This is an archive of CompuServe forum messages from 1985 to 1995, as saved in transcripts by John Foust.
Search Results (366 messages)
#2610-
#Frustrated Beginner
Message #2696
Dave: >I'll gladly upgrade again to 2.0 when I get the offer. In fact, I'll put that on my list to contact them about upgrading near term. Thanks for the TIP OFF.< You're welcome! I'm actually pretty pleased with Astound 2.0–but when I mentioned it to this guy, he told…
#2609-
Screen Capture to .AVI?
Message #2695
Dave: >On my computer I have three video boards installed: Video Blaster SE – for video overlays Media Visions Pro Movie Spectrum – video capture and Roctec RocGen Pro – that ports video through a Tseng ET4000 – Genlock< Good Lord! (Sorry–I just flashed on this vision of your computer…
#2608-
Studio Magic
Message #2694
Dave: >Lots of nice marketing effort, but in the end very much of a let down. Still, maybe if one adjusted their expectations, as you say, they could enjoy Studio Magic.< I know what you mean–it's not *quite* what they promised, is it? I had an opportunity to speak w/one…
#2591-
#Editing and Editors
Message #2693
Vince: >I should say these SGI guys represent less than 0.1% of the DTV users here. Only big companies and big studio here can afford that kind of equipment and manpower resource.< That makes sense–while I suppose Steven Speilberg could afford to completely invent his own computer system if he…
Mark: >I am looking for a video capture card that can capture full screen, say 640 x 480, from video source like VCR or TV with good image quality.< For still capture or full-motion video? And what's your intended use for it–multimedia presentations or output to tape? I'm currently using…
Dave: >My pick right off would be that you purchase Astound version 1.5 for Windows. I use it, I love it.< You think 1.5's good, wait till you see Version 2.0, which comes with "Astound Studio"–a bundled collection of element editors. I just finished reviewing it for WINDOWS SOURCES…and I…
John: >I want to formally apologize for letting the forum slide here for the last couple of weeks.< Don't worry about it–I think we're all over 21 here and maybe should have behaved ourselves a bit better. After all, this isn't the Internet… >I am truly here because I like…
S.J.: >Using the Ramblings section as I've described it is hoped that the forum can more equitably serve all users and personalities. < Sounds good to me! Tim Liebe
Dave: >You must remember though that Video Director works with many edit controllers and has drivers to accomplish this through the com port.< Okay, that's true–but that means you have to buy "more stuff" (to quote George Carlin ) to make it work w/your particular non-LANC setup. >Also, as I…
Dave: >Adobe Primiere 4.0 can grab your screen action direct to .avi files on a PC.< Thanks for the tip! But will it work with, say, my Intel Smart Video Recorder Pro–or with other under $2,000 video capture cards? Tim
Dave: >YET – Beware one big drawback with Studio Magic, it is not MCI driver hardware … and on a PC this is a critical flaw.< Good point! The folks at StudioMagic don't seem to have thought a lot of this through–which is the impression I got when I called…
Vince: >In here, when talking about hollywood kind of effects for movie/CF/wedding video, people generally refer to things to be done with SGI.< I think I need to look into this more! I'd always thought Silicon Valley was a small (and not much-patronized) company… BTW, thanks for putting me onto…
Don: You're welcome! Glad to be of help. >RE: StudioMagic: If the card only captures still image, how does it record to VCR?< Well, it works much like (and has similar features to) a low-end special effects box like Panasonic's WJ-AVE3 or those things Sima advertises in consumer video magazines.…
James: >I reviewed the original SnapPlus quite some time ago and was NOT impressed.< That seems to be the consensus here. I must confess, I was hoping otherwise as I'd like to see a video input/output card capable of "bridging the gap" so that people without expensive systems could perform…
Tim: Thanks for clarifying a few things for me–or at least, pointing out a few of the problems towards clarification. "Prosumer" (not an especially elegant term, but it beats "serious hobbyist"), for my purposes at least, is meant to cover video that's not primarily intended for commercial broadcast but is…
#DTV Video Capture Cards
Message #2482
Okay–let me ask this before I get *too* bollixed up…I've heard a couple video capture card names kicked around on this forum as "usable for desktop video" and "reasonably priced", and I'm frankly confused. What I consider "usable for DTV" is a card that will capture video to a hard…
Patrick: >I have one. It was recommended as a good output to NTSC card. It has been nothing but grief. < I'd be interested to hear more about this. I've been interested in the Snap Plus+ as Cardinal told me it would allow video consumers to input video to your…
Ken: >The next computer I buy may be a Mac or it may be a PC(IBM) – or it may be a SGI – in your hearts you know the point: it's just a tool.< Exactly! Tim
Tom: >Does anyone have some good info (or know where I can go to find it) on hardware/software requirements to edit hi-8 video on my computer…< Have you checked out DIGITAL VIDEO Magazine, a monthly published by IDG about desktop video and multimedia both, or the pro-video 'zines VIDEO PRO…
#Documentary film/video
Message #2478
Stephen: >But for the rest of us payments are plummetting.< Really? That's interesting–sad, but interesting. I'm seeing more original documentaries than ever on cable these days, so I assumed (wrongly, it appears) that business for documentarians was doing better… >And with CPB under fire it will be getting even worse.<…
Chris: >Why don't we all bounce back up onto the high road, and start a useful dialog going on NL — the pros and cons of all the diferent systems. < Thank you! I'm glad I'm not the *only* one here who felt that getting into an interformat war was…
Bob: >Try Vine Micros in the UK +44 (0)1843 225714 (fax 296 237).< Thanks! I'll look into it! Tim
Vince: >On the other hand, if it is a well known area to the general public, there is also no need for you to write review article. Right?< Not necessarily–while folks might know it *exists*, they're going to want to get some details before they shell out the money needed.…
Vince: >I've used CP/M, DOS, MS Windows, OS/2, Unix, Linux, and SGI before. When playing some of the new APs on the SGI, I was amazied by the power (mainly the speed to do rendering) and the very terrifying UI that they offer. < Funny–I've got this on-line friend who's…
Alberto: >I would say Apple faired a lot better than SONY with Betamax…< Yes, mostly because they've started to bring their prices down (at least in the US) and have always done a *lot* to make their platform easily bridgeable to other platforms. Tim
#2416-
Best Shots
Message #2455
Michael: >I went to LJH but due to the Grossmont HS distict lines I had to go to Granite Hills HS while all my friends went to El Cap.< Sounds like what happened to me, sort of–even though my younger brothers had to go to El Cap since the redistricting…
Don: >I am looking at a video capture card called ProVideo for $99. Will this card allow me to capture video from a camcorder, overlay titles and output it to a VCR? < *$99*??? Whoa, what a bargain (most other low-end capture cards start at around $200)! However, it's *extremely*…
Vince: >Avid/TrueVision/Fast are famous in producing cards can output S-VHS/VHS quality video. However, their price tags show the difference, too. < Well, there's the problem for the market I'm writing for–regular video consumers *want* the power of nonlinear editing and all those nifty special effects, but can't quite bring themselves…
Vince: >I must be a foreigner to you, I live in Taiwan (an earth distance from you). < Really? Your English is excellent–I guess that's why I assumed San Francisco (we have a large Chinese-American population there, as well as a thriving video & multimedia industry). >In here, the Mac's…
Joe: >It's been a long time since I checked the forum. Thanks for the information. < You're welcome! Tim
Michael: >P.S. BTW when did you attened Grossmont ???< 1977 – 1979–I majored in Telecommunications. Don Schuler (sp?) was one of my teachers–the only one I remember offhand, in fact! Tim
Michael: >Most of the stuff I do is for private individuals. Lots of wedding and some sports stuff.< I know what you mean–not too glamorous, but it pays the bills…or can, if you advertise it right. >I am trying to get more into corperate and special interest video as well…
Barb: >When I attempt to copy a vhs tape to another tape, I get very poor quality. Both the audio & video fade in & out.< A couple questions/assumptions–the tape you're copying from is 1st generation camera original? And you *don't* have that problem on that tape? Also, have you…
Joe: >Documentaries- A truly worthy endeavor. Do you like poverty?< Depends on the documentary, seems to me. Ken Burns seems to be doing pretty well… Tim Liebe
Michael: >I think many people would be suprised at some of the crude hardware used in production.< Just to chuck in my 2-cents–hey, don't knock crude hardware if it works! After all, look at how far Spielberg's gotten w/folks staring awestruck into bright lights… BTW, I used to live in…
Vince: >The reason that we don't buy more PowerMac is simply because we can buy *3* AST PCs with the same price. Also, we found most of the Mac software packages that we use are far more expensive than their Windows version here. < I know what you mean !…
Vince: >$3000-$5000? They must be referring TrueVision's Targa 2000 card and alike.< So far as anyone at VIDEO (and for that matter, I) knew, that was about as cheap as you could get away with. Actually, we were thinking about Fast's nonlinear setup, which from the press information seemed to…
Alberto: >I just would like some Dos user say: oh I love my computer but wouldn't it be nice to have a Mac too for some fancy artwork? Instead, all they say is: when is Photoshop going to be ported? When is PageMaker going to be ported? Why hasn't Avid…
Vince: >RE: Fast Movie Machine Pro and miro DC1 TV… Gee! I thought they are the 'lower end' capture boards. I heard they are below $500 on the street. Anyway, see their price fall very soon.< Really? That *would* put 'em about in the right price range. I'd been under…
Hamish: >I need to buy a new pc to upload, edit download, etc I need to find out what cards I need how much memory, etc. Also want to have cd-rom for kids attached.< Well, the CD-ROM part's easy, at least ! Any 486 computer w/a double-speed CD-ROM internal drive…
Bill: >where can i get consumer data on the gold disk product"video director"?< Just out of curiosity–you are aware the "Video Director" is pretty much a consumer-level product, aren't you? It uses a serial port hookup to your computer to plug into your playback deck's LANC input (providing your playback…
Stan: Sorry it's taken me so long to get back to you–I got buried under another deadline (or rather, rewrites for a deadline ). In response to your needs: >[0] not hear the &*%$%^& camera mechanisms when I'm shooting quiet stuff< Just about any external microphone will do the job…
#2119-
#Seasoned member but new
Message #2327
Vincent: >I think you should check out these two cards: Fast Movie Machine Pro and miro DC1 TV.< So I've heard! I'd love to, but the magazine I write for primarily think those cards are "too expensive" for video consumers… >Intel Smart Video Recorder Pro is also a good card…
Timothy: >BTW, What is the word on the TARGA2000e ? What is performance quality and output quality to VHS, SVHS, and Hi8?< Dunno–haven't had the chance to look into it yet myself. >Do you know any places that either Demo or rent time on a DTV system?< No, and I…
Dave: >But if you need to step up a level then something like the Targa 2000 is nice.< No argument there–that's why I asked in my post what the intention was. The point was, however, that most DOS computers didn't come w/a Targa card standard–so you have to factor that…
PC vs. MAC
Message #2113
Timothy: >Thanks for your "two cents worth"! I appreciate any and all input from those that have experience in DTV.< You're quite welcome! >I guess the problem is the DOS, and that Win 95 will do away with DOS< So MicroSoft alleges–but I'm going to have to play w/a copy…
Bob: >What is Video magazine? < It's a consumer-oriented video magazine–you can find it in most larger newsstands. It's the consumer big brother to VIDEO PRO, which Tim Wetmore (also on this forum) works for. Tim Liebe
Bob: >The Shure dynamics (the stick mikes you frequently see on the TV news) are work horses. It's been said that you can hammer nails with them. Although I've never tried that. We do not hammer nails with our Sennheiser's .< Er–actually, *I* did, once w/a Sennheiser…my producer had me…
Bob: >In my opinion Radio Shack mikes are crap. They are poorly designed (for example their lavelier has a big batter in the middle of the cord which is heavy enough to wreck the cord). Every time I have bought a RS mike, I've regretted it.< Really? I've generally had…
James: >Thanks for the information. I'll get in touch with their people and see about writing a review for the forum.< You're welcome! I'd be interested to see what you think… Tim
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