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Date: Sat, 15 Apr 95 14:16 BST-1
From: garygfx@cix.compulink.co.uk (Gary Fenton)
Subject: Re: Vlab Motion answers
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melon write:
>I'm thinking of buying a Vlab Motion Lab but before doing so I have
>few questions that I need answers to.
>
>1. Can you digitize audio by itself without video and can you later
> add different video clips to previously recorded audio?
Yes. It's timeline based software lets you add and strip video and audio
tracks just by dragging them! Audio is handled by Toccata so you can use
MovieShop (Vlab Motion s/ware) or the Toccata software to sample audio
alone.
>2. On a vlab partition does each seperate clip have its own file name?
> so that when you digitize another clip it does not overwrite the
> previous ones.
All video is recorded onto a non-DOS HD partition. You cannot access the
frames via DOS software, but you can save clips/frames from MovieShop as
JPEG or IFF frames to a DOS partition. You can also save video clips as a
single file to a DOS partition for storage or backup purposes. But when you
record a new clip it's stored in the Scene window. You can record as many
as you like and they'll all given individual names (renameable) and you're
only limited by HD space. When you start a new project from scratch then
all the clips are erased, unless you use a different partition.
>3. What are the compression to playback [fps] ratios?
Everything runs at broadcast resolution and at 25/30fps regardless of
compression %. You select JPEG compression levels from 1 to 100%, like in
ADPro 2.0, Photogenics, etc. You can work out video capacities yourself
from this info. At 50% the data rate is no greater than 1mb/sec and at 80%
it's about 1.8mb/sec.
>4. What would be the size of a frame [640x480] at 50% jpeg compression
> on the vlab?
The same as it would in any other package that supports JPEG! JPEG is a
standard format.
>5. Can many different video clips be edited and combined into one
> whole video?
Unlimited, or limited by HD space to be exact. The timeline can support an
infinate number of clips and tracks.
>6. Would I be able to play 5 minutes of video [full overscan, 50-60%
> compression], with sound and no breaks on the following system; SNIP!
Definately. You could record at a higher quality level if you wanted to on
your system.
>7. What are the most annoying bugs or problems you have encountered
> with Vlab Motion ?
It doesn't save industry standard EDLs at the moment. And it doesn have
variable real time video and audio playback for pin pointed frames where an
actor is just about to talk - like you can do with analogue editing suites.
It's not MovieShop's fault - it's a difficult thing to impliment but I
think LightWorks (PC) can do this (for $$$$$$!)
>8. Do you think Vlab Motion's output is good enough for broadcast work?
It outputs YC video at best which is NOT broadcast. There's a YUV output
module for it but no YUV input module! I would say it's broadcastable, like
the SVHS medium which is sometimes used for ENG.
Mail me if you want to cut down on non-LW discussions in this mailing list.