Book

Mike Rehmus · July 28th, 2003, 06:08 PM

This is one to throw away before you buy it.

Written for the beginner, the book starts out OK and then quickly gets into technical trouble as the author, Erica Sadun, suggests Very Bad Ideas and spouts incorrect technical information.

Examples: Warning . . . these are wrong or Very Bad Ideas

Use Duct tape to hold up a backdrop in your rented apartment.

Japan uses the PAL standard for video

Most humans cannot detect flicker above 10 frames per second.

Built in microphones work well for consumer and small business needs.

I'm surprised at the errors in this book since the author has a MS in digital imaging and a PhD in Computer Science from Georgia Tech. She obviously didn't pay attention in class and her editor didn't pay attention to the content of this book either.

I'd give this $29.95 Sybex book a miss were I you.

Alex Taylor · July 28th, 2003, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Japan uses the PAL standard for video

She considers that a very bad idea?

Adrian Douglas · July 28th, 2003, 08:03 PM

Don't I wish Japan used PAL!!!! Then I wouldn't have to transfer everything I shoot.

Mike Rehmus · July 29th, 2003, 12:08 AM

No, that statement of hers is false.

I created the line, "Examples: Warning . . . these are wrong or Very Bad Ideas," so nobody would get the wrong impression. I guess you did because I didn't explain it carefully enough.

Ken Tanaka · July 30th, 2003, 01:29 AM

Mike,
Thanks for the warning. (That's actually a very good use for this forum, btw.) I guess I wasn't surprised to see Sybex as the publisher of such bovine byproduct. Over the years I've found their computer-related books to be somewhat bloated fluff aimed at the innocent newcomer. It looks like they're carrying that business strategy into other topical areas.

July 28th, 2003, 06:08 PM	#1
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	Book - Digital Video Essentials This is one to throw away before you buy it. Written for the beginner, the book starts out OK and then quickly gets into technical trouble as the author, Erica Sadun, suggests Very Bad Ideas and spouts incorrect technical information. Examples: Warning . . . these are wrong or Very Bad Ideas Use Duct tape to hold up a backdrop in your rented apartment. Japan uses the PAL standard for video Most humans cannot detect flicker above 10 frames per second. Built in microphones work well for consumer and small business needs. I'm surprised at the errors in this book since the author has a MS in digital imaging and a PhD in Computer Science from Georgia Tech. She obviously didn't pay attention in class and her editor didn't pay attention to the content of this book either. I'd give this $29.95 Sybex book a miss were I you. __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

July 28th, 2003, 08:03 PM	#3
Adrian Douglas Trustee Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Chigasaki, Japan. Posts: 1,660	Don't I wish Japan used PAL!!!! Then I wouldn't have to transfer everything I shoot. __________________ Adrian DVInfo.net Search for quick answers Where to buy? From the best in the business...DVInfo.net sponsors

July 29th, 2003, 12:08 AM	#4
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	No, that statement of hers is false. I created the line, "Examples: Warning . . . these are wrong or Very Bad Ideas," so nobody would get the wrong impression. I guess you did because I didn't explain it carefully enough. __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

July 30th, 2003, 01:29 AM	#5
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	Mike, Thanks for the warning. (That's actually a very good use for this forum, btw.) I guess I wasn't surprised to see Sybex as the publisher of such bovine byproduct. Over the years I've found their computer-related books to be somewhat bloated fluff aimed at the innocent newcomer. It looks like they're carrying that business strategy into other topical areas. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com