OT: Contour ShuttlePRO Opinions

Cliff Etzel wrote on 2/12/2009, 12:43 PM

I'm beginning to run into wrist issues from using a mouse so much while editing -

I have my desk set up as best I can for ergonomics, but I still am having issues since I spend so much time at it either editing or doing web design.

Wanted to get some feedback on the idea of using a Contour ShuttlePro since I wrk in Vegas Pro 8, Sound Forge 9 and the rest of my SONY apps.

Any advice/input/experiences with using it - and does it truly speed up the editing process as well as reduce repetitive use issues? How do you use it - right hand mouse, left hand ShuttlePRO?

Cliff Etzel - Solo Video Journalist
bluprojekt | solo video journalism blog

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Comments

Robert W wrote on 2/18/2009, 4:38 AM

I had a look at some of these things at the show yesterday. They also had a larger model, constructed in the kind of case I would associate with a small 4 channel audio mixer, with a big rubber pad for the wrist and a keyboard for presets. Has anybody used these in an editing scenario?

farss wrote on 2/18/2009, 4:59 AM

I think what you saw was a traditional edit controller that communicates via RS424. If so, sorry, no work in Vegas.
Then again I have been tempted to buy an old one and rip it's guts out and replace it with something that emulated the CSPro. The ergonomics it's so much better and those things were built like a tank.

Bob.

Robert W wrote on 2/18/2009, 5:04 AM

Thanks Bob. I thought it looked a bit too much for us anyway. My director is always complaining about our current input solutions and I wanted to take him to have a look at those products today. Unfortunately it does not look like we will get down there.

NickHope wrote on 2/18/2009, 11:45 AM

I have had a Shuttle Pro 2 for a few years and I've never really got into using it and now I'm at the point where I only use the jog and shuttle controls, and I only use those occasionally. But I really miss it for those controls when I don't have it with me.

Every now and then I try again with it, program the buttons etc. but I just don't get into it. Somehow I don't like the seating position with both hands extended forward all the time. I prefer to sit back when I'm editing and keep the left hand free for drinking, head-scratching, nose-picking, and throwing things.

Former user wrote on 2/18/2009, 11:49 AM

Nick,

You need to make a foot control! :)

On my second computer, I have the old Focus Enhancements Command Post controller. It works pretty well even though it was discontinued years ago. It has a decent shuttle and jog knob.

Dave T2

kentwolf wrote on 2/18/2009, 2:14 PM

>>...I prefer to sit back when I'm editing...

Glad to know I'm not alone! I like to kick my feet up, lean back, and pretty much break every ergonomic rule there is.

I have a Shuttle Pro 2 that should be delivered within the next hour or so, so I might need to change all that. :)

drmayer wrote on 5/14/2009, 11:58 AM

I too am using multiple cameras, but am using ShuttleXpress. Did you configure the ShuttlePRO buttons to switch from camera to camera while editing? If so, would the settings be the same for ShuttleXpress & would you mind sharing them with me?
Thanks,
Drew

baysidebas wrote on 5/14/2009, 3:48 PM

Yes, I configured the bottom 4 buttons to switch cameras while editing. Since my work involves only 3 cameras, I used the fourth button to run Ed's timeline zoom level preset macro. I also assigned one of the other buttons as the Multicam Edit toggle, that way I can switch instantaneously between preview and edit.

The camera select commands are simply "type keystroke" with "control + numpad #" as the keystrokes, with the camera numeric value replacing #.

The MulticamEdit toggle is a macro that consists of "Keystroke Combo: Shift + Control + D"

I am not familiar with the ShuttleXpress, but suspect that it probably works in a similar manner.

Good luck!

rmack350 wrote on 5/14/2009, 4:05 PM

Shuttle Xpress is a smaller unit with the same jog wheels but just 5 buttons. Better for the memory impaired (me)

Rob Mack

blink3times wrote on 5/14/2009, 7:47 PM

Interesting.

I have the shuttle pro but prefer the mouse. I have the MX revolution... all the buttons are programmable and they're also programmable uniquely for each program (the software recognizes which program you're running at the time and shifts the programming). I have JKL programmed in as well a S, Shift-B, and a few other things. The wheel is also a click lock type or a quick press turns it into a free-spinning wheel.

I find that with the mouse my hand stays in one position at all times and it's just my fingers that need to move. With the shuttle pro I was always having to shift my hand from the buttons to the scroll and back again... then having to shift the shuttle out of the way to make room for the mouse when I shifted programs.... Blah!

The mx revolution I find to be the most universal approach... and the least tiring. The only thing it can't do is the fast scrubbing the way my shuttle wheel could, but that I don't find too big a deal with JKL programmed in. That's just me though I guess.

drmayer wrote on 5/15/2009, 7:41 PM

Thanks baysidebas. I assigned the left & right buttons to camera1 & camera2 using the keystrokes you described. Using the shuttle wheel while trying to click the left & right buttons to either side of it, on the fly, is a bit much for my left hand, so I'm reverting back to the mouse for camera selection for now.

Is there a shortcut key that toggles back & forth between 2 cameras? That would be simpler than moving the mouse from camera to camera on the preview screen.

I couldn't find a macro function on the ShuttleXpress menus, so it may not even have that feature. Does anyone know if it does macros?

Thanks

Mahesh wrote on 9/10/2009, 1:15 AM

Managed to transfer V8 & V9 to my new quad core i7 PC.
Managed to transfer render settings.
Managed to get shuttle pro work.
Now how do I copy my CSp V8 settings to V9. Tried Export settings BUT must be doing something wrong as I still have default settings.

TIA

biggles wrote on 9/10/2009, 3:55 AM

I can but echo much of what has gone before (so why the heck am I posting???)

I've had a Shutle Pro for my left hand for years now and have recently changed from mouse to track-ball for my right. That has been almost as big a revelation as when I first started using my Shuttle!

Wayne

baysidebas wrote on 9/10/2009, 5:57 AM

Sorry DR, I missed your question when you posted it. Hope it isn't too late for a reply.

Yes, the CS has macro capability, although it isn't the most straightforward method, but you can compose keystroke macros, enter text, set delays.

Open the CSPro Control Panel, Navigate to the Key Composer tab.
Under Macro selection click on new and enter name for macro.
To add keystroke actions press "Add in group". This opens the Macro action editor with, more or less, straightforward entry options.

You can have as many actions as you desire in your macro, they will be performed in sequence when the macro is invoked.

Additional info:
When I need more complex macros, I create them in Macro Express (Macex), not free but certainly affordable and a godsend for automation in all my apps. Then I use the CSPro macro to invoke the Macex macro. Works like a charm.