Quicksand Visuals FAQ

Will I be able to play MPV DVD-R discs?
Almost certainly. Because of the low number of DVD we sell, it is not economically feasible to have normal DVDs mass produced. So we rely on DVD-R (recordable) technology. Virtually all new DVD players and most new DVD ROM drives are compatible with this format. However, older DVD players may have problems.

Another variable which affects playback compatibility is the brand of media (blank) that is used. I am currently using Taiyo Yuden and Verbatim discs in conjunction with a DVD duplicator and have virtually eliminated reported problems.

Also, our discs are 'Region Free' - meaning that they can be played anywhere, including the EU and Asia.

If you purchase a DVD-R disc from us and suspect it is defective, we will replace it.

What happens if a DVD-R doesn't work right, or stops working?
DVD-R is not a stable media. In fact, some reports have indicated that this technology should not be considered reliable for data storage beyond four or five years. We recommend copying the files of purchased DVD-R discs to a hard drive. This way, if a disc stops playing properly, it is possible for the customer to make another. This does not violate copyright law.

If you purchase a DVD-R from MPV, or through Aquantics, and it stops working properly, contact us and we will replace it - usually without requiring the original returned. If you purchase a MPV DVD-R disc from Messy Fun, and it stops working properly, you may be required to send the disc to MPV in order to receive a replacement. In any case, please contact MPV via email. We don't want folks to be stuck with stuff (we worked so hard on) that won't play.

How long will it take for me to receive my stuff?
I process orders on Tuesdays and send them on Wednesdays.

Domestic orders are sent by Priority Mail and customers receive their orders on Fridays, sometimes Saturday. International orders are sent by Air Mail and take 10 to 14 days to arrive on average. Occasionally, orders sent to the EU take as long as three weeks to arrive.

Mud Puddle Visuals does not offer rush (overnight) service.

Does the packaging indicate what is inside?
No. Small domestic orders are sent in Priority Mail video boxes. All international orders and large domestic orders are sent in plain padded mailers. In all cases, the return address is:

Dave Lodosky
P.O. Box 2927
Canyon Country, CA 91386

International orders require customs forms. On these forms, the contents are described as "Video" or "DVD" or "Compact Disc" only.

How does the Downloadable DVD process work?
Downloadable DVD are distributed as an image (.iso) files.

The image files are created directly from the master DVDs. Once the image file is 'burned' to a recordable DVD disk, the resulting disc will look, sound, and function exactly as a disk purchased from MPV.

However, this is NOT an automated system. Once a downloadable DVD purchase is made, a MPV staff member will process it, and send a download link to the customer via email. This processing will normally take less than two hours, but it could take up to twelve hours.

The link itself will be valid for at least 48 hours from the time it is sent. Additional links can be sent to the purchaser as needed. The .iso files are large (over 4GB), and will take a considerable amount of time to download. Sufficient time (and patience) must be allowed for this portion of the process!

The .iso image, once downloaded, can be used by disk utility software (such as Roxio) to burn a copy of the DVD. If you have little or no experience with this process, it is seriously recommended that you try this with a DVD-R that you have on hand. First, create an image (.iso) from an existing DVD-R disk, and then make a copy with the .iso file. Mud Puddle Visuals WILL NOT offer refunds for DVD download purchases. The only way around technical difficulties that a customer may have is to send a copy of the actual DVD through the postal system. Please E-Mail MPV if you have any questions about this new service.

What is an international money order?
MPV only accepts payment is US dollars. If you are unable to use a major credit card (which does the currency conversion automatically), then you will need to purchase an international money order. Most banks and some post offices can supply these. If you use this option, please be sure that the amount is in US dollars and that the note is drawn on a US bank.

Why are the trailers offered using Real Media?
In the past, I tried rendering the trailers and clips using Quicktime and Windows Media but had the best results with Real Media. While the trailers play very well in this format, it does require Real Player in order to view them. It is possible to download a free version of the player from the Real website, which is here. I would recommend avoiding the download manager feature and clicking around in order to be certain that it is the free player that you are installing

I am now using Xvid (mpeg4) rendering technology. If you see a trailer with a .avi extension and it does not play properly, you can try installing the codec located here. Mac users will probably have the best luck using the VLC media player for OSX. It is available here.

Where do you shoot your videos?
MPV uses both prepared locations and natural locations. The prepared locations are on private property and are abandoned after they are used. All of them, with the exception of Studio 588 (see below), have reverted back their normal (not muddy!) conditions. The natural locations vary from season to season. There is no point in discussing any of these, since the mud conditions change on a weekly basis and it has been over a year since we have used any of them. Our most recent shooting took place at a prepared location called Studio 588. It is ready for another season of serious shooting. If you're interested in doing actual film or video projects - for public or private distribution, go to: http://studio588qs.com

For general location information, please visit:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Deep_Sinking/

How do you make your mud pits?
The prepared mud pits we use are made with pottery clay. The pits are dug to whatever depth we need, and the walls and bottom cleared of stones and tree roots. The pits are lined with plastic (usually about 4 or 6 mil thickness) and filled with a 50/50 mixture of powdered clay and water. We have used ball clays as well as fire clays and even kaolin clay. In all cases, we purchase it in 50 or 100 pound bags and mix it with a cement mixer. Please note that airborne clay particles (dust) is not good to breathe. Consult Material Safety Data Sheets as needed and use a dust mask. Once pottery clay is wet, it is completely safe to come in contact with. I imagine that if a small or shallow pit was desired, it would be possible to mix it by hand. Please note that the one other potential hazard of this design is poor traction. The clay covered plastic can be very slippery! Be careful while getting in or out. If such a pit is kept covered, it will last a long time. The temperature can be tempered if peat is placed between the plastic and the ground (to act as an insulator) and the pit is built in a sunny area and a dark colored cover is used.

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