CompuServe Messages

Gary: >You have to put your Joe consumer hat on when evaluating these type of products. What people want is to get rid of the crap footage – out of focus, feet, lens caps, etc. Frame accuracy isn't as important if the unit is easy to set up, use and operate. < Well, that's true enough–however, the image that comes out of the machine is *also* nothing to write home about… I will give it this–it's pretty easy to set up and use (and that's reflected in my review as well as the problems w/the video and the innacuracy–in fact, the lack of frame-accuracy is a pretty minor beef in it). >I can't tell you how many Videonics editmakers we sold (100s) and most of them are collecting dust in attics. They were quite accurate, but impossible for the average guy to use.< Really? I always thought they were relatively easy to use, given everything they did… >I suggest you try to edit a short tape (under 30 min) just using two VCR's or your VCR and camcorder. Then edit the same tape using the SFX-L. I think you will get a real appreciation for the ease, covenience and look of the finished product. < I did, Gary–and its ease of use is reflected in my review, too (in fact, it's up top of the review, praising its simplicity). The stuff I *didn't* like is mentioned later in the review. As for the look of the finished product… well, I was a little disappointed getting electronic "glitches" in the middle of the fade/wipe points, and the weak, "watery" colors I got (and yes, I *was* using a strong input signal–I figured that out early on), as well as the tendency to add to the existing flaws in the tape. Still, I considered it good enough for a "5" on the new VIDEO 1-10 scale, and commented in my review that the product had a lot going for it–if only Sima would pay a bit more attention to video output signal, it'd be a great product. Best, Tim