Danish Discreet User Group Meeting Minutes: 5 Feb, 2003
The February 2003 Danish Discreet User Group was held 5 Feb. at MCI Videotronic in Glostrup, Denmark, just outside of Copenhagen. The meeting began at 6:20 with 11 people present with brief introductions, after which the evenings agenda started.
First, there was a review of the death of Discreet Edit software, with a discussion on the events leading up to the final termination. The members stated that, generally, they were happy with the functionality of their Discreet edit systems, with the biggest limit was that edit works only on NT.
Next, there was a presentation from Jack, where he pointed out that, while many of the edit systems are working fine now, in the near future there may be one or more changes that will directly effect a daily work process: He listed six reasons to consider retiring edit in favor of another editing software. The reasons were:
1) Discreet has fully discontinued the Discreet edit software. Therefore, there will be no further updates, patches, or support for edit. The Discreet edit software is officially dead.
2) Microsoft has announced that support for the NT will officially be stopped and there will be no more NT updates, patches, etc. for that operating system. Edit ONLY runs on NT. Today, Windows 2000 and XP are the future platforms.
3) Many users may wish to add new equipment and accessories to their systems, such as a printer, scanner, digital camera, etc. Note that ALL of the newest technology runs via a USB port, and NT does NOT support USB. Therefore, there is no way to add or connect new equipment via USB on an NT system.
4) With regards to web-streaming, Microsoft has announced that they are nearing completion of their newest MS media player Version 9.0. However, this new streaming media player will NOT work with NT: In fact, NT does NOT support the newest MS Media Player software from version 7.0 or higher.
5) If, for some reason, any Discreet edit system has technical problems and requires major servicing or new parts, it will be much harder to configure and build a Discreet “edit-compliant” system, as the edit hardware requirements are NOT the newest standard. Technology has moved forward, leaving Discreet edit software behind.
6) Interfacing with FireWire/IEEE1394 devices does not exist for the Danish edit users, as the majority are using Matrox DigiSuite LE hardware which lacks DV support. There is not way to capture native DV signals in their edit system.
Next, a new solution was presented: The idea is to use the existing Matrox Digisuite LE card and media hard drives in a brand new computer. The new computer would have dual 2.4 GHz CPUs, 1GB of RAM, Windows 2000 and run the Incite version 3.0 Editing software, complete with Inscriber TitleMotion and Boris F/X. The old NT-based computer would be rebuilt with Windows 2000 become a workstation suitable for network rendering for such programs as combustion. Included is an Incite Training Class, a new “Incite Quick Start Guide,” and one year of telephone support. Jack provided the following advantages in using the Incite v 3.0 editing software:
1) Incite has a future, built on the newest Microsoft W2000/XP technology.
2) Incite Version 3.0 editing software has a new user interface, designed after edit. Incite also has an established product with a large user base.
3) Incite has support for an optional JL Cooper Jog-Shuttle box, with motorized audio faders and programmable function keys.
4) Incite has an expanded audio option: Adding a special audio card will provide up to 64 tracks of audio with real-time filters, Dolby 5,1 Surround Sound, and Voice-Over ability.
5) Incite has support for the optional Matrox MAX Board: Add this board and immediately get real-time 3D transitions, DV–IEEE1394 Support, and real-time MPEG-2 export.
6) Lastly, members of the Danish Discreet User Group were offered a special package price on the migration to Incite. This price optimizes their original investment and delivers a complete new system at a fraction of their original investment.
Jack then provided a demo of the Incite v3.0 software and answered various questions.
Next, Jack showed his new book, “Combustion: The On-Line Webwarriors Guide.” After that, the members discussed the next meeting and decided the following: A poll would be sent out to inquire as to what members would like to see, and after reviewing the responses, the next meeting is scheduled to be held early summer. The meeting was then adjourned at 9:40 PM
Respectfully Submitted,
Jack Pfeiffer, Secretary for the DDUG
The Danish Discreet Users Group Charter:
This group was founded in October, 1999, and created under the following charter:
a) The Danish Discreet Users Group is founded to train, support, unite and network all editors and graphic artists in Denmark and Scandinavia.
b) The Danish Discreet Users Group is free and open to anyone who is interested.
c) The Danish Discreet Users Group is run by the users, for the users.
d) Everyone in the Danish Discreet Users Group is entitled to their own opinion. We ask that, although you may not agree with that opinion, you still respect it.
To read more about Incite, click here: http://www.inciteonline.com
