Oct 30 2010 7 Night Western (PART 2)

[sarge219]

I get the idea of strolling in towards the end of the muster drill but my mom is in a wheelchair so we need to be sure to get to the elevator before it starts to get her to our muster station. Will we still have enough time? What about having to grab our lifejackets from the room first?

Sounds Good to me!!1 Can't Wait

Hope everyone can see it...

 

[Pudo]

Pudo, are you the "Computer Guy"? Or anyone else that can help here. I HAVE to finish this video I'm making from footage taken at my mothers friend's 80th birthday party this past summer. I have footage from 3 different cameras. Two of them, burn from the video cameras as VOB DVD files/format. I'm using windows movie maker to do the editing. I have the new video half done, but now one video file has gone missing (I probably accidentally deleted it when I was cleaning out my computer a few weeks ago). So now I have to get that video off the DVD disc again, and CONVERT it to AVI so I can use it in WMM. Well, I thought I was done with the Conversion program I had downloaded, so had deleted that. Now I can't remember which one it was. So I downloaded a different one, but when I convert the file, it comes out all squished up in the width in WMM. Thats no good to me. I Absolutely HAVE to get this project done by Friday night. Can you recommend a good downloadable conversion program that won't Squish it? I've tried different ration settings with the one I used today, but none of them made a difference. This is getting SO frustrating!!! I'm NEVER taking on a paid job like this again!!!

Yes, I am an application programmer and database administrator. Although video editing is not my forte, it is something I do more and more. My favorite program is Cyberlink PowerDirector. It is highly rated, easy to use, and inexpensive.

My guess is you probably have a couple of options.

1. If you didn't clear your recycle bin you might be able to find the file that was accidentally deleted in the recyle bin.

2. Maybe you accidentally saved or copied it to another folder on your computer. If so, you can search your entire computer by going to your main drive (typically the "C" drive) and search for a file using the following: "*.vob" (don't include the quotes). The asterisk denotes a wild-card so your computer will search for all files that end in ".vob".

3. If you can't find a good converter you might be able to run the system restore choosing date prior to when you deleted your converter application. A system restore is like a "time warp" returning your computer to a state where it was on the date you chose. It typically affects only software and not files, but always a good idea to save the files off your computer before doing a system restore.

4. The only "free" converter I found is ConvertVOBToAvi which I haven't had the time to test to see if it is not some form of virus or spyware. Whenever something is free I am more skeptical.

Finally note: Aspect ratios are 16:9 for High Definition and 4:3 for Standard video. This info might help you with your squishyness

Good luck,

Jeff

 

[SCDizneyDawn]

I like the idea of having the set time (but I am slightly anal that way) - can we get a few more votes on this to make it "official"?

Disboard Meet, 3:00 PM Promenade Lounge [Deck 3, Midship]
Disboard Photo, 3:25 PM, Atrium, surounding Helmsman Mickey [Deck 3, Midship]

Sounds great to me also!

 

[JKSWonder]

We are also good with the times for the meet and the photo op.

OK, so I did it. I transferred our October 8, 2011 Eastern on the Magic (it was really a dummy booking...unfortunately, I don't think we can cruise every single year!) to the August 25, 2012 Eastern on the Fantasy.

I lowered my stateroom category a bit (from a Cat. 5B to a Cat. 6A), but was kind of surprised that it was only $500.00 more to cruise on the new ship in the summer. My 10% re-booking discount was applied as was the $500 deposit I had already given. No other additional deposit was required.

This is the last year I can really pull DD out of school for vacation. In 2012, she will be entering the middle school and it would be much more difficult for her to cruise during the school year.

So, did I make a good decision or did I mess up? It remains to be seen. It's possible I may change the reservation again once they release the full dates for all of the ships for 2012.

 

[mandymouse]

I like the idea of having the set time (but I am slightly anal that way) - can we get a few more votes on this to make it "official"?

Disboard Meet, 3:00 PM Promenade Lounge [Deck 3, Midship]
Disboard Photo, 3:25 PM, Atrium, surounding Helmsman Mickey [Deck 3, Midship]

Sounds good to me too

 

[huntbrown]

Sounds good to me

 

[livingis2me]

I get the idea of strolling in towards the end of the muster drill but my mom is in a wheelchair so we need to be sure to get to the elevator before it starts to get her to our muster station. Will we still have enough time? What about having to grab our lifejackets from the room first?

You'll have time. The CMs will generally hold the elevators for those who need them and refer the rest towards the stairs during this event. They actually handle the drill well.

 

[livingis2me]

We too learned this the hardway! You don't want to be late (or you will have a lot of people upset with you!!), but from the minute you get there until the end of the demo, you must stand in the line with your life jacket on!

I'm not talking about showing up late. Just not at 3:40 when they start calling people to the stations. They don't start it until 4. I'll let the newbies get there at 3:45 so that I don't have to be pinned against the wall. We'd never be the family showing up at 4:03 while everyone is waiting. We'll get there a few minutes early.

 

[tinkerbelltwins]

The time and place sound good to me!

Beth

 

[threeiscrazy]

We will be there!

 

[tjbaggott]

Yes, I am an application programmer and database administrator. Although video editing is not my forte, it is something I do more and more. My favorite program is Cyberlink PowerDirector. It is highly rated, easy to use, and inexpensive.

My guess is you probably have a couple of options.

1. If you didn't clear your recycle bin you might be able to find the file that was accidentally deleted in the recyle bin.

2. Maybe you accidentally saved or copied it to another folder on your computer. If so, you can search your entire computer by going to your main drive (typically the "C" drive) and search for a file using the following: "*.vob" (don't include the quotes). The asterisk denotes a wild-card so your computer will search for all files that end in ".vob".

3. If you can't find a good converter you might be able to run the system restore choosing date prior to when you deleted your converter application. A system restore is like a "time warp" returning your computer to a state where it was on the date you chose. It typically affects only software and not files, but always a good idea to save the files off your computer before doing a system restore.

4. The only "free" converter I found is ConvertVOBToAvi which I haven't had the time to test to see if it is not some form of virus or spyware. Whenever something is free I am more skeptical.

Finally note: Aspect ratios are 16:9 for High Definition and 4:3 for Standard video. This info might help you with your squishyness

Good luck,

Jeff

Thanks Jeff, this realy was a help. The issue was definately Aspect Ratio. I found a program called MPEG Convert, that allowed me to choose the size ect. and it has WORKED!! What a relief! Now I'm just extracting the audio portion, then I can finish the editing in Movie Maker. I can work better with video files from cards, but working with ones from Video TAPE cameras, proved to be more headache than it was worth. Once it all Finished though, I think my moms friend will agree it was worth the wait. I had thought I'll finish this up when I get back from vacation, but it turns out, she's leaving for out West to visit family on Nov. 1st, and MUST take this video with her for them to see. They are all over 80 years old, and she's anxious to get this gift to them, before it's too late for them. I can understand that. But anyway, thanks again for your tips!!

 

[Pudo]

Thanks Jeff, this realy was a help. The issue was definately Aspect Ratio. I found a program called MPEG Convert, that allowed me to choose the size ect. and it has WORKED!! What a relief! Now I'm just extracting the audio portion, then I can finish the editing in Movie Maker. I can work better with video files from cards, but working with ones from Video TAPE cameras, proved to be more headache than it was worth. Once it all Finished though, I think my moms friend will agree it was worth the wait. I had thought I'll finish this up when I get back from vacation, but it turns out, she's leaving for out West to visit family on Nov. 1st, and MUST take this video with her for them to see. They are all over 80 years old, and she's anxious to get this gift to them, before it's too late for them. I can understand that. But anyway, thanks again for your tips!!

Judy,

Glad that all worked out for you. With so much to do it is nice to know you can check that off your list.

Jeff

 

[krisces]

WOW we are almost there!

The meeting time is good for us as well! See you all on the 30th!

 

[nenner1]

[
Hey Jen, did anything ever solidify for a meet up at the MNSSHP or are we just winging it and keeping an eye out for each other? DH and I are going to be in street clothes and our little guys will be dressed as pirates - we likely won't be sticking out like sore thumbs!

No, but I'm still open to suggestions. Vikki mentioned CHH but I'm not sure if that will be while you are eating at the Plaza, and Ellen isn't coming until later. Wish I could provide a better timeline to where I will be when but this is our first MNSSHP and I promised no touring plans so I don't know. We will be in our Halloween Tie dye and have our lanyards on, so we should be pretty easy to spot. Sarah's stroller is also bright pink. If you know of a good time or place later on when all of us are there just let me know. We will be catching at least one of the parades- probably from around Frontierland where it isn't as crazy.

I like the idea of having the set time (but I am slightly anal that way) - can we get a few more votes on this to make it "official"?



Disboard Meet, 3:00 PM Promenade Lounge [Deck 3, Midship]
Disboard Photo, 3:25 PM, Atrium, surounding Helmsman Mickey [Deck 3, Midship]

Works for me!!!

So, did I make a good decision or did I mess up? It remains to be seen. It's possible I may change the reservation again once they release the full dates for all of the ships for 2012.

I think you made a great decision, especially with it only costing $500 more! Brendan starts middle school next year and we really don't know how strict they really are on attendance, so we're just going to play it by ear. We're hoping they can get through middle school before we have to start looking at summer/break time pricing.

I'm not talking about showing up late. Just not at 3:40 when they start calling people to the stations. They don't start it until 4. I'll let the newbies get there at 3:45 so that I don't have to be pinned against the wall. We'd never be the family showing up at 4:03 while everyone is waiting. We'll get there a few minutes early.

Yep, we will wait for the official call to report to the muster right before 4. There are a lot of extraneous announcements earlier to CM's and a lot of folks start heading out during those. We have never been lucky enough to have an inside muster on DCL but we did get one on RCCL- it was wonderful!!! (and on RCCL you don't have to wear the jackets so it was basically just go sit in the dining room for 1/2 hour)

 

[JKSWonder]

I think you made a great decision, especially with it only costing $500 more! Brendan starts middle school next year and we really don't know how strict they really are on attendance, so we're just going to play it by ear. We're hoping they can get through middle school before we have to start looking at summer/break time pricing.

Thanks, this makes me feel better! It is more expensive than traveling in the fall (which is what we always do). I felt even better about it when I looked up the pricing for RCL (I think on the Allure) for the exact same date and itinerary as the Fantasy. The cost was about the same, DCL was slightly higher, but only by about $300 t0 $400. Not enough to make me regret it.

 

[podsnel]

We are also good with the times for the meet and the photo op.

OK, so I did it. I transferred our October 8, 2011 Eastern on the Magic (it was really a dummy booking...unfortunately, I don't think we can cruise every single year!) to the August 25, 2012 Eastern on the Fantasy.

I lowered my stateroom category a bit (from a Cat. 5B to a Cat. 6A), but was kind of surprised that it was only $500.00 more to cruise on the new ship in the summer. My 10% re-booking discount was applied as was the $500 deposit I had already given. No other additional deposit was required.

This is the last year I can really pull DD out of school for vacation. In 2012, she will be entering the middle school and it would be much more difficult for her to cruise during the school year.

So, did I make a good decision or did I mess up? It remains to be seen. It's possible I may change the reservation again once they release the full dates for all of the ships for 2012.

I think it sounds like a great choice! We have been lucky with pulling the boys out of school (middle school) for our Oct/November vacations- the work has been doable to make up, and they also already have 2 days off for teacher's convention, so most teachers make it a light week. This cruise they will be missing a total of 4 days (we are pulling them out after lunch on Thursday, so that day won't count). NEXT year, though, Tyler will be in HS- and THAT is a whole other story. The workload (I have been told) is so great that it's not worth it to miss school because of. But....in 2012, we will also have election day off, so he will be missing a Monday and a Wednesday, which shouldn't be too bad.

 

[Pudo]

I think it sounds like a great choice! We have been lucky with pulling the boys out of school (middle school) for our Oct/November vacations- the work has been doable to make up, and they also already have 2 days off for teacher's convention, so most teachers make it a light week. This cruise they will be missing a total of 4 days (we are pulling them out after lunch on Thursday, so that day won't count). NEXT year, though, Tyler will be in HS- and THAT is a whole other story. The workload (I have been told) is so great that it's not worth it to miss school because of. But....in 2012, we will also have election day off, so he will be missing a Monday and a Wednesday, which shouldn't be too bad.

Maybe its a DCL thing...

When I talk to most people the concept of planning a vacation more than few months out is very foreign. I get the "deer in the headlights look" when I talk about booking a cruise 18 months out.

I love how you already have 2012 worked out. We are waiting to see what the Wonder does during the repo to Alaska. We are hopeful it stops in Hawaii on the way. If so, we are booking that one.

Anyway, glad to be in good company (those who can plan in advance).

 

[JKSWonder]

I think it sounds like a great choice! We have been lucky with pulling the boys out of school (middle school) for our Oct/November vacations- the work has been doable to make up, and they also already have 2 days off for teacher's convention, so most teachers make it a light week. This cruise they will be missing a total of 4 days (we are pulling them out after lunch on Thursday, so that day won't count). NEXT year, though, Tyler will be in HS- and THAT is a whole other story. The workload (I have been told) is so great that it's not worth it to miss school because of. But....in 2012, we will also have election day off, so he will be missing a Monday and a Wednesday, which shouldn't be too bad.

I hate writing the letter to the teacher every year telling them she is going to be out. I am always on pins and needles waiting to see if the teacher is going to be nice about it or not. Thankfully, all of her teachers have been wonderful. It probably helps that she is an extremely good student. When middle school starts though, she will have multiple teachers. Which means multiple letters I would have to write. I just don't think I can take the stress!

This year she is missing six days. I could have shortened that to five if we skipped WDW, but we just weren't willing to do it.

 

[JKSWonder]

We are waiting to see what the Wonder does during the repo to Alaska. We are hopeful it stops in Hawaii on the way. If so, we are booking that one.

Anyway, glad to be in good company (those who can plan in advance).

Jeff, if I see DCL do Hawaii, I probably would change my reservation again!

 

[adnil530]

Maybe its a DCL thing...

When I talk to most people the concept of planning a vacation more than few months out is very foreign. I get the "deer in the headlights look" when I talk about booking a cruise 18 months out.

I love how you already have 2012 worked out. We are waiting to see what the Wonder does during the repo to Alaska. We are hopeful it stops in Hawaii on the way. If so, we are booking that one.

Anyway, glad to be in good company (those who can plan in advance).

Jeff, if I see DCL do Hawaii, I probably would change my reservation again!

I'm hoping for Hawaii also. I went ahead and booked a Mexican Riviera because if they do the repo in May, we probably can't go due to high school. DD's high school gets out late May and a May cruise would interfere with finals. I'd probably book it and play it by ear though.

I do like to plan in advance. On the Mexican Riviera cruise, I booked our spring break, we will come back on Easter Sunday. It was regular price. The cruise leaving Easter Sunday was higher priced.

? Can I rebook the Mexican Riviera while on board and keep the same staterooms? I got 2 of the adjoining SPH's and want to keep them.

Thanks,
Linda