CompuServe Thread

#low-cost rendering

16 messages in this thread
#67651From: John WilsonNov 22, 1993 11:59 AM
I was wondering if you knew of any place that could render a 4000 frame clip, and put it on tape for around $1000.00? I'm kinda' new to this, and I'm trying to do a promo tape. If you have a list of service companies, please fax it to 808 521 1247. So far, the lowest price I've gotten is $9100.00 Thanks for your help!! –John Wilson
#67700From: Nov 22, 1993 3:56 PM
John: >> if you knew of any place that could render a 4000 frame clip, and put it on >> tape for around $1,000.00? Lets see, that is 4,000 frames x 15 mins per = 1,000 hours of rendering, then laying off the 4,000 frames. So all you need is to find someone who's machine time is worth 80 cents per hour for rendering ($800 for 41+ machine/days) and will then layoff the 4,000 frames for 5 cents each ($200) to keep in your $1,000 budget! Any takers? <g>
#67725From: John WilsonNov 22, 1993 9:00 PM
Somehow, I knew I'd hear from you on this one… <g> I realize this is a ridiculous question, but I gotta try!! I haven't heard anything back from the boss yet on the other proposal, but there's still time…!
#67730From: Nov 22, 1993 9:19 PM
John: I didn't want to disappoint you by not commenting! <g> Your boss may be asking a bit much on this one… :^) Greg Pyros
#67738From: John WilsonNov 22, 1993 11:15 PM
greg, (lol) Yeah, but you have to give him credit for trying! –John
#68011From: Don LandisNov 23, 1993 11:37 PM
Greg where did you get the 15 minutes per frame? What kind of geometry/VP loading is involved? The biggest job I've done so far was 13 minutes per frame and that was because it had 23 shadow maps and 7 automatic reflections to do. Anyway, this job sounds like one for Paul Linde's 50 slave network, but, a grand ???? I doubt it. Let's see with my three DX-2's it would render for a week and a half. yuk!
#67718From: Alex KaramanoglouNov 22, 1993 6:40 PM
Hi John, Sherwood animations will render images for 0.25 cents per frame, which will make your budget perfectly…David's address is 76050,2657. It's David Egbert at sherwood animations 805-650-2542. I hope this helps. Take care.. Alex Karamanoglou
#67726From: John WilsonNov 22, 1993 9:02 PM
Thanks for the reply!!! I'll give him a yell— –John Wilson
#67731From: Nov 22, 1993 9:19 PM
The laying to tape is not the problem, he wanted to include _rendering_ the 4,000 frame file in that price! <g> I don't even think Sherwood would be interested in this one!
#67813From: Alex KaramanoglouNov 23, 1993 8:09 AM
OOOPS! I do apologize, I didn't read the message correctly. I'll just be quiet from now on! (g) Thanks Greg. Alex K.
#68012From: Don LandisNov 23, 1993 11:37 PM
>>The laying to tape is not the problem, What has been your experience with laying 4000 frames to tape on one non-stop session? I've gotten to 2000 frames once before the tape started to show sever wrinkles in the video (this is caused by stretching) and after 2500 frames the Diaquest won't control the deck and the machine just aborts. I try to lay down no more than 1800 frames on a tape location, then roll forward about 30 seconds before starting a new session. If I need longer I butt edit the pieces to a master. This is with 3/4 Umatic tape. I know a guy with an SVHS machine that will only go 800-1000 frames before sever time base errors appear in the playback on the recorded frames.
#67841From: Yost GroupNov 23, 1993 11:14 AM
We don't keep a list of rendering service companies. I'm sure there are some online who will be glad to offer their services.
#68554From: Erik GreenNov 27, 1993 4:48 PM
I'd render your file to HI-8 tape for near that price. Assuming a few particulars. Give me a call @ (406) 585-8340
#68591From: John WilsonNov 27, 1993 10:03 PM
Erik, The file is 4000 frames, and they rendered at 20 minutes per frame on a 486/33. –John
#68612From: Don LandisNov 28, 1993 5:00 AM
>>The file is 4000 frames, and they rendered at 20 minutes per frame on a 486/33. and your budget of $1000— On my network of 3 – 486-66's it would render for: 4000 * 20 = 80000 minutes 80000 / 2 = 40000 minutes (assuming DX-2 is twice as fast as 486-33) 40,000 /3 = 13334 minutes for the network of three machines 13334 / 60 /24 = 9.26 days of rendering Recording at 180 frames per hour: 4000 / 180 = 22.2 hours plus of continuous tape time. But I can't do more than a 1000 frames in one spot on the tape before tape degradation so I would have to lay down in four passes and then butt edit to a submaster for a quality master. Maybe an LVR is called for? Therefore 2 days of recording time. $1000/((9.26 +2) * 24)= $3.70 per hour. FOR $35,000 WORTH OF HARDWARE + OPERATOR + COST OF DOING BUSINESS. IS THIS A NEW DEFINITION FOR SLAVE RENDERING OR WHAT? John, I think this example shows you how the numbers stack up.
#68630From: John WilsonNov 28, 1993 12:00 PM
<g>– That's about the same response I've gotten from everyone. I realize the process is expensive, but it's really hard to do competitive work at these rates. (and I can't afford to spend $35,000 on taping gear either). So why don't you fax me a quote for this job–I'm passing these costs along to my customer, so he'll have to know what he's up against. Thanks for taking the time to reply! –John Wilson