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My how things change.
I remember when Hollywood movies on VHS and BETA (remember that?) were $100. I worked at a video store called "Video Exchange", a revolutionary concept in retail where you could rent Hollywood movies. We all believed that dubbing the tapes would somehow alert someone and we'd get in trouble.
I remember when blank VHS tapes were $25 each, and you could get a recorder for the bargain basement price of $799.
Back when the Mercer twins and I were making movies - that would have been, say...1984-1990-ish - it was about $10 film + developing for three minutes worth of Super-8 Kodachrome film*.
I'm going to record the concert tonight, burn it to DVD as a keepsake for the benefit-ee's family. I'm going to Wal*Mart to buy two tapes - about two hours - for $8. Let's take a moment and do the math, shall we?
Super-8, Kodachrome 40, chosen for it's tight grain structure and better color reproduction** in normal light: ~$ 3.50 a minute, and you have to wait a week to see the the results of your efforts.
Mini-DV. Hi-Def 1080i or DV 740p: ~$.07 a minute. The results are immediately viewable, and you can reuse the tapes.
Damn.
* By that time the price of VCRs had dropped to an astoundingly low $300
** As compared to Ektachrome, which was better for low light, but was unpleasantly grainy.
I remember when blank VHS tapes were $25 each, and you could get a recorder for the bargain basement price of $799.
Back when the Mercer twins and I were making movies - that would have been, say...1984-1990-ish - it was about $10 film + developing for three minutes worth of Super-8 Kodachrome film*.
I'm going to record the concert tonight, burn it to DVD as a keepsake for the benefit-ee's family. I'm going to Wal*Mart to buy two tapes - about two hours - for $8. Let's take a moment and do the math, shall we?
Super-8, Kodachrome 40, chosen for it's tight grain structure and better color reproduction** in normal light: ~$ 3.50 a minute, and you have to wait a week to see the the results of your efforts.
Mini-DV. Hi-Def 1080i or DV 740p: ~$.07 a minute. The results are immediately viewable, and you can reuse the tapes.
Damn.
* By that time the price of VCRs had dropped to an astoundingly low $300
** As compared to Ektachrome, which was better for low light, but was unpleasantly grainy.
no subject
Of all the things in the world, only consumer electronics has followed the Sci Fi vision of the future.
I remember some sci fi movie about some space cruise ship. There was a reporter on board who had a walkman-sized device on his belt with an eyepiece/viewfinder on his sunglasses, that was a hi-res, broadcast quality camera. Damned if that isn't possible now.
Yet the reality of a space cruise ship is centuries from now.
As a Beta head, being on the losing end of that one, I'm holding well off until HD-DVD and Blue Ray get done fighting before buying anything.
no subject
That battle may well be over. Blockbuster has already adopted Blu-Ray, as has the adult entertainment (aka, porn) industry. It was adult videos that shifted the tide away from BETA to VHS...it may likely be the same here.
no subject
I have no investment in either side like I did with Beta, so I'll go with whoever Wins.
I just want it to be decided SOON