I had the privilege today of sitting down with Will Harris, Senior Content Design Specialist for Media-100. Fortunately we were both sitting
in front of a spanky new 844/Xe.
With little time to spare (I was on a crazy schedule) WIll took me through the power and simplicity of 844/X.
What did I love ? Voicing for one. The ability to direct your hardwares muscle to selectable layers... So subtle, yet so powerful. Let me illustrate: You've got a 30 layer comp and you're currently working at making the flash (layer 28), the matte for the flash (layer 29), and the shiney text on top (layer 30), synch up with the beautiful green sunset flash in layer 5. "Oh the rendering..." you might say. Natch to that with 844/X. Simply 'voice' the layers you need to work with, and you are looking at their playback in real time, ready for adjustment.
I was lucky enough to see (what I believe was) a new RC for the software, or perhaps late beta. Will demonstrated the powerful integration of Photoshop documents that came with this. Again, so simple one is left to wonder, why not before now ? Will opened up a PSD, the layers translated themselves into the timeline, transfer modes were retained, and all was ready for instant manipulation in real time. The integration with After Effects was extraordinary. With the ability to generate and import tracking data from AE being one example, I was struck by the simplicity of the idea behind it: Extraordinarily empower a core set of tools, and then allow other applications to seamlessly apply their stengths (utilizing the media100 hardware).
Am I gushing ? I REALLY liked this box.
I really enjoyed the ability to work with keyframes interactively, in real time, while previewing my work on the broadcast monitor. All those who have waited for a RAM preview appreciate this phenomenon, and those who have paid way more than 100k to enjoy it before now also have reason to rejoice. It just became much more affordable.
So where does it need work ? Well, the sound scenario seemed a bit weak. Now granted this platform is not neccessarily targeted at the audio post market, it should still have more of the basic tools. Will assured me this was on the way.
Overall I was significantly impressed. The interface was simple and beautiful, the layer based compositing model was quite comforting to an old After Effects hand, and the power and agility left me agape. This platform defines the sector of hardware and market where effort will produce results. Media 100 gambled everything to get this R & D in place, and in my estimation it has paid off handsomely.
I can't wait to see this beast pushing HD. I really can't wait...
Best,
Bob
Creative Director
Mode Studios / Monarch Designs
http://www.monarchdesigns.com
Art of the Edit Forum Leader
