#VM Lite–Helpful Tips?
18 messages in this thread
Hi! I just got a Fast Video Machine Lite to review for an upcoming
issue of VIDEO (at last!!!), and I'd like to hear from anyone who's
tried installing one into their Windows computers themselves what
kind of hassles I can reasonably expect, how you overcame them, what
types of IRQ conflicts I can anticipate, etc….
Also, from anyone w/a VM Lite, what sort of neato capabilities should I be
looking at when I playing w/it for my review?
I'd be happy to hear from anybody w/experience w/the VM Lite so I know what to
expect…
Best (and very, VERY happy!),
Tim Liebe
Tim, I have the full VM and it's great. Most of the setup should be the same.
Try the auto configure when you load. The program will check for the proper
settings. If there is a conflict, you can change them. There is a lot to
learn, so don't expect to make a movie in half an hour. When you set up your
players and recorder, make sure that all setting are the same – yc or
composite. This has to be done in the initial setup when you load your drivers
and also in the timeline. All kinds of neat effects. If you got version 2.0
software, you can mark the timeline with music, and match video clips to the
music. Much easier than guessing where to put your cuts. Fast has it's own
forum. Go Multivenb forum and tab to Fast. Lots of users there who can answer
any questions. Have fun.
Lynn
Emerich Video Service
Lynn:
>Tim, I have the full VM and it's great. Most of the setup should be the
same.<
Thanks! I'm looking forward to–er, reviewing it!
Yeah, that's all I'm interested in–reviewing it…
😉
Best,
Tim
Tim,
I am very happy to hear about this!! If I can be of any service please do not
hesitate to call.
Gary Bettan
The Electronic Mailbox
800-323-2325
Gary:
>I am very happy to hear about this!! If I can be of any service please do not
hesitate to call.<
I won't! Thanks!
BTW, I just finished reviewing the Sima FX-L Video Ed/It, and would be curious
as to what responses you've gotten back on it. Frankly, I thought it sucked
rocks–but I was curious as to whether the accuracy on edit controllers (like
Sima's Universal Editor which I saw your co. sold) that use IR control on
*both* ends is any better than I was getting from this machine (roughly 2-3
*seconds* on average)…
Best,
Tim
Tim, You have to put your Joe consumer hat on when evaluating these
type of products. What people want is to get rid of the crap footage
– out of focus, feet, lens caps, etc. Frame accuracy isn't as
important if the unit is easy to set up, use and operate. 2-3
seconds is quite poor. We tell our customers to put down 5 seconds of
black at the front of the tape. This tends to help basic Control L
accuracy. I can't tell you how many Videonics editmakers we sold
(100s) and most of them are collecting dust in attics. They were
quite accurate, but impossible for the average guy to use. The SFX-L
has a great customer satisfaction rating with our customers, because
we qualify them, and put together systems that meet their budget,
needs and expectations. I suggest you try to edit a short tape (under
30 min) just using two VCR's or your VCR and camcorder. Then edit the
same tape using the SFX-L. I think you will get a real appreciation
for the ease, covenience and look of the finished product. You know
what the SFX-L can and can't do, try using it with those expectations
in mind. I think you will give it a different rating.
Regards,
Gary Bettan
Gary:
>You have to put your Joe consumer hat on when evaluating these type of
products. What people want is to get rid of the crap footage – out of focus,
feet, lens caps, etc. Frame accuracy isn't as important if the unit is easy to
set up, use and operate. <
Well, that's true enough–however, the image that comes out of the machine is
*also* nothing to write home about… I will give it this–it's pretty easy to
set up and use (and that's reflected in my review as well as the problems w/the
video and the innacuracy–in fact, the lack of frame-accuracy is a pretty minor
beef in it).
>I can't tell you how many Videonics editmakers we sold (100s) and most of them
are collecting dust in attics. They were quite accurate, but impossible for the
average guy to use.<
Really? I always thought they were relatively easy to use, given everything
they did…
>I suggest you try to edit a short tape (under 30 min) just using two VCR's or
your VCR and camcorder. Then edit the same tape using the SFX-L. I think you
will get a real appreciation for the ease, covenience and look of the finished
product. <
I did, Gary–and its ease of use is reflected in my review, too (in fact, it's
up top of the review, praising its simplicity). The stuff I *didn't* like is
mentioned later in the review. As for the look of the finished product… well,
I was a little disappointed getting electronic "glitches" in the middle of the
fade/wipe points, and the weak, "watery" colors I got (and yes, I *was* using a
strong input signal–I figured that out early on), as well as the tendency to
add to the existing flaws in the tape. Still, I considered it good enough for a
"5" on the new VIDEO 1-10 scale, and commented in my review that the product
had a lot going for it–if only Sima would pay a bit more attention to video
output signal, it'd be a great product.
Best,
Tim
Tim,
I agree with you 100%. We have been after Sima to improve the video quality of
all their editors. For under a buck, they could improve the signal quality but
they won't redesign any units. Oh well, thats what happens when you don't
design or manufacture anything, just import it. Ambico is coming out with an
SFX-L/ Thumbs-up
type unit. I have been unable to get a working sample at this time. Ambico does
make better products (from a video signal perspective) and my hope is that this
unit meets our video quality expectations.
The Direct Ed and Editmaker where extremely difficult to set up and use. Those
with the patience and know how ended up with a spectacular editing system. The
bulk of buyers just gave up. The incredible amount of tech support required was
a major reason for the products being discontinued.
Talk to you soon,
Gary Bettan
The Electronic Mailbox
Gary:
>I agree with you 100%. We have been after Sima to improve the video quality of
all their editors. For under a buck, they could improve the signal quality but
they won't redesign any units. Oh well, thats what happens when you don't
design or manufacture anything, just import it. <
I can just imagine! One of the reasons I'm always remarking in my reviews on
improvements I think manufacturers could make is because I'm hoping that, if
enough people ask, maybe they'll listen…
>The Direct Ed and Editmaker where extremely difficult to set up and use. Those
with the patience and know how ended up with a spectacular editing system. <
Since I never got to review it (and since, while it seemed like a great system
for a consumer, it was a bit "low-end" for my needs even back when it was new,
so I never purchased one), I didn't know these problems.
BTW, sorry I've taken so long to get back to you–I'm in the process of moving
into a new office, and I just got my modem set up today!
Best,
Tim
Tim,
I have been using VM Lite for about 6 months and absolutely love it. The
price cannot be beat for the entry level video maker- and seems to be adequate
for true broadcast professionals. If the VM Lite is not powerfull enough, the
upgrade path to full VM or DPR is supposedly is easy and not too expensive. I
use VMLite to make industrial video, such as business seminars and training
tapes. I began doing this as a second, part time job, but now I do it full
time.
My set up is:
VM Lite in a Pentium 90
Sony SLV-R1000 SVHS- Recorder
Pansonic AG-1970 SVHS- Player A
I primarily do A/X editing, but when I need true A/B roll I can hook up my
camera AG455 as a B deck or I also have a Sony CVD-1000 Hi8 which I can use as
a B deck. For this last unit I had to purchase the multi I/O upgrade.
Once I rearranged my ISA boards to vacate a slot capable of accomadating the
true full length VM board, the install went through without a hitch. I had no
conflicts with IRQs or memory. This was pleasing considering I have a sound
card, modem, CD-ROM and other periphiels to conflict with. This system will
occaisionally lock-up on me, but this is very infrequent. I would estimate once
every week. Auto-save always comes in handy here.
Though the install went through OK I had a problem with one of the cables on
the the input connectector. One of the four S-Video inputs didn't work. This
wasn't a problem since I only planned to use 2 inputs immediately- howver I
wanted it fixed for when I upgrade. FAST was very helpful. A FAST rep via the
Compuserve forum helped me confirm it was a bad cable and not user error. He
proceded to give me an RMA# with which to call FAST. They had me a new cable
pigtail by 10:30am two days later! I was very happy. However, I would
recommend everyone check all inputs even if you don't plan on using them
immediately. I could have easily let this slip and not found the problem until
a year later when the warranty would be of no value.
Since then all has gone very well. I recently downloaded the new version of
their software. I had several major problems with the new software, but have
since worked almost all of them out- after 2-3 times reconfiguring my system.
The extra features are worth the extra effort I guess.
Let me know if you have any specific questions, I'd be more than happy to
assist.
-Jamal
Jamal:
>I have been using VM Lite for about 6 months and absolutely love it. <
Thanks for all the info! Good to hear you're happy w/it, and what you've told
me helps a great deal.
Best,
Tim
< Reality Television >
Why did you choose the LITE version, Tim? We're very impressed with the
additional editing features in the full model — and at only about $1200 more
it seemed a far better buy. Was your budget that constrained, or did you find
the additional features of little interest?
Bill McCormick
Reality Television
Bill:
>Why did you choose the LITE version, Tim? We're very impressed with the
additional editing features in the full model — and at only about $1200 more
it seemed a far better buy. Was your budget that constrained, or did you find
the additional features of little interest?<
Actually, it's a question of what VIDEO's readership would comfortably buy.
Since I'm reviewing it, I have to take into account that most of VIDEO's
readership probably won't plunk down $4,000 or more for a single piece of
equipment, but *might* plunk down $2,000 or so if the product's really, really
good.
That's the only reason for the Lite over the full version.
Best,
Tim
< Reality Television >
<< Actually, it's a question of what VIDEO's readership would comfortably buy.
Since I'm reviewing it, I have to take into account that most of VIDEO's
readership probably won't plunk down $4,000 or more for a single piece of
equipment, but *might* plunk down $2,000 or so if the product's really, really
good. >>
That makes sense, Tim–especially inasmuch as LITE buyers can upgrade to the so
called HEAVY version later if desired. In terms of straight editing, the LITE
version has about all most folks want anyway–at least for linear editing
purposes.
I'd like to read your review–has it been published? If so where and what
issue…
Bill McCormick
Reality Television
Bill:
>>In terms of straight editing, the LITE version has about all most folks want
anyway–at least for linear editing purposes.<<
I agree with you there, but also for non-linear editing purposes. At least
last time I was told, a VM Lite owner can still buy and work with the DP/R.
The VM Lite version sacrifices only four things: the pattern generator, the
on-line editing/switching panel, EDL support, and alpha wipes. I suspect for
the average semi-pro user, those alpha wipes and maybe color bars are the only
things to be missed.
Jeff Sauer
<< Reality Television >>
<< The VM Lite version sacrifices only four things: the pattern generator,
the on-line editing/switching panel, EDL support, and alpha wipes. I suspect
for the average semi-pro user, those alpha wipes and maybe color bars are the
only things to be missed. >>
You're right enough, Jeff. Although we do like the A-Wipes, the proliferation
of editing systems seems to have proven that almost any effect or transition is
easy to overuse–no doubt leading some viewers to early retinal detachment<bg>.
Astigmatism tests, linearity patterns and convergence tools are at least more
interesting than color bars. When it comes to bars, the more I see the more
certain I become that if you seen one you've seen 'em all.<VBG>.
Are you doing industrial, commercial or program editing?
Wm. B. McCormick
Reality Television
Bill:
>That makes sense, Tim–especially inasmuch as LITE buyers can upgrade to the
so called HEAVY version later if desired. In terms of straight editing, the
LITE version has about all most folks want anyway–at least for linear editing
purposes.<
Well, that's the reasoning we're using at VIDEO, at any rate–and for most of
our customers, the "Lite" version will be MORE than "heavy" enough… <g>
>I'd like to read your review–has it been published? If so where and what
issue…<
Actually, I'm starting on it next week for the September issue of VIDEO
Magazine. I'd be doing it now, but we've got to run numbers first…
Best,
Tim
< Reality Television >
We'll look forward to the article with interest.
BIll McCormick
Reality Television