CompuServe Messages

I'm a manager of a small graphics media department in the federal government. Most of my project work involves the production of print media (brochures, reports, posters, etc.) and exhibits. A few years ago, I also ran my own desktop publishing business (and still do some on the side) so I have a pretty good hands-on knowledge of computer graphic design and DTP. However, I'm getting more and more involved in multi-media and video — and area I'm not nearly as familiar with. I need some advice and opinions that will at least give me some feel for the video field. We have a three person video production shop that uses over $200,000 worth of video production equipment and an on-line editing suite. We are being asked to make decisions about the future of this shop and how they will provide service to our other departments. This shop includes dedicated staff who produce excellent work. Here are my questions (some of them dumb and naive, I realize): 1) With the rapid improvement in data compression, will low cost desktop video eventually replace expensive and specialized video production hardware? 2) Can accessible and inexpensive desktop video (e.g. Intel's Smart Video Recorder Pro and similar hardware/software packages) replace production suites for multi-media presentations? Will they someday? 3) Will we see the day when desktop video for the masses can produce professional quality video for television? If not now, when? I participated in the revolution of DTP and how over five short years it changed the print industry as we know it. I can now reliably produce professional quality print materials from my desktop for less than a $15,000 investment. Five years ago, I would have needed about $150,000 to do the same thing. I wonder if the same thing is happening in the video production world. I would greatly appreciate your thoughts on this. Sorry for being so long-winded. I placed this message in the Business section of DTV by mistake. Sorry bout that. Jim Mulchinock