|
 Videoguys' Insider
In each issue of the Insider we bring you up to speed on the latest developements in affordable digital videography and DVD production. These articles can include trade show reports, hands on reviews, Do-It-Yourself NLE computers, round up / comparison articles, and our EXCLUSIVE Videoguys' Insider Interviews & Articles
- Learn about NEW products first - including the hot features, specs and any special introductory promotions!
- Learn about New versions and upgrades for your exisiting software and/or hardware
- Find out about all our latest hands on reviews, trade show reports and round-up articles
- Never miss out on Videoguys Special Offers, Rebates and Sales Promotions
- Keep up to date with all the latest articles and sections of our website
- Don't forget our Technical Support updates, tech tips and all the latest NLE tweaks
In 2005 we switched our email newsletter to a Lyris based system.
One of the big advantages of this new technology is that the Videoguys Newsletter is now archived!! You can search for specific information or just click on the Read Messages buttin for the latest newsletters.
Click here for the Videoguys Newsletter Archives
|
|
Videoguys Insider Vol 8 Issue 2:
April ’08 Promotions From Our Vendors
|
|
Big News from G-Tech
It’s been a very eventful year so far for G-Technologies, the maker of the award winning external storage solutions for video producers. Back in January, at Mac World, it was officially announced that Fabrik had acquired G-Tech. Fabrik is a leading provider of innovative storage, memory and next generation online services. What does this mean for G-Tech storage users and fans? Most importantly, the company now has significantly better financial strength and purchasing power. Over the past year product shortages have been common and this has impacted the availability of new product lines like the breakthrough G-SPEED eS series. Fabrik is committed to the G-Tech brand and product line. Over the next year we can expect the same great products and service that fueled G-Tech’s recent growth as well as some exciting new products that will define a completely new segment of the creative pro market.
|
 New lower prices on the award winning G-RAID 2
family of external storage solutions for video. Over the past few years G-RAIDs have become the de facto standard in video editing. Regardless of your platform (PC or Mac) or the video editing software you use (Adobe Premiere Pro CS3 / Production Premium CS3, Apple Final Cut Pro 6/ Final Cut Studio 2, Avid Express Pro / Media Composer, Sony Vegas Pro 8, Pinnacle/Avid Liquid 7, Grass Valley Edius Pro / Broadcast, or consumer level editors from Pinnacle, Adobe, Ulead, Sony and others), G-RAIDs are the perfect external storage solution. Just how low are the new prices – check out this list – and yes we have plenty of stock!
(1TB) 1,000GB
$499.95
Also available in more sizes. Click Here for more G-Raid info
|
 G-Tech G-SPEED eS are in STOCK!!
The G-Tech G-SPEED is a top-notch storage solution for video editing – especially if you are going to be editing HD footage. G-SPEED eS gives you all the throughput you need for the most demanding SD or HD video work, including complex long-format projects. Even more importantly the flexible RAID configuration allows you to select a RAID5 configuration for redundancy.
2,000GB (2TB) w/ PCIe
$1,429.00
Also available in more sizes. Click Here for more G-Speed eS info
|
|
Videoguys' Specials on Adobe Premiere Pro CS3 &
Adobe CS3 Production Premium
Mail In Rebates EXTENDED Through 5/31/08
|
 Adobe Premiere Pro CS3
with Encore CS3 & OnLocation CS3
Tell your story with maximum impact using the start-to-finish solution for efficient video production that now includes Adobe Encore CS3 and Adobe OnLocation CS3* (Windows or Mac with Bootcamp), formerly the award-winning DV Rack HD. Save time with tools that take you from on-set capture using Adobe OnLocation through to output, and edit virtually any format from DV to HD and beyond. Tight integration with Adobe After Effects CS3 Professional and Photoshop expands your creative options. Reach the widest audience by delivering your content to DVD, Blu-ray Disc, the web, and mobile devices. Adobe Premiere Pro CS3 software is your choice for inventive storytelling and enhanced productivity.
$788.00
 
|
 Adobe CS3 Production Premium
FREE Class on Demand Training DVD!
Maximize your productivity with Adobe Creative Suite 3 Production Premium software, the total post-production solution available for both Mac & Windows. Tighter-than-ever integration between Adobe's all-new video, audio, and design tools - now including Adobe Flash CS3 Professional software for rich interactive authoring & Adobe Soundbooth CS3 software for audio - helps ensure fluidity in every aspect of your workflow, including capturing, editing, motion graphics, effects, compositing, & rich media authoring. Move beyond SD & DVD to HD, HDV, Blu-ray Disc, & other emerging web & mobile formats so you can deliver your content to the widest possible audience.
$1,688.00
|
|
Attention Avid Liquid and Xpress owners
Special Mail-In Rebate Offer
Save up to $300 on full version of
Adobe Premiere Pro CS3
$488.00
After Mail-In-Rebate
$788.00 at checkout
Adobe Premiere Pro CS3
$300 Mail In Rebate
REBATE EXTENDED THROUGH 5/31/08
|
 |
Attention Avid Liquid and
Xpress owners
Special Mail-In Rebate Offer
Save up to $500 on full version of
Adobe CS3 Production Premium
$1,188.00
After Mail-In-Rebate
$1,688.00 at checkout
Adobe CS3 Production Premium
$500 Mail In Rebate
REBATE EXTENDED THROUGH 5/31/08
|
Click here for Upgrade information for Adobe Software
|
|
Videoguys' Specials on Focus FS-4 DTE Recorders!
THE LARGER THE DRIVE, THE SWEETER THE DEAL!
Step up to an FS-4Pro HD and Get A FREE High-Capacity Battery...
Purchase an FS-4Pro HD 80GB or 100GB Model before 3/31
and Get an Additional $200 Mail-In Rebate direct from Focus!
|
Focus FS-4HD
With the
Focus family of video production products, you'll go from acquisition
to editing with unparalleled speed, efficiency, and reliability.
Compatible with most HDV, DV, DVCPRO, DVCAM, DVCPRO 50, and DVCPRO HD
camcorders and editing software, Focus products feature Direct To Edit
(DTE) video recording technology that converts the output from your
camcorder or VTR to a nonlinear editing (NLE) format and records to
disk via FireWire. The FS-4HD ships with a 40GB disk drive allowing 3 hours of DV/HDV recording.
FS-4HD
40GB
$699.95
|
Focus FS-4Pro HD Models
With all of
the features of the FS-4 HD, plus multiple DTE recording formats and
advanced features such as time lapse, retro disk recording, and scene
marking, the Focus FS-4Pro HD Portable DTE Recorder provides the
flexibility that video professionals demand.
FS-4Pro HD 60GB with FREE High Capacity Battery
$999.00
FS-4Pro HD 80GB with FREE High Capacity Battery
$1,195.00
After $200 Mail In Rebate
$1,395 at checkout - extended though 5/31/08
FS-4Pro HD 100GB with FREE High Capacity Battery
$1,495.00
After $200 Mail In Rebate
$1,695 at checkout - extended though 5/31/08
|
Videoguys' Special Offer!
FS-4 HIGH CAPACITY FIELD KIT
The FS-4 High Capacity Field Kit is the easiest way to go tapeless in the field!
•
1 high capacity 180 minute battery
•
1 foot FireWire Cable
• Camera Mount Kit (inc. cradle, swivel hot-shoe mount).
$199.95
|
Click here for all the latest Focus news and Promotions
|
- Matrox RT.X2 Hardware Only is more affordable than ever and current Adobe & Avid editors can SAVE $500 when you purchase the Matrox RT.X2 with Adobe CS3 Production Premium.
- Matrox MXO now supports Adobe Premiere Pro CS3, After Effects CS3 , Apple Color, Motion, Skake, DVD Studio Pro, LiveType and Mac OSX Leopard – in addition to Apple Final Cut Pro
- Matrox Axio LE is now available in PCI-e hardware with new software including 10-bit HD & SD support
|
Matrox RT.X2 with Adobe Software
If
you're a professional video editor concerned about getting the most
from Adobe Premiere Pro and Adobe CS3 Production Premium, you need
Matrox RT.X2. It’s ideal for corporate communicators, event
videographers, project studios, educational facilities and digital
filmmakers.
Matrox RT.X2 Hardware plus Adobe Premiere Pro CS3 Software
$1,695.00
|
Matrox MXO
Matrox MXO is a versatile, all-in-one monitoring, output, and scan conversion device for the Mac that you'll use in many different ways. Because its small and portable, it makes your laptop a mobile editor. And because its hot swappable, you can easily move it to any workstation in your facility.
$995.00
|
Matrox Axio LE
Matrox Axio LE is a complete post-production solution that lets you get the best from the Adobe Production Studio software. It gives you the highest finishing quality coupled with the most comprehensive realtime feature set and the most versatile codec technology, completely integrated with the Adobe software.
Matrox Axio LE PCIe Hardware Only
$3,995.00
|
Click here for all the latest Matrox news and Promotions
|
|
|
|
A Whole New Way of Thinking from Avid...
Means A Better Way of Editing for YOU!
 with NEW Lower Pricing on
Avid Media Composer!
Avid Media Composer is the editing software that started it all - real-time, multi-format editing plus all the creative tools, media management, and true facility-wide collaboration that makes Media Composer the application used to create the more of the world's films, TV shows and commercials than any other system!
Now Avid has made Media Composer more affordable than ever by cutting the price in half
and positioning it as the flagship editing solution from Avid.
Avid Xpress Pro Owners:
Upgrade to Media Composer for less than $500!
Now you can use Avid Media Composer - the video editing software used by to create the world's most acclaimed feature films and primetime television programs, including King Kong, Crash, Walk the Line, "Gray's Anatomy," and "American Idol." Media Composer is more then just the world’s best video editor, it is an integrated post production solution! Here are some of our favorite integrated plug-ins and feature included with Media Composer.
|
NEW LOW PRICE!
Avid Media Composer
Now only $2,495.00
was $4,995
|
|
ATTN Avid Xpress Pro Owners:
Upgrade to Avid Media Composer Today
for only $495.00
Save $2,000 with this special upgrade!
|
|
ATTN Students & Teachers:
Avid Media Composer
Academic Version
only $295.00
Academic version includes all Avid software and Sorenson Squeeze. No other 3rd party software included. Requires proof of academic qualification. Click here for more info
|
|
Click here for more information about Avid Media Composer
|
Videoguys' DIY6: Quad Core System
Last spring we updated our DIY5 article to reflect the then latest round of Dual Core processors. Almost as soon as the article came out, we found ourselves bombarded with questions about Quad core CPUs. Back then you paid a pretty hefty premium for them, so we didn't feel it was necessary to build a DIY machine for Quad core. That pricing model held true until the end of last year, when Intel dropped the prices on their Quad core processors and made them just a slight premium over a Core 2 Duo. We knew what we had to do, and the plans for DIY6 where set in motion.
 Before we get into the actual nuts & bolts of our DIY 6 machine, I think it is necessary to go over our findings for Quad vs. Dual core processors for NLE. When it comes to the actual editing of video, most of the current video editing applications will not fully utilize all 4 cores. Interestingly, we found that our NLEs did at times utilize all the cores, but it wasn't across the board and it wasn't always a noticeable improvement.
The biggest exception to this is encoding. We found that with the encoders integrated into our NLE apps and the latest stand alone versions you will get much faster encoding. Not all encoders and all formats will take advantage of Quad Cores yet, but many do and with each new revision, multi-core encoding grows. Whether you need to encode to DVD or Blu-Ray, MPEG-2 or MPEG-4, Flash or other web-streaming format, having Quad cores will be a big advantage for you.
For us to see the full advantage of Quad Core computing and video editing we are going to need to have true 64 bit applications optimized for Vista 64 bit. As we've posted in other area of our website, we simply can't recommend Vista at this time. The 32 bit version is a recourse hog that brings nothing to the table for video editing. Vista 64 bit is more powerful, but good luck finding drivers for your hardware. It's not a pretty picture. I know that someday (hopefully soon) I'll be singing the praises of Vista 64, but for now we still stand by our recommendation / warning - DO NOT RUN VISTA for your NLE workstation!
Microsoft seems intent on forcing everyone's hand on this. As of today, word out of Redmond is that Windows XP will be pulled out of production June 30th. It will still be supported, but you won't be able to buy it. A growing group of XP advocates and power users are petitioning Microsoft to save XP. It worked for Cagney & Lacey, perhaps it will work for us! Regardless of the outcome, I know that our vendors are working on 64 bit versions and drivers for Vista 64. Hopefully we'll start seeing the first of these this summer.
Click here to read the Complete Videoguys' DIY6: Quad Core System Article
|
The NAB Show 2008 is Around the Corner!!!
Check out the Videoguys' Blog to stay up-to-date on all major releases |
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Videoguy's Top 10 Products of 2007 are:
1. Adobe Production Premium CS3
2. Apple Final Cut Studio 2
3. Matrox RT.X2 with Adobe Premiere Pro CS3 and Encore CS3
4. Sony Vegas Pro 8
5. Red Giant Magic Bullet Looks & Colorista
6. Newtek TriCaster Studio
7. Pinnacle Studio 11 MovieBox Ultimate
8. Black Magic Intensity Pro
9. Pioneer BDR-202 Blu-Ray Disc Burner
10. Canon HV20 HDV Camcorder
click here for more...
|
|
Videoguys.com Top 10 Products of 2007
It's hard to believe that it's that time again. I've been doing this for over 10 years now, I can remember the first Videoguys' Top 10 article that was published in 1996. Back then MotionJPEG capture cards were the only way we could get video into our computers, and that was no easy matter. The PCI bus was the new technology but IRQ problems, driver conflicts and storage bottlenecks were still the norm. Wow! How things have changed. Today we can edit HD video with an off the shelf computer and a FireWire port. Video editing products are stable, reliable and, most importantly, affordable. The level of sophistication and features found in today's video editing software and plug-ins are simply amazing. At the end of the article we take a look into our crystal ball at the technologies we think will have the biggest impact in 2008.
Click here to read the full article
|
|
Professional Video Editing Broadcast Production & Post-Production Products from Videoguys.com
At Videoguys.com, we understand that professional video editors have different needs than the average consumer. Not only do you need the best tools available in the industry, you also need the fastest and most reliable solutions available because down-time may not only prevent you from making money, it may actually cost you money. The products selected on this page have been chosen by professionals for several reasons. They work with the professional gear you use, they're proven and reliable, they're fast and efficient, and they give you the workflow and toolset you need to deliver your production as promised and on time.
|
Videoguys 'How To' & Training Page
Now it is even easier to find all of the training products you need to make the most of your video editing and production software! This handy reference page is your main navigation page to all of the training products we offer and will guide you quickly to the products you need. You can sort through the training products in our library by selecting your software in the first column, by selecting on of the leading training manfacturers in the second column or by checking out one of our featured products to the right. And, if that's not easy enough, you can always call our knowledgeable staff at 800-323-2325 for personal recommendations on the training product that best meets your needs!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Videoguys Insider Vol 7 Issue 5: Dec ’07 Updates
Over the past month we have been updating several of the articles and various areas of our website. It’s hard to believe, but many of the most popular articles on our website first appeared over 5 years ago! We update them as needed, but sometimes things change so much that major changes are required.
Videoguys’ Tips for Shooting Family/Home/Holiday Video
If you’re like me, you shoot tons of video of your family. I’ve got hours and hours of videotape of my kids. Over the past 10 years I’ve learned a thing or two about getting the best possible footage. No matter how cool your NLE system is and how many awesome special effects you can add, the bottom line is this: The video is only as good as the video you shoot.
Now includes Videoguys HD Shooting Tips
This past year I purchased a Canon HV20 HD camcorder for myself. I absolutely love this camcorder. The HDV footage is spectacular. With the HDMI output I can plug it right into my Sharp Aquos 1080p HD LCD TV and immediately view the footage in all its HD glory. When it comes time to edit, I just attach the camcorder to my NLE computer via FireWire, capture the HDV footage and then start editing. Adobe Premiere, Apple Final Cut Pro, Avid Xpress, Avid Liquid, Grass Valley Edius, and Sony Vegas all do a fantastic job with my footage.
One of the most important things I’ve learned over the past year is to modify the way I shoot to take full advantage of the HD technology. This article includes a few of my most important tips.
Click here for Videoguys Tips for Shooting Family/Home/Holiday Video now including our new HD Shooting Tips! http://www.videoguys.com/family.html
 Everything you Need to Know to get Started in Video Editing
It’s easier and less expensive than you think!!
When we began publishing this article over 5 years ago, the world of video was much more limited. DV Camcorders were over a thousand dollars (analog VHS and Hi8/8mm cams had just hit the under $500 level) and although you could shoot in several formats, the end result was almost always the same - producing a VHS tape that you could watch. Affordable DVD burners had just hit the market and we were in the middle of a format war. Web video was limited to postage stamp sized clips with choppy play back.
My oh my, how things have changed! Today DVD burners are standard issue in every computer and the DVDs you create can play back on anyone’s DVD player, computer and even video game system. We have a new disc format war, this time it is for High-Definition video Blu-ray Disc vs HD DVD. Everyday we view streaming video on websites like CNN, ESPN, YouTube and hundreds of other video sharing sites. We watch videos on our TV, computer, cell phones and PDAs. Digital video is everywhere.
Anyone and everyone can make video that they can share, but not all video is equal. If you want your videos to look better and be more enjoyable to watch, you need to edit them. Many folks getting started in video editing want to learn more about the various options to produce videos that look great. This article has been updated to provide you or your friends, family members, children or business associates the information they’ll need to get started and do the job right. If you are already an experienced digital videographer, pass this along to the folks you know who are looking for a starting point.
This article is broken into several parts, each one loaded with useful information to help you on your way. At the end of the article you’ll have a list of the products we recommend most for getting started on a budget, as well as a wide range of training DVDs to teach you how to get the most out of your new video editing and production gear. Before we get into our products, lets talk about the two things we assume you already have, a camcorder and a computer.
http://www.videoguys.com/started.html
Videoguys' System recommendations for Video Editing
This is one of the most popular pages on our website and we update it several times a year. With this latest version our general system recommendations have been updated. We have also added some new tech notes on the most cutting edge technology.
- Dual-Core is the way to go!
- Quad-Core - What's the story?
- Windows Vista – Not yet – still waiting for 64 bit drivers.
- 64 bit is the future - but it is not here yet for NLE.
- Apple Macs on Intel processors = AWESOME!!
- WinXP Pro is still the best choice for NLE.
The full article can be found at http://www.videoguys.com/system.htm
New articles coming soon:
DIY6 – Quad Core
Its time for me to replace my home video editing computer. I’ve been using our DIY2 -Big Blue machine for 3 years now and the time has come for an upgrade. It’s still running great, but I’ve moved to HD and I need more horsepower to move all these pixels! I must say that it’s a testament to our DIY articles that I’ve been able to edit video with this machine for so long. We’ve been getting lots of requests and questions about quad core technology. I’ve been tracking the prices on the Intel Core 2 Quad chips and the latest motherboards based on the P35 chipset with DDR3 memory. The time has come to build one of these machines and put it through it’s paces and see just how fast it is and how all our video editing software runs on it. DIY6 is being built now; I hope to have the article posted in early January. http://www.videoguys.com/DIY.html
Videoguys Top 10 of 2007
It’s hard to believe that it’s that time again. I’ve been doing this for over 10 years now. Our first Top 10 article was in 1996. Back then MotionJPEG capture cards were the only way we could get video into our computers, and that was no easy matter. The PCI bus was the new technology but IRQ problems, driver conflicts and storage bottlenecks where still the norm. For a walk down memory lane visit the Videoguys article archive http://www.videoguys.com/article.htm
Wow! How things have changed. Today we can edit HD video with an off the shelf computer and a FireWire port. Video editing products are stable, reliable and most importantly affordable. The level of sophistication and features found in today’s video editing software and plug-ins are simply amazing. Here is a sneak peak at some of the contenders for the Top 10 products of 2007:
- Adobe Production Premium CS3
- Apple Final Cut Studio 2
- Matrox RT.X2 with Adobe Premiere Pro CS3 and Encore DVD
- Sony Vegas Pro 8
- Red Giant Magic Bullet Looks & Colorista
- Newtek TriCaster Studio
- Pinnacle Studio 11 Ultimate MovieBox
- Black Magic Intensity Pro
- Pioneer BDR-202 Blu-Ray Burner
- Avid Media Composer with Mojo SDI Bundle
- Azden 320 Series Dual Channel Wireless Mic System
- G-Tech G-Speed eS
- Grass Valley NXexpress with Edius 4.5
- Canon HV20 HDV Camcorder
|
 FreshDV Podcast Interview With Gary Bettan of Videoguys
We had the opportunity to be interviewed for a FreshDV Podcast. Gary Bettan of Videoguys recently. We discuss the background history of The Electronic Mailbox/Videoguys, and how they stayed on the cutting edge of digital video and editing since the 1980’s through today. Gary talks about how they led the forefront of video editing back in the day, from simple video faders, to deck-to-deck editing equipment, character generators, and finally to computer-based editing in the late 1990’s (long live the Intel Pentium Floating-Point Error). We then talk about the ways in which Videoguys is helping lead the video editing community in today’s rapidly-evolving industry. One way in which they are helping the PC community is the Do It Yourself computer-building tips they offer; Videoguys will build and test a DIY editing workstation, then publish specs and tips for those who wish to build their own system. Gary also dishes on his experience with the Canon HV20 camcorder and Blackmagic Intensity Pro I/O cards, the advances in Adobe CS3 Production Suite Premium (yay for Blu-ray and Flash authoring options!), new developments in HD formats, new solid-state storage cameras and the V1U/Firestore issue, and storage and card solutions for ncompressed HD and HDCAM editing solutions. A very informative interview, and we thank Gary for his time.
I wanted to take a moment highlight their DIY cookbooks, like this DIY 5 Update. This particular article discusses building a Dual-Core PC editing solution, with detailed specs and options for five different systems ranging in price from $1000 all the way up to $2500. They break it down to specific components and part numbers, the price noted for each part, and notes on overall performance. This is an excellent resource to the build-it-yourself community. You can reach Videoguys at www.videoguys.com, or on the phone at 800-323-2325.
Listen to the FreshDV Podcast Interview With Gary Bettan of Videoguys
|
Videoguys.com • 800-323-2325 • Fax 516-671-3092
For sales inquires please email our Sales Team: sales@videoguys.com. Dealer inquiries welcomed.
For customer service please email our Customer Service Team: custserv@videoguys.com
If you find any problems on this site please send email to: videoguy@videoguys.com
Copyright 1995-2006 TEM Trading Corp. The information on this site is provided and maintained by The Electronic Mailbox. Prices are updated regularly, but subject to change without notice. Reproduction of articles for eductational / non-commercial use is encouraged. Any use of our content or graphics for commercial use must be approved by VIDEOGUYS.COM aka The Electronic Mailbox.
Videoguys.com 10-12 Charles Street Glen Cove, NY 11542 |
|
