We recently filmed some speaker presentations for a client. In addition to the DVDs, they would like to have a variety of web versions available. They requested Quicktime Movies (MOV), MP4 files, and WMV files, in order to cover all their bases. We were able to provide all the formats they needed, but it brings up a serious issue in today's video world. There are literally hundreds of playback formats, and playback compatibility is a real issue. There was a time when MPG1 was the universal compressed playback format that could play on anything. That was a nice thing, although it had its limitations. I hope that one day the standards consortium will be able to agree on a universal playback format again.

We are often asked by people how to make the equipment they have do what they want to do. Unfortunately, that is not a simple question and the answer is even more confusing. In response, we have started providing consultation services where we can assess the equipment and software you have, and show you step by step how to use it. We can even go step by step through the process of making your own video with your own gear and software, and then upload it to the internet. This is a good solution for individuals who just need a little push in the right direction and don't have countless hours to go through the trial and error process. We've already done that so you don't have to.

Athens Video has purchased www.athensvideo.net and will be creating our new website under this domain. When it is complete we will remove the old site at www.athensvideo.com and all traffic to www.athensvideo.net will be re-directed there. We hope this transition is not confusing for you if you are trying to find information.

This is a busy week for videotaping legal depositions. We have at least 6 as of now within a week. We have 3 of them on one day alone. Luckily, we have the resources to handle this type of activity. If you are a law firm, and you need us to tape your legal deposition, please call us. We provide final products on VHS or DVD, mpg video, and now we are starting to provide synchronized video with transcripts.

Perhaps you've seen websites that feature an on screen guide who walks onto your computer (usually at the bottom of the screen). We will be filming Monday for just that purpose. The trick to creating that effect is to film against a green backdrop, and then key out the green background later in post-production. The goal is to be able to see the website behind the guide and not solid green or white. Green screen video can be tricky, but with solid, continuous lighting on the screen, proper separation of the the talent from the screen, and good keying software, it can be done successfully.
 

We received our Vinten Vision 10 fluid tripod head today. This replaces another Vision 10 LF head that somehow broke. It's amazing how much tripod heads cost (the legs are fine, so they didn't need replacing). 
http://www.vinten.com/

We will be filming a memorial service this weekend for a client's recently deceased mother. Many people wonder why anyone would want to film a  memorial service, thinking that it seems macabre. In this case, the client is filming it for her brother, who is disabled and unable to travel from California to attend the funeral for his own mother. We will be filming the service and creating a DVD which will be sent to him to view, and hopefully bring him some peace of mind.

Today we are filming another installation of a series of Yoga instructional videos . In conjunction with the Mind-Body Institute at Athens Regional Hospital and the Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare Family Medicine Residency Program, we are creating 4 instructional videos that go more in depth to specific health problems that can be helped with yoga, such as back care and joint care. They will eventually be released and distributed as DVDs.

Athens Video is switching to a new style of format for our website. We will  maintaining two sites, but at some point we will drop the other one. So please do not be confused by the fact that we have two very different looking sites.

Do you have a PAL tape that you need to transfer to DVD? You may even have a PAL tape and not realize it. If you have ever received a tape from someone in another country and couldn't play it in your VCR, it's because it's a PAL or SECAM tape. PAL is the most widely used format, and it is usually used in countries that use 240v/50 hz electricity. The below chart illustrates which formats we can convert between:
- PAL VHS to PAL DVD          - NTSC VHS to NTSC DVD
- PAL DVD to PAL VHS         - NTSC DVD to NTSC VHS
- PAL VHS to NTSC DVD    -  PAL DVD to NTSC VHS
- NTSC VHS to PAL DVD    - NTSC DVD to PAL VHS
I think that covers it all - but you get the idea!