What? DTV
A more complete brief answer is for home quality editing the new low cost
capture cards from Miro ($600 for DC1 with new DC2 due out NAB) and ///FAST
($1000 Movie Machine Pro … but some have noted significant software
problems) are ok for NLE. Somewhere between VHS and SVHS quality if fed hi
band signal. Software for NLE is Adobe Premiere and it's usually bundled.
For pro work all say it's still tape based editing unless you're willing to
spend $20,000 or so. Truevision Targa 2000 is considered entry level. I
can't help you on this level but others here, in DTVFORUM and BPFORUM can.
Also prosumer help on CEVIDEO. Selected vendors have forums as well …
.///FAST, Miro, Truevision, Adobe for examples.
Computer can be either Mac or PC/Windows with lots of heat on which is
'best'. My take is that Windows has the decided advantage but I wouldn't
want to argue this point. Mac is fine. It all started with Video Toaster
for Amiga. Now Commodore is out of business. Basically you can't have
enough CPU, memory or hard drive. For PC most say 486DX2/66, 16mb ram and
2-4 gigabytes of fast HD (E-IDE or FAST SCSI-II) ok for starters.
Bottle neck for NLE is hard drive sustained transfer rate.
For tape based editing nearly everyone is positive about ///FAST Video
Machine. A/B roll. Everything you need except the decks. Lite version for
$2500 MSRP. FutureVideo V-Station 3300 ($1000) comes up often too. EzV2
often mentioned as bargain VISCA software controller at $250.
Stand alone edit gear (ie., non-computer based) … All I know is that
Videonics is the only serious prosumer stuff. Panasonic, Sony and JVC often
mentioned at pro level. This is way out of my league anyway. <g>
March '95 issue of Videomaker has a nice overview with product lists in each
category (storyboard, capture, overlay, NLE, hybrid, tape editors). The
last couple issues of Videography have focused on first Mac and then Windows
based editing. I haven't seen a good book, at least on the prosumer level.
Camcorders are Sony TR-700 for top consumer palmcorder and reads and writes
RCTC for $1250. Prosumer level is Sony VX-3 and Canon L2 at about $2,500
(and up for Canon with interchangeable lens). Panasonic AG-455 is popular in
SVHS format. Everyone craves the Sony Hi8 EVW-300 at $5k. VX-3 and EVW-300
are 3 CCD camcorders.
Decks are Sony EV-S7000, CVD-1000 and EVO-9720 for Hi8. The latter has two
transports and works nicely for simple editing self contained or A/B roll.
About $3500. The former are about $1400 with second being VISCA. SVHS is
Panasonic AG-1970 for starters. When single frame accuracy needed Sanyo
GVR-S950/955 is usually mentioned.
There is a lot of gear out there. Only thing I've used is TR-700 and for me
this is a home editing hobby. B&H Photo NYC handles it all. 800-947-9925.
Oh, having lots of money can be useful. <g> But today's gear is considered
a bargain for what it does compared to what it once required for the same
tasks.
Hope this helps.
-jts