Letters

by Joe McCleskey
January 1996

Red Light, Green Light
In the September issue's "Pause" column, Matt York fantasizes about a simple, elegant video editor with three buttons (red, green and yellow). The user would simply view the original footage and use these buttons to decide whether to keep or skip each video segment. The device could automatically record the segments marked as "green," leaving the "red" ones behind. As an option, your fantasy editor would include a set-top indicator accessory that would allow others in the room to see whether the present segment has been marked as in or out.

This editorial is proof that great minds think alike, because your fantasy editor is available today. Your description matches our $199 Thumbs Up video editor almost perfectly. Instead of red and green buttons, our unit is makred with a "thumbs-up" and "thumbs-down." Instead of a set-top accessory with red and green LEDs, Thumbs Up uses an on-screen thumb to indicate which scenes are in and which are out. When the user presses the EDIT button, Thumbs Up automatically records the scenes marked with "thumbs up" on a new tape.

As you say, "once some company offers this type of editor, camcorder owners will derive much more value, utility and fulfillment from their investment, keeping only those images they like." I couldn't have said it better!

Moe Rubenzahl
Marketing Director, Videonics

Overgrown Sidebar?
I'm feeling pretty disappointed right now. I've been waiting for a couple of months for the SEG buyer's guide (September 1995). I even told friends that asked me about SEGs to wait for it.

Then the issue arrived and the buyer's guide turned out to be an overgrown sidebar composed of 10 bits of information on 2 dozen products. Calling this a buyer's guide is like referring to a Yugo as a family car. Seriously, would you actually spend your own money based on the paltry data in this table?

Before you jump to the conclusion that I'm just one of those unhappy people that live to write discouraging letters to the editor, let me say that I received useful information in the TBC article and enjoyed the instructions for making cobwebs in the F/X article.

John Stewart
Logic2@aol.com

John:
Thank you for your comments. Regarding the paucity of data and the scarcity of SEG models covered in the guide, we should point something out: the main reason there isn't a large number of features and products listed is simply because there isn't a wide range of products and features available in the consumer and prosumer SEG market.

Traditionally, the SEG guide has run with the TBC feature; in the future, we will offer a separate feature article to go with the SEG guide.

--The Editors

September Kudos
I want to let you know how delighted I was with the September issue of Videomaker. Video production is a rich blend of technology, technique and talent, and your September issue had solid articles in all three areas.

I especially liked Jim Stinson's article "People." But while Jim had much good advice in dealing with people, in my view he never really touched on the upside of working with all these folks. When it "clicks," when the actors, the camera people, the sound, the lighting and special effects teams all work well together, the results are wonderful.

Keep up the good work. I'm already waiting for next month's issue.

Fred Mendenhall
Albuquerque, New Mexico

Thanks for the Info
I wanted to express my thanks for the technical articles that have appeared in Videomaker. Even the Q& A answers are informative, such as the one that appeared in June 1995 about format, lines of resolution and bandwidth. I also enjoy reading Steven Muratore's "Pause" column for a refreshing alternative.

The high quality of the articles separates Videomaker from many other special interest magazines. These articles are very informative and educational; they don't just tell you to buy a product because it has all the latest buzzword features, or because "everybody is going to it." I have especially enjoyed articles on the video and television signals, sound, lighting and low-budget videomaking.

Open to a few suggestions? Here they are:

For the few VCRs that have the option, discuss when to use manual or automatic volume controls.
In camcorder reviews, some checking of autofocus operation. When shopping for a camcorder, I noticed a significant difference between different models' ability to rapidly change focus. Those that used "Fuzzy Logic" autofocus should be commended for their truth in advertising.
Low light performance of camcorders (apart from the lux ratings, which don't seem to correlate with real performance).
Tips for difficult lighting situations, especially for those who have a mix of incandescent, fluorescent and studio lights.
More on format descriptions: S-VHS signals vs. VHS, how do you define a line of resolution, etc.
Any tips or leads on ways to get different VCR and camcorder brands to talk to each other when doing synchro edits.

Thanks again for the excellent magazine.

Marc Snell
Greenwood, Indiana

Notes from our Reader Response Cards

Your magazine should occasionally include freebie samples, the way many music mags do.

Phillip Acosta
Bronx, New York

Videomaker is an excellent, helpful publication.

Adelheid Raworth
Richmond Hill, Ontario, CN

Good mag, but too many articles deal with experienced amateurs or professionals. I'd like to see more items for beginners like myself.

Howard Heitman
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

I'd like to see more articles on how to begin a career in TV/Video production.

Elaine Robinson
Shreveport, Louisiana

Your "Camera Work" articles are always very helpful. Thank you, and keep up the good work.

Rachel Julian
Las Vegas, Nevada

I would like to see more Product Probe tests on high-end camcorders (JVC Pro, Sony, Ikegami, etc.).

Edison Bitar
Kearny, New Jersey

	1	2	3	4	5
How would you rate the author of this article?
How Would you rate the overall value of this article?
How would you rate the graphics?
How would you rate this article's method (i.e interview, tutorial, narrative) for explaining this topic?
How would you rate the depth and length of the article

Letters

Rate This Article

Rating: 1 (Poor) - 5 (Excellent)

Related Information