CompuServe Messages

John: >What is composite formats? I'm not sure I understand the video resolution issue.< Sorry–tend to forget who knows what, sometimes. Regular VHS and 8mm are what's called "composite" video formats–that means that the video signal they record mixes both the chrominance (color) information and luminance (light) information, so that they're not as precise and not as much info can be stored for either (at least, I *believe* that why composite video has lower resolution in addition to not as good control over chrominance and luminance). S-VHS and Hi8, by contrast, are "component" formats, which simply means that they record chrominance and luminance information separately for a better picture (kind of like why 2 or 3 imaging chips in your camcorder gives you a better picture than just one)… The luminance level on component formats is also recorded higher than on composite formats, which is why if you try playing an S-VHS tape on a regular VHS machine, you get an unwatchably bright picture. (Some composite VCRs have a feature called "SQPB" which adjusts for the brighter luminance signal of S-VHS or Hi8 so, even though they play it back at the lower composite resolutions, you can at least *watch* it…) >SM works by overlaying computer graphics onto the videostream. Are you saying their overlay board will degrade the hi band video in some way or that the overlays will be lower resolution than hi band?< No, the overlays will simply be lower resolution (so, for that matter, will be *any* video that goes through the Studio Magic). I mean, you can use it for the "super" formats, but don't expect to get the same high resolution as you'd get if you didn't put it through the Studio Magic–no matter *what* format you put in, it all comes out at VHS quality (which is okay if you don't mind that, but if you're shooting in a component format, I assume you'd like your final to come out w/a *bit* higher resolution…). >Anyway, SM looks like it's gone. They've filed for bankruptcy from what I've been told.< Look at the bright side–NOW you can probably pick up a Studio Magic board for a song & a dance! <g> >Two folks on MULTIMED forum are reporting success using Miro DC1 ($600) for full NLE. Output to tape is better than VHS but slightly less than SVHS.< Sounds good–but better make sure your computer's configuration is up to doing what you'd like to. (See my earlier post to you on "rendering"…) >I'm going to call Miro tomorrow and find out about the new DC2 that is said to include a job/shuttle deck controller and better resolution.< Just a question, John–*why* would a nonlinear editor need a jog/shuttle deck controller? NLE simply allows you to "dump" video footage into your computer, play w/it inside your computer, and then output it back to videotape. There's be no need, IMHO, for a deck controller (used for traditional linear editing). When you find out *if* the DC2 has it, could you also find out *why*? Thanks, Tim