Cable TV - It's A Farce - 1957 Archives

Cable TV – It’s A Farce
Leo Gerard
Dateline: 1957
New York

Wallstreet is at it again. This time the money barons have hatched a scheme to steal more than our money. Wait until you hear this one. They want us to pay to watch TV. Yes, you heard me right. The boys on Wallstreet have come up with the notion that they should be paid by you - so that they can sell you stuff. Here is the plot that we unearthed so far. Contribute to (pay) Congressman and Senators to corrupt the FCC into declaring that the public airwaves are not public. (Or swap the meaning of public and private.) Step two, get some judge to declare that this bunch of hooligans have the right to dig up your street to string a cable to your TV set. An unlicensed law school graduate that I consulted said that he thought a First Amendment ploy would be tried. Step three; wage a propaganda war on Americans claiming that in exchange for “Pay TV” we will not have to suffer with commercials. No one that I spoke within the industry believes that the “no commercial” part of the deal would ever happen. Not because it cannot be made to work but rather because there is no reason to stick to such an agreement. How can we ever be sure that after taking our money the cable company still would not take money from people that want to put commercials in our home? Sure we could refuse to buy their stuff but the fact is that boycotts almost never work. What if commercials weren’t just for the usual junk that is easy to ignore such as reupholstering a chair? Would the Wallstreet TV gang ever turn down money from big name companies that are cornerstones of America such as General Motors or Ford? I don’t know if Wallstreet is going to win this one but at least TV is only on eight hours a day and commercials are only 30 seconds long.

Digital Juice

Digital Juice the publisher of the Jumpback series is running sales that are not bad at all. Some are closeouts and the prices are down to the under $10 range. That's down from $50 to $100. You have to order on line and they only ship via FedX but you can bundle orders.

Blender 3D Modeling Software

3D Modeling Software
reviewed by THE STORYBOARD

is used to construct sophisticated models appropreiate for the virtual Live Set presently in use in the FCAC Public Access facility Studio C. In our opinion the single most important thing to understand about two of the most popular 3D programs is that one, LightWave from NewTek cost $795 while Blender is free . Blender is reported to be every bit as stable and well supported by the open source community. It is something you can learn in a weekend? No. To get something to work? Yes. If you are looking for sophisticated professional output, think in terms of a year. Yes. A year. Consider also that the best 3D modelers like directors of photography have one more thing that most people lack. Talent. IMHO we should consider a class in art appreciation while we are teaching ourselves to push buttons, drag and drop. Be that as it may, ...
Blender is a free 3D graphics application. It can be used for modeling, UV unwrapping, texturing, rigging, water simulations, skinning, animating, rendering, particle and other simulations, non-linear editing, compositing, and creating interactive 3D applications. Blender is available for several operating systems, including Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, IRIX, Solaris, NetBSD, FreeBSD, OpenBSD with unofficial ports for BeOS, SkyOS, AmigaOS, MorphOS and Pocket PC. Blender has a robust feature set similar in scope and depth to other high-end 3D software such as SoftimageXSI, Cinema 4D, 3ds Max, Lightwave and Maya. These features include advanced simulation tools such as rigid body, fluid, cloth and softbody dynamics, modifier based modeling tools, powerful character animation tools, a node based material and compositing system and Python for embedded scripting.
LightWave 3D is a high end computer graphics program developed by NewTek. The latest release of LightWave runs on Windows and Mac OS X, and has been optimized for usage on Intel Macs. LightWave's network rendering system, ScreamerNet, has also been ported to Linux platforms. LightWave was one of the first 3D packages to feature a built-in radiosity render engine, with a complex light calculation model for support of caustics. Most functions within LightWave are multi-threaded, which means that those components can simultaneously use multiple processors in the same machine when performing complex calculations. Programmers can expand LightWave's capabilities using an included SDK as well as a special scripting language called LScript, which is based on the C language. The subdivision modeling is also very similar to the 3D package Modo, thus the 2 packages have been bundled together in some purchase options

Useful Blender Links: Dont forget to use the back button to return to this page.

Blender Home
A collection of wiki books on Blender
Blender 3D Tutorials
Blender 3D Design Course

Free Video Editing Software Reviewed

MS MOVIE MAKER
Already installed on newer computers that are running Windows XP, Movie Maker has drag and drop features to make creating and editing your movie easier. Microsoft has many add-ons for this software, and upgrades are available through the website. This is one of the best free video editing software programs available. Mr. Gates has done it again. It is a program that does what it it says it does. It's free. I don't care for it one bit! It doesn't play nice with anyone else in the editing community. It produces a file that cannot be played nor even read by any other editor.

APPLE iMOVIE
Apple iMovie is comparable to Windows Movie Maker, but Apple iMovie is used on the MAC operating system. Apple iMovie has many advanced features and add-ons. Unfortunately, the software is only free if you buy a new MAC system. If you want the software without buying the system, it is available for purchase. One of the best free video editing programs available for MAC users. I'm not a Mac Head so I can't speak from experience but those Mac heads and even those that have suffered some sort of conversion tell me that like evrything else Mac - it works, and it is especially easy to use.

AVID FREEDV
Avid FreeDV is available for both Windows and MAC operating systems, and includes basic video and audio editing capabilities, as well as up to two streams of real-time effects. On the whole, a solid video editing program that is slightly hard to use, but very powerful once you learn its ins and outs.
NO LONGER AVAILABLE FROM AVID YET STILL SUPPORTED

WAX
Wax is a high performance and flexible free video editing software program. It started out as a college project, and has since grown. Wax is good for both home users and professionals. It can be used as a stand-alone application, or as a plug-in to other video editors. The software also features unlimited video and audio tracks with top-down compositing.

ZWEI-STEIN
Zwei-Stein is great free video editing software, but the user interface is very technical. It is full featured, offering many different effects. It can edit up to 256 video, audio, and still image clips. There are up to 64 effects, which can be chained serially. An interesting program that's worth looking at. Very popular but a bit too convoluted for my taste.

Ahead Fiddles While NERO Doesn't Burn

We've been using Nero, the combination NLE and burning software package since version 6. It was always a bit clunky and never in a class with the expensive professional NLE products. It was however street priced under $100 and it did do most things well enough. I always found the ability to produce a DVD with and without chapters and export in MPEG especially useful. Now comes Nero 9 and in my opinion the death of Nero. Of all the imperfections listed by users the most frightening and the deal breaker for me is, "It removes the XP Reset Points".
Here are comments posted by Dan C. "Hot Rod Programmer" (Dallas, Texas) - "I'm the biggest idiot in the world for buying this burning software that's trying to be everything that's media. I purchased Nero 7 some time ago and used it on 32-bit Windows XP for years and aside from a crash now and again I was very satisfied. Now I've updated to 64-bit Vista and I wanted a fresh new version of Nero for my new computer. Stupid me didn't take the 5 minutes it takes to find some reviews before I bought it online. What a mistake. Short list of problems: * Over an hour to install on a dual core processor machine? You've got to be kidding me! * Application locks to the first machine you install on. * You have to buy eleven applications so that you can burn a DVD. * StartSmart has dropped 50 IQ points as compared to Nero 7. * "Patent Activation" * Core CD/DVD burning applications seem untouched from Nero 7, which is all I care about. * Takes up 1 GB of disk space. * Even after an hour installing you still have to go to the web-site to download docs. * Already frustrating, you have to download each doc one at a time? * Update does not seem to do anything except send you to the web-site. * Online support is a joke. The "TOP 5 FAQ" - IS the entire FAQ. I write software for a living and I would be ashamed if I was in any way associated with a bloated piece of garbage like this. The company is based Germany, but I can guarantee the software is not written and tested by German engineers. I've worked with them before and they write awesome software. I am almost certain Nero has outsourced their development to some other country and now we all suffer. I'm done with Nero forever. "
The Storyboard is looking at DVDFlick and ImgBurn - both have free versions.

To: Ayme Pointer - FCAC Board
CC: Chuck Pena - FCAC GM
Sent: Sunday, October 05, 2008
Subject: FCAC Strategic Plan

Ayme,

Thank you for expressing an interest in my remarks.
As to matter of accuracy, my statement regarding the strategic plan is based on a conversation with Chuck Pena. After reviewing what minutes that were available, I asked Chuck if the board had a strategic plan in place. His response was, "No. Not right now but they have been working on it for some time and I believe that it will be presented to the board before the membership meeting on the 28th". I may paraphrase a bit but I can assure you that I did not misinterpret the substance.

V/R
Leo Torrezao

Commit A Subversive Act Today

October is banned books month.
Commit a subversive act.
Read a book.

CAMBIO DE RUTA

DATELINE September 28, 2008
VIVO de WOODBRIDGE, VA


David Alberto, Productor "de Cambio de Ruta" con éxito el primer programa de lengua español Religioso remoto vivo del FPA de emisión de Woodbridge, Virginia atrás al Canal del cable de Timonel 10 en Fairfax y alrededor del mundo 7 segundos más tarde.
Jim Southworth lo ha hecho otra vez. Él ha puesto en práctica una tecnología de consumidor simple descubierta por Leo Torrezao y amplió su uso intencionado. El "HAVA", los mercados de vendedor que el aparato llamó una caja de cabestrillo, un dispositivo que permitirá que nosotros miremos nuestra TV de casa en cualquier computadora relacionada con el Internet. Torrezao preguntó si el dispositivo no podía ser usado como una cámara al interfaz de registrador que así elimina el enredo de cables que ensucian todas las producciones de TV. Southworth leapfrogged aquella sugerencia como de costumbre. Él comenzó a probar usando una de las cámaras de campaña de Torrezao en vez de una TV como el vídeo de la fuente. Dentro de 24 horas ellos habían subido con lo que es conocido en la industria de TV como “un eslabón de transmisor de estudio”.
En Southworth corto y Torrezao han sustituido un camión de satélite costoso por la electrónica de consumidor que es prácticamente indistinguible. El Southworth refinó el sistema usando su propia licencia “Dentro de la Pala” programas como una cama de prueba antes de recomendar que ello ser liberado a otros productores. ¿Qué harán ellos para un bis?
Si usted se preocupa por nuestra comunidad,
Si usted se preocupa por el cuidado de nuestra voz viva entonces
VOTO para Jim y Leo el 28 de septiembre.

FCAC Election 2008

My concern about the corporation this year begins with the realization that the legal reason for our existence—a franchise with the county ends in less than 5 years.
The political wind tells us that the Federal government (FCC) will declare that since the county now has more than one cable provider a franchise is not necessary.
As soon as that matter is settled in law we see no reason for the cable company to continue funding us.
Who are we?
Do you believe that public access is about the public access to the cable system and free speech or is it about producing amateur vanity TV?
I believe that we are the soapbox in the town square.
Please remember that the county has not helped the concept of free speech since Audrey Moore was on the board of supervisors in 1988.
Do you have friends in the county? Or do you have people who are masters at making you believe that they are your friends?
That is why today, I’m asking for your vote.
Vote for Jim Southworth and me.
Jim is acknowledged as one of the 21 architects responsible for building Internet II.
FCAC can not only survive as a corporation, we can go on to build a nation wide Public Access Network.
If you care about our community,
If you care about keeping your voice alive,
If you care about what kind of a country we leave for the next generation then vote for Leo Torrezao and Jim Southworth.
Former FCC Commissioner Gloria T told me, “Even when you think that you have friends in office, don’t stop fighting, your enemy’s never do”.
Thank you for listening.

Sony NLE Software

We continue our search for good inexpensive editing software more appropriate for Public Access TV editors than either Apple FCP or Adobe Premiere.

Vegas Movie Studio 9

Most helpful positive consumer review posted on Amazon on September 4, 2008 said:
“Great Amateur/Prosumer Editing Suite, September 4, 2008 by CFE Chillnhill
The "Sony Vegas Movie Studio Platinum Pro Pack" is another fantastic entry into the outstanding Vegas family of editing software. We make instructional DVDs and have used Sony Vegas since version 4. While most of our videos are made using the higher end version Vegas Pro 8 I use the "Studio" version for home videos and quick edits. What's included (all on one disc): * Vegas Movie Studio 9 Platinum Edition (editing software) * DVD Architect Studio 4.5 (DVD authoring) * Sound Forge Audio Studio (audio editing) * Cinescore w/themes (sound track creation) * 1001 Sound Effects * NewBlue 3D Transitions & Effects ("Cartoonr" is an interesting effect) Here are my observations: * Very intuitive and easy to use interface * Huge selection of effects and transitions * Support for HD video * Burns Blu-Ray from the timeline and from DVD Architect * "Show Me How" interactive tutorials are very helpful * Direct YouTube upload support * Excellent Chromakey (green screen) capabilities * Great sound editing tools * Easy DVD menu creation

Most helpful negative consumer review posted anomalously on Amazon said:
“Buyer beware - Even though the product is "Vista" compatible, there is a fine print - it is not supported under 64-bit version. The solution from support was to install 32-bit vista instead. If only they would print this requirement on the box, it can save some headache!!”

ACCESS AMERICA

Congressman Gerry Connolley, left, and JIm Southworth

DATELINE July 20th, 2008
WASHINGTON DC
Access America.
Does anyone remember that brand from the summer of 1994? It was the hallmark signature of Leo Torrezao when he chaired the Fairffax Cable Access Corp. (FCAC) board almost 14 years ago. Many of their own members did not believe that a public access television station could achieve national prominence, even with the help of some new thing called the internet or “America on Line”. In fact, at the launching of Access America at a public meeting one FCAC member responded, “Now let me tell you why it will never work”.
Fast forward to 2008.
We’re at the Alliance for Community Media conference being held at the Shoreham Hotel in Washington DC. Hundreds of attendees from the nation’s public access stations are in town to see the latest in technology and share happenings in the world of the first amendment. Together with FCAC resident bleeding edge technology expert Jim Southworth, Torrezao is hawing FCAC’s ability to produce productions remotely world wide. At first the conference attendees were skeptical. The level of sophistication and expense of the equipment needed were surely beyond the budget of any Public Access TV station. “Let me tell you why it will never work”. Some things have not changed.
Southworth spoke at every technical ACM session. HAVA Box, WiFi, WiMAX streaming standards and more concepts that made the eyes of some glaze over and the ears of non-geeks bleed.
By the convention’s close Southworth had been invited to do training and presentations to many of the larger access stations and participate in the ACM Server Standards working group. New Jersey’s Access coalition asked to send their technician to Virginia to better understand the implementation of a Newtek Tricaster virtualstudio.
With carriage by Verizon FiOS and our traditional partners FCAC now is available in Arlington, Falls Church, Loudon, Leesburg, Prince William, Stafford and Fredericksburg as well as our home in Fairfax County where we are carried on the Cox system – that’s well over one million subscribers.
Meanwhile at the other end of the hall Torrezao was getting advice from former FCC Commissioner Gloria Tristani. The gist of her advice? Lobby the commissioners directly. Go see them. Tell them about the community you serve. Even if you think you have a political team in place that will be friendly to your cause – don’t let up. The opposition never does.