Axio User Report - Perspective of Discreet Edit* Users....
by Jack Pfeiffer
on
Aug 16, 2005 at 12:32:58 pm
Hello...
I am in Copenhagen, Denmark, and we have just built our Matrox Axio System.
Previously, we delivered and supported over 60 Discreet Edit* system, all built with the Matrox DigiSuite cards. And like most edit* users, I too was rather skeptical about putting my edit*-fingers on Adobe Premiere.... However, I am very plaesed to report that Premiere Pro is "NOT your grand-daddys" Premiere! It has indeed been totally re-written from the ground up and is finally workable. The fact is that Premiere Pro is very stable, which admittedly did surprise me. Sure, I can make it crash, but it is not easy. As for editing features & functions: When compared to the old Discreet edit*, I will also admit that it does not have the breadth or depth of tools, but Premiere Pro DOES has the required and essential tools that every editor demands and needs: batch-cature, timeline nesting, EDL I/O, built-in Waveform/Vectorscope, as well as export of virtually any file format, and more. Lastly, one mist remember that P-Pro is still a relatively "new" baby -- being at Version 1.5 -- it certainly has room for Adobe to grow -- and I am counting on that too. And there is no question that Adobe is here to stay - I have to say this because I have seen other systems die: Discreet edit*, Incite, and InSync SpeedRazor, to name a few.
As for the hardware -- That is the best part: The Axio card delivers! The Axio is in fact two cards: the I/O card and the Effects card, along with a sturdy breakout box. One installed with P-Pro, you can MIX file formats on any timeline: DV, DV25, uncompressed AVIs, even the old DigiSuite AVI files. And with SD video and the proper HD subsystem, when you press play, you'll see FOUR streams of SD video, with six layers of motion graphics, ALL in real-time. And it is as fast as the DigiSuite card, so to me, it is like a "DigiSuite on Steroids." Note that I haven't even played with the HD yet -- that's just because I don't have a HD monitor in the house.
Some people ask why the AXIO is being sold as a turnkey system: Note that the complete system could be delivered today as a SD editor -- And the minute you want HD, you simply add a breakout box - SO, the fact is that the WHOLE PC is delivered HD-READY. Simply put, the Matrox Axio PC uses the newest technology. If there is every a "problem," Matrox Canada, as well as Matrox England, have the exact same PC so that they can quickly trouble shoot and solve any problem. That's good to know. By the ay, this is exactly how Avid works on many of their editing systems: By using only specifed approved PC systems, every editor is ensured a robust and reliable system, as well as responsible and timely support.
As for other user comments: There's a post over at the Creative COW (Community Of the World) Edit* Forum from one of the familiar faces (see the mug above) the respected editor Larry Sherwood (posted 11-JUNE, 2005) ..... When Larry's old DigiSuite-based-Discreet edit* computer power supply up & died, he switched over and used his new Matrox AXIO system to finish off that important project.. His "real-world" comments are enlightning -- see for yourself at:
http://forums.creativecow.net/cgi-bin/new_read_post.cgi?forumid=13&postid=8...
Lastly, as has been brought up by other posters, there is a decent incentive for all Matrox DigiSuite owners to "migrate" to Axio - you don't even have to return your board - you just supply a valid serial number.
So, if you have been thinking about a new system with the instant ability to expand to HD, or for Edit*-users, you are totally tired of being using Windows NT - I suggest that you check out AXIO. The timing is right, and the price is doable.
That's it for now.
regards from Denmark,
Jack Pfeiffer
co-host - Creative COW Edit* & Combustion* Forums -www.creativecow.net
secretary of the DDUG: Danish Discreet User Group
Jack Pfeiffer
Author: "Combustion v2: The WebWarriors On-Line Guide"
Co-Host: CreativeCOW Combustion/Edit Forums
Re: Axio User Report - Perspective of Discreet Edit* Users.... by Lyn Norstad on Aug 16, 2005 at 1:04:58 pm
[Jack Pfeiffer]"Note that I haven't even played with the HD yet -- that's just because I don't have a HD monitor in the house."
Jack -
You might want to take a look at HP's 23" high def (native 1920x1200) LCD monitor (P9615A/L2335). It has all the inputs you're likely to want, including analog component ... which works very nicely with the Axio HD B-O-B.
Re: Axio User Report - Perspective of Discreet Edit* Users.... by Aaron Strader on Aug 16, 2005 at 5:16:12 pm
It's nice to see so many former edit users around here...
Being an integrator, and not an end user, puts me in a place to where I don't get the luxury of sticking with tried and true. Instead, I have to make do with what's new and current and ride the trends. I really liked edit and was sad to see it go.
Again, being an integrator, I work with a lot of NLE's, and consistently, my favorites have been Premiere and edit. So, to redouble what everyone else says, moving from one to the other is a decent move. I don't quite totally understand why edit users have been so reticent to work on Premiere up until now... But again, I work with a lot more software than a lot of end users so I see (and support) a lot more poorly designed software than most users. That may take me out of the loop in the fact that I don't put software through all the paces that most everyday users break software over.
One other note: When you're considering an output monitor, be careful of Toshiba's line of 26" HD monitors. They upscale NTSC (and it can't be disabled) video to 1080i, and they have bad luminence issues. We had to switch out 3 different models before we completely wrote off Toshiba. We switched to a Sony HD LCD and it works fine. Ghosting is a slight issue on REALLY fast footage, but it's an LCD.
-Aaron
http://www.stopfcc.com/
Knock it off! I like my radio and television the way it is...
Re: Axio User Report - Perspective of Discreet Edit* Users.... by ken adolph on Aug 17, 2005 at 3:40:51 am
I don't know how the price compares but we are using a Sony SDM-P234/B 23" LCD Monitor with the Blackmagic HDlink box on our Axio HD system. It looks great in HD however has some fielding issues in SD. But it is overall a great monitor combination.
Ken Adolph
Media Group
Editor/Post Supervisor
http://www.mg.ca
Re: Axio User Report - Perspective of Discreet Edit* Users.... by Lyn Norstad on Aug 17, 2005 at 12:47:26 pm
Ken -
We've also used some of the SDM-P234/B monitors, and it is very nice. The HP unit now, however, offers the additional 'video' inputs (both have analog VGA and DVI) of composite, component and S-video and is priced a couple hundred dollars less.
The HP also offers a 'swivel' capability for applications which might require a vertical rather than horizontal landscape (page layout maybe?).
Screenwise, I believe all these 23" LCDs are pretty much the same and may, in fact, use the same Philips panel.
The bottom line is they're all good and way more economical than an equivalent CRT.
I'm curious to see how long it takes for the market to accept LCD as a viable studio monitor for color grading ... since the viewing market is moving in that direction.
Re: Axio User Report - Perspective of Discreet Edit* Users.... by ken adolph on Aug 17, 2005 at 11:35:40 pm
We looked at the new Sony LCD broadcast monitors but they do not have any blacks. They look terrible.
Because of the ban on lead in anything in Europe Sony has discontinued all their CRT monitors except for very high end ones. They use something other that lead and therefore cost lots.
You will see this ban coming to North America soon so any CRT based monitors or TVs will not be available.
i have talked to a number of colorists and they still say that CRT is better but they are gradually changing their minds as the newer LCD stuff comes out.
Ken Adolph
Media Group
Editor/Post Supervisor
http://www.mg.ca
Re: Axio User Report - Perspective of Discreet Edit* Users.... by Rick Diamond on Aug 17, 2005 at 11:48:57 pm
I was a discreet *edit user for about 6 years at a corporate facility. Like most of you, I really liked the system. Now I edit on both FCP and Premier Pro. At first I was incredibly reluctant to migrate to the apple/fcp platform and at first blush considered Premiere Pro the better editor. (I guess it felt more similar to *edit). In my opinion now, after a considerable amount of experience on both systems, FCP is definately better. That being said, the reason for my post is that I'm currently looking to configure my own system for freelance use. At NAB this year, I took a look at Axio and really liked what I saw and all of the posts subsequently are very positive as well. I simply cannot consider it until I see Premiere Pro 2.0. So...does anyone have a timeframe from Adobe?
