digital video camera. Next best is S-video, which is what I'll be getting.
I bought the camera from a high-service vendor so they didn't blink when I explained I wanted to swap out for the Optura 50 which does have S-video analog I/O.
Thursday, March 17, 2005
Another dark day in the history of the governance of the United States of America: Paygo is gone
The New York Times > Opinion > Editorial: Sham Self-Discipline in the Capitol
It doesn't compare to de facto governmental sanctions of torture and pointless and self-defeating brutality, but neither is it a bright spot in the history of the United States of America:
It doesn't compare to de facto governmental sanctions of torture and pointless and self-defeating brutality, but neither is it a bright spot in the history of the United States of America:
Paygo was at the heart of the last display of honest, bipartisan budget discipline in the 90's. A proposal by Senator Russell Feingold, Democrat of Wisconsin, to restore this obvious force for good was rejected, 50 to 50, in the Senate. That vote provided a sad answer to one of the major budget questions this week as the world watches for believable evidence that the government might begin to rationally confront its own profligacy.
George Wedding on a future HDTV solution w/ Mac Mini 2.0
Macintouch: Mac Mini (Part 8)
A Macintouch reader submits a very detailed article on what's needed for Mac Mini 2.0 and HDTV integration. A great introduction to the entire domain. I've no personal experience, we'll get HDTV @ 2010 at the very earliest.
A Macintouch reader submits a very detailed article on what's needed for Mac Mini 2.0 and HDTV integration. A great introduction to the entire domain. I've no personal experience, we'll get HDTV @ 2010 at the very earliest.
How to plug in an Apple computer -- first the AC, then the computer?!
Wow. I'd never have imagined this one! This business of embedding computers throughout complex hardware has some substantial limitations. Hmm. I wonder how far that meme extends.
Apple machines are infamous for controlling hardware via software. My PC has a simple thermal sensor that controls fan speeds, but on a Mac fan speed is the responsibility of low level OS code. My PC does simple error checking on memory at the hardware level, the Mac expects error free memory. PCs power supplies are brain dead, the Mac has a 'power management unit' with its own OS and firmware.
Which approach is better? I'm sure there are good arguments for Apple's approach (not to mention it makes cloning very hard ...), but my experience is 'stupid is better'.
The story of the PMU is illustrative. As reported in MacInTouch (from Desktop and Portable Systems: A Guide to Supporting, Servicing and Troubleshooting Apple Computers):
1. Ever wonder whether you should connect your iPod to the charging cable and then the cable to the firewire port - or vice-versa? Given the above, this may a choice between devil or the deep blue sea. Do it one way and mess up the iPod, the other and mess up the iBook!
2. Generally one tends to do the "right" thing -- plug an AC adapter into the wall, then connect it to the portable (iBook, etc). But what about people who like to power up via a surge suppressor? That used to be common practice. I wonder what that does?! What if there's a power failure and the power comes back on again? What if you accidentally disconnect the AC adapter and plug it back in?!
3. Wouldn't it be nice if Apple documented this somewhere?
4. Clearly, computers aren't ready for use by normal people.
Apple machines are infamous for controlling hardware via software. My PC has a simple thermal sensor that controls fan speeds, but on a Mac fan speed is the responsibility of low level OS code. My PC does simple error checking on memory at the hardware level, the Mac expects error free memory. PCs power supplies are brain dead, the Mac has a 'power management unit' with its own OS and firmware.
Which approach is better? I'm sure there are good arguments for Apple's approach (not to mention it makes cloning very hard ...), but my experience is 'stupid is better'.
The story of the PMU is illustrative. As reported in MacInTouch (from Desktop and Portable Systems: A Guide to Supporting, Servicing and Troubleshooting Apple Computers):
While skimming the book, we noted some interesting tips about power management, including the non-obvious, but apparently critical, issue of exactly how you connect an AC adapter:Oookaaay. A few comments:
* The PMU [power management unit] is a computer within a computer. It has memory, software, firmware, I/O, two crystals, and a CPU.
* If you connect the AC power adapter to the computer before you connect the adapter to an electrical outlet, you can make the Power Manager software unusable. Symptoms of issues with the Power Manager software include startup problems and the inability to shut down the computer (the computer restarts spontaneously after shutdown.)
1. Ever wonder whether you should connect your iPod to the charging cable and then the cable to the firewire port - or vice-versa? Given the above, this may a choice between devil or the deep blue sea. Do it one way and mess up the iPod, the other and mess up the iBook!
2. Generally one tends to do the "right" thing -- plug an AC adapter into the wall, then connect it to the portable (iBook, etc). But what about people who like to power up via a surge suppressor? That used to be common practice. I wonder what that does?! What if there's a power failure and the power comes back on again? What if you accidentally disconnect the AC adapter and plug it back in?!
3. Wouldn't it be nice if Apple documented this somewhere?
4. Clearly, computers aren't ready for use by normal people.
Wednesday, March 16, 2005
The Google maps revolution: Annotating the planet
Jon Udell: Annotating the planet
Jon is a big thinker. He's very excited about Google maps and what this will mean.
Jon is a big thinker. He's very excited about Google maps and what this will mean.
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