TD Video is affordable because you build your own system with off the shelf components. To use TD Video, you'll need:
- TD Video software from BW Software
- A Macintosh computer, preferrably with a factory installed Firewire port
- TD Video Requires Mac OS X v10.4.0 or newer.
- A video camcorder, preferrably a digital video camcorder
- A large hard drive
Optional hardware includes:
- A Digital Video camcorder
- A Media Converter to capture or produce analog video (VHS / SVHS / DVD)
- A ShuttlePro or ShuttleXpress remote
Prices shown below were researched in January of 2010. Costs of components will change.
TD Video software - $1195 US
No annual support fee.
Free Product Upgrades can be downloaded from www.playmakerpro.com.
Order from BW Software at 888-752-9625 (toll free) or 734-769-8587.
Computers
Any Macintosh G3, G4, G5 or Intel based computer. You'll want a Mac with a factory installed FireWire port if you are using Digital8, miniDV, or a media converter. Mac OS X version 10.4.0 or newer will be required. You'll need an XGA (1024 by 768) or higher resolution display. QuickTime 5, 6 & 7 take advantage of the extra processing power available in G4 and G5 processors, and multiprocessor machines. To create video DVDs, you'll want a Mac with Apple's SuperDrive (DVD burner) and iDVD software. If you want to create lots of Video DVDs, a multi processor machine is recommended.
Apple laptops (iBooks, MacBooks, PowerBooks and MacBook Pros) are convenient for capturing video at a game, or for watching video anywhere. Laptops may not have the disk space to store a whole season's worth of video. External FireWire drives are often used with laptops to extend their disk capacity. Most recent Apple laptops support 2 displays.
We're currently using a 15 inch PowerBook with SuperDrive, and a 250 gig Lacie external FireWire 800 drive. Its keyboard lights up in the dark, making it great for those night games. The SuperDrive lets you burn DVDs for season highlights.
Disk Space
You'll want lots of fast disk space. Go Big !
External Hard disks should spin at 7200 rpm or faster. A 500 gigabyte drive in an external FireWire enclosure costs about $125. A 500 gigabyte drive should provide 38 hours of recording time. This could hold over 50 single camera high school games (assuming 40 minutes per game).
FireWire 800 drives are faster than traditional FireWire 400 drives, if your Mac supports them. The speed that you can copy a game from one drive to another is limited by the slowest drive. You can use USB2 external drives, but hard drives connected with FIreWire will perform much better. USB2 drives might be useful for supplying video to a Windows PC.
Consumer grade digital video camcorders range in price from $250 to $1,000. TD Video works best with miniDV camcorders. Look for a miniDV camcorder with a Firewire connector. If you want to use a remote control tri-pod, look for a camcorder with a LANC interface also. Sony has combined the LANC connector with the AV connector on some of their latest camcorders. You'll need a Sony tripod to remote control those.
There are many to choose from. Remember, the camera you buy will ultimately determine the quality of the video you shoot. Stick to Sony, Canon, JVC, or Panasonic.
Click here to see Apple's list of camcorders supported by iMovie 8 .
Media Converters
A Green Valley / Canopus ADVC 110 costs about $280 at the Apple Store. You can get it for less from other sources. Check the page titled "What Hardware Do I Need" for more information on media converters.
Remote Control
Contour Design's ShuttlePro list price is $109.
Contour Design's ShuttleXpress list price is $59.
Total System Prices
System Price: TD Video + Computer + 320 gigabyte Disk Space = Total Price
Macintosh Disk Drive I have a Macintosh Computer Mac Mini Intel Duo - recycled display, SuperDrive 21 inch iMac with Intel Core 2 Duo, SuperDrive Mac Pro minitower - 24 inch panel, SuperDrive 640 GB internal Mac Pro minitower - 24 inch panel, SuperDrive White MacBook 13 inch Laptop Not Recommended MacBook Pro- 13 inch, SuperDrive, Intel Core 2 MacBook Pro- 15 inch, SuperDrive, Intel Core 2 Click on highlighted items for a shopping list.
Optional Equipment
Add $250 to $1,000 for a miniDV Camcorder, hard drive or flash drive camcorder
Add $280 for a Canopus ADVC 110 media converter
Add $100 to $180 for additional external FireWire hard drives
Add $59 for a jog-shuttle called ShuttleXPress.
If you already have a capable Mac and a digital camcorder, you can create your own digital VCR for $ 1320. That includes TD Video and a 500 gigabyte hard drive. Your VCR doesn't eliminate rewind time or generate cutups, checkerboards, scouting reports, or provide fast access to any play.
Places to Shop For Hardware
Apple Computer can provide everything you need except the TD Video software. You can save some money with Apple's Educator pricing. If you order directly from Apple, you can also custom order Macs with larger than usual hard drives.
To shop Apple's online stores visit www.apple.com and click on the Store button.
You can find Macintosh hardware at www.apple.com, www.clubmac.com, www.macmall.com, www.maczone.com, www.macconnection.com, etc.