Casablanca Editing Appliances vs. Laptops

[johnneumann]

I was showing off my old Kron to a new friend recently and he asked me a question that I had no idea how to answer ... but which I would like to understand better. I thought maybe I would put the question forward on the forum and perhaps someone could educate me.

He simply asked, "How do the new Macrosystem video editors compare to editing video on a brand new laptop?"

He was asking about apples to apples - a new MS machine vs a new laptop. He wasn't comparing my old Kron to a new laptop.

I have an old Kron running SE6, so I don't know how the new machines compete. I also have a six year old laptop.

I'm obviously not in a position to expound on this, but I thought it makes a great question.

I know back in the day when I bought my original Cassie and then the Kron, the reputation of computers was that the operating systems were unstable enough that to edit video on a computer that also housed other applications was to invite crashes and data losses. Also, the Final Cut Pro software was complex and had a steep learning curve and wasn't inviting visually.

The newest Mac laptop has an impressive 17" monitor and a 2.93GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor - which I guess is pretty dang fast, even for video. You can get it for under $3k. I don't know what Final Cut Pro sells for, but it has a strong fan following. I've heard something about $595, but I could be mistaken. DVD authoring software comes stock with a new Mac these days.

Is anyone on the forum strong enough with the product knowledge that you could imagine yourself in sales at an MS dealership - and imagine a customer was strongly considering a new laptop (of any brand) with quality editing software?

How would you persuade someone that a Macrosystem editing appliance is superior to a new laptop running one of the popular video editing programs?

[LouBruno]

My son recently received his Masters Degree. As a gift he requested an APPLE with FINAL CUT PRO. When it was set up properly it came close to 4K. Final Cut is not $599 US as it was over $1200 dollars for the program as I recall...that price quoted is most likely the update OR a watered-down version called Final Cut Express which is less. My son edits on my SOLITARE PLUS at my home when he gets a chance. WHY? Simplicity and the same goals are established with his limited time of teaching and running a business. TWIXTOR is a perfect MSUS example of just plain easy.....try it in FINAL CUT. Now try it in BOGARTSE............................don't even need a manual!!


With FINAL CUT.....such a STEEP learning curve that he is spending more time trying to figure things out than actually editing. I have a customer who feels the same way. Final Cut was cutting into his time thus profits for turning around a product. NOTE:There is nothing wrong with FINAL CUT-nothing. It is just not intuitive like Smart Edit and BogartSE.
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Here is another situation all too common with even a computer owner:

. Hell-O ....."My software isn't working on my PC ." "Hell-O.... editing software company I can't understand what you are telling me it's too sophisticated for me."

.Answer..."it's not our software. it's your computer."

.OK..."I will call my computer maker."

.Hell-O Bombay........"The software company told me their editing software is fine but it's the computer I purchased from you."

.BOMBAY: No it's your Video Card.

. Hell-0 Video card company : "I was told............ blah blah blah."

. Card Company: "No....it's the freakazoid modulator inside the computers croutus binder....not our card."

I think you see the point.

When a company sells both hardware and software they have to SUPPORT both. "No running around" in circles while each manufacturer, who are reading from a prepared loose leaf book, then sends you someplace else to get rid of your phone call.

It boils down to SERVICE.....time.....turnover of product/projects and getting cash into your business pocket sooner.

[JBrooks]

John,

I recently played around with both Adobe Premire Pro, and Final Cut Pro and they are a PAIN to edit with. I got totally lost trying to perform a simple slow motion effect. The precedure required WAY TOO MANY steps in my opinion. Once again, that is why I REALLY like our Casablanca editors[/b.

Using the Express card slot on a laptop is nice for importing SxS XDCAM footage in just a few minutes however, the trade off is when you get the footage to the editing program that is where you get lost and the "fun" begins....

Joel Brooks
http://www.mitvideoproductions.com

[videojim]

Geez, and I thought MSUS had announced a laptop editing system? Whats its name? Compare the (fill in name) with Final Cut to it, and THEN see which apples taste better!!

[johnneumann]

Thanks, guys. Good insights. I learned a lot from your posts.

-JOHN

[JohnKleban]

The biggest asset of the Casablanca is Smart Edit; hands down. It allows me to edit very efficiently and much faster than I could on any other system. For the up-front cost of the Cassie and some add-on software, that is quickly erased and put into the profit column once one can see that they can reduce their edit times per project by several hours; and, for the most part, stability of the system is rock solid. I've never lost a project using my Cassie.

As far as compatibility of one using off-the-shelf software and a notebook, or desktop for that matter, the issues Lou mentions I think existed years ago, but frankly, I haven't heard of any such problem in the past 3-4 years - not from anyone I know who is using something else, nor anyone I know on other online video forums - zippo. In the early days of computers, yes there were some issues, now, everything is plug and play and works out of the box. Again, I think it comes down to Smart Edit - an outstanding piece of editing software.

[johnneumann]

and, for the most part, stability of the system is rock solid. I've never lost a project using my Cassie.

Thank you for the reply, John. Good insights.

I want to know your secret of the "rock solid" system, though. I've lost numerous projects over the years on my Kron and only recently upgraded to SE6 for the sole reason of being able to hook up an external drive. ie, I expect lost projects to continue happening, (I have no reason to believe anything about my machine has changed), but I now want to be backed up for such an event.

I probably lose two or three projects a year to an unrecoverable crash.

Thanks again for your opinion about SE being the primary selling point of an MS machine.

I do agree that the software could not possibly be any easier to use or more pleasing to look into for hours at a time.

[JPaul]

The only projects I "lost" were after I upgraded to OS 6 when I had hard drive failures. Fortunately I had purchased and used the Lacie external hard drive! I guess I was just lucky prior to that with my Avio, then Kron and Kron+.

I have religiously shut down on an empty project and routinely performed destructive installations of the OS especially if I had unstable input from vhs, 8mm or Super 8mm. I've never lost a project to any other cause other than hard drive failures (knock on wood!).

[RobertCarpentier]

I think the short answer is based on which "apple" or "cassie" you are talking about. It may translate to mere dollars spent, or, as Lou suggests, it may be a factor of how many hours you've spent to produce a finished product. I agree with the premise that SmartEdit is user-friendly, and you can crank out a pretty good DVD with only a few hours invested. However, I'm ALWAYS wondering about the glitches I put up with, like artifacting on the edge of the screen in HDV projects, or frame-inaccurate scene splits when downconverting. These issues have never been resolved - for me anyway - and I contemplate the expensive, labor intensive - yet clean and professional alternative of Final Cut Pro 2 on a Mac.

Best wishes to all for Smart Decisions in this challenging new year.

Robert (Bob) Carpentier

[JBrooks]

I have used the Casablanca systems since 1996, and I am amazed at how far we have come. Programs like QuadCam is just one example of how our systems can and I believe WILL CONTINUE to be very competitive in the video market.

I have decided to wait for the S-4100, and I believe it will be worth the wait. I have full confidence and faith in Macrosystem that they are indeed working on the current issues and will continue to provide innovative software and hardware. Don't give up folks.

Joel Brooks
Moments in Time Video Productions
http://www.mitvideoproductions.com