4709mark@ucsbuxa.ucsb.edu (Mark Schildhauer) (02/26/91)
Hi folks, I am trying to start up a multimedia workstation in an instructional computing facility for the social sciences on a university campus. We have a modest budget (~$3k) but are already setup with a Mac IIci with 80mb hd, 8mb RAM, and 13" Apple RGB. There are a lot of degrees of freedom here, including to some extent, our budget. Do any of you have opinions on 1) good multisync monitors, >= 16", for display of video and composite? 2) frame grabbers, such as Quickimage 24 or Rasterops 364? 3) control software, such as Macromind Mediamaker or Director? 4) relative value of CD-ROM vs Laserdisc vs videotape? RE: 1) Is it better to just go with an NTSC monitor, and maybe tag on an NTSC encoder box. We're hoping a large multisync can serve the dual purpose of video display, and also provide large screen display of composite for class instruction. 2) We want frame grabbers for importing into hypercard stacks. I understand quality of digitization and accuracy of grabbing a particular frame can vary substantially from product to product. 3) We are total novices, and have a professional production lab elsewhere to do the complex stuff. User-friendliness in editing software is a primary consideration for us. 4) Although there is a lot of buzz regarding laserdiscs, the pressing costs and limited supply make me sceptical about its relative utility in the short-run. Videotape on the other hand is cheap and allows for data acquisition and simple in-house tutorials. Any opinions regarding specific camcorder units? I am particularly excited about some newly announced products, especially SONY's VBOX. Did anyone see this product at MAC-expo? Does it really promise to allow one to control any SONY consumer products (8mm, VHS, laser) at an affordable price (~$250). I'm not sure this is even the right place to post these questions...is there a multimedia group/listserv elsewhere? Any opinions on specific products is welcomed. Extreme gratitude for any information regarding these issues. Cheers, Mark Schildhauer -- **************************************************** Mark Schildhauer Technical Coordinator Social Science Computing Facility