Dear folks,
During the last few years,Projectiondreams have been involved in many luxurious developments.
There seems to be two chains of thought with regards the development of a high end property and they are..
1.Finish completely.(this means everything down to the furniture..)
2. Finish basically (*this normally means stick a kitchen and a pool in and thats about it..)
Shooting from the hip,in todays market I feel both methods "risky".
Why?
1. Huge cost and a big gamble that ALL the finishings will be embraced by one particular buyer..this is normally at best..a protracted sale....
2.Less cost but still a little basic for what todays discerning and techno savvy buyers expect to see at a still high pricepoint..
At Projectiondreams we KNOW a better way..a way to lure top dollar for a high end property without the risks associated with the two points above.
In the old days,developers stuck an expensive kitchen in to give the impression that the property was of a higher level than the cost effective way in which other areas had been developed..this is still happening and there is some merit in this..but on its own its not enough...
We are in the IPAD age,the age of multi channel sound and video distribution & hd pictures,todays buyer expects to see all the "toys"...they are not interested in furniture..they can go to an interior designer for that themselves..easily achieved...
From ALL our feedback.todays buyer wants simplicity when he moves into the property,they want to know that the MAJOR things are done..and done well..that includes the kitchen..BUT crucially,should also include all the technology...
In the U.S. this is known,NO property above $5 million will be offered without all the latest technology..
Step back a moment...put yourself in the buyers shoes..you want to see uniquety at the high price point..
What about a lift down to the cinema or entertainment area?...what about a huge statement 4k t.v. in the lounge with nice Meridian speakers?...the ability to have music and movies around the house?...Maybe an outside cinema?
As a buyer what would you buy given a choice?...a 5 million villa with none of these things..or a 5million villa with all of these things?
EVERY developer that has entrusted the technological spec of his villa to Projectiondreams has been rewarded by a reasonably fast sale .
Why?...Because we have the knowledge to put in systems that through careful matching and setup will give the impression of a far more expensive system...using the latest U.S. & our own proprietory home automation solutions we can save a developer an average of 30-50k on an automated house over limited off the shelf packages like Control 4..
The buyer wants to control everything simply..they are not brand conscious here..IF the IPAD controls everything..they are` happy...
We dont for example suggest ridiculously expensive hi fi speakers for the cinema..(*We install Cinema speakers such as Klipsch-with 40 years of cinema pedigree and in all the top commercial cinemas worldwide-in other words.. fit for purpose.)-thats madness and offers NO benefit other than to the sellers pocket...I have heard of a few ill matched systems being put in with ludicrously expensive designer speakers..(*that are out performed by true cinema speakers for 30% of the cost..) with a crummy projector and poor setup....
This will impress NOBODY..no buyer..and todays buyers are techno savvy...and will soon spot ill matched components...they want the PERFORMANCE....they want 4k,thx,multi channel sound..and we are upto 11.2 channels now....thats cutting edge....9.2 is the minimum needed for todays soundtracks....
Yet there are people putting in 7.1 and 7.2....or even 5.2/1...this is outdated before the install is finished...and todays buyers know that...
Obviously,todays developers-in the main-are not Audio Visual experts,they are not aware of the latest technological advancements that occur almost daily now-so how can they equip that property correctly technologically to "grab" a techno savvy buyer?
Terrible mistakes can be made by using the wrong company that doesn`t have the requisite A.V. knowledge-systems can be put in that are actually detrimental to the sale..For example I have seen many examples of ancient cheapo projectors not even focused and home made screens in appallingly presented- so called cinema rooms..in high end and very expensive villas where every other aspect exhudes class and has been beautifully executed.....
Absolutely ruins the property...
So what happens when that buyer walks round the property and winds up in the "cinema"..what IF he`s a Movie fan..what IF he thinks.."This is poor but I cant be bothered to pull it all out and start again"..THAT alone can lose the sale...
..Especially IF that other property he looked in had a terrific basement complex..or a fantastic cinema..
Counter balance that with a potential buyer winding up in a stunning basement complex,with a superbly executed Entertainment room or Cinema..THAT alone can cement a sale...
EVERYBODY wants the most they can get for their money..an astute developer with a very strong A.V. partner is in pole position to achieve their price with well planned technological uniqueties..at the very least-increase the chances of sale...
But a high end villa with little or poorly executed technology?...Not a prayer of sale...because todays buyers expect to have the technology and classy components above a certain price point..and that price point is definately 2 million and above..(*if not below..)
One developer asked me IF i could guarantee a sale with the inclusions of the right technologies..I said I couldn`t because there are no guarantees in life..I can guarantee a better chance though..I can guarantee that the villas quality level won`t be let down and the standard maintained throughout...
There are properties I know of now, that are way over priced and from talking to agents will never achieve that price..BUT they may IF they had all the toys,yet a developer will get to a point where he doesn`t want to spend a penny more but will happily wait upto 2 years for a sale whilst spending fortunes in maintenance costs/taxes/loans then STILL have to reduce the price by a few hundred thousand (in some cases millions) to sell...
Does this make ANY sense?...
I have seen statement cinemas and basements clinch a sale..and how does one know what a buyer really wants today?...Maybe that buyer for that property wants a stunning basement complex or great home automation..maybe that`s THE key point on his wish list...?
Does anyone bother to ask about expectations?
Indeed is there feedback given to clients from agents along the lines of..."The buyer didn`t like the lack of technology..or the fact the Cinema looked cheapo-or the basement was "unfinished"..I advise such and such...".....
Honest comment cannot hurt however unpalatable....
I have recently spoken to many property agents and suggested that Projectiondreams do a "Technological Audit" to let them know IF/WHERE that property is deficient in technological terms-so this feedback can go to the property owner to allow an informed choice..
Because that`s what it comes down to...a fighting chance by spending less now...or lose hundreds of thousands even millions in the future..
I am not afraid of difficult conversations,and sometimes it can be difficult, convincing the client of those obvious technological enhancements needed..to give them an increased chance of sale.
At Projectiondreams we we always tell it like it is..and are always in our customers corner- not only to give them that "fighting" chance-but from a technological standpoint..the correct advice & best chance of sale..
So come and talk to us...let us add value and the perception in the buyers eyes of an even higher performing system through great setup and planning..thats OUR skill...and nobody else in Portugal can achieve that for you...we put our money where our mouth is...you want something unique?..you want to sell that villa?...come see us..and see at our showrooms a top cinema the likes of which can`t be seen anywhere else in Portugal-let alone the Algarve:-)
...Apart from this-there are many further quality & knowledge validations that make Projectiondreams unique in Portugal..just one of which is...anyone can say they are the best..we prove it..
The first A.V. company in 20 years in Portugal ever to be featured in the top Home Cinema magazine in Europe..Home Cinema Choice...with our Stargate cinema for a major developer...
http://www.homecinemachoice.com/news/article/check-out-this-stargate-themed-cinema-room/16626
Imagine a potential buyer being told his Cinema has industry accolades..is "famous"?...think that may aid the chance of sale..:-)
This villa has a Cinema by Projectiondreams...the best in Europe.
Wednesday, 4 September 2013
Monday, 12 August 2013
WHAT A HIGH END VILLA CAN ALSO HAVE?
1.safe rooms..(*hidden above ground or underground..)
2.More sophisticated garden audio/outdoor cinemas..
3. 21st century automated entertainment rooms..
4.Network revisions/sophistication...
5.Lifts..(*still not prolifically used but a real flash addition to a house..imagine a life that takes you down to the "Entertainment Basement"...
6."Mood Lighting" packages for the villa..."highlighted lighting"...
7. In wall electric beds..to gain space and increase bedrooms...
8. Pool t.v. systems...(*very little thought is given to this area...)
9. Recessed/hidden a.v. systems... designer focused items..**we have started this with the Image speakers...
10..Cost effective and easy to implement Security systems...
Contact us on 917 563665 or visit our showrooms to discuss.
Contact us on 917 563665 or visit our showrooms to discuss.
Sunday, 23 June 2013
SKY SATELLITE IN PORTUGAL
Hello Folks,
There has been a lot of nonsense spoken of the impending doom of the BBC,ITV,CHANNEL 4 channels etc,,
What IS the truth?
The truth is by end August/early September,these channels are migrating to another satellite with a narrower beam just focused on the U.K....
The question is,will SKY provide any solution?
The answer is already out there..they have..:-)..but you have to know how and where to obtain it.....:-)
There are currently 3 ways to get sky and other channels not indiginous to Portugal..
1.SKY HD***expensive,requires re boots every so often,fantastic EPG.
2.IPTV,streamed from the internet..no HD IPTV solutions are currently available and even to recieve decent SD you have to have a very good broadband connection..
3.Card sharing systems-there are a few boxes where quality is as good if not better than a sky box,with 1080p picture.(*sky is limited to 1080i) with far lower subscriptions but basic EPG.
Option2 I dont recommend if you want HD Quality...1 and 3 are the quality choices..and its very simple,IF you live here full time-then option 1..if you are here part time or rent your property..option3 ...
Streaming of 1080p HD requires about 9mbts per second bandwidth..
At Projectiondreams,Alistair and our networking chap have the requisite networking skills to optimise your setup and suggest the right system for you..by all means call for a free site survey..
917 563 665.
Rgds,
Vince
There has been a lot of nonsense spoken of the impending doom of the BBC,ITV,CHANNEL 4 channels etc,,
What IS the truth?
The truth is by end August/early September,these channels are migrating to another satellite with a narrower beam just focused on the U.K....
The question is,will SKY provide any solution?
The answer is already out there..they have..:-)..but you have to know how and where to obtain it.....:-)
There are currently 3 ways to get sky and other channels not indiginous to Portugal..
1.SKY HD***expensive,requires re boots every so often,fantastic EPG.
2.IPTV,streamed from the internet..no HD IPTV solutions are currently available and even to recieve decent SD you have to have a very good broadband connection..
3.Card sharing systems-there are a few boxes where quality is as good if not better than a sky box,with 1080p picture.(*sky is limited to 1080i) with far lower subscriptions but basic EPG.
Option2 I dont recommend if you want HD Quality...1 and 3 are the quality choices..and its very simple,IF you live here full time-then option 1..if you are here part time or rent your property..option3 ...
Streaming of 1080p HD requires about 9mbts per second bandwidth..
At Projectiondreams,Alistair and our networking chap have the requisite networking skills to optimise your setup and suggest the right system for you..by all means call for a free site survey..
917 563 665.
Rgds,
Vince
Thursday, 20 June 2013
THE TRAGEDY AND DEATH OF EBAY
Hello Folks,
I remember when EBAY started in the 90`s,a great auction site with a terrific philosophy..both the buyer and the seller could leave feedback for the transaction-over time the good/bad sellers could be seen-as could the good/bad buyers.
Over the years I used often- to sell second hand high end a.v. equipment trade ins I had pulled out of installs..and about 5 years ago was the golden era of EBAY..most of the bad buyers (*scammers) had vanished..the feedback system meant something and you had a choice by looking at that feedback to decide whether or not to trade...Fairness to both buyer and seller reigned...
..Now,there was one thing wrong with this picture..everytime a "bad buyer" was booted off EBAY they complained that it was the bad old sellers that had driven them off by "exploiting" the feedback system...
This of course was in the main-nonsense..bad buyers got numerous bad feedback and their own track record sealed their fate...same with sellers...
BUT...too many buyers were leaving..too much potential revenue was being lost..it was no longer about safe trading..it was just about profits..
So EBAY changed the greatest thing it had..the democratic feedback system..
Now on ebay,you CANNOT leave bad feedback for a buyer..you can for a seller of course...so what has happened over the last few years?..ALL the scammers have crept back,you can no longer use the feedback to assess a potential trade..because its all massaged...so you dont know who you are trading with..who is buying from you..
Its a ONE SIDED system that cannot allow the seller to make an informed choice of who he transacts with..every buyer looks "good"....
..Worst than this,there was a massive "witch hunt" against the sellers-who were all assumed to be "dodgy" and preoccupied with getting rid of buyers!...
So for example,a buyer opens a dispute..even If found in the sellers favour..(*they seldom are),the dispute opened counts against the seller in his "seller dashboard"...add to this ebays analysis of facets of a sellers performance based on...wait for it...WHAT THE BUYER SAYS..EVEN THE DISGRUNTLED ONES...then using this information to perpetually judge that seller...
Even worst,If your seller score dips in just one area,you are placed lower in the searches..so you lose sales and are penalised further when you sell less..etc..etc....
I digress,heres what recently happened to me....I sold 3 speakers and a sub i pulled out of an install...for a bargain price...they were perfect and packed that well that short of rolling over them in a fork lift truck,you couldnt damage them.....
..Well,the buyer said the base was cracked..uummm,so I asked for a photo of the item to see (*customary) and then said based on that I would partially refund for the damaged item if required..
I never received a picture..what I get is a dispute opened and my payment frozen...so i escalted to EBAYs Resolution Team..(*they are fair to resolution in the same fashion as Adolf Eichmann was to customer care)... heres the result...
This just proves the lunacy of a process that acts on someones word without proof..IF they are a buyer...
In my view EBAY are like landlords,they take fees (rent) and % of the sale for allowing you to rent the shop (*the EBAY site..)-they earn the lions share from the sellers-its for good sellers to encourage the buyers..EBAY earn little off the buyer except paypal fees..(*which you are now forced to use on EVERY transaction)..
They should appreciate the sellers..because its the sellers that pay all the wages of the half wits sitting in customer support in Ireland in a hidden address dedicated to making life hard for said sellers..
It doesn`t make sense does it?
I believe in Pierre Omydars (*the founder of EBAY) vision of a transaction being fair to both buyer and seller..the ability of each party to leave feedback for a given transaction,the ability of both to view that feedback.
But this "golden era",this uniquety, that EBAY had- has been sacrificed for profit..I know many great-specialist sellers on EBAY who are no more,who were taken down by false comment,poor process and unfair seller assesment..
Its a shame..but could I recommend EBAY now?...resounding no..
Fortunately I dont depend on selling on EBAY for my living..thank god..for those that do-I feel sorry for them and fully understand why they are all abdicating to AMAZON.
EBAY is dead..it just doesn`t know it yet..will I shed a tear?...for what it once was..maybe,for what it is now...no..
Rgds,
Vince
I remember when EBAY started in the 90`s,a great auction site with a terrific philosophy..both the buyer and the seller could leave feedback for the transaction-over time the good/bad sellers could be seen-as could the good/bad buyers.
Over the years I used often- to sell second hand high end a.v. equipment trade ins I had pulled out of installs..and about 5 years ago was the golden era of EBAY..most of the bad buyers (*scammers) had vanished..the feedback system meant something and you had a choice by looking at that feedback to decide whether or not to trade...Fairness to both buyer and seller reigned...
..Now,there was one thing wrong with this picture..everytime a "bad buyer" was booted off EBAY they complained that it was the bad old sellers that had driven them off by "exploiting" the feedback system...
This of course was in the main-nonsense..bad buyers got numerous bad feedback and their own track record sealed their fate...same with sellers...
BUT...too many buyers were leaving..too much potential revenue was being lost..it was no longer about safe trading..it was just about profits..
So EBAY changed the greatest thing it had..the democratic feedback system..
Now on ebay,you CANNOT leave bad feedback for a buyer..you can for a seller of course...so what has happened over the last few years?..ALL the scammers have crept back,you can no longer use the feedback to assess a potential trade..because its all massaged...so you dont know who you are trading with..who is buying from you..
Its a ONE SIDED system that cannot allow the seller to make an informed choice of who he transacts with..every buyer looks "good"....
..Worst than this,there was a massive "witch hunt" against the sellers-who were all assumed to be "dodgy" and preoccupied with getting rid of buyers!...
So for example,a buyer opens a dispute..even If found in the sellers favour..(*they seldom are),the dispute opened counts against the seller in his "seller dashboard"...add to this ebays analysis of facets of a sellers performance based on...wait for it...WHAT THE BUYER SAYS..EVEN THE DISGRUNTLED ONES...then using this information to perpetually judge that seller...
Even worst,If your seller score dips in just one area,you are placed lower in the searches..so you lose sales and are penalised further when you sell less..etc..etc....
I digress,heres what recently happened to me....I sold 3 speakers and a sub i pulled out of an install...for a bargain price...they were perfect and packed that well that short of rolling over them in a fork lift truck,you couldnt damage them.....
..Well,the buyer said the base was cracked..uummm,so I asked for a photo of the item to see (*customary) and then said based on that I would partially refund for the damaged item if required..
I never received a picture..what I get is a dispute opened and my payment frozen...so i escalted to EBAYs Resolution Team..(*they are fair to resolution in the same fashion as Adolf Eichmann was to customer care)... heres the result...
Hello Vincent,
Thank you for writing back eBay Customer Service about the speakers (190840698234) that you have sold to "romantoga". I understand your concern about the buyer does not want to return the goods and he was trying to elicit a partial refund without proving any damage. I'm happy to assist you with this.
To begin with, we would like to commend you for your time and effort in resolving the issue with your buyer. Your sense of initiative to resolve this matter is highly appreciated.I've reviewed the details of the case and see the decision that the buyer should return the item and be issued with a full refund was the correct one.No its not..the buyer should have been asked to prove the supposed damage to the ONE item out of the 4 he was sent.We've made this decision as we believe it's the fairest one for both parties.How is it fair to me?...my money is held..the buyer currently has the goods...if he doesnt send them back..which he wont..I have to wait another 10 days for my funds to be released..We have asked the buyer to return the item back to you on the 18th of June, 2013. We'd kindly ask you to let us know if you've received the item or not within 10 days, as this will help us to make a decision quicker.The buyer bought ITEMS not ITEM..please read the listing..
Once we get confirmation that you've received the returned item, eBay will refund the buyer the cost of the item plus the original P&P on your behalf. We'll then seek reimbursement from your PayPal account or another reimbursement payment method on file.ITEMS..Note that the case will close automatically if the buyer doesn't provide a tracking number or if the tracking information doesn't show that the item was delivered.I hope this guy isnt been paid JUST on submission of a tracking number?..because that would be idiocy of the highest magnitude..and I assure you IF that happens,I will consult my lawyer..watchdog..whatever it takes to recover my money.Once you've received the item, we encourage you to inspect it. If you find there's an issue with the item, outside of what was already stated by your customer, you have the option to appeal our decision. This can be done by through the Resoluion Centre of by sending us an email.NO..i am not agreeing to be put into a position where I have to prove the buyer has sent me stuff back..and not the original items...and this is what he will do because hes a SCAMMER..
I trust that I've explained things clearly and wish you all the best on eBay in the future.
Kind regards,Alan Perry
eBay Customer ServI am extremely unhappy with this ludicrous decision that holds my money on a scammers say so with NO proof sought..whats worst you are completely ignorant of the true facts..so let me try one last time...The guy emailed me and said he had damage to the base of one speaker out of the FOUR he bought.. apparently this damage was a fine crack..I was incredulous because the items had been extremely well packed...nevertheless,I asked him to send the ONE item back and I would partially refund...HE NEVER DID...he opened a dispute...why?..when I had resolved...?...BUT..the "resolution" team -who always find against the seller and should be renamed.."Buyer Support",who work on policy not proof..allowed this scammer to operate EVEN when it was me who escalated the issue .....thanks for all your help...and let me assure you I wont take this lying down..whatever..however...whoever -I have to talk to to right this injustice..I will.Rgds,Vince Myers
This just proves the lunacy of a process that acts on someones word without proof..IF they are a buyer...
In my view EBAY are like landlords,they take fees (rent) and % of the sale for allowing you to rent the shop (*the EBAY site..)-they earn the lions share from the sellers-its for good sellers to encourage the buyers..EBAY earn little off the buyer except paypal fees..(*which you are now forced to use on EVERY transaction)..
They should appreciate the sellers..because its the sellers that pay all the wages of the half wits sitting in customer support in Ireland in a hidden address dedicated to making life hard for said sellers..
It doesn`t make sense does it?
I believe in Pierre Omydars (*the founder of EBAY) vision of a transaction being fair to both buyer and seller..the ability of each party to leave feedback for a given transaction,the ability of both to view that feedback.
But this "golden era",this uniquety, that EBAY had- has been sacrificed for profit..I know many great-specialist sellers on EBAY who are no more,who were taken down by false comment,poor process and unfair seller assesment..
Its a shame..but could I recommend EBAY now?...resounding no..
Fortunately I dont depend on selling on EBAY for my living..thank god..for those that do-I feel sorry for them and fully understand why they are all abdicating to AMAZON.
EBAY is dead..it just doesn`t know it yet..will I shed a tear?...for what it once was..maybe,for what it is now...no..
Rgds,
Vince
Thursday, 2 May 2013
THE ART OF EXPERT SETUP-FAR BEYOND MERE CALIBRATION...
o.k. to get the ball rolling,first we should establish what we are actually trying to do with a "calibration" and if there are anylimitations as such to the ethos.
In an ideal world there would be standardisation of picture from start to finish and by start to finish i mean how a movie is filmed,mastered and ultimately displayed.
Though I applaud greatly all attempts to setup all the links in the chain within a home setup..this is only part of the solution.
The solution SHOULD start at the beginning..when the movie is filmed.
Having previously worked at ARRI many moons ago,i have participated in 35mm movie camera setups,which though fairly stringent using various different test patterns etc.,were not to d65.
The lights that went on set invariably came from ARRI rental,originated at Manfrotto in Italy and were in all varying states oft age..again,no standardisation.
These cameras and lights..and process, have been particpant in about 80% of the major movies filmed in the last 50 years.
**Most Panavision cameras are rebadged ARRI.
So,there is no real adherance to technical standards when the camera is first setup or when the set is lit,the ONLY standard is the directors vision..***which of course we dont know when we do home setups...however accurate we try to be...
So in short,we are setting to d65 a projector to display a movie that hasnt ..NECESSARILY been filmed that way...i.e. filmed through a d65 setup camera .
So how do we know we are arriving at an accurate representation of what that director intended>?..We dont..
Think of calibration in the home as a leveller, an attempt to introduce some sanity within the madness of the medium,an equaliser,,but NOT necessarily accurate to the directors vision.,rather accurate to the technical criteria we are applying after the event.
I remember in one much discussed review of a JVC projector,Greg Rogers stated that the grass in Lord of the Rings didnt look like how he remembered it..eh>>>????
Was he there on set with Peter Jackson when that scene was filmed? Does he know how Peter Jackson intended that grass to look>?..Has he got Peter Jackson round during the review and asked him>?
The answers to all these questions is no..Greg Rogers hasnt the faintest idea how Peter Jackson intended the grass to look in the given scene.
Now,IF he doesnt know what the grass should look like..ANY setup is a best guess right>?
..And this is where it becomes somewhat radical...Because the only TRUE way to replay a given movie in ones home would be to setup to EACH and every movie with the director sitting next to you..and when he said it looked right..its right.
Of course this is impossible,but it raises a question,,IF we cannot achieve complete accuracy to what the director intended on a given movie..what are we actually doing>?
We are applying a technically defined,overall, best guess.
Of course ISF got it right when they proposed DAY and NIGHT setups,because when you view and light conditions also has a bearing on the picture.So does SMPTE mastered material and REC709 material..and how do we determine that?..there should be one setup for hd and one for standard def..so straight away theres 4 setups...Older legacy sources should be tweaked accordingly as well.
So,its now becoming a setup nightmare with the customer having at least 4 different settings!
I would go a step further,ideally,you would have a setting for sport,one for games,one for movies..and with sdatelite channels and cable..some are nice and bold ..some dim....so your setup for one wouldnt work with the other and so on...
In the future,there may well be a projector that auto synchs to marker clues in the medium and self adjusts..assuming that the movie is mastered with the requisite **clues..
One very good setup guy said to me that ISF and THX video courses were teaching people to crack a peanut with a mallet,over complicating and over engineering a solution that didnt really solve the point of watching the movie as the director intended.
I can see his point,and though i applaud all attempts to teach folks the basics of display setup i kind of lament the course money making industry thats grown from it..where a layman is taken from the street and supposedly transformed into a video expert with the ability to cure all display ills.
I know from my own experience of many years of crt setups and camera setups long before i took an ISF course,that these courses are an assist,tools in ones kitbag and no replacement for years of experience obviously.
Personally,i have come across guys that could get a great picture up on the screen who have never taken a course and guys who had taken every course known to man and were still cr*p.
My view is that there is more to calibration than adherance to technical criteria that ISNT standardised throughout the industry or indeed employed when movies are made.
Many analogies come to mind,great fighters are born not made,Rembrandt didnt paint by numbers and so forth.
Its about getting a great picture,I would say a TRUE picture to the movie you are watching and a picture the customer loves..
Another interesting point was made to me by a member,and he said..**Let us not forget that movie directors are not ISF setup guys..so they look at a daily and as long as it roughly shows what they remember filming..it passes through....thats why a lot of movies look crummy in terms of picture quality..because we are dealing with an individuals perceptions of quality from the start..which can vary...In fact in some respects,we have gone backwards...70mm is rare..and take a look at some of the picture quality on old 70mm movies..superb...look at the picture quality on Zulu..or South Pacific..few new releases come near...look at the picture quality on Black Narcissus which was 4.3...the colours and shadow detail are fantastic...
For me though,the picture star of the show is How the West Was Won,the restored Smilebox version is a fantastic work and indeed improves opon how good this would have originally looked at the Cinerama Cinema...
..Remember,only now is Digital cinema getting close to the resolution of 70mm,which as a medium is close to 60 years old..and I strongly believe that the directors of yesteryear were more fastidious about picture quality and aspect ratio,certainly impresarios like Mike Todd sought to push the boundaries..
Indeed though sound has improved dramatically on soundtracks,only now are we really getting to a point where the picture can..
This is a quote from David Mullen..
***It's easier to just talk about the resolution on the original negative and avoid bringing in the resolution of various printing and projection methods, etc. Red has tested Super-35 and generally found it to be, I forgot, 3.2K or 3.5K, something like that.
You could therefore say that if a 24mm wide piece of film negative resolves 3.2K, for example, a 36mm wide piece of film (VistaVision) would resolve 4.8K, and a 52mm wide piece of film (5-perf 65mm Super Panavision / Todd-AO) would resolve 6.9K, and a 70mm wide piece of film (15-perf 65mm IMAX) would resolve 9.3K. However, this ignores some real-world issues like the fact that older medium-format lenses used on large format movie cameras have a lower MTF compared to modern 35mm cine optics (because the larger negatives don't need lenses with high MTF's because if you have more millimeters overall, you don't need to resolve as many lines per millimeter...)
If you really want to be crude, you could say that you lose maybe half the resolution of the negative once it is printed through dupe elements and thrown onto a theater screen, which is why 2K projection seems on par with the best 35mm print projection, and 4K projection would be similar to 70mm projection, but it therefore also means that IMAX digital projection should be at least 6K...
Now don't confuse measurable resolution with optimal scanning, mastering, and archiving resolution -- if 35mm film really resolves 3.2K, then in reality you really should be scanning it at more like 4K to 6K to avoid aliasing, which is why most people round things off to 4K as being ideal for posting 35mm photography... but perhaps 6K would be better for scanning, and then you should finish at 4K.*****
To synopsisise only 50% of the capability of the original film stock ever made it to the screen..so though 70mm is capable of 9k..you only ever saw about 4/4.5k.
Showscan 70mm was and still is..the best ever movie presentation..far better than IMAX in my view..
http://magazine.creativecow.net/article/the-truth-about-2k-4k-the-future-of-pixels
Now,the reason i mention this is in order to understand what could be considered ideal,as calibration should not just be fiddling around with a colorimeter,looking at graphs..we dont watch graphs..we need to understand first what is ideal?..what should we seek to emulate?..What are our visual limitations?..Viewing ideals?..Indeed what are we trying to achieve?
What I suggest we should be trying to achieve is accuracy to real life..not the movie..the content within the movie,because thats what the director is trying to capture..what he sees..so really we should be trying to get close to a setup that is realistic..AND..beneficial by way of visual and viewing ideals...
Field of view is incredibly important,when you are looking at the screen center you should not see anything in your peripheral vision left or right..or top and bottom beyond the screen..so your location from the screen is paramount..too far away and that extra resolution in that 1080p image is lost-you may as well be watching standard definition.
Precisely why Cinerama screens curved at the left and right..and precisely why I favour curved screens,remember our eyes are curved,camera lens are curved,..
Nothing in real life is flat,everything has perspective and depth..and we perceive as such..so 3d is of course a major step foreward and long overdue.
So,our picture setup-even IF not 3d should aim to capture that depth of field.
Bringing out all the detail in a picture by having brightness and contrast correct is key..of course you never know what degree of detail was MEANT to be seen,nevertheless taking the brightness control way up to expose all the detail,then reducing until you can still see but you have the best black you can manage is something that should always be done,contrast settings should have a nice dynamic without *blurring* subtle shading details..a good example is LOTR when Gandalf knocks on Bilbos door..to the left are clouds,now reduce the contrast until you see all the shades of grey then increase up untill you still see these variations but have as *bold* a picture as possible.
Gamma settings come into play here as well,though on the better projectors such as Sony and JVC these are not too far off the mark...(*having said this,this is personal preference to a degree and their are no absolutes,though between 2.3 and 2.5 could be considered in the ballpark.)
Returning to brightness,the screen gain and brightness of projector and their relationship to each other,are key in establishing the right amount of brightness coming back from the screen..if its not correct..too dim for example,no amount of picture tweaking can cure...so all these things should be considered in setting up for a good picture..
As far as sharpness controls,in a lot of instances they should be off or used sparingly until one sees artifacting in the picture then back off...so for example,if any artifacting is seen at 12,set your sharpness to 11...
I personally always aim for an accurate greyscale first,so take the colour right out of the picture and get looking as devoid of leaning towards any RGB hints as you can..and with RGB controls i hardly ever touch the Bias controls unless absolutely necessary..only the Gain..
Once you have an accurate greyscale..and nooooo theres no harm IF you are proficient enough to use your eyes..a fine calibration tool....reintroduce colour until the colours look bold and bright but not over saturated....by all means use setup discs,colorfacts,probes,colorimeters if you feel more confident..
I always use a mixture depending on what i see when I first turn on the projector...in time,the best calibration tool will be YOU...and dont get super hooked into D65..it can be considered an industry *leveller* from post mastering thats all...it cannot *know* what the director intended..and he may not have intended a D65 look..:-0)...I have my own set of criteria that builds on this as well to achieve what i believe is the best balance between directors vision and technical *safety* in picture setup..not 100% foolproof for everything..but a lot closer..I believe..
In an ideal world there would be standardisation of picture from start to finish and by start to finish i mean how a movie is filmed,mastered and ultimately displayed.
Though I applaud greatly all attempts to setup all the links in the chain within a home setup..this is only part of the solution.
The solution SHOULD start at the beginning..when the movie is filmed.
Having previously worked at ARRI many moons ago,i have participated in 35mm movie camera setups,which though fairly stringent using various different test patterns etc.,were not to d65.
The lights that went on set invariably came from ARRI rental,originated at Manfrotto in Italy and were in all varying states oft age..again,no standardisation.
These cameras and lights..and process, have been particpant in about 80% of the major movies filmed in the last 50 years.
**Most Panavision cameras are rebadged ARRI.
So,there is no real adherance to technical standards when the camera is first setup or when the set is lit,the ONLY standard is the directors vision..***which of course we dont know when we do home setups...however accurate we try to be...
So in short,we are setting to d65 a projector to display a movie that hasnt ..NECESSARILY been filmed that way...i.e. filmed through a d65 setup camera .
So how do we know we are arriving at an accurate representation of what that director intended>?..We dont..
Think of calibration in the home as a leveller, an attempt to introduce some sanity within the madness of the medium,an equaliser,,but NOT necessarily accurate to the directors vision.,rather accurate to the technical criteria we are applying after the event.
I remember in one much discussed review of a JVC projector,Greg Rogers stated that the grass in Lord of the Rings didnt look like how he remembered it..eh>>>????
Was he there on set with Peter Jackson when that scene was filmed? Does he know how Peter Jackson intended that grass to look>?..Has he got Peter Jackson round during the review and asked him>?
The answers to all these questions is no..Greg Rogers hasnt the faintest idea how Peter Jackson intended the grass to look in the given scene.
Now,IF he doesnt know what the grass should look like..ANY setup is a best guess right>?
..And this is where it becomes somewhat radical...Because the only TRUE way to replay a given movie in ones home would be to setup to EACH and every movie with the director sitting next to you..and when he said it looked right..its right.
Of course this is impossible,but it raises a question,,IF we cannot achieve complete accuracy to what the director intended on a given movie..what are we actually doing>?
We are applying a technically defined,overall, best guess.
Of course ISF got it right when they proposed DAY and NIGHT setups,because when you view and light conditions also has a bearing on the picture.So does SMPTE mastered material and REC709 material..and how do we determine that?..there should be one setup for hd and one for standard def..so straight away theres 4 setups...Older legacy sources should be tweaked accordingly as well.
So,its now becoming a setup nightmare with the customer having at least 4 different settings!
I would go a step further,ideally,you would have a setting for sport,one for games,one for movies..and with sdatelite channels and cable..some are nice and bold ..some dim....so your setup for one wouldnt work with the other and so on...
In the future,there may well be a projector that auto synchs to marker clues in the medium and self adjusts..assuming that the movie is mastered with the requisite **clues..
One very good setup guy said to me that ISF and THX video courses were teaching people to crack a peanut with a mallet,over complicating and over engineering a solution that didnt really solve the point of watching the movie as the director intended.
I can see his point,and though i applaud all attempts to teach folks the basics of display setup i kind of lament the course money making industry thats grown from it..where a layman is taken from the street and supposedly transformed into a video expert with the ability to cure all display ills.
I know from my own experience of many years of crt setups and camera setups long before i took an ISF course,that these courses are an assist,tools in ones kitbag and no replacement for years of experience obviously.
Personally,i have come across guys that could get a great picture up on the screen who have never taken a course and guys who had taken every course known to man and were still cr*p.
My view is that there is more to calibration than adherance to technical criteria that ISNT standardised throughout the industry or indeed employed when movies are made.
Many analogies come to mind,great fighters are born not made,Rembrandt didnt paint by numbers and so forth.
Its about getting a great picture,I would say a TRUE picture to the movie you are watching and a picture the customer loves..
Another interesting point was made to me by a member,and he said..**Let us not forget that movie directors are not ISF setup guys..so they look at a daily and as long as it roughly shows what they remember filming..it passes through....thats why a lot of movies look crummy in terms of picture quality..because we are dealing with an individuals perceptions of quality from the start..which can vary...In fact in some respects,we have gone backwards...70mm is rare..and take a look at some of the picture quality on old 70mm movies..superb...look at the picture quality on Zulu..or South Pacific..few new releases come near...look at the picture quality on Black Narcissus which was 4.3...the colours and shadow detail are fantastic...
For me though,the picture star of the show is How the West Was Won,the restored Smilebox version is a fantastic work and indeed improves opon how good this would have originally looked at the Cinerama Cinema...
..Remember,only now is Digital cinema getting close to the resolution of 70mm,which as a medium is close to 60 years old..and I strongly believe that the directors of yesteryear were more fastidious about picture quality and aspect ratio,certainly impresarios like Mike Todd sought to push the boundaries..
Indeed though sound has improved dramatically on soundtracks,only now are we really getting to a point where the picture can..
This is a quote from David Mullen..
***It's easier to just talk about the resolution on the original negative and avoid bringing in the resolution of various printing and projection methods, etc. Red has tested Super-35 and generally found it to be, I forgot, 3.2K or 3.5K, something like that.
You could therefore say that if a 24mm wide piece of film negative resolves 3.2K, for example, a 36mm wide piece of film (VistaVision) would resolve 4.8K, and a 52mm wide piece of film (5-perf 65mm Super Panavision / Todd-AO) would resolve 6.9K, and a 70mm wide piece of film (15-perf 65mm IMAX) would resolve 9.3K. However, this ignores some real-world issues like the fact that older medium-format lenses used on large format movie cameras have a lower MTF compared to modern 35mm cine optics (because the larger negatives don't need lenses with high MTF's because if you have more millimeters overall, you don't need to resolve as many lines per millimeter...)
If you really want to be crude, you could say that you lose maybe half the resolution of the negative once it is printed through dupe elements and thrown onto a theater screen, which is why 2K projection seems on par with the best 35mm print projection, and 4K projection would be similar to 70mm projection, but it therefore also means that IMAX digital projection should be at least 6K...
Now don't confuse measurable resolution with optimal scanning, mastering, and archiving resolution -- if 35mm film really resolves 3.2K, then in reality you really should be scanning it at more like 4K to 6K to avoid aliasing, which is why most people round things off to 4K as being ideal for posting 35mm photography... but perhaps 6K would be better for scanning, and then you should finish at 4K.*****
To synopsisise only 50% of the capability of the original film stock ever made it to the screen..so though 70mm is capable of 9k..you only ever saw about 4/4.5k.
Showscan 70mm was and still is..the best ever movie presentation..far better than IMAX in my view..
http://magazine.creativecow.net/article/the-truth-about-2k-4k-the-future-of-pixels
Now,the reason i mention this is in order to understand what could be considered ideal,as calibration should not just be fiddling around with a colorimeter,looking at graphs..we dont watch graphs..we need to understand first what is ideal?..what should we seek to emulate?..What are our visual limitations?..Viewing ideals?..Indeed what are we trying to achieve?
What I suggest we should be trying to achieve is accuracy to real life..not the movie..the content within the movie,because thats what the director is trying to capture..what he sees..so really we should be trying to get close to a setup that is realistic..AND..beneficial by way of visual and viewing ideals...
Field of view is incredibly important,when you are looking at the screen center you should not see anything in your peripheral vision left or right..or top and bottom beyond the screen..so your location from the screen is paramount..too far away and that extra resolution in that 1080p image is lost-you may as well be watching standard definition.
Precisely why Cinerama screens curved at the left and right..and precisely why I favour curved screens,remember our eyes are curved,camera lens are curved,..
Nothing in real life is flat,everything has perspective and depth..and we perceive as such..so 3d is of course a major step foreward and long overdue.
So,our picture setup-even IF not 3d should aim to capture that depth of field.
Bringing out all the detail in a picture by having brightness and contrast correct is key..of course you never know what degree of detail was MEANT to be seen,nevertheless taking the brightness control way up to expose all the detail,then reducing until you can still see but you have the best black you can manage is something that should always be done,contrast settings should have a nice dynamic without *blurring* subtle shading details..a good example is LOTR when Gandalf knocks on Bilbos door..to the left are clouds,now reduce the contrast until you see all the shades of grey then increase up untill you still see these variations but have as *bold* a picture as possible.
Gamma settings come into play here as well,though on the better projectors such as Sony and JVC these are not too far off the mark...(*having said this,this is personal preference to a degree and their are no absolutes,though between 2.3 and 2.5 could be considered in the ballpark.)
Returning to brightness,the screen gain and brightness of projector and their relationship to each other,are key in establishing the right amount of brightness coming back from the screen..if its not correct..too dim for example,no amount of picture tweaking can cure...so all these things should be considered in setting up for a good picture..
As far as sharpness controls,in a lot of instances they should be off or used sparingly until one sees artifacting in the picture then back off...so for example,if any artifacting is seen at 12,set your sharpness to 11...
I personally always aim for an accurate greyscale first,so take the colour right out of the picture and get looking as devoid of leaning towards any RGB hints as you can..and with RGB controls i hardly ever touch the Bias controls unless absolutely necessary..only the Gain..
Once you have an accurate greyscale..and nooooo theres no harm IF you are proficient enough to use your eyes..a fine calibration tool....reintroduce colour until the colours look bold and bright but not over saturated....by all means use setup discs,colorfacts,probes,colorimeters if you feel more confident..
I always use a mixture depending on what i see when I first turn on the projector...in time,the best calibration tool will be YOU...and dont get super hooked into D65..it can be considered an industry *leveller* from post mastering thats all...it cannot *know* what the director intended..and he may not have intended a D65 look..:-0)...I have my own set of criteria that builds on this as well to achieve what i believe is the best balance between directors vision and technical *safety* in picture setup..not 100% foolproof for everything..but a lot closer..I believe..
Sunday, 7 April 2013
ORIGINAL THOUGHT?
Hello Folks,
Well,I am flattered..some of the unqualified purveyors of Audio Video in the Algarve-who all of course watch Projectiondreams for inspiration-are blatantly copying us -or rather trying to copy us,in how they operate and install-even on their Facebook pages.
Of course there is a difference between a nicely decorated room with some decent kit thrown in and a TRUE Custom Cinema implemented by THX and ISF professionals who have actually PASSED their exams many year ago and accumulated many years of experience-not just sat a 2 day course!..
By the same token,a guy from a burger van doesn't become Gordon Ramsey by watching one of his programs..;-)
A true cinema by professionals will perform,will have synergy of the kit-whatever the pricepoint,and will of course adhere to specific technical criteria,I will not damn anothers work because to do that would mean I would have to point out what was clearly wrong and that initself is good free advice..
I have no bitterness to anybody that loves A.V. -quite the opposite-and I welcome fair and honest competition-be nice to get some..:-)
The bottom line still remains the same,Projectiondreams are the MOST qualified A.V. company-we can prove that-and we shall repeatedly show that through quality,originality and technical prowess...our time with all things A.V. over a combined 45 years means we know what works best with what..we do not rely on any distributors mantra..we establish through knowledge and experience our own benchmarks--and do -with themed cinemas and cinema 360 cinemas desire to continue to create the original and unique..
Well,I am flattered..some of the unqualified purveyors of Audio Video in the Algarve-who all of course watch Projectiondreams for inspiration-are blatantly copying us -or rather trying to copy us,in how they operate and install-even on their Facebook pages.
Of course there is a difference between a nicely decorated room with some decent kit thrown in and a TRUE Custom Cinema implemented by THX and ISF professionals who have actually PASSED their exams many year ago and accumulated many years of experience-not just sat a 2 day course!..
By the same token,a guy from a burger van doesn't become Gordon Ramsey by watching one of his programs..;-)
A true cinema by professionals will perform,will have synergy of the kit-whatever the pricepoint,and will of course adhere to specific technical criteria,I will not damn anothers work because to do that would mean I would have to point out what was clearly wrong and that initself is good free advice..
I have no bitterness to anybody that loves A.V. -quite the opposite-and I welcome fair and honest competition-be nice to get some..:-)
The bottom line still remains the same,Projectiondreams are the MOST qualified A.V. company-we can prove that-and we shall repeatedly show that through quality,originality and technical prowess...our time with all things A.V. over a combined 45 years means we know what works best with what..we do not rely on any distributors mantra..we establish through knowledge and experience our own benchmarks--and do -with themed cinemas and cinema 360 cinemas desire to continue to create the original and unique..
Friday, 15 March 2013
SATELLITE EXCELLENCE AT GREAT PRICES!
Hello Folks,
At Projectiondreams we do Satellite Installs a little different from the other Satellite * purveyors * on the Algarve..
How so? Why buy a Satellite system from Projectiondreams?
Because we apply the same level of excellence to ANY aspect of Audio Video as we apply to the most specialised Custom Cinemas..
For us its another Audio Video Environment to be presented in a total quality way..that means the latest SKY HD boxes,that means a quality HDMI cable to replace the cheap and nasty freebie HDMI lead applied with a SKY HD box..and this alone makes a significant improvement to your picture..
We get the highest quality signal reception possible by using the best equipment and cables..AND most significantly,you get optimised settings on your t.v. by way of a FREE setup if you require..
This initself from the only company in Portugal to currently hold...the ISF acreditation to Vincent Myers our M.D...makes another significant difference,from a quality perspective, to how ANY A.V. job is approached..
Vincent has held this certification for 14 years and has indeed gone way beyond this through years of experience setting up EVERY display imaginable right back to expensive 3 tube crt systems.
With his calibration & setups mandates encompassed in the Cinema360 ideology-to which ALL Projectiondreams staff adhere..with seminars offered to other industry professionals,we are able to prove significant benefits on ANY equipment installed in terms of that last piece of performance that can be eked out of them.
Vincent Says this...
"Numerous customers have said to me that for many years in the Algarve,folks have not had the benefit of a qualified company in both Audio & Video,a company holding THX and ISF certifications,performing their installs..I am doing MANY revamps where frankly,I have seen past shoddy work by others that shall remain unamed, ruining the experience for the customer..poor cabelling..poor cables..incorrect view distances,poorly setup projectors,no audio calibration OR video calibration..AND in most instances,the customer has paid through the nose for the *pleasure*...this is disgraceful...and proves that a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing.
I take pride in what I do and want my customers to have the best Audio Video experience possible for the fairest price..in every area of Audio Video-that includes Satellite as well
For example,a Basic sat install for 1.4m Prime Focus dish with twin LNB and 2 feeds going to the Sky HD box: (The newest 895 3D model) with Dish, feedhorn, bracket, cables, LNB, fixings and delivery to site - 750 Euros inc. iva..this includes FULL install,t.v. setup and the inclusion of a FREE quality HDMI cable of any length upto 7metres worth between 30 & 70 Euros...
With a 1.8 metre dish add 150 Euros..."
Proof positive as well that the best are not always the most expensive..:-)
At Projectiondreams we do Satellite Installs a little different from the other Satellite * purveyors * on the Algarve..
How so? Why buy a Satellite system from Projectiondreams?
Because we apply the same level of excellence to ANY aspect of Audio Video as we apply to the most specialised Custom Cinemas..
For us its another Audio Video Environment to be presented in a total quality way..that means the latest SKY HD boxes,that means a quality HDMI cable to replace the cheap and nasty freebie HDMI lead applied with a SKY HD box..and this alone makes a significant improvement to your picture..
We get the highest quality signal reception possible by using the best equipment and cables..AND most significantly,you get optimised settings on your t.v. by way of a FREE setup if you require..
This initself from the only company in Portugal to currently hold...the ISF acreditation to Vincent Myers our M.D...makes another significant difference,from a quality perspective, to how ANY A.V. job is approached..
Vincent has held this certification for 14 years and has indeed gone way beyond this through years of experience setting up EVERY display imaginable right back to expensive 3 tube crt systems.
With his calibration & setups mandates encompassed in the Cinema360 ideology-to which ALL Projectiondreams staff adhere..with seminars offered to other industry professionals,we are able to prove significant benefits on ANY equipment installed in terms of that last piece of performance that can be eked out of them.
Vincent Says this...
"Numerous customers have said to me that for many years in the Algarve,folks have not had the benefit of a qualified company in both Audio & Video,a company holding THX and ISF certifications,performing their installs..I am doing MANY revamps where frankly,I have seen past shoddy work by others that shall remain unamed, ruining the experience for the customer..poor cabelling..poor cables..incorrect view distances,poorly setup projectors,no audio calibration OR video calibration..AND in most instances,the customer has paid through the nose for the *pleasure*...this is disgraceful...and proves that a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing.
I take pride in what I do and want my customers to have the best Audio Video experience possible for the fairest price..in every area of Audio Video-that includes Satellite as well
For example,a Basic sat install for 1.4m Prime Focus dish with twin LNB and 2 feeds going to the Sky HD box: (The newest 895 3D model) with Dish, feedhorn, bracket, cables, LNB, fixings and delivery to site - 750 Euros inc. iva..this includes FULL install,t.v. setup and the inclusion of a FREE quality HDMI cable of any length upto 7metres worth between 30 & 70 Euros...
With a 1.8 metre dish add 150 Euros..."
Proof positive as well that the best are not always the most expensive..:-)
Best Regards,
Projectiondreams
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