CompuServe Thread

David: We did a three part series on platforms, covering Amiga, PC and Macs. Every issue we do desktop video coverage, both product reviews and technology articles. I don't know which particular issue(s) you've seen or what your question is specifically. To answer it generally, there are a number of software and hardware products available now that make the PC a viable platform. Premiere is available for Windows and DVision Cineworks is another product that works well, and there are others being announced all the time (I know of two others to be announced at the NAB show in Las Vegas in April). Depending on your quality needs, it could be argued that neither the Mac or the PC is quite there yet in terms of broadcast quality nonlinear editing. Part of the problem is the bus structure and the data rates possible within the computer. Video's demands are tremendous both in terms of capacity and speed and only now are digitized video systems approaching broadcast quality. Of course there are many complex issues beyond the quality question though that is fundamental to your choice – at what level do you need to deliver your video – first generation Beta, S-VHS, VHS, or it doesn't matter. First you decide that, then you look for the nonlinear system that wil give it to you. To a degree it depends on the sophistication of your client or audience. They may not notice the difference between a first generation Betacam tape and digital video that's been compressed at 7:1, but I, and many others, can. As I said, there are many questions to be resolved and we try to cover some of these in every issue. I hope this gives you some of idea of where we're at. Anything else, let me know. Tim Wetmore