#amilink
I use a Sony BVE-2000 at work and the Amilink system at home.
The Amilink system works well for the Toaster level of video production, but it
isn't a professional setup. The best aspect of Amilink is that you can build a
sophisticated production, save off your EDL, optimize the list, change your
program, and build or rebuild your program, just like the more expensive
professional systems.
The downside is that RGB is a little company doing its very best to alienate
their customers and ensure their demise. The don't seem interested in customer
feedback in improving their product. For example, if you delete an entry in
your EDL the program does not attempt to ripple your list. You must do this
manually. If you forget, you're hosed. It shouldn't be a big deal to build in a
little intelligence into the program to have it ask you if you want to ripple
after deleting, moving, or inserting (the BVE 2000 does this) I've suggested
this small change but the folks at RGB don't seem interested.
Also, RGB has probably decided that the Amiga is a dead horse. They've
developed an edit control package for the Pinnacle Alladin and will probably
seek their fortune in the MS-DOS/MAC world.
Sony has just introduced a new edit controller/switcher combo, somewhat like a
little brother to the BVE-2000/DFS-500. I don't know what it goes for, but I'd
look into something like that before going with Amilink/Toaster.
-Rob