New direction? Change? What would you like?

[Franklinbencosme]

Hey Tim !!!! I agree 100 % those days(8 years a go maybe?) when MS advertised in many videos
magazine I discover this WONDERFUL solution(NL edit suite)that solve a not easy learning curve
for people like me that just wanted to simplify my editing process.......

Hey MS is time to WEAK UP !!!! you have a TREMENDOUS PRODUCTS.........Don't sleep !!!

Franklin

ps-Good news at Germany web site ! AVCHD AND BLUE-RAY are coming

[TimKennelly]

Hi Franklin,

I see you are coming to Jim's March Get Together this year, I will be there as well so we will have to find some time to chat in person.

We have met a few times at 4EG or WEVA events, but always it's hurry, hurry, hurry and we will have more time to actually talk at the MGT.

[CKNewman]

I agree 1000% that the website is not only ineffective, but is damaging to the company's public image. Looks like they got Applied Magic or some other competitor to produce and host it. I think anyone looking to purchase a video editing product uses the internet for research and comparison. Not good for us.

I think that another desperately needed change would be a change in the Macrosystem attitude towards documentation. I'll be very kind here - it could use a whole lot of improvement. Manuals should have indexes so users can find answers quickly. Our manuals should be re-written in better English and proofed for syntax, spelling, formatting, etc, after being translated so that they read easier. They are online in PDF format, nothing has to be reprinted, just updated and improved.

There should be an encyclopedia or database of Casablanca information with a good integrated search engine so that it's easy to find answers. So much of what we know about our editors is by internet post, similar to how information gets passed on by oral tradition. The information we need contained in these posts can be difficult and very time-consuming to search out. When gems are produced in the posts they should get added and indexed to the database. I would think this should also apply to at least some of the information possessed by tech support in Boulder so more users can help themselves and tech support is freed up.

Knowledge is empowerment. Empowered users are happy users

[TomHajewski]

Craig, excellent comment! Why haven't I thought of saving important posts electronically, instead of on paper? I've been trying to print out the posts that I think might be useful some day and organize them into a binder. Inevitably, they get lost on my desk before I file them or, if I wait for all the comments on the topic to stop coming, I've forgotten that I was going to print it.

The SEARCH function on this BB is helpful, but saving all the helpful tips and instructions electronically on my PC is easy, efficient, I can focus on just what I need and I always know where to find it. Thanks for the idea, Craig!

[MikeMattke]

I agree with the comments about the MSUS website. I find this forum and the cassietips listserv to be more valuable than the company's own site. I have even gotten more from Chet's site that is not totally active yet. They should be singing their praises and showing off the S4000 Pro and make the site a real eye catcher. I find myself having to go to the european site to find info and that one isn't too state-of-the-art either.

Also, I have gotten more out of the two MGTs I have attended than any online help from MSUS. I did attend 2 sessions in Boulder done by Birdy and Justin and those were invaluable but many look to the web and it is not answering the bell. I am sure that all the questions that I have about my S4000 Pro will be answered in March at Chet's hands-on workshop and Jim's MGT.

[ChrisStone]

To add my two cents worth on the website/marketing, I remember sitting down to dinner with Jorge, Chet, Birdy, Tim Kennelly and a couple others in Jacksonville Fl. We basically hammered Jorge and Chet about the lousy website (the old lousy site, not the new lousy website) and the lack of marketing that appeals to young, up and coming editors. Why no video on a video editing website? Show an attractive soccer mom editing her familys holiday video on a claro. Show a college kid cutting an indie project on the renomee. Show a wedding videographer using the Solitarie creating beautiful slow-mo's. You get the point. And why the big square battleship grey boxes (S-4000 excluded its square and black). Take a lesson from Microsoft X-box 360 and the likes. Curves, colors, sexy, right? Well apparently that conversation fell on deaf ears.

Chets new website is infinatley better than Macrosystems and its brand new and still has bugs! Someone mentioned Applied Magic. Check out their website. You know what their selling right off, they've got decent photos of the product and the prices are right up front. And they have a demo video! Same goes for other NLE websites.

I'm sure there are new people buying macrosystem products but if you've been to one of the regional road shows, or to the MGT you know that its mostly the same people year after year. You dont see much new blood in this family. And if I was there, then I was amoung one of the youngest users at 44!

Finally, Macrosystem needs to stop releasing hardware and software here in NTSC land with so many problems/bugs. Its just not acceptable.

I love this product, this family and yes this company. Several years ago I was even going to apply for a position with MSUS, I was creating a resume when the news came out that Birdy was let go and other downsizing measures were being taken. So much for that idea.

I want this company to succeed through these hard economic times, so I hope Mr Kloor gives a listening ear to his long time customer base.

[videojim]

Tom Hajewski, that's the idea! I copy/paste the posts into a word doc, and then have topics posted in the doc for what I need. That way, I go into the three ring binder, and the topics are always in large bright letters for easy locating.

[Franklinbencosme]

Ok amigos let me share this ! Remember WEVA 1998(Miami)???? when a discover
casablanca classic waaaoooooo !!!! the price for the 18 gb and 0-60 fast processor
with FIRE WIRE(opcional $$$$) and many features !!!! was US 7,000... YES IT'S TRUE.

From every 30 wedding videographer,10 where Using CASABLANCA!!! but now
the situation is DIFFERENT WHY??? people change to different OPTIONS like
Edius,FC,Matrox,Vegas,Avid,Adobe and a few more company in the market.

Get was??? almost everything they do on those system WE DOIT on are SYSTEM !!

Conclusion: ARE WE MISSING SOMETHING?????....ECONOMY CRISIS? YES WE NOW
this affect the world at this time, BUT BE CAREFUL any face change or new direction
that any company have to do,do it thinking about what your costumers are EXPECTING

Thanks for your time.........Franklin A HAPPY SON FROM MS FAMILY

[LouBruno]

Basically MSUS must "GET THE WORD OUT" of the updated changes to their products. I just spoke to an individual the other who didn't know.. "THEY WERE STILL AROUND."

Like any business a specific market must be targeted. I think magazines geared for the home hobbyist would be the wrong venue as many home users will only spend a few hundred dollars on a camera-not even HD. NOW- Possibly targeting a more sophisticated market is the right direction. Some videographers aren't aware that there have been tremendous changes in software from MSUS that are on par with other operating systems-TWIXTOR comes to mind. These softwares are easier to use with a less learning curve than intense operating systems.

I must admit, there tends to be a certain SNOBBERY in my video association when the mention of a MS device is discussed compared to Final Cut and other systems. This feeling of superiority stems from lack of knowledge about the product we own. The only solution I would recommend is a VERY AGGRESSIVE advertising campaign which would rely on the INTERNET and ONLY some professional magazines. PRINT ADS can work but only when "zeroed-in" on the proper market. The INTERNET allows easier worldwide advertisement. For instance, the NEW "S"2000 series would be a welcome advertisement to the website I moderate at CAMCORDERINFO as the pricing is half that of the "S"4000 PRO. The pricing will appeal to those people that are semi-professional, advanced hobbyists and use prosumer cameras that are within the price range of the "S"2000.

The MSUS website is another issue. It is essential that MSUS keep the website current which would include newly released softwares and current software and operating systems links as well as the easy navigation of the site for those possible clients who, after reading an ad, go to the MSUS site for further information.

In closing, we are a closed-knit community and MS has to evaluate whether the customer base is expanding or if only the current customer base is being supported. That would be the key to a two-fold advertising campaign which encompasses a dual goal of obtaining new customers and supporting the current clients through the use of a carefully devised ad campaign. Now, I am fully aware that advertisment costs money and of course that has to be taken into consideration by any company. That is why it is important to evaluate the "AUDIENCE" which will receive the ads.

JUST MY THOUGHTS....your mileage may vary

[JohnPhillips]

First of all, let me say that I was EXTREMELY disappointed with MSUS when they gave Birdy the boot. Is Chet still with MSUS or has he suffered the same fate? While I realize that this economy makes it very difficult for any business to survive, I don't believe that reducing the QUALITY of service and product is the key to survival. For some time now, I have felt that MSDE has been treating it's US customers as second class. While I am anxious to purchase a new unit (S4000pro) I will not do so until it is closer to bug free and more of the software is completely compatible. I feel as though they gloss over their shortcomings just to get the sale. They (MSUS and MSDE) need to stop moving like a behemoth sloth and start behaving like they really have great products and services to sell. Technology is constantly changing and they need to adapt. (Ask the music recording industry). The first place to start is the website. It is deplorable in comparison to other similar sites.ie.(Applied-magic.com). It should be FREQUENTLY UPDATED and IMPROVED. Although I would like to remain a MSUS customer, I have begun to research other NLE products. I am going to HANG ON as long as possible in the hopes that MACROSYSTEM will once again become the Premier NLE products company it once was.
Thanks for letting me vent.