CompuServe Thread

I'm looking hard too so I am glad to share what little I've learned. My bottom line take is that the Amiga Video Toaster revolution has not quite made it full force to Windows. I think 6 months or so we'll see so real options. Right now they're mostly half baked. The low ball route seems to be Video Director 2.0 ($100) for cuts only editing. You can add a genlock or other card with video output (talk to Gold Disk on WINAPC forum) for titling. If you have a VHS deck then you can use the 8mm cam as source. It will have LANC and VD will use this and infra red on your VHS deck. You will find much better results if you shoot in Hi8 rather than 8mm. Then your VHS tapes will look like prerecorded movies rather than n-generation porn. Have you decided on a camcorder? Suggest mail order from Camera World of Oregon (this one is especially good to talk too) or B&H Photo in NYC (pretty much know what you want when you call). Both professional and trustworthy. If you can find a copy of March Videomaker they have a nice overview of the various hardware and software components in todays DTV market. There are also some digital editing options that are close. New products will be announced in two weeks at NAB (National Association Broadcasters Conference) and of course the Spring COMDEX. Best advice is to wait on digitial editing (so called Non Linear Editing) until then. Does this help some? -jts

You could try something like the DPS PAR card, the companion image capture card, and software such as Razor-Pro. This would allow you to do all of your edits, transitions, and other stuff using a very simple point and click environment. IMHO this is a very productive way to work, but there again I'm biased as we sell this kit (there again we wouldn't sell it if we didn't think it was good!). We're in the UK – not sure what the price will be in your part of the world, but it will almost certainly be cheaper than a decent three deck plus editor setup. Paul Ockenden, Effective Design and Communication, Brighton, UK.