Compositing: these days, users can chose from a variety of hardware- and software-based systems

Post, Nov, 2003 by Ann Fisher

Eyeon: "The native formats of over 15 video capture devices are readable and writable from Digital Fusion, including OMF, DPS, AVI and QuickTime. This support includes frame buffer support as well as playback via the device."--Genuard

Pinnacle: Several, including Targa Cine Engine.

Quantel: We make our own. One of the key differentiators between an IQ/EQ and other systems is we are in control of the software and hardware. It's not a case of plugging in different bits from different manufacturers and making it work."--Owen

EDL, AAF, OMF, OMFI

Adobe: "At NAB 2003, we gave a technology demonstration for the direction we were headed in regards to AAF support. Our goal is to deliver on that promise with the next version of After Effects."--Kilisky

Eyeon: "Digital Fusion can load OMF files with embedded media, preserving the entire sequence, or accessing individual clips stored within the media. OMF files can be imported into a project in Digital Fusion, using media stored within the OMF or linking to external media on the drives."--Genuard

Pinnacle: EDL, AAF, OMF.

Quantel: "EDL, AAF, yes, OMF, no. We made the decision a while ago to try and make AAF a success. It's the only format that even stands a chance of interchanging complex compositions between different manufacturers so we're fully behind it, all our systems already support it."--Owen

VECTOR GRAPHICS OR BITMAP IMAGERY

Adobe: "We can mix and match both vector and bitmap imagery in AE. Text and paint are vector based. In addition, we support the ability to import multilayered Adobe Illustrator files and treat those as vectors as well. We can also output Macromedia SWF files as vectors."--Kilisky

Eyeon: "Vector-based paint and effect masks, as well as bitmap-based effects masks. All loaded images are bitmaps."--Genuard

Pinnacle: Supports both.

Quantel: "All our systems support vector graphics but if you want to import bitmaps and use them as texture maps, no problem."--Owen