Things to keep in mind with Orban. They have a history of dropping products when the troubles start. Take for example the Airtime Digital Cart system that lasted about 2 years I think. I work for a station that dropped huge cash (1/2 million) into this product - that never worked like it was supposed to. And they discontinued it... it is now virtually worthless. Who would buy it from us?
Stick with things that have a track record... personally I prefer the Mini-Disc they are cheap flexible - you can edit with them while in the field. They are great for archiving. Trust me, you'll love them - just find somebody who uses them in the field and I'm sure they'll vouch for me.
First thing... the definition of ORBAN is: Over priced pro audio for Broadcast professionals that don't know how to use digital equipment (aka a computer).
Also, don't forget the ability to leave Track Marks during the recording or later. When you interview someone you can listen to the interview on the way back to the studio and delete the not important segements and do some good barebones editing.
Mini-Disc all the way! I've used more than one portable DAT decks and have even had one eaten during a recording. Don't forget... in the news gathering frame of mind... a Mini-Disc can record 160 minutes of audio (and it time date stamps it). No matter what you use you are going to have to compromise something. In my opinion the Minidisc recorders I've used perform flawlessly and come in a size that you can't beat. Plus, there are decks these days that do transfer faster than 1x (real time). And here's some advice for your next Dylan show... string a PZM mic around your neck... you will get phenominal sound... and unless you like the stereo clapping, record it in mono - you'll get the whole show. Then you can use a little stereo reverb in the final mix to live'n it up.
Re:Matrox has been busy on the Mac front...
on
Talking with Matrox
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· Score: 1
RTMac is cool, but you DO have to render. It provides display of NEAR Broadcast Quality PREVIEW Video in real time. If you plan on putting it to TAPE which we all do, you STILL have to RENDER. It only does a handful of the transitions in Final Cut... and Compositing... NOT REALLY. Unless you composite things that don't move, change shape, size - if you put text on a motion path, it won't give you real time.
All in all RTMac is a nice product since it does provide NTSC Video Out, the Ability to Convert Analog Video into a Firewire Stream, Provide VGA out to support a second monitor... and last, it provides a mediocre real time preview for work in Final Cut Pro.
Don't be fooled by READING about it (the definately STACK the DECK, even in DEMO'S I've seen). Give it a try, I'm sure you'll be disappointed.
To make my point I'll start off with the most technologically advance DVD available. "A BUG'S LIFE" this is the only Digital to Digital transfer. So basically the picture quality is lossless, lint free, etc. The quality of this is as good as it gets. But when there is camera movement the compression of the grass is noticeable. Also, you can see color banding... not pure gradients. Yes, a lot can fit on the disc, but when they release dual version like Austin Powers, which features 16x9 and Pan n Scan on the other side where do put all the extras included. If you get a chance watch the credits where they feature the photo shoot. You can notice it subtly... watch it on a computer monitor and it is terrible. It looks like you're looking through blinds.
As for me... I first worked with HDTV in 1992, my college prof. shot sporting events in the late 80's on HDTV Cameras (with TAPE). So I'm pretty familiar with what it can and can't do As for the American's we'll all be switching whether we like or not. The FCC has decided.
Close but no cigar. There is a major difference between NTSC, DTV, and HDTV. Due to the amazingly crisp picture viewing distances will change. What used to be a 32 inch is now minimally a 64 if not large. Ask any HD Rep. The smallest TV they will make is a 32. In other words following Japan's lead we'll all be getting very large projection HDTV's. Since we sit so far away. When you figure this into the equation... pretty good doesn't cut it. DVD looks terrible on a HDTV.
You hit the nail on the head. I got into a small discussion with a Sony Rep who was doing a demo at a large advertising agency who produces HDTV spots for Monday Night Football. In front of a large crowd I said. 'Now where does this put DVD?' He replied it will look great on this. I said yeah, better than on our current TV's? He said, much better. Then I said as good as these images were watching off of TAPE. He stuttered and said not quite. I had him where I wanted him and said. I've read that current DVDs allow for about 20 minutes of HDTV Data on a disc. He said yes, but there are several new technologies that will allow us to store more. So we will continue to use DVD. I replied back 'with the same old players and discs?' He said no. Now who's complaining about Lucas taking you guys to the cleaners?
I can't believe all you slash-dotter's think DVD's are the Holy Grail. Obviously you know nothing about the format and video. I'll start out defining a simple term for you... Compression. It is a bad word. It's noticeable... everytime I watch a DVD I feel like I'm watching the latest Sorenson compressed Quicktime Movie. Also, to make all those extras fit on DVD's production houses crank up the compression during the credits and slower paced spots in the movie and it is really obvious. Did you guys ever notice this. One more new term HDTV. Imagine your 17" Monitor that's hooked up to your computer being displayed on your wall with a four foot wide HDTV. Now that compression has been downgraded from Sorenson to crappy codecs from Uncle Bill's Windoze Media Player. Yeah. In other words save your cash. There's enough space on a DVD for about 20 minutes of HDTV content. Wait for the 'next' medium. As for Lucas... cast your own vote.
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Things to keep in mind with Orban. They have a history of dropping products when the troubles start. Take for example the Airtime Digital Cart system that lasted about 2 years I think. I work for a station that dropped huge cash (1/2 million) into this product - that never worked like it was supposed to. And they discontinued it... it is now virtually worthless. Who would buy it from us?
Stick with things that have a track record... personally I prefer the Mini-Disc they are cheap flexible - you can edit with them while in the field. They are great for archiving. Trust me, you'll love them - just find somebody who uses them in the field and I'm sure they'll vouch for me.
First thing... the definition of ORBAN is: Over priced pro audio for Broadcast professionals that don't know how to use digital equipment (aka a computer).
Also, don't forget the ability to leave Track Marks during the recording or later. When you interview someone you can listen to the interview on the way back to the studio and delete the not important segements and do some good barebones editing.
Mini-Disc all the way! I've used more than one portable DAT decks and have even had one eaten during a recording. Don't forget... in the news gathering frame of mind... a Mini-Disc can record 160 minutes of audio (and it time date stamps it). No matter what you use you are going to have to compromise something. In my opinion the Minidisc recorders I've used perform flawlessly and come in a size that you can't beat. Plus, there are decks these days that do transfer faster than 1x (real time). And here's some advice for your next Dylan show... string a PZM mic around your neck... you will get phenominal sound... and unless you like the stereo clapping, record it in mono - you'll get the whole show. Then you can use a little stereo reverb in the final mix to live'n it up.
RTMac is cool, but you DO have to render. It provides display of NEAR Broadcast Quality PREVIEW Video in real time. If you plan on putting it to TAPE which we all do, you STILL have to RENDER. It only does a handful of the transitions in Final Cut... and Compositing... NOT REALLY. Unless you composite things that don't move, change shape, size - if you put text on a motion path, it won't give you real time. All in all RTMac is a nice product since it does provide NTSC Video Out, the Ability to Convert Analog Video into a Firewire Stream, Provide VGA out to support a second monitor... and last, it provides a mediocre real time preview for work in Final Cut Pro. Don't be fooled by READING about it (the definately STACK the DECK, even in DEMO'S I've seen). Give it a try, I'm sure you'll be disappointed.
As for me... I first worked with HDTV in 1992, my college prof. shot sporting events in the late 80's on HDTV Cameras (with TAPE). So I'm pretty familiar with what it can and can't do As for the American's we'll all be switching whether we like or not. The FCC has decided.
Close but no cigar. There is a major difference between NTSC, DTV, and HDTV. Due to the amazingly crisp picture viewing distances will change. What used to be a 32 inch is now minimally a 64 if not large. Ask any HD Rep. The smallest TV they will make is a 32. In other words following Japan's lead we'll all be getting very large projection HDTV's. Since we sit so far away. When you figure this into the equation... pretty good doesn't cut it. DVD looks terrible on a HDTV.
You hit the nail on the head. I got into a small discussion with a Sony Rep who was doing a demo at a large advertising agency who produces HDTV spots for Monday Night Football. In front of a large crowd I said. 'Now where does this put DVD?' He replied it will look great on this. I said yeah, better than on our current TV's? He said, much better. Then I said as good as these images were watching off of TAPE. He stuttered and said not quite. I had him where I wanted him and said. I've read that current DVDs allow for about 20 minutes of HDTV Data on a disc. He said yes, but there are several new technologies that will allow us to store more. So we will continue to use DVD. I replied back 'with the same old players and discs?' He said no. Now who's complaining about Lucas taking you guys to the cleaners?
I can't believe all you slash-dotter's think DVD's are the Holy Grail. Obviously you know nothing about the format and video. I'll start out defining a simple term for you... Compression. It is a bad word. It's noticeable... everytime I watch a DVD I feel like I'm watching the latest Sorenson compressed Quicktime Movie. Also, to make all those extras fit on DVD's production houses crank up the compression during the credits and slower paced spots in the movie and it is really obvious. Did you guys ever notice this. One more new term HDTV. Imagine your 17" Monitor that's hooked up to your computer being displayed on your wall with a four foot wide HDTV. Now that compression has been downgraded from Sorenson to crappy codecs from Uncle Bill's Windoze Media Player. Yeah. In other words save your cash. There's enough space on a DVD for about 20 minutes of HDTV content. Wait for the 'next' medium. As for Lucas... cast your own vote.