Megan and Murray

High Definition Format War: Blu-Ray Leading

The Blu-Ray/HD-DVD high definition format war might be coming to an end. There is a lot of talk that Blu-Ray is taking more ground.

This war has been one of the best reasons for not switching to high definition yet. Of course, the main reason for artists and art institutions to wait a bit longer is that the cost associated with early technology adoption is rarely worth it. It pays to remain a few years behind (read: 10 times less expensive gear means money for more important things).

Drill Search Winner

I've heard about Panasonic's legendary drills for years. Since they're only available at contractor tool stores, most people don't know about them. I've talked to at least two tool repair technicians who claim they are the holy grail of drill engineering. When all the right people say the same thing it seems hard to consider anything else.

What made the Panasonic EYC142B kit, which includes a drill/driver, impact driver and flashlight (and available much cheaper than the official site says), beat the competition was a great balance of long lasting power (top of the line 3.0 amp, 14 volt Li-Ion batteries), features (well positioned LED light with switch, sturdy retractable belt clip) and extreme low weight (3.5 and 3.1 lb.). We're constantly using these on ladders and in hard to reach places--having a solid belt hook and low weight helps tremendously.

Time for a New Drill

We've been using the same drill for 10 years, and it's finally starting to show its age. I've started to look into getting a replacement and am surprised by all the new models, features and options that have turned an otherwise go-to-the-store-and-come-back-with-something purchase into something that requires more research.

The biggest surprise is a new category of drill-like tools called impact drivers. They don't have a chuck and are designed exclusively for driving screws. Their advantage is a unique motors geared specifically to their task and a unbelievably small size/weight. Anyone who has had to lug a giant drill driver around all day will recognize their value.

Although having two tools for the same thing that one tool previously did might seem like a step in the wrong direction, this actually makes sense. Like having multiple shoes, less wear is put on each. Additionally, I could use two drills simultaneously (one with a drill bit, the other with a screw bit) or have an extra driver for someone else, cutting assembly time.

I think a strong case can be made for considering following this trend of purchasing a new drill AND a new impact driver--and now is the time to decide that because if you buy them together you can use the same batteries and charger which drastically lowers the total price. In fact, there are many deals out there where you basically get both a drill and a impact driver for the same price as one.

My favorite drill and driver brands are Festool, Panasonic and Makita. Festool is comically expensive but will be the only cordless drill that is passed on through the generations (although batteries will have to be replaced). Panasonic, although not a name typically known for tools, is the drill/driver gold standard among contractors and has legendary battery life. Makita, although inferior to Festool and Panasonic for certain, delivers a solid product at half the cost.

I should note that I don't consider Bosch or DeWalt because they are designed for people with larger hands, Hitachi because their products look silly, Millwaukee because they have battey issues (although make legendary corded tools) or Porter Cable because their drills are just too big (although I like and own many other PC products).

I'm just starting to wade into the water and will keep you posted.

New Video Technology on the Horizon

Thanks: Create Digital Motion

In the next 10 years, the presentation methods for video will take unimaginable steps forward [another example: they are currently working on video projectors that fit into cell phones].

Tools for Video, Photo and Installation Art

[source]

Here's a list of the most common tools we use in the order we use them:

Apple Safari
Microsoft Word
Pen or pencil
Cellphone
Adobe Photoshop
Paint roller and brush (someday to be replaced by a HVLP sprayer)
Scissors
Image Camera (low end)
Station wagon or pickup truck
Tape
Apple Final Cut Pro
Drill (battery powered)
Tape measure
Extension cords
Brad nail gun and air compressor
Apple Aperture (Much better than iPhoto)
Video Camera (Panasonic, Sony or Canon)
Drill bit index (I prefer brad point)
Eye and ear protection (always)
Square
Table saw (the older the better)
Laser printer (we like the workhorse Brother HL-5240)
Miter saw (we like Delta and Makita)
Screwdriver
Xacto blade (most dangerous tool in the shop)
Quicktime Pro (perfect for quick import/exports)
Paper shredder (peace of mind)
Apple Compressor (the trick to quality DVDs)
Image Camera (high end)
Pry-bar
Apple DVD Studio Pro (MUCH easier than it looks)
DVD burner
Dozuki saw (I swear by these)
Wrench set
Hot glue gun (some day we'll get an industrial one)
Random orbit sander (Festool and the Festool vacuum)
Jig saw (Bosch or Festool)
Industrial staple gun (save money: go to Harbor Freight)
Tripods (we like Bogen)
Knife
Adobe Flash (unintuitive to learn, but easy afterwards)
Tie Wire (some call bailing wire)
Dremel
Industrial heat gun
Circular saw (We like Festool and Porter Cable)
Industrial vacuum (buy the best you can afford)
Broom
Inkjet printer for DVD labels (not cost effective, but better than a sticker)
Level (don't get the cherry version: buy one you don't mind beating up)
Drill press
Adobe Dreamweaver (old versions are fine)
Wire strippers
Hammer (almost never use it since switching to air nailers)
Chisels (not an everyday tool, but handy when necessary)
Sawzall saw (good to buy used)
Hammer drill (waste of money: consider renting, not buying)

Technology Update: State of the Art for Video

[Source]

Mikes's HD for Indies blog is a blog I read daily for the latest video technology info. It's full-on geek talk--sometimes over my head--and tends to focus on filmmaking gear that requires a budget noticeably higher than Megan and I can generally muster, however, it's the best way to learn about what's in the pipeline for the future, which will be here eventually.

One project Mike has invested a lot of energy into over the last year is a new 4K (that's a technical imaging moniker-not price) camera designed by a new startup camera company called Red. The Red 1 HD camera starts at $20,000 (but that doesn't include all the necessary features, like a lens). The significant thing is it delivers the nearly same quality as a $100,000 film camera. It has the potential to create a revolution for independent filmmakers.

The quality of this camera is actually comparable to a digital still camera. Check out Mike's blog here to see test images. Click an image to see the actual video quality. Note: Mike's a purist and has posted images without any image sweetening: these are raw images straight from the camera before color correction so they will lack the wowzo punch of a great photograph. The thing to look at is the detail.

Underwater Photo: SLR vs Point & Shoot

We're researching cameras for underwater photography for our next project in Greece. Three options are contending:

The Expensive Route
The Canon 5D is our current dream camera. It’s the camera we rented to document Channelbone. It delivers high quality 12.8 megapixel (mp) images, however costs $2700 + $400 for an underwater housing. The problem: comically expensive.

The Inefficient Route
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2 is the rave of the current Consumer Reports comparison. Its $400 price for a 10 mps + $250 for an underwater housing is tempting. The problem: spending $650 for a point and shoot camera (with a hard to use “point and shoot” interface) does not make sense—that’s the price of a 10mp Canon SLR (which doesn’t go underwater—but there you are).

The Underpowered Route
The Olympus 770SW is a 7mp camera that is designed to be submersible to 33’ for a cool $350. The problem: 7mp is on the low side for what we need and the lens is so small that “breaking the surface” images would be 30% distorted.

The Red Herring
Any of the above could be used with a partially submerged aquarium and potential risk depending on wave size.

Two Less-Known Cheap Tool Venders

Harbor Freight Brad Nailer for $29

Harbor Freight
Ludicrously cheap tools for artists who need disposable tools. 18v rechargeable drills for $19. Nail guns for $29. Although you should have low expectations for their tool's durability, their air guns have a great reputation if you buy HF ammo too (sometimes they use odd sizes that can't be found elsewhere). They are available online, however visiting a branch store for the first time is intoxicating (their prices are so low you'll pinch yourself).

Famous Grizzly 1023SL Cabinet Table Saw for $925

Grizzly Tools
Industrial quality tools at discount prices. They're only available from their online store and at three warehouses spread over America, but have a good customer service reputation and are priced extremely competitively. Excellent source for large tools like table and band saws. Grizzly often wins awards from magazine reviews in the "best bang for the buck" territory.

RAZR Review

It looks great but has the reception of a bowl of cereal. I got it for free during a promotion, and I like its size so I'm somewhat patient that it does everything except receive calls. All things considered, skip this phone.

The Story of Three Tools and Negotiating Constraints

Yesterday was a catch-up day which included repairing and replacing broken tools. I needed three tools and purchased them at three stores. Here is their story along with some thoughts on tools, art and life strategies.

The first tool I needed was a quality tape measure. I headed to Rockler in Pasadena where I strayed from my customary Stanley Powerlocks for a new measuring innovation: the Komelon Self Lock. When you pull this $8 tape out it stays out, instead of springing back like most tapes. Press the button and the tape returns. This saves time on every mark measured by eliminating the extra step of locking.

Boring art is art that never bothers to create or solve a problem. So if making art is about creating problems then quality tools make art bearable. I suspect many people shy away from making art, especially sculpture, because it's too big of a problem to create problems.