Computer Video mag boring?

[Kaare]

May I suggest the Computer Video mag is beginning to be boring to read? Why? Well, how many times has Casablanca been reviewed? What about the change of topics for articles? I think I have read a few times the same things, roughly speaking, but maybe I am mixing things up here since I also subscribe to Camcorder User.
One thing is for sure, subscibing to both mags is a waste of money, the two staffs shoyld really co-ordinate their article topics because I read much the same stuff over and over again. Perhaps something to think of? At least I am going to drop one subscription very soon if no change is being done. CV is on a VERY thin line and will be dropped. I don't find much news in it I am afraid. The series of Media Studio Pro and Premiere has been fine, OK, but what else? Sorry you guys in CV, I am not impressed. Prove me wrong, please, before my subscription runs out by the end of 99.

Kåre Nilsen
Norway


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Kaare Nilsen

[Paul Cryer]

I have to agree. I get both, subscribing to CV and buying CU, and I am often throught CV in 5 minutes, the news section is sparse to say the least, and the reviews all 90% of the time identical.

Paul

[Chad]

Although I do agree that the past few issues have been a bit drab in comparison to earlier issues, I do feel that we should take into consideration new users/readers who haven't heard it all before. However I'm sure that with the new increased cover price we will see an improvement in content and maybe some more specialised articles?

Still think it's a far better read than CU who can't seem to decide whether they're aiming at people who edit their holiday footage or people who are intersted in more creative projects!

Chad!

[Kaare]

Well, I must say that living in the past dealing with the idea "we must consider all new readers who haven't heard it all before" will certainly NOT bring any news up front, neither will it keep old readers who have really heard it before. What about us who have heard it before? Are we stuck with a mag who repeat itself over and over again? Is that what one replies suggests? Time moves on, and so should CV and not deal with yesterdays news.

Please, let us have some articles on real editing techniques, some real projects in detail from users of various digitising boards, cams and software, and not just manufacturers reviews.

I simply don't trust all I read, too many reviews are much in favour and don't find many drawbacks on various hear when reviewed. The dealers I talk to say much the same, the sometimes laugh at reviews in mags and not only CV. When I refer to CV or CU about equipment, they lean back and say "well, you shouldn't believe all your eyes read".

I for one will not renew my subsciption on CV. CU is enough, and CU has bits of everything in my opinion. At least they address the amateur.

Thanks for your response, guys.

Kåre Nilsen
Norway

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Kaare Nilsen

[miker]

I think CV needs to practice what virtually *every* other mag does -- don't just rely on press releases but 'borrow' (recycle?) stuff from some of the trade mags that a 'normal' person wouldn't necessarily read (or be able to find) -- eg Broadcast, Production, and all those others that sit on coffee tables in the Soho Post facilities. These journals are generally where the news gets printed first (admittedly a lot of it is self-promotion, but, then, so's a press release).

And how about a look at top-end stuff? Henry, Flame, Flint and all those other "My humble PC can do that now" systems? Which would cost you £600 per hour hire in Soho. (but you would get an editor) http://www.safety-online-internet.com/host/computervideo/ubb/smile.gif

Of course, once all the techie stuff's out the way, it's all still about content (ie storytelling with the medium).

[gulli]

"Storytelling with the medium." This is something I've been missing in the magazine (I haven't been here long so I may have missed something) How about a feature that goes through the video production from beginning to the end. Doesn't have to be a complex project but something that would show us not-quite-beginners how shooting is best set up and planned to make editing easier and then move to the editing and F/X creation in the computer. It could be written so beginners will learn from it but the more advanced will always learn something as well. This kind of feature alone would keep me subscribing for a while.

Gulli

[Kaare]

Splendid, Gulli!

Your suggestion would be most welcome here, too! How about it Bob Crabtree? Will you put your resources on this matter?

Great suggestion!

Kåre Nilsen

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Kaare Nilsen