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After discovering that I should have had the Blue Box World add-on, I wondered whether there was a a way I could upgrade to the S4K and move everything on my current machine over to the new machine with no loss.

Right now, as I understand it, I'd be stuck with my DV and DV Backup backups. As you guys know, both of these options are lacking especially if the project is on-going.

So what options are available? I'd upgrade now, if I could move everything over.

And I'd buy some more add-ons, like BB World. Thanks!

Not sure exactly what you are asking.

If you are meaning a trade in/up to keep your software that is available.

Regarding ongoing projects, there is no perfect, easy answer as you are talking about two completely different and non-compatible operating systems (SE and Bogart).

Your options are going out to tape, the aforementioned external hard drive backups and/or Disk Transfer archiving to "save", transfer ongoing work.

If you are buying outright you could use direct firewire transfer of video, audio between the units.

Either way will require some re-assembly of existing ongoing projects.

Best bet is to finish Projects on the old machine and then move to the new machine and start with new Projects there.

That's what I was afraid of.

When I edit in Final Cut, I can save everything to a hard drive and send it over to a buddies machine and he can pick up where I left off. The problem with backup is frustrating. Does the new machine solve this problem?

Does the new machine solve this problem?

I am told the new S-4000 products are to expect the capability of editing to/from an external HDD. This would give you some latitude, to say - take your project whether in process or completed - and connect to a colleague's S-4000 (or your 2nd unit) and complete additional editing.

While the current back-up methods do not provide 100% compatibility, I would assert that they do go a long way to help folks to archive their projects in process.

Regards,
Chet

Thanks Chet!

Any idea when the external drive editing might be available? Seems like the real risk is what would happen if the principal drive on which your project sits fails. For example, I've got hundreds of inserts and tricky transitions in my documentary project. While I can back the storyboard up as a scene and separately as an unrendered work, having to redo inserts could become a real problem. And sound issues would persist as well.

But luckily, I've not had a drive failure.

I know this is petty, but this has not been a problem on my Final Cut projects. We have a couple of 500 gig Lacie drives we swap around. Of course, I'd much rather avoid editing on my Mac.

Jonathan,
I have a friend who edits on Final Cut(FC). She has been trying to get me to switch over to the FC for a while. Since you edit on both the Macrosystem(MS) and FC, can you tell me(us) what is the major difference between the two? From your post, it seems that you would prefer MS. I am really curious as to why. The one reason that I would think, is it's simplicity. As you may have read from other MS users, it can be very frustrating using MS becasue of its limitations. Those limitations are, not being able to use MS laterally with your PC or Mac. Or that the audio software is not what you get on other NLE's, just to name a few.

FYI, I do love my MS, but it has been tempting to switch. Please give me an honest answer.

Thank you,
Jeff

In my opinion the lack of Alpha Channel support is really holding the Casablanca back but with the S4000 using the Linus based OS that could change....I'm on my knees praying. My friend edits with Premier Pro and his Alpha Channel work makes BB World look like junk and the same goes for his Adobe After Effects stuff too. The down side is that the learning curve for those is quite steep, not like our systems at all.

Truthfully, I love the MS. It is what I learned (and am still learning) to edit on.

But I have to edit in FC for some projects. Since I do some TV stuff, I work with a gifted pro and I have to be able to do raw edits for him in FC and give him the scratch drive.

But I like the stability of the MS. I've cut all kinds of projects on it, including a feature documentary. The hard drive limitation has become a real problem though. We shot something like 50 hours of interviews for the project and had to be selective, obviously, when capturing to the AVIO.

I have not used BB World, but I need to learn it. I would have already upgraded to the S4000 had there been a way to move my existing project over to the new machine. Since that is not an option, I'm stuck finishing the project in the AVIO. Since it was all shot in SD, that is fine. We're on the last leg of things.

As for the FC vs. MS debate, MS is cleaner and in many respects faster. The self-contained nature of it is wonderful and the initial price is very competitive. We bought the machine originally because it was far cheaper than going all in Mac. That gap closed but now is beginning to widen again as the S4000 price comes down and the discounts are offered. The trick is to figure out what combination of add-on software is required for the work you do. For us, we needed PS 2, basic effects packages, and audio software. Everything else was not critical. So, the cost of the MS was much better than FC.

The film we've made looks very professional. My FC filmmaker friends have been impressed. They totally geek on the MS's interface, because it is so very simple. But make no mistake, the levels of the MS (capturing audio separate from the video and so forth) is very professional. The MS is not a toy or a prosumer option like Imovie HD (which is wonderful, but very limited).

I'm going to try to stay with the MS as long as I can. And that means an upgrade as soon as this project is finished.

Very good explanation!
I do love the simplicity as well. The dilemma that I fall into is that in the professional editing business, if you aren't using FC or Premiere or some other household name brand editor, it is hard to get work. I have been offered 2-3 jobs as an editor, but when they found out I used MS(which they never heard of), I was told that I needed to use FC. One job was for a cable channel. It's unfortunate, but it is the real world.

I am making money with my MS and will continue to do so. I trust that MS will continue to make the system better. Otherwise, there are to many other NLE's to choose from.

I agree that there is opposition to the use of MS. But one way I've been able to conceal it, legitimately, is to edit on MS and then firewire it into FC. This way I can give the client both. Of course, that presents some limits, but is a good patch.

Also, most of my clients have no idea what an NLE is. All they want is the DVD.

With my golf course work, the MS is all I need.

But the key is to be flexible.