[Editor’s note: This article was originally published in the January 2005 issue of the Church Media Hotlist newsletter.]
NewTek has really stepped up to the plate and hit a home run with their latest product, the newly released Video Toaster integrated production suite, version 4 (VT[4]). As this is a new release of an existing product, as well as being a product with too many features to fully describe in the space allotted, I’m going to hit on the highlights that differentiate this version from its predecessors.
Not Just Better – Way Better
Every module in the VT[4] has been significantly upgraded. I was especially pleased with the included non-linear editor, VT Edit.
VT Edit offers two modes of workflow: storyboard editing and the more common timeline editing. If you’ve ever edited on even a consumer NLE, you know that timeline editing is a sequential format of editing that allows for instant changes to the duration of the video while including options for adding effects, transitions and multiple audio and video tracks. VT Edit can do all of that - with an unlimited number of tracks, if you have the hard drives to handle the space. However, it also ties in storyboard editing - a pictorial representation of the sequential story. The thing about the VT Edit was that the two forms of editing were updated via meta-data in real time. You can change editing styles on the fly, as your content requires. Very impressive. But even more impressive is the ability to then take an edited video and instantly use it from the switcher to play back the video - live.
And VT Edit isn’t just a non-linear editor – it also comes with a video switcher, character generator, video paint program, Emmy-Award winning 3D animation program, digital disk recorders/players and a built-in VGA scan converter.
Live Switching - Improved
The VT[4] is also designed for live video switching with simultaneous operation of the CG system. When outfitted with a dual-screen monitor system and the the RS-8 (remote switcher), the VT[4] interface can be assigned to any of the desktop monitors. For example, in a service where content and flow is allowed to change while the service is under way, a dedicated CG operator can use the VT[4] while the director can simultaneously call and change shots using the RS-8 remote switcher component.
This kind of flexibility is critical for churches that want to use the “I’m-notkidding- it-looks-just-like-network-TV” character generator (CG) during services to make changes to graphics and text on the fly. A good example of this is when the sermon notes are handed to the operator during the praise and worship portion of the service (of course, that would never happen, right?).
Further enhancements and additions also allow for instant streaming of the video to the local network or even the Internet - also live.
Big additions to VT4
Because NewTek utilizes a processor that is scalable - that is, it can do more than it’s doing right now with additional software code - their software engineers are in a position to create very significant updates to the software.
One of the best new features is the ability to grab information right off of the VT[4]’s host PC with a scan conversion process that I think is simply revolutionary. Anything that’s displayed on the monitor screen can be used as an input to the switcher. PowerPoint can be running on a second monitor, for instance, and that monitor be captured by the scan converter and routed to an input of the switcher.
It’s worth pointing out that this new scan converting process that NewTek has just included - at no additional charge - in the software, easily matches the quality and performance of independent hardware scan converters that are priced at over $5,000. You heard right. It’s that good.
New and Upgraded Features
Four channel audio with balanced input and output connections (XLR) also includes 3D audio positioning (surround sound). You can even key-frame the surround sound effects, just like in the movies. Plus, they also improved the audio with 12 dB of headroom.
On the video production side, they also added real-time DV output and included a dedicated preview and program output for external monitors. The VT Vision monitors are now refreshing faster than on the VT3 (nearly 30 frames per second), and NewTek even threw in 150 effects and transitions (now up to 500) for making your video even more intense. Plus, if you are a 3D artist and use the included Lightwave software, you can create custom digital video effects for unlimited possibilities.
The CG now includes even better realtime anti-aliasing so you can enlarge or shrink fonts with zero distortion or pixelization. As a bonus 100 additional templates are included for churches that purchase the Media Ministry Bundle. The CG allows users to save new templates and even creates a new folder with all of the graphic pages saved as .png files (with transparency). For really spiffy effects, each line of text now has an entire new tree of manipulation which includes fully key-frameable character-by-character control. Finally, unlimited undos on a per-page basis for the entire time the CG project is open, which I love.
More Power Needs More Power
The average consumer PC is not going to be up to the job of harnessing the power of the VT[4] engine as this card needs a lot of host-computer horsepower.
The recommended PC specs are dual 3 GHz Pentium 4 processors with SCSI 320 drives, at least one Gigabyte of RAM, and a respectable video card (AGI or PCI-express 128 Meg video cards, for example). The software interface is designed to run at a minimum of 1,280 by 1,024 resolution, but can easily be used with much higher pixel counts, depending on how much screen real-estate you desire.
Furthermore, a dual monitor setup is highly recommended. I personally wouldn’t want to use the VT[4] with only one monitor, as it would be too limiting.
That’s a lot of PC to buy, but when you consider that the whole point of having an integrated system like this is to not have to make several expensive purchases of independent hardware, the costs for the PC are easier to accept.
In truth, the all-in-one approach has been exactly why the Video Toaster line has been so well accepted. The additional expense of a really nice computer rig is a fraction of the cost of trying to replicate each component of the VT[4] with dedicated software and hardware running on multiple machines.
The Final Word
NewTek has really done an outstanding job of making the upgrade to VT[4] a no-brainer for owners of previous versions. And for first-time users, these new features and upgrades mean the VT[4] has a much broader appeal for churches needing a reasonably priced and robust video production system.
In my opinion, a church will end up spending anywhere from $9,000 up to $15,000 for the PC, monitors and VT[4] Live! system. That’s not cheap, but it is inexpensive when you compare it to the expense of trying to duplicate all of its features at the same quality level.
VT[4] LIVE! includes the VT[4], SX- 84 (input/output breakout board) and the RS-8 (hardware switcher interface), and has an MSRP of $6,495. The VT[4] card and software only is priced at $3,995.
Is the VT[4] Live! system right for your church? That’s a question you’ll have to answer based on your needs and budget. For thousands of churches that need more than just a projector, screen and remote control, the VT[4] could be a welcome addition to their technical toolboxes.
Anthony Coppedge provides consulting to Churches for developing and growing a Media Ministry, building teams, casting vision and even choosing the right equipment. He lives in Bedford, Texas with his wife and two daughters and can be reached at anthony@anthonycoppedge.com.
