posted 09-18-2005 02:40 PM               

I am really looking forward to the mercury set. The only material I currently have is the Little Joe test footage, and two 30min Nasa docos. Knowing the lengths you go to in getting high quality transfers, the visual quality must be spectacular.

regards
Dwight

posted 09-27-2005 09:10 PM               

Sorry I missed this one somehow...

Depending upon what goes on with HD-DVD I will probably go back through Apollo and add even more content, use HD transfers on the filmed portion of the sets, and apply more noise reduction work on the television. But we're talking years from now, and frankly the work makes me weary to think about right now, but I would like to do it and make the sets even more complete (and bring all of that film to HD). Best case you might see one or two come out per year after HD-DVD actually reaches a point that makes sense. If that appears to be too distant then I may do some supplement sets with additional content in standard def.

Mercury is going to be a great set. There is some spectacular looking film on the set. Unfortunately there is also a lot of pink fade syndrome as some of the film was not protected environmentally until later in its life. But overall there is just no comparison between what has been available on Mercury and what will be available after the release of our set. Night and day. Hours of material that you haven't seen before.

So far we have made new transfers of over 54 hours of filmed material from Project Mercury. I am missing a total of 3 reels I need to complete the set, and I am traveling this weekend to get them. Then I have some audio to record. I estimate a completion of another 4 weeks or so. I originally estimated the set to have about 18 hours of material. That will be closer to 24-27. If you also count the audio only parts (where I have also included complete onboard recorders or flight loops), the total material is about 40-45 hours. As an example, disc 5, which focuses only on Glenn/Carpenter MA-6/MA-7, contains over 5 hours of motion picture footage.

I am also missing (and no one can seem to locate) a complete copy of the MR-3 Shepard air to ground audio. If anyone has a complete (without commentary from anyone) copy of the MR-3 audio, please let me know. I would like to purchase a copy. I have parts, but need the complete. (After all, the doggone thing is only 15 minutes!)

Best,
Mark