Current Digital Video software, hardware, equipment

Pinnacle Editing Software

Pinnacle Systems Studio 9 with the PCI card which allows three RCA pin plugs, or an SGVA connector (both inputs and outputs) as well as a IEEE firewire port. The decision was made to buy the PCI and firewire card as part of the package, rather than obtain the cards separately. The software integrates better with the hardware: the resulting compatibility allows the user to spend time on editing video, rather than trying to make the hardware work with the software.

PC Hardware

Hard drive space and motherboard memory and speed are the key considerations. This unit has four, 200 gig hard drives, and two 150 gig hard drives, running Windows 2000 Professional, with 3 gigs of RAM and a 3.4 GHz processor. A Mad Dog Multimedia GeForce4 (128 meg) (from nVIDIA) graphics card was installed in the AGP slot (this card is usually used for games, but the refresh rate and the true colors at the higher resolution is nice for video editing.)

DV Camera

The Cannon ZR25 MC has inputs and outputs for analog, SVGA and firewire. The battery life is usually long enough for a one hour "mini DV" tape, but battery life seems to decrease as the battery gets older, so two or three spares are recommended, especially for long trips. The only annoyance on this model is the cassette tapes are inserted in the bottom of the camera, right where a tripod mount is located. To change tapes while using a tripod involves first removing the tripod, changing the tape, then re-attaching the tripod...

 

 

Distribution Scenario

Once the video is edited on the PC, a DVD master file is made on the PC. DVD copies are then made by recording from the PC to DVDs via a Memorex 16X double layer DVD internal recorder. NEATO high gloss cdplus labels are used with Avery label software.

VHS video tapes are rarely made anymore, but can be created by connecting the DVD recorder to a standard VHS tape recorder with RCA pin plug cables for audio left, audio right and video, and making copies from the "DVD Master" disk.