Ok, I recieved a letter with a link that works:
http://video.freevideoblog.com/Player.aspx?fileid=2953B1C2-1DA0-4582-AFB9-AE8EFCF8F81A
I taped this using a Sony Camcorder on Hi-8 digital. I used firewire to transfer to the computer using Roxio 7 Software. I then learned with a pot of coffee and a day or two how to edit video to result a clip small enough for the net. The orginal file size was 170 megabyte and the final result is a little over 8 Mb.
The train crosses a bridge after climbing a 3% grade at approx 25 mph under DCC control on a friend’s layout. It is pulling a train that includes 3 restored Athearn TOFC cars that I rebuilt and painted, two flats with stone loads and chains added and 4 walthers kit built airslide hoppers painted and decaled for Dominos Sugar using Microscale. The rest of the train is a variety of cars ending with the Bowser PRR War Bonds Caboose slightly weathered.
So, enjoy this video and let me know how you like it. It took me a long time to learn how to process very large video clips down to something useable for the internet. The humming is the airconditioner fighting the 105 degree arkansas heat just prior to a thunderstorm that created by accident a wonderful effect to another clip which I will place later this week.
Well…what I could see of the video was pretty good. However, maybe it was the host, maybe my computer, I don’t know, but the video kept glitching. What I could see was pretty cool though.
Keep up the good work!
Rotor
nice very nice!!! It played ok for me was a little glitchy the first time but on second attempt no problems.
Very Nice!! I have 3 of the BLI M1’s, 6798, 6720, and 6762 which is an M1-B. They are some of my favorite BLI engines. Great performers!!![^]
Looked great, almost like watching the real thing. My image was a little dark, though, and I don’t see how to lighten it.
Thanks. The lighting is not the best for the shoot. We are talking about ceiling lights in a garage setting and the camera was about 10 feet away zoomed in.
I suspect the interruptions in the video might be the tape or actually my computer when I processed it. I have a very powerful machine and can see a little “Hitch” here and there. I can only imagine what it might look like on other systems.
It was a learning experience I also like to see my videos in full screen only the site does not allow it for some reason.
Awesome video. If I remember correctly, it was pulling 17 or so cars. Does it pull more, or did it have trouble with what it had?
Nice job, I am glad I finally got to see it, last night it was’t working right for me
Keep in mind that the TOFC cars were weighted to 5/5 ounces each with lead shot and the Dominos covered Hoppers are 4 ounces as well as the flats. The rest of the cars are about 3.5 ounces. We are pushing the limits on that engine.
There is a 10 foot 3% grade on the other side of the table it climbs, enters the tunnel on the first 24" curve and comes out at the second 24" curve while half the train is still coming off the grade.
I have moved 24 cars up that 3% with this engine at road speed with some slip.
And now… Here is a BLI 2-8-2 Mikado coming off a 3.5% Compound curve with a pair of tank cars and 10 empty athearn coal hoppers. There is a bit of thunder from the storm we were in during this shoot. The bridge is the same one but coming from the other direction.
http://video.freevideoblog.com/Player.aspx?fileid=8B2AFC1F-B11B-4C10-8310-A061AD153E5A
FIRST CLASS, ONCE AGAIN! Lighting was somewhat better, at least form that angle.
If you can stand a couple of 150 watt bulb lamps nearby, get a neutral backdrop in the distance, and reshoot that scene, it will be dynamite. Nice loco!! Sound is very good.
The videos work great on my computer here at the hobby shop!
Nice work!
Rotor
I was recalling some of the MR Railroad Club’s video previews of various QSI engines we were treated to on this site.
I think those videos were taken and stored on a memory stick and simply sent to the computer. I found that the resolution is like that of a rain on a window. Not too good.
I suggest to MR to use Roxio 7 to render a video from the Digital Tape to provide us a slightly better viewing experience at a cost of a slightly more file size.
I crunched a one hour video tape of content on this computer tonight just to see where the “Limits” are. I learned that one hour of DV quality video such as I posted in this thread requires about 14 gigabyte of disk space. I had about 150 gigabyte free on my RAID array so that means 12 hours worth of videos. Wow.
I then took that one hour tape and crunched it down using the Roxio’s video wave utility with rendering to keep the best quality image. The final result was a 650 Mb CD Rom that is playable using the same Windows Media Player that we use to view the videos. Since videos usually are 2-10 megabyte in size and a few minutes long such massive files would not be suitable for the net as the bandwidth charges would be thru the roof.
So. I was able to burn an hours worth of train onto CD and stack the CD on the shelf. I suppose it is not too different than burning DVD’s or the old VCR tapes. What is different is that any model railroader with a camcorder and a computer can now share the work with others.
In my case the train is my work and the layout it ran on is a friends work. But sharing our efforts we were able to share with this forum and possibly others who might not have seen a HO train in action.
Someone posted that in Atlanta, the video runs good on his Hobby Shop computer… what I wonder… if a customer who wants to see and hear a BLI engine actually running and pulling a train with the sound before buying such a model? priceless eh? He or she could stand there at th
I am one of the " pairofaces@Cebridge.net " and also the builder of the HO Layout that Highiron2003ar runs his locos and rolling stock. We have a great time together testing different locos, trains, loads, scale speeds, etc. “Selector’s” comments about two, 150 W light bulbs and a neutral backdrop is can-do project. I’m always looking for something else to do ever since the layout was completed. HighIron2003ar and I will proceed to improve the videos for the enjoyment of MRR everywhere.
Dr. L, thanks for your reply. I said that only because I have begun to experiment with my own interest in photography, principally of my layout. I have an old SLR, a Pentax SP 1000 with light meter. I have learned that you have to meter lighter in order for darker details to show up. Too frequently, something that gets me ‘going’ is nearly invisible in images, whether moving or still; the darker running gear of steamers. They have to be illuminated or metered to show up.
Anyway, I have been using table lamps with discrete wattage settings (tri-lites) to good effect. If I place them close, but out of view, and then meter lighter than usual, I get better detail. Also, as per Fundynorthern’s tips, I can stop down the iris and get better depth of field.
As for the backdrop, I really, and sincerely, assert that the video is very good and could almost pass for the real thing…were it not for shelving, garage doors, fire extinguishers, etc., in the background (in or out of focus). So something else that is near neutral, or a quality realistic backdrop, will really help if you two want to get into this in a serious way.
Just my observations. I hope to see more!
I thought about a portable back drop because there is a great deal of “Railroad” behind the bridge. I suppose we will find a way to use it in a way that might open up more shots.
Around the walls railroads have the avantage of already having backdrops. Island type railroads in a large room are more difficult to “Shoot”
I thought about processing the video in a way to remove the background and insert a generic scenery or sky but we are dealing with a video and such mixing is beyond me at this time.
Both videos play beautifully on my broadband connection at my office. Good job!