DraCo Systems 3380 Mitchell Lane, Suite 102 Boulder, CO 80301	Phone: 303.440.5311 Fax: 303.440.5322 Technical Support: 303.440.5399
Email: draco-info@draco.com

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DraCo Editing System

I have just had a really exciting experience! It's rather a long story so I won't bore you with the details. But the end of the story is that I have just worked with one of the most efficient and cost effective desktop video solutions available today. In many ways the system is like a 'Phoenix', rising from the ashes of the once ultimate digital video platform - the Amiga. It delivers today what the Amiga should have been developed to deliver, and, had it not been diverted, may have done and still been a viable platform. Perhaps it's necessary to reveal some of the story so you will understand the impact that this system should have on the DV nonlinear market.

Not long after Commodore going 'belly-up' and the only true video-based computer platform sliding into the Technology Black Hole along with other icons of our age (like 8-Track tape decks and Sony's Beta videotape), I had witnessed a DraCo demonstration. It was diabolical. It was a pre-release version, incomplete and with loads of bugs and operational anomalies. Had it worked, it seemed to offer little benefit over PC or Mac systems and relied on Amiga technology, a real millstone from any perspective, at that time. To me it represented the final nail in the Amiga coffin rather than a bright new dawn. I'm very happy to say that, as it turns out, that view was premature and short sighted!

The DraCo system had been developed by a German company, MacroSystem, who had licensed the Amiga operating system from Commodore. This was done while the Amiga was still an operational platform. The aim was to use this technology as the basis of designing and building a new, open architecture DV system. It would be the first computer system purpose-built for desktop video, specifically providing high quality video capture, digitizing, compositing, special effects and transitions, without the distraction of operating as a normal computer.

In its original incarnation it was to work hand in hand with Amiga developments like the A4000 and future upgrades. Of course the disastrous fate of the Amiga's parent, Commodore, is well known and the DraCo was looking decidedly off-color and in jeopardy. MacroSystem decided to push on with the project, negotiating with the subsequent owners of the Amiga platform as they came and went. The new system was nearing completion and design developments and changes made it capable of seamlessly emulating other platforms. This meant that the DraCo would be chameleon-like, capable of operating Amiga software for some programs and then swapping across to Mac or PC programs.

It's important to note that although the system is based on a Motorola 68060 processor, the DraCo is not really an Amiga. It is essentially the ultimate in hybrid systems with the aim of being totally cross-platform compatible. In its current guise it is even possible to have it fitted out with a DEC Alpha co-processor.

From a video users point of view this is the ideal system. As a DV system I have not seen many that can compare, even at three times the price. Sitting down in front of a bugless, glitchless, fully operational DraCo provided a little deja vu. It looked and operated for all the world like Data Translation's Media 100 system. It handled smoothly, it was really glitchless, it operated in real-time (edits appear instantly, without having to be rendered) and offered an almost endless array of special effects and editing options. Put simply, 'it works!' and it works well.

Now, a fully operational version of Media 100 in a Power PC Mac with the appropriate memory, hard disk storage space, editing and effects software plus plug-ins and additions is going to cost around $75,000 (inc tax). This virtually gives you an on-line non-linear digital edit suite capable of handling YUV input and output. A similar system, offering around the same performance, memory and options, based on the DraCo, is going to cost around $20,000 (inc tax). If you are serious about a digital non-linear editing it would be well worth your time to take a look at the DraCo.

The Amiga Tag

Of course, most videomakers are going to be wary of anything that bears a lineage that includes the Amiga. I certainly was, but as I have said I was 'wrong'. This is not an Amiga. It is an amazingly efficient non-linear editor based on a proprietary system that has been designed to provide nothing but top level video processing performance. It is a 32-bit system that offers data through-put rates which makes other systems in the same price range look decidedly anemic. You can expect sustained 5 - 6MB/sec data rates with this system.

The DraCo will only be available through specialized dealers, a real plus for the videomaker. These dealers will demonstrate the system with the aim of assembling the ideal hardware and software configuration for a particular customer's needs. The price includes installation and basic instruction on operating the system.

The Hardware

The DraCo ships inside a large case, which has plenty of room for future expansion. All the connectors are on the back side of the case, where video in- and outputs for VHS and S-VHS as well as four audio-inputs (3 x RCA, one microphone) If required, a YUV-option is available to connect professional equipment, such as SP Betacam. Plus, the system that I saw demonstrated, included a (prototype) FireWire connection. This feature, which is soon to be fully implemented in release models means if you have a Sony DVR1000 or DVR700 you can directly input digital video from the camcorder. This will be one of the first DV systems to offer FireWire as standard.
Since the DraCo edits the video in an entirely digital manner, you can use a single VCR, video camera or camcorder as source and still achieve perfect A/B rolls and special effects transitions.

Editing on the DraCo uses a two monitor configuration. This means the editing appears in a 'window' on the computer monitor, while a real time video image is displayed on a TV monitor screen. The advantage of this is that the video does not consume space on the user interface, with no complex analog-to-digital conversions necessary, you always see the results exactly the way they will appear in the final video.

Frame Accurate Edits And Transitions

The user interface, or in real terms DraCo's proprietary editing software, called MovieShop 4.0, is a dream to use. It is much more logical and in some ways more video-orientated than Premiere or Media Studio. In fact, it closely follows the operational path taken in conventional linear edit systems. Like most non-linear edit systems, MovieShop operates a time-line based assembly and insert edit system. The software allows multiple time lines, with unlimited layers of video and audio, to be developed on the desktop simultaneously, not a feature available on conventional editing software.

When working in the software's desktop editing environment there is the opportunity to use either the mouse or work with keyboard shortcuts. Once you become familiar with the system it is sometimes easier to access the extensive menu system and operations with these shortcuts.

The editing software enables intelligent management of the video data. Real-time display of the video is achieved because the digitized video is not re-processed. Only the edit in and out points are memorized and the video is accessed directly from the hard drive. This is radically different to editing software programs like Adobe Premiere, where it is necessary to move to Make Movie and wait for the data to be rendered to even preview simple edits. On the DraCo the final scene is immediately available and does not have to be converted, rendered, or copied. When several scenes are used containing the same video segments, the related data is not stored multiple times, but is only accessed a single time off the hard drive.

Transitions And Digital Effects

After the scenes have been logged onto the timeline, the usual editor's fine tuning starts. If using transitions rather than straight cuts - then the type, duration and position of these transitions are easily set into the timeline.

Titles can be inserted, and sound manipulation like audio dubbing, cross fading or multitracking can also be logged into the timeline. There are actually two different versions of the timeline The first one, called Simple, allows the equivalent of A/B roll editing. Two video tracks and one effect track are available for the scene transitions. This is ideal for wipes, fades and dissolves. For more complex effects, the Expanded timeline mode is used. This one allows any amount of video and audio tracks to be combined along with multiple effects.

Like any non-linear edit system, DraCo's effects cover a range from simple wipes and fades up to complex digital effects. For example, you can project three running videos onto a cube or a pyramid, run blue-boxing with freely adjustable background colors, or combine multiple video sources via different methods. A title module allows text to be blended in a scene as well. All the effects are available external programs, this means that it is possible to expand the system's operation via plug-ins. The DVE generation and operation is superb and it is one of the main reasons that the DraCo has such a professional feel and end-result.

One of the best effects features on offer with the DraCo, is the ability to achieve perfect, flickerless slow motion or fast motion action instantly. This is something of a holy grail for video makers and is generally only found on much more expensive systems.

Rendering Downtime

With most non-linear systems, a major drawback of common digital editing systems is the long rendering time necessary for transitions and effects. This is where the DraCo really stands out.

Rendering is extremely fast. Normal fades and wipes are completed in far less than a minute. A three second transition rendered in just over a minute on the system we tested. For more complex operations like combining multiple video sources over a longer period of time, longer rendering is required. However, the DraCo advantage is that the preview option provides an almost real-time preview in a lower resolution, prior to committing to the rendering. This saves time-intensive rendering, where the end result may not be exactly what you want. Additionally, a single frame can be rendered at any point in the effect at full resolution, providing even more control. When creating titles and additional effects, animations or single images can be imported into MovieShop. These can be then be easily edited and applied with effects just like regular video sequences.

Conclusion

Bottom line on the DraCo's performance? To be honest, I was blown away! I have not seen a system at the price that offers the flexibility, ease of use and power of the DraCo. It is a non-linear editing masterpiece! It is one of the first times that I have sat down with a DV system that is so focused and directed at a single outcome - top quality video editing. The range of DVEs is immense and the ease of moving to and from various effects and editing functions has to be seen to be believed.

One of the most impressive aspects of the whole system is its speed. Video quality is extremely good and the MovieShop software allows for easy and efficient operation of all aspects of the editing and effect generation process.

The results are very professional. The DraCo in effect changes the video landscape dramatically, opening new dimensions and standards for the professional videomaker.

DraCo fills the gap between the low-cost digital solutions and the professional, but extremely expensive digital systems. It is not exaggerating to state that the DraCo offers professional editing at consumer prices. In combination with the DEC Alpha board, the DraCo offers performance that would make most production studios crazy if they did not at least consider the system.

With the addition of FireWire and the ability for YUV in/out the DraCo is no toy! It is comforting to see what could have been the Amiga's destiny had it not been killed-off in its prime! If you are looking at a non-linear DTV system make sure that the DraCo is on your shopping list, otherwise your options may be quite limited.

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The following review is of the 16-bit DraCo, not the 32-bit system that is sold here in the Americas. The 32-bit system offers significantly higher data rates, thus much better picture quality. The 32-bit system will be available in July.

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DraCo: The Wonderbox

The DraCo is the first computer system that has been developed specifically for affordable digital editing. Can a device for around 10,000 DM really compete with more expensive professional solutions that are multiple times the cost?

The DraCo is available only through specialized dealers, which is a big advantage for the video user. These dealers can demonstrate the device at any time and will, after intensive consulting, assemble the configuration ordered by the customer. This way, the user gets a system configured to his needs without any installation on his own. Even the necessary software is pre-installed, so you can really "plug and play."

The Hardware

The DraCo ships inside a large tower case, which has enough room for future expansion. All the connectors are on the back side of the case, where video in- and outputs for VHS and S-VHS as well as four audio-inputs (3 x RCA, one microphone) are available as standard. If desired , a YUV-option is available to connect professional equipment as well.

Since the DraCo edits the video in an entirely digital manner, you can use a single video recorder as source. Every other function is provided by the system.

Many more enhancements are planned for the future. The editing concept is basically a two monitor solution. This means the work is done at the computer monitor, while the current video image is displayed on a video screen. Therefore, the video does not consume space on the user interface, no complicated conversions into the computer format are necessary and you always see the results exactly the way it will appear in the final video.

Frame Precise Scene Definition

The definition of single scenes is easy and comfortable. Via keyboard, you can move frame or blockwise through the video in both directions and set the scene starts and ends frame precisely. You can name each scene and it is then stored in a list. Quickly, you notice some very nice features of the editing software. First of all, you have the ability to set up a scene hierarchy. You can store many scenes in one folder and create tidiness. You can still access the single scenes, though.

DraCo's editing software enables intelligent management of the video data. I learned to respect this intelligence while defining scenes. The data on the drive is not changed, the program just saves the start and end points. As a difference to other systems like Adobe Premiere the final scene is immediately available and does not have to be converted, rendered, or copied. Even when several scenes contain the same video segments, the related data is not stored multiple times, but is only present a single time on the drive. Also, while editing nothing gets deleted. Therefore, you can go back to previously abandoned material if required. This method is absolutely professional and allows extremely pleasant and easy operation.

Transitions and Digital Effects

After the scene definition is completed, the fine tuning starts. The exact timing of transitions is now to be set. Titling has to be inserted, and the audio dubbing occurs at this point. For all these jobs a timeline is available. This exists in two different versions: The first one, which carries the characteristic name "simple", allows an operation which is comparable with A/B roll editing. Two video tracks and one effect track are available for transitions. For scene wipes, this version is ideal. If you want more complex effects, you use the expanded timeline mode. This one allows any amount of video and audio tracks to be combined along with multiple effects.

DraCo's effects cover a range from simple wipes and fades up to complex digital effects. For example, you can project three running videos onto a cube or a pyramid, run blue-boxing with freely adjustable background co the sclors, or combine multiple video sources via different methods. Also, a title module allows you to blend in texts. All the effects are done as external programs, so that the supply can be continuously expanded. Three additional operators diskettes are already available.

A major drawback of common digital editing systems is the long rendering time necessary for transitions and effects. Here, the DraCo difference is exiting to behold, because rendering is extremely fast. Normal fades and wipes are completed in far less than a minute. For more complex operations, for example when combining multiple video sources over a longer period of time, naturally a longer rendering is required. Here, the preview option is helpful which gives an almost real-time preview in a lower resolution. This saves you from time-intensive renderings, and experimenting is even more fun. Additionally, a single image can be rendered at any point in the effect at full quality to get even more control. For titles and additional effects, animations or single images can be imported. These can be edited and applied with effects just like regular video sequences.

Conclusion

How did the DraCo perform? Well, to be honest, it is hard to contain my excitement. I do not know a system in this price category that allows you to work so powerfully. The quality of the video is extremely good, the software allows comfortable and efficient operation, and the speed of the system is convincing. The result of the work is professional. The operation of the DraCo opens completely new dimensions for the video professional. Finally, movies are created for which you don't give up after the third failed try, following the motto "Let's keep it like it is, you can't get it any better." With the DraCo, each try results in a better version.

The DraCo therefore fulfills precisely the purpose for which it was created. DraCo fills the gap between the partially unusable low-cost digital solutions and the professional, but extremely expensive professional digital world. Finally, professional video quality at consumer prices. Especially in combination with the DEC Alpha board, the DraCo will be interesting for studios as well. The DraCo can be totally recommended to video users currently looking for a new and affordable editing solution.

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