CGE2K4 Collector's Edition DVD

[zmweasel]

Yep, it's a shameless plug. Check out http://www.cgexpo.com/dvd.htm for more information, and to pre-order. Thanks!

-- Z.

[MarioAllStar2600]

Nice! I tryed making a dvd last year but my camera broke. :angry: SO there is goign to be a clip of me winning 3D Vextrex glasses, right?

[zmweasel]

Nice! I tryed making a dvd last year but my camera broke. :angry: SO there is goign to be a clip of me winning 3D Vextrex glasses, right?

I can't guarantee a clip of you taking home the 3D Imager (which I wouldn't mind having myself!), but I'll be interviewing attendees on the show floor...

-- Z.

[Queen Of The Felines]

* Makes mental note to stay far FAR away from Zach this year *

Kristine

[DEBRO]

Yep, it's a shameless plug. Check out http://www.cgexpo.com/dvd.htm for more information, and to pre-order. Thanks!

-- Z.
EXCELLENT!!!

Are the keynotes really going to be highlights or are they going to be the whole thing?

[zmweasel]

EXCELLENT!!!

Are the keynotes really going to be highlights or are they going to be the whole thing?

Disc 1 will be nearly two hours of keynote footage, shot with a multi-camera setup and judiciously edited into shape. The initial concept was to offer a DVD of every keynote, but the insanity of such a plan quickly became apparent. :)

-- Z.

[Cmosfm]

Now there's something I really want...damn...money's tight.

I think I'll have enough for a preorder soon though!

*goes to eBay*

[DEBRO]

Disc 1 will be nearly two hours of keynote footage, shot with a multi-camera setup and judiciously edited into shape. The initial concept was to offer a DVD of every keynote, but the insanity of such a plan quickly became apparent. :)
That's too bad. I'd like to see all of the keynotes but I can't make it to CGE again this year. Then again, at least this is being offered. I will definitely be picking this up.

[zmweasel]

A quick update: anyone who pre-orders the CGE2K4 DVD is eligible to win a mystery prize package of new and classic games and goodies, worth $100 in my humble estimation. Just in case you needed a li'l more incentive!

-- Z.

[gavv]

Disc 1 will be nearly two hours of keynote footage, shot with a multi-camera setup and judiciously edited into shape. The initial concept was to offer a DVD of every keynote, but the insanity of such a plan quickly became apparent. :)
That's too bad. I'd like to see all of the keynotes but I can't make it to CGE again this year. Then again, at least this is being offered. I will definitely be picking this up.


You know....what could really put the DVD over the top imho...Why not include with the dvd a CD of .mp3s of the full complete panels audio? I mean it would cost what, an extra $.20? ^^, and would satisfy all those that can't make it to the show (and those who want to play games and cruise the museum/dealers room and can't attend every panel). A

gavv

[zmweasel]

Disc 1 will be nearly two hours of keynote footage, shot with a multi-camera setup and judiciously edited into shape. The initial concept was to offer a DVD of every keynote, but the insanity of such a plan quickly became apparent. :)
That's too bad. I'd like to see all of the keynotes but I can't make it to CGE again this year. Then again, at least this is being offered. I will definitely be picking this up.


You know....what could really put the DVD over the top imho...Why not include with the dvd a CD of .mp3s of the full complete panels audio? I mean it would cost what, an extra $.20? ^^, and would satisfy all those that can't make it to the show (and those who want to play games and cruise the museum/dealers room and can't attend every panel). A

gavv

I didn't wanna announce this 'til a bit later, but since you asked... :) MP3s of the complete keynotes will be included as DVD-ROM content on Disc 2.

-- Z.

[gavv]

Disc 1 will be nearly two hours of keynote footage, shot with a multi-camera setup and judiciously edited into shape. The initial concept was to offer a DVD of every keynote, but the insanity of such a plan quickly became apparent. :)
That's too bad. I'd like to see all of the keynotes but I can't make it to CGE again this year. Then again, at least this is being offered. I will definitely be picking this up.


You know....what could really put the DVD over the top imho...Why not include with the dvd a CD of .mp3s of the full complete panels audio? I mean it would cost what, an extra $.20? ^^, and would satisfy all those that can't make it to the show (and those who want to play games and cruise the museum/dealers room and can't attend every panel). A

gavv

I didn't wanna announce this 'til a bit later, but since you asked... :) MP3s of the complete keynotes will be included as DVD-ROM content on Disc 2.

-- Z.

see, that'll learn ya ;) announcing that literally just got you an immediate preorder from me ^_^.

gavv

[DEBRO]

So when can we expect these to start shipping?

I know the show just ended last week but I'm curious and anxious since I wasn't able to attend.


A quick update: anyone who pre-orders the CGE2K4 DVD is eligible to win a mystery prize package of new and classic games and goodies, worth $100 in my humble estimation. Just in case you needed a li'l more incentive!
Will the winner be announced publicly?

[MarioAllStar2600]

Did you catch any of the auction highlights? Like the 134 dollar corona. I wanna watch it again in slow motion.... that was the coolest thing I have ever seen.

[zmweasel]

So when can we expect these to start shipping?

I know the show just ended last week but I'm curious and anxious since I wasn't able to attend.


A quick update: anyone who pre-orders the CGE2K4 DVD is eligible to win a mystery prize package of new and classic games and goodies, worth $100 in my humble estimation. Just in case you needed a li'l more incentive!
Will the winner be announced publicly?

The DVD ships in mid-September; I'm burning through post-production now, whittling down roughly 20 hours of keynote/panel and show-floor footage. Only the best of the best anecdotes will make the final cut. :)

The prize-package winner will be announced when the DVDs ship. Thanks!

-- Z.

[zmweasel]

Did you catch any of the auction highlights? Like the 134 dollar corona. I wanna watch it again in slow motion.... that was the coolest thing I have ever seen.

Yep, we got lots of auction footage, including the Corona. :) It's gonna be a great highlight reel, especially if you enjoy basking in Janice's glow (and who doesn't?).

-- Z.

[DEBRO]

The DVD ships in mid-September; I'm burning through post-production now, whittling down roughly 20 hours of keynote/panel and show-floor footage. Only the best of the best anecdotes will make the final cut. :)
Thanks for the update. I'm a bit anxious because this is as close to CGE2K4 as I could get.

[zmweasel]

First, the bad news: despite my best promotional efforts, I didn't receive anywhere near enough pre-orders to cover the production costs of the originally planned two-DVD set. The project is going to lose a considerable amount of money as is, and going ahead with the double-DVD plan would have driven me into insolvency.

Now, the good news: in the first half of October, I'll be shipping a single-disc Collector's Edition DVD, and I'm only charging $8.99 plus shipping. Anyone who pre-ordered the Collector's Edition DVD at its original $19.99/$24.99 price will automatically receive a partial refund via PayPal over the weekend.

Here's what's on the final cut of the DVD:

The Show: Dozens of pictures and approximately fifteen minutes of video of the exhibit hall, along with a slideshow of the CGE24K program.

The Museum: Dozens of pictures and approximately five minutes of video of the Museum, including a non-stop walkthrough.

The Alumni: Dozens of pictures and approximately 90 minutes of video of the various panels and keynotes, along with detailed alumni biographies.

The Auction: Dozens of pictures and approximately five minutes of sweet, sweet Janice footage.

DVD-ROM Content: Complete MP3s of every CGE2K4 panel and keynote, and Nolan Bushnell's CGE2K3 keynote, and a selection of panels and keynotes from CGE2K2. Vintage alumni interviews conducted by Digital Press. Trial versions of two PC games from CGE alumnus Steve Woita. PDF samples of Classic Gamer Magazine and Digital Press. And anything else I can fit on there.

If you're not interested in the single-disc Collector's Edition DVD, email me at zmeston@direcway.com and you'll receive a complete refund ASAP. Otherwise, you'll receive your partial refund over the weekend, and your DVD in the first half of October.

Thank you very much for your patience and understanding. Rest assured the final product will be worth the wait (and the nine bucks).

-- Z.

(A copy of this message is being emailed to everyone who pre-ordered the DVD.)

[DEBRO]

Any update on this? I haven't heard anything :( Has anyone received their DVD and/or refund yet?

[gavv]

Any update on this? I haven't heard anything :( Has anyone received their DVD and/or refund yet?

nope, neither

gavv

[video_game_addict]

Me either. :/

[DEBRO]

I just got my refund of $11 and a note saying the DVD will ship by the end of Oct. :D

[MarioAllStar2600]

Just ordered my copy this week. I am so pumped. All my friends are waiting to see the $134 dollar beer that I told EVERYONE about.

[zmweasel]

Just ordered my copy this week. I am so pumped. All my friends are waiting to see the $134 dollar beer that I told EVERYONE about.

Everyone who pre-ordered should've received their partial refunds by now. If not, shoot me a PM and I'll look into it.

And the latest on the DVD is that it'll ship by the end o' the month.

-- Z.

[MarioAllStar2600]

Yup, I got my refund. Just waiting on the DVD now.... so excited.

[DEBRO]

Has it shipped yet? Any word?

[vespertillio]

I did not get my refund, so I PM'd the author. Apparently the DVD will be a bust. :roll: He said due to lack of interest and that most of the material is already available on the web, he will probably not complete the DVD. I am a little saddened by this as I was looking forward to spending an evening w/ a beer or two to enjoy a show I could not make it to. :(

V

[DEBRO]

I did not get my refund, so I PM'd the author. Apparently the DVD will be a bust. :roll:
WHAT!?

When did this happen? I got my refund for going to one DVD. I wasn't concerned that I pre-ordered before the deadline but didn't receive a discount.

I was REALLY looking forward to this. I couldn't make it to the event but anxiously awaited the DVDs to compensate some how.

Bummer :(

Well, if this isn't going to happen...did he say when we could all receive a full refund?

[video_game_addict]

I did not get my refund, so I PM'd the author. Apparently the DVD will be a bust. :roll: He said due to lack of interest and that most of the material is already available on the web, he will probably not complete the DVD. I am a little saddened by this as I was looking forward to spending an evening w/ a beer or two to enjoy a show I could not make it to. :(

V

:hmm:

When?

It was only around the 21-23 of OCT he was sending partial refunds on preorders, he said then, only a little over two weeks ago that the single disc dvd was coming out & shipping end of month. End of month has come & gone, and no update. But it hasn't been that long ago. I was checking in to see if anyone had received yet, & see this instead. :(

[MarioAllStar2600]

Maybe he was just talking about the 2 disc. Cause not to long ago i got my partial refund, and he said they will be shipped soon. I hope so- I can't wait for the DVD.

[punkoffgirl]

Considering he's still been active on the forums, an update from Mr Meston would be nice.

[zmweasel]

Considering he's still been active on the forums, an update from Mr Meston would be nice.

I'll have an official announcement on what's up by the end of the week, and everyone should be pleased.

-- Z.

[YoshiM]

Just out of curiosity, can this still be ordered or is this just for those who pre-ordered?

[zmweasel]

Just out of curiosity, can this still be ordered or is this just for those who pre-ordered?

I believe the order page is still live on the CGE site, but I wouldn't place an order. Wait for the announcement.

-- Z.

[vectrexer]

I have been expectant for the DVD.
Licking my chops for it since the show.

My lips are starting to get a little chapped.

Guees I will put on some chapstick and wait a bit more...

[MarioAllStar2600]

Yea.... Wasn't the announcment suppose to be at the end of this week? Waiting......... :/

[Rogmeister]

Oops! I ordered it after reading only the first one or two messages in this thread...this will teach me to read through a thread before I act on it...

[zmweasel]

Here's the scoop.

First: Everyone who ordered the CGE2K4 DVD will receive a complete refund. Most of you should have already received a partial refund, and the remainder will be refunded to you during the week of November 15-19. Thank you for your support and your infinite patience.

Second: All the video and audio content intended for the DVD will be made available to everyone as QuickTime clips and MP3s. Where the content will be hosted has yet to be determined, although I'm hoping to have it incorporated into the Digital Press website's CGE2K4 photo gallery. I'll place a couple of sample clips and an MP3 onto my personal website in the next day or two.

It was foolish of me to envision the Classic Gaming Expo DVD as a commercial project, when CGE is so clearly a labor of love. I was trying to take from the community instead of giving to it, and I apologize for that.

I'll post a follow-up in this thread when the sample clips are available for download.

-- Z.

[DEBRO]

Hi there,

It was foolish of me to envision the Classic Gaming Expo DVD as a commercial project, when CGE is so clearly a labor of love. I was trying to take from the community instead of giving to it, and I apologize for that.
How was supplying a DVD to us that couldn't attend taking from us? I see it as you giving to us instead. Sure it takes time and money but we can't expect these things to be free. I personally wouldn't have minded giving a fee for your efforts.


All the video and audio content intended for the DVD will be made available to everyone as QuickTime clips and MP3s. Where the content will be hosted has yet to be determined, although I'm hoping to have it incorporated into the Digital Press website's CGE2K4 photo gallery. I'll place a couple of sample clips and an MP3 onto my personal website in the next day or two.
How about mpeg clips? I think both platforms support these. Plus I could but them on a VCD. Can Quicktime files be put on VCDs?

[sisko]

It was foolish of me to envision the Classic Gaming Expo DVD as a commercial project, when CGE is so clearly a labor of love. I was trying to take from the community instead of giving to it, and I apologize for that.

-- Z.

I'll have to disagree with you there Zach. I saw you there busting your ass all weekend to get all these videos shot, not to mention the behind-the-scenes work needed to get them presentable.

Whatever method you used to share your efforts (online for free, or a dirtcheap DVD), your time and hard work will be appreciated. Thank you.

[gavv]

Here's the scoop.

Second: All the video and audio content intended for the DVD will be made available to everyone as QuickTime clips and MP3s. Where the content will be hosted has yet to be determined, although I'm hoping to have it incorporated into the Digital Press website's CGE2K4 photo gallery. I'll place a couple of sample clips and an MP3 onto my personal website in the next day or two.

-- Z.

please please please offer the video in something other than QuickTime...

gavv

[gavv]

Hi there,

All the video and audio content intended for the DVD will be made available to everyone as QuickTime clips and MP3s. Where the content will be hosted has yet to be determined, although I'm hoping to have it incorporated into the Digital Press website's CGE2K4 photo gallery. I'll place a couple of sample clips and an MP3 onto my personal website in the next day or two.
How about mpeg clips? I think both platforms support these. Plus I could but them on a VCD. Can Quicktime files be put on VCDs?

no, they must be converted and believe me, converting from QuickTime to *anything* is a very huge pain..

gavv

[zmweasel]

How about mpeg clips? I think both platforms support these. Plus I could but them on a VCD. Can Quicktime files be put on VCDs?

It's relatively painless for me to generate QT clips with my DV editing system, and there's a solid QT player for Windows, which is why I'm going with QTs instead of MPEGs.

I honestly don't know if QTs can be placed onto VCDs, a format I've never worked with.

I've uploaded the first sample video clip to my website:

Ray Kaestner on BurgerTime (2:25). (http://www.zachmeston.com/mov/BurgerTime.mov)

My site's bandwidth is atrocious, and it's a 10.5 MB clip, so don't expect a speedy download. Perhaps someone who DLs the clip can mirror it on a faster site and post the link in this thread?

-- Z.

[DEBRO]

I've uploaded the first sample video clip to my website:
I LOVE IT!!!

Great quality. I really wasn't expecting this. This looks professional with the cut scenes too 8-)

Oh how I wish you could have done the DVD :(

Oh well, this will do fine. Now I need to find a way to convert these mov files to mpg...painlessly.

Great work. I'm looking forward to the others.

[zmweasel]

I've uploaded the first sample video clip to my website:
I LOVE IT!!!

Great quality. I really wasn't expecting this. This looks professional with the cut scenes too 8-)

Oh how I wish you could have done the DVD :(

Oh well, this will do fine. Now I need to find a way to convert these mov files to mpg...painlessly.

Great work. I'm looking forward to the others.

Thank you, sir! I like Midway Arcade Treasures' approach of short, snappy clips on individual topics, but I don't like that it's pure talking-head footage, so I've included pictures or video of what the panelists are talking about whenever possible.

The good news about turning these clips into QTs is that I'll be able to share more footage with everyone than I could've squeezed onto a two-hour single-layer DVD. The hardest part of the editing process was trying to choose which keynote/panel anecdotes would make the cut.

I'll get an MP3 of the Intellivision panel posted to my site soon. I'll also experiment with the next QT clip and see if I can't sharpen it up a bit.

-- Z.

[dj898]

any chance put the edited single file so if someone want can burn into DVD-R or DVD+R D/L? :D

cheers

[zmweasel]

any chance put the edited single file so if someone want can burn into DVD-R or DVD+R D/L? :D

cheers

The QT solution is the best I can come up with as far as convenience (I can quickly generate QTs), quality (I think QT is a good format), and bandwidth (I can't fit huge clips onto my site). The raw DV data of that 2 1/2-minute clip is a few hundred megabytes.

-- Z.

[video_game_addict]

Here's the scoop.

First: Everyone who ordered the CGE2K4 DVD will receive a complete refund. Most of you should have already received a partial refund, and the remainder will be refunded to you during the week of November 15-19. Thank you for your support and your infinite patience.

-- Z.


Anyone recieved second half refunds yet?

[DEBRO]

Anyone recieved second half refunds yet?
I got mine today.

[vespertillio]

Ugggh, I still have not received my first or second refund. :angry:

[video_game_addict]

Second half refund was received today.

[DEBRO]

Could you please give us another video footage teaser? What's the word on hosting these?

[zmweasel]

Could you please give us another video footage teaser? What's the word on hosting these?

Another teaser going up sometime this weekend, I hope, although I'm also in the midst of closing Issue #3 of Video Game Collector.

As for who'll host all the footage, no word yet, but soon.

-- Z.

[zmweasel]

The second clip is up. It's a very beefy 20mb, which means it takes an eternity to download from my horrible little website, but I'm much happier with the video quality of this one as opposed to the Kaestner clip, which I've since redone to match.

Mark Klein and Rob Fulop on Demon Attack and the video game collector's market (1:48). (http://www.zachmeston.com/mov/imagic01.mov)

I also have a 65-minute MP3 of the Imagic panel, but it's roughly 55 megs, and I can't squash it any more without losing quality. Anyone have an FTP site I can throw it (and the other nine MP3s) onto?

-- Z.

[MarioAllStar2600]

Thanks for the two clips! :)

IS there any chance you can make the next one the auction highlights?

[zmweasel]

Thanks for the two clips! :)

IS there any chance you can make the next one the auction highlights?

The auction montage is one of those clips that would've been great for the DVD, but sucks for online consumption, because it's not bite-sized. My "Four-Minute Museum Tour" clip, for example, clocks in at roughly 80mb. But I'll send it to Joe and see if he's got the space to host it.

-- Z.

[zmweasel]

When I tried to play it, a message popped up saying my QT player doesn't have the required 'compressor'. It asked if I wanted to d/l it, and when I clicked yes it said it was unable to. So now I'm stuck with audio only. The hell? How is it the Burgertime vid worked and this one doesn't?

Is anyone else having this problem? I'll double-check the compressor software in the meanwhile.

-- Z.

[digitalpress]

The auction montage is one of those clips that would've been great for the DVD, but sucks for online consumption, because it's not bite-sized. My "Four-Minute Museum Tour" clip, for example, clocks in at roughly 80mb. But I'll send it to Joe and see if he's got the space to host it.

I'l host as much as you've got. This new server is humongous in both drive space and bandwidth, way more than I actually need. May as well take advantage of it!

[DEBRO]

I'l host as much as you've got. This new server is humongous in both drive space and bandwidth, way more than I actually need. May as well take advantage of it!
:D 8-)

[DEBRO]

When I tried to play it, a message popped up saying my QT player doesn't have the required 'compressor'. It asked if I wanted to d/l it, and when I clicked yes it said it was unable to. So now I'm stuck with audio only. The hell? How is it the Burgertime vid worked and this one doesn't?

Is anyone else having this problem? I'll double-check the compressor software in the meanwhile.
I experienced it last night on my XP box. I didn't have a problem on my NT box.

[zmweasel]

When I tried to play it, a message popped up saying my QT player doesn't have the required 'compressor'. It asked if I wanted to d/l it, and when I clicked yes it said it was unable to. So now I'm stuck with audio only. The hell? How is it the Burgertime vid worked and this one doesn't?

Is anyone else having this problem? I'll double-check the compressor software in the meanwhile.
I experienced it last night on my XP box. I didn't have a problem on my NT box.

Not good. I'll investigate over the weekend. Don't wanna send Joe a buttload of video clips that no one can watch.

-- Z.

[ubersaurus]

Perhaps you could just convert the interview/panels stuff to audio only to save on space?

[zmweasel]

Perhaps you could just convert the interview/panels stuff to audio only to save on space?

That process is complete, and I'm sending the MP3s to Joe presently. Both keynotes and nine panels, eleven recordings in all, and roughly ten hours of killer anecdotes. The Vectrex-panel audio isn't off the soundboard, and missing the last few minutes (d'oh), but the other ten are rockin'. I'm sure Joe will announce when he's received 'em and made 'em available for public consumption.

-- Z.

[DEBRO]

That process is complete, and I'm sending the MP3s to Joe presently.
Please tell me you're still planning on sharing the video footage.

[gavv]

That process is complete, and I'm sending the MP3s to Joe presently.
Please tell me you're still planning on sharing the video footage.


and not in fricking quicktime format :P ....evil evil thing....:P


gavv

[zmweasel]

That process is complete, and I'm sending the MP3s to Joe presently.
Please tell me you're still planning on sharing the video footage.

Indeed. My new plan is to transfer clips from my DV computer onto my PC, and create PC-friendly cips via Adobe Premiere.

The MP3s should make most of you very happy, though. The panels and keynotes are my favorite aspect of CGE, and there are some fantastic anecdotes in these recordings. As a bonus, you can even hear most of the questions from audience members in the Q&A sessions. There's an especially great moment during the Atari coin-op panel, when Tod Frye interrupts the Q&As to discuss/defend the 2600 version of Pac-Man.

-- Z.

[DEBRO]

There's an especially great moment during the Atari coin-op panel, when Tod Frye interrupts the Q&As to discuss/defend the 2600 version of Pac-Man.
:eek 2: I heard a rumor that Mr. Frye was going to show up. I can't wait to hear them!

[zmweasel]

There's an especially great moment during the Atari coin-op panel, when Tod Frye interrupts the Q&As to discuss/defend the 2600 version of Pac-Man.
:eek 2: I heard a rumor that Mr. Frye was going to show up. I can't wait to hear them!

I wish Frye had appeared on the Atari programmers' panel. The always-great Howard Scott Warshaw discussed E.T. with brutal honesty and a great sense of humor, and I'd love to hear equally honest/funny comments from Frye about Pac-Man.

-- Z.

[digitalpress]

>> DELETED <<

It is extremely rare that we delete posts here, but the private exchange between two parties at this juncture was removed.

[DEBRO]

Has there been any update on the video? I enjoyed the audio and would love to see the video or any video footage.

[MarioAllStar2600]

Can you please make a small clip of the corona auction? ;) I want to see it again, it was one of the funniest things I have ever seen. I am not trying to be demanding if thats how it came out, I just really wanna see that clip.

[zmweasel]

I haven't messed around with the video clips in quite a while, since I'm trying to survive the chaos that's engulfing most American videogame magazines at the moment, but I'll get to 'em when I can.

-- Z.