DVM-Pro so far
Price Courtright
Your post merely adds to our conviction that system integrator custom built
turn-key packages are the way to go... We know enough about computers and
software to realize that our forte is video production and not building NLE
systems...
When ours hits the desk top, we'll post a quickie on how things worked out... It
may help others in their decision making process, just as your post helped us...
Good luck... It sounds like you could use some:-)
--
Price Courtright
President
SyndCast Media Group
Washington, DC
--
Lane wrote:
>
> I've had a DVMaster Pro/New computer for a couple of days and I thought
> I'd let you know what i've got so far....
> I'm using dual PII 350mhz in a Tyan Tiger BX motherboard with 128x4
> PC100 sdram chips, an Adaptec Ultra Wide SCSI card, a WD 5 gig Eide
> system drive, a Quantum Atlas F/W SCSI 4.5 drive for audio(yes audio and
> video are saved to separate files), an Ultra 2 Quantum atlasIII 9 gig
> drive for video (I mistakenly order the Ultra 2 instead of UW, but it
> still seems to work) and I've borrowed a Diamond stealth 2500(PCI)(I'm
> wating on a Millennium AGP card, should be here any day.)
> Now lets talk install......
> 1st I have to say, that there is very little documentation. If I hadn't
> had such a hell of a time configuring my first capture card(Bravado
> 1000) I probably would still be in configuration hell with the
> DVM-PRO.....
> First I formatted all drives and installed win NT4 on the system drive.
> Right off I had a problem. After a few days of pulling my hair out I
> figured out that the Tyan motherboard didn't like my old Diamond Stealth
> 64. I barrowed a newer videoo card from a friend and went back to
> installing the DVM Pro.
> The book says to install the INSYNC Software first and then install the
> hardware, so that's what I did. I loaded the software and rebooted. Then
> I installed the hardware (totally by the book) and rebooted. Then I
> installed the FAST software and rebooted. PROBLEM... The fast software
> doesn't install all of the drivers, and in the documentation it tells
> you where you can find some drives to install manually, but there are
> six or seven drivers and it doesn't say anything about which ones go
> where. I thought maybe if I installed the software in the opposite order
> I might have better luck, so I uninstalled the insync software and the
> Fast software. Then I tried to install the Fast software fisrt, but the
> program got about halfway through and said, "Hey you can't do that, you
> need to install Speed Razor 1st." So, of course I installed the insync
> software, and then the Fast software (I never took the board out after
> the first install.) Then I went to the drivers file and started to
> install the dirvers one by one. BUT WITH NO REFERENCE AS TO WHERE EACH
> DRIVER SHOULD GO, I guessed. I'm not sure if they are all in the right
> place or if I didn't install one or two of them, but I did get the major
> ones in the right place, so I forged ahead.
> I need to mention, it took me awhile to notice but during all this
> uninstall/reinstall my soundblaster 64 was wiped out. The drivers were
> yanked from the device list to never return. I treid numerous times to
> reinstall the AWE 64 but to no avail. Maybe it's NT, maybe it's DVM-Pro,
> or maybe it's just me. All of the other AWE drivers stayed in place
> (i.e. mixer, midi ect.) but the plain old soundcard driver never came
> back. I just plugged the audio output from the DV Master to the monitor
> so I could hear what I needed to hear.
> I then hooked up my Sony DV camera and went for a capture. I hooked up
> to the DV I/O port and let it fly. It would record 1 second and then
> stop. I then started messing with the configuration. I think the problem
> was the software sets itself up to capture to your C drive. So I went
> into the directories and sent the video to the big drive and the audio
> to the SCSI drive and I set a few other little items but I can't
> remember what..
> I started capturing again and I would get about 10 seconds in and it
> would kick me out. It said my audio was oversaturating. So I turned down
> the capture audio master gain and I tried different settings on the
> audio limiter. But it did nothing. I decided to go to another part of
> the tape where I knew the audio was lower and capture. IT WORKED. I
> captured a few different sections of a few minutes a piece. It worked
> fine. Then I started playing with editing.....
> The Speed Razor software is not intuitive at all. For the last few days
> I have basically been playing. Capturing, editing, futsing and fiddling.
> I have had a few major lockups. If Speed Razor locks up it's a hard
> reboot only (so much for the WinNT end task option.) I haven't had any
> lockups while scrubbing back and forth (which was a definite with the
> old Bravado.) Also, if it does lock up, when I get back into the program
> it saved most everthing on the timeline.
> One other little problem, when I hook up a regular old tv to the
> S-video/rca connetor output of the breakout box, I can only get black
> and white video. Of course it might make sense to technicians, that when
> you push the S-video signal into an RCA connector, you can't get all the
> video information that you need. But I don't understand. If the DVM is
> actually supposed to work in this manner, how will I ever output to
> regular old VHS???? Why would they even provide an S-video to RCA
> connector if that was all it was good for????? How can I edit in black
> and white??? Do I have to buy a special monitor????? If worst comes to
> worst I'll have to buy a monitor that takes S-video in and I'll always
> have to output video to my DV camera and then DUB the DV tape to a VHS
> Well, I've only been messing with it for a couple of days, but I think
> I will be able to make it all work. I'll know a lot more in a month or
> so when I've had ample time to read through the software book entirely
> ,and play around with the hardware/software a little more.
> Sincerley,
> Lane
--
Lane
F Vanella
I just finished working with DVMPro...my experience was not at all like
yours...I originally had DVMaster already installed and working under Win Nt4.0
Service Pak 3. This may beone of the issues you need to address. On my system I
am using an IWILL dual Pentium Pro 200 MHZ. 128 megs ram, Matrox Mellinium Pro.
NO AUDIO card installed (other than the DVM)
I am a bit puzzled as to why there were no DVM hardware docs..I assume you
didn't get any since in mine, the audio board issue is clearly addressed. The
DVMaster becomes your system's default audio device. Thats' s really the only
choice you have under any configuration that utilizes the DVmaster..If you need
to get at that 3-D sound card for games and such..you might consider saving a
special configuration ( a common and easy task with NT). Also you might want to
check the In-Sync WEbsite..there's already a patch posted there for DVM Pro...
Incedently..having no probs with dropped frames on capture/playback. Also no
probs with large files (captured a 12 minute file yesterday)
Only complaints I have about the software are as follows: No Batch Capture via
DV (only analog via RS422) and slow render times (no support for my dual
processors)
Otherwise I am extremely impressed.
Hope this helps...
Frnk
Lane
FRNK,
Thanks for the reply. And yes, I did not get any harware docs
with the
DVM-Pro. Really, the only references I have are in the Speed Razor book.
Speed Razor didn't even come with the help files and the turorial
projects that are listed in the book. Maybe I'm just missing it???
Thanks again,
Lane
steve
wrote:
> . And yes, I did not get any harware docs
>with the
>DVM-Pro. Really, the only references I have are in the Speed Razor book.
>Speed Razor didn't even come with the help files and the turorial
>projects that are listed in the book. Maybe I'm just missing it???
No you're not missing it.
I had the same experience. It's amazing that such expensive software
makes you have to hunt for the help directory on the cdrom and then
drag it to the speedrazor directory on your hard drive.
Guess the guys at in-sync don't know how to write a good batch-file
(that's what they used for the install program - install.bat - hehe,
how professional ! And they still couldn't figure out the xcopy
command. I can't help but chuckle - excuse me.)
.
Interesting thing is, nowhere in the 3 DIFFERENT sets of installation
instructions (insync website, Fast instructions, and SR book) did they
mention install.bat. It was either install.exe or setup.exe.
Talk about Beta software.
Why couldn't they give SR 4 instead of 3.5?
About the drivers from Fast...
I too had the same experience as others when trying to rid my system
of the DVMpro drivers.
The uninstall procedure wiped out my soundblaster drivers.
All in all, a very unprofessional approach by Fast and In-Sync.
I won't drop my wallet in this hole.
I don't have much faith in those who report "DVMaster Pro is working
flawlessly for me!" .
Sounds like a line from In-Sync sales reps in Sheeps clothing.
Maybe I'm just disgusted. <Grin>
steve
Pandaman
think accusing the company of planting shills to post false good news is a
tad unreal. (Unless you are speaking of some other company, from personal
experience, perhaps??)
I'm not a DVM owner, but I have seen a DVM Pro system in operation, and yes,
it DID work flawlessly. Just because you have problems doesn't mean they
are universal.
--
Regards,
Doug Graham
Panda Productions
Tom@FAST
We/I are quite naturally sad that you feel this way. And if even 50% of
what you state is true then that is_totally unacceptable_ both has a
FAST team member and for me as a DVM user. While I don't use the DVMPro
yet I _have_ forwarded your post on to the highest levels at both FAST
and in:sync for immediate attention and action. If I could ask you to,
at your leisure, also please file a full report of your experiences,
suggestions for enhancement and system config. etc.
via our 24hr support fax at 425-354-2045 and also at fast.roundtable
the new FAST news group. Also send a copy to in:sync. FAST US and I
truly hope, and we are workin 24/7, to make you a happy camper and to
re-earn your business. We look forward to your continued input via our
new FAST USER discussion forums. I believe patches and SRDV 4.0 is
already underway.
Thanks very much for your support and patience!
All The Best,
Tom Patrick
FAST USA
www.fastmultimedia.com
ne...@fastmultimedia.com=
fast.roundtable
fast.cuttingedge
Tech Support: 425-354-2040, 9-5 pst, M-F
Sales: 1.800.249.FAST
SEE FAST @
WEVA 98, Miami Beach, Aug. 18-19, booth 530:
The 1st public USA showing of FAST's new DTV / DVD ready, realtime,
dual stream, MPEG-2 NLE, 601 (six-o-one)!
IBC 98, Amsterdam
Sept. 11-15, Booth #230, Hall 2
DV Expo, Pasadena, Ca
Oct. 14-15, booth #212
FAST Road Tour 98: Various cities see web site for details!
steve
wrote:
>Steve, don't be an ass. It's OK to report on problems with a product, but I
>think accusing the company of planting shills to post false good news is a
>tad unreal. (Unless you are speaking of some other company, from personal
>experience, perhaps??)
Here is what I posted Pandaman, you left it out...
_______________________________________________________________
""I don't have much faith in those who report "DVMaster Pro is working
flawlessly for me!" .
Sounds like a line from In-Sync sales reps in Sheeps clothing.""
________________________________________________________________
You may choose to believe it's unreal. I choose to consider all
options. I never accused anybody. I passed along my impressions of a
well-worn refrain (DVMPro is be best man...solid as a rock etc etc
etc.).
>I'm not a DVM owner, but I have seen a DVM Pro system in operation, and yes,
>it DID work flawlessly.
You've seen a system in operation and it worked flawlessly. Big Deal.
I've seen lots of things work flawlessy... for awhile...
I've seen the same system crash NT to the ground with the greatest of
ease. I've noted others who've also had the pleasure to be able to
reboot once every five minutes all day long.
Sometimes, some configurations work out well. So many things need to
work together. Video cards, motherboards, dual cpu's etc.
The difference between "flawlessly" and "constantly crashing" can be
very subtle indeed.
But when somebody wants to charge you a huge number of shekels for an
oxcart that only works with Bedouin drivers, you may ask yourself
" what happens if I already have a driver from Taiwan? Can't he crack
the whip? "
(Follow that one if you can...hehe)
> Just because you have problems doesn't mean they
>are universal.
Hmm, don't recall saying anything about "universal". I was merely
concurring with Lane that I had similair lousy experiences with the
DVMaster Pro.
I recanted the poor installation procedure (couldn't install help
files etc...) which is something even my dvmaster sales reps have
agreed with.
Anyway, the gist of your condemnation has been soundly rebuked by the
gods or somewhere in the above dissertation...
:)
steve
Brad J Swenson
Obviously Steve you have no talent in computer instalation. Shall I
personaly open my bank records so you can see I have never recieved a
dime from FAST and In-Sync if you would like. Shall we continue this
usless banter? DVMPro works, and it works as advertised, which for me
has been Flawless. Guess I'm just that much better than you. :)
cut hard, if you can
Brad
Visual Image
visi...@ptialaska.net
P.S. When you open my account you may be suprises to find out that I do
work for AVID and am certified to service and install there systems for
AVR of Alaska inc. Imagine that. Yet i own FAST gear, guess I realy
like it.
Pandaman
I really dislike people who descend to personal attacks and unsupported
innuendo, don't you?
Just for the record, Steve, Brad and I happen to be on opposite sides of the
DV Master vs. Video Machine debate. I like VM, Brad is in love with his DVM
Pro. But I will sure come down on his side of the argument as long as you
keep accusing everyone who disagrees with you of stupidity and/or base
motives.
I've worked with the DVM, I've talked with many others who've worked with it
EXTENSIVELY. The thing works, and works well. All the time? On every
system? Well, no...but I don't think there is a computer-based video
editing solution on the planet that performs THAT feat.
OK, it didn't work well FOR YOU. Sorry about that. Did you try to work at
all with Tech Support? Or maybe you should've gotten a skilled systems
integrator to build the system for you. Many folks do, y'know; it's not a
disgrace.
Look, I've worked with FAST products for three years now. Do they work all
the time, on every system? No. Will the company work with you, through
tech support and their dealers, until the system DOES work as advertised?
YES, absolutely. Not to mention the unmatched user-to-user support network.
If you were to stack up all the "firsts" from FAST in this industry over the
last eight years, you'd -- well, you'd have a mighty tall stack. It burns
me up to see folks accusing a company that has pioneered so many areas of
digital video, and done a superior job of supporting their customers, of
shoddy practices. It simply is not true.
I myself have taken FAST to task on a number of issues; I'll probably do so
again, in the interests of making their products even better. But you
really should stop calling them, and their users, names.
Excuse me, I have to go and edit some video...won't take me long, I'll be
working real, er, FAST.
Brad J Swenson
Here's an offer to put my words into action. Insure your system, ship
it up here and I'll configure your DVM Pro, Serious. NO COST, other than
shipping.
Its your call.
cut hard
brad
Visual Image
visi...@ptialaska.net
907-276-8695
PS. Steve only please.