I am pleased to announce that after over 100 days of 12 hour days, we are shipping the HDV Guide To Acquisition & Production.

It's 60 minutes in length and contains:

An Introduction to the GR-HD1 & JY-HD10U

Comparisons of the footage between the 2 JVC Cameras & the SD PD150 and the $150K Cinealta

How to get the most out of the cameras

Shooting Indoors - Pro lights, Semi pro lights and Available light

Shooting outdoors - Different Speeds shown - wide angle attachments, teleconverters

White balancing - how to and comparisons of the different settings

Editing using Aspect HD ( 30 day trial & $100.00 off coupon) and Premiere(30 day trial included)

Editing using Media Studio Pro (Discount there too) in MPEG2TS - Trial version included too

Editing in FCP - we show you the DIVA workflow to iDVD.

You also get 3 free Digital Juice HD Jumpbacks.

So we are confident the value is there and the information is there and it is fast paced and entertaining to watch!

If you have ordered, you will see it this week (postal delivery). If you order now, we will ship immediately.

Thanks again for your support folks, and your patience.

IT'S DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Season's Greetings!!!!



Darren

Congrats! That answers those other questions. ;-)

heath

Thanks Darren, I already ordered and I'm excited to get it!

To those who are considering a purchase - looks good don't it?

Thanks again!

Murph

has anybody received this yet? i'm still waiting.

I hear it takes 6 - 8 days to receive it.

heath

I'm still waiting too as of Dec. 16th

Guys

I'm sorry about the slowness of the post office. I suspect it's the christmas mail.

I am looking forward to hearing from the first person who received one.

DBK

UPS and FedEx don't guarantee anything around the holidays! And I know it's a mess with the Post Office, too.

heath

I'm feeling bady about this.

I know when everyone sees it they will be happy, but the delay.....well I feel like it's something I should have done faster.

Once again, Sorry to all who are waiting. I know you will get it this week.

DBK

Don't worry about apologizing, Darren. It's the holiday rush at the post office!

Hey, it's better than paying $350!

heath

Received mine today! Hope I get a chance to watch it soon!

Hectic Hoidays!!!

Thanks Darren

i received the package today!

very professional looking packaging. started to check it out, then realized that my dvd player doesn't play dvd-r (or dvd+r or whatever it is). but i do have a dvd writer on my pc to watch it.

will check it out soon.

Thank you for reporting that it arrived. I was beginning to wonder.

Check our website. It's been updated and I am currently struggling to get a sample clip up there.

Please also tell me what you think of the DVD

Cheers

DBK

I finally had a change to view the first disc last night. My compliments Darren, I think it’s great.

I’ve had my HD10 for 5 months or so now and have been actively reading and posting on this forum longer than that. I still felt I learned more than I already knew from Jumpstart. I highly recommend it for individuals that are contemplating purchasing one of the cameras and those who have just purchased a camera. Jumpstart puts together a lot of information in a concise and objective manner. Although the enthusiasm for the camera is apparent, many of the pro vs. cons of the camera are mentioned and fairly presented. Having this information presented visually with reference to the camera and shooting setups is indeed highly beneficial.

Thanks again Darren

Thank you for the kind words. I appreciate it.

For others still thinking about buying the DVD, you can check out our website, which has been updated and includes a sample on line (Takes about 3 minutes to start, we're working on that)

Thanks Again Raymond. May I use your testimonial on my web page?

DBK

That's what people need to have when they use this camera, be aware of the pros and cons, but be optimistic that you CAN get great stuff.

Otherwise, you'll be frustrated when shooting. I know I was.

Oh, and get rid of the thoughts of shooting DV; it's just not the same! And other thing I had to get over was shooting dogme 95 and news/eng style. With an XL-1.

heath

<<<-- Originally posted by Allyn Fratkin : i received the package today!... very professional looking packaging. started to check it out, then realized that my dvd player doesn't play dvd-r (or dvd+r or whatever it is). but i do have a dvd writer on my pc to watch it... will check it out soon. -->>>

Question for Darren Kelly:
Are these not professionally-replicated DVD's? Or did you burn the copies on your own? What type of DVD are you shipping?

- don

We are currently shipping DVD-Rs, which are professionally burned.

They play in most DVD players and all computer DVD drives.

We will be going to pressing in the new year. I am still making some tweaks and changes to the DVD, so DVD-R is the best thing.

Cheers

DBK

If you get enough orders, you could always go DVD-9. Something like $2 a pop, per disc, 1000 discs minimum order.

heath

ps-Probably a 2 - 3 week turn around, though...

I'd like to go DVD9 and put everything on one disk. It would make it harder for theives to copy.

DBK

Hey, I got the DVD today...watched the first 20 minutes or so. It seems to be informative...nicely done. I can't wait to get into the meat of the DVD. The beginning 3-4 minutes don't really cover much other than talking about what we really know...what's coming up on the DVD and what's available on the DVDROM. Kind of a waste since we knew this stuff already - that's why we bought the DVD.

Other than that, I think its really well produced. (One typo with the word "commonly" - you spelled it wrong in the on-screen graphics.) Just wanted you to know, so you can fix it for your next production run.

Thanks for making something understandable. It beats anything out there as far as getting to the heart of the camera...the footage and how to shoot.

More details to follow - that's all I have for now.

Chris

<<<--

Thanks Again Raymond. May I use your testimonial on my web page?

DBK -->>>

Darren,

Absolutely!!

Darren,

I don’t know if your already doing this, but I would definitely see if retail dealers that already sell these cameras would also stock and sell your “Jumpstart” video. It seems like people that are trying to decide on the camera and those who have taken the plunge would be eager to view such a video. Obviously these camera’s aren’t for everyone and viewing this video would certainly help people make a wiser purchase decision as well as ease frustration after purchase.

Thanks for the suggestion. I am working on this now. I was at DVExpo West last week and 2 dealers were really interested. Some distributors are also considering it as are JVC themselves.

We've sold several hundred at this point, so it is going well, but I want to see much more sales.

Thanks and keep those ideas coming.

DBK

More than copies of my film! ;-) Good work!

heath

(A little off topic) Heath, I saw an ad for your movie in Moviemaker magazine. Has that worked out for you? It looks like the only ad on there for a movie...says, $150 a month.

(On topic) If I were you Darren, I would keep in mind that most of the people that were interested in this camera have bought it. The next wave of significant purchases will be for the new HDV cameras from Sony, Canon and the like. I'd keep everything on ice and then morph the HDV Training DVD into general thing...but, use all the HDV cameras on the market. It probably won't be more than 3 in the next 1-2 years anyway. This would open up your market 3-fold in the next few years. The JVC cameras have accomplished their purpose - let's get ready for the flood gates.

Just so you know what I mean - I will take the loss and sell the JVC this coming year (90% sure I will anyway) and get the next generation of HDV. I'm pretty sure the people interested in buying your DVD in the new year will be eyeing more than the JVC.

This is something to think about - you've done the ultimate for the early adopters. It's going to be 2004 in just 13 days.....your market will explode in 4 months...NAB baby. I can see it now...new HDV cameras will be shown and the JVC HD10U will go for $1400 on ebay...mine first! Until then, I'll be shooting my short film with it.....

Murph

>>>>>It's going to be 2004 in just 13 days.....

Has everyone received their Jumpstart DVDs but me?

I've been checking my mail since 11/1, (before the announced delay) so I am looking forward to seeing it before the Super Bowl.

Brian

Brian,

They went out on December 8, so I would expect you to have it by now. If you don't see it Monday, I'll send another

DBK

I also haven't received it. How was it sent? UPS ground, USPS book rate, or ???

<<<-- Originally posted by Christopher C. Murphy : (A little off topic) Heath, I saw an ad for your movie in Moviemaker magazine. Has that worked out for you? It looks like the only ad on there for a movie...says, $150 a month. -->>>

It's working all right. If you want to talk more about it, send me an email, heath@mpsdigital.com! $150 a month, I don't quite understand...

heath

Congrats to Darren for a very nice practical guide. For the prosumer or the amateur videographer getting into HDV, this is an informative DVD that truly jumpstarts users providing them with considerable background about this new format. Although for the pro or advanced videographer the DVD is too superficial, the DVD goodies make up nicely for the price. It would have been nicer if the DVD had been shoot with the JY-HD10 and reproduced widescreen in a high definition format.

It was shot with the HD10 and the HD1 entirely.

On a 16X9 screen it plays that way. On a 4X3 it plays that way. As to an HD method of distribution, there is none at the present time.

Thanks for your kind words

DBK

Darren,
My DVD player (Panasonic RP-91) recognized it as 4x3 in "full" mode (1080i) while it recognized it as 16x9 using S-video at standard resolution. I never seen it do that in over 1000 discs or so.

Is it cheaper if I live in Canada or is it all the same? I see you guys are in BC. I just purchased the gr-hd1 and want to know about using it more... also is a video light something i should buy?

Go Canucks Go!!

I'd buy a video light only if you plan on using it for weddings, ENG, and the like.

Go Canadiens!

heath

It sells in canada for $74.95 Canadian, which is about the same as $59.95US.


As to a Video Light, Well we discuss that in the DVD including some lower cost alternatives available at your local big box store.

DBK

The video light, or sun gun idea is fine, but spend some money on one that has a defuser. Otherwise you get a pretty harsh light.

DBK

Diffuser is key, as I've learned! BLOWN OUT faces, DARK backgrounds!

heath

<<<-- Originally posted by Darren Kelly : It sells in canada for $74.95 Canadian, which is about the same as $59.95US.


As to a Video Light, Well we discuss that in the DVD including some lower cost alternatives available at your local big box store.

DBK -->>>

I dont have a paypal account but can I call in my VISA to you? DO you have a 1-800 number? Also what is the shipping cost for in Canada (in CDN $)? I am wanting to order just want to figure easier way without PayPal.

Please email me off line.

dkelly@masterworks.bc.ca

DBK