CompuServe Thread

#PAR vs. VLAB

5 messages in this thread
#97078From: Erik FlomDec 16, 1994 4:46 PM
I just got back from the VTU Expo in LA, and had a chance to see VLAB motion. For the price, it looks OK. Personally, I wouldn't buy it – they claim 640×480 resolution, but the still frames sure looked like 320×200 (MPEG-1). The output didn't look near as good as the PAR, but they were only using a laserdisc copy of TerminatorII as an input source. I didn't spend much time in the booth, since I have little 'professional' interest in an NLE for my Amiga. Short of doing a demo reel once a year, the PAR fills all my needs. It would be fun to have an NLE, but I don't have the slots for it – much less the cash! As for the audio solution….You're going to be saddened to hear that they were selling AD1012's for $99 at the Sunrize booth on the last day. It's 12-bit mono in/out, upto 48KHz, and it came with their Studio16 software to do 16bit mixing. (And to think I just bought Digital Sound Track for $65!!) Needless to say, I snapped up one of those boards! Since it uses the same software as the AD516, they assured me I would be able to synch sound with my PAR anims! Talk to ya' later. Keep On Toastin' Erik Flom – ELF Works 3D Construction Co.
#97129From: EDWARD HANSTDec 17, 1994 9:28 AM
You don't know how sad. I just oredered the AD516 and they were supposed to ship the same day. I hope they din't ship because I coeld sure wait for the 1012. Thanks for your help.
#97217From: Erik FlomDec 18, 1994 1:28 PM
Tell them you were at the show, but didn't have a chance to get one, maybe they'll honor the price?!? :^) If all else fails, I now have a copy of Digital Sound Track I'd be willing to let got for $60? <g> Keep On Toastin' Erik Flom – ELF Works 3D Construction Co.
#97213From: Bruce G. ConsidineDec 18, 1994 12:50 PM
99 What! Oh Boy…six months ago I spent $500.+ on an AD1012. What a Deal. Tell me how you like your 1012, so far I've been happy with mine. Sure would have liked that price. Do you know if they are continuing that price or was that a show only special? I've done some lip synch animation with the 1012/PAR combo. I was picking the SMPTE time code of sounds (for mouth shapes) off the wave form as the indicator bar scanned through. On more recent work it was handy in removing microphone cable rattle. The software has some interesting stuff. Bruce
#97223From: Erik FlomDec 18, 1994 2:43 PM
Thanks! I know I got a killer deal! (If it's any consolation, the CD-ROM player I paid $600 for last year is now going for $200….:^S) I kind of wish it was a stereo output, but the quality of the mono channel seems nice. (I've only digitized one source from audio cassette thus far.) On the software end, the editing and playback features seem very polished. I really appreciate the flexibility of the dynamically sizable windows – it gives it a very SGI-like interface. What surprises me most is that I've been able to record and playback to a remote drive over my Ethernet network. (The 3000 with the AD1012 only has one tiny 50MB HD, and about 20MB RAM, so I _couldn't_ save some of my samples locally.) The SMPTE interface with the PAR is really fun too! I didn't realize it actually shuttled the video to match the current SMPTE code, I just thought it was a GPI trigger sort of thing. Keep On Toastin' Erik Flom – ELF Works 3D Construction Co.