Same Day Edit..hummm

[LouBruno]

Good point John! At any given time, look at photos of the user groups. There are NO young people-no jokes here. Lack of customer base expansion.

As we get older, disposable income is either static or less available. Eventually, the older customer base fades away, either because of technology changes such as HD or as stated, disposable income.

A younger person (not teens) may actually be willing to invest money for their future. Whereas, the older user is more conservative with spending and justifiably so.

I am sure MS is aware that the time has come to offer a PC based software. I would not be surprised if it is in the offering sooner than later. However, this is just conjecture on my part as I have no inside knowledge.

From my point of view, the Cassie Community is a special group of people; a somewhat closed community.

Video editors,in the industry, know what Final Cut Pro is all about.

Few know that MS is still in existence today. I hear the following quite often: "I remember them years back, good product for the time. Are they still around?"

[SYLRENAUD]

I love Macrosystem products & switching to FCP is the LAST thing on my bucket list
but I have to agree with Lou about everyone of us getting older and no new young
blood in the MS community that I know of anyways.
The website & marketing I find is very flat...
I have been using the Canon 7D succesfully (with some limitations that might be rectified
with OS 3
Like it or not these cameras are changing everything & the young generation
of videographers are heading in that direction. This would be a great opportunity
for MS to market this in a cool way to younger people.
So yes why not make just the software available to be used on PC's / MAC
Except for the titler and Colour grading limitations my S-4100 is just as good as FCP.
I do MAC screen sharing with a friend who uses FCP & I don't find it user friendly.
This just is my oppinion & FCP is winning by default !

Syl

[JBrooks]

I think MS is very aware of the "new generation" market and I too would like to see at least a "lap top sized" unit with a built in monitor for more portability. Until then, I will continue to hall my S-4100 around in my pelican case for SDE's and long form shoots. The unit gets alot of attention in doing so and that's where I start informing and bragging on the system that most are not aware of. I think that MS will start a whole new marketing campaign and with the help and expertise of Philip, will become more noticed in the video market place. We all can help in doing this as well.

Joel

[ChrisStone]

Several years ago at the 4ever group convention in Jacksonville Fl, myself and Tim Kennelly and others had dinner with Jorg and Chet who still worked for MSUS. I brought up the whole marketing/age thing and mentioned to Jorg that I at 40 was one of the youngest users attending the seminars and that I noticed there were no young folks attending or apparently using Casablanca products. We talked about the uninspiring web site and marketing materials and compared the new sexy curvy look of consumer items like the Xbox 360 with the square German battleship grey look of the Prestige and the Renomee.

Jorg responded with what I'd call "speed bumps" to all of our ideas and suggestions and didn't seem to grasp marketing as applied to this country as evidenced by the release of the equally uninspiring square, grey S-4000.

[BobFoster]

Take a look at what MSUS would have to compete with in the PC world. Just visit the website and look at the feature set of Vegas Pro for $599. That includes an extensive amount of add on software for Blu-Ray authoring, and a professional level audio editing/processing program, etc.. The audio section alone is worth the price. I have generated more than $100,000.00 in revenue using Sony's Sound Forge and used it to do forensic audio work for law enforcement with great success to help convict criminals. It is included as a part of Vegas Pro. MSUS audio section is hardly able to produce a true fade out and editing audio is primitive at best. I'm not promoting any PC editing software, but I don't think PC compatible software is the answer for MSUS with it's current offerings. Don't get me wrong, I use Cassie almost exclusively for video work because my niche doesn't require extensive features. PC editing software is far too complex for my feeble mind of 71 years. (Re-enforce old persons use of Cassies ) I will continue to support MSUS products, however, I think the handwriting is on the wall. Way too many dropped balls (read "coming soon") and falling behind the curve of todays editors. Just my opinion.

[Franklinbencosme]

Wowww this SDE has uncovered many comments.

For my part I agree with the precise details of a new market approach to MS, if it is a reality, no offense
anyone (I am 44 years), but this product is targeted to people of an older age, but if this is business we should not look at this factor, which is remarkable
is that we are always a little behind the progress of the world of videos, we can not blind this is REAL. I always remember when I started with Draco in 1998 in Weva, from 100 videographers at least 20 had CASABLANCA, taking into account that at that time Weva at least had at last 2000 PARTICIPANTS, go to the trade show was ending, see DRACO's booth was impressive! many young people interested in the product..

Today this has changed, what they SHOULD do to attract new generations? change the philosophy of the product? I think it will be a very difficult task but not impossible...

Returning to the SDE, this will rise more and more on the wedding market, today in the HIGH END Weddings, tomorrow will be normal in every wedding market, meanwhile please we need something to revive MS..

Just another opinion...Franklin

[Jeanton]

If only Macro Systems took a little time to read al this they should know a bit how we the loyal costumers are thinking
but I haven't seen any one on this bulliton board response to any thing are they asleep or just ignorent.

PS. Am I the baby on this forum site with 39 years young ?????

[JohnKleban]

As far as changes with software, ideas, etc., it seems they sometimes shoot darts at a board as to what to release without much study and feedback from real users throughout the world; and instead rely solely on Germany or from those who dabble with home movie edits for such input.

Also, not to be Debbie Downer here or sound disrespectful, but we have a returned owner who has thus far exhibited some similarities of an absentee landlord in my opinion, no?; going on vacations is nice, running other businesses are great and noteworthy, but thus far having zero presence on this board and the company website for over a year now I find a little discouraging. I was excited and had high hopes when I heard Eric was returning but must admit, other than more people being let go, I haven't seen nor heard much of anything; correct me if I'm wrong please. Last news I heard was that Bruce from Tech Support is no longer with the company.

From reading about the March Get Together which I unfortunately couldn't attend this year for the first time, I heard great things about Philip Bice; but then wondered, why no posts on this board or the Tips List introducing himself, or just posting a thread or reply to share with the user base about the company and/or if anything, to "fire up the troops?"

[screamn]

HI Franklin,
While some shrink at the idea of a SDE we have been producing them for years on whatever model Cassie we had. Our first job was in Hawaii in 2002, since then we have been to Mexico, Russia, Italy, and Ireland (just to name a few) producing these show stoppers for major US companies during their incentive trips. We were one of the first to implement the technique for weddings as well. Many who have posted don't see why anyone would want this feature at their wedding, but I don't think they understand what is being produced. Our wedding SDE video is a short one song long recap of the pre-ceremony, ceremony and couple's post-ceremony photo session. It is piggybacked to a pre-produced photo montage which takes the guest by surprise when they suddenly see behind the scenes images of the pre-ceremony activity, etc.. I have often heard gasps when they realize what they are seeing. They aren't seeing what they saw two hours before they are seeing what WE saw through our lenses; up close, artful, compelling images that often evoke tears and always raves.

Are they stressful - yes. Are they worth it - absolutely. We charge $5500 for a SDE in our market, so I am always happy to book one. More than that, they set you apart as a can-do, cutting edge company. Our reputation has been bolstered by the success we have had with this offering.

We have produced SDE videos with the Prestige, Solitaires, the Liberty and now the S-4000. As we all know they have yet to produce the perfect Cassie, the trick is to just work within the capabilities of the machine. The real key to pulling off an SDE is to shoot for the edit to minimize the amount of footage you are editing. This is a MUST. I do the shooting and my wife (and now daughter) do the editing. I give them just what they need and they work their magic.

If you want any advice I would suggest doing one or two for free, or for a small fee with the client's understanding that you are trying something "new". What bride is going to say no to that? The important thing is you can fine tune your technique without the stress of failure. I will never forget the first one we produced. In Hawaii, 5 star hotel, 400 people in the room, the event planner demanding the video (we were 5 minutes late) and the darn Prestige kept crashing!! We were literally on our knees praying to God. He delivered, the darn machine finally spit to tape (pre-DVD days) and the video was a hit. The rest is history.

I encourage you to give it a try, it's not nuclear physics (I used to be a nuclear power engineer - I should know)

[Franklinbencosme]

Hey Sceamn ! thanks for your coments !! woooowww us 5,500 for SDE ?

Hey these prices are more expensive than still motion, congratulations..

This is what is called price value FOR A SDE......

Franklin