SoftVTR
Jeff:
SoftVTR was the first product I ever saw do what it does. (though I must
confess I have never really SEEN it do it <g>). I did see a captivating
demo at last year's SIGGRAPH which was executed under highly controlled
conditions and, even then, froze up consistently during demonstrations.
Since SIGGRAPH, I have seen numerous other programs capable of the same
service, and at considerably less expense. The President of Chase
Technologies indicated to me that he was willing to execute significant
price reductions if the market got competitive. I was curious. I went to
the Lyon Lamb booth and talked with their President for about 30 minutes.
Officially, I was preparing an article for a trade journal. Unofficially,
of course, I was trying to make a purchase decision <g>. He indicated to
me that Lyon Lamb (and I would assume ANY hardware-controller manufacturer)
was quite capable of turning out a similar product and would do so when the
market dictated. If and when they do, I think you will find that their
level of commitment to their product and its support will be far superior
to that you will probably get from Chase. Chase Technologies is a group of
highly talented and brilliant people. Their principals have also been
involved in the formation of some highly sucessful animation-oriented
ventures, so I do not mean to impune their qualifications. After numerous
conversations and correspondences with them, however, it is my opinion that
they are not in this business "for the long haul". Buying products from
such a company is always a risk for people like us, I think you will agree.
Maybe you shouldn't listen to me, though. In 1966, I thought Engelbert
Humperdink didn't have a chance! <g>
Ken Loss-Cutler