Mineral Wells Was AWESOME! Here's a video - Wild Texas Forums: Parks, Travel & Recreation

Cajun Camper · 09-25-2006, 07:24 PM

I have never made a video before, so today I spent 8 hours on my Mac (only been using Macs 2 weeks). It's rough, but it was fun. I'll be working and polishing more to get better material.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=NbbwqpWtmK0

Jamie

Alchemist2000 · 09-25-2006, 08:36 PM

The video is fantastic....especially the part after the credits! Isn't Peniteniary Hollow great?! We were there one time early on a cold, damp Sunday morning so we had the whole place to ourselves, but I also like to watch the climbers.

Cajun Camper · 09-25-2006, 08:59 PM

Thanks! I'll post a recount of our trip soon. The video was tough, 50 minutes = 7 gigs of raw video on the computer. To squeeze some of that into under 10 minutes means speeding up the footage, so everything is "jumpy". Add music and 6 minutes is 27 megs of unclean video.

I'm going to add more still shots to the video to get more perspective of the park, while keeping the video under 10 minutes.

It was my first time, so I am learning.

Jamie

campermom · 09-25-2006, 09:29 PM

Way funny! Are you bringin the camera to Inks? Hope so!

We're countin the days.

Cajun Camper · 09-25-2006, 09:35 PM

Sweet! Yes, my wife broke our digital camera on her last excursion to Mancora, Peru so I use a loaner from the university. I'll bring it.

(and hopefully a tripod...) LOL

copuswalker · 09-26-2006, 07:32 AM

I'm impressed......technological genius

I must say those were the strangest looking bears I have ever seen.

It is nice to ssee a sense of humor...something that can be sorely lacking in East Texas

Cajun Camper · 09-26-2006, 08:47 AM

I uploaded the video in MP4 format to try and get a little better picture. Here is an alternate link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dck5Pihtrw8

JB

rockhill · 09-26-2006, 09:40 AM

Nice work with the camera and computer. I wish I had a camera handy the night we camped there and were overrun by skunks. We were in a little nylon tent looking at them, some on the table, some looking at us thru the nylon screen. The next morning we were busy scalding the silverware that we had left on the table when our friends, who were in a pop-up awoke wondering what we were up to. They of course, were oblivious to our sleepless night.

Turn Key · 09-26-2006, 10:02 AM

I love it! Great job! Wish I knew how to do that.

Have been all over mineral Wells I don't know how many times. Know all the spots you filmed like the back of my hand. Got to get back out there again and soon.

Your openning footage with the kiddo reminded me of a time we took our GS for the first time. We were also at MW but over at Site 55 in Live Oak section. 55 is right next to the washrooms and GS had to make a trip. He was only about 5 but we were the only ones in the park and could see and hear the washroom should he holler. Told him to go ahead and I'd be right at our site. He wouldn't and when asked why, he said that he was afraid of being eaten by a bear! He was dead serious about this and would go nowhere with out one of us, usually me. Oh, well. Great trip and he still remembers it now at 12.

If all goes as planned DS, GS, SIL, SIL's dad and I are headed out for a 4-day "Man's Trip" at the end of October. Headed for McCown Valley Park on Whitney Lake. Should be a great trip.

Happy Camping!

Cajun Camper · 09-26-2006, 08:46 PM

Hey Thanks, Turn Key.

I live on computers, but video making and Macs are new to me. It took me about a week to gather the right equipment and make it work with my computer, then it took me 8 hours to make 6 minutes. Now I am trying to learn the best way to compress video to make it useable on the web, and still clear. Yuk!

But, it's fun and I am learning. Always learning. Lots of great camping ahead, I sure am looking forward to it.

Here are a couple of links to my camps back in Louisiana. Which is why I am re-learning temp camping again. Too many years in camps.

This is an abandoned oil storage tank on a deer lease. The inside was cleaned, so we cut holes for doors and built a house inside. Kitchen, baths, bedrooms and storage. Nickname: The Chrome Dome. It sits smack dab in the Atchafalaya basin, accessible only by boat, on 1700 acres.

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/jamieb...c6.jpg&.src=ph

Here is a camp we started as a 12' X 12' room, then added on until we got something nice. It sits on Lake Fausse Point, across the levee from the Atchafalaya basin, near New Iberia, La.

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/jamieb...9f.jpg&.src=ph

The full albums can also be viewed.

Jamie

Turn Key · 09-26-2006, 09:15 PM

Quote:

I live on computers, but video making and Macs are new to me. It took me about a week to gather the right equipment and make it work with my computer, then it took me 8 hours to make 6 minutes. Now I am trying to learn the best way to compress video to make it useable on the web, and still clear. Yuk!

Wow! I'm doing real well if I can stay "logged on"

!!! As many here know, I am "computer challenged" and feel real proud of myself when I can get a file moved from one place to another sans losing it:rolleyes:.

New Dell computer came in this morning. Haven't started hooking it up yet. That will be the project for the next couple of days (we are "off" during the week rather then Saturday/Sunday). I'm doing all the physical hook-up of the new box and the moving of the old one (saving this one to do my writting on and to run my "Flight Sim" game). Will most likely leave the software installation to DW. She's more comfortable with it and saves stress on me

. So, if I disappear for more then a week, please have some one send out the Marines. I'm lost in "Computer Limbo"

!!!

Happy Camping!

oldarmy06 · 10-05-2006, 03:55 PM

canjun.....what type of video camera did you use? looking for a middle of the road, rugged, easy to use one .....maybe 350 or less in price. This possible ?

Cajun Camper · 10-05-2006, 04:07 PM

I used a borrowed, near bottom of the line, Sony Handi-cam. It's easy to get a camera for under $300, the price starts to go up when you start getting into different needs, like digital, or compatible with a Mac, etc.

Most people say, "nothing fancy - just something to record with and easy to use." It ain't that easy.

My Sony Handi-cam that wasn't digital, was Hi-8 did exactly that and it still works great today. Problem is I can't get ANY of my old videos onto the computer without having to find a top of the line camera that will act as a VCR and "pass-through" my video to the computer. There are alternatives, but my point is that there came a day when I had all of this video that I wanted to put on the web and I couldn't without spending money on equipment.

So now I am borrowing a university digital camera so I can easily put it on the web.

I spotted this one as entry level and basic - but digital:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1130983394389

One rule of thumb I try and follow is not use anything that doesn't use standard equipment like video cards, batteries, etc.

I would definitely go digital, but if you just want a camera to "capture the moment", visit your local best buy, circuit city, etc., and look for something that fits your budget and isn't some oddball product. I've had luck with Sony and Samsung, as well as JVC. Check out the Sony Handi-Cams. I wouldn't buy anything that's new and experimental, or being discontinued.

G'luck!

oldarmy06 · 10-05-2006, 10:47 PM

well i want one i can plug int to my computer and D/L the video and add the features like you did (sounds and speed)

Cajun Camper · 10-05-2006, 10:59 PM

Well alrighty. We may have to continue this via e-mail because it gets technical - but not too bad.

1- Get a digital camera
2- Make sure it has firewire output (1394 connection)
3- If you use a PC, you'll need a firewire (1394) input. If you don't have one, you can buy a card to put in the computer rather cheaply.
4- PC's have a program called Movie Maker. Macs use iMovie.
5- When the camera is connected to the computer via firewire, the computer sees the camera and you can then use the computer like a VCR to control the camera. You basically press Play on the camera and record the tape onto the computer.

6- From there you have a bunch of video segments on the computer to put together into a movie. You use the computer program (Movie Maker) to play a segment at whatever speed you want.

7- After you compile your video into a movie you can edit it all you want.

The camera isn't used for any special effects, the main desire you need from your camera is the ability to plug it into your computer and have your computer see the camera, so you can get what's on the camera off and into your computer.

A big hard drive and lots of RAM really help. When buying a camera, tell the sales person what kind of computer you have and that you want to make movies. Don't spend tons of money, just be sure it's compatible. I learned in one day. It's not TOO simple, but a little patience and trial and error and you'll be fine.

I'm using a 4 year old MAC because it has built in firewire. My PC didn't have this, but it could. I just use what I have available.

JB