Video Sniping Could be Fun

Thanks for Amiga Content
I've subscribed to your magazine for two years now and wanted to give you a pat on the proverbial back. You're probably asking yourselves, "For what?"

One item does stand out on the list, however. In your comparisons of desktop video solutions and nonlinear editing, you haven't failed in including the Amiga computer. I am thankful that at least one segment of the industry sees my computer of choice as a good option. Keep up the good work, and please don't leave us Amiga users out in the cold!

Shane Kuntz
Internet: sdrc.com

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Video Sniper
I just opened the November issue of Videomaker and read your article about camcorder sports (Viewfinder, p.5), and an idea hit me.

How about a game called Video Sniper? It could be played by any number of people over an agreed period of time (i.e. one day, one week, a month). The objective would be to get shots (with a date and time stamp) of your opponents without their knowledge. If you get caught, you're out of the game.

At the end of the time period, all the challengers get together and show their footage. There could be a number of objectives that determines the winner, such as who got the most shots of one person, or who got shots of all their opponents, etc. There should also be rules laid down in the beginning, like requiring that the camera be in the hands of the "sniper" when the shots are taken (no hidden camera operations), or that shots be taken in public places (on campus, at the supermarket, etc.), not just at an opponent's home.

I would be interested to see someone develop this idea. I think it would be ideal for college students to play on campus.

William Hubbard
Internet: primenet.com

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More Info on Cover Cam, Please
Okay, I know better than to buy a magazine because of the cover. I usually take the time to look inside and make sure there's really an article about the eye-grabbing item pictured on the front.

In this case, it was the Panasonic PV-DV1000 digital camcorder. I was in a hurry; you got me. Shame on you.

From now on, I'm going to look really close to see if you're really "covering" the hook item.

Please don't do this again. It may sell some mags, but I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels silly and cheated for grabbing the magazine off the rack, even if there are other good articles inside. It makes you look bad.

Okay, I've said my piece. Thanks for an otherwise excellent magazine.

Dan Kuttner
Internet: austin.i-link.net

Dan: When we received news of the first DV camcorder, the October issue was almost ready to ship to the printers. At that point, we had to make a decision: to immediately sound the trumpets about this crucial new development, or wait a full month for more data to come in. We decided on the former--fully realizing that there would be many who would want more information. We weren't trying to fool anyone; we were simply trying to give you the advance word about one of the most important developments in video since the invention of the camcorder.

--The Editors

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Web Site Looks Great
Just clicked on the "comment on our new home page" button at your web site. I think it looks great! Many thanks to all the folks at Videomaker for this, not to mention a great magazine I always look forward to receiving.

Even though I am a video professional with several years of experience, it is refreshing to read your articles on the basics of videomaking. Sometimes in the business of broadcasting and production, it's easy to lose your focus on the basics. When that happens, entire productions may suffer.

Also, I would like to thank you for your efforts to inform the public about the new DV format. I also receive several so-called "professional" broadcast and technical publications, none of which have shed much light on this newest of innovations. Videomaker, on the other hand, has been a valuable resource for information on DV and even DVCPro.

So thank you for the great information, and keep up the good work!

Troy Murison
Moscow, Idaho

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Don't Forget EDBeta
In your November '95 review of the DCR-VX1000 Digital Handycam, you state that "For the first time, consumer videomakers have access to a 500-line resolution camcorder they can both hold in one hand and afford without robbing a bank." But do you remember EDBeta (the ED-C55 camcorder, in particular)? Granted, it did weigh in at roughly 15 lbs. However, it listed for $7,700 in an era when there were no "cheap" Betacam SP camcorders, and it still impresses professionals who see its recorded image quality.

Greg Kimnach
Parma, Ohio

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Net Worth
Kudos for getting your magazine on the Net. As a subscriber, I was quite surprised when I'd first found out there was a Videomaker website available. But when I finally got Net access (through a local free Internet provider), I was totally blown away by the actual amount of information available at www.videomaker.com. Once again, kudos to you. Keep up the great work.

Christopher Mayeux
Internet: gnofn.org