Seeing In The Dark- a film by Timothy Ferris.

[Suzy]

Hi everyone :hi:

For quite a while now I've been trying to get a hold of the film, "Seeing In The Dark" by Timothy Ferris.
Haven't had any luck. :sadeyes:

Would anyone know where I could obtain a download or buy this DVD (Region 4 for Australia)? No torrents please, the hubby doesn't allow me.

Here's a preview, it's looks so good with Stephen O'Meara, Robert Gendler & Timothy Ferris.

Preview Here. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJCCuDKuaRM)

[Suzy]

Never mind, I eventually found it. :)
Why do I feel like I'm talking to myself on this thread.:question: :lol:

[Stardrifter_WA]

Suzy, it is the first sign of madness when you talk to yourself. The second sign of madness is when you argue with yourself! You know when you are completely mad..........when you lose the argument!!! :D :lol:

[alistairsam]

Hi Suzy

That doco does look good
Where did you find it?

Cheers

[xstream]

Hi Suzy, I'm also interested to know where you found it.

[Suzy]

Petra (space zebra) got a hold of Timothy Ferris on facebook and asked him. He doesn't seem to post much on fb so I didn't bother trying :screwy:, so anyway as I too am a friend of his on facebook I was able to see his replies to Petra's questions which were done on my behalf. Thanks Petra for going to all the trouble.;)

This is what Timothy Ferris had to say:

... so hot on trail of that I promptly rang Panasonic and they told me that my bluray player is multi region zoned for dvds. Take note: This does not apply to bluray discs being multi zoned.

You can purchase the move from the PBS shop (U.S.A.) here (http://www.shoppbs.org/search/index.jsp?kwCatId=&kw=seeing%20in%20the%20dark&origkw=seeing+in+the+dark&sr=1).
I'm going for the book & dvd combo for $33.99. :D
The dvd on it's own is $24.99 so I think that's good value. :D

It's also available on Amazon.com (link below where it says "Buy").


From his website...

Seeing In The Dark Buy (http://www.amazon.com/Seeing-Dark-Timothy-Ferris/dp/B000UJBY8S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1217831895&sr=1-1) "A rhapsodic sight-and-sound odyssey into the night sky." — Frazier Moore, Associated Press
"The high-definition astrophotography looks like something out of Star Wars. Who remembered that our real universe could look that way, too?" — Joshua Zumbrun, Washington Post
"A charming love letter to the backyard astronomer in all of us: Grade A!" — Gloria Goodale, Christian Science Monitor
"This is not your standard one-dimensional, expository science documentary. Seeing in the Dark is more like a reality show from inside a love affair. — Dave Brody, Space.com
"Spectacular! ... An inspiring and family-friendly production. Watch it with the kids." — Michael Storey, Arkansas Online
"Terrific! Accompanied by music from Mark Knopfler and Guy Fletcher, this special is beautifully photographed and paced — like a night out under the stars." — Frank Roylance, Baltimore Sun


Here's a review on the book ...




And, while I'm at it here (http://www.pbs.org/seeinginthedark/explore-the-sky/how-to-videos.html)is the link to Timothy Ferris' "How To" videos page (for starting out in astronomy) if anyone is interested.

[Suzy]

I'll say! :ashamed:
No-no-no, I really don't know what you're talking about. :question::face:

[xstream]

Thanks Suzy! :thumbsup:

[mikerr]

Suzy, in the combo pack you ordered is the DVD a Blu Ray DVD or just a conventional DVD? I hope that makes sense. :confused2:

Michael.

[Suzy]

Hi Mike,
It's a DVD.
DVDs it seems will play multi region on most bluray players (check with the manufacturer for your particular model). My Panasonic model does.

As said earlier, this movie has not been released in Region 4/Australia, so bluray players will not support this bluray disc. Unless you have a zone free one but then Panasonic told me they don't make zone free bluray players.

[Satchmo]

Theres been a 720p HD Torrent of it available for years. This is is typical example of why 'piracy' flourishes. Traditional means of media delivery are just not keeping up with the times ( look at the success of the Itunes model ) . Its a ridiculous situation when people have to wait years for some executive somewhere to decide some portion of the world should now be able to see something or not.

Its a fun documentary but leans heavily towards profiling amateurs who are doing supernova searches and serious 'science' etc with lots of gear inside well set up observatories. You could be forgiven for thinking the movie was sponsored by Meade. For me , there was not much there to inspire the average person new to the hobby who will never do any `science'- it kind of glorified the complexity that amateurs can get themselves into- something that can lead to a lot of stress and debt for some . It was interesting watching it once but I've never had the inclination to watch it again.

[mikerr]

Thanks for the explanation Suzy:thumbsup:

Michael.

[Suzy]

While you all are having a look at the PBS site can I just take a moment here to suggest a couple of other goodies from their site.
Nova/PBS docos are amongst the best docos I've seen- fantastic quality content, I'm a big fan of them. Some of them are available in full length on youtube also.
So for what it's worth here are a couple of my recommendations :

Death Of A Star (Supernova SN1987A) (http://www.shoppbs.org/product/index.jsp?productId=3014512&cp=&sr=1&kw=death+of+a+star&origkw=death+of+a+star&parentPage=search) US$19.95
Especially if you witnessed this rare event naked eye, you will want to watch this excellent one hour documentary. It was made I think around September of the same year. Everyone that was involved in the discovery/observations of this event are interviewed on this dvd. Don't forget we are also coming up to the 25th Anniversary of sn1987A on the 24th of February. There's a wonderful write up of it in "Astronomy Australia 2012" book.
YouTube link for complete doco here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnwIb9zBx24)


Hunting The Edge Of Space (http://http://www.shoppbs.org/product/index.jsp?productId=4480042&cp=&sr=1&kw=pbs+journey+to+the+edge+of+space&origkw=pbs+journey+to+the+edge+of+s pace&parentPage=search)
As you can see on the link above, this is only available as a package offer from PBS (it seems), but YOU GET "Death Of A Star" and two other dvds for US$68.99.

This documentary celebrates the 20th anniversary of the Hubble Telescope. It explores all the instruments we've used todate to see our universe, from Galileo times (we even get to see his original telescope and how it was made), the story of the Herschell's etc and how John Herschell made hs mirrors/scope, right through to modern times with our array of observatories in space (Hubble etc). It's an extensive 2 hour doco.
YouTube link for complete doco... Part 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKcV0s3mF08) Part 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zx47ayJ1tYw)

[Suzy]

John, by the way, I'm not sure if I've already mentioned this to you before, but thank you so much for your recommendations for me getting in touch with Peter from SDM re the purchase of my Stellarview Finder. I've purchased it through Peter back in December and he was a delight to deal with, kept in touch all the way through and happily helped me to no end and offered suggestions - those parts are confusing!) Thank you! :)

[Suzy]

Hi Mark,

As always I look forward to your comments/reviews, thanks so much.
I did take it that it was more about telescope observations from the everyday astronomer rather than "pretty pictures" of space, as I enjoy the science behind it all. So your wonderful review of it all will perhaps suit me down to "T". :D Agreed, probably wouldn't be everyone's cup of tea though from what you've described.

Yes, why can't more documentaries be shown through i-tunes! Keep up with the times people as Mark said so well. grrrr!

[xstream]

Thank you Suzy, you're more than welcome.

Peter is one of natures gentlemen and one I class as a friend. :)