Comments

RBartlett wrote on 6/11/2003, 1:32 AM
Uncompressed video from NewTek's VT can be approached in various ways.

With VT[2] you can capture in YUV/YUY2 8-bit AVI directly, and work in the provided editor in that format. You can still expect to get realtime performance, just not with the same level of complexity as you would with the RTV format. RTV does raw disc writing and bypasses the directshow subsystem of windows for slick response. The main engine processes in YUV throughout, just like a Quantel device.

So you can go to Vegas at various stages. If you do choose to work in RTV, you can wrap the RTV as an AVI using an RTV filter with TMPGEnc and the project save (no render required) through the VFAPI interface (creates a signpost file like Satish does with his frame/audio-server). VT3 has a NewTek NLE project wrapper that gives a render free AVI signpost file too, which is in public beta now.

The basic card gives you component (YUV), SVIDEO and composite input along with unbalanced audio. With SX8 you get 8 posh or 24 component input video and balanced audio. You can instead or aswell as SX8 have SD SDI input through another daughterboard (on the movie2bus), this doesn't support audio through SDI as of VT[2].

It is possible that using the clipboard gateway function of Vegas, that you could preview out of VT with Vegas. Currently there is no integration. SpeedRazor plugs (and the app with VT[2] US) are provided for full integration. Partial Premiere and AE now come with VT[2], with full integration currently from Bob Tasa (toastergarage.com).

Talk is of BlackMagic DeckLink having closer Vegas integration.
Currently an SVIDEO limited Conexant Fusion capture card and a Matrox P750 gives you almost the same features and LACK of integration.

Vegas works alongside NewTek software very well. Not yet joined at the hip. The Toaster is faster than Vegas, but Vegas has some unique features. With the speed of the two, the combined disjointed workflow isn't a problem IMHO.

Just like Vegas, VT just keeps getting better WITHOUT you needing to forklift your add-in hardware each 12 months!

With VT 3, even if you just deal with DV (OT: as that would be compressed), there are improvements that make the acq/edit/print incredibly well integrated.

Try a dealer who sells both. SafeHarbor is one that I know does.
Perhaps state with which aspect you would use Vegas for over TEd/VT-Edit.
Jay_Mitchell wrote on 6/11/2003, 3:31 AM
Of the many things I like about Vegas - Color Correrction is high on the list. I'd be happy to just buy a decent uncompressed capture card and stay in Vegas.

A Kona Board and VT3 will run about the same money. So, I thought that I would get alot more than just D1 Input with the VT3 Board and Software.

I am open to thoughts and Capture Suggestions on how to bring Component Betacam into the Computer. I don't want to settle for Composite Input and My Beta deck does not have YC.

The Toaster looks like a good option.

--Jay Mitchell
RBartlett wrote on 6/11/2003, 5:27 AM
VT[2] doesn't have the color wheels like Vegas(/FCP!). Yet it does have a full proc-amp and color control panel for capture and output.

See:
http://www.videotoasternt.com/about/procamp.html (DX-1201/1301 are just the names of the applets within VT[2] that resemble real world hardware, VT already does more than 'hardware' units in the normal sense of such apparatus).

You will get a lot more with NewTek's VT than just a Kona or BlackMagic board. The component+unbalanced audio route straight (without SX8) should suit you adequately with your specific single deck.

The support from http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vtnt/messages ; http://www.videotoasternt.com/forums ; http://www.toastersupport.info/forum ; http://www.videohardware.com/forumvt ; http://toasterdudes.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?fid=6; http://www.creativecow.net/index.php?forumid=123 actually makes the SoFo support look less than perfect. Which of course it is about the best in the industry.
RBartlett wrote on 6/13/2003, 3:41 AM
oh, and others with both the VT and Vegas, have found that the included drivers for VfW capture device (in VT[2]) can capture video and audio in VidCap4 (Vegas).

Video out being achieved through mediaplayer (with VT drivers active and a preference setting to master the mediaplayer output (overlay layer) out to VT program-out ports. Otherwise take the output render of Vegas into VT's own applications.

This is one half of the integration between Vegas and VT that I forgot to mention. It wouldn't be my preferred workflow as VT is able to do as many as 10 layers, with DVEs, stills and stereo audio realtime, and be able to record its own work when in switcher mode. VT being a hybrid of linear and non-linear functions with only a fantastic quality I/O card but even more amazing software (and power provided by the PC you have).
VT 3 just finishes the job off, for the time being!
thrillcat wrote on 6/13/2003, 12:59 PM
how to bring Component Betacam into the Computer>

Check out the datavideo DAC-2. I picked one up on ebay for $430 brand new/shipped.

It works brilliantly with Component video, as well as other pro sources (DVCam, DVCPro, old 3/4 tapes, etc.)

I have had a few issues with capturing old VHS tapes, it seems to drop frames, but these are oooollllllllllld VHS tapes, so it's understandable. And datavideo has been very accessible to fix this problem, although the guy who's supposed to know the most about it is on vacation 'til next week, so I'm still having the problem. But I will add that I sent my first email to tech support at 10:30pm, and had a reply by 11pm.

It's a great little box, especially if you're capturing high end sources.
RBartlett wrote on 6/13/2003, 1:47 PM
The guy wanted uncompressed from component (or maybe SDI).
Sure, you can capture component with the DAC, but it is pulverised into 4:2:0/4:1:1 DV. BetaSP, IMX, DigiBeta, D9, and Pro50 all deserve better if you aren't staggering your purchases.

Kona/Decklink are alternatives, but the included software isn't as all encompassing as VT. This kit has come along incredibly in 18 months.

I don't doubt that the clever Chinese folks at Datavideo have a scorcher of some hardware to get the best out of DV I/O with better format tape.

Uncompressed needs something like a VT, but also a big PC and 6 times the storage and random access I/O requirements you look for with NLE'd DV. It has never been cheaper to get so much.
Jay_Mitchell wrote on 6/13/2003, 4:28 PM
I see that AJA has come out with a new box called the "AJA System IO" which brings in 8 or 10-bit Component Video in/out. It looks like it was built to support the new FCP4 System.

It actually works with Firewire Connectors.

Does anyone have anymore info about this?

--Jay Mitchell

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SoCalVegasUsers/

Southern California Vegas Users Group