|
Matrox DigiSuite MAX vs. Matrox RT2500: The $5000 Difference
Page 3 of 5
But the DVStorm couldn't export MPEG2 in real time like DigiSuite MAX can. So, if you're a DVD author, the DigiSuite LX MAX could pay for itself in a few sessions -- without this real time output, you'll have to wait a long time for software-based MPEG2 encoding to go through its rendering process. With LX MAX, you're able to capture video directly to MPEG2 IBP. This eliminates the need for a lengthy encoding process if you're making your DVD directly from a master tape. If you're editing a project on any DigiSuite MAX platform, regardless of the compression format you've chosen, you can export directly to an MPEG2 file in real time for DVD authoring.
 | | (Click graphic for enlargement) ReelDVD has a nice way of letting you graphically connect elements. |
You can get right into your DVD authoring right after you've edited the footage, and it's not too difficult when you use the included Sonic ReelDVD authoring software. I spent some time with this app recently, and let me tell you, DVD authoring has sure come a long way. ReelDVD makes it drag-and-drop easy to make sophisticated, multi-level DVD interfaces, without too steep of a learning curve. After just a few minutes, I was off and running with it, making a great-looking set of buttons and moving picons without much effort -- it's a simple matter to create motion menus, three audio channels, three subtitle channels and lots more. This a far cry from the exorbitantly expensive and complicated DVD authoring interfaces of just a year or two ago. If even this proves to be more than you need, you can use the also-included DVDit! SE to create something simpler if you don't need to create motion menus and so forth. With apps like these, coupled with reasonably-priced DVD burners, I smell another revolution around the corner, and it's spelled D-V-D.
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
As far as spending the extra $5000 on DigiSuite, there's the matter of more effects that are possible with DigiSuite, too. For example, DigiSuite is able to do YUV color correction, and all in real time, far better than the basic saturation and tint controls that are the limit of RT2500. Add to that real time and clean chromakeying, luminance keying, and all kinds of tinting and color effects possible with DigiSuite that RT2500 can't approach. With DigiSuite, it's possible to combine 15 effects simultaneously, for example. Pull a track Matte, add fill keys, do a luminance key, and do all that in real time. If you wanted to try that with the RT2500, you'd run out of gas after the first step. And, the ability to combine 15 of these effects make spending the extra $5K worth it in production facilities that regularly layer lots of effects and don't have the time to wait around for a multi-layered rendering session. Keeping that extensive layering in mind, here's a big plus for DigiSuite's added capabilities for the pro user: with its real time file export, you can mix down to a single file in DV or in MPEG in real time. DigiSuite plays back the timeline, and while it's playing it back, it can encode for MPEG2 or DV. You can't do both of those with the low-end DV cards.
However, there are limitations to DigiSuite LX MAX. Like RT2500, you can only create one channel of Flex 3D-based effects at a time in real time. Which effects am I talking about? The Flex 3D-based effects include any 3D perspective effects, blur, distortion, page curls, keyframeable crops with interpolation, soft-edge DVEs, mask effects, the ability to zoom beyond 100%, Z spin, and those oozing organic wipes. But also like RT2500, I still admire the way it generates these effects -- the anti-aliasing on them is clean, and along with that there are special filtering techniques that, in my opinion, make these flying boxes the best in the business. It's unfortunate, though, that only one channel of these Flex 3D-based effects are implemented in this product.
Prev 1 2 3 4 5 Next
Related sites: • Broadcast Newsroom • Digital Post Production • Digital Producer • Digital Video Editing • DTV Professional • DV Format • Hollywood Industry • IBC News
Related forums: •
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
|
|
|
