Vacation: Family, Books, Thomas Jefferson, & Puzzles

For a few days, the family and I drove up to Lake George swam in the swimming pool at the motel, and at the lake, took an adventure to Ft. Henry William, and did some pirate mini golf.

Thomas Jefferson’s Creme Brulee: How a Founding Father and His Slave James Hemings Introduced French Cuisine to America (2012) by Thomas J. Craughwell

I enjoy knowing about the American Revolution, the founders/framers, the political & cultural thoughts/values of that period.

In high school, we are painted the picture of the founders and framers that they were gods, and do no wrong. In college, there were particular professors who would pain a much different picture. The founders and framers were in a complex conspiracy to keep the soon to be freed American citizens subjected not by King George, but by them. There was another professor in the same department, and he did not refer to them as either gods, or as tyrants, but as people.

This particular book is a great companion piece to Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation (2002) by Joseph J. Ellis.  In both works they discuss the greatness and the awe that inspired many, but also the hypocrisy, and the not-so-good, such as with the issue of slavery. In both they refer to the dinner between James Madison, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams to create a compromise.  The main part of the meal was macaroni & cheese, which was one of the recipes that James Hemings learned, and perfected. The other popular recipe, pommes de frites, aka skinny french fries.

Action Bible Jigsaw: “David & Goliath”

Action Bible: “David & Goliath” from TDC Games.

This was the second puzzle that I have completed during those few days.  I found this at one of those re-sale stores like Big Lots. Hey, why not, better than the floral arrangements, and fifty shades of red.

Notes:

• The image of the Creme brulée was obtained through Wikimedia Commons.
• The Action Bible: “David & Goliath” was obtain from TDC Games.
• I referenced two books Thomas Jefferson’s Creme Brulee: How a Founding Father and His Slave James Hemings Introduced French Cuisine to America (2012) by Thomas J. Craughwell and Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation (2002) by Joseph J. Ellis.
• I am almost ready to give up on the Wizard of Oz flow chart, and post the revised version.
• The same goes with the revised version of the Peter Pan flow chart as well.

Wizard of OZ Universe Flow Chart (Canon)

A flow chart for the novels, play (musicals), poems, etc…. for the Wizard of OZ Universe.

Disney, Henson, Vinton, Rankin Jr. & Bass: What More Can You Want!

One day watching  The Adventures of Mark Twain by Will Vinton I started to piece the  puzzles of my childhood entertainment, and where it came from.  In the world where corporations are merging, going through bankruptcy, being bought out, having assets sold (intellectual rights ) or all of the above or combination.  In this case – even though the corporate end is worth knowing – I wanted to know the artist, and people that the legacy has lived beyond the life. After great thought and deliberation I have decided on four (five) individuals (No secrets, look at the title).

There were certain criterion when deciding on the top four (five), and that is placed at the bottom, so you the reader do not get completely bored while waiting for the list.

To the List:

Walt Disney, Jim Henson, Will Vinton,  and Aurthur Rankin Jr. & Jules Bass have dominated my childhood cinematic and television existence more than anyone else.  These are the producers, directors, thinkers, and tinkers of different worlds with each style is different, the mediums which they tell their stories varies from each other.

Walt Disney: The Patriarch of the Animated Movie

Walt Disney with all his flaws (only human) created some of the most beloved programing that will remain at the top of the mountain.  The legacy that he created did not stop on  December 15, 1966  when he passed away.

He and his group of imagineers helped prepare me for the future genre of horror.  Movies such as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Pinocchio, Sleeping Beauty have some of the most terrifying scenes that one could watch (at any age). There are brilliant stories as well as the three listed,  but also (my favorites) Robin Hood, and The Sword in the Stone which I would argue are the best two adaptions (adult or children) for their particular parent story (Robin Hood & King Aurthur) in the history of film.  Other adaptations that I watched continuous as a child were from book to film were Winnie the Pooh, Marry Poppins, and Bedknobs and Broomsticks.  The list can continue form the 90’s to the most recent revival.

Image 1. Of course this is a brief list of motion pictures, and only one cartoon short that were created either to the producing skill of Walt Disney, or his legacy. I also decided that anything made form a subsidiary company would not be on this time line.  All images were found on Wikipedia, some of the images might be in public domain, and others are owned by Disney.  I have manipulated the images to make a unique piece of coolness.

Jim Henson: A legacy of the Muppet from Kermit the Frog, Big Bird to Yoda

Jim Henson is another one that his legacy inspired others way passed his passing away.  The Muppets were the most awesome creature like beings of television and film for a child, and even today going to the theater with of child at age five or was it four the movie seemed more for me than for him.  When Kermit is walking through his mansion he sings “Pictures in My Head,” and watching the still framed pictures of the other Muppets become living 3d hallucinations make me (almost) tear up.

Jim Henson has did not just rely on Kermit the Frog, but also he used Muppets in other ways such as Yoda in two of the three Star Wars movie (the only three worth mentioning).  There were films such as the Dark Crystal, and the Labyrinth.  Then there were televisions shows such as Fraggle Rock, and The Storyteller.

The Jim Henson production team has kept on lending their expertise for television shows such as Farscape, Dinosaurs, Sid the Science Kid, MirrorMask, Dinosaur Train, and The Witches.

Will Vinton:  Singing Raisins, Dinosaur Christmas, Satan, Adam & Eve, and Mark Twain

Will Vinton is the most obscure and the most alive out the four chosen.  He pretty much lurks in the shadows, and unless you par take in a Google search or watch the extras in the The Adventures of Mark Twain most likely you will not know who he is.  He is responsible for some of the best motion picture with the use of clay that one could possibly create.  He even coined the term “claymation.”

He is the one responsible of the California Raisins, Christmas features that spotlighted dinosaurs, the claymation of Return to OZ, the M&M characters on the commercial (you know the sentient beings that will be eaten), a short version of Rip Van Winkle, and of course The Adventures of Mark Twain.  There are other projects as well he worked on.

Vinton was not always the most child friendly production and creation team, but his claymation saturated at least two decades of fun TV shorts, TV movies, and commercials.

Image 3. © 2013, Vinton Entertainment All Rights Reserved. “Claymation®” is a registered Tradmark of Laika Inc.

Aurthur Rankin Jr. & Jules Bass : Red Nose Reindeer, A Grumpy Santa,  Big Bosomed Trees, Hobbits, and of Course B. Franklin

Aurthur Rankin Jr. and Jules Bass has produced or/and directed a good portion of the holiday classic cartoon, and stop motion animation that were born in the 70’s to the 80’s.  They have not only gave life to those classic TV movies/shorts, but also gave life to tradition and current mythology.  Aurthur Rankin Jr. recently passed away in the beginning of 2014, and according to IMDB he was a “consultant producer” of the latest Thundercats.

Did you notice in the movie, Miracle on 34th Street the 1947 version, that Kris Kingle walks down the street all jovial then notices the store worker is placing the reindeer in the wrong order there were no mention of Rudolph “the most famous” reindeer?  Even though there has been references in the past, and even cartoon shorts before Rankin and Bass’s version that was aired in 1967 on NBC solidified Rudolph’s statue in the pantheon of as the “Savior of Christmas”.

They have re-told stories not only of the reindeer, but also colorful and extreme imaginative stories of  Santa, Jack Frost, Biblical stories, the Easter Bunny, and Frosty.  They were responsible to the best filmed version of the Hobbit (Peter Jackson has nothing), and of course created The Flight of the Dragons (Don McLean helped the soundtrack by performing “The Flight of the Dragons”), and of course  The Last Unicorn.

Image 4. This image was found by Google on the left side connected to Wikipedia.

Criterion:

1. The introduction had to be at childhood.  This means twelve or younger.
2. The relationship had to exist well beyond childhood as well in the form of either watching the clips on the internet, purchasing a copy, or/and introduce the article in question to my children.
3. Quality and Quantity
   1. Quality: This can be subjective, and some of these products of art might be despised by others.  One (like myself) might love something that majority of the viewers want to tar and feather (Howard the Duck) the production and the people who say “wait a minute.”  In this case the quality is based on the (subjective) on going relationship, and the memories as a child.  There will not be comparing an adult liking something versus a seven year old.
   2. Quantity: The creative production has to be ten or more.  This can be done by the individual or the legacy that was left behind.  Adding distinct piece of works are up the author (me) of this list.
4. There has to be one person that has dreamed up the foundation of the legacy.
   1. For Example: I would place Stan Lee & Jack Kirby together and have them the entire Marvel Empire.
5. Corporations will be involved (this is unavoidable), but there will be some boundaries.
   1. For Example: Walt Disney will be part of the list (what a surprise) and certain  movies production will count and some will not just because Disney bought Marvel Studios or Lucas films does not mean bought subsidiaries will count toward Walt’s legacy.   There are films that has been created through Disney the main parent corporation such movies created after his death long into the 70’s through recent times that will count.
   2. Intellectual property rights do not decide the the creator, but only the owner such in the examples of Marvel.  All Marvel by-products would fall under Stan Lee & Jack Kirby.

 Extra Links

• Feat of Clay: The Forgotten ‘Adventures of Mark Twain’
• Legacy of Television, Film, and Cinema!

Notes

• I have referenced six producers/creators/directors/writers with the help of IMDB.
• I have reference to comic book artists (one was part of six), and the other was the help of Wikipedia.
• I have referenced one composer with the help of IMDB.
• I have listed 55 to 65 titles depending on how you count.
• I have four images.  Each image as manipulate by me.
• Image one and two were from Wikipedia, and manipulated by myself.
• Image three are three separate images as a logo for Will Vinton’s Animation Art Collection, and I have merged them together.  The image’s copyright is such © 2013, Vinton Entertainment All Rights Reserved. “Claymation®” is a registered Tradmark of Laika Inc..
• As far as having a works cited for this the majority of information was either discovered on IMDB or Wikipedia.

Space Rangers: The Breakdown

Space Rangers is a show that has lasted for one season in 1993, and only six episodes while co-staring one of my favorite actors (Clint Howard).  This show is nothing special compared to all the other space adventures that came before and after, but I still wanted to own this.  I am a nut about space movies/TV shows.

Image 1. The Space Ranger logo from TV Share.

Time Line

1993

Ranger Productions, Trilogy Entertainment Group, RHI Entertainment produced the TV show and in CBS broadcast the show for only six episodes.  Space Rangers was released not only in the United States but also Australia, Sweden, Germany, and Finland (IMDB).

1995

In 1995 three volumes were sold in the VHS format through RHI and Cabin Fever Entertainment.

1997

Released in Japan, under the distributor NHK (IMDB).  At this time a DVD was released as well under Region 2 (Japan, Europe, South Africa, and the Middle East, including Egypt) (Amazon) (Movie and TV Showing Devices: Part 2: By Region).

Image 2. An image captured from Amazon.com under the listing Space Rangers.

2013

Then on October 15, 2013 a region 1 DVD was released by the distributor Mill Creek Entertainment (Amazon).  The current version that is being hold has two discs.  The first disc is all six episodes, and the second are all six episodes grouped together to make three movies.

Production & Distributors

Production Companies

Ranger Productions Inc. (Defunct)

RHI Entertainment (Name Change and Mergers)

Trilogy Entertainment Group

Distributors

Cabin Fever Entertainment (Defunct)

CBS

Mill Creek Entertainment

NHK (Japan)

Above is the list of production and distribution companies that have worked on Space Rangers according to IMDB.  Take into account that each company is linked to the IMDB page.  The problem with using only IMDB is that they list each episode separately, so for the Space Rangers, that would be six individual listings.

Image 3.

Ranger Productions

Ranger Productions is a defunct company without an official website.  Ranger Productions was formed to develop Space Rangers.

Cabin Fever, RHI, and Sonar Entertainment?

Cabin Fever Entertainment is both defunct and no website.  Cabin Fever Entertainment did distribute movies and television shows (on VHS), but mysteriously became null and void.  When one types “Cabin Fever Entertainment” into the search engine Wikipedia is one of the top results, but the link is for Sonar Entertainment.  This claims that RHI Entertainment and Cabin Fever Entertainment are both part of Hallmark Entertainment.

A Yahoo Answers from 2007, that someone asked how to contact Cabin Fever Entertainment.  The only reply said that Cabin Fever Entertainment did not exist, but Hallmark Entertainment has the rights to some of the properties.

I have not seen evidence of the ownership of Sonar Entertainment (at one-point  Sonar Entertainment was Hallmark and before that it was RHI Entertainment) owns Cabin Fever Entertainment.  It is true that RHI Entertainment was bought by Hallmark Cards (for the sappy programing), and then changed the name to Hallmark Entertainment (ADWEEK Eastern Edition 1994, May), then after a bankruptcy between 2010 through 2012 the name changed to Sonar Entertainment (Screen International 2012, April).  A distribution deal was made with RHI back in 1992, but only a deal (Billboard, 1992 Feb).  There is evidence of a distribution deal, which means they only held the rights to certain prints, but not the actual copyrights.

Part of piecing all the information together Cabin Fever Entertainment disbanded in 1997 or 98.  There is  an article from Video Business states that Cabin Fever Entertainment paid their debts in 1998 after being disbanded a year ago (Video Business 1998).

UPDATE (7/24/2014)

There as something that I missed, and I had a funky feeling that I could not throw away.  But I found it.  On March 2, 1998  Cabin Fever Entertainment sold all the rights to RHI/Hallmark.  The official date that Cabin Fever Entertainment kicked the bucket was on March 2, 1998 (Goldstein, S. 1998) (Reed V. Freebird Film Productions 2009).  This was not a merger, but just the rights sold.

Trilogy Entertainment Group

Trilogy Entertainment Group is an independent film company that has been around since 1984 founded by John Watson and Pen Densham (Trilogy Entertainment Group Website).

CBS

We all know about CBS.  I will be saving CBS for a later time.

Mill Creek Entertainment

They were founded in 2002 from Golden Valley, Minnesota.  This is the company that sells old seasons of TV programing for cheap, and pack deals that are partially or mostly in public domain for a decent cost.

Video Lists (Official Websites)

1. Sonar Entertainment (RHI/Hallmark)
2. Trilogy Entertainment Group
3. CBS
4. Mill Creek Entertainment

Reviews, Memories, Reflections, etc…

• John Kenneth Muir’s Reflections on Cult Movies and Classic TV
• Great But Forgotten: Space Rangers
• The Official Website of Marjorie Monaghan
• ALL SCI-FI: Nothin’ but pure science fiction!
• RPG.net: Thread: [WIW] Space Rangers
• Blankbook19: Pinterest: Space Rangers

References

(1992, Feb.). Cabin Fever signs distribution deal with RHI. Billboard, 104(5), 54. Retrieved from http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA11862383&v=2.1&u=drexel_main&it=r&p=AONE&sw=w&asid=44d585f112b89505e62561e6f128d862

(1994, May).  Hallmark buys RHI.  ADWEEK Eastern Edition, 35(18), 12. Retrieved from http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA15424329&v=2.1&u=drexel_main&it=r&p=AONE&sw=w&asid=c1c8683dbcf77a4c1009b45ffce51d58

(1998). Despite disbanding, cabin fever gave promised $100,000 to retailers. Video Business, 18(28), 32. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/223923635?accountid=10559

(2012, April). Stewart Till named CEO of Sonar Entertainment. Screen International, Retrieved from http://www.lexisnexis.com/hottopics/lnacademic

fin73, A.Ryan (2007),  How can i contact cabin fever Entertainment?, Yahoo Answers, retrieved from https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070921164257AAGZLpy

Goldstein, S. (1998). Handleman loses handle on video; hallmark gets a case of cabin fever. Billboard, 110(12), 93. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/227085135?accountid=10559

Reed V. Freebird Film Productions, 1:08-cv-01761-CAB Doc #: 96 (09/22/09)

Space Rangers: Release dates. IMDB, retrieved from http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0106144/releaseinfo?ref_=tt_dt_dt

Space Rangers: Company details. IMDB, retrieved from http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0106144/companycredits?ref_=tt_dt_co

Notes

• Image 1 is the Space Ranger logo from TV Share.
• Image  2 was a captured shot from Amazon.
• Image 3 is a creation by me, and it is mine.
• I have 7 sources that I have created in the reference section.
• I have reference one actor and and one TV show with the help form IMDB.
• I have referenced 6 to 8  (depending on which ones you count) movie/TV (production/distributing) companies.
• Some links are to IMDB, and some are to the corporations official site.

 

Lions Gate Entertainment: Breakdown

Buying DVDs at cheap prices or second hand for the littlest of potential is part of my experience.  I also like searching for new movies using the power of the Internet.  One technique that is commonly used in the library science world is berrypicking.  The concept is to browse.  Browse the stacks for books that did not come up, or browse the reference/notes sections of the source.

What Does the Timeline Mean?

Please, take notice there will not be CEO names, every acquisition,  and there will not be references to movies/TV shows, people, etc… The dates mean nothing to me as well, but how do you have a timeline without the times.  I have a hunch or a hypothesis that like things come in batches, so I go after the lists.  IMDB can help out with the goal in mind, but I also like to check out the direct source when possible.  Brands like “North Shore Studios” and “International Movie Group (IMG) do not even have a link on IMDB let alone a company website.  This method of tracing a movie/TV show origins based on companies are not going after the big name movies that has happened in the last ten years.  This method is an adventure for obscure, or older movies/TV shows that are just distant childhood memories.

I am starting with Lions Gate for a reason.  I  like their brand and their product. Once I started to research the history of Lions Gate I learned the complication of business, which I do not understand, and the different corporations that they have bought out since 1997.  Also, I have already new they bought some of my favorite independent companies such as Artisan and Trimark.

Lions Gate also does not outsource to other companies when distribution is considered, which makes them a great case study.

This introduction also acts as a conclusion.

Lions Gate Entertainment

Image 1. Lions Gate Entertainment Logo

Lions Gate Shop | Lions Gate Television

Timeline

1997-1998

Image 2. In 1997 Cinépix Film Properties and North Shore Studies were purchased along with the creation of Manadaly Pictures to form Lions Gate Entertainment.  Lions Gate has  sold Termite Art Productions (PRNewswire 1998, Jan 12), (PRNewswire 1998, Jun 03), (PRNewswire 1998, Sept 08) (Enchin, H. 1997, Sept 12).

2000

Trimark (Garrett, D. 2000), (Prange, S. 2001).

Image 3. Trimark Pictures Logo from 1985 eventually sold to Lions Gate.

Sterling Home Entertainment LLC (2000-2005).

2003

Image 4. Artisan was sold to Lions Gate.

Artisan Entertainment (Wall Street Journal 2003, Oct 28).

Image 5. A listing of what Lions Gate Purchased when buying Artisan.

2006-2014

Delmar Studios and Mercury Entertainment merge into Delmar-Mercury, 2006 (Andrews, M. 2006, July 13).

Mandate Pictures, 2007, (The Gazette (Montreal) 2007 Sept, 11).

Image 6. Mandate Pictures was sold to Lions Gate.

Roadside Attractions – 43 % Ownership, 2007 (Lions Gate 10-K Annual Report 2010).

Summit Entertainment,2012 (Mergers & Acquisitions Week 2012, Feb 1).

Image 7. Summit was sold to Lions Gate.

Grindstone Entertainment Group, 2014 (Lions Gate 10-K Annual Report 2014).

Overall there are around 299 subsidiaries of Lions Gate Entertainment and not all listings are shown above (Lions Gate 10-K Annual Report 2010) (Lions Gate 10-K Annual Report 2014), (Mergent Online 2014).

References

(1998, Jan 12). Independent film powerhouse cinepix films announces name change to lions gate films inc. PRNewswire Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/448012216?accountid=10559

(1998, Jun 03). Lions gate entertainment announces agreement to acquire international movie group. PRNewswire Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/448065498?accountid=10559

(1998, Sept 08). Lions gate media acquires assets of termite art productions. PR Newswire Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/449935309?accountid=10559

(2002, Feb 15). Lions gate posts 61% quarterly growth in revenue. PR Newswire Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/447719250?accountid=10559

(2003, Oct 28). Lion’s gate to acquire artisan entertainment.  Wall Street Journal Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/398834806?accountid=10559

(2007 Sept, 11). Lionsgate devours Mandate Pictures. The Gazette (Montreal), Retrieved from http://www.lexisnexis.com/hottopics/lnacademic

(2012, Feb 1). Lionsgate acquires summit entertainment for $412.5 million. Mergers & Acquisitions Week Retrieved from https://global-factiva-com.ezproxy2.library.drexel.edu/ha/default.aspx#./!?&_suid=140571806202906285488562090339

(2014).  Mergent Online – Company Detail: Lions Gate Entertainment Corp., Mergent Online. Retrieved from http://www.mergentonline.com.ezproxy2.library.drexel.edu/companydetail.php?compnumber=68938&pagetype=synopsis

Andrews, M. (2006, July 13). Film studio Lionsgate acquires television distributor: Debmar-Mercury deal will enable studio to syndicate its own shows, retrieved from https://global-factiva-com.ezproxy2.library.drexel.edu/ga/default.aspx

Enchin, H. (1997, Sept 12), Former Yorkton head creates entertainment giant Lion’s Gate to be one of country’s biggest TV, film ventures, The Globe and Mail, retrieved from https://global-factiva-com.ezproxy2.library.drexel.edu/ga/default.aspx

Garrett, D. (2000). Trimark, lions gate mull merger. Video Business, 20(21), 5. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/223915426?accountid=10559

Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. (2010). 10-K Annual Report 2010. Retrieved from Mergent Online database http://www.mergentonline.com/

Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. (2014). 10-K Annual Report 2014. Retrieved from Mergent Online database http://www.mergentonline.com/

Prange, S. (2001). Lions gate restructures home entertainment. Video Store Magazine, 23(3), 11-11,20. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/197588801?accountid=10559

Notes

• Image 1, 3, 4, 6, 7 intellectual property is owned by Lions Gate.
• Image 1 was obtained by AxG from Logopedia.
• Image 3 was obtained by Augi2000 from Logopedia.
• Image 4 was obtained by Bigvoice313 from Logopedia.
• Image 6 was obtained by Bigvoice313 from Logopedia.
• Image 7 was obtained by Proliwweled from Logopedia.
• Images 2 and 5 were created by me, and are mine.
• I have 14 sources that I have created in the reference section.
• I have not referenced any movies, people, TV shows, etc…
• I have referenced 29 to 32 (depending on which ones you count) movie/TV (production/distributing) companies.
• Some links are to IMDB, and some are to the corporations official site.
• Maybe, I will start breaking down some individual movies.

The Maintenance of DVDs: Who tried bananas? (I didn’t)

Children, the young ones, like to be helpful.  I like to hand you the disk (throw it at you as hard as possible), or removing and forcing the disc into the player over and over.  One time my youngest placed a “shoots and ladders” person piece (cardboard) into the PS3, and when turned on the disc that currently resided there had circle of scraping.  Scratches, and love can make any DVD not useable.

Image 1. All rights reserved, and use common sense.

Storage (See Last Blog)

Scratches, Smudges, and Fingerprints

The DVD or a CD are sturdy, especially the ones that you do not record, and most scratches will not screw up the laser that will read the DVD.  The older the DVD player and poorly built players will have a harder time, so it’s not always the DVD, but the player as well.

There is an error-correcting coding system that is built-in to CD/DVD players that help when discs are scratched.   This little device helps with minor scratches.  When the disk is scratch data is not being hurt, but the access from the laser to the data.  Fingerprints can be far worse in this respect because the dirt or smudge blocks the laser from reading the data, and the error-correcting coding system will not be-able to help (Byers 2003).

Image 2. Error-correcting coding system – US 4295218 A (Image 1 of 12) – Fromm Google Patent Search

When to Clean?

Cleaning a disk can cause more problems than one wants (hence the disclaimer).  When cleaning more scratches can appear, or the wrong type of liquid can cause irreversible damage, such as dissolving the polycarbonate protecting layer.  Cleaning  is necessary when the scratches, smudges, fingerprints, etc…. are visible or causing a problem such as the dreaded skip.

Image 3. An image that I have download and used from a foreign website.

Image 4. This is an image of a DVD+R 9 from Superuser.

How?

Inside to the Outside Vs. Circular Motion

Image 5. Cleaning from the inside to the outside and information is stored not from the vertical but in circles.

When cleaning the DVD or CD it is critical to clean from inside to the outside.  Information is not stored on the vertical, but held in a circle pattern that wraps around.  Majority of the time there will not be extra damage even if the person cleans in a circular motion, but why take the risk.  If a scratch happens in a circular motion more data will be damage than if done to inside to the outside.

Tools

Image 6. This is a compiled list of tools of how to clean DVD/CDs.  I am sure there are other possibilities as well, and not all of these solutions are solutions.

There is no scientific study done on the cleaning of DVDs/CDs besides Byers majority of the information are blog based.  Majority of the methods seem to get mixed results depending on the harshness in quality.  There have been a chewing gum method, and saw that on YouTube, but another blogger has tried it and has not succeeded.

Also, keep in mind such as the more abrasive methods (Brasso, bought device, video store help, toothpaste) are used to sand a layer of the DVD/CD.  This is important when a Blu-ray disc is come into question.  There is a possibility of damaging the disc further stripping the first layer, which means the blue laser might not be able to read the disc.

The not so much abrasive methods still offer a chance at extra scratching as well, but not as much.  The key idea with these items are too clear out any dirt or grime with in the larger scratches this will allow the error-correcting coding system do its work.

Which type of cloth type of device to use?  A commonly found answer was a no lint, and microfiber cloth.  This seems to be smart.  The idea of the microfiber rag or cloth allows the max on cleaning the disc, and at the same time offers the least chance of scratches.  Microfiber is used commonly when applying wax, and cleaning of a car.  Microfiber picks up the dirt, and the grime where as a fiber like cotton only pushes it aside.

Results

I have tried the car wax route, and had mixed results.  That was with the spray bottle.  The next step is to get the non-liquid wax.  The results will be saved for a future time.

Extra Information & Sources

• Can You Fix a Scratched DVD with a Banana?
• Fix a Scratched DVD
• Remove Scratches from a CD/DVD with Vaseline (Petroleum Jelly)
• How to Fix a Scratched CD
• HOW TO: Remove scratches from CDs and DVDs
• What’s the best format for storing digital movies?
• How DVDs Work
• Storage (See Last Blog)

Notes

• In this post no shows, people, or movies were referenced.
• Images 1, 5, and 6 were created by me, and I reserve the rights (even-though they are ugly).
• Image 2 was found, and used from Google Patent Search.
• Image 3 was found, and used from hardwareKHBO.
• Image 4 was found, and used from SuperUser.
• The next few posts will be a re-hash, getting more depth of DVD and movie collection, of the post “Searching, Collecting, and Maintaining DVDs!“
• “Information Technology: Care and Handling of CDs and DVDs —A Guide for Librarians and Archivists,” by
  Fred R. Byers
• The results will not be the next blog, but when I obtain the tools needed.

DVD Counting and Storage

Figure 1. My tower of binders.

The opened binder is designated for the Star Trek Universe.  The full series of Enterprise, and “Star Trek Into Darkness” are the only two that I do not own.   The other binders are  divided by children’s movies, space & alien movies (that are not Star Trek), and other hodgepodge.

Storage

Temperature and humidity, well something like ” Discs kept in a cooler, less-humid environment and not subjected to extreme environmental changes should last longer (Byers 2003). ”  What does this mean?  The image below is a short response, a more in-depth chart can be found by clicking the Byers link.

Figure 2. Image is from “Information Technology: Care and Handling of CDs and DVDs —A Guide for Librarians and Archivists,” by
Fred R. Byers

Apparently there were studies done on DVDs, such as the temperature and humidity, but also ….

Figure 3. Apparently, the U.S. Post Service conducted studies on radiation affecting DVDS          (anti-terrorism).  The end result in a nuclear war you will not survive, but your copy of the ten seasons of “Friends” will survive.  The mutated cockroaches will develop opposable thumbs and start watching the episode that Joey acted all stupid.

One other key factor about environment and temperature that Byers hinted on but said that there needs to be enough evidence that most likely DVDs being stored in room temperature that you are playing the DVD in will effect the quality in the direction of the good.   He mentioned freezing DVDs and CDs, but warned against.

Take Notice!

By the Numbers! (The reason is simple.  The collections are mixed together, and so this is easier in the end of the day.)

How Many?

• The count includes:
  • My Collection
  • The family Collection
  • My Wife’s
  • Children’s as well

The reason is simple.  The collections are mixed together.

Each Movie counts as one.

For Example: Many years ago I wanted to own “Revenge of the Nerds,” but a problem was a foot.  The consumer had to buy one of those double movie DVDS.  On “side A” the movie that you want to purchase, and on “side B” the movie you do not want to purchase.  I had to own ” Revenge of the Nerds II: Nerds in Paradise.”  This is not a problem usually since I have a chaos in my genre taste.   Instead of being one movie, I count this as two even-though the physical copy only comes with one DVD.

Figure 3. This might not always be true.

Each Season counts as one.

For Example:  One of the first TV Series that I have successfully own in full is “Star Trek: Deep Space 9.”  DS9 has seven season, so each season purchased counts as one.

One Does not Equal One.

Keep in mind you can have a DVD wallet that stores 256 CDs/DVDs.  You might own 256 DVDs.  This will not mean that you will be able to hold every single DVD in that wallet.  There are 48 DVDs in the entire DVD collection of DS9.  The television series are not the lone corrupter of the numbers.

Figure 5. DS9 from Amazon: Take notice of the number of discs.

Movies can just be as guilty.

For Example: “Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring”

Peter Jackson, the director, came out with the “extended” and not so extend version by selling them in one collection.  This would equal four DVDs along with the two other squeals having four DVDs each.  By the end three movies became 12 physical DVDs.

Keep in mind that either DVDs of movies or TV shows might have an extra disc or two.  Not just because of the “extended,” “unrated rated,” and/or “director’s cuts” but also because of the special features.

For Example: Robotech

There are many different choices when purchasing the Robotech Series.  When I decided to place Robotech on the list of “I wanted TV/Movies” I had to visit the official Robotech website to figure out which set was the best.  In 2011 Robotech: The Complete Original Series was sold.  There are 18 discs, and four of them are special features.

Blu-Ray, DVD, and Digital Copy (But Physical)

Some DVD sets will contain a Blu-Ray, regular DVD, and Digital Copy that you can download/upload into your computer.  Also, the extended versions, and special feature discs could be part of this.

Emotional Attachment to In-Animated Objects:

I transferred from the cases to the binders  a year and half ago.  This was emotional.  The space was getting tight, and since I am not a big fan of digital I had to give way.
I still have the cases in storage (blue plastic bins from target).  I am not completely emotionally detached from the cases.

Storage Devices:

As I stated “Big Blue Plastic Bins” from Target for the cases.  At one point I had each DVD displayed alphabetically, and that took a lot of space.  Now, there are a couple “big blue plastic bins” extra, but are out of the way in the garage.

I decided to purchase  the Memorex Travel Case Active CD & DVD Wallet 256-ct this can only purchased at Target.  In the past I tried buying other brands, and they have fallen apart.

Notes:

• In this post, four movies were referenced, three TV shows, and one film insider were referenced with the help of IMDB.
• Is this boring?
• The second image was
• One image was captured from Amazon, and then manipulated by myself.
• There are two images are part of my creations, and I reserve the rights to my intellectual property.
• There is one image that is part of my creation, and I obtained the information from Byers 2003
• The next few posts will be a re-hash, getting more depth of DVD and movie collection, of the post “Searching, Collecting, and Maintaining DVDs!“
• “Information Technology: Care and Handling of CDs and DVDs —A Guide for Librarians and Archivists,” by
  Fred R. Byers
• The next post will cover maintenance.

Movie and TV Showing Devices: Part 2: By Region

“DVD-Regions with key-2” by Monaneko (Previous Version Maker:MrWeeble, David Levy, Zntrip, David Levy) – Image:DVD-Regions with key.png,2006-07-08 17:30(UTC).. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

When searching and collection for DVDs can be a hassle when regions are concerned.  The main reason is the economy.  The idea is that if there is a movie still in theaters in Germany, but released into theaters, and have started to sell DVDs in the United States that could be problematic.  They do not want retailers to sell DVDs to other countries that still have that “summer blockbuster” in theaters.  The result is the differences in coding.   (Ebay, About.com)

Regular DVD

Region Code	Country – Region – Use
1	U.S., U.S. Territories, Canada, and Bermuda
2	Europe, Japan, the Middle East, Egypt, South Africa, Greenland
3	Australia, New Zealand, Pacific Islands, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean
4	Mexico, South and Central America, Australia, New Zealand, Pacific Islands, Caribbean
5	Russia, Eastern Europe, India, Africa (excluding South Africa), North Korea, Mongolia
6	China
7	Unspecfic Special Use
8	Cruise Ships, Airlines
Region 0 or ALL	Uncoded
Amazon – Ebay – Wikipedia – About.com

Blu-Ray

Region Code	Country – Region – Use
A	North America, Central America, South America, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Southeast Asia
B	Europe, Greenland, French territories, Middle East, Africa, Australia and New Zealand
C	India, Nepal, Mainland China, Russia, Central and South Asia
Amazon – ABC Shop

All rights reserved. This is another one of my “masterpieces.” Although there is a link to an article between the differences of NTSC and PAL.

VHS Formats

Region Code	Country – Region – Use
NTSC	United States of America Alaska, American Samoa, Antigua, Antilles (Dutch), Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Barbuda, Belize, Bermuda, Bolivia, British Virgin Islands, Burma, Canada, Chile, Columbia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Curacao, Diego Garcia, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Fiji, Grenada, Guam, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Hawaii, Honduras, Jamaica, Japan, Johnston Islands, Korea South, Leeward Islands, Mariana Islands, Marshall Islands, Mexico, Micronesia, Midway Islands, Montserrat, Myanmar, Nicaragua, Okinawa, Palau, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Samoa, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent, Surinam, Taiwan, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela, Vietnam, and Virgin Islands.
PAL	United Kingdom, Abu Dhabi, Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Ascension Island, Australia, Austria, Azores, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bosnia Herzegovina, Botswana, Brunei, Cameroon, Canary Islands, Cape Verde, Cayman Islands, China (Peoples Republic), Christmas Island, Cook Island, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Dubai, Easter Island, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Falkland Islands, Faroe Islands, Finland, Gambia, Gaza & West Bank, Germany, Ghana, Gibraltar, Greece (also SECAM), Greenland, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Holland, Hong Kong, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Macao, Macedonia, Madeira, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Montenegro, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norfolk Island, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Sardinia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Tonga, Tristian Da Cunah, Turkey, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, Vanuatu, Vatican, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zambia, Zanzibar, and Zimbabwe
Armageddon Books

What does this Mean?

The customer has to be careful.  For example: Space Rangers

Space Rangers was produced in 1993, and lasted six episodes.  A series that follows space rangers across the known space frontier.   I enjoyed the TV show, but I guess not a lot of other views were.  A few years ago Netflix had this show streaming, but no DVD could be rented or purchased, even on Amazon.  That is not entirely true.  Space Rangers could be purchased, but only in in region two (Europe, Japan, the Middle East, Egypt, South Africa, Greenland).

As one can see this is from Amazon. On the left side, this was the original product at region 2 then in September of 2013 the six episode series was released for region 1.

The second example: The Adventures of Mark Twain

Director Will Vinton brings together one of the first and only stop motion, claymation, full length movies.  This is a childhood memory, that the title was lost to me up til two or three years ago.  I could not remember the title, not one bit.  I even forgot that the old guy with the white hair is Mark Twain.  Until, I saw “The 6 Creepiest Videos Aimed at Children” by Michael Swaim even-though The Adventures of Mark Twain was more of a family movie versus straight for kids movie.

Basic information from Amazon for the movie “The Adventures of Mark Twain.”

As the images shows above with one of the listings for “The Adventures of Mark Twain” that this was an import, and could be used for all regions.  Blue-ray DVDs can only be played on Blu-ray players.  Regular DVDs can be played on both Blu-ray and DVD players.  The important part of this title are the regions that this DVD covers, which is all three.  This had to be checked because United Kingdom is in Region B, but not Region A.

Notes

• In this post, one movie, one TV show, and one director were referenced with the help of IMDB.
• This might be a little boring to some…..
• One is a Wikimedia Commons image.
• Two images were captured from Amazon, and then manipulated by myself.
• The fourth image is one of my creations, and I reserve the rights to my intellectual property.
• The next few posts will be a re-hash, getting more depth of DVD and movie collection, of the post “Searching, Collecting, and Maintaining DVDs!“
• The next post will cover DVD counting and storage.

Movie and TV Showing Devices: Part 1

The next few posts will be a re-hash, getting more depth of DVD and movie collection, of the post “Searching, Collecting, and Maintaining DVDs!”

All rights reserved.

Formats

VHS Vs. Betamax

I am not going to get into the nitty-gritty details of the rivalry between VHS and Betamax. Who really cares if Beta was better than VHS?  We can complain about the outcome, but that won’t change a thing.  What I do care about is the end result, and that the VHS was the product that changed the film industry.   Evidently, VHS took the lead and did not look back with the help of the porn industry (according to the geeky  character in Tropic Thunder played by the actor who caught pink eye from his cat (some episode of TMZ)).

Laserdisc

The Laserdisk had to be the black sheep of the family.  For every step forward there was a step backward having issues with compatibility between companies, being expensive, and quality was a blah (maybe, depending).

Transparent Recording
Disc – March 4th, 1969

The laserdisc has a history spanning from 1967 until 2002/2009.  Improvements did happen and the technology did get better, but the cost was insane, and the cheaper and more compact DVD ended up taking over the market.   There is a whole lot of technology jargon, and I will not get into that (headachetastic).  The one important “historical” outcome is the “extra feature.”   This is a kin to the USFL introducing the “red flags” and instant replay.

Two Points about Special Features and the Laserdisc.

1. In college, I started to purchase DVDs by the dozen (ok, maybe not that much) and Street Fighter was one those movies that subtly made its journey to my DVD player.  One time the commentary by Steven E. de Souza, the director, had mention that other special features (mainly sketches) were developed for laserdisc.
2. Apparently, a Lazerdisc copy of Return of the Jedi was sold on Ebay for 699 dollars.  The reason because there is 30 minutes of  extra footage that has not been seen since the creation of Laserdisc.

DVD, Blu-Ray, and HD

HD did not survive the market, but Blu-Rays did, enough said.  The DVD beat out VHS and Laserdisc, and is evolving into the Blu-Ray.  This does not matter since a customer can play a regular DVD on a Blu-Ray player.

• 1997 – The DVD arrived in the U.S.
• 2002/2003 – Retails started to pull VHS.
• 2003 – DVDs outsold VHS for the first time.
• 2005- Bo Andersen, president of the Video Software Dealers Association says 2006 will be the last time VHS will have major releases.
• Earlier 2000s to 2008 – HD DVD by Toshiba and Blu-Ray by Sony were developed to the public.
• 2008 – Blu-Ray wins.  Regular DVDs still around.

All rights reserved.

Boooo to Digital.  Maybe, not a hearty boo such as  when fanatics take a look at the opposing team’s quarterback.  Digital has been a trend lately, and will always be around.  I am not against digital or streaming.  I have an account with Netflix, Amazon Prime (before the digital streaming trend), and Full Moon Streaming.  I have only purchased one movie in the digital format, The Nutcracker, for my son.  The concern with digital is the ownership of the product.  When a consumer purchases a physical copy that customer owns that copy.  He or she can lend out that DVD to friends and family or sell it to a third party.  With the digital format, I pay for the right to watch the movie within the particular cloud that I am using or stored in my computer.  I do not pay for the full ownership of the product.  What if Amazon goes or that music cloud website goes bankrupt?  If the item is not stored on your computer, you no longer have that product.  I will be waiting until the copyright  laws are revamped for the digital times giving the consumer some rights.

The End

Know your devices and your formats.  I say this from experience.  Not all movies are on DVDs (Here is a Laserdisc niche website), and retailers such as Amazon sell multiple formats.  The main reason why we own The Nutcracker (1986, conceived by, Maurice Sendak) is the fact that this particular version is not sold on DVD, but digital and VHS.  Of course, we do not own a VHS player anymore.  Even though there is a part of me that does want to buy each device.

Notes

• In this segment I have referenced one television program, four movies, and four individuals in the cinema profession with the help of IMDB.
• The patent image was obtained from Google Patent Search.
• The Red Flag image was manipulated from public domain from Openclipart by the user ky1en1te.
• Two of the images were of my design and creation and I reserve the rights to my intellectual property.
• Part 2 will be by Region.

Quick Tip for Finding Books

Amazon, Abe Books, Albris are the three main sites that I use.  Amazon is usually the cheaper one, but not always.

 

Roses & Thorns: Beauty and the Beast Retold is a book that my wife wanted for either her birthday or some holiday.  The initial search took me to the first image.  For now, I will not shell out 235.91 or 85.21 (maybe later in life) for one book.

I then decided to try Abe Books, and Albris, but no luck.  Abe Books was the same price, and Albris (they did not have it).

I went back to Amazon, and clicked the Author’s name.  That is where I stumbled upon the second image.  Yes, the images show the same cost, but I did not have an idea for a segment of my blog until after the fact.  There was one copy, used, for 18.00 (3.99 Shipping), so the overall price 21.99.

Remember to click all links such as the author because something that is hidden can be found. (This could be a form of Browsing and Berry-picking (a research method, more on that to come.))