Re: OT: Totally P!ssed off at UPN
 

1)
5->1 rendering time is perfectly acceptable for 45 minutes of professional footage for a 13 episode season one season per year; use low-quality renderings for testing, then let the final run overnight. If it is an issue, you can speed things up by using more computers on a high-quality LAN in a Beowolf cluster (I had a class on it in college - fun stuff - whole new ways to lock up a machine). Run a Linux-based system to help prevent lockups.

2)
I've never rendered video, but I record TV shows on my PC; mpeg-4 Fast Motion works wonders for the file size - at 15 frames/sec, 2700 kbits/second, 48 kh stereo sound, I get an hour long show stored in about a gigabyte, with little danger of errors crashing the capture, and have rather good image quality - and I've only got a little PIII with 128 MB of RAM running Lose98. A little compression can do wonders.
And, ya know, with 200 GB hard drives being fairly common nowadys in the $2000 machine price range, space isn't an issue. If you arrange a filing system that can handle it, it doesn't matter that you burn through 4 GB in 5 minutes (I did this a few times when recording TV on my computer - I had the settings WAY TOO HIGH) - a full 60 minute episode is only 12 5-minute blocks; with the above ratio, that's 48 GB - you can store 4 of those on a 200 GB hard drive, available for purchase at most computer stores.

Yeah, the recourse requirements for video can get pretty high - but modern equipment can get a lot higher fairly readily anymore.

Re: OT: Totally P!ssed off at UPN
 

Youch, 1 gig for only an hour? Chop a couple hundred meg off it with Xvid http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

Re: OT: Totally P!ssed off at UPN
 

When I render video it must be absolute quality. Thats 30 frames a second, hi defination. The quality must be there in order for preserve the moment and or if I ever decide to air or cable cast the videos. Reality shows are based upon real life and I have 80 plus hours of hard core dirt bike / quad action. Not to mention all the gun work and such my father has performed on video. Memories worth saving in high quality. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: OT: Totally P!ssed off at UPN
 

Well, to back to the original topic of this thread, I'm getting my black armband out and wearing it. Just heard the news the other day that Enterprise has been cancelled. I knew that when they moved it to Friday nights, it was the kiss of death for the show. At least on Wed. nights I had the chance to watch it. but I'm hardly ever home on Friday nights, and I don't have Tivo (or the satellite equivalent). So I'm ticked off at UPN also. there probably won't be another show, especially if they've stopped making movies.

Re: OT: Totally P!ssed off at UPN
 

I am aware of this. When I spoke of technology advances I was refering to software as well as hardware. When computers first started getting into business, database systems were only available to the big companaies that could afford to hire programmers or pay third parties to administer them. Now my dentists office can buy an off the shelf program like Access, or something else specifically tailored to the medical field, and the billing person can maintain it. There's no reason to think image technology won't have a similer progression in time. I can imagine 50 years from now the director could input some basic parameters himself and the computer would do the hard work of turning it into the shot he's got in his minds eye. Then all you need is some actors speaking lines in front of a green screen, or maybe not even that. At some point we'll be to where we don't even need actors. That's fantasy today, but it's coming. When the technology advances to where the computer can interface with your typical non-artist type person, the cost will come down precipitously.

Re: OT: Totally P!ssed off at UPN
 

A message from UPN to me after I wrote them:

Hello,

Thank you for writing to UPN. The STAR TREK legacy has spanned nearly four decades and has spawned five television series. Ten years ago, STAR TREK: VOYAGER was instrumental in helping launch UPN.

The latest incarnation, STAR TREK: ENTERPRISE, has reached the culmination of its journey. This painstaking decision came after it was recognized that despite having many loyal fans like you, the audience for the show was declining steadily. Therefore, ENTERPRISE is set to decommission and will be given a grand send-off on Friday, May 13th at 8 PM ET/PT on UPN.

This does not mean that STAR TREK is gone forever. Paramount, the studio that produced all five television series and ten feature films, is looking forward to the next chapter of the STAR TREK saga.

We know that this information may not make you feel any better but we want you to know how much we appreciate your input and we sincerely hope that you will continue to share your thoughts with us in the future.

Cordially,
UPN

Re: OT: Totally P!ssed off at UPN
 

Oh for the love of God. I would say they just treid to blow smoke up your arse Starhawk. Simply put UPN could not rise up the class of viewer that Enterprise brought in, and more and more educated views were turned off my the second grade programing that they were running. You never give up your flag ship series unless your so frickin broke, like UPN.

This is like firing a journeyman worker and replacing him with six mexicans. (No offense)

Re: OT: Totally P!ssed off at UPN
 

Lol Alarikf, I just got the EXACT same message from UPN. Couldn't even take the time to look at anything other than the fact it was about Enterprise.

Re: OT: Totally P!ssed off at UPN
 

Of course you guys are going to get the same form letter. You think they're going to type all those annoyed fans individual letters? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...ies/tongue.gif

Re: OT: Totally P!ssed off at UPN
 

One size fits all..... They must thing we are all just some yahoo's who dress up and go to conventions. Little do they realize that we are far more than this.... We are the conventions!

To bad you cannot report the email as spam. After all that is what is seems to be.

Re: OT: Totally P!ssed off at UPN
 

Yeah, I got the exact same message. But, uh, how did you know that? I didn't mention it here until now... weird man. reading my mind?

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: OT: Totally P!ssed off at UPN
 

You know what's bad I just realized my title makes me sound like a teenage girl from the 70s "Like Totally, OH MY GAAAWD" lol

Re: OT: Totally P!ssed off at UPN
 

Hehe, oops. Guess I should have said Starhawk, not Alarikf http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif But yes, I was reading your mind. That's a much more interesting explanation http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: OT: Totally P!ssed off at UPN
 

AT maybe Enterprise was not a good show http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif And it could not bring in the viewers. Just about every trek person I know hates it and its rehashed stories.

Re: OT: Totally P!ssed off at UPN
 

Also the premise of each story (also the series) is so generalized that it is competely worthless. Conflicts and the inner conflicts of the characters were based on sterotypes. Which did not add depth to the characters and really showed how cookie cutter the characters were when faced with overcoming the weekly static conflict.

I think that the Star Trek Fans have evolved , unfortantly the producers of the show have not and hoped that we would tread down familiar paths of all the previous series not realizing that they were worn out.

i am glad it is done.

Re: OT: Totally P!ssed off at UPN
 

Star Trek AND Star Wars BOTH ending in May 2005??

Its the SciFi Apocolypse!!!!!

HA! Try waiting 20 years for the end of a story. I saw Star Wars 20 times back in 1977.... I'll be in line at midnight to see the story "end" on May 19, 2005. The last 2 movies have not been as good as the original, imho, but then, Enterprise has not had 1/2 the draw for me as TNG too.

And I just CANT get into the only other SciFi show in town: Stargate. Can't stand that show, Battlestar Galactica is soft core porn (fine, if thats what you want, but I really wanted a Science Fiction show, myself...) and Enteprise is ending (its not that good anyway...).

Not a good time to be a SciFi fan, guess its time to go back to reading SciFi...

Re: OT: Totally P!ssed off at UPN
 

Oh you heathen how darest thou knocketh stargate! BURN AT THE STAKE!!!!!!

And BSG is actually a good series I don't know where yoru getting the porn part from lol.....only seen one ep eh?

Re: OT: Totally P!ssed off at UPN
 

Any one who knocks Stargate is to be hung from the nearest tree with a sign around their stretched necks that reads: "Anti Stargate member"

BSG is surprisingly good. I have to admit it, the shows just kept getting better. The ending episode was especially good with a sudden ending that even surprised the hell out of me. And that does not happen very often. (The ending of the Sixth Sense was the last thing that surprised me.)

Re: OT: Totally P!ssed off at UPN
 

There are people who don't like Stargate?!?!
To those people, I say:
Jaffa, kree! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...ies/tongue.gif

I think Stargate is one of the best sci-fi shows around. It's got a good mix of science fiction, comedy, and human drama.
Same goes for BSG. (well, maybe not so much of the comedy. of course, i've only seen up to the episode where Starbuck goes missing)It tells a real good human drama.

Re: OT: Totally P!ssed off at UPN
 

Fear naught the end of Star Wars movies. There is still the TV show coming*.

*Disclaimer: This is not a joke, it is real as far as i know.

Re: OT: Totally P!ssed off at UPN
 

Based on the success of the KOTOR games. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif Should be interesting. I also read many years ago that they want to do a series on the post ROTJ era. Which will they do if they do one. Randallw the rumors are very very very old. It would be nice, I guess.

Re: OT: Totally P!ssed off at UPN
 

Is it going to be an animated show?

Set when? After clone wars?

Re: OT: Totally P!ssed off at UPN
 

Proof positive about UPN's dogma. They are totally focused in one direction, low rent, and well Star Trek was simply too pricy.

God I Hat UPN.

Re: OT: Totally P!ssed off at UPN
 

After reading Scott Bakula's statement, I agree with you Atrocities.
Now, that it's getting rid of Enterprise, I guess UPN really is now a Useless Programming Network.

Re: OT: Totally P!ssed off at UPN
 

From the chat with Scott Bakula Link

I can not say it enough.. WTF happened? Yuppie punk dumbasses have been given the reigns of a franchise twice thir average age and they are pissing it away for fear factor and Survivor reality shows. I am sickened to my core. So this is how it ends. The mighty Star Trek franchised ended because the no one is left to stop it from slipping through the cracks. This is what I would call a nitemare.

Musings:
God am I dead? Have I slipped from life into this purgatory of hell where everything seems wrong. A warped anti-reality where ones worst fears are realized? God what has happened to my universe?

Re: OT: Totally P!ssed off at UPN
 

Well, I'm not God, but I think I can safely say that there's good in anything.

Better the series be dead than in the hands of those who don't care about it.

Re: OT: Totally P!ssed off at UPN
 

Good point there Narf. But I cannot help but think about JAG and how well that turned out for them.

Like he said, most of the new bread are focused on reality tv to take notice of the jewels that they do have. I never thought I would see the day when CBS and UPN were considered the same.

Re: OT: Totally P!ssed off at UPN
 

Although, one good thing is that Enterprise is now in syndication. So we can all watch the previous episodes and forget all our gripes...for a little while.
That and Enterprise is coming out on DVD for those who have money to buy it.

Re: OT: Totally P!ssed off at UPN
 

Syndication huh, They've had 98 episodes haven't they?. I saw an episode of Monk which said they get syndication after 100 episodes.

Re: OT: Totally P!ssed off at UPN
 

Syndication can occur after any number of episodes. It's the series owners that decide.

Re: OT: Totally P!ssed off at UPN
 

There is hope that the syndication over the off season will generate some interest in the show and hopefully an advocate can be found for the series at CBS/UPN and the show will be picked back up. However they are striking the sets in a few weeks so don't hold your breath.

Re: OT: Totally P!ssed off at UPN
 

I just had a terrible thought. It has been expressed here what sort of programming UPN shows and why Enterprise didn't fit in, also the standard letter they sent everyone says they hope for a new chapter. I suddenly thought in the car that it might be like this

Star Trekkaz: Survivaz
Every week the Fedarashun Starship Martin Luther King (registration, MalcolmX:01) explorez the galaxy for new kinds of Bruthaz. Which Away Team will find the most aliens, and which crew member will be voted off and transported off the ship. First Star Trek series to do away with technobabble and use language appropriate for the audience.

Re: OT: Totally P!ssed off at UPN
 

I don't have a problem with an open and honest discussion of race and all, but this last post I find a bit offensive. If more of the same is coming I will have no problem at all putting on my moderator hat and locking this thread down.


EDIT: Ok, I think perhaps I may have been a bit harsh here. I do believe your intent was to be humorous and not offensive. I think though that it was just a little over the line. It's a difficult call to make sometimes, and sometimes I err on the side of caution. I'm not trying to be "politcally correct" or anything, but I think sometimes we can go too far in just trying to be funny.

Re: OT: Totally P!ssed off at UPN
 

I humbly apologise. I meant to write a disclaimer that I meant no disrespect, but decided that was being too cautious. I shall keep in mind to be careful in future.

Re: OT: Totally P!ssed off at UPN
 

I found it to be no more offensive than what you might see on MADD tv or SNL. ROFLMAO. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif (People need to step back and stop being so offended by everything. When they went after the cartoon network over Tunenomi as being heartless and offensive, despite the fact that the CTN has called its programing Tunenomi for years now, I lost all respect for the sensative - politically correct - winners of America.

Randallw, your comments are fine. If any one takes offense to them then they simply need to step back and watch some MADD TV or SNL. Seriously.

EDIT: I did not see Geo's post so please do not think that my post was directed at him. It was not. I apologize if any may have thought this. Geoschmo is right that some people will not see the humor and such. I pray that they do, but hey lets face it, some folks just don't want to see the humor unless its a joke about whitey eating Krackers and Watching Dukes of Hazard while fixen on their broke down pick up truck in the front yard. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif Then its ok to make fun.

Re: OT: Totally P!ssed off at UPN
 

The fans try to change the decision:

http://www.cnn.com/2005/SHOWBIZ/TV/0....ap/index.html

Re: OT: Totally P!ssed off at UPN
 

Syndication of a series can happen with any number of episodes. It's just 100 makes it far more attractive than 25, 50, or 70 episodes. It boils down to money and in this case, buying in bulk is better!

Atrocities, you forgot to highlight Bakula's comment about "We got one more season than UPn wanted to give us"

Re: OT: Totally P!ssed off at UPN
 

I remember reading somewhere that for a series to go into syndication, you need to have around a 100 episodes (Enterprise will have a total of 98 episodes). If there is more than that's even better, because there would be enough episodes to make it worth while syndicating. But too little, then you would be able to go through the entire series within a month or two, which would then repeat to much.

Re: OT: Totally P!ssed off at UPN
 

Think back to TOS. It had something like 78 episdoes and was king kong of the Syndication system for over 20 years.