Author: DOuG pRATt

Another Video Test

Well, kiddies, let’s see if this works. If not, I’ll delete this and in my despair eat tapioca pudding.

[MEDIA=13]

Hey, there we go. MPEG-4 (H.264) compression. Here’s how it looks using FLV compression.

[flv:/Video/2008/JUN/GraveOfTheFireflies.flv 440 248]

Hmm… ya know what? I’m not seeing enough of a difference here to make it worth the effort to go with MPEG-4. If anything, FLV looks crisper. Also, it seems the entire MPEG-4 video has to buffer before it starts playing, and that’s a definite disadvantage.

H.264 Test

If you see this, please ignore…
[MEDIA=12]

OK… so don’t ignore. Because the test works.

This is sort of an important post. First, I’m seriously considering getting an iPhone 3G, after the initial rush has passed. But I was going to get a full-featured FiOS TV set top box for the porch, and instead I went for the free digital converter, so maybe I won’t get an iPhone.

The point to this 10-minute video about the new iPhone is that it’s in an entirely different format than what I’ve used up to now. This is just the proof of concept, and the next thing to do will be converting one of my own video transfers into the new format. If this works, from now on the videos should be watchable in full screen mode.

Sibley on Snow

When Laserdisc was the best home video format available, studios would release expensive, deluxe editions of movies with all sorts of extras. I bought a few of them, including a box set from Disney of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. It came with a hardcover book that was co-written by none other than Brian Sibley.

Making of Snow White by Brian Sibley

By Request

My sister Jean asked for a particular song, and here it is. Pompous and bloated, even compared to the Moody Blues, and not as creepy as DOA by Bloodrock, but with a neat ambiance. Dig that old analog synthesizer sound!

[audio:http://www.dograt.com/Audio/2008/JUL/KingCrimson.mp3]

It’s Easy To Forget

I’m a fan of the work of Dennis Potter. The thought has occurred to me that perhaps J.K. Rowling named Harry in his honor. He’s the sort of writer I suspect she would appreciate. If you don’t know who I’m talking about — and I’m sure Brian Sibley does — please look him up now.

When I hear this song I think of Dennis Potter, and if you don’t like what you’re about to hear, don’t tell me, because I think this is wonderful. It’s sometimes easy to forget what made certain performers from long ago great. Here’s Bing Crosby at his best.

[audio:http://www.dograt.com/Audio/2008/JUN/DerBingle.mp3]

Tagged Song

OK, here’s another one of seven songs I want to feature, after being tagged by Brian Sibley. You’ll see the artist and title when you play it. This really holds up as a late period psychedelic sci-fi classic.

[audio:http://www.dograt.com/Audio/2008/JUN/Bowie.mp3]