Cost of Being Taped at Competitions

> The quality of the dvd has nothing to do with the ability to play back; it is the dvd brand's tolerances and specifications.

In my previous post about quality of DVD, I was thinking about specs, tolerances, quality of emulsions, etc. I pay more for Verbatim. It works better in more players, including older ones.

I would guess that the main problem with recording in digital by vendors is the amount of overhead to process. After recording, MiniDV recordings normally have to be read into the computer. Reading in takes same amount of time to record. After they are read in, they may need to be edited to remove unneeded segments, add titles, add chapters, etc.. Chapters allow one to jump to specific sections quickly. After this, the edited video needs to be encoded for DVD (takes a lot of time) then burned onto a DVD (more time).

There are new cameras on the market that burn direct to mini DVDs. That would eliminate a lot of the processing with MiniDV tapes. But mini DVDs don't hold that much. Something like 20, 30, or 45-60 min depending on quality setting on camera (eg. like EP, LP, SP on VHS). The lowest quality doesn't look much better than VHS. Not sure this would work for vendors. Probably have to buy all new cameras too.

I imagine issues such as these are why vendors not making move to digital yet. Don't even want to think of customer cost issues if they do make the move.
 
they already have...fwiw...I needed an extra room and didn't put it on my reg form and they they worked very hard to accomodate me...I don't want to go into the details but they really knocked themselves out...BOT
 
I, too, am very dissatisfied with my DVD/video. While the company did manage to record all of my requested heats, I have several dances on my DVD of another competitor. And the quality leaves much to be desired. I use these recordings as a learning tool, showing me what I need to work on next, but the value of the DVD for this purpose just wasn't worth the price.
 
dgcasey said:
Good luck on that. The comps have gotten quite mercenary about this lately. At the Vegas Showdown this weekend, I get jumped on by three people no less, in the space of five minutes, about not shooting video. Of course, I'm sitting there at the side of the floor with my still camera. These people wouldn't know a video camera if it fell on them.

The last one came up and said I was shooting video and he knew it, because I was on the couple the whole time. Alright Einstein, let's see if I have this correct. I'm shooting a couple of friends of mine doing a solo dance, I shoot 32 pictures of a two minute routine, some of which were burst-3 pix, and I'm aiming the camera at the ONLY couple on the dance floor. Where the ^$*# should I be aiming the camera?

After I start getting a little aggravated and red in the face and he realizes that I really wasn't shooting video, he tells me not to get offended. I wanted to make him eat that camera right then and there.

I'm quite serious when I say I think that the comp organizers are getting some sort of payback by allowing video companies come in and rape the competitors. No other sporting event I know of is going to tell you that you can't bring a vidcam and tape little Johnny or Susie competing. So why are the comp organizers so against allowing video.

Can you imagine what would happen if the local high school said you can't video your son or daughter playing in their final game as a senior, but you can go to the end of the bleachers and pay some fly-by-night video company to shoot some bush-league quality tape for the small price of hundreds of dollars? And they might actually get your son or daughter in frame for a few seconds.

I think it's way past time to do away with the rules that say you can't shoot personal video at the comps. You want to record little Johnny or Susie dancing their hearts out so a tape can be sent to Grandma and Grandpa, knock yourself out. Yes, there should be rules governing the use of personal cams, such as no tripods allowed. No shoulder mounted news-crew quality cameras. No stadium lighting systems - no lighting systems at all. Stay off the competition floor. If you can't shoot from your seat or behind the tables, then you shouldn't be shooting to begin with.

I said in an earlier post, that for the price they charge for these videos, they should be handing us videos that look like Hollywood productions. But sadly, as fascination found out this weekend, some are less than professional in their quality. I'm sure she would be happy with "bush -league" compared to what she got, which is nothing more than a super-expensive coffee table coaster.

Okay, I've vented long enough. I need to do some research on organizing a boycott of all comp video companies and see if I can drive them from the face of the earth, or at least the competitions.

:headwall:
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Yes. I believe the video company pays a very hefty fee to the comp organizer in return for the exclusive right to tape the events. So the money you pay to the video company gets split with the comp organizers.
There are now new contracts between comp owners and marketing or promotional companies (also from within the dance community) to tape some or all of the events and use that in marketing. So there is an additional party now that has an interest in policing your possible taping of an event.

There is a recurring rumor that some events will start preventing people from using a regular camera as well. If I'm not mistaken, I remember at least one major event that did so last year. I probably posted something about it then.

So, yes, it's getting really offensive. I am sure there is another side to the story and a reason why we should all put up with how things are done the way they are. But I don't buy it.
 
I know the motto of the NDCA is protecting the rights of amateur and professional dancers. Would they be of any help?
 
update: I recieved a friendly message with an apology, but no call back number or suggestion about what we will do... just a request to call them back... so I did (thanking them and apologizing for the intensity of my tone but explaining the cost and previous non-returned calls) unfortunately, i got to talk to their machine again...I have just requested a refund for the 60 bucks...and am hopeful that, since they have my address, I will be hearing from them shortly that the refund is on its way
 
This may also be a case of the need for the organizer and vendor to work together to insure fair pricing to the competitors, and possibly the NDCA would be willing to help as well.

On a side note, wouldn't it be great if someone went through and did some cost comparisons of what different competitions charge for entries? There is a good amount of difference from one to the next. If people worked together, it might be possible to help keep people more informed about the competitions that offer the best pricing, and thereby protect the consumer.
 
DanceMentor said:
On a side note, wouldn't it be great if someone went through and did some cost comparisons of what different competitions charge for entries? There is a good amount of difference from one to the next. If people worked together, it might be possible to help keep people more informed about the competitions that offer the best pricing, and thereby protect the consumer.
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The only problem with that is anyone doing pro/am is going to have the studio fees and therefore cost comparison wouldn't necessarily be of benefit if you only factor in the organizer fees. Might work for am/ams, though.
 
playing phone tag with them now...have had a nice offer to be refunded ...and to re-do the dvd...though I am leary about sending the video since it is all that I have and I need it for a bit to have some trained eyes assess it...not to mention the cost of losing it...anyhow....will ultimately let all know how it is panning out
.... but credit where credit is due...am recieving a prompt and friendly response...which I appreciate
 
well...here is what I hope is the end result...spoke with joey(?) who could not have been nicer or more apologetic...he is sending my refund...and, at my convenience, he will take the tape back and make me a new dvd...thank you joey ....okay...it's all good...I still hate to send the thing back but that's what certifiied mail is for right?
 
I think that's the same vendor I had trouble with back in August, but yea I had a very similar outcome. The owner seems to do a wonderful job of doing the best he can to make right. (If only the rest of his support/sales staff were as customer focused....)

I feel that the videos are overpriced for the quality given. If the operators were better trained and I got raw miniDV quality output I'd be much happer.... Still would grumble about overpaying when I/friends shoot better footage, but would probably pay to have all my entries taped, not just a select few....
 
Pam said:
Are you able to have the tape backed up or recopied before sending it away?
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doubtful...am going to send it certified though and make doggone sure that the trained eyes who need to see it get a look before it goes back...but yes, he was wonderful
 
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