CompuServe Thread

EDLP vs EditLister?

7 messages in this thread
#14609From: Mark CretcherJan 20, 1990 3:43 PM
Is anybody using MicroIllusions EDLP? I have an offline system (Convergence ECS90) and I want to be able to build lists for CMX. I'm quite familiar with Edit Lister, its a time proven ,feature laden, well supported, pro product -the standard of the industry- but I'm committed to Amiga as my computer of choice for other applications. I'd love to save the cost of a bridgeboard as well as the considerable difference in the cost of the software if EDLP even approaches the features of Edit Lister. I've been told it will accept serial edit info from the 90, but the MicroIllusions fact sheet is very sketchy in the area of specifics. Can it save in CMX format or do you have to save in ascii and use a list conversion program? If it does CMX can I make a CMX3600 readable disk with Cross-Dos or some such product or does EDLP support 3.5" MS-Dos disk format somehow? Does it multi-task (can I run a titleing and/or 3D effects program concurrently, RAM permitting)? Can I just close down its window and let it input edits transparently, keeping the display clear for genlocked titles or graphics ? Will the screen layout and list management functions be familiar to me (a long time CMX Editor)? And how about the health of MicroIllusions? I've heard some disheartening rumors. I'm not expecting great list cleaning or tracing abilities, just dependable EDL storage and rudimentary list management and transfer ability. But I'd rather pay the extra money than get a product that doesn't quite suit my needs and may or may not be supported in the future. Questions, Questions, Questions troubling the minds of young people today! 🙂 Any input is much appreciated, Mark Cretcher
#14650From: Mike BerroJan 22, 1990 2:26 PM
Mark, I'll give you a biased review of EDLP. Biased, cuz I wrote it. 8) EDLP supports 3 CMX formats: CMX216, CMX3400 and CMX36000. In your case, you would do everything in 3600 format (it also supports two GVG and one United Media format, so far). You could directtly xfer lists to and from the 3600 using the serial port. You can also save the list in ASCII (text) format to an Amiga disk, then use the supplied utilities to format, read & write an MS-DOS disk. It's evem faster if you use CrossDos; you can directly load and save to an MS-DOS disk. It does auto or manual ripple, cut & paste, trim, search & replace, match frames, rudimentary list cleaning (expandable with new modules), renumbering, mixed modes, split edits, list sorting, includes a time code calculator (NDF, DF, EBU, FILM, frames, feet.frame), a report generator that prints a summary of all lists in a directory, and a "TimeManager" program for keeping track of billable time on individual resources. It supports the MicroIllsuions TCRG-102 time code reader/generator for fast tape logging, and even automatic logging of an edited tape. It seems dependable to me. 8) There is no list tracing, yet. MicroIllusions is in good health. Someone placed an ad in the L.A. times saying we were going bankrupt. Our lawyers are looking into that. We also had our phones disconnected for a time, which certainly did not help. Check out "EDLPSS" in DL10. It is a slide show of EDLP screen shots. Ask! Ask! Ask! That's what I;m here for. 8) —Mike/MicroIllusions
#14688From: Mark CretcherJan 23, 1990 6:22 PM
Mike I'm glad to hear you're here to stay. So far as creating a disk to plug right in to a 3600 I'm looking at Comprehensive EDL Translator or something like that, correct? Do you know anything about the new upload RT-11 in the BPForum Library? (P.S. after I banged of that last message I found your reply to someone else previously that answered many of my questions.) Thanks for the Info. Mark Cretcher
#14691From: Mike BerroJan 23, 1990 8:42 PM
To be honest, I'm not sure. I've been told by some of my customers that (at least some) 3600's will read MS-DOS 720K 3.5" disks, which currently is being touted as a SMPTE "standard" (if not already adopted). They are doing that with no problem. I don't know if that is really standard, an add-on, or a special custom thing. I will check out the RT-11 file you mentioned. —Mike
#14714From: Mark CretcherJan 24, 1990 7:45 PM
Mike 3600s do read MS-Dos disks they have an internal 3.5" drive. My question is based on Edit Lister (my only experience to date) which, although it can blow a list into the CMX serially and is indeed an MS-Dos program, cannot save a list on disk in a form the CMX will recognize. It has to be saved as and ascii file and translated with another (very expensive) 🙁 program. I have access to a 3600 but I'm still awaiting delivery on my computer, when it arrives if you still aren't sure I'd be glad to try a test if it would be of any help. Mark C.
#14720From: Mike BerroJan 24, 1990 8:43 PM
Mark, I'd be glad to mail you a list in CMX3600 format on an MS-DOS disk. Just email me your address. Thanx! —Mike
#15253From: Ken Loss-CutlerFeb 18, 1990 12:00 AM
We are very interested in what you discover concerning interfacing the MicroIllusions product with CMX. If you would be so kind, please give me a call when you have some "definitive" info. Our 800 number is 327-6296. Thanks.