What a damn epic.
You’re looking at 120 dollars worth of Blu Ray discs. Man, these things are expensive. Two spindles of 25 cost 240 bucks and then they delivered them to the wrong address. But that’s par for this project – it’s fought me every step of the way. I suspect that’s a very good sign.
Look at this:
The disc is held by a double sided foam square, which is holding the sleeve closed. The sleeve is card held by the photo media guides. I printed off about 20 or so before I got the look I wanted. I had only used a mock up until tonight, the theory seems to be working. Throwing the compact around, it seems to be holding. Until I mail it, I won’t know for sure. There’s balloons and metal confetti inside!
Now here’s the numbering system!
52 playing cards which mark 52 original Showbags! You can’t see the design on the back of the card but it’s … rather unique. You’ll know you have an original copy once you see it. If we go past 52 copies then I’ll make something similar.
OK so here’s some bad news.
The first batch will be Australian/European PAL. I am sorry but tests show that there is still a big difference between PAL and NTSC playback even on HD systems. I cannot be sure that USA televisions will work with the videos as they are. But I will make sure that some of the first 52 WILL BE NTSC format. As soon as possible these will be available.
If you intend to run the disc on a computer drive, then you can use the PAL version anywhere. Computers don’t care. Televisions do. If you are in the USA and choose the PAL version I will double check that you understand. The American NTSC version will run at 24 frames per second. This means that the HD video will be 4 percent SLOWER than real time, with the sound pitch corrected. Running the HD video slower is cleaner than converting to 29.97 fps. The standard definition clips will be at 29.97. I am trying the main video at 59.97fps.
I will soon mail have mailed off a free copy to a lucky person. When I do that the Post Office will be able to tell me how much this is going to cost. IT IS HEAVY, and although I swear that I will sell it for damn near cost, the postage will likely be is expensive. So as soon as I have the postage I will make these available for order. PAL is now shipping.
Right now I am drinking champagne sent to me by Government House, well deserved, and frankly making up for a rather horrible week or so.
Tonight is garbage night. MY NIGHT.
Changes to the above: the postage is just over 260g which sucks, as 250g would be much cheaper. Sorry guys, expensive postage.
I am not happy with running the show at 24fps. It lags. Re-reading the Blu Ray white paper I don’t see any place where 50fps is restricted from NTSC, but I trust the encoder when it says “NO”. I am going to try 60fps (actually 59.97fps because you yanks are CRAZY).
BTW it’s shocking how many people on the Internet are talking bullshit about BD authoring including one ‘video guru’ who says the player creates the fps on the fly. Yeah right, actually no, the TV samples the frames and only if it’s a 120Hz machine you’re laughing. If it’s 60Hz you are going to str str str strobe.
Would you accept a money order?
International Money Order is OK. Not a money order from a local bank.
Cheers.
Encoding would seem much easier in SuperC
Got ours the day before yesterday Tom. Thank you. Travelled well and arrived in perfect condition. It’s a great collection of work and something to be very proud of – so much work has obviously gone into it. We’re really enjoying it on the PS3 and 42″ Toshiba – quality is excellent. Mrs Lags is very fond of the flying head with legs and the pulsating cat head which turns into a kaleidoscope of flowers :-] Only sorry you’re not making much (if any) dosh out of this project.