CompuServe Thread

Your question on videotape will most certainly generate a lot of answers. Making a videotape is most certainly a good idea. You have lots of options, from going out real-time via a cheap-ish video output card ($500 and up) to your home VHS deck, all the way up to going out via a Targa or Vista card (video output card, $2000 or so for Targa, $8000 or so for Vista but fantastic quality) and tape it frame by frame (single-frame controller $1000 and up, but very smooooth-looking) to a BetaCam SP tape deck ($35,000 to buy, $200/day to rent). My suggestion is to start with the el cheapo VHS tape and see if you can generate some work from that, and use your earnings to make a better tape. Even if the tape doesn't work out, your out-of-pocket is small; your only expenses are the video output card and VHS tapes, which can most certainly be used for other projects. You might want to pick up a copy of the book AutoCAD 3D Design and Presentation. This book (which I co-authored) has a section on video output that talks about many different video formats and the pros/cons of each, and also about the recording process. It is geared toward Acad/3DS/AniPro users. With a VHS made at home one advantage is you can make as many copies as you want right off your computer, and that a three-minute tape will take three minutes to make. For the higher quality tape, you might be able to find someone in your area with a Vista card, single framer controller and Betacam deck who could tape it for you, at least the first time, which will save you money over buying the actual equipment needed. Michele