11th Annual Guide to Computer Video Products
Whether you are thinking of taking your first plunge into computer video or upgrading your current editing system, this article is for you. In the pages that follow, we'll survey nine key categories of computer video hardware and software. Our buyer's guide grids feature two key categories: Video Editing Software and Digitizer/Capture Cards. Use the grids to compare prices, features and specs so you can make an informed purchase decision. To help you with your research in the other categories, we've included lists of manufacturers, and we've provided their URLs to get you to their Web pages. If you're into computer video, there's something here for you.
Better, Faster, Cheaper
Every year we say it: video-editing technology is more affordable and better than ever. This year we feel like we've reached a destination of sorts. Sure, next year everything will again be better-faster-cheaper, but as of today, technology is no longer getting in the way of our art.
Of course the primary technology we are talking about is the computer. While $2,000 is nothing to sneeze at, for that amount of money you can now get a complete editing machine that is fast, stable and can hold literally hours of video at a time. Of course you don't have to drop two grand all at once. Investigate the products available in all nine of these computer video categories. Whether your budget is mighty or miniscule, you're sure to find something of interest.
Turnkey Editing Systems
Just about any new computer has the processing power to edit video, but some computers specialize at the task. Complete ready-to-edit systems used to cost twice as much as general purpose computers, the reason being that video required faster CPUs, more RAM and larger hard disks than the average computer. Now we find (and have verified in our labs) that an entry-level eMac is very competent at editing video. While you certainly don't want to skimp when you buy your editing machine (get the best you can afford), but the standardization of FireWire and the inevitable march of progress make buying a capable computer for video much easier. Instead of comparing a 2.4Ghz Intel machine to a 2000+ AMD machine to a dual G4 Mac (all will edit video very nicely), we'd recommend that you look at the extras. The most critical feature we'd look for is a dedicated video hard drive, but we also like dual monitor support, analog video inputs, real-time DV out hardware cards and a good video-editing software suite. Perhaps the easiest way to find a good turnkey is to shop for a vendor that specializes in video (as opposed to buying from a general-purpose system integrator). Video vendors can help you decide and can often help you out with video-specific problems after the sale.
Laptop Editors
Our advice for turnkeys goes double for laptops: shop by vendor as much as machine. Editing laptops are specialized animals and you would do well to find someone who knows what they are talking about. You will need to decide how portable a system you need. Since most people can't get any serious editing done in three hours, you'll probably be plugging into a wall. Get a machine with a dedicated video hard drive. Look for dual monitor support. Consider getting an external mouse (touch pads aren't preferred for video editing). Look for good software packages, vendor support and service.
Editing Software
Competition in the software industry means that there are some excellent programs out there. While you only had a few choices that were pretty distinct a few years ago, it is largely a matter of personal preference now. Almost all programs have real-time previews, a million transitions, a ton of effects and good titlers.
Introductory level applications, such as CyberLink PowerProducer ($50), are easy to use because they use a storyboard metaphor for editing (signified by an "s" in the User Interface column). In this style of editing, you can quickly arrange your captured video clips into a finished movie in very little time. Storyboard editing doesn't typically allow advanced compositing or layered animation, which is better performed on a timeline. The price of this power is complexity, however, as timeline-based editors can be much more difficult to learn. Advanced timeline-based applications, such as Avid Xpress DV 3.5 ($1,699), can often be identified on the grid not only by their price, but by the "t" in the User Interface column. If you like the simplicity of storyboard editing, yet need the power of a timeline for frame-accurate editing and compositing, you'll be glad to see that some applications, such as Adobe Premiere 6.5 ($549) offer both modes. Create a rough cut of your movie on the storyboard and then move to the timeline to polish the project.
There are a few other features that we really like scattered among the various programs. Many applications support Automatic Scene Detection, which allows you to capture your footage to your computer unattended and breaks it up into individual clips. Background Rendering is a tremendously useful feature we wish more applications incorporated. We really can't call this an advanced feature, since this rare function is offered by both Apple with its introductory Apple iMovie 2 ($49) and by Pinnacle with its professional Pinnacle EditionDV ($699).
You should also consider the total hardware/software bundle when you buy. Make sure you check out the Video Capture Devices grid to find special package prices. Look for basic DVD authoring and burning to be a more and more common inclusion, especially in hobbyist-level applications. There is a break in price between sub-$200 applications and more expensive "professional" products. The difference is that the higher-end apps allow you to do fancy multi-track compositing and frame-level tweaking and animating. If you just need titles and transitions and don't intend to spend an hour editing for every minute of finished video (which is not an unreasonable time estimate), there is no reason to get one of these apps. To really sort out these programs, more research is required, however, so we'd recommend you try before you buy: demonstration versions are often available for download from manufacturers' Web sites.
Video Capture Devices
To get video from your camcorder into your computer you need a capture device. This is an important category to familiarize yourself with if you want to build an editing computer, but also if you're shopping for a turnkey system. Since a video capture device is the heart of any editing computer, you can use our comparative grid to first select your capture solution, and then look for a turnkey system based on that solution.
Although FireWire cards are relatively easy to install, installing a card yourself is not without its risks, so we only recommend this route if you are confident working inside of your computer, and are not worried about installing drivers (and finding the latest drivers on the Web). Newer operating systems (such as WinXP) installed on newer computers tend to be much less troublesome.
The easiest solution might be a generic FireWire card. Which one should you get? Basically, if you get a standardized IEEE-1394 OHCI-compliant card, it doesn't matter and you should shop for a good software bundle included with the card. A good example are the various offerings from ADS Technologies, which range from the introductory PYRO BasicDV ($59) to the advanced PYRO PlatinumDV ($329). What's the difference? Primarily the included editing software.
One feature we really like in a capture card is a Breakout Box that brings the inputs and outputs out from behind the computer for easier access. The ATI ALL-IN-WONDER cards have nice break out boxes (starting at $199). Both ATI products are hybrid 3D display cards for gaming and video capture devices rolled together. Check out the sidebar for more information on display cards that also capture video. More advanced real-time DV out hardware capture cards are also attractive and also typically have great Breakout Boxes. Be aware that they are almost exclusively for Adobe Premiere users. When you consider that hardware often includes a full version of Premiere, a product like the Matrox RT.X100 card ($1,099) really isn't that expensive.
Consider an external device if you don't want to install a card. By and large, external devices are not for high end work, but we've found the quality to be acceptable for most hobbyists and these products are much less of a hassle to install than internal cards. Most external capture devices compress video outside of the computer and then send it to the hard disk via a USB port (look for "USB" in the Bus field to identify external devices), usually in MPEG format (1 or 2). Some good examples of Mac-based products come from Eskape Labs and start at just $80. You have to make sure your computer has the newer USB 2 ports to use certain products, like Dazzle's Hollywood DV-Bridge USB 2 box ($300). The software package is important here, so shop for good editing applications and possibly disc authoring and burning software. Some devices even have decidedly non-video editing aspects, such as a TV tuner and TiVo-like scheduling and recording features.
DVD-Authoring Software
DVD is here. The good new is that the hardware and software has entered the second generation and compatibility issues are now more an issue of the player than the disc. The other piece of good news is that DVD authoring is much easier than video editing: it's just as fun as it looks.
There is a wide range of software in a wide range of prices, from $20 to $1,000 or more. Less expensive packages are template-based, so we'd look for attractive templates. If you want more freedom, check out the slightly more expensive products. Beyond that, we'd shop by features. Do you need subtitles? Motion menus? Dolby AC3 support? Dolby AC3 encoding? Do you need to write to DLT so your dupe house can create a dual-layer glass master? (Confused: see next month's special DVD issue.) Your DVD hardware almost certainly came with some authoring software, so we'd recommend you try that first. After that, check out the trial versions offered by the manufacturers.
Titling Software
Your video editor came with titling software, so why do you need a separate application? For example, one of the outstanding new features of Adobe Premiere 6.5 is the new titler, which is based on Inscriber. For basic control of color, size, style, font and basic animation (rolls, scrolls, crawls and fades), you really don't need anything else. But to do the cool 3D moves and fancy effects you see on TV and at the movies, you'll really need to get something like Inscriber Pro. Fortunately, you can judge the book by its cover in this case. Go to the manufactures' Web sites and check out their samples and demos: what you see is what you get.
Music Creation Software
Music creation software can be divided up based on how much time and talent you have. At one end we find multi-track editing environments that are completely manual: you play your instrument, record it to your computer and mix it with the software. At the other end are the auto-music composers: give the app a duration and a style and it will score a soundtrack. In the middle are the composition assistants than might help you with MIDI sequencing or help you arrange professionally recorded samples (loops) into a new song. What you need depends on your level of musical ability, how much control you want and the amount of time you want to spend on your project.
Special Effects Plug-ins
A plug-in is a third party software add-on that creates special effects in a host application. Clearly the first consideration then is whether the plug-in works with your editing or compositing application. After that, look for specific effects that you need. Do you need realistic snow or fire or particle effects in general? What about making your movie look like aged film? Or how about the currently popular light shining through a title? Look for flexibility, compatibility and expandability, and make sure you check the manufacture's Web site for demos and samples.
3D Animation Software
If you want to create 3D transitions or titles, you should look for an application that specializes in those effects. But if you are interested in creating animated 3D objects, you'll need to look for a modeling program. You should seriously consider that this is an activity that is much harder and more time-consuming than editing video. Do you have the artistic talent to model 3D objects, the skill to animate hundreds of keyframes and the patience to wait for raytracing and rendering? We're not trying to dissuade you: 3D animation is a spectacular and rewarding art form for the talented and motivated. Most videographers will be satisfied with a product that offers templatized, customizable objects and animations; some do, most do not. We recommend that you adequately evaluate the learning curve of a product before you buy.
After the Golden Age
The quantity and variety of products for computer video can be bewildering. For software, shop for features you need first, then look for demos and samples of the product to try before you buy. For hardware, concentrate on your input and output needs and then examine the vendor's specialization, service and warranty. Fortunately, the quality is very high and the technology is amazing.
[Sidebar: Capture Included]
Increasingly, the display card that controls your computer's monitor also has video input and capture capabilities. The ATI All-In-Wonder series is a good retail example, but there are many others. The company that manufactures the chipset on the card (or even directly on the motherboard) often does not make a retail product available to consumers. For example, NVIDIA, VIA or SiS all might produce display/capture card chipsets, but you would need to purchase an actual card from ASUS or PNY. Frequently, these typically Taiwanese manufacturers might be relative unknowns to US consumers. Most display cards (and chipsets) are not video-centric products and, with a few exceptions, are outside of the scope of Videomaker reviews and guides.
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