just a thought-I noticed you can add HTML to your posts, for instance when pasting an URL in. Just a nice thing for other readers, so we can just click & go!

$35 for a jog/shuttle? I'm there!

Here's another one that looks pretty slick:
http://www.contouravs.com/cav_shuttlepro_info.html

The site says it supports VV3, it costs around $99. It's a lot smaller than the CommandPost, but smaller and without the [useless?] fader arm.

The fader arm's not useless, just useless as a fader arm.

In the template I created, I use it to step thru <hide>-Explorer-Media Pool-Transitions-Video FX-Text/Backgrounds.

The CommandPost also has 15 programmable keys & a joystick, while the Contouravs only has 13 keys.

On the other hand, the CommandPost will likely not have software enhancements in the future, and the contour's jog/shuttle wheel has more steps for finer controller.

$35 vs. $99 -- pros & cons.

I know of some people who use the COmmandPost also as a gaming controller, 'cuz of the fader arm & joystick.

- Jon

Hey, can I use my MS Sidewinder joystick to edit? :-)

some people use the MS sidewinder strategic commander with Vegas. you can't really make a proper jog wheel with lots of steps (at least I haven't figured it out), but it works okay considering it was designed for games.

I talked to the PI folks at SIGGRAPH, I should see about getting a unit to test with Vegas. The jog/shuttle hardware is identical to the ShuttlePro, and also has 7 steps in each direction. The PI device *should* work, but I've never tested it. It depends on their driver, and whether it can send the special keystrokes needed for vari-speed. The buttons and jog functions should be no problem in any case.

The Contour AVS ShuttlePro *is* fully supported, including vari-speed shuttle control (as far as I know, Vegas & VideoFactory are the only apps the do this with audio).

Vegas 3.0c also supports the Griffin Design PowerMate

http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/powermate/index.html

as a jog-shuttle, but it has no extra buttons (pressing the knob toggles between jog and shuttle modes). My only complaint is the lack of buttons and no detents on jog, but the cool blue glow is neat.

Some people have had some success with the CommandPost. I've also never tried one.

I've only used the ShuttlePro and the PowerMate, and if I had to pick one for editing, I'd take the ShuttlePro. They have a new device, the SpaceShuttle that has a few less buttons, but it might cost less. It's not available yet, but it's pictured on their website:

http://www.contouravs.com/

///d@

These all look interesting! I like the "look" of the ShuttlePro, BUT can someone please tell me: Do these tools keep you from having to use a mouse? What would a mouse still have to be used for? Selecting.....dragging....?

Thanks!
pat

Pat,

You absolutely still need a mouse, as you mentioned to drag, select etc. You use the keyboard MUCH less with these products, especailly if you are a keyboard-shourtcut kind of guy. If you're an icon-clicking guy, the I guess you'd use your mouse less too.

- jon

Thanks for your info! I'm going to check with PI and see what they say. If they can't provide solid info, I think I may go with a combination of the Griffin PowerMate as the jog/shuttle and use a PI Pro keypad for the neccessary buttons.

If you happen to hear any further information on these types of devices in the near future, could you post to this message?

THANKS!

P.S. I know SonicFoundry won't suggest vendors, but it might be a neat thing to make a web page on your site with a list of tested products that your R/D staff have used to let people know what has and has not been tested before we buy.

Jon,
Thanks!
I don't know......still have to use the mouse, the kybd., and then the "contoler".
If you were to recommend such a device, what would you say their strong point is?
I don't think I have any more room for another controller....:-(
What are those kybds I see that have diff. colored keys?

Is this something you couldn't do without?

Thanks(I'm really liking Vegas's kybd shortcuts)

pat

Thanks cheese......Seems like everything has programmable buttons. I like multi function stuff. My MS trackball Explorer can even be used in Vegas for stuff. When Vegas is open I have 2(of 5)buttons to do Ctrl and Shift. Still trying to see if I like those assignments.
I have the MS Sidewinder Force feedback joystick (used specifically for Flight Sim), but it has about 9 buttons, twist(rudder), and throttle. Nice, but can't see using it for editing???? Wonder if I can get the "force fdbck" to jerk when there are dropped frames :-)