CompuServe Messages

It all depends on how much money you've got. A PVW2800 Sony Beta SP deck costs around $16,000, I think, and so does the Sony LVR 3000. They're both great choices, but they're very expensive unless you're making money off them. As far as hating to replace equipment… you're in the wrong buisness, pal <g>! Average lifespan of equipment here is 18mos. Video lasts longer, true, but we're in a transitional phase where the broadcast big boys are moving to digital, and the analog formats will be the domain of industrial, corporate, and prosumer. I think it is very unrealistic, unless you're a very rich person, to buy expensive equipment early on just so you don't have to buy it later when your buisness actually needs it. My advice is to absolutely blow off single frame recording and get a DPS PAR, or even better, the Matrox MAX. The MAX will do claimed BetaSP quality, and better, and will run you less than a PVW or LVR. The only thing is you need an EISA buss in your machine (you should have one anyway, they kick butt!!!!). I think the MAX (with harddrive and SCSI controller) and an industrial level non-frame accurate deck (I recommend S-VHS) will run you $10,000. The DPS will be a lot less, but not quite the quality of the MAX. But if you've got the funds to even consider Beta or LVR, then go with the MAX. As far as S-VHS goes, it's an excellent format. over 400 lines of resolution, Y/C (not composite) input, which helps eliminate chroma delay, where the colors get squishy, and high quality decks can be had at an affordable price. If you plan on doing lots of generational dubbing (layering in editing and making copies), then 3/4 Umatic or SP would be better. This is only better if you plan on going more than 3 generations per tape, because for the 1st generation the S-VHS signal is better. It equalizes at gen. 2, and starts to fall apart at gen. 3, where 3/4 is still looking good. John Tissavary (La Luna cie)