#Video Editor for Novice
7 messages in this thread
Tim,
Thanx for your response. FYI the $99 item was from Surplus Software in Hood
River, Oregon (mail order house). And you were right. The ad has no mention
of
output. I totally missed it.
I just read about the Studio Magic item in a video mag. I thought that might
fill my requirements and am looking for a retail outlet now to further
investigate. The ad
had MSRP as $499. If the card only captures still image, how does it record to
VCR?
Please excuse my ignorance, but I REALLY am a novice.
Once again, thanx for your time.
Don:
You're welcome! Glad to be of help.
>RE: StudioMagic: If the card only captures still image, how does it record to
VCR?<
Well, it works much like (and has similar features to) a low-end special
effects box like Panasonic's WJ-AVE3 or those things Sima advertises in
consumer video magazines. It serves mostly as a "pass-through" from your input
VCR to your output VCR, throwing in some digital effects and/or titles if you
want them. While it *can* capture video stills and allow you to output them to
your output VCR, and can also output some computer graphics and animation
formats, it's not intended for outputting digitized video footage or for doing
effects like dissolves between two motion video sources (you can, however,
dissolve between motion video and a freeze frame and vice versa, if you like
that type of effect).
Hope this helps,
Tim
PMJI (Does that mean Pardon My Jumping In?), but I have a problem that sounds
like it fits your solution.
My Community Access group has lots of members who have PCs. We would like to
put hardware in the studio that will do titling, and we would like to be able
to prepare all the title text on home PCs.
If we use the Studio Magic, would we be able to do multi-color titles? We
could get them looking nice in the relaxing pre-production warmth and comfort
of our own homes. Presumably, we would have to use
a common set of True Type fonts. Could we use graphics (like WMF files?)?
Could we use programs like
Powerpoint in pre-production? Or would we each need to buy a Studio Magic just
to get the software??
How good is the quality of the titling? Does it do anti-aliasing? How does it
compare to Broacast Titler 2 on the (ouch) Amiga? {Us novices hate the amiga}
Sorry to proliferate dumb-novice week on DTVForum, but greatful for your
patience.
Jim Gast
Jim,
I think that what you want to achieve is a lowest common denominator image
format. If Studio Magic can handle GIF, TIF, PCX, BMP, etc. with anywhere from
8bit color up to 24bit color plus an 8bit or so alpha channel then you will be
in real good shape.
Machines like the Pinncacle Alladin _Media Printer_, they call it, were
designed with this workgroup type mentality in mind. Create your images in
whatever paint/CG program you have in mind, and then use the media printer to
output them to video tape.
BTW (By the way :-), if you think Broadcast Titler 2 on an Amiga is fun, try
Prime Time (by Innovision) on a PC. <grin>
-John
> the Pinncacle Alladin _Media Printer_
If this is hardware/software for the PC? … something like an Encoder/Scan
Converter? If so, where can I find out more information? Looking to put
together a low end amateur hybrid system.
Thanks.
-jts
John,
Yes the Alladin is hardware/software for IBM & Compatibles. However it is not
a low end device, it is very high end. I was just using it as an example of
the "workstation" concept to video production.
-John
Jim:
>If we use the Studio Magic, would we be able to do multi-color titles? We
could get them looking nice in the relaxing pre-production warmth and comfort
of our own homes. Presumably, we would have to use
a common set of True Type fonts. <
Yes, you can–and yes, it's probably a good idea for everyone to have a common
set of TrueType fonts. Either that, or if anybody wants to use an unusual font,
they'll have to bring it in to be used.
>Could we use graphics (like WMF files?)? Could we use programs like
Powerpoint in pre-production?<
Can't use .WMF files, but you CAN use .AAS, .BMP, .DIB, .FLC, .FLI, .GIF, .SMS,
.PCX, .TGA, and .GTIF files. Not sure if you can use PowerPoint in
preproduction–how do you intend to use it?
>Or would we each need to buy a Studio Magic just to get the software??<
Probably–or get in touch w/StudioMagic for permission to copy their software
(or copies of their software only). Their number's (408) 378-3838.
>How good is the quality of the titling? Does it do anti-aliasing? How does
it compare to Broacast Titler 2 on the (ouch) Amiga?<
Though limited, the titles are pretty good–and I *think* it does anti-alias
(at least, the titles I've generated don't look blocky or 'jaggy'). Couldn't
say how it comparies to Broadcast Titler 2 since I've never used it–except to
say that it *doesn't* do things like crawls or even automatic shadowing (you
have to do that manually!).
>Sorry to proliferate dumb-novice week on DTVForum, but greatful for your
patience.<
Don't worry about it, Jim–how *else* do people learn?
Best,
Tim