On Thu, 01 Jul 1999 16:35:37 GMT, info@evansmedia.com wrote:

>HELP WITH A PURCHASING DECISION
>I am new to non-linear editing. The pupose of this message is to help
>me decide what to buy, both hardware and software. I will give a brief
>desription of what my project involves as well as the options I have
>considered so far.
>
>I produce 5 hours of weekly music video programming (1 hour per show).
>Each show contains approx 14 3.5 minute music-videos, 7 seven second
>id's, 10 thirty second commercials, and 6 one-to-three minute vj or
>promotional spots. All in all about 35-40 pieces to put together.
>Currently, we use a 3/4" linear editing system which doesn't provide
>the flexibility of programming ease as (I think) non-linear would, or
>the ability to do special effects (i.e., blue/green screen, digital fx).

It makes sense to do this with a mini-DV FireWire editing
solution, with the Sony converter box added for analogue
input ability...

>What I've considered purchasing is (besides a 21" monitor):

I would consider two 17" monitors instead - efficient
screen layout (with a full-res 720x480 preview window)
is easier...

>Hardware option 1) $3700
>G3/450Mhz
>256MB RAM
>Two 9GB Ultra wide HD's
>Sony DVMC-DA1 (D->A/A->D converter)

OK, depending on the software and
file size requirements...

>Hardware option 2) $2300
>Sony VAIO PCV-E518DS/500Mhz
>128MB RAM
>17.2G HD

Same here - an issue may be the size of a
given file (2gigs, or 9.5 minutes)...

>Software options
>Final Cut Pro (G3 only)

After a brief look, my impression was
"UGH" - slower than mud, and with an interface
too kludgey for my tastes (too many extra steps
and too far removed from direct manipulation of
and feedback from a film-strip-type timeline
compared with Premiere, which appears more
intuitive in operation). I would look at a 450MHz
PC solution using Canopus Raptor, the Sony
converter box, Premiere 5.1a, and a couple of
20-25 gig IBM UDMA drives (partition one for
a program/preview-file drive). I timed this
at about 4X the render speed of a new G3 +
Final Cut Pro (which makes the G3-FCP pretty
useless for extensive special-effects work, it
appeared to me from a brief look...). The
Raptor/Sony-converter solution also provides
a full 720x480, full motion, smooth preview
window, not offered by other solutions I've
seen...

>If you have experience with the above mentioned or can give some advice
>as to what might work best for my projects, please post a message in
>response to this one. I'm hesitant to go with the PC because I've heard
>things said about the slower processor G3 outperforming the faster
>processor PC's. I need television broadcast quality output. I'd love to
>save some money without having to spend more later because 'something'
>is missing. I think you know where I'm coming from.
>
>Thanks in advance for all your input and help!

Um, ignore the comment made elsewhere about mini-DV
not being up to broadcast quality - it appears
rather regularly in broadcasts, and is detectable
only if you know what artifacts to look (carefully...) for...;-)
The neat thing about it is that one can
now have a high-quality production studio on a
desktop, at amazingly moderate cost...
(BTW, we build turn-key systems...;-)