Over the past few months myself and Alan Beedham have been trying our hand at video editing. To cut a long story short this has resulted in a DVD containing the following:

Alan Beedham compilation
The video comprises a compilation of the video Alan took at the reunion, plus video shot (mostly by Brian Francis) on my camcorder. Alan has also added some still photographs to the track. This was originally made as a SuperVCD before the idea of going for a DVD was conceived.

Alex Gumbrecht compilation
Made at DVD resolution from the start and originally intended solely as a personal record. By the time I decided to make this Alan had wiped his tape so the 75th reunion part contains video from my camcorder only. Included: Last shots of RAF Locking, Flowerdown Day 1996, Cambridge reunion 1996, some clips from the Duxford Museum, Trevor Parsons’ wedding reception 1996, Ironbridge reunion 1998, Freedom of WSM 1998, 50th Anniversary (duplicates some parts of Alan’s compilation).

Still photos
Since there was space left on the DVD I added all the still photos I had lying around. The resolution on these is not that brilliant since many had been previously ‘shrunk’ for use on the Web.

Quality
The DVD is only of middling video quality due to camera limitations under low-light conditions, but as a memento it’s worth having.

Format
PAL 4:3 aspect ratio. DVD +R or DVD -R. Please state which you want. Either should play on any decent table-top DVD player. To play on a PC you will need a DVD reader and DVD reading software. If you have difficulty locating the software I can advise. A PC DVD reader can be +R, -R or dual standard -- check which you have. .

Cost
Covers: DVD disk, disk labelling, printer inks, slim-line case, card packing envelope and UK postage. Also covers complimentary copies to Dennis Ward and Des De Soyza (now moved from Australia to Sri Lanka). All-in £5.00 cash or cheque. Charge for labour is one pint or other drink at the next reunion. If enough people want a copy that should keep me toes up for the duration.

Delivery
First class mail. Allow 2 weeks.

Disclaimer
All DVDs will be tested before dispatch but it’s your risk should your equipment not be able to play your selected format. A reasonable proposition I think considering that if a charge were made for labour, both Alan’s and mine, the cost of each disk would probably be £100+ (the learning curve was quite something else), not to mention the number of ‘coasters’ made along the way, or the electricity costs (takes about 3 hours running time on my PC just to encode 30 minutes of video, and that doesn’t count the time putting it all together).