#Video
23 messages in this thread
LES,
Thanks for responding so quickly and thoroughly. However, the
configurations you recommended exceed my budget. I guess I should
have mentioned that I dont have to have broadcast quality. I mean
that would be great, but I guess Ive just assumed that thats
impossible right now for less that $10,000.
Your recommendations cause me to pull out my 4/95 issue of Digital
Video Magazine and glean whatever info I could from the ///FAST
advertisement and Resellers descriptions. Of course, I then noticed
///FASTs low end product line; i.e. Movie Line (which includes Movie
Machine Pro w/ Motion-JPEG Option, Adobe Premiere, Animator Pro and
XingCD authoring software. All for $995). Are you familiar with this
product? It sound great, but I like a confirmation from 2 or 3
witnesses.
Ive requested the manufacturers info, but until then Id appreciate
some other input.
Well … can't do it now but will get back to you next week with the email
addresses of several very satisfied owners of the items below. I have, to
install both the Movie Machine Pro and M-JPEG Option and all the software
mentioned below on the shelf above me… as I write. I will have it installed
and
working by late next week. I will let you know my personal opinion… but know
from many others right now that it is all GREAT!!! Cannot beat the price for
the quality offered..
>>Movie Line (which includes Movie Machine Pro w/ Motion-JPEG Option, Adobe
Premiere, Animator Pro and XingCD authoring software. All for $995). Are you
familiar with this product?<<
Les,
Excellent! I really appreciate you doing this. As long as you're testing the
equipment, I thought I might make mention, in case I haven't yet, that I'm not
especially interested in creating animation. I primarily want to take analog
footage, convert it to digital, edit it with ease, perhaps add some nice
titles, neat transitions and maybe an effect or two, and then dump it back onto
tape.
If the Movie Machine Pro can do this and put out a nice image without glitchs,
color bars and stalls, then I'll probably go for it. So I'm eager to know how
it goes. I'm also interest in the opinion of other users of this product.
Thank for you time, Les!
chris
Chris,
Your free DTV handbook is on the way. I installed a complete Movie Line w/
motion JPEG in my Zeos p90 at home. After a couple of tech calls and getting my
IRQs in line, I was up and running. I ca grab 1 minute of video in around 15
frames, with 1 or less frames lost! Not only does it look good, it is the best
computer game ever. I analyze my golf swing, I add video clips to everything.
A couple of notes on Movie Machine:
1) better to use a sound card from turtle beach notr creative. I don't know
why, but info on this and other forums plus inet newsgroups says to.
2) If you need SVHS quality, a new version is due out in about 60 days (so I am
told)
3) Trust me, you will start messing with animations once you get into it. I
find this eqipment is like potato chips, once you start, you can't stop.
4) Here are the most critical system requirements
486dx2 or faster chip
8 meg ram (16 is better, especially w/ a 486
A fast 32 bit access harddrive (SCSI is not necessary, but will give
better results, especially with a 486)
If you have any more questions, give me a call on out DTV tech support line 516
759-1615 (9-5 M-F)
Regards and happy videomaking,
Gary Bettan
tech advice specialist
The Electronic Mailbox
ps check out the FAST web site @www.telepost.no/ndt/ndt.html
you will have to jump to english
also check out videomaker mag @ www.videomaker.com
Hi Gary
Would you please resend your DTV Handbook to:
VIdeology, Inc. 72-6 Newtown Road Danbury, CT 06810
The first one you sent got mangled by the USPS and only the cover, with the
address, arrived.
Thanks.
Hank
Videology, Inc Where service is our product
I would like a copy of the DTV handbook. TYIA
Larry McCoy
Vintage Video
P.O. 1616
Gallatin, TN 37066
We would love to have a copy of your DTV handbook.
John Myers
2070 Touraine
Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
Gary,
What kind of picture quality do you end up with when you convert your analog
footage to digital, manipulate it in Movie Machine and dump it back to tape? Do
it lose a lot of sharpness? Are there color-bars, stars, glitches, etc?
chris
Chris,
The beauty of digitizing video is you eliminate any generation loss. What you
inherit are digital artifacs. I was very impressed with the results I got using
the MMPRO with vacation footage I shot with a 4 year old Ricoh 8mm camcorder.
Here are some tips and observations about digitized video with MM Pro
1) If you pan the camera to follow a fast moving object, you will get a
non-fluid type motion. This is most noticable when you pan against the scan
lines.
2) On talking head type shots, I was able to use very high (30-50:1) ratios and
still get acceptable video quality
3) If you need close up detail of textures, digital video isn't really there
yet (for under $1000 cards). Textures and subtle shadows tend to get averaged
(muddied).
The picture looks good, but close examination will reveal the loss of
resolution.
4) The faster the CPU and disk drive, the better the capture rate, the better
the finished product.
5) Don't even try non-linear editing with less then 16 meg RAM. ANd You can't
make up for it with virtual memory, using the harddisk is to slow, and editing
becomes tedious.
6) I had no problem with color bars, or loss of sharpnes in general, although I
did get some odd color shifts in the sky portion of some images.
There's my 100% totally biased views on the Fast Movie Line. I love it, and so
do my customers!
Gary Bettan
The Electronic Mailbox
DTV tech support 516 759-1615
Gary,
What kind of products do you sell to your customers. Just ///Fast products? Why
are you biased? Is it because you learned DTV on ///Fast products? On what
other DTV systems do you have hands on experience?
If you don't have time to answer any of the above, could you at least answer
this (although I think you'll say yes). Do you think it would be wise for me,
as a beginner in DTV, to purchase and learn on MMPro (the assumed best of the
current low-end DTV) and wait a year or two until the dust settles and prices
drop in the high-end battle for the best? This is what my gut feeling is after
reading the May issue of DV on NLE systems.
chris
PMJI
There is a MOVIE MACHINE PRO coming out supposedly in July. Its has some nice
additional features, the details of which you can get from your dealer.
However, there is no certainty it will come out in July and its more expensive
than the plain old Movie Machine.
Michael
Thanks,
Do you use MMPro? If so, has it been a good experience?
chris
I don't but I have looked at it and a number of reviews and I will likely be
getting it in the next week or so as it has received consistently positive
reviews – like all products it has received its share of criticisms as well. I
don't have the details at my fingertips, but if you are really interested, go
to the Fast forum where its good and bad points are frequently discussed.
Michael
Michael,
Great. I'd be interested to know how it goes for you. Is the FAST forum you
mentioned on CServe? If so, what is the GO command? I am aware that there's one
on the Internet, however I've never surfed there. I wouldn't even know how to
jump on from CServe, although I know it's possible.
If the forum you referred to is only on the Internet, could you possible
provide some simple instructions on how to get there from CIM? If the FAST
forum is on CServe, could you please give me the GO command?
Thanks for you time,
chris
Michael,
It's nice to see a realistic consumer. We hope to have new MM II product in
July. I am visiting Fast USA in two weeks. I hope to have accurate ship dates
and full feature/pricing at that time. Look for my own little "press release"
when I return.
Regards,
Gary Bettan
The Electronic Mailbox
Chris,
You are correct on both accounts. I sell Fast products, and I learned about NLE
using the MM Pro w.M-JPEG. I have researched other products, and I have visited
some awe inspiring high end MAC based systems (Avid, Radius).
For the money, I am very pleased with the Fast products, and my customer's
satisfaction has been excellent.
I have sent you a FREE copy of our DTV handbook. We do sell a complete offering
of DTV products, from Video Director, Aver Media scan converters and overlay
cards, and the Fast products. As tech support specialist, I install and try
every one of these products. (It's a dirty job, but someone's gotta do it!) My
opinion of Fast is very biased, because they have blown me away with their
customer and dealer support. They are constantly improving and upgrading their
product line, and their insallation, compared to other products I've evaluated,
is quite simple. (IRQ conflicts and all)
Ragards,
Gary Bettan
The Electronic Mailbox
Gary—
I missed the original thread about your book.
As the evangelist for Media 100 (Mac nonlinear video system) I'm interested in
what you are doing.
May I get a copy/find out more about your publication?
–patrick rafter
Les,
Any feedback yet on your Movie Machine Pro testing?
chris
Chris…
I just installed the boards… getting up is yet to come. I am having
a bit of video problem with the 'feature' connection. I will have more
mid next week.
keep in touch… the response to this has been good!!
les
Les,
Thanks for the update. By the way, what kind of configuration are you
installing the MMPro on? And what kind of stuff are you planning to do on it?
chris
Chris…
>what kind of configuration are you installing the MMPro on<
PC.. 486-66 DX2
16 MB RAM
3.5 Gigs
>what kind of stuff are you planning to do on it<
Video production– video to video
video to interactive media
TOPICS:
Chiropractic Health Care
Sports Medicine; Therapy & Recovery
Fly-Fishing Techniques
*education
*information
*marketing
Canoe/Kayak; educational & informative
And whatever else my imagination will produce… 😉
les
Re: feature connestor problems Fast has improved the software of the
MM Pro, but has not documented it in the manual. Try installing
without the features connector. I don't know why, but 90% of users
don't need it, and it slows down and/or complicates set up if you use
it.
Gary Bettan states….`
>Try installing without the features connector. I don't know why, but 90% of
users don't need it, and it slows down and/or complicates set up if you use it<
Man Gary that is un UNDERSTATEMENT!!! My entire system went baserk when
I connected to the Features connector!!! Unconnected and I had my machine
back.
Thanks for the reassuring comments… they are appreciated… I should have
read the note sooner–would have saved me a bit of frustration!! 🙁
les