CompuServe Thread

Nearly all are unanimous that ///FAST Video Machine Lite at $2500 MSRP is the safe bet if you're prepared to spend this much. Of course you'll need two source decks and one record with machine control. This system is good enough to justify frame accurate decks. This adds up quickly. The less expensive route is FutureVideo V-Station 3300 at $1000. Or VISCA with EzV2 and VBoxes. That's about $250 for the software. There's no cheap way to do A/B with tape because you need capable software and decks. Call B&H Photo in NYC. They carry all this stuff. 800-947-9925. I'm just learning about editing and others with experience may jump in and lend you a hand. -jts

I use the EZV2 option prevoiusly mentioned and have found it to work well enough, at a cost that is low enough, that I recommend it highly. You can also contact Ron Cwik (sounds like Swick) at 708-213-2227. He sells mail order at great prices, and iiis very competetive. James Bell Jr. — Multimedia Contributor – CompuServe

A more complete brief answer is for home quality editing the new low cost capture cards from Miro ($600 for DC1 with new DC2 due out NAB) and ///FAST ($1000 Movie Machine Pro … but some have noted significant software problems) are ok for NLE. Somewhere between VHS and SVHS quality if fed hi band signal. Software for NLE is Adobe Premiere and it's usually bundled. For pro work all say it's still tape based editing unless you're willing to spend $20,000 or so. Truevision Targa 2000 is considered entry level. I can't help you on this level but others here, in DTVFORUM and BPFORUM can. Also prosumer help on CEVIDEO. Selected vendors have forums as well … .///FAST, Miro, Truevision, Adobe for examples. Computer can be either Mac or PC/Windows with lots of heat on which is 'best'. My take is that Windows has the decided advantage but I wouldn't want to argue this point. Mac is fine. It all started with Video Toaster for Amiga. Now Commodore is out of business. Basically you can't have enough CPU, memory or hard drive. For PC most say 486DX2/66, 16mb ram and 2-4 gigabytes of fast HD (E-IDE or FAST SCSI-II) ok for starters. Bottle neck for NLE is hard drive sustained transfer rate. For tape based editing nearly everyone is positive about ///FAST Video Machine. A/B roll. Everything you need except the decks. Lite version for $2500 MSRP. FutureVideo V-Station 3300 ($1000) comes up often too. EzV2 often mentioned as bargain VISCA software controller at $250. Stand alone edit gear (ie., non-computer based) … All I know is that Videonics is the only serious prosumer stuff. Panasonic, Sony and JVC often mentioned at pro level. This is way out of my league anyway. <g> March '95 issue of Videomaker has a nice overview with product lists in each category (storyboard, capture, overlay, NLE, hybrid, tape editors). The last couple issues of Videography have focused on first Mac and then Windows based editing. I haven't seen a good book, at least on the prosumer level. Camcorders are Sony TR-700 for top consumer palmcorder and reads and writes RCTC for $1250. Prosumer level is Sony VX-3 and Canon L2 at about $2,500 (and up for Canon with interchangeable lens). Panasonic AG-455 is popular in SVHS format. Everyone craves the Sony Hi8 EVW-300 at $5k. VX-3 and EVW-300 are 3 CCD camcorders. Decks are Sony EV-S7000, CVD-1000 and EVO-9720 for Hi8. The latter has two transports and works nicely for simple editing self contained or A/B roll. About $3500. The former are about $1400 with second being VISCA. SVHS is Panasonic AG-1970 for starters. When single frame accuracy needed Sanyo GVR-S950/955 is usually mentioned. There is a lot of gear out there. Only thing I've used is TR-700 and for me this is a home editing hobby. B&H Photo NYC handles it all. 800-947-9925. Oh, having lots of money can be useful. <g> But today's gear is considered a bargain for what it does compared to what it once required for the same tasks. Hope this helps. -jts