#3D Studio vs. Lightwave
20 messages in this thread
That's a big question! It's not easy to answer. For detailed comparisons, you
might want to check out recent magazine comparisons of dozens of 3D programs on
the newstand now, in magazines like New Media.
Or you might want to check out the latest and greatest in 3D, and in great
detail I might add, in the latest issue of DV Magazine. We look at 14 of the
best packages for PCs, Macs, Amiga and SGI.
Lou Wallace
DV Magazine
Yes, I saw that one, too! 🙂 Lou, are you going to be a regular visitor to
this forum? Has the sysop sent you a press release kit yet?
I plan on stopping by regularly, and no, I don't think I got a press kit…
thanks,
Are you sure you're not just trying to sell your mag:)
Robert
I thought I was trying to get some answers to questions posted. We devoted most
of the Feb issue to 3D programs… Its possible there might be useful things
there!
Dear Lou,
Thanks, I just picked up my first issue (Jan). I be looking for
Feb. Question about the magazine; My understanding at this time of output of
video from a computer is that the only way to get close to 30fps (not counting
fields) is to use MPEG and hope to heck that your other computer components
actually run at there maxs (i.e. HD transfer) and even if everything is working
optimumally then you get good enough video to show at home, but not even close
enough to broadcast. Although
if you painstakingly output 1 frame at a time then you can get broadcast
worthy video. Is this true? Or are there products out there that can handle
broadcast video output from a computer based system (video from RAM or HD) at
30fps (60 fields , which I believe is that optimum)? And if so are they withen
a budget of $10k-$20 or higher?
I am a newbie to the DV world or even just the Video world, so any
answer I would appreciate. Btw, I am honored that a DV writer is responsing to
question in this forum:)
Sincerely,
Robert Mundkowsky
PMJI,
There is a board called the PAR (Personal Animation Recorder) which will
play 30fps/60 fields from a dedicated hard disk. Manufactured by DPS.
Don't know what the PC version costs, but the Amiga version, with drive,
is about $1800 (I think).
It uses motion JPEG. I usually hear the quality described as Beta-like.
There are other similar boards available, some using MPEG.
I don't actually HAVE one 🙁 but those who do swear by them.
Hope this helps. I'm sure Lou will be along with more complete info.
Kent
Thank Kent,
The only thing being is that Mpegger are lossy Compression algorithms
which means a lot of data is thrown out, so can you get prime time NTSC
broadcast quality with one, hmm?
Robert
>Can you get prime time NTSC broadcast quality with one?<
Well, I have yet to see a true definition of "broadcast quality", other
than meeting the technical specs for signal transmission.
The Amiga PAR is, from what I have heard, Beta but not Beta SP quality.
However, this was based on the original system. Newer Hard drives and
software are continually improving matters, and I believe the PC version
does the compression in hardware. All this allows for a higher "quality
setting". The best thing to do is find someone who has one, and look at
the output.
Just as analog audiophiles claim they can hear the loss in digital sound,
videophiles will claim digital video is not "broadcast quality". Me, I
like CDs, and can't tell the difference. The ONLY time I've ever noticed
artifacting on a PAR animation at the highest quality setting was on a
still, and even then, you gotta look for it.
On the other hand, the short answer is probably "no". 🙂
Kent
Thanks agian,
Hmm, I suppose what I am trying to say is can you create say an
animation, output it with the PAR and hand it to a broadcaster like NBC, CNS,
and etc have it aired?
Also you refer to "Beta quality"; What are the different quality
ranges? I am aware of S-VHS, Hi-8, VHS, and iI think there is a 0.75 inch tape
too, but I am not aware of how they compare to each other. Can you give me any
help on this Kent? (I hope so=) )
Questionably,
Robert
Robert,
Um, we've about reached the limit of my technical expertise. 🙁
Very loosely, VHS has about 225 lines of resolution, Hi-8 about 400, S-VHS
about 425. (These numbers are to the best of my recollection). Also,
Hi-8 and S-VHS use a component signal, keeping the luminance element
seperate from the chroma. This provides for less color smearing than with
a composite signal like VHS or 8mm. I don't know much about Beta specs,
only that it's better and more expensive, and Beta SP is a step up from
Beta.
I hope somebody jumps in here with better info.
As to whether you can go direct to air from a PAR, I just don't know. My
totally uneducated guess is that if you output from the PAR to Beta SP,
your local station would air it, especially in smaller markets. Big city
or network might not. Again, this is all based on what I've heard and
read shile lurking about, not on personal experience.
Sounds like a good topic for a thread. I'll put it up and see who bites.
Good luck.
Kent
The M-JPEG PAR is totaly Broadcast Quality, as a mater of fact the NBC
affiliate here in Denver just got one for production. MPEG, which operates by
compressing every 10th frame or so and saving info. about what changes are in
between, does not lend itself to editing systems. Where MPEG really shines is
in the digital delivery of the final video, such as CD-ROM, or Direct Broadcast
Satelite. Everything on Direct TV is coming from MPEG Players at the head
end.(which BTW, is in Castle Rock, just 20 miles south of Denver). Don James
TCR
Kent …hmm…maybe Superman, thanks yet again:)
Robert
>>can you create say an animation, output it with the PAR and hand it to a
broadcaster like NBC, CNS, and etc. have it aired? <<
In a word, yes! We do it daily, though not for such big guys like NBC. The
PAR is one of the best pieces of hardware/software I've ever seen. Amazing
thing, and what a time saver.
Later
S.G. Bailey
Image Dynamics, Inc.
Thank and where can I find info on the PAR? Address of company or such?
Robert
MPEG still requires a $10-20K board to do the compression of video. Most
desktop editing systems use M-JPEG (Motion JPEG). Systems like the Fast Video
Machine DP/R and Avid use a pair of disks to provide Beta or better quality.
1:3 compression is now possible, and hard drives are still getting faster.
NewTek designed their own variable compression system that will provide D-2
quality. So, the answer is yes, for around $20,000, you can get a Broadcast
Quality, Non-Linear Editing system with about an hour of Digital storage.
Best of luck, Don James TCR
Great Thanks,
What does D-2 stand for btw?
Robert
The Big Four networks what all programs on 2" videotape, 1" videotape or,
sometimes D-1 or D-2. Those are two of the Digital Video formats. Local cable
station and low-power stations will often accept programs on 3/4" Umatic or
Beta-SP
Thanks Bob,
Robert M.