The coolest input device ever!

GaryKleiner wrote on 3/13/2006, 12:53 PM
I have long been an advocate of using graphics tables as an input device for video editing. For me, it's always been faster than using a mouse.

I just got myself a Wacom Cintiq, and WOW, it's a whole 'nother step up!

The Cintiq is an LCD monitor combined with a tablet, so essentially you are editing using a touch screen, except instead of your finger, you use a stylus with programmable switches.
You can use it on its stand or in your lap.

Also, there are programmable buttons and touch strips along the sides. I have one touch strip for timeline zooming, and the other for frame-by-frame scrubbing.

Not cheap at $2500 (21" model), but definitely worth considering.

Here's a PIC

Gary

Comments

SimonW wrote on 3/14/2006, 2:50 AM
Gary, that looks pretty cool.

Is that a keyboard shortcut window in the lower half of the screen? Is that part of the tablet or is it part of Vegas?
GaryKleiner wrote on 3/14/2006, 10:27 AM
Good eye, Simon.

That's a virtual keyboard from Touch It. I am only using the real keyboard when I have a lot of typing to do. It's great for using the Vegas keyboard shortcuts without looking away from the screen or having to move my hand from the mouse.

Gary
Nat wrote on 3/14/2006, 10:33 AM
Is there a way to rest the wrist on the screen like a standard wacom or will it put grease and such on the surface ?

I'm using a standard wacom along with a gesture recognition software for shortcuts and it works great.
GaryKleiner wrote on 3/14/2006, 11:10 AM
The surface is non-glare glass, so no worries.

Gesture recognition software sound intriguing. Do you have a URL to check out?

Gary
Nat wrote on 3/14/2006, 11:41 AM
Yes, very solid software, takes about 200k of ram and you can create different gestures for each app you use, it will switch templates automatically depending on which window class the focus is on. It's free also :)

http://www.tcbmi.com/strokeit/

Edit : When using it with a tablet (you can also use it with a mouse) I set one of the buttons on the pen to gesture mode, so when you press the button you can input a gesture, works very well and saves me from a lot of trips to the keyboard.
GaryKleiner wrote on 3/14/2006, 10:23 PM
Nat,

Thanks for the tip on Strokeit. This makes a cool device even cooler!

Gary