CompuServe Messages

I edit on an Avid system. Expect to pay about $40,000 for the basic model. They go up over $100,000. For the basic, you get (remember, it is really only an offline editing system) random access to you video clips, a graphics channel, and 8 tracks of audio. You arrange the clips in any fashion you choose, apply a dissolve, if you wish, perform split-edits. The end result is an edit decision list that can be read by the controller in an online bay so that you can auto-assemble and get done quicker. Typical Avid rent time is around $100/hour. Typical online (braodcast capable) time is anywhere from $200 to $1000/hour. If you save a few hours in online by using the Avid offline, you save a lot of money. By perhaps the end of this year, Avid will market (already demo'd) a non-linear online system. Their claim is Betacam SP quality. -Steve