CompuServe Messages

Ed– there is some debate among video folks (a matter of preferences, it seems), but the best way to record to NTSC is going be either "D-2" (a digital format), 1" type C, M-2 (by JVC), or BetacamSP (by Sony). The cheapest of these is M-2, but the most common are 1" and BetacamSP (in the pro realm, anyway). Going down in quality from these machines, in roughly descending order is 3/4"SP, S-VHS, 3/4", Beta(consumer),and VHS is at the bottom of the list. A very good tech I know says the new JVC S-VHS pro series is better than 3/4SP, and worth looking into. I think a JVC S-VHS editing deck can be had for about $6000. For comparison, I got my industrial 3/4SP deck (a SONY 9850) for, I think, about $7000. These are the low end if you're serious. And compare that to about $35,000 for a BetacamSP editing deck (although the BetaSP is a much superior recording format). Be advised though, that even though the tape machine will probably be the weakest link in your system, whatever format you use, it won't be any better than the quality of the signal you start with. I have a SuperGen 2000S and am fairly happy with it. You should also check out the Magni and Neriki units. All of these will run $1500-$2000, I believe. Any learn how to use a waveform monitor and vectorscope, which is pretty simple– kind of like a 'light meter' for video signals. Buy them if you can (another $3000 for the pair), or do as I did and rent them to check the genlock you buy and set up your system. And then you can rent the scopes again to check things every once and a while (about a $50 charge). And with the Amiga.. it's not just video, it … it's and adventure (hehe)……..Jeff