Project Bullfrog Delivered:
1 training session so far. We have one more scheduled for Saturday July 26th. We used a "Train the Trainers" methodology, meaning we spent our time with a small group to maximize our one on one time with each person. Our goal is to empower each of them to pass on the training to their larger network. The participants were very eager to learn and absorbed all the information very quickly. They had an excellent base of computer and camera knowledge on which to build. We focused on basic camera technique and editing skills.

32 FlipUltra NTSC Video Cameras - Burma is NTSC though the rest of Asia isn't. Also, these cameras aren't currently available in PAL. They were chosen because of their price point, simplicity (they record to disk, run on AA batteries, have editing software on the camera itself and a built in USB connector) and the company gave us a 2 for 1 deal because of the nature of the project. flipvideo.com/products_flip_ultra_specs.II.shtml

32 USB extension cables - These didn't work. When used, the PC Laptops wouldn't recognize the camera. Here is the answer to an email query to FlipVideo Support: Are the computers able to recognize that camcorders when connected directly to a computer? [YES] We do recommend using the shortest USB cable possible, if it is necessary to use one, as we have found that longer cables tend to "bottleneck" the information trying to be transferred.

Thank you,

Flip Support

64 AA batteries

2 Sony DCR-HC52 PAL camcorders - These cameras have a 40x optical zoom. They can get far away shots the FlipUltras cannot. They record to MiniDV tape.

2 2x extenders - Doubles the zoom on the H52's to 80x. There is a loss of quality, but for compelling news footage, it works.

2 very light tripods - They don't need to be good. They are light, inexpensive and fold down very small to fit into a backpack. They are perfectly adequate for holding the cameras still while it is zoomed all the way in.

2 extra batteries - We forgot to get these before leaving the US and so paid too much for cheap knock-offs in Bangkok.

2 UV 30 mm filters - to protect the lens.

2 carrying cases ( with built in rain covers )

20 MiniDV tapes

4 each: 6-6, 6-4 and 4-4 firewire (IEEE 1394 - iLink) cables

2 HP Pavilion Laptops - 3 GB RAM, 160 GB Hard Drive, Dual Core AMD Turion Dual Core processor.

Movie Maker Editing software - comes with the laptops for free. Simple and effective for the very basic editing needs they have in the field. Still trying to find a software NTSC-PAL conversion solution on the PC.

2 2 GB USB flash Drives

100 DVD-R Recordable DVDs w/ plastic sleeves

2 Cat 5 cables (RJ-11)

2 Phone cords (RJ-45)

2 (Waterproof???) Computer Backpacks