Hi gang, guess what? I purchased a Plextor ConvertX model: M-402U Video converter http://plextor.com/english/products/ConvertX2.htm (last week) which converts video tapes, live TV, and any other analog source into digital via your PC, or even directly to DVD disc. I'm really thrilled with the unit, as it's not only easy to use, but the digital DVD results (imho) look 'nearly' identical to the original video source as well. I'm really impressed with the results. I'm using the M-402U in conjunction with a Plextor 712UF DVD burner http://plextor.com/english/products/712uf.htm connected to my PC via USB 2.0.

I'm now in the midst of converting my video tape collection to DVD (MPEG-2) format for TV viewing, sharing with friends, as well as posting on my website. To post on the internet though, further conversion compression is necessary, to make the resulting files small enough (under 10 mg) for relatively quick & convenient internet download playback.

In reviewing my video library, I came across a Television show aired 'song performance' I did back in the 90's for a San Francisco Bay Area wide Asian Talent search contest. I was among the TOP ten finalists who appeared on the show, chosen out of over 150 contestants who had auditioned. The original analog video unfortunately suffers from some drop outs (snow) and the required compression (5 meg .WMV file) necessary to post on the internet, futher compromises the video quality, but I thought you guys might 'get a kick' (and perhaps a laugh) checking it out. It's always amazing to look back on how we've evolved & changed over the years. The video clip is posted in Windows Media Video format (WMV) so you'll need Windows Media Player. You can view it on my website:

http://scottyee.com

then click on the 'Song Demos' page link, and select the song: "On A Clear Day".

I have other video performances which I recently converted (from video tape) as well, so I"ll post these eventually too, that is, if there's enough interest here. On another note, my new professionally produced & 'completely re-designed' website is currently in the final production stages (I'm really excited about how the way it's looking), so I'll be sure to let you guys know when it finally rolls out.


Scott

Very Nice Scott, and Congrats!!
Thought I was listening to Scatman Cruthers there for a moment there. Am I correct...F#maj7??
Good key for your more than capable voice. This will make a great promo for you.
Again....my congrats on a job well done.

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...L

Scott, awesome performance.....!
I love the video wipe also

Are you Sammy Davis in disguise?

Scott,

Great performance! I agree, this may make good promotional material for your web page.

Gary

Scott:

Nice idea. I was wondering why you couldn't just leave your videos in the DivX format and let potential viewers just download the proper codec? I realize that the video files would be somewhat larger but these days so many people have high speed web that it seems a more practical solution to the just leave the videos in DivX since your Plextor encoder creates them in that format. You'd save a step in the web-video process and the videos would be less compressed - resulting in high quality?

Here's a site where some guys do a lot with video and model rocketry - be sure to check out the "Gumby video" which is hilarious. You'll have to download and install the DivX codec but it's free and easy to do: http://www.dph.com/vidroc/vidroc_1.htm

Scott
I thought a real good performance, although the volume of the shirt and tie combo was louder than your singing.

Terry

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jam on,
Terry http://imjazzed.homestead.com/Index.html

Nice performance!

Luis Santos

Leon (shboom), I don't know who Scatman Cruthers is (was), but the solo surely included jazzy Major 7th notes. I have to admit that the 90's was my vocal jazz period influence, but now realizing that most main stream audiences don't care for traditional jazz or vocal scat singing, I rarely include it anymore.

I personally find it interesting to look back at past performance videos to see how we were influenced by admired musicians of the time, and then see how we take 'certain elements' from our various earlier musical influences to then form our own individual style, hopefully emerging as a respected musician artist in our own right. Thanks for listening and the kudos.



I only 'wish'. Thanks for the kind words though. - Scott

Gary (Travelin' Easy) & Shboom: In regards to using this as a promo video, I'd say this 90's video may look a bit dated, especially with that 'baggy' , and (as Terry (trtjazz) mentioned) overyly loud performance garb. I honestly don't think I would be caught dead wearing that now.



My Plextor Convert X Video Converter allows converting to DivX, but I had initially converted the video footage to MPEG 2 (DVD High Quality) and then converted to both WMV and DivX formats. On comparison (with conversions to the same ultra compressed size (from 150 megabyte MPEG-2 file to 5.9 megabyte WMV & DivX files), I found the WMV looked far better (better color accuracy & eveness, & sharper & detailed) then the equivilently sized DivX file. I haven't tried directly converting (from video tape) to DivX vs WMV yet. I'll have to try that.

Luis, many thanks for taking the time to view the video, as well as posting the nice comment.

Thanks again to everyone for watching & hearing the video. Posting videos here definitely adds a more personal element to more closely see & hear each other perform, and I encourage others here to share their performance videos as well.


Scott

Nice job Scott!

You made a real splash. Congratulations on being a finalist!

PS: There was a slight glitch in the 'audio' portion which may also have affected the video slightly also. The area affected was at 1:03 into the video and sounds similar to a 'cut out', i.e., an "interuption of sound" in the video feed. I am assuming that the 'original' video did NOT have this anomaly and was only 'produced' when you converted it using the Plextor. Is this true? If so, how do you attribute this to happening?? Perhaps your computer needs a faster CPU or something??

Again Scott, great performance. You don't look a day older than you did back in the 90's. Of course if it was done in 1999 then I wouldn't think you would anyway.

Best regards,
Mike

Excellent Vid Scott,

Whoever said it above it is true that you never seem to get any older! The rest of us are noticing our wrinkles and dimples yet you still look eighteen. You should market whatever your secret is I want me some of that! It can't all be down to that California sunshine surely?

The performance itself was infectious I thought. You really know how to work a crowd Scott (and a camera!...did the camera's not phase you at all? It sure looked like you felt right at home.)

Hope there are more videos in the archive.
Best wishes
Tony

Thanks for letting us see and hear your video Scott. It was a great 'Flashback'!

I took a look at your guestbook and noted that one of your friends made a point of praising , (not once but twice!)your "Cattle CAll", so I took a listen to it.
Glad I did. 'cos it's one of your best.Professional and a definite 'looper'.
cheers
EddieJ

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Eddie from Rotherham
www.yamahakeyboards.info

Mike, many thanks for taking the time to checkout the video clip.



The glitch was actually on my copy of the video tape itself, along with the snow . I had forgot to rewind the tape since the last time it was played (at least a few years ago :eek , so because the tape was stopped where my performance section was, this portion of the tape got exposed to the elements. I've found the Plextor M402U Converter to produce excellent results, with the transfer looking nearly identical to the original video tape.

TonyW, welcome BACK to the SZ forum. Great to see you back (finally). I trust you had a terrific vacation. Many thanks for taking time to watch the old video performance.



I actually do have another TV Show appearance which I appeared as a guest performer, singing 'Route 66', 'Nature Boy', and 'Since I Fell For You' of which I recently converted to digital WMV. I may edit it down & post some short clips, if you guys are really interested.

EddieJ: Glad you enjoyed the video and 'Cattle Call' too. It was interesting (for me) to view that video for the first time in years again too, and see how I've changed my clothing style (and hopefully grown musically as well). Though TonyW & Mike (keybplayer) claim I still look the same, I certainly don't feel the same. As Gary Diamond (travelin easy) continuously reminds us, "getting old ain't for sissies" (or girlie men, as Gov Arnold calls them).

Scott

Hi Scott,

Very enjoyable indeed! I can see you really put your whole heart into the performance... and I bet the audience was loving it.

Thanks for sharing Scott, will be looking forward to your next video clip.

Take care,
Rich

Of course we are interested.... can't wait!
Best wishes
Tony

Ok Tony, you've pulled my arm, I'll go ahead & convert the video footage to digital Mpeg2 and edit it down into a short WMV clip, and post. You may yet get another laugh. - Scott

I recently purchased the plextor pxm402u. i am well pleased with the video conversions i have done with my old vhs tapes. only 3 problems i have noticed with this product.

1) When converting i seem to be getting white dots at the top & around the screen??

2) Sometimes a loss in sound having to reboot the pc to get it back??

3) When losing the software sometimes it wont open again hence rebooting the pc once again??

If anyone knows how to cure these i woould be even more of a happy chap with this product than i am now ;-) Thanks Lordzauron