Video
Yes.. I would recommend you stay in the PC range and if your are :
1. working with computer based multimedia… cdrom, kiosk or harddrive
then go with MacroMedia Director 3.0… you get a trememdous package
for video editing right from your hard disk… cut & paste.
2. video out production to tape… go with ///FAST DPR/VM. It is the
best professional linear/non-linear hybrid on the market. You have the
power to go tape-to-tape quality or disk-to-tape w/compression. It is
the best.
The only reason you see some for sale [like the posting I will copy
here for you to read ] is the incompatability the owners encounter when the
attempt to match existing decks with the VM and they don't work. If you build
the system from the ground up.. there aren't the troubles. Read this…
>>We have BVW Betacam Series VTR's (BVW 10, 15,40). These decks have not been
supported by the FAST VideoMachine, however in the past two years the BVW 10
and 40 have worked with the system. I recently bought replaced our BVW 40 with
a newer 40 and bought a BVW 15. I also received the DPR around this time and
the new VM software. The new software necessary to run the VM with the DPR
does not work with our decks now. So we have decided that a changed in the VM
may be necessary.
We are very happy with the DPR and the VM for most of the work we do. The
quality is very good and editing with the DDPR is wonderful. However, we
produce syndicated sports programming and because our programs are nationwide
we need to up our on-line production capabilities ast this time. Since the
VideoMachine is only a A\B Roll system with atwo bus switcher with single
channel keying abilities we have looked for a system that can do a multiple
layers on-line. the VM promises this in the near future with the Pinnicle
Aladdin using the DPR for your additional source. However, we need this
capability now.
I have been a loyal and happy Video Machine user for two years. I have done
syndicated shows, high end promotional videos and national spots on it. So It
has been a great system for me. But our needs right now are for a more
traditional on-line A\B\C roll post suite. I wish I had enough money to keep
the VM Digital editor as well because it is great and I will have a hard time
finding another system that does two channels with 8 audio channels at 4:1
compression with real-time effects. You won't believe the quality. Hope you
are still interested.
Sincerely,
Michael Billingsley, Rocky Mountain Resorts Network, Inc., Avon, CO<<
I would however, advice AGAINST the purchase of a Toaster… contrary to what
the fellow mentioned to you in the other message… nothing against him–I
don't know him–but I do know the Toaster. For the same money [eventually with
all the add ons you have to buy to get it up to ///FAST capability] you get far
better editing, F/X and titling than the Toaster gives.. + you get to use many
more off-the-shelf software for your work. All the magazines in the business;
Video, New Media, Presentations, CGW, Morph's Outpost, Multimedia Producer and
Digital Video [DV] have run the tests on ALL the products and ///FAST has
consistently outperformed and outproduced them all in the price field and
beyond.
I first owned a Matrox Pro Studio… it didn't do a bad job, but with it and my
Panasonic AG-1970 decks I couldn't get any better than +-2 SECONDS error…
that is TOTALLY unaccpetable!!! With Beta Decks I got +- 1.5 frames… much
better, but I got the Matrox to SAVE MONEY not spend more!
Now the comparison of the turn-key Matrox Pro vs. turn-key ///FAST DPR/VM is as
follows: Matrox=$35,000+ ///FAST=$27,000. But I can buy the ///FAST software
and boards, all for < $ 12,000, put it in a computer of my choosing–even with
PCI busing– for <$22,000. That is putting in 6 Gigs storage, 4X CDROM
reader/printer, 2 Panasonic AG-1970 decks, and a potload of xtra software. And
to-boot, I have a system that outperforms the Matrox again… so what else can
I say… go ///FAST!!
nice talking to you…. stay in touch.
les