IDE to AHCI in Windows without re-install

I came across this issue the other day, having run a new install on a caddy drive of win 7 64bit - I discovered that my Bios settings were marked as IDE for all drive ports, including the external eSata - this is really dull - speeds are hugely reduced, plus you don't get "Hot Swap" capability with external drive bays thru' the eSata port unless you are running in AHCI mode - you have to make sure AHCI mode is set in the system bios befeore you install windows or you're buggered - you need to set the bios correctly and re install - very tedious - except...

There is a way to safely enable AHCI mode. Be very careful in the 
registry, failure to do this right, or damaging other registry keys
can and will terminate your system for good -
BEWARE - I accept NO responsibility if you screw up.

1. Start, type "Regedit" in search box.
2. Open HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE / SYSTEM / CurrentControlset / Services
3. Open msahci 
4. In the right field left click on "start" and select Modify 
5. In the value Data field enter "0" and click "OK" (you may have a 3 as the value here)
6. exit "Regedit" 
7. Reboot your computer and enter BIOS (hold "Delete" key while Booting)

8. In your BIOS select "Integrated Peripherals" , Now change SATA Mode from IDE to AHCI not forgetting eSata further down the list if you have it ,

9) Save and exit your bios - computer will re start - during post you will probably see the 
AHCI drivers load and list your drives.

Experimenting with 2D to 3D conversion

As the title says, I'm doing more experiments with converting 2D to 3D - er why? I hear you ask - well it's truly simple - I'm in the process of collecting footage for a short film about Dartmoor - a wild and beautiful region in the south west of England.

This is intended as a 3D production, but I have a problem: for those serious close ups of plants, flowers and details like this:

.... I need a 3D rig, capable of shooting with a very narrow IO ( interocular - the distance between the cameras eyes )  As this production is self funded, I do not have the necessary  to splash out on a mirror rig and the all important preview hardware to make this possible, and, climbing rocks with complicated set-ups, requires an assistant - well, most these outings are in pouring rain, snow and fog - my only companion being "Molly" the yellow labrador.

So, I'm looking for a software solution that will allow me to track a 2D camera move of a macro shot taken with my EX1 or 5D and then solve the move in 3D space. This then enables a depth map to be generated which positions the contents of the shot in 3D space. I've used a few "cod" pieces of conversion software - results are appalling, I need something like Nukex or PFDepth to get serious Hollywood results. 

Here's my first rough test:

2D to 3D Test

and another one:

Garden Leaves

and here's the shot of the daisy after creating about twelve tracked depth maps, and setting relevant positions in Z-Space - movements are very subtle, as it was a quiet sunny day when I shot this..

The Daisy macro

Hazel Tree leaves from Sony EX1 - 2D to 3D

These results are a great improvement on the earlier test shown a few posts down

So here comes Glasses Free 3D for real:

Dimenco Press Release

and

clip

This is where Glasses free will really take hold - 24 multi view encoding linked with parallax barrier screens that display many angles, making it suitable for crowded viewing without ghosting or typical lenticular "sweet spots"

So now I can link into the Adam Ant Cool Zombie clip I cut:

ADAM ANT COOL ZOMBIE

Shot by Zoran Veljkovic on RED and Post Produced here using Edius 6.5 and a bit

of After Effects CS6. Lovely and filmic, carefully graded.

Ravindra Shankar Chowdhury

musician and composer

I wanted to note the passing of Ravi Shankar.

I had the great pleasure of interviewing him along with Yehudi Menuhin at

Ravi's house in Central London some years ago, I'd always loved his music and his collaborations with many musicians as well as genre's.

I remember him saying to me, shortly after we met, fixing me with a quizzical eye

and a very gentle, subtle smile, "Sir, you look like a Musketeer!"

I also met his daughter, Anoushka, an extremely accomplished sitar player in her own right.

And lets not forget Nora Jones, Ravi's other daughter, who also displays huge talent.

A beautiful human being, in my recollection.

A simple 3D test

Watch the following 3D clip on Youtube (you need anaglyph glasses)

3D Macro Sample

The clip contains 2 wide shots and two macro shots, all taken with the Sony TD10 which has a fixed interaxial distance of 34 mm, making it unsuitable for shooting extreme close ups or "macro" images - for this you need a dual camera mirror rig to get the IA down to a few mm.

Do you think the close ups of the flowers work OK in 3D? 

ACID JAZZ

1990

This short half hour film was made at the end of the 1980's and features: Mark "Snowboy" Cotgrove, The Brand New Heavies, Gilles Peterson, Bucky Leo and more... much

of the narration is from Paul Bradshaw of "Straight no Chaser" fame.

Some of the live sets were shot at Dingwalls in Camden Town, the music

is well recorded and the video has been digitally cleaned.

You can watch this historic clip at: Acid Jazz on Vimeo

and you can also buy a DVD here. The cost covers manufacture and postage,

this is not a profit making venture, click on the link to order, and I will despatch a copy of this cool documentary to you today.

This is a PAL Region 2 DVD - if you need a region free NTSC disc I can make you one,
simply leave me a request at: NTSC DISC REQUEST

Recently added to the Library is a selection of "Looped" VJ Clips
for all you DJ/VJ's out there.

Indiestereographer Library Clips



If you find anything within this blog which helps you in a professional
capacity, feel free to make a small donation.

I've started uploading short clips of HD material which you can access and buy

from Pond5 - these are high quality 1920x1080 images, usually shot with

a Sony EX series camera or better. I'm also in the process of uploading a sequence of VJ endless loops, again these can be downloaded 

 for a small fee with a full licence to use for any purpose.

Over the next few months I will be adding material every week, including 
s3D footage, stills and Music.

Indiestereographer Library Clips

OH NO HERE WE GO AGAIN!!

New Sony Full Frame 35MM Camcorder


absolutely tiny, easy to use just like the little domestic VG10 but with
TEETH

       

"Snow Fall" - An Alpha-Wave, Guided Affective Imagery, Blu-Ray Disc

Please comment, email, Facebook or Tweet if you have any questions about this technique - 

Buy now, and I'll ship you a beautifully hand crafted package with an
Origami Designed inner information sheet, zero acid papers and card,
no plastics except the disc of course! This makes a superb gift.
Contains an audio bed designed by Joerg Schuster - "Snow Sketch"

"This is the best reason to throw out your old DVD machine and buy
a Blu-Ray Player" 

You can of course purchase a DVD which is region free
and will play in all PAL and NTSC machines, as well as
computers worldwide.


Coming next week: "Icicle"


    Select Disc Type  

                                                                                                                                                                  

Disc Type

DVD €12,00 EUR Blu Ray Disc €25,00 EUR

Visit my friend Nik who is a great artist in the genre of Roger Dean and Rodney Matthews - check him out here - he's available for original design work for your tattoo - Vinyl Album Sleeve, CD Cover - Poster and any other media and advertising related work -

Nik Foley at PPH

Next week see's the launch of a series of DVD's and Blu ray discs, designed to transform your technology.

Alpha-Wave Films

Alpha-Wave Guided Affective Imagery Films

Guided Affective Imagery (GAI) also known as Catathym Imaginative Psychotherapy is a technique in which a facilitator uses descriptive language intended to psychologically benefit mental imagery - this can involve many, or all the human senses – in the mind of the subject. German psychiatrist Hanscarl Leuner developed this idea based on research into “Catathymic Influences” or the interaction of mental content on emotional process.

Alpha Waves are brain waves between 6Hz and 14Hz which have their peak at 10Hz (cycles per second). As humans, we only develop Alpha Waves after we reach the age of 4 or 5, and their generation creates relaxation as well as an alert mental state, a state of passive awareness, extreme composure combined with mental and physical relaxation, bridging the gap between the conscious and the unconscious. Alpha Waves produce a sense of well-being, tranquillity and happiness.

AWGAI films help reduce stress and, used on a regular basis can quickly become part of a more relaxed and manageable lifestyle. Our stress filled environment originates from information bombardment, hectic lives and spending much of our daily routine in a state of mental and physical tension. We hold our breath, clench our teeth, tighten our muscles and frown, resulting in mental, physical and other stress related illnesses. This film and its associated audio support beds may help towards increasing your Alpha -Wave activity, lower your stress levels and induce a feeling of happiness and well-being.

Things are hotting up in the 3D market - multi channel shooting and rendering in real time too...

Glasses free competition on the Increase

Here's a short test using Cinema4D and Edius 6.5 to create an animated stereoscopic title sequence.


Stereoscopic title test sequence