Thursday, 1 January 2009

Issue 94 New Year 2009

astronomy, 3D, virtual reality, super-8, panoramics, antique replicas, audiovisual, flight simulation, andmuch, much, more!
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STOP PRESS! See our recession-busting
EXTRA at the end of this weeks CONCEPTS!!!

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NEW CONCEPTS for OLD!

May I take this opportunity of wishing you all a Very Happy New Year. And with this period in mind I decided to give 'AV CONCEPTS'' a bit of a facelift.

This is actually in response to both many readers suggestions, not to mention criticisms, about how we were being perceived at the receiving end. With a plethora of screens - both CRT and TFT - and each of a different size - it seems that we were often going off your screens (in the HTML version).

Others experienced some very strange formatting. So I decided to spend a little time over Christmas producing this redesign update in the hope that it would make the publication more readable. Let me know if you have any problems in opening it. Or any comments you would like to make. Simply press the button below and let me have your opinions. All are welcome, Meanwhile, on to 2009
Tony
Editor 'AV CONCEPTS'
mailto:tony@shapps.myzen.co.uk

P.S. STOP PRESS. Rufus tells me that there are big developments afoot in the world of Virtual Reality and he has promised to give us a full report and rundown on some great new products as soon as he has tested a sample, and is actually confident about the outcome of using any new equipment. So, stand by for interesting news, and remember that you will have read it first in AV CONCEPTS (where else?).

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It happened in 1880


Yes, this weeks anaglyph is quite an historical one. But I'll let reader Brian Beatty from Melbourne, Australia, tell you all about it.


Writes Brian: "I'm forwarding a Widelux 3-D Panorama of Melbourne's Exhibition Building built in 1880, now a World Heritage Building. You may be able to convert this to Anaglyph for one of your newsletters (EDITORS NOTE; yes, as you can see) . My friend Max Hem copied this onto a digital file; Max is member of Victorian 3-D Society, as I am also".

Brian is an expert exponent of the third dimension using two of the wonderful Widelux Panoramic camera to shoot magnificent stereoscopic images. A camera that gives a 140-dgree image from a revolving swing lens, resulting in a negative or transparency of 58mm x 24mm on standard 35mm film stock. The Widelux is a camera that I have both used, and also sold, in the years when I was with The Widescreen Centre. Unfortunately, the company manufacturing it , Panon Shoko, no longer exists as the owner, Mr. Akatsu, on reaching 82 years of age decided to retire! But it is still possible to find some of the cameras being offered on such places as eBay.
I understand that the said Widescreen Centre still offer the Russian version of this camera, under the name of Horizon. You can contact Simon Bennett by ringing them on 020 7935 2580 or, of course, visit their website at:


As always, this week's 3D image is suitable for viewing with a pair of anaglyph red/cyan or red/green glasses. This is an anaglyph conversion from Brian's two images using the popular '3D COMBINE'. You can obtain your trial copy by going to:
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NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE KNOW THAT!

CLIMBING ON THE BANDWAGON In days gone by it was common in the USA for a band to be paraded on a wagon through the streets to advertise political meetings or other public gatherings. In the case of meetings held prior to elections, local dignitaries showed their support for candidates by climbing onto their particular wagons. Since then climbing on a bandwagon has been taken as a display of support for a popular movement in the hope of personal profit or advantage.

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Project the SUNand stay safe!
......this week Matius tells you how

Writes Matius: "I've written several times about 2009 being the Year of Astronomy, and also the Galileo 400th Anniversary of his telescope; however, it occurs to me that one of the most interesting of heavenly bodies is here, right on our own doorstep. What’s more it’s the only star that you can study during daylight hours - weather permitting”.

“Yes, I’m talking about our nearest star, affectionately known by all as THE SUN. There are those who spend their whole astronomical life studying this heavenly body, and it is possible to spend hundreds of pounds to get the right viewing equipment. In fact there are quite a number of different ways to approach the subject. For example you could choose an Hydrogen-Alpha Telescope which is an highly-specialised piece of equipment likely to set you back around GBP 450.00 (about US $650.00). This type of ‘scope isolates various wavelengths allowing you to view the Sun in total safety.”.

“If you already own a telescope you can purchase Solar Filters. In this great care must be taken in making the right selection, but whichever you select is likely to be a costly option. However, there is a cheaper - and very safe - method of studying the sun and that is by projection”.

“To do this you simply obtain a large cardboard box and put a sheet of white paper in the bottom. Then line your telescope up with this improvised screen, NOT BY LOOKING THROUGH IT, I HASTEN TO ADD, but by simply pointing it at the sun so that you get a perfect round shadow of the telescope tube which - in turn - should give you an image on the screen. WARNING, and I repeat NEVER LOOK THROUGH A TELESCOPE DIRECTLY AT THE SUN”.

“Now if this is too much of a fiddle for you, I can tell you that there is a new, inexpensive, option about to hit the market called, appropriately, The Sun Projector and I will have more to say about this in a future issue. But, for now, here’s an illustration to give you an idea of what it looks like”.

Regards
Matius
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"Why not get a 'Freebie' that actually works"

says Uncle Curt...and he should know.
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NEW WINGS PLATINUM-3 IS NOW AVAILABLE
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Writes Curt: "Audiovisual has come a long way ion the last 10 or 20 years. When I recall struggling with the early dissolve units - and even single-changers which appeared to have minds of their own - it is truly amazing just how precise and accurate things have become".
"And with the advent of video coupled digital projection things have never been better for the man, or woman, interested in achieving great presentation. Even better, Tony tells me that he has just received a fresh supply of the latest Stumpfl brochures and the free CD of the new WINGS PLATINUM-3 advanced AV software".

"Want to produce perfect panorama's? Using two three, or even four, laptops in conjunction with a videos projectors with seamless joins and frame accuracy between all the projectors - Stumpfl lets you do it, and do it with ease. What's more you can warp the images to accommodate curved screens for greater effect"

"In fact, WINGS PLATINUM-3 is capable of producing everything from light shows (as per the one at the Pyramids in Egypt) ;through to simple programmes and presentations for the home. All this is available to you on a CD that allows you to select the bits that you want....offering optional extras for special events"

"So there you have it, what must be the ultimate AV software. Email Tony for your copies".

"Happy New Year from
Curt Buchanan
USA
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LINKS are an important part of the web as they take us to places we might never have seen (or sometimes even wanted to see). Do you, Dear Reader, have a great link that you're just bursting to tell others about? If so, let me have it for consideration and inclusion in our

SO HERE'S SOME USEFUL LINKS TO MAKE YOUR DAY .

3D COMBINE
A FREE 21-day working version of this genuine three-dimensional manipulation programme, just let me have your name and address, and a CD will be in the post to you within days. Send a blank email with the subject ‘3D COMBINE’ to:
mailto:rufus@gaming-in-3D.com

INTRODUCTION TO HD-AV CD
Find out about the latest trend in A-V.
THE COMPLETE STUMPFL - One of the worlds most used combined A-V/Imaging/Presentation Programmes, and it’s yours entirely free.


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‘INSPIRATION FOR THE HOME’ is offered by online company of Shapps & Coutts Ltd. Supplying all those interior enhancements that make a house a home. From knick knacks to fold-flat flower vases; from children’s garden horse swings (made from re-cycled tyres) to cast iron cookbook stands, they’ve got the lot:
http://www.shappsandcoutts.com/
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BEST 4 REVIEWS
Looking for that essential review? Meet Doug Harman at the new technology and buyers guide web site. Read before you buy.:
http:// http://www.best4reviews.com/.
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For some of the best 3D virtual reality gaming equipment, we use and certainly recommend:
eDIMENSIONAL offers some great 3D stuff at http://www.edimensional.com/
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THE SECRET CYPHER contains a wealth of information on many of the subjects touched on in AV CONCEPTS and you can make purchases direct from its pages a!: http://www.secretcypher.myzen.co.uk/
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MICRO AVIATOR - the magazine of the flight simulation:. Recommended by Rufus, and you can download a free copy by going to:
http://www.flightsimgrpuk.free-online.co.uk/
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3D NEWS UPDATES visit this site for a terrific selection of updating information on all things stereo and 3D
http://giz3d.com/

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THE WIDESCREEN CENTREhttp://www.widescreen-centre.co.uk
The astronomical centre of London and the South-East. A positive Aladdin's Cave of astro telescopes...plus some great advice.

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For those who require lenticular processing of their 3D images we have made contact with, Peter Sinclair of
SNAP 3D
Suite 122, 2255B Queen St. East Toronto ON M4E 1G3 Canada Tel.: +1 (416) 850-1972, Fax: +1 (416) 690-6635
E-Mail: info@snap3d.com

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For a fully professional & commercial 3D service take a look at David Burder's
http:// http://www.3dimages.co.uk/
Offering the complete range of stereoscopic services Tel . +44 (0) 20-8364 0022. Also 0104. Fax: 020-8364 1828

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If you have any questions or, indeed,
ANY COMPLAINTS? Please feel free to contact me at: tony@shapps.myzen.co.uk
TONY SHAPPSEditor: 'AV CONCEPTS' copyright MMVII BACK ISSUES OF AV CONCEPTS ARE AVAILABLE AT:
http://avconceptsupdate.blogspot.com/

Have something to say?
Email us today with your comments, opinions, criticisms, , or suggestions. Your editor is 'all ears' (well, at least two) and waiting to hear from you:
mailto:tony@shapps.myzen.co.uk

AM I ADDRESSING YOU CORRECTLY?
If you name is not Tony, but rather Tanya, or Ralph as opposed to Rosalie, can you kindly let me know? mailto:tony@shapps.myzen.co.uk

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and just put the word UNSUBSCRIBE or CHANGE in the subject matter. If it's 'change to' please remember to tell me what it is 'changed FROM'.

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AND FINALLY...
People who laugh actually live longer than those who don't laugh. Few persons realize that health actually varies according to the amount of laughter.
Dr. James Walsh

Have you got a saying or a proverb that you particularly like? Why not share it with others?

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EXTRA!EXTRA!
A recession-busting gift for you, and you, and you....
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If the economy is making you feel like New Year's cheer is in rather short supply, then I've got some good news for you. My good friend Michael Green has written a new eBook called:' How To Beat Recession -- 101 'Must Have' Recession-Busting Hints & Tips'

Now normally Michael Green's toolkits retail for a fortune, but on this occasion he has been kind enough to offer a copy to my readers without charge, but only if you download your copy now. I've read this excellent new eBook and would guess that even if you implement just a handful of the 101 recession-busting ideas during 2009, you'll be laughing. So, download it right now at:
http://www.howtobeatrecession.com/
MAKE IT A HAPPIER HAPPY NEW YEAR

P.S. Go ahead and grab your copy now at:
http://www.howtobeatrecession.com/
... before Michael realizes that he should be charging for these types of ideas!







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