andrewlooney ([info]andrewlooney) wrote,
2008-04-05 18:43:00
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Q: Why haven't you made a video in like forever?

I had a lot of fun making videos early last year, posting a couple of dozen little films on YouTube, but for months I've done nothing new. The reasons for this (besides being super-busy inventing cool new games) have been technological. I suffered a massive setback last summer when my hard drive crashed (just as I was about to back it up, of course), and then, after I'd finally gotten back onto the video-making horse again, my camera started malfunctioning.

The camera in question is a Sony Digital Handycam which uses 8mm videotapes. The problem is minor -- audio dropouts during playback -- and I think a good head cleaning is all it requires. I've even had problems like this in the past and been able to fix them with the use of a cleaning cassette. But I've tried a couple of those now and they haven't done the trick. So I think at this point I need to find an electronics repair shop that can give my trusty old camera a good professional cleaning.

The problem with that is, I don't know of such a place in my city (College Park MD). Anyone got any recommendations for me?

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  • 12 comments

[info]deathcircle

April 6 2008, 04:47:23 UTC 4 years ago

I can't help you, but I can demand that you make more videos.

I'd really really love a complete intro to homeworlds!

Anonymous

April 9 2008, 02:14:13 UTC 4 years ago

Electronics repair

There is an electronics fix-it shop on Van Dorn Street in Alexandria, VA, just north of the intersection with the Beltway. I went there a few years ago looking for a used VCR, but didn't have any luck.

---Ryan H.

[info]justrichie

April 9 2008, 06:36:33 UTC 4 years ago

"being super-busy inventing cool new games"

I'm not inventing any super-cool new games and I barely have time to check on half of this stuff! We love the effort and love you put into every effort and I look forward to seeing a video on how to teach our non-gamer friends to play World in Flames...

;-)

[info]andrewlooney

April 10 2008, 20:30:58 UTC 4 years ago

Update: Ritz Camera offers a "Check & Clean" service on camcorders, and I turned mine over to them yesterday. Hopefully that's all it will need!

[info]lardarsegreg

April 12 2008, 14:10:34 UTC 4 years ago

The alternative is to record directly to some sort of digital format. It means buying a new camera, but it would somewhat simplify the importing process. And be potentially more reliable...

[info]andrewlooney

April 12 2008, 19:14:56 UTC 4 years ago

well, that's the thing - this IS a digital format of some sort. It's a videocamera that records a digital signal onto magnetic tape. The importing process is both easy and flawless - when the tape is being read properly. And it's a really good camera too. So upgrading to a newer format camera of similar quality would be very expensive, and would leave me with another problem - a stack of tapes with footage I want but have no way of reading. So I really just want my old camera fixed, particuarly since I think it's simply a case of dirty tape heads. (But we'll see.)

Anonymous

April 12 2008, 21:46:27 UTC 4 years ago

BH Intro

Hi Andy --

Olaf, Steve and I have a BH intro and instructional script ready to go. We just haven't put it on video yet. If you want to discuss or see it, let me know.

Also, I just switched from 8mm tapes to Sony's HDD hard drive system. (Plug it into the USB and it recognizes it as a drive. You can play the MPEG-2's directly or import them into video software (I use Studio 10))

Keep up the great work. If nothing else, I'll see you in Columbus!!

-- Dayle

[info]yescurvydog

April 29 2008, 02:32:14 UTC 4 years ago

Hey Andrew,

Ritz is a great place for camera stuff. I use to work for them.

I just dropped by your LJ to ask you if you have ever done Medival Reenacting with a group called Markland? I thought I read something about it.

Thanks

Ames

[info]andrewlooney

April 29 2008, 13:46:55 UTC 4 years ago

Hello Ames! Yes, I did indeed do Markland stuff when I was in college! I was known as Brasilgore then. You can find a photo of me from those days at the bottom of this webpage:

http://www.wunderland.com/WTS/Andy/Leftovers/FictionalAndy.html

[info]yescurvydog

April 29 2008, 15:30:34 UTC 4 years ago

Thats awesome!!!!! Markland is still around and I am very involved with it. Today they allow pirates :) You should if you ever get a chance to get away from designing super cool games *FLUXX* come out and visit us. We have events around the DC area :)

Anonymous

October 2 2008, 10:38:38 UTC 3 years ago

rXGtlllwmIZwmKpqady

Did you hear? Russian agressor attacks USA...
More info here: hotusanewx.blogspot.com

SHOKED!!

[info]littlepolarbear

October 8 2008, 16:30:40 UTC 3 years ago

Zombies

Here's a cute thing I thought you might like:
http://www.thinkgeek.com/geektoys/plush/ac4a/

It is a plush zombie with dismember-able parts :)
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