CompuServe Messages

Jack, Let me jump in here. I just stumbled across the forum and want to participate. Sounds like an interesting project. How fancy you want to get depends on your budget and ambitions. Going digital will require a significant investment since as you have figured out you will need *significant* disk space to store the digital video on line. In the digital environment working with images (moving, that is) becomes like word processing with cutting and pasting images instead of words. Staying analog (linear) will also require an investment but also some learning of tricks of the capabilities of the equipment. If you're really talking about A/B roll editing then it gets complicated as John pointed out, in needing a switcher to switch between sources. This is where the Toaster can come in since it's a switcher with built in Digital Video Effects (DVE) and titling. Remember that true A/B roll implies special effects between scenes. If you scale back the ambitions just a little, you can save a few buck by doing what is called cut-to-cut editing. This only requires one source deck but limits you to straight cuts (no fades or other special effects) between scenes. This can be done very effectively with a little planning and is a lot cheaper since it doesn't require a switcher. You can use inexpensive titling and keying hardware/software and still get good graphics. Iv'e been doing this for some time in Cable Public Access and you can get professional looking results. I might suggest a couple of videotapes from Knowledge Path on the Sony EVO9800 (a single unit two well player/recorder/controller). Even if you dont have or plan to buy the Sony, it's got some good tips. It all depends on your ambition and budget, and what you plan to use the equipment for after the project is over. This could be a significant investment for a one time project. Good luck, Jim