Why Io?

[Bob Zelin]

This will continue at NAB. We will see the introduction of 4K this year, and there will be one side (we must shoot and edit in 4K, even if we deliver on VHS), and the other side (can I use my DV VTR to create
4K movies if I upconvert or render). It’s a constant battle, and in my opinion, the only winner is who creates the best programming – equipment be damned.

Bob Zelin

[Alan Brunettin]

Okay, I wasn’t going to take this any further but I need to point out something that somehow seems to have been missed here.

Your last reply conveys implications of things I asked/said that I never asked/said. Things such as “If someone has informed you that that firewire is the answer – they are wrong.” (never said that) and “…you don’t need AJA equipment. If you want to buy it …” (never said I wanted to) Or you say: “Working with firewire is ok, but if you do this for a living…” (well, remember what I said about being an amateur? Fine, when I go pro, I’ll know to get the proper hardware.) So maybe I do follow up with something like “well, why isn’t firewire the answer – it’s all digital, and you can get converters for anything to firewire” as you hypothetically ask for me. You make it sound as though I’m challenging you when all I’m doing is trying to get information.

All I wanted was a brief overview, just a clue as to the operation of such hardware and what their purpose is. Nothing more. I made no assertions that I had preconceived notions regarding these products or what their uses were. That’s what I had come to you all for, yes? What I was looking for was this that I received from another forum:

“The short version is that DV is already compressed. It’s compressed in the camera 5:1 when you shoot it. The bit for bit ingest you do through firewire doesn’t add any more compression to it, but it’s still compressed 5:1 because that’s where you started.

A capture card that can handle real uncompressed can handle at least 80% more information than your original DV footage has. These are for folks who are working in formats that are lightly compressed, like DigiBeta, all the way up to uncompressed HD formats.”

That was their complete reply (except for a follow-up with some helpful links for me to go to for more research). It answered just what I asked and it has given me the kernel of knowledge I needed and a direction to proceed in doing the research and self-education I need to do. Until I was given that very (very) basic knowledge I was completely rudderless. Now, you may take exception to that small kernel I was handed but at least it gave me parameters to follow on my own and did not reply to me as though they were someone born with this knowledge and why wasn’t I?

Good day to you all

ab

[Jeremy Garchow]

AB, obviously you haven’t been introduced to the likes of Bob Zelin. Search his name, read some of his posts, and you will understand that Bob can be ornery. Don’t take it personal, really. Bob makes assumptions about what you need becuase that’s his job. He has figure out the best solution for someone just like you, and sometimes that involves making a certain amount of assumptions.

Your question has been answered many posts ago and perhaps you just don’t understand what this is for. I will repeat my above answer here for your convenience:

[JeremyG] “The io is a wonderful capture device if your deck does not have firewire output, or if you want to take footage from your firewire capable deck and edit in an uncompressed video space for graphics and color correction.

It’s really that simple.

Jeremy”

That’s what the other person was saying form the other forum. If you have no need for it, you don’t need it. DO you need to ingest Digibeta, BetaSP, VHS, DVDs, Hi8, DV50, DV, or any other SD format into your project to an uncompressed timeline? If yes, the the io will help facilitate that process for you and get the job done. If all your material is shot on dv, and you are content with working in a dv timeline, then the io will not help you.

Jeremy

[Bob Zelin]

I apologize to this forum in advance for my nonsense response here.

Mr. Mingusman,

I am more than happy to answer ANY technical question that you have. I will answer any question – personal or work – nights, weekends, holidays – in an emergency situation, or a casual situation. I will go above and beyond to give you accurate technical information, that you cannot get from manufacturers, in off hours, or on nights/weekends. I will do this for you – or anyone else – for free, whenever you want it.

However, if you think that I should not be a smart ass in my response – well, that’s your problem. I am disrespectful to my family, my friends, company presidents, and my clients, so I will certainly be disrespectful to you. However, I would be happy to help you in any way that I can, to aid you in your knowlege, so you may further your career, and your knowlege in this industry. Let me know what equipment you need assistance with, and I will assist you.

Bob Zelin

[David Notowitz]

Related question:
I need to copy footage from a Sony VX2000 in the best possible way to preserve the quality of the image. I could come out of the camera via firewire or via an S cable plus separate RCA cables for audio.

I could then go into my Mac Book via something like the AJA io or something else? I haven’t done all the research about what I need on that part of the input chain.

Preserving the highest quality of the image possible is CRUCIAL, and budget is less of an issue.

What do you recommend? Since the footage is on mini-DV already, would there be ANY quality difference between the firewire or the S cable?

Thanks,
David

Notowitz Productions
Videos that touch the heart.
https://www.Notowitz.com