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Home: Inactive Forums: Casablanca Users:
considering the "weird little box" & exporting to Director

X-Tim_Spencer
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Aug 19, 1999, 2:42 PM

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considering the "weird little box" & exporting to Director	Can't Post

We're looking for a reliable, cost effective, and efficient NLE solution for producing medical educational video and multimedia programs. We've been looking at Media 100, Avid, etc. but, at a conference in June, I came across a Cassie. A colleague and Avid user was asked to edit the closing banquet video on a Cassie and he never stopped complaining about how "weird" it was and how it just wasn't in the same league as his Avid. In fact, throughout the meeting, there were "howls of derisive laughter" about the Cassie from the Avid and Media 100 users. Their consensus was, "It'll never be mainstream." Since then, I've been doing some more research on DraCo's product and, surprisingly, it seems to be just what we're looking for. So is this "weird little box" for real or is it just "for amateurs?" If we buy one, will I be able to face my colleagues at next year's meeting or will I have to keep it my own dark secret? I guess I'm asking about Cassie's level of acceptance in the post production marketplace. Also, we definitely want to be able to export edited video to multimedia programs developed in Director, Toolbook, and other authoring programs. Does the Cassie allow for the appropriate compression and sizing and does it export any useable file formats?
Oh, by the way, the closing banquet video looked great.
Tim Spencer
Winnipeg, Canada

X-Hal_Landen
Imported Account

Aug 20, 1999, 8:33 AM

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Re: considering the "weird little box" & exporting to Director	Can't Post

Tim,
You'll find that most owners of high end NLE systems will
look down their noses at the Cassie. Wouldn't you if you had that
much invested in a system?
The bottom line is whether a Cassie can do the job YOU and your clients want it to. The only way you'll know the answer is to get
an in-depth demo from a dealer or other Cassie owner in your
area. You might want to rent a Cassie for a few days or a week.
This way you'll know for sure whether it will do what you need.
If it will, you could buy a Rolls Royce and show up at one of
the high end shops and tell them yes, you use a cassie and
your clients are very happy with the results and by the way
the money you saved enabled you to buy the Rolls!
OK maybe the Rolls is an exaggeration. You may have to settle
for a Jag! I can remember when Betacam first came out. The 1"
guys looked down their noses at it. Now most of them are using
Beta. Same thing happened when video became an alternative to
16mm film. In those days I had a lot invested in my film career
and was one of the naysayers, but look at me now.
Think of it as a business decision and you will be on the right
track.
Best,
Hal
: We're looking for a reliable, cost effective, and efficient NLE solution for producing medical educational video and multimedia programs. We've been looking at Media 100, Avid, etc. but, at a conference in June, I came across a Cassie. A colleague and Avid user was asked to edit the closing banquet video on a Cassie and he never stopped complaining about how "weird" it was and how it just wasn't in the same league as his Avid. In fact, throughout the meeting, there were "howls of derisive laughter" about the Cassie from the Avid and Media 100 users. Their consensus was, "It'll never be mainstream." Since then, I've been doing some more research on DraCo's product and, surprisingly, it seems to be just what we're looking for. So is this "weird little box" for real or is it just "for amateurs?" If we buy one, will I be able to face my colleagues at next year's meeting or will I have to keep it my own dark secret? I guess I'm asking about Cassie's level of acceptance in the post production marketplace. Also, we definitely want to be able to export edited video to multimedia programs developed in Director, Toolbook, and other authoring programs. Does the Cassie allow for the appropriate compression and sizing and does it export any useable file formats?
: Oh, by the way, the closing banquet video looked great.
: Tim Spencer
: Winnipeg, Canada

X-Philip_Handler
Imported Account

Aug 21, 1999, 4:37 PM

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Re: considering the "weird little box" & exporting to Director [In reply to]	Can't Post

: We're looking for a reliable, cost effective, and efficient NLE solution for producing medical educational video and multimedia programs. We've been looking at Media 100, Avid, etc. but, at a conference in June, I came across a Cassie. A colleague and Avid user was asked to edit the closing banquet video on a Cassie and he never stopped complaining about how "weird" it was and how it just wasn't in the same league as his Avid. In fact, throughout the meeting, there were "howls of derisive laughter" about the Cassie from the Avid and Media 100 users. Their consensus was, "It'll never be mainstream." Since then, I've been doing some more research on DraCo's product and, surprisingly, it seems to be just what we're looking for. So is this "weird little box" for real or is it just "for amateurs?" If we buy one, will I be able to face my colleagues at next year's meeting or will I have to keep it my own dark secret? I guess I'm asking about Cassie's level of acceptance in the post production marketplace. Also, we definitely want to be able to export edited video to multimedia programs developed in Director, Toolbook, and other authoring programs. Does the Cassie allow for the appropriate compression and sizing and does it export any useable file formats?
: Oh, by the way, the closing banquet video looked great.
: Tim Spencer
: Winnipeg, Canada
Tim,
First, look at the results of the editing process. Did using a Cassie provide the quality you are looking for? Next comes the method of producing such a quality product. Is it easy, reliable and intuitive enough so that many people can use it, rather than relying on the expertise of one individual who has a high level of skill and investment of time to master? Does it provide enough of the enhancements required to make the production professional looking, such as transitions, effects, and titling? Is it well supported by its manufacturer and other users? And lastly, look at the results of the editing process!! It is professional!!
That is why there are 40,000 units out there in only two and one half years. There is a great users list serve at cassie-tips-owner@dakotacom.net where there are 1500 users. The Draco site at Draco.com is also very informative.
You will export video from the Cassie as NTSC (or PAL if you use that software OS) video, so any program on a computer which allows you to access this type of video can be used.
As others have told you unequivocally. This is a terrific product and the laughing of others has not prevented any one of the 40,000 users from producing professional results, easily and economically, both with regard to the cost of the system, as well as to time spent.
Phil Handler
Fly on the Wall Productions
Cassie owner for two and one-half years