Having just re-read the above post of mine, and, it being a good six months later, I'd like to ammend it; it's dated.(posted 8838 days ago)Avid, realizing that new, lower cost systems we're doing what they essentially were doing, has now introduced an amazing all-in-one system. Basically, you digitize, edit, mix, color correct and output your product on one machine. They've made a professional, super high end system that will by-pass post houses completely... and mimics exactly what Canopus, Matrox et al, are doing for the home filmakers and small production operations. I work primarily in network TV and can see the day coming in the very near future (like this pilot season), where we'll never do an on-line or set foot on the dubbing stage.
This, for the moment, applies to TV only... but, of course, as digital release systems begin to replace film projectors, it's only a matter of time before movies will be posted this way, too.
So, for the moment, I suppose, my post above applies. But five years down the line.... not a chance. Then, the ulitmate release form will be digital. Hi-Def. Wide screen. Even for TV. Transferring to film simply won't be a question. Deciding which digital web format to release in will be the order of the day. And all of our equipment now will be obsolete.
Wow. Now that's depressing....