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YouTube Quality

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YouTube Quality
Posted by Merc_006 on Saturday, September 12, 2009 9:06 AM

I'm tired of not being able to find good detail videos on YouTube!  (More of a rant...)  Does anyone else have this problem?  I mean I know YouTube isn't exactly a train website but all the videos are really bad from a quality standpoint.  Recently my club has taken things into our own hands and has started posting high quality videos.  You can find our page at www.Youtube.com/user/RGVModelTrains.

Tags: videos
"Today is the day before tomorrow" -Mike
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Posted by Allegheny2-6-6-6 on Saturday, September 12, 2009 9:41 AM

 In my opinion vidiography is one of those things that is taken for granted. It's the general consensus that all you need to do is pick up a video camera point it at your subject matter and download it to Youtube or where ever. Obviously not the case. We take for granted when we see really good video the amount of planning and preparation that is taken way before the camera is turned on. I'm sure David Pop who seems to do most of the videos here will bare me out that it's not just a point and shoot situation. I have read several articles on model railroad photography here and in other magazines and websites so why do people think videos don't require the same if not more preparation. Sites like Youtube.com are intended for the amateur vidiographer to get their stuff out there for the world to see. So what if the over all quality isn't the best, do what I do if I come across a really bad one close it out and go to the next one. Without running the risk of being too critical I didn't find your video all that great, the best thing I can say is that the train moving through the frame was in focus but you neglected to get the entire car in the shot and there was no backround scenery etc. to enhance your shot. But if you like it then thats all that matters.

Just my 2 cents worth, I spent the rest on trains. If you choked a Smurf what color would he turn?
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Posted by cacole on Saturday, September 12, 2009 9:56 AM

 The video quality is better than some of the others, but a long train of empty passenger cars passing a fisheye lens that is too close to the track, with no background scenery, detracts from the effect.

Just my My 2 cents for what it's worth.

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Posted by wedudler on Saturday, September 12, 2009 1:04 PM

 To make a good video you need some equipement ( I have not). And time!

You need at least ten times the time you want the finished video has. And cutting the video takes time too. 

Wolfgang

Pueblo & Salt Lake RR

Come to us http://www.westportterminal.de          my videos        my blog

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Posted by rrinker on Saturday, September 12, 2009 1:41 PM

 Skill makes up for a lot more than equipment ever could - it's a poor workman who blames his tools.

So if you don't have good equipment Wolfgang, you sure have the talent. Your videos are excellent quality - not to mention your modeling. And getting sound into those tiny diesels...

 

                                 --Randy

 


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

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Posted by Packers#1 on Saturday, September 12, 2009 2:20 PM

 My youtube video quality is crap, but then the only camera I have at my disposal is a Canon Poweshot A520. Not exactly the top of the line stuff. Eh, I have fun, and I get my point across, so I'm happy. And there are pelnty of high-quality vids, as said earleir, jsut look.

Sawyer Berry

Clemson University c/o 2018

Building a protolanced industrial park layout

 

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Posted by river_eagle on Saturday, September 12, 2009 3:17 PM

you never will get High Quality streams off of youtube, even if you upload a 1080 HD clip,

you tube compresses the file, and resolution is lost, also quality is greatly effected by the bit limits of both IP streams up and down.

Remeber the story about glass houses?

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaWXzFmlNIA

 

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Posted by Railphotog on Saturday, September 12, 2009 5:29 PM

High quality in which way?   Perhaps it wasn't grainy?

I don't have a video camera myself, but I do have a digital still camera that can take video.  I've taken some "train chasing" type videos on a friend's large HO scale layout with my camera, and the two previous ones that I owned.  See the latest one here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULymJPXaOKY

The video was taken during a regular operating session, so the sounds of the operators talking back and forth is included.  I made no attempt to suppress the sound, so I could capture some of the train sounds.

Mine sure isn't high quality, but there is scenery and different camera angles!

 

Bob Boudreau

CANADA

Visit my model railroad photography website: http://sites.google.com/site/railphotog/

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Posted by ClinchValleySD40 on Saturday, September 12, 2009 5:35 PM

The fact that it is a free site we can't complain too much.   I'd imagine if you wanted to pay you could probably find someplace with better quality.   I've got about 20 videos posted on youtube, no complaints, just gives an idea of what the layout is all about.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3o4NnfB4xI

See ya.

Larry

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Posted by Merc_006 on Saturday, September 12, 2009 6:16 PM

The whole goal of putting the videos up is to focus on the trains themselves.  I do understand how the lense is detracting from the overall picture, but the focus should be on the center of the screen.  Our members just got tired of seeing videos of trains at 2-3 feet away and you can barely tell what's what.  From the stuff I've seen, our videos entail alot more detail of the trains themselfves than most other videos.  One things for sure, more videos will be added and I'll get the word out to the guys about different angles, but thanks for the constructive criticism though.

"Today is the day before tomorrow" -Mike
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Posted by cudaken on Saturday, September 12, 2009 6:22 PM

 One thing that bugs me about some U-Tube videos is when all you can see is train cars going by. OK, pulling 100 coal cars is neat, but I want to see the train and bench, not 5 cars per frame.

 Here is one of the Videos that was done By K-10 Model Trains, not someone that was at K-10. Ken want the Layout to be shown, not a train and few cars. Only thing I would have done different is film when there where no customer.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHVZwDLx12E

 Ken the owner is in the last part of the video.

         Cuda Ken

I hate Rust

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Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, September 12, 2009 6:25 PM

Merc_006
Our members just got tired of seeing videos of trains at 2-3 feet away and you can barely tell what's what.

 

That's what Fullscreen is for! Wink

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Posted by Merc_006 on Saturday, September 12, 2009 6:55 PM

Fullscreen mode brings up the quality issue again.  One more thing, different people prefer different things.  The guys at the club collaborated on how to take these videos, this is all OUR decision for OUR preferences.  I see how getting the bench and scenery in would be interesting to some, but for us, its seeing the trains themselves.  The main purpose of the "City of Denver" videos was the engine detail and the cars, not the scenery around it.  While now I know what other people want, I will record the trains from diffent angles, showing some scenery, but for right now, I'm doing what the rest of the guys want.

"Today is the day before tomorrow" -Mike
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Posted by Allegheny2-6-6-6 on Saturday, September 12, 2009 10:39 PM

 I guess thats why they call it amateur video, if someone were paying to have it done that would be a different story.

Just my 2 cents worth, I spent the rest on trains. If you choked a Smurf what color would he turn?
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Posted by wedudler on Sunday, September 13, 2009 1:42 AM

 My camera is a Canon PowerShot A640. It can't zoom and I can't change the focus during the video taking.

But it has 10 Mega pixels.

Yes, youtube compresses a lot. Did you try blip.tv ? I've there a few videos too. I think it's a better quality.

Wolfgang

Pueblo & Salt Lake RR

Come to us http://www.westportterminal.de          my videos        my blog

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Posted by selector on Sunday, September 13, 2009 11:31 AM

That is better quality, Wolfgang, and so is your video! Smile

I liked what must be a Marklin four-wheeled shorty trailing the long consist of the TTT-6. Big Smile

About the quality of video, it seems to me the host site has to pay for bandwidth, and as it/they become more heavily subscribed, compression might be necessary.

-Crandell

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Posted by ClinchValleySD40 on Sunday, September 13, 2009 11:51 AM

cudaken

 One thing that bugs me about some U-Tube videos is when all you can see is train cars going by. OK, pulling 100 coal cars is neat, but I want to see the train and bench, not 5 cars per frame.

 Here is one of the Videos that was done By K-10 Model Trains, not someone that was at K-10. Ken want the Layout to be shown, not a train and few cars. Only thing I would have done different is film when there where no customer.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHVZwDLx12E

 Ken the owner is in the last part of the video.

         Cuda Ken

 Agree with Ken.  One thing missing in most videos (and picture essays) is a view of the layout.  Close up is nice, but let's see what I'd see if I was standing at the layout.

Larry

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Posted by PA&ERR on Sunday, September 13, 2009 12:35 PM

wedudler

 To make a good video you need some equipement ( I have not). And time!

You need at least ten times the time you want the finished video has. And cutting the video takes time too. 

Wolfgang

 

You're too modest, my friend! Yours are some of the best model railroad video on the web! Thumbs Up

-Kosmo

"And the sons of Pullman porters and the sons of engineers ride their father's magic carpet made of steel..."

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Posted by Jimmydieselfan on Sunday, September 13, 2009 3:18 PM

ClinchValleySD40

cudaken

 One thing that bugs me about some U-Tube videos is when all you can see is train cars going by. OK, pulling 100 coal cars is neat, but I want to see the train and bench, not 5 cars per frame.

 Here is one of the Videos that was done By K-10 Model Trains, not someone that was at K-10. Ken want the Layout to be shown, not a train and few cars. Only thing I would have done different is film when there where no customer.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHVZwDLx12E

 Ken the owner is in the last part of the video.

         Cuda Ken

 Agree with Ken.  One thing missing in most videos (and picture essays) is a view of the layout.  Close up is nice, but let's see what I'd see if I was standing at the layout.

Larry

I don't want you to see the layout, I want to give the impression that what you see is a real train.

My camera isn't that great for videos (6.2 megapixels) but it takes okay pictures.

Here is one of my favorite videos....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xd4FAmNzWrY

N Scale Diesels......I like 'em

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Posted by Jimmydieselfan on Sunday, September 13, 2009 3:22 PM

N Scale Diesels......I like 'em

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Posted by jon grant on Monday, September 14, 2009 7:52 AM

I'm relatively happy with the quality of my videos on You Tube. I use a Sony camcorder which allows for watching in HQ, and any problems with out of focus shots is more to do with my photography and editing skills - or lack of them.

Here's a recent video from me, but I make no apologies for the dropper on the coupler (personal preference)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teSLJgNJDYs&feature=channel_page 

Jon

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Posted by Anonymous on Monday, September 14, 2009 10:03 AM

Here's my two most recent videos to add to the selection.

Chasing Extra CDWJ-1 (Variety, going from daytime to night via sunset)

Chasing CDLE-1 Though the Night (Midnight to early morning, mostly night shots where it's hard to see details on the train, but I like this video better)

I might add that I didn't use expensive equipment on either of these videos. I have an inexpensive camcorder, a lightweight tripod, and all the lighting effects were produced with the standard layout lighting for daytime shots, with an old clamp-on reading lamp used for sunset shots and various effects, and a regular old flashlight used for detail lighting at night.

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Posted by rs2mike on Monday, September 14, 2009 10:30 AM

Mr Grant your vids are always top of the line in my book.  Ya know there are a lot of really good videos on you tube you just  have to look around a little.  There are a lot of crappy videos as well but come on you get good and bad photos here as well(I will be the first to admit mine come out fuzzy sometimes).  I agree that seeing a close up of trains going by with no scenery is really boring for me.  I like to see a chased train and seeing what the layout has to offer. 

Before you complain about something try doing a little background searching.  There is a lot out there worth watching.

 

alco's forever!!!!! Majoring in HO scale Minorig in O scale:)

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Posted by MisterBeasley on Monday, September 14, 2009 10:40 AM

The great science fiction writer Theodore Sturgeon was once accosted by a non-fan, who said something like, "95% of Science Fiction is crap."  To this, the author replied thoughtfully, "Yes, 95% of everything is crap."

This applies to YouTube as well, I'm afraid.  To me, it looks like a lot of people are making camera-phone videos and uploading them directly, not even attempting to improve the product.  Of course, it does take time to do this right.  This is my recent video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQ5OvZtI-QU&feature=channel

It was taken with an on-board train camera, and most of the action takes place in the subway tunnels where the lighting is pretty poor.  The camera transmits a wireless signal which I pick up with a nearby receiver, and record it on an old but still quite functional camcorder.  The wireless signal breaks up a lot, leading to lost frames and noise.  For this video, I took over 20 minutes of raw footage, and edited it down to 3 minutes for the finished product.  (I would have made it a bit shorter, but I wanted to fill out the sound track.)

Overall, though, it took 4 or 5 hours to set up the scenes and lighting, do the recording and edit the final result.  Obviously, with one of these little train cams, I wasn't going for photographic quality, but rather to create a mood with the best images available.

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

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Posted by Jimmydieselfan on Monday, September 14, 2009 11:27 AM

That is cool Mr. BCoolThumbs UpThumbs Up

N Scale Diesels......I like 'em

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Posted by Grampys Trains on Monday, September 14, 2009 12:26 PM

 Hi Mike: You might want to try Vimeo.

http://www.vimeo.com/6148775

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Posted by Milepost 266.2 on Monday, September 14, 2009 1:09 PM

jon grant

I'm relatively happy with the quality of my videos on You Tube. I use a Sony camcorder which allows for watching in HQ, and any problems with out of focus shots is more to do with my photography and editing skills - or lack of them.

Here's a recent video from me, but I make no apologies for the dropper on the coupler (personal preference)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teSLJgNJDYs&feature=channel_page 

Jon

 

Live action railfan video should really go in the Trains forum, you know. :)

 Very nice modeling and video work.

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Posted by rrinker on Monday, September 14, 2009 7:40 PM

MisterBeasley

The great science fiction writer Theodore Sturgeon was once accosted by a non-fan, who said something like, "95% of Science Fiction is crap."  To this, the author replied thoughtfully, "Yes, 95% of everything is crap."

This applies to YouTube as well, I'm afraid.  To me, it looks like a lot of people are making camera-phone videos and uploading them directly, not even attempting to improve the product.  Of course, it does take time to do this right.  This is my recent video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQ5OvZtI-QU&feature=channel

It was taken with an on-board train camera, and most of the action takes place in the subway tunnels where the lighting is pretty poor.  The camera transmits a wireless signal which I pick up with a nearby receiver, and record it on an old but still quite functional camcorder.  The wireless signal breaks up a lot, leading to lost frames and noise.  For this video, I took over 20 minutes of raw footage, and edited it down to 3 minutes for the finished product.  (I would have made it a bit shorter, but I wanted to fill out the sound track.)

Overall, though, it took 4 or 5 hours to set up the scenes and lighting, do the recording and edit the final result.  Obviously, with one of these little train cams, I wasn't going for photographic quality, but rather to create a mood with the best images available.

 That is awesome, it looks very realistic. The detailling in the tunnels is great, and seeing the opposing trains with the lighted interiors really makes it come to life.

                                --Randy

 


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

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Posted by GTX765 on Monday, September 14, 2009 10:08 PM

 I do post many videos with screen name gtx765 on you tube I only have a 5 MegaPixel camera so the videos are not great. Spent the money on trains instead of the new camera.

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Posted by peterjenkinson1956 on Tuesday, September 15, 2009 2:33 AM
<sorry to say it .... however...  the video is of a very poor quality  .... no interest at all  ...  looks like it was filmed by a child showing us his toy trains

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