Palm video

[Caryota_gigas]

For some time now I have been meaning to add a section to the PACSONZ website devoted to video of Rhopalostylis sapida (nikau palm) in habitat.

Basically what I'm wanting to do is to have a virtual bushwalk series, with film taken of bushwalks around NZ focussing primarily on Nikau so those overseas (and locals) can see what it is really like.

Fortunately I have been sick enough over the last couple of days to finally start implementing this idea

I have added a trial page to the PACSONZ site, with a small trial palm video. I would appreciate some feedback on the time it takes to load, picture quality, etc, before I start uploading the real thing.

Here is the video link:

TRIAL VIDEO

For anyone interested, today I have also started a PACSONZ Facebook page:

PACSONZ FACEBOOK

Thanks,

Michael.

[The Germinator]

WORKS GREAT! MORE MORE MORE..... NARATION TOO!

[Caryota_gigas]

There will be narration on the ones I do properly. This was just an old quick shot I thought I would put up to see if people were happy with the quality, but obviously no one else cares.

[www.dadluvsu.com]

LOL! Vid quality is fine (uploads fast!) I think we are all kinda waiting for the real deal. Sweet Dypsis BTW.

[PalmatierMeg]

Looks great and loaded fast for me.

[Dypsisdean]

There will be narration on the ones I do properly. This was just an old quick shot I thought I would put up to see if people were happy with the quality, but obviously no one else cares.

Michael,

I can relate to that.

Your video loaded well and looked great in the small size, but "blurred out" when converted to full screen. But don't feel bad. I spent a lot of effort last year trying to get Hi-Def video compressed to a format viewable in larger screen sizes, and that would allow streaming by most users. I suffered from the same problem. Hi-Def video files are huge, and compressing them while retaining quality and size is possible, but difficult.

However, it is possible, and I have seen it done. But I don't think it will be done in larger formats with true high quality on uTube anytime soon. These guys are offering a great HD Video service that many seem to be using. http://www.vimeo.com/hd

In addtion, because of the technology surrounding digital video, it is next to impossible to maintain clarity while panning. And I thought it would be cool to display gardens while walking through them and narrating as I went. That proved to be extremely difficult as well. Walking with a camera, while keeping it pointed in the right direction and not jerking around, and keeping background noises down, all added to the dilemma. But I really gained an added respect for videographers. Editing proved problematic as well.

Although I haven't given up completely, I went the route of the Palmoramas I hope you have seen. Ultra high quality, and file sizes a tiny fraction of those using HD video - along with much less graphic demands on the viewer's internet service and computer.

Here is one of the most impressive HD (720p) Videos I've seen using a compression scheme that most everyone will be able to view (only 500kbps bit rate - which is truly amazing - really unheard of) Double Click for full screen and watch the full thing for some really outstandingly clear video scenes for such drastic compression.

http://www.flashvideofactory.com/test/DEMO..._H264_500K.html

And there is some excellent info on streaming HD Video here. The whole site is useful, but go to the Video Forum for a wealth of info. http://wetpixel.com/

I will be watching your progress with interest. Good Luck.

[Jonathan]

Thats great Michael, worked really well, even though our broadband here is really just inflated dialup.

Paning the camera around the plant gives a true sense of volume, I didn't realize that decipiens looked so robust while still quite small - I've only ever seen my 3 leaf seedling!

Looking forward to the nikau movies, with naration and The Chills playing on the soundtrack.

Cheers,

Jonathan

[palmcurry]

Michael,

Good to see your doing this kinda work. I think looking at palms in digital video is the inevitable media we all will be into soon and your starting towards that direction.

The video loaded well for me and it's cool to see a plam I like up close. If I may suggest, as someone with a little background in entertainment, to add a medium shot or long shot along with your close up shot. That way the viewer can see the palm in relation to it's surroundings and get an idea of it's size, whole form, relation to it's surroundings, ect.

Close up shots are great even if all the detail dose'nt come through. If I could I would want to smell the palm through the PC! But add some further away shots to your close-up amd you will get variety and appeal.

[richnorm]

Didn't work for me stuck in dial-up hell but the idea is a good one. There's plenty of local content besides Nikau that would be of interest too. I think a short video clip is way better than a photo as palms are hard to capture and do justice to in a single frame.

cheers R

[Kostas]

It was great,i liked it very much! I too am waiting for more videos,maybe a little longer too

[John in Andalucia]

On a 1mb broadband connection it runs ahead of itself, i.e. it plays faster than it loads - even on low quality setting. That's the technical observation, but I really do like the "3-D effect" of seeing smaller palms that are just a few years past seedling stage. It's very inspiring for new growers.

[rozpalm]

There will be narration on the ones I do properly. This was just an old quick shot I thought I would put up to see if people were happy with the quality, but obviously no one else cares.

Michael,

I can relate to that.

Your video loaded well and looked great in the small size, but "blurred out" when converted to full screen. But don't feel bad. I spent a lot of effort last year trying to get Hi-Def video compressed to a format viewable in larger screen sizes, and that would allow streaming by most users. I suffered from the same problem. Hi-Def video files are huge, and compressing them while retaining quality and size is possible, but difficult.

However, it is possible, and I have seen it done. But I don't think it will be done in larger formats with true high quality on uTube anytime soon. These guys are offering a great HD Video service that many seem to be using. http://www.vimeo.com/hd

In addtion, because of the technology surrounding digital video, it is next to impossible to maintain clarity while panning. And I thought it would be cool to display gardens while walking through them and narrating as I went. That proved to be extremely difficult as well. Walking with a camera, while keeping it pointed in the right direction and not jerking around, and keeping background noises down, all added to the dilemma. But I really gained an added respect for videographers. Editing proved problematic as well.

Although I haven't given up completely, I went the route of the Palmoramas I hope you have seen. Ultra high quality, and file sizes a tiny fraction of those using HD video - along with much less graphic demands on the viewer's internet service and computer.

Here is one of the most impressive HD (720p) Videos I've seen using a compression scheme that most everyone will be able to view (only 500kbps bit rate - which is truly amazing - really unheard of) Double Click for full screen and watch the full thing for some really outstandingly clear video scenes for such drastic compression.

http://www.flashvideofactory.com/test/DEMO..._H264_500K.html

And there is some excellent info on streaming HD Video here. The whole site is useful, but go to the Video Forum for a wealth of info. http://wetpixel.com/

I will be watching your progress with interest. Good Luck.

Dean that flashfactory link was incredible. If I bought a HD video camera, would the videos be as vibrant and clear as what I saw there?

[Caryota_gigas]

Thats great Michael, worked really well, even though our broadband here is really just inflated dialup.

Paning the camera around the plant gives a true sense of volume, I didn't realize that decipiens looked so robust while still quite small - I've only ever seen my 3 leaf seedling!

Looking forward to the nikau movies, with naration and The Chills playing on the soundtrack.

Cheers,

Jonathan

That video was taken a couple of years back... this is what the same plant looks like now.

[Caryota_gigas]

There will be narration on the ones I do properly. This was just an old quick shot I thought I would put up to see if people were happy with the quality, but obviously no one else cares.

Michael,

I can relate to that.

Your video loaded well and looked great in the small size, but "blurred out" when converted to full screen. But don't feel bad. I spent a lot of effort last year trying to get Hi-Def video compressed to a format viewable in larger screen sizes, and that would allow streaming by most users. I suffered from the same problem. Hi-Def video files are huge, and compressing them while retaining quality and size is possible, but difficult.

However, it is possible, and I have seen it done. But I don't think it will be done in larger formats with true high quality on uTube anytime soon. These guys are offering a great HD Video service that many seem to be using. http://www.vimeo.com/hd

In addtion, because of the technology surrounding digital video, it is next to impossible to maintain clarity while panning. And I thought it would be cool to display gardens while walking through them and narrating as I went. That proved to be extremely difficult as well. Walking with a camera, while keeping it pointed in the right direction and not jerking around, and keeping background noises down, all added to the dilemma. But I really gained an added respect for videographers. Editing proved problematic as well.

Although I haven't given up completely, I went the route of the Palmoramas I hope you have seen. Ultra high quality, and file sizes a tiny fraction of those using HD video - along with much less graphic demands on the viewer's internet service and computer.

Here is one of the most impressive HD (720p) Videos I've seen using a compression scheme that most everyone will be able to view (only 500kbps bit rate - which is truly amazing - really unheard of) Double Click for full screen and watch the full thing for some really outstandingly clear video scenes for such drastic compression.

http://www.flashvideofactory.com/test/DEMO..._H264_500K.html

And there is some excellent info on streaming HD Video here. The whole site is useful, but go to the Video Forum for a wealth of info. http://wetpixel.com/

I will be watching your progress with interest. Good Luck.

Thanks for the info Dean.

Im not all that concerned about full screen HD yet as it is just too slow and expensive in many facets on the internet.

I was just after something that showed the quality good enough, and at a size most people could view it without movement distortion etc.

I am hoping to put up a bush walk in NZ to show you all what it is like. I have learnt over the years to pan slowly and not zoom in and out much, use tripods, etc. and background noise in the bush shouldnt be a problem.

Your Palmoramas look great, but still take a while to load here. I am on a broadband service paid for by the Society, and as a Society cant afford to pay for the top of the range Broadband.

Broadband in NZ is shit. It is slow, expensive, and often unreliable. The government is rolling out a new broadband network to get us up to play with the rest of the world, but it is some time off yet.

That video link is great, though even after letting it completely buffer, it was still jerky for me. Maybe that is a graphic/video card problem? Something for me to look into.

As long as most of the people out there can see what I am putting up in quality that doesnt make them get frustrated and stop watching, as I often do on Youtube, then I will be happy.

Thanks,

Michael.

[Caryota_gigas]

Dean that flashfactory link was incredible. If I bought a HD video camera, would the videos be as vibrant and clear as what I saw there?

provided you have a true HD tv, HD cables, etc.

[Caryota_gigas]

Didn't work for me stuck in dial-up hell but the idea is a good one. There's plenty of local content besides Nikau that would be of interest too. I think a short video clip is way better than a photo as palms are hard to capture and do justice to in a single frame.

cheers R

Yes, I have plenty of film of various palms in various situations around NZ as you know. But I thought I would start with something unique to this part of the world, that being Nikau in habitat.

Cheers,

M.

[Tyrone]

It worked great Michael and I look forward to the real thing. You've given me a good idea for our local website which we've just revamped, and since I've been appointed website administrator I may very well be able to implement something. I'll be watching your progress closely.

Best regards

Tyrone

[BS Man about Palms]

Good stuff Michael, yours loaded easy. Deans was fairly smooth, stopped twice for about 3-4 secs to buffer though. Brilliant stuff!!

[edric]

Nice work, Ed

[Dypsisdean]

Dean that flashfactory link was incredible. If I bought a HD video camera, would the videos be as vibrant and clear as what I saw there?

Better - much better.

Video gets way too complicated to discuss in depth here. But it is important to keep in mind there is a major distinction between local playback and streaming over the internet. I posted that one link only to show the progress that has been made with the ability to stream full screen HD video over even slower internet connections. Most ISPs provide at least 500 kbps these days, as was that video. (Check your speed HERE) But you still need a decent video/graphic card to process the compressed signal.

Larger clear video is only problematic when trying to stream it over the internet. When playing your own video locally, there are no such problems. Playing directly off of a HD camera plugged into a HD television with the supplied cables yields an unbelievably clear and true HD picture - or downloaded to most computers it will play full screen HD.

It's only when trying to compress the files, while retaining size and quality for internet viewing, that it gets technically challenging. Home viewing is a snap, and of excellent quality these days. Many times better than the demo you are referring to.