This article appeared in todays issue of A/V Concepts. The editor is Tony Schapps, former owner of THE WIDESCREEN CENTRE in London who asked me if one of his writers could use my recent press release on the PRo814 Wide Modification.

They said:"Who wants WIDESCREEN?""Well, now we all know - 'everyone', says Jack. So, now read on..

"Many years ago, in my early days with The Widescreen Centre, the boss (yes THE Mr Widescreen himself, as I heard him called recently) tried to persuade manufacturers to offer the non-professional movie maker the advantages of widescreen, but without success. Yes, he continually hit a blank wall epitomised by the headline on this article".
"In desperation he followed his own ideas and turned himself into a manufacturer of anamorphic lenses which were modelled on the pro-cinema's versions but simplified to bring the cost down to an average cine enthusiasts level. Then came the widescreen TV revolution and suddenly EVERYBODY was trying to get in on the act.".
"Tony, being Tony, immediately re-worked his formulas to produce a 16:9 format anamorphic lens (the one that squeezes that extra information on to a standard frame, and then de-squeezes it on projection or on to a widescreen TV). This immediately allowed anyone with a camcorder to 'go widescreen'"
ENTER PRO-8 - all singing and dancing!
"Now things have gone a stage further and I can bring you news from Pro-8 in the States who have just introduced a NEW WIDE GATE modification to their already extremely popular, updated and modified version of the famous Canon Super-8 movie camera now called the Pro814".
"The advantage of this new modification gives 20% better resolution when scanning in HD because it allows for an expanded image on the
negative. Introduced just over a year ago, the Pro814 is an affordable rebuilt, recalibrated super 8 camera, modified to optimize the results of modern super8 film stocks. The modification is priced at $300.0 0 (around a couple of hundred pounds sterling) and provides you with an inexpensive way to achieve that essential widescreen capability for your Pro814 camera".
"The modification is made to the gate and block only, and does not include 16 x 9 viewfinder or any optical centring. The Pro814 is priced in U.S. dollars at $795 (about GBP 500), which includes a water tight Pelican Case and 85 filter. The intro price for their new Pro814-Widegate version is $995.00 (or roughly GBP 700.00)".
That's it for this week
JACK GROSSMANp.s. For Canon 814 Autozoom owners who want to upgrade their camera to a Pro814 the cost is $495. This removes the 85 filter, increases the pick up torque, has a recalibration so that modern film stocks can be read. Then if you want the widescreen mod, they will take off $100 and do it for $200 if it is done at the same time as the Pro814 mod since the camera is already apart. . p.p.s. You'll find Pro-8 at :http://http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102429665379&e=0019YjuiKihgoRDz1Eh170cvK33Yd-HwiiK-24SNc5cLHu0jgKHwf1nvGxR945TVOIoX1sLyARjOA-tnMeqnDunr5xpPB5p18LGFRM45d38p1dBI8I05AZPHw==
Number 98 astronomy, 3D, virtual reality, super-8, panoramics, antique replicas, audiovisual, flight simulation, andmuch, much, more!
Hi Phil and Rhonda,welcome to issue 98 dated 3rd February 2009 - enjoy!

They said:"Who wants WIDESCREEN?""Well, now we all know - 'everyone', says Jack. So, now read on..
"Many years ago, in my early days with The Widescreen Centre, the boss (yes THE Mr Widescreen himself, as I heard him called recently) tried to persuade manufacturers to offer the non-professional movie maker the advantages of widescreen, but without success. Yes, he continually hit a blank wall epitomised by the headline on this article".
"In desperation he followed his own ideas and turned himself into a manufacturer of anamorphic lenses which were modelled on the pro-cinema's versions but simplified to bring the cost down to an average cine enthusiasts level. Then came the widescreen TV revolution and suddenly EVERYBODY was trying to get in on the act.".
"Tony, being Tony, immediately re-worked his formulas to produce a 16:9 format anamorphic lens (the one that squeezes that extra information on to a standard frame, and then de-squeezes it on projection or on to a widescreen TV). This immediately allowed anyone with a camcorder to 'go widescreen'"
ENTER PRO-8 - all singing and dancing!
"Now things have gone a stage further and I can bring you news from Pro-8 in the States who have just introduced a NEW WIDE GATE modification to their already extremely popular, updated and modified version of the famous Canon Super-8 movie camera now called the Pro814".
"The advantage of this new modification gives 20% better resolution when scanning in HD because it allows for an expanded image on the
negative. Introduced just over a year ago, the Pro814 is an affordable rebuilt, recalibrated super 8 camera, modified to optimize the results of modern super8 film stocks. The modification is priced at $300.0 0 (around a couple of hundred pounds sterling) and provides you with an inexpensive way to achieve that essential widescreen capability for your Pro814 camera".
"The modification is made to the gate and block only, and does not include 16 x 9 viewfinder or any optical centring. The Pro814 is priced in U.S. dollars at $795 (about GBP 500), which includes a water tight Pelican Case and 85 filter. The intro price for their new Pro814-Widegate version is $995.00 (or roughly GBP 700.00)".
That's it for this week
JACK GROSSMANp.s. For Canon 814 Autozoom owners who want to upgrade their camera to a Pro814 the cost is $495. This removes the 85 filter, increases the pick up torque, has a recalibration so that modern film stocks can be read. Then if you want the widescreen mod, they will take off $100 and do it for $200 if it is done at the same time as the Pro814 mod since the camera is already apart. . p.p.s. You'll find Pro-8 at :http://http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102429665379&e=0019YjuiKihgoRDz1Eh170cvK33Yd-HwiiK-24SNc5cLHu0jgKHwf1nvGxR945TVOIoX1sLyARjOA-tnMeqnDunr5xpPB5p18LGFRM45d38p1dBI8I05AZPHw==