CompuServe Messages

Gayle, I am the Technical Support Manager for Aerodata Computer in Plymouth, MI. I am really not a 3DS user and am not that familier with it. I have however configured our first MAX system. It has been up and running since mid-August. We (I) have done numerous video jobs with it since. We have not used our frame accurate recorders since putting the MAX on line, with the exception of outputting streams to them directly. The results of the MAX system rival any of those with frame accurate recording and the ease of operation is even greater. I have been able to network the MAX system into our Novell Graphics net (something Matrox did not recommend, nor try). We use it in 3DS as a slave on the net, then capture the rendered images to the MAX across the net. Video editing is a breeze. We also use it in Video Post and record directly to the MAX. I have done live/recorded video capture, and extracted frames from the captures and rendered streams. Done some rotoscoping, then rebuilt the streams. Our first real test of the MAX was a 9000 frame job. It was created in segments, edited, then outputed to tape. Prior to going to tape and after reviewing the actual streams, the customer wanted some video effects added. In a matter of an hour we added the effects and we're ready to go to tape. It only took 5 minutes to output to tape, compared with 2 days for conventional methods or about 8 hours using Quick-Pass. Imagine spending 2 days to output to tape, then having the customer decide to add some effects or change something!! Rendered TGA images at 720×486, about 750K each will compress at about the rate of 40 frames/minute. Far faster than direct 3DS VTR recording and much faster than Quick-Pass, and no wear and tear on the VCR. The reliability of the MAX has been outstanding. Generally the only problem is with-in the SCSI bus getting hung, something that does happen even in a non-MAX system. I now have well over a couple hundred hands-on hours with the MAX and am convinced that it is a very welcomed addition to video editing and 3DS. Response from our 3DS/Video accounts is nothing short of amazement. The only problem we have is getting Seagate drives on a regular basis! If you have any questions about the MAX system, feel free to E-Mail me here or give me a call at AeroData @ 313-454-4544 9am-5pm EST. Shaun L. Ettinger