Sample vBook

timster68 · Post by **timster68** » Tue May 13, 2008 7:14 pm

I don't know if this was posted, but for those who are curious what the new vBook (archived Sawdust sessions on disc with extras) there is a free link
to one of the first presentations. It can be found here:

http://www.shopsmithacademy.com/VBook/S ... ntents.htm

The only hotlink is

2. Aligning the Mark V Table

rkh2 · Post by **rkh2** » Tue May 13, 2008 7:46 pm

Timster68

I checked out the link you posted and was wondering how the video was when you checked it out, as it was not real focused and a little jumpy and the audio was not that great. I am hoping that the actual DVD's will be much better quality.

timster68 · Post by **timster68** » Wed May 14, 2008 11:46 am

Hard to say exactly what's happening. The jumpiness could just be the lag in the internet. However the quality is the same as if you are viewing the Sawdust session. I'm assuming that because they want it to stream. Hopefully they recorded on it on tape at the time and re-encoded the video for playback on disc. If so, it would be great if they put a 10 second sample that we could download to see the quality difference. I compress video for a living and if there isn't any noticeable difference in video quality, then that just might be a factor on purchase.

Nick · Post by **Nick** » Wed May 14, 2008 8:07 pm

We're not positive exactly what is happening there, but we're going to take down the link until we get it fixed. The VBook videos are in mp4 (H.264) format, and both the audio and video quality is very good, much better than what we've posted in the archives. The video in the sample is being streamed from Google, and Google converts all of its streams to Flash. This is the first time we've sent an mp4 file to Google for streaming, and the "jumping" we are seeing may be due to the conversion process. At this time, we have no other explanation. If we can't solve the problem, we'll post the original mp4 file to the Shopsmith server and let you download the whole ding-dong-thing, then play it in Quicktime for comparison.

With all good wishes,

Nick · Post by **Nick** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 5:02 pm

The sample VBook link is up again if any of you want to wander over an try it out. The resolution problem with the sample video has been fixed, and other improvments have been made. For those of you who want the numbers, be aware that the VBook plays the videos on three different media, in three formats -- television, iPod, and computer. The sessions are recorded at a resolution of 720x480 in Mpeg 2, standard for most DVDs. If you have a high-def TV, this is the resolution you will see when you pop one of these in you DVD player. If you have an ordinary tube-type television, you'll see it in a little less than half that resolution -- that's just the nature of the beast. The video files for iPod and mp4 players are in the standard podcast format -- Mpeg 4/H.264 at a resolution of 320x240. Finally, the video files for the "virtual classroom" that plays on you computer are also Mpeg 4, but rendered at a non-standard resolution of 400x300 to provide greater detail than you see in our achived videos. You will also notice that there is a great deal more information on the Blackboard and in the new "notebook" frame.

I developed the VBook format because I believe that video, by itself, is inadequate for conveying complete woodworking information. For that matter, it's inadequate for conveying information about any topic that requires both practical demonstration and theoretical/reference information. Most, if not all, of the crafts fall into this category. Video does a good job of demonstration, but it will not convey complex theory or detailed reference material as well as photos, illustration, and text. The VBook blends all of these forms of communication and lets you control the flow of demonstration and information so you can learn at your own pace and delve into a subject as deeply as you wish. DVD video alone offers neither control nor depth.

The VBook concept is still very much a work in progress and I imagine it will continue to evolve as new technologies come available and I get feedback from users. All of which is to say, expect the sample site to go down again from time to time as we make improvements. I also ask those of you who have ordered these VBooks to please be patient -- we made a breakthrough a few weeks ago that vastly improves the operation of the VBook and we are now re-coding the discs we were to have released in the beginning of May in order to give you a better product. Those of you who may have read my comments on Aldus Manutius, inventor of the publishing company (thread 1331), will appreciate just how long the chrysalis of an idea can take.

With all good wishes,

Ed in Tampa · Post by **Ed in Tampa** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 6:00 pm

Okay
I'll bite how do I play the video? What do I need to see MP4 video's on my Windows XP system?
Please don't say quicktime!
Ed

Nick · Post by **Nick** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 6:36 pm

As you wish. I'll just say, "Read the instructions..."

With all good wishes,

cowboyplus · Post by **cowboyplus** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 7:48 pm

OR

go to http://www.free-codecs.com/download/K_L ... c_Pack.htm

and download the full pack, install using defaults, and play any video, web using IE, or just watch a DVD on your computer.

I too can't bear to hear the word "Quicktime" and it cannot be found on any of my computers. ( = to WD-40 )

.

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 7:51 pm

Ed in Tampa;

Reading the insstructions is NOT a sure fire way to make it work.

I'm running Windows 2000 with the latest Quicktime for old machines abd I don't have it working either.

Nick · Post by **Nick** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 8:12 pm

It is, of course, impossible for us to anticipate problems with all the possible combinations of operating systems and browsers. We tested these in Windows XP, Vista, and Mac OSX with IE, Safari, and Mozilla. Excellent results with all three operating systems and IE and Safari. Mixed-but-acceptable results with Mozilla.

However, let me point out that we are talking about the video segment of the computer portion of the VBook only. Most will be able to access the plans, text, and othe reference materials in the computer portion even though they may not be able to see the video in this particular portion. The fact that you may be having difficulty viewing in the computer portion in no way effects the DVD portion or the mp4 player portion. Those are encoded precisely the same as standard DVDs and podcasts. So you get a perfectly serviceable DVD/podcast with plans and reference materials even if the virtual classroom video screen doesn't work for you.

And -- and this is an important "and" -- the VBooks are, for the time being, cheaper than many other woodworking DVDs without podcasts, plans, reference materials, and a guy who can spin a hammer.

With all good wishes,