CompuServe Messages

Just wanted to jump in here as a dual owner too. Comparing the PAR to a DPR is like comparing a truck to a car. Which is better? Depends whether you're doing animation output or NLE video. The truck is better at hauling cargo whereas the car is better at hauling people. The PAR does a much better job at animation than the DPR. The only issue here is the DPR compression ratio is _typically_ done at 5-8 to one for animation real time outut where as the PAR is going to be 9-10 to one. Both can do YUV output. But the DPR is only 640 pixels horizontal resolution, it has a 5-8 pixel centerline shift to the right (a well documented bug) it also is not full frame video except in the YUV mode. IT does not interface as well as the PAR to 3DS network rendering and multi-channel rotoscoping is a real chore compared to the PAR. On the other hand, doing NLE with the PAR is like toy compared to the DPR. The DPR is one of the most flexible NLE systems in existence. IT is one of the few that will work in hybrid fashion, It is upgradable with the Alladin media printer for real time 3D animation effects. And the overall quality of the FAST VM DPR system is kicking the butts off of Turbo Cube and AVID for twice the money. Speaking of money, the cost of the PAR and the FAST DPR from scratch is pretty far apart. If you have the budget for the DPR and choose the PAR you will have lots of cash left over.