Computer Video magazine to cease publication

Very sorry to hear that....but it's a tough market place and Highbury do seem more interested in middle of the road low level stuff.

Bob

I am so sad about this

IMO Your marketing has not been managed to the full potential.

I suggest that Highbury should reconsider their decision & get the WHS barcode fixed so the cVE is displayed in the correct place with the correct price.

Regards

Bob,

absolutely gutted. The mag has been a great source of education for me in the few years that I have become involved with editing digital video. Hope the company find suitable employment for you and Lisa, suitable to you two that is.

Cheers John

Gutted is not the word... Devastated, I feel as if I have just been informed of the death of one of the family! This a black day for both the enthusiast and professional filmmakers and post-production people in this country. :(

Bob after all your hard work, enthusiasm, dedication and attention to detail over the years it must feel like a bit of a kick in the teeth... I really do feel for you and the rest of the staff... I know you will still have jobs etc. but I know how I would feel in those circumstances.

It is usually the accountants who determine that a business enterprise is no longer worth pursuing; the bottom line is God! Even if it will upset a large number of people, destroy a community and take a much needed part of our hobby/profession, this is not really considered. It's whether or not it makes money that counts; which after all is how the wheels of commerce are oiled, not on alturism. Was it simply not enough sales, not enough profit or too much of a loss?

Well there is no replacement... it's not as if you can swap to a similar publication, there isn't one!

I would like to extend to all of you a warm and heartfelt thank you for all that you have done. Best wishes for the future...

Apart from anything else I will really miss the monthly 'hunt the magazine' in WHS. I travel miles most months to get to the nearest acessiblle branch which stocks it. Trying to work out where it will be put on the racks this month is almost an institution with me; one I will sadly miss.

Sorry if it seems a bit selfish to bring this up now, but another thing to consider is... What kind of effect will it have on this on-line community?

I'm stumped for words. I've never known a team that worked so hard, such long hours and with such devotion to the cause. It was so good to have a mag that was unafraid to warn its readers of the dross and at the same time praise and recommend the good stuff. And this forum you've set up is quite magnificient - it will continue, won't it?

Hope to see you at the Video Forum come January Bob and Lisa, and a big thank you for all your hard work. Good luck to you both, but you won't need it with such good CVs at your disposal (ha!).

tom.

Dear Mr C,
Words fail me at present.....

Anybody need to hire a freelance writer? :(

The video editing community in the UK owes a huge debt to Bob.

The magazine was Bob's idea. He persuaded the publishers that there was the market for a magazine about computer video editing - and he was proved right. He has been the one and only editor, and his uncompromising editorial stance - the truth, even if it hurts sometimes, has gained him enormous respect in an industry that is accustomed to putting out immature and undertested products and yet expects glowing reviews.

That respect is, of course, echoed by the readership who have had in their hands a magazine that didn't give them just a one-page re-write of the manufacturer's advertising bumf, but a well-written analysis of properly-tested products.

The other aspect that has made Bob special is the relationship with his readers. People all over the UK and around the world regard him as a friend. His personal touch with the magazine is part of it, but so is this web community (started by Bob) and the Computer Video stand at exhibitions (started by Bob) which have all contributed to a sense of 'family' and have given hope to thousands with problems that they thought insurmountable.

That help with problems has continued into Bob's private life. How many other editors spend hours and hours sorting out the technical problems of individual readers and acting as a 'relay point' to link people who need help to a specialist?

With Bob working so hard some might imagine that being Bob's deputy is a bit of a doddle. Not a bit of it!. Being Bob's deputy has been a lot of hard graft for the three that I have known. To Pat Byrne, Peter Wells and Lisa Keddie, I salute you!

So it's a big, big thanks to Bob for everything. I hope that you and Lisa are treated fairly by Highbury WV. Your legacy will live on.

Ray Liffen

Wow! It's like the fall of the Twin Towers, I thought it would be there forever. I'm sure you'll make good use of your skills in other areas Bob. All your dedication and efforts have really been appreciated and I wish you all at CV towers the very best for the future.

Seems like drastic action to stop Lloyd advertising.

Seriously, very sad to see it go, we've taken CV since it's introduction, I'll have to admit we haven't bought it for a couple of years but by strange coincidence I bought a copy on Monday to see what all the hype over the DVD was!

I think Ray has hit it on the head, the community was successful - but that doesn't raise the distribution figures or pay the publishing costs - many forum readers probably only buy a copy every so often, if ever - they don't need a mag with adverts, several weeks out of date when they can get instant help, reviews, opinions and info from the CV board or off the web.

Good luck Bob with whatever you do.

One little point of clarification, contrary to Ray's charming assertion, the mag was not my idea.

Computer Video already existed as an irregular back-mounted add-on to Camcorder User (at least I don't think it was there every month), and I was simply asked to come to the company and launch it as a separate publication.

One other comment - I think a LOT of the credit that is given to me should actually be shared with John "DVdoctor" Ferrick, who has paid for the hosting of these boards since they came over here from the hosting that Dr Alan Solomon used to provide, and who also has been something of a guiding light to me.

With his penetrative insight, John long ago saw that CV's days were numbered, assuming that no substantive changes were made to its marketing.

John has also often been one of the first people to appreciate the significance or otherwise of new technology in this field (and in others of course), and to understand where that technology might lead the market and society.

Later.

Bob C
(off to make his wholesome, low-cal, chicken sandwiches, prior the the three Ss, and journeying to work)

This is sad but commercial. Bob's brand of journalism with a conscience is what keeps the world a balanced if not better place. We are moving to a time where absolutely everything has a price, and the "cost" of this is far greater than the price. I think you have made a stand, Bob- your "opening scream" is always sound common sense- Good Luck
Regards
Tony Roberts

Very sorry to hear this Bob. It certainly is a tough market out there. No one could have tried harder to make CV work, so it's a real shame. Good luck and best wishes wherever you end up.

On a selfish note: what will become of this site? Does it depend on Highbury funding? It would be great if it could continue - that way you could keep us all informed about your future projects.

David

Bob

I echo Ray's comments. You've done a wonderful job with the magazine and without your sheer stubbornness and dogged perseverance several product manufacturers and suppliers would have got away with blue murder. I'm confident that, thanks to your campaigning efforts, we wouldn't have as many DV-in enabled camcorders as we now have in Europe for a start.

As a regular contributor to the magazine since 1998 - and as the current author of the series of User Profiles which you badgered me like hell to write - I have to say that I have nothing but praise for the way you've persevered come hell or high water to get the magazine out every month, even though it was clear that it was often a tumultuous and exhausting task. I know, as do others who've been closely involved with you, that a great deal of midnight oil has been burned by you in replying to people's emails, sorting out readers' problems and keeping the Bulletin Board going. All this in addition to writing and editing the magazine, month in and month out. That shows a level of commitment that is, sadly, in decline - not just in publishing but in almost every walk of life. We all want our returns today. Tomorrow is too late.

What's particularly impressive is that you have never allowed your standards to be compromised - even to the extent that you read every word of every contrinutor's copy before it went on the page. As contributors, we've never been able to get anything past you - you have eyes like a hawk and can spot errors and BS from a mile away!

I couldn't have done your job for the length of time you have, and I doubt that many others could either. You're an example to us all.

You're a true star - and so is Lisa and the team. Well done.

I was really shocked when I got your email yesterday afternoon - as was the rest of the team, no doubt. So.... RIP Computer Video. At least we tried.

Colin Barrett
Freelance Contributor to several Highbury publications
(Milton Keynes, UK)

In case people missed this in my last posting, this site is paid for by John Ferrick - as, believe it or not is the hosting of CV's own web site!

Consequently, I have no reason to believe that this forum will change in any way but for the better.

:)

I'll be in discussion with John, Paul Dutton and others involved with DVdoctor Inc to see what becomes of CV's site - I wouldn't like it simply to be pulled, and I'd like to think that it will be updated at least one more time to reflect the contents of the forthcoming Feb 05 issue.

Bob C

Echo all of the above, "and then some!"

This really is tragic news, such a great magazine and it will be very much missed by both the prosumer and professional video market.

Bob, you are obviously a very knowledgeable man and your knowledge and talents will be missed hugely.

I wish yourself and Lisa the very best of luck with your future. Hopefully both of you will remain happy at Highbury in your new posts.

Things sometimes turn out for the best, this could well turn out to be a better chapter in your lives.

With kindest regards.

Nigel
http://www.dvuser.co.uk

Very sad and surprising news.

I have no doubt that a man of your integrity and unique personality will continue to have influence over this market, or whatever you choose to do next.

I'd like to add my commiseration's.

I've been buying the mag since issue one and used to read the add on in the camcorder mag.
Thanks to all the team who've kept it going.

i suppose there's no chance of another publisher taking over the mag?

It's important that the bb stays active.

thanks again to Bob and the team

S'truth, the rug has been firmly pulled from under the feet. For me, finding the magazine came as a breath of fresh air; here was a publication that talked sense not hype, and had real information at all levels. That's why I bought it starting early in 1999. Then when I discovered this board, and the people asked questions that I could answer, it was like going into a magic grotto, a place whwre I could use what I know to help out people anywhere. What more could a chap want?

Bob, thanks for those opportunities, they made a bigger difference to me than you'll ever know. I've lived in a somewhat rarified research world for my whole career, but being able to get information across to the public through your channels has been a real revelation to me. The passing of the mag's very sad, but I suspect you'll find a decent slot for your talents.

Without trying to sound like Whoopie Goldberg at some sort of Oscar ceremony.

This is just crap. CV just does not deserve this, it breathed dedication, inspiration, energy and individuality. Rare thing these days of what we call in Belgium "commodity sausages"

On a different note, I have to use the word "commodity sausages" more often

Hendrik

Bob,
Is there no possibility of another publisher taking over the title and running with it?
Obviously, I haven't seen the profit and loss accounts, but perhaps it would fit in better with another publishing house's portfolio.
Just a thought.
Alan

What about the publishers of Hardware and Regional Film & TV? We're way below their level but we pay for a mag - most of the trade stuff is given away.

I too am pretty shocked. I thought that the cover DVD was a sign that things were looking up. I find that this Blackadder quote helps:

Captain Darling: "I wrote a note in my diary on the way over. It simply says.... 'Bugger'"

Is there anyone at Highbury that we can write to, to complain/beg/bribe?

I am also very sorry to hear this. The magazine was an invaluable source of information to me when I first took the plunge and went digital in 1999.

In truth I have probably only bought around one-third of all the issues since then, but it was always there when I needed it (usually when I was going to buy some new kit!) and I'll be sorry to see it disappearing from the shelves.

Very sorry to learn the news, both for you personally and the staff, and for the readers. Both CV and this forum have been very helpful to me in trying to get to grips with digital video and nles. I`m not sure where to look now.

I hope that the forum will be able to continue as I think you hinted at above.

May I add my best wishes to Bob and all the staff at CV and hope that they do find 'every cloud has a silver lining'.
Good luck
John

Very sad indeed after all your hard work Bob, you must be feeling very low.

However there's a good side to everything, somewhere, and it's often hard to find at first.

Might not your and perhaps one other talent be put to freelance use by continuing the basic form of the magazine and publishing it on the Web available to subcribers only at say half the present price.

I guess a large part of a mag's problems are printing and distribution - in this way those tow big burdens are eradicated.

You have the skills.
You have the contacts.
You have the readership
and I guess you have a lot of us loyal to not only you but also to the invaluable information pool that you provided us with.

I realise it's nothing new but perhaps something to think about. I used to subscribe long ago to the Seybold Report, I don't know if it's going still but it made the Seybold family wealthy and us all the wiser commercially.

Good luck whatever you do and thank you.

Des

This is bound to have a knock on effect with the dedicated system builders who relied on CV to educate and inform it's readership.

We'd happily transfer any sub refund to support these boards.

Very sad news.

Gavin Gration
Media Sales & Support

What a shock,it's always down to profit or loss and what a time to pick,Xmas when one should be happy and getting in the festive mood.

Best of luck to all at C\V

This is very sad news indeed :( :eek:

Most has already been said, just leaving me to add my commiserations to the list.

I'm very sorry to hear this Bob.

John

Dear Bob, Lisa and all concerned with CV,

I’ve been sitting here for nearly two hours now wondering what to say but it’s really difficult to express the right words. All I know is that if I hadn’t been shown a copy of Computer Video back in April 2000 I’d probably still be ‘assemble editing’ via two VCR’s and churning out video’s of ‘Man’s first landing on the moon’ quality. Thankfully that isn’t the case and, due to the knowledge and expert help I’ve received through the magazine, yourselves and members of this forum I’ve been able to produce videos acceptable enough to help a large number of sick and housebound members of my community in the Essex area. I’m sure they, like me, would love to say “Thank you” for all the help you and the others have given us.
.
I hope this isn’t the end, it’s early days yet and the knowledge and talent you possess won’t go unnoticed (look at how quickly out-of-work football managers get snapped up). I’m sure too that this excellent forum will continue and if it came to it the members would be more than willing to pay some sort of subscription to keep it going.

As to whether you’ll still be running a stand at January’s VideoForum 2005 only you will know – we’ve got to have somewhere to meet/distribute the rice pudding from!

Once again, a big thank you to everyone concerned. Let’s hope this is just “Adios” and not “Good-bye”.

Cheers,

Chirpy

Greatly saddened to learn this bad news, Bob.

I very much hope that things work out in the end for yourself and the staff.

Alan

Oh my :(

What to say?! Really sorry to hear this news Bob + team. I'm never great with what to say in situations like this. As possibly one of your younger readers, who myself is just trying to get started in this field, this comes as really sad news :(
I would without a doubt be a lot less educated in this field than I am now, and I know for sure without the mag and this fourm I would not have had the courage and good advice to take my thoughts further. So thanks for that. I'm sure so many others here will agree you and the CV/CE team have helped more than youll ever know.

Ed

I have to add my condolences too. During the early days, I was really guided in my buying decisions by comptervideo magazine. Then it was a specialist field , and the most powerful consumer computer was a P1. 100mhz , that just about kept up with a "Crunch it" card.Computer video mag in my opinion was a pioneer & Trailblazer to guys like me in keeping up with the news and developments.
I Started out with an amiga 500 and KRP software with Scala titling when compter video mag hit the streets. Changed my whole way of thinking.
My thanks to you all for a goodly portion of my education.

:(
my postman will miss trying tear a peak into the well packaged thick plastic envelope interestingly and obviously containg a DVD....

good luck to all concerned and thanks for any help in the past.

Dee

Bob Et al at CV,
It goes without saying that I echo all the sentiments contained in this thread to you and your team. I would also like to say thankyou as I wouldn't be able to do what I do today without your support and the support of the people here.

Now enough of this depression! What an opportunity! Take it from someone who has been in the position you currently find yourself. Over the ocoming weeks / months you will feel all the emotions you can imagine during this consultation process. Anger, sadness, self pity, pride, worry, helplessness to name but a few. Accept that this is normal and don't let them consume you or your collegues. Remember tomorrow will arrive regardless. YOU decide how you approach the day. YOU decide what tomorrow will bring. Realise that you are good at what you do, you only have to look at this thread to find the evidence. I would gladly pay a subscription to a web based "publication" if I got the same service that CV provides me. I'm sure I'm not alone in that.

So "team" (Bob, Lisa et al) don't waste the skills you have and the network you see before you! Make it happen (what ever it is!)

thankyou and good luck

....Neil

This is a sad day. I have bought the Magazine from the first issue, and subscribed for several years.
We have all leaned a lot from each other, and long may that continue.

Many thanks to Bob and the team.

Very sorry to hear this news. I hope there will be a way the board community can continue, and the magazine crew can find/are offered something to compensate their change of circumstances.

I'm very sorry to hear about this. I feel like I would be losing a friend, but the mag and the forum have been a great source of reference and
inspiration that I don't think I could have got anywhere else.
It certainly helped me considerably in getting started and I still see the forum as an encyclopedia for all those interested in video editing. Hope we don't lose it.
regards
John R.

Like everyone else, I'm very sorry to hear about the mag. We have all learned so much from all we have read and it has been such an enjoyable way of keeping right up to date.

What a pleasure it has been to be able to read unbiased articles about hardware and software newly introduced to the market.

Over the years, as has already been said, I have got to think of the magazine and its contributors as friends and I also join with others to thank Bob and his team for all they have done to make my own editing world so much more enjoyable.

Very best wishes Bob et al.

Tim

And that perfectly sums up my sentiments too. I am a recent convert but the articles which have been appearing in the magazine since the revamp have been superb, covering all facets of editing (encoding, filming, colour manipulation, pc hardware). I am sad to hear this news and hope you and your team find work elsewhere in the industry where we can still benefit from your knowledge and input.

Some bloody Christmas for you guys. :(

Just as my day was getting better ( I got my works van back from the bodyshop) I read this terrible news!

I`m at a loss as to what to say! I wish all the staff concerned with the publication the very best of luck & a huge thankyou for the mag.

I sincerely hope this forum continues, it is such a benefit to all that it would be a tragedy to loose it.

Very best wishes

Sad news indeed. Always bought the magazine, bit of a late starter in this forum. I'm certain something will arise phoenix like from this, and wish Bob and Lisa well for the future. I'm certain there's enough of us to keep a magazine like this going, whether paper or electronic.

Phil

Well, always remember, Farscape came back!

I can only hope that CV returns in a similar manner!

Dave

All Read:

"Lets get a feeling for the size" thread in this area

I just don't know what to say, I'm completly stuck for words.

I found CV through taking Camcorder User and thought it answered all my prayers, I was hungry to get as much help as I could with NLE, its been brilliant over the years.

I hope everyone can find new employment, it always seems such a lousy time of the year to lose your job.

My heart goes out to all affected.

Just got in to learn the unwelcome news. So sad for Bob and his team who have provided such a good magazine, and who now find their efforts and hard work, 'No longer required.'
If I might offer them a ray of hope at this time. It seems that lots of us who are destined to go through this redundancy hoop find there is a lot of truth in the adage, 'It's the darkest hour before the dawn.'
I was 53 when it happened to me, decided to start a Company that would be run by people who knew, not by people who thought they knew.
What a pleasure to work without the pressure of some 'expert' in 'Head Office' handing down the wrong instructions.
I retired at 70, with a real sense of achievement; and the Company is still going strong almost 10 years later.
I feel sure that Bob, with his experience, and strong work ethic, could do the same.

Bob et al.

This sort of thing always seems to happen before Christmas. (It did to me!)

As well as the commisaration and respect echoing above comments let us hope that this situation also creates some opportunities for you and your team in the future.

regrds and thoughts

Chris

I too am very sad. I've been reading the magazine since it's birth and was an avid reader when it was part of camcorder user.

I've learnt a lot from the magazine and this forum and feel dissappointed as your reviews (Bob et al) of equipment were always thorough (with an angle of the video editor who will use it daily) rather than a splash of the surface like most other magazines.

A very sad day to hear this news and I wish you all the best!

Whats the alternative? I can see no other magazines like computer video.

I hope you can keep this forum going as I think you have developed a good helpful community.

trevor

Firstly, It was all going so well, I loved the new look Mag and typical I only sent my latest subscription cheque off last week!

Secondly, I can't thank you all enough, I've gone from knowing nothing about PC's to happily buying them second hand, ripping them apart, loading software and then miracle of miracles editing with them. It simply wouldn't have happened without CVE.

I can't think of any other magazine where I'm likely to get the same level of objective editorial judgement.

Please let us know what your plans are, as I for one am only to happy to subscribe to any forum, be it print or web based, where the CVE editorial style might continue.

Several years ago I picked up my first copy of CV to help in my choice of editing card and system requirements. Since then I have built three highly successful systems and learned more than I ever thought possible about computers, cameras and editing (and so much still to learn).
This year I turned full time professional with my own video production business - all this due in no small way to Bob and all the team on CV magazine. The help and advice I have received from them over the last few years has been invaluable and I cannot thank you enough.
Like everyone else who has replied to this thread I feel a great loss at the demise of Computer Editing and can only hope that it's spirit will endure through all who contribute to the board.
Best wishes to you all.

robo

Now all the friends and advisors who have kept us up-to-date and well informed will vanish into cyberspace. Now that we don't have a source of info. I hope the manufacturers make components that work.

Best of luck Bob to you and your staff,and all my good wishes and thanks for all you have done for me and many others. You will be missed.

Harry

What a crying shame. This magazine, and Bob specifically, have helped me over the last 7 years in a hobby that I really enjoy. Having heard that copies of the magazine are available in various far flung countries of the world, I was convinced that margins were being reached and, with the new format and cover DVD, that the well being of the magazine was assured. Is it just a matter of profitability or is there some fundamental management problem that cannot be resolved? I for one would pay an increase in the cover price, as I value this publication for its' candid advice and content. Others have voiced there opinions of the recent price increase, so I guess a price increase is a non starter.
I am really shocked and will miss the anticipation of when the next issue will drop through my letter box.

Good luck to all

A totally gutted,
Rick Barry

From the beggining to the end, Thankyou so much, The knowledge you have given will never be forgotten!! You are all responsible for so much good that has come to my life, bringing me an income and supporting my carrer ambitions.
Truly in shock about this, to say I'm upset doesn't even come close!!!
What more can I say, but thanks again for all your hard work, and the best of luck to you in future. Will miss it....!!!

Well this is very sad news indeed for all of us readers and to receive it at this particular time of the year, you and the rest of the team must you feel absolutely gutted.
I have been a subscriber and user of these forums for several years and have always looked for my copy every month and at the forums almost every day.
It was only a week ago that Highbury invited me save 39% with a two year renewal, which I suppose under the circumstances is perhaps fortunately still on my desk.

Good luck Bob and the Team.

I too am very sorry - it seems like quality is ever going to be on the decline and there will be very little left so that the consumer can pull themselves up to prosumer and beyond. Best wishes to all concerned.

It's a sad day indeed. Best wishes to you and your team in the future Bob.

Can't understand it!

New format, DVD on the cover, DV editing now becoming main stream rather than a specialist interest hobby.

Just can't make sense of it at all.

Sorry as everyone else to hear this news and just hope that someone else out there can see the potential and step into the gap.

Best wishes Bob and thanks for all that you have done for this industry.

Cannot believe for one moment that your talents will not out in some shape or form in the very near future, and that when you look back, things may not turn out to be as bad as they may seem right now - hope that makes sense?!

Hope also the forum can be kept going

Holy ess aitch one tee...this has to be dumbing down of the utmost ignorance.

I think most of my sentiments have been expressed already in the accolades above. But, personally, I have never come across a magazine and forum that has such insight, knowledge and yet maintains a sense of equality toward novice and professional alike. How am I supposed to run my business now!!??

All the best to you all at CV.

Mick Lown

Sad news indeed. I wish Bob and his team well and thank them for all the hard work they have done over the years.

I must add my words of regret at this very sad news.
I have to believe that, for justice to be done, an opportunity will open for Bob and the team.

Thanks for all you have achieved and Best Wishes for your futures.

Alan.

It is unlikely that such an apparently healthy patient collapsed and died with a heart attack - it is more likely that the patient has been ailing for some time and has just passed away.

Accountants, Boards, do not close profitable publications, so it is likely that CVE and its editing/managing team have been under some pressure for some time, and to his great credit, it has never shown through in BobC's contribution to the mag and to these webboards.

We will all miss CVE mag and can only offer words as a poor commiseration. BobC will rise again elsewhere - he has a "customer care" philosophy that is enviable.

Doubtful if it will be in the video editing sphere because it seems that there are already too many competing products for too few people willing to buy them.

Thank you, Bob.

Bob can write for the Guardian (again)
http://www.guardian.co.uk/online/story/0,3605,1197486,00.html

http://www.guardian.co.uk/afghanistan/story/0,1284,619187,00.html

Good CV review here (Close pop up)
http://www.dooyoo.co.uk/magazines-newspapers/computer-video/244628/

Bob's name goes before him
http://www.ps-consultants.co.uk/commentary/01-07a.htm

Regards

Some heart-warming comments guys. I know Bob, Lisa and other team members (current and previous) will hugely appreciate every one of them.

whilst the principals of DVdoctor, Inc. including myself (as you will see) have been otherwise engaged, the development of the original DVdoctor concept has lain somewhat dormant, let's see what can now be done with DVdoctor.net...

The demise of specialist printed titles has been predicted as inevitable by a good number of people - including John Ferrick and myself (and my own current belief in the web will be made clearer lower down).

Now, in the UK at least, as a result of recent changes in magazine retailing, that sad prediction looks to be coming true.

The web (we are not alone in believing) offers an excellent alternative - and one with a large number of indisputable advantages over printed magazines, none of which I think I have to go over here right with such an informed audience - especially since many of these have been gone over in various other threads on these forums.

The idea of the web taking over from print in certain areas is what lies behind the very conception of the DVdoctor organisation.

However, DVdoctor has largely remained dormant (apart from hosting these forums and CV's web site on a not-for-profit basis) because of the call of other commitments on its founders.

Currently, as you may or may not know, John Ferrick devotes his time largely to education in Alaska, using many of the recent advances made in multi-media technology (not just in video) to draw disadvantages and disaffected children into the learning process that many have otherwise rejected.

In the intervening years, I've been earning a decent living but although the various roles I have played may have prevented me from starving they have taken up rather too much time to leave much over to devote to the DVdoctor cause.

Now, however, with the closure of CV - which saddens us greatly - we believe that the time has come to see if we can turn the original DVdoctor idea into something more concrete - and which is true to the ideals that Bob's editing of the magazine have always upheld, and which have also been upheld by his moderation of these forums and by a huge majority of members over the years.

Currently, I co-run www.HEXUS.net - indisputably the largest UK mainstream technology enthusiast web site, with a reach of 3.6 million unique visitors - a reach that grows daily and, we're confident, already exceeds the combined reach of the the UK's three largest mainstream IT printed magazines.

Bob, I know, is currently working with Highbury to try to find an appropriate place for himself within that company, so it would be quite improper of me to comment in detail on any role he may be able to play - that will largely depend on the success of that search, and will be his call. Since he has a wife and two children in full-time education, you'll
all understand, I hope, if the option he chooses is the safe one.

So what am I saying here?

Well, that we are now very actively exploring what can be done to provide an even better web-based DVD authoring and video editing resource than these forums currently offer, and one which is likely to be far wider-reaching in terms of its contents.

Our expectation is that there will be news, reviews and tutorials, at the very least, in addition to forums.

We hope to be able to formally announce what this will all add up to in time for the start of Video Forum 2005, on January the 25th.

In the meantime, any constructive suggestions are most welcome - in terms of what that resource should offer and how it should be funded.

Until we gain some momentum, could makers, distributors and resellers, please direct any suggestions for reviews and news to myself, and do the same for invitations to press briefings.

Please also direct commercial and advertising enquiries my way too.

My email is accessible from my profile at the head of this posting.

Do not Despair... things work out in strange ways.

The forums will continue with no interruption.

John Ferrick

This is all very sad but, as with the DV Doctor, I'm afraid I saw this coming quite a while ago.

Let's face it, if the mag were making a decent return for the publishers the accountants (and I admit to being one of that breed) would not close it down.

It's all very well to say that profit isn't everthing, but to large organisations it is all. Each and every aspect of a business has to contibute to the overall well being, otherwise, in the long term, the main business will fail.

Video editing is not my only hobby and in my other hobbies I have seen many titles fold.

You have to accept that video editing is a minority hobby.

As to the magazine itself, I have always found it to be of the highest quality in production terms, well written and very well edited. However the content has left something to be desired over the last little while.

I stopped taking it on a regular basis some time ago (and wrote to Bob to tell him why).

It would appear that I am not the only person to do so.

I really do feel for Bob and all those directly affected by the cessation.

David

Agree with Alan Wells to a certain extent, and thankyou John for the vote of security concerning the forum ( the revamp is welcomed by the way)

But why let the team put all that effort and time into the 'new look' magazine and then chop the legs out from under them.

If I were Bob and surrounded by a loyal team like he's got I'd be putting my steel toecaps on to kick to some f**c**r in the b*lls. They could of let them know couldn't they, if the writing was on the wall?
I only ever bought CV because of the no bias appraisal of the latest equipment. When I read that Bob. C was willing to tell even Sony that their product wasn't up to it I thought that's the mag for me.
Opening Scream was a personal input that gave really sharp insights into what was going on at any time, anywhere.

I'm pissed off about this, but I know that their style of journalism will always have a future.

Best wishes and good luck to you all at CV.

Red

I have been reading the mag since I think issue 5 when I was attracted by an article and cover of an early Matrox analogue model, I think 200.

I found it invaluable as a beginner and have always bought it since probably missing about 4-5 issues over the years.

I felt that using this forum puts one under a certain obligation to buy, apart from the obvious enjoyment and knowledge gained from the reading the mag.

As a hobbyist who does not make any money at all from the hobby and therefore not always at the cutting edge with my equipment I have found in recent times that the magazine did not hold the same interest as it did in the early years as the equipment used and reviewed could be very specialised and esoteric.

This is not a critisism of the mag but I wonder if the casual hobbyist is able to get what limited knowledge that he/she might need from the occassional "Computer Active" mag and thus CV was only attracting established customers or serious hobbyists and professionals.

When I bought my first editing set it was quite a feat to do anything with all the speed problems, dropped frames, size restrictions etc, whereas with my new laptop it had premiere installed and plugging any camcorder into it gave instant recognition and faultless capture withing seconds and I wonder if that had happened with my first set whether I would have looked to magazines for help. But then again I am an avid magazine reader so I problably would.

CV continues to be an exellent magazine, but I wonder if there are enough people out there to keep it going. I am glad that it is going out in glory in its present form, as there must have been a lot of pressure on Bob to submit to a dumbing down proccess.

Good luck to the future Bob and others on the staff. No doubt we will hear what you are up to on this forum.

BobA

Dont know what to say.

All the best Bob.

Like so many others I have every issue, from the first ones which only came out every two months to last months, even the ill fated Feb 03 one.
(This months hasnt arrived yet)

I just cant believe it.

Thanks for your help with my subscription problems and for all the useful information, tips and advise that you've give to me and others over the years.

Any chance in the publishers reconsidering and going back to the original one every two months idea ?

I know it would be a long two months between issues but better than nothing I say.

Scrap the DVD if that helps

I've been a subscriber for almost 2 years and reading for even longer. I'd just like to add my comiserations to all the other posts.

Everything i've thought has already been expressed. When i first got interested in editing and NLE it seemed incredibly technical and daunting, a vast amout of available equipment and no idea what to buy, what it did, or how it connected together. CVE helped me immeasureably. And i always enjoyed the opening scream.

I'm glad to see this forum will continue. Hope that all the magazine contributors will continue to participate on the board. Good luck for the future Bob and everybody else who worked on the mag. If your still going to have a stand at VideoForum maybe i'll get the chance to thank you in person.

Rolph

Bugger - as we say down here.

Bob and team I hope you find an outlet for your talents - you deserve to.

CV has followed me around the world as I tried to settle after being made redundant a few years ago. The Royal Mail redirection service was fantastic at keeping my subsription copies coming through to which ever country I was in at the time.

Now settled and a proud Aussie those dark days are behind me and I have been enjoying CV in the warmth of a new country and climate.

These boards and the magazine have helped give me the confidence to start up a fledgling video business and run a Vegas User Group here in Perth, WA. I simply would have not learnt enough without the words of wisdom from CV and the board contributors.

Thank you.
Dave

As someone else has said;

Bugger.

Thank-you Bob for a one heck of a good magazine that is a cut above the rest. It is a real shame others do not see this, and unlike most magazines that fade out, yours will truly be missed.

I picked up the magazine by chance a few years ago and found that edit programs were no longer just programs that controlled edit machines, or were so expensive that the only people that had computer based edit programs were the Beeb, other TV companies, and film edit hire companies.

Strange to think at the time I was looking for some old S-VHS machines to make a home edit suite using one of Panasonics little black box Fx units (if I could get hold of 2h/d one), plus the attendant sound mixer and edit controller.

Bob sent me info on a computer I had asked if he knew about about by return of my e-mailing him, well ahead of his article on it being published in the magazine, which let me buy with confidence (at the time my PC was a 486 laptop use solely as a word processor and e-mail sender, so any PC was one hell of a jump). He also gave me further advice on what I needed in the PC to use it with Studio 8. It was his article on just what Studio 8 could do, his test drive that showed that it did all the things I considered as a basic need from an edit program; insert editing, J and L edit sound cuts among them. Things that should be a standard part of any edit program, but which were to my surprise not. In terms of computer editing Studio8 is a baby, but it puts the old edit suites to shame. (Rather nice for me then, that I won a copy of Studio9 in one of Computer Videos competitions this year!!).

Computer VIDEO has always in my view been a trade magazine in that it gives detailed reviews, real test drives of equipment and programs, not one page articles put together from the items press kit, spread over four, six pages with the help of half page photos that have no real connection with the item being reviewed.

I had a bad feeling when the company acquired Digital Video made easy, a very useful magazine when you are getting started in computer editing, but you very quickly pass its level.

But its gloss not detail that seems to sell in todays world, and I wonder if they had with its acquisition of 'DVme' always intended to dump our magazine, as no real attempts can have been made by the sales staff to get Computer VIDEO off the computer shelf into the video section. IF their had been, IT would have been moved.

So Bob and Lisa, many thanks and good luck be with you where work takes you both.

Many thanks for a good magazine.
Peter Gibbs

Please read this thread about the subscriptions
http://www.dvdoctor.net/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=5;t=000680

I have read the mags, and used this board since 1999 to gain all the info that I have needed at various times to enjoy my editing .

To Bob and team many, many thanks.

reagrds

Mick

I feel as if it's partly my fault. I stopped buying it a while back. I get so much information from the internet nowadays that I don't buy any photo, computer or video magazines anymore. At one time I bought many.

So sorry to hear the news.

Hi,

Ditto, Ditto all of the above.

Will we be seeing you or reading your articles in Camcorder User then or some other Pro Mag?

Even the BBC are being forced into making cuts.

Timing is everything in life and who's to say CVE won't pass this way again sometime hence.

Thanks for the times we had, I enjoyed it when we had it, cheers.

Jim Bird.

This is very disappointing, just as I was begining to *get* video editing as a hobby and could look for support to avoid the problems of my pre "computer video editing" days. :rolleyes:

I would happily continue to pay my existing magazine subscription cost for an online version of the magazine.

Carl

Thanks for the kind words, but please don't consider beating yourself even lightly!

Bob C

Bob, I am totally shocked and saddened by the news. I have learned a lot and built up my confidence in video-computing over the years through yourself and your magazine.For that I am deeply grateful.
Unfortunately I can understand how this may have come about as I remember, before subscribing to the magazine,going into a renowned bookshop where I often had to go on my knees, literally, to locate the magazine.
Your magazine, like myself videoing a wedding, played a very strong part in the background! Without the help and advice of the forum I could not have the knowledge I have today. From here I got constant support and good ideas. And you Bob have helped me out even at the most ungodly hours-displaying extreme dedication. Will you still have an e-mail address???????
Once again I wish to thank you and wish you well in whatever direction your life now goes Jos.

Sad and doleful news indeed.

I have been reading the mag since its insertion into camcorder user. There really is no other mag like it. Specialist DV editing mags are hard to come by. I hope the forum continues.

Best of luck to Bob and his crew.

Sad news. It was CV that really got me going; got me to the various exhibitions and ultimately to visit the IoV Birmingham in 2001 . . sad.

I used to make a nuisance of myself at my local WH Smiths "itchy" to get my sweaty paws on the latest CV. You could often see me then furtively reading the latest Canon delivery or Panasonic or Sony "must-have" in my Ford outside the Shop - risking traffic wardens and annoying other road users!

. .and Bob will remember me coming to my first Video Forum at Wembley Conference Centre, lugging my Canon XM2 and Dell laptop and plonking them down in front of him pestering him to assist me cure my fire wire drop out . . remember Bob? Times have changed. I now make videos for London based organisations and have gained enough camera skills to now know how much further I need to go!

Bob, if you are reading this, it was you and your calm cool and level approach to my enthusiasm that truly showed me another way through this maze of DV . . . oh yes I've done the work - but that one meeting was a watershed in me carrying on or not . .. Thank you Bob Crabtree . . thank you very much indeed.

The loss of CV magazine? What does it really mean? It's the individuals that, "Made it so!"

Sad day . . .

Graham "Grazie" Bernard

This is not only sad but unjust. I've had every issue (apart from the 'missing' one!) since number 2, and Bob and the team have just succeeded in the best revamp I have seen. The new articles were not only deep and useful, but in the choice of subjects they seem to demonstrate an ability to mind read, what was needed at just the right time.
There has always been a strong sense that the readers were not just punters but an integral part of the whole set up and for me this alone would have made CV/ VE truly exceptional. On top of that there has always been real quality content and an admirably spiky maverick character!
Bob and Lisa, and everyone else involved, you achieved something mighty and you deserve to thrive.

Yes, really sad indeed.
I have bought ‘The Mag’ since it was first issued, at a time when I did not own a computer and my fingers had never touched a keyboard or clicked a mouse.
I progressed by reading the ‘Mag’ and forums, which answered my questions before I asked, and many others that I hadn’t thought of asking.
I now have my own computer video editing equipment and I have setup a local community editing studio, but I still have a great deal to learn.
In advising Americans on another forum, I always suggested that they buy ‘Computer Video’, adding, “Probably the best magazine in the world”

To Bob and his Team.

Respect!

Vern.

My first thoughts: This has got to be a late April fools hasn't it? Surely with NLE on such an upturn - and it'll keep on the up - Highbury wouldn't shut down THE leading mag on the subject? Especially before seeing how the relaunch/rebrand pans out. What are they going to replace it with? I know; ANOTHER BLOODY 'LIFESTYLE' MAG!! :mad:
I've bought the mag from the very first edition. I well remember struggling with my 'top' system of a Cyrix P150 chip with 32meg RAM and a 'dedicated' 1 gig HDD. Using MSP 2.5 (I think) Once, at 2 in the morning I sent a plaintive "HELP" e-mail to Bob. (before the days of these boards)About 10mins later, I got a reply!! Unbelievable.
Bob & staff, I am absolutely gutted. :(

PS.
I never did like those bloody Gooners anyway!

Having literally just got back from a very nice holiday, this news was quite a shock on first logging on.

And that from a subscriber since issue 1. Much missed. Only crumb of comfort seems to be the forum will continue.

With such proven talent from the past, it cannot possibly be 'goodbye' so - I' ll wait on the circumsances of all of you....

Good luck.

Ron.

I have only just read this devastating news. Where else can the video editing community get such informative and unbiased opinions and assistance. I have had a subscription to the mag. for several years now and each issue has alays had something of interest in it even though I am a "Mac" user and much of the info was PC oriented.

All I can do iadd my support to those who would like to see it continue, and my best wishes to those who have worked so hard over the lifetime of the mag.

Good luck everyone.

Thank you for all of your help and Good Luck for the future

Well Bob, it's mostly all been said, but you can't keep a good man (or woman) down and I'm sure you and Lisa will bounce back.
Let's try to look on the bright side and hope also that this forum keeps going.
Your posting did me a big favour as I have just received my CV subscription renewal notice!
Good Luck,
Doug.

I hope this is not my fault. I took out a sub to DV World and it then folded. I discovered CV and took out a sub when WH Smiths started playing silly buggers. Now this.
I was reading the mag the other night and thinking what a lot of solid meat there is in it compared to the crappy DVD review fillers in Home Cinema.
Sorry Bob and the team but I am sure another door will open to utilise your expertise. This website is the first that I check out almost every day.I did not realise how indebted we should be to John Ferrick.

I don't know, pop back here after a few days away and find this has happened - Gobsmaked !! - TOTALLY !!

Did Littlebrother have some crystal ball or something ???

Seriously, I'm not going to give chapter and verse on how if it wasn't for CVM I would never of taken up the hobby, but what I will say is that I wish you and your team every successs with your future plans, whatwever they may be. I don't know what it is, but why do companies always make staff redundant just before Christmas :(

Personally I would like to see another publisher take over the magazine, or some of the large companies sponsoring the magazine to keep it going.

Last point, its been talked about that DV Doctor could become more of an "online" magazine. To make things fair, I would suggest that there is a "members only" area for those that have paid their subs. This could contain downloads or DVD requests etc. Alternatively, why not produce and distribute CVM on a monthly interactive DVD ?? - Just some suggestions, as I would like to see it continue (even though I can't afford it at the moment)

Just returned from a short break, so this is the first I have heard of the damned bad news. First though, my sincere commiserations to Bob and the team, and my very best wishes for the future.

This seems to me just another example of the very poor, accountant led management of British business. What possible sense can there be in expending all the energy and cost of a major revamp only to pull the plug a few issues down the line. Talk about short term!

I have taken the mag since issue 1, been a subscriber since issue 6, and registered on this board right at the very beginning. Bob was of invaluable help to me when I first invested in a DC10+, and had major problems due to Pinnacles poor drivers. He even got me a contact with Pinnacle's then UK sales director and shortly after I was upgraded to DC30+ and Premiere. Without his help my interest in video editing may well have been stillborn.

Many thanks for everything Bob & team.
Keith

Can I too add my heartfelt thanks to Bob & Lisa for all they have done for this site and for video editing. All the very best for the future. As so many have said - you will truly be greatly missed.

Regarding (C)VE not being a mainstream mag; Nor is Computer Arts. I believe that's also around the 6 quid mark. No idea how the 2 compare for issues sold, but they're in a similar niche market. Maybe even more so with the growth of NLE. How do they survive? :confused:

I may of missed something (quite possible as I've a lot of catching up to do), but I can't find any reference to the exact reason this magazine is folding (no punn intended). I realise that Bob had mentioned a while ago that the reason behind the recent format changes and adding a cover disk was to try and keep WHS happy.. did they pull the rug from under your feet Bob ?

The reason I ask was that if it was the publishers choice to close it down, then why now after a major revamp of the magaizine. I mean why go to all that trouble and additional cost only to shut it down a couple of months later.. don't make sence.

Bob, have you thought about publishing it yourself. It is such a waste to let all your combined tallent and expertise at producing a well respected publication go down th drain

(appologies for asking blunt questions)

Maybe whoever produces 'DV made easy' (Future?) would like to get some REAL NLE people on board?

Bob

Sad news indeed, many thanks for your hard work and integrity which has guided many of us through the world of video editing.

Good luck to you and your team.

Ian

Although I have only had a few copies of the mag, I can see how it will be missed. I am a great believer in learning from the experts who write these sort of magazines (computer music for example), with you and others I would know far less and get far less enjoyment out of hobbies such as video making.
I only hope that this forum continues as it has been priceless to me and the advice given has been by far the most useful I have received (if it was up to PC world and the like I would still be clueless!), I hope you can continue to deloiver your advice to all who need it.

Like everyone else I am deeply sad. I've been buying Computer Video since March 2000 and it is the only regular magazine I have ever bought! If the reviews could live on in form of an internet subscription I would happily pay for them, as will many others I'm sure. Now that digital video is so affordable to the public, surely there is a bigger market than ever for the magazine. I simply am at a loss. I wish Bob and his team the very best in the future in whatever you choose to do and wish to thankyou for all your help these last few years.

I would not have made my videos,one of which was broadcast on Meridan TV and my 16mm film which was screened at a film festival if it had not been for your magazine. Your work was a sourse of information and stood alone when it came to explaining the new technology.

Thanks a lot , you made a difference

This was my favourite megazine by a long way, sad news.

Like many others I've found CV to be an invaluable resource for reasons of journalistic integrity, committment and information. When I got my first system it came with MSP 5.2 just when a tutorial series was starting and I spent the next few weeks with the mag on my desk as I got engaged with NLE.

Whatever project comes out of this to serve the video making community I will support it with what's left of my sub, and Bob, if you start anything else up in this area I want to hear about it, add my email to your list if you have one.

An online resource with members area by subscription sounds like a good idea, I would encourage everybody involved to think creatively about where we can go from here.

There is a terrific network of writers, contributers and a great online community, I hope something develops out of this.

Best Wishes to everybody involved

Mike

Bob,
What a shock. I am very sorry this action has been taken and really hope that a solution can be found to enable you to continue your activities in this field.

Your good advice through the pages of the magazine and the patient & informed answers to my beginner´s questions a few years ago kept me going. Otherwise I might have given up in the face of the problems big and small we have all had to deal with in pursuit of this our hobby and/or job.

All good wishes for your future activities - you deserve better than this result, and I hope it comes your way. Surely there is scope for combining CV with another closely related publication?
JIMP

Sad news, especially for all those involved in producing the magazine.

I'm sure that this was less of a shock to them than to the rest of us; the writing must have been on the wall for quite a while.

Let's hope they all get fixed up with something they can feel equally enthusiastic about!

Sorry to hear about the news - I hope Bob, Lisa and the rest of the team soon find something else worthy of their talents.

That said, I'd already decided not to buy CV regularly after the recent rise in the cover price (presumably mostly to pay for the DVD) and I suspect I wasn't the only one....

In response to the suggestions for an online subscription journal - I'd certainly be interested in this.

Tony

This seems to me like another disaster brought about by the W.H.SMITH reading room.If people were stopped from "browsing" and made to actually buy the magazines possibly we would not be seeing the demise of actual magazines that people purchase.I gave up standing in the pack of browsers and fighting to get a copy of my favourite magazines at Smiths a long time ago and it is their loss as I take my custom to a local newsagent now ( they should have a second hand stall to put all the used magazines on at reduced rates),then the whole store would be taken up with these "used"stands, because that what you purchase from Smith's best part of the time a magazine that has already been used by someone else. ,anybody else been in the same boat and feel the same .Maybe if we took our custom back to Local newsagents then once the High Street reading Libraries would erealise and do something about it. I sincerely hope that this forum continues as it is a mine of information and if the magazine does fold then what?????????

To Bob and staff my sadness might surprise you but I have devoured , learnt, taught and generally embraced your publication and forums since the add on days. Cream always rises so you will too. Thank you to the various Doctors for their unknown contribution to this community. I was just getting over the fact of 3 more years of John Howard and now this sends me back to depression. Thank you for all the information and entertainment.
A not very cheery jenny

Very sad news indeed.

CV gave me the confidence to explore this arena and pull my PC apart all those years ago. I wouldn't be so good at my job if it wasn't for CV and this forum.

Bob and crew, I got to meet a lot of you at last years Video Forum. I will hopefully see you all there in 2005 too. I wish you all the best of luck and thank you so much for the best magazine on the shelves. There will be a gapping hole that no doubt some other publisher will try too fill..... unsuccessfully probably.

Is there no chance of putting CV magazine online and have it supported by ads, banners etc etc.

I am sure that a lot of us on the forum would be more than happy to contribute.

I have just re-newed the subscription for my place of work and would be more than happy to have that money given to the DVDoctor Forum of used to research the possibility of an online mag.

I really do think that what your team produced is amazing. How many many other publications can say that they have a friendly online community that offers expert help to all at no cost. The amount of people CV and this forum has helped and educated over the years must count for something.

Many thanks again and all the best to you all.

Tilski

I just received my renewal notice and re-subscribed right away so what do I do now I wonder?

Sorry about this to all concerned. Pete

I'd like to echo all that's been said already and send my best wishes to Bob and the CV team for the future,

I have bought every edition since no1 and I read this board every day.

As a bit of a techno geek I well remember my excitement on certain months looking forward to news and reviews of up and coming products and the promise of the way they could enhance my working life. Never though was there any doubt in my mind that the info and fine detail with which they were tested and reviewed was not to be totally believed such was the honest and thorough nature of the mags content.

In an industry that can be full of hype there are no other publications that can be trusted to give a complete truthfull account of a product including the bad points. So many mags give glowing reviews of almost everything and you have no basis on which to truly judge a product before purchase, not so with CV.

CV has taken us right through the DV era and out the other side, a time that has seen considerable merging of professional and consumer technologies, I for one feel a sad loss at this news, I don't buy any other 'video' publication, there is no comparison.

I have often wanted to post more regularly on this board but time and work pressures have prevented that but I would just like to say to Bob that you have a loyal following from across the spectrum of individuals involved in video production and I for one would certainly stick my hand in my pocket and purchase a publication that you were involved in if it embraced the ethos of CV.

Good luck in the future and if your at video forum I will certainly thank you in person for an outstanding job for so long

Best Wishes

Bomber H

Sad news indeed.
I bought my first machine capable of video editing back in 2000 and, armed with some cv articles on making vcds, svcds and dvd's set about trying it for myself.
I had no computer knowledge whatsoever and cv mag and this forum taught me all I know.
I feel we are all one big familly and I hope at the very least the forums continue.
Thanks to you guys for all the help you have given me,especially Bob who has taken the trouble many times to help personally.

Ray Maher.

PS I am on my second box of tissues.

Very sad and suprising news. I became aware of the Mag back in 1997 whilst I was living in Sweden and got my mother in Law to send it over to me. This was back in the days when DVD for ethusiasts was just a dream, Digital Video was just starting and Computer Video Mag explained it all. I will miss it. A Sad Sad day. Good luck Bob for the future. isn't it amazing how many closures there are just before Christmas

cheers

Steve Allen

oh dear... :( i haven't been on the forum for a few days and did wonder what the reshuffle on the main page was about...

This is a real shame, and a deffinite loss to the industry as a whole. I've never read another magazine with quite the same honesty as CV which was what attracted me to the mag in the first place. It's a feature of the mag that the readers and hopefully even the manufacturers came to appreciate. I shall miss the work of Bob, Lisa, Mr Wells and everyone else who's contributed to CV.

On a slightly happier note, it's great to hear that the DVDoctor team will be stepping in to fill the void left by CV, even further increasing the support they've given this forum and CV over the years. I think the part i would miss the most would be John's DVDoctor collumn but hopefully John will continue to air his views via the net.

Bob, i assume you'll still be frequenting these parts as ever...?

mark.

Hi Bob,

I'm really sorry this has happened. I'm new to this game (14 months) but I can thank your magazine for helping me make decisions when it came to buying equipment to start up. It's gonna be sadly missed.

Best wishes to you and all at CV.

Paul H

Just to add my sincere sympathy - I'm very sad indeed at this news. I too have bought every edition since launch and will miss it enormously. It has guided many hardware and software purchases and keeps you feeling that you're up to date without a lot of other research on the web etc. Very best wishes to Bob and all the staff. I agree with Neil - don't just walk away. You have talent and knowledge, things so much in demand these days. I very much hope to see CVE Phoenix on sale soon!

Very disappointed.

No other magazine has the same accessibility to serious newcomers, detail, prosaic honesty and therefore reliability

I need an alternative and don't know where to look

Very sorry to hear the news Bob

Steve

AM I THE ONLY ONE GLAD THE MAGS DISAPPEARING?
At last I'll be able to do all those things that should have been done ages ago ...(gardening, washing up, ironing, hoovering, dusting, take the dog out). It's about time we all got our priorities right!
There's too much time wasted reading this magazine and the time spent going through the DVD is unbelievable!

OH NO! I was half way through this complaint and what happened, the postman came with my Comp Vid. Mag., so I'll have to finish now. That's my week-end gone. I suppose I can always leave the washing, ironing.... until next week, but then there's the DVD to go through. I've explored the idea of a turkey leg in left hand and mouse in right hand and it works.
There was lots more I was going to complain about but I'll have to leave it until I've read the mag!

Best wishes for the Festive Season. Humbug!!

Peter

Bob,Hugo,Liza and all at CV
Myself & my friends are really SHOCKED at this.
WHY?WHY?
We are going to miss this magazine.
It had the best reviews, articles ,tutorials etc.
Even colleges do not give out so much info to their students.
Bob and all of you we do hope that while staying on with Highbury you can but improve the 'not so 'impressive reviews ,advice,articles etc in other Highbury magazines.
Most important please try your best to keep the Dv Doctor forum alive.
We think from now on we will have to rely on the forum to keep us informed.
Jaswant :( :confused:

PP
You are !!!!!
The very reason you are still reading the magazine indicates that you are going to miss it .
So just keep your views to yourself. :mad:

Jaswant,

Thanks for leaping to the defence, but I kind of think he's being ironic.

So can you two kiss and make up?

Cheers

Bob C

Bob
As always You are just too kind.
But I and I suppose 99.99% of CV readers do not support views the way PP has posted here.
It is 'Ironical' that PP still reads CV and also checks out the DVD as well !! If he does not like CV why bother to even buy it or subscribe to it?
I think those 99.99% CV readers will support me on my views.
These 3 pages so far shows ALL support You & CV.
Lets wait & see what others have to say about this as time passes . :rolleyes:
And Bob, please you and your team try your level best to keep the DV Doctor forum alive. :cool:

Hi Bob and dvdoctor forum members

Just had my Feb05 magazine with the note about its premature demise.

I apologise in advance if cover what other shave said above but this is a very long thread.

I believe there is niche for more specialised publications such as cVE and bearing in mind how long it has been going what on earth happened with the 'business model' that triggered such drastic action? :confused: All media publications undergo revamps etc over time and as mentioned above the signs of developing maturity were there. It is not always best to bury the more specialised information in a 'related title'.

However, the die is cast. But what about us subscribers. The note says that if I take now action I will get the first issue of Camcorder User on March 10th onwards, that is 3 months away. So, how does that affect the value of my outstanding subs i.e. missed months and final month (can not recall when it would be up for renewal?) when due.

On that note is Camcorder User worth taking?????

:(

Camcorder User is most certainly worth taking, the editor Robert Hull is a most knowledgeable man and he is absolutely enthusiastic about video production and filmmaking at all levels.

In my opinion, Camcorder User has gone from strength to strength since Robert has been the editor.

Also Highbury Entertainment are adding 30 pages dedicated to video editing on the Mac and PC and are re-vamping the magazine as well as renaming it.

Also in store is a cover mounted CDROM or DVD, this information will probably be announced at the Video Forum show in Jan.

I wouldn't worry about the offer from Highbury for subscribers to take Camcorder User, it is a decent mag and come March it will be even more appealing for CV readers.

Jaswant,

Honestly, I think he was joking.

I certainly took no offence at all, and I don't think you should either.

Really.

I mean it.

;)

Cheers

Bob

Well, I think that if PP wants to read a magazine that he doesn't like, or is embarrassed to admit to liking, that’s fine.

But, I do think that he should have had the courtesy to start his own thread, rather then try to hijack this one.

And then we could have got a view on the overall balance of opinions.

Dave

Ok Bob
Point taken.
But let us know the situation regarding
the DV Doctor forum

Oh Dear,

I wondered if anyone had a sense of humour similar to mine, obviously not, so I appologise if I've upset anyone. Jaswant, if you read the thread carefully, you will see that I had my tongue in cheek with my comments. What would you like to do, read the magazine or do the washing etc.... The point I was trying to make was that I subscibe to the best magazine I have read regarding NLE and that is obvious from all the suportive threads written by many people.
What I don't understand is that if the Feb. issue is to be the last one, why are the contents of the March issue advertised?
PP

PP wrote:
"What I don't understand is that if the Feb. issue is to be the last one, why are the contents of the March issue advertised?"

It would appear from Bob's Opening scream column in the Jan issue that the editorial staff at CVE had no inclination as to what the powers that be in Highbury had up their sleeve. Editorial deadlines are met some time before the magazine lands through your letterbox. For the cost of altering the content (when the mag is closing anyway) there would seem little point to the management in spending good money after bad. I haven't seen the Feb issue yet, but I bet there's a subsciption offer within the mag too. Has the Feb opening scream been changed to reflect the dreadful news?

Cos I wasn't informed of the decision to close until the day after we'd finished the Feb issue.

Bob C

As you have all said, what a shock on opening the Mag. I still subscribe although I edit very little nowadays with a change of career (forced upon me) and don't even visit the boards much anymore.

It has always been a good read and I will miss it. All the best to you all for the future.

PP, don't fret so, I nearly peed my pants! Jaswant, please cool down. Are you American? I only ask because Americans don't seem to 'get' ironic humour. (& yes I have quite a few American friends ;) ) I think it's a peculiarly British thing. Maybe English, when you look at our football team! :D
(Sorry, I was forgetting the Scotland football team) Flame proof suite now on.

I tend to count to 30 when i see a post that makes me see red ...... otherwise there would have been a few recently where i would have gone balistic.

so think how bad some of my responses could be !!!!!!!!

I think i understood the post above which others saw red at , because thats my 'humour' making a blatantly diametrically opposite statement to the way i really feel

i.e. " do you mind doing this overtime for nothing "
" of course i don't "

usually lost on my managers .......

p.s. I try to forget the scottish football team too.

PP
Sorry I misunderstood..
But I got a bit carried away in the heat of the moment as I have been reading CV almost through the time it first started..so I could not bear to see negative comments. Plus I read your first post while I was still in shock just reading the note about CV's future as I opened the newly delivered CV package.
CV has helped us all a lot and we all have learned a lot from it.
But I think I will have to learn about 'Tongue in Cheek'British humour.
Arthur P
Thanks for clearing the confusion..well I am British...A British Asian.
And I am cool now.
;)

As Burke from Trapdoor would say (in Willy Rushton's voice of course),

"I likes a happy ending, I do"

;)

Bob C

Mind you, let's hope there's one for me, too!

:-(

Hi,
Just joined as I had to say how sad I am that such a great magazine is stopping.
When all other computer mags just mention the same stuff over and over again it was great to find one (never had a problem in WHS) that was so much better. Over the years (bought from No1) it has been a great help to me.

I have just come back from serving in the gulf as a reserve soilder and how have the money to build a half decent system.

It is such a shame that I will not be able to read the mag as well as I tried the things I only dreamed about.

God Bless
Rob

I too have been a regular reader since the days of inserts in CUser. I've certainly learnt a lot from CV and read anad reread each issue several times. It has given me help and ideas to use in my high school media studies practical work.
Of course there are more reviews about equipment and software than I would ever use, but reading the articles has expanded my knowledge and often helped with queries I did have about my own equipment and software.
Yes I have purchased items for myself or school after reading CV reviews.

Thanks Bob, Lisa and other staff for your efforts and time which you have put into the magazine and also to this forum. And thanks for the openness of your comments and replies in the forum. I have always found that a reassuring feature.

My only joy is that being several months behind here in New Zealand, the last copy is still some time away. We have yet to get an issue with a cover disc.
Yes I agree that Video Editing made Easy isn't anywhere near the same standard - not even the Australian edition we seem to be getting here now. Cann't find anything else on the shelves - not even from USA- which matches CV.

So thanks again Bob - I'll treasure the issues that I have on file, even though by the nature of things, they will become out of date quickly.
I still enjoy re-reading through them.
Best wishes
Gordon

I would like to add here the text of my personal email to Bob (to which, of course, he has already replied at some ungodly hour of the night):-
I just received the February 2005 edition of the magazine together with a letter from the publishers advising that this is the last one. Ugh!

Firstly, let me say that there must be a lot of people out there who will see this as a disaster (quite apart from you and your staff) but who would like to thank you for the way you have educated us "normal human beings" in the ways of video editing over the years. I am no expert but I have certainly learnt an enormous amount by reading your wise words.

It is quite a coincidence that your Opening Scream for this last edition should castigate Pinnacle. For a period of about 18 months, I tried to understand why my DV500+ card and various bits of Pinnacle software kept causing my PC to crash or other applications to fail. Following an exchange of emails with yourself and checking the Video Doctor forums, I realised that I was far from alone and that it was not I who was doing things wrong. Eventually, Pinnacle Support decided I had the wrong chipset .... although my chipset was one of those they recommended! They just would not admit that it was their software which was causing the problems.

I made the decision to cut my considerable losses (I must have spent well over £1,000 on their stuff) and to go over to Ulead products after reading one of your reviews. What good luck that was ... everything from Ulead works perfectly and I am now producing some good looking DVDs for my family and friends to enjoy. I have started capturing all my old analogue camera footage (some of which is losing its colour on old VHS tapes) so that it can be seen by my several grandchildren in due course. Of course, the next thing will be to get some double layer DVDs going to get more than one hour's video on a disk .... but that, as they say, is for the future. When one is retired, it takes a while to afford these things.

Anyway, I am not sure I want to subscribe to Camcorder User which I used to receive before Video Editing came along. Are you going to be involved in the "new video editing section" of that magazine?

I am sure that a man of your obvious talents will be kept busy elsewhere before too long. Having been made redundant about four times in my business career, I can tell you that there is usually something better around the corner ... it's just a question of finding it!

Try to have a good Christmas despite everything and good luck for the future.

David Cresswell

A sad loss.

Thank you Bob & Co for your hard work and valuable contribution to my knowledge and enjoyment.

Another specialist interest of mine is supported by a web site to which I subscribe. Some of the content is visible for free, but to get the full content and access to downloads you need to be a subscriber.

Is there any interest in a subscription based web version of (c)VE? Would DVDoctor be able to do more, by, for instance, having some full time staff, if subscriptions were introduced?

It wouldn't be the same as having (c)VE in print but it could be good if well supported, and it wouldn't have the overheads and lead time of a printed mag.

Just a thought.

Hope to be seeing you back in action soon Bob C!

I have bought the magzine from the very beginning and have subscribed for the last three years. I never missed a copy (except the one that was never sent as a result of some warehouse accident). I subscribed because even though we have a large WHS near us, the magazine never seemed to be in the same place from month to month. It seems incredible that with the increase in PC capability and the increasing wealth of video products available that the publishers should pull the plug. It is obvious that the decision was made at short notice as a "subscribe" link is still being shown on the front page.

The "Bob" magazine will be sorely missed, let's hope that a dvdoctor in some incarnation can take its place although I thibk the day is still someway off that you can browse a website in the bath, on a train, a bus, on the loo or in bed in a convenient way. With a printed magazine, you can go from cover to cover and know you have not missed anything - with websites/forums it is far easier to miss things. All the best to Bob and the team - maybe the title can be sold to a more sympathetic and forward-looking publisher and that Bob and team can continue their excellent un-biased and real-world reviews and critique.

Very sad news. I do hope that somewhere the honest reviews and comments will live on. Perhaps the editing section of Camcorder User will take over this invaluable roll, in the same trusty hands.

John

good point - and one i've not consciously considered before... we'll do our best to cover this.

cheers,

PD

I don't believe this. I have just renewed my subscription to this fantastic magazine.

I am in shock. I can't speak anymore.

Robert.

After having to pack the PC's away due to some major renovation work I too am a little shocked at this unwelcome news.
I have gone from the hobbyist to a fulltime video and DVD editor and the thanks is all down to the fact that I have always had something to refer to - the latest mag or a quick search on these forums.
Thanks for all your hard work and I hope your new year brings good news.

Bob

This is the most ridiculous decision I've hear in a long time. The magazine has improved continuously over the years (something that can't be said of many publications - most of which gradually drift down to the lowest common denominator, pandering to their advertisers). This could never have been said about CV - when software was crap (like Pinnacle) they said it straight out and when it was good they said that too. I can only assume that you have been killed off by the greedy bean counters who run so much of British industry - looking only to the short term share price rather than to long term quality. It would seem that Highbury is like so many companies - they have excellent, dedicated staff who are led into the abyss by greedy incompetent management (like the Post Office, BA to name two others). Even the idea of killing the publication a couple of weeks before Christmas shows their total lack of respect for their staff. Why can't Britich managements realise that their happy staff are not only their most valuable asset, they are their only real asset.

Once again Bob, thanks for all your hard work over the years, for your personal repoies to my (and I'm sure hunderds of others') emails and for your (and your team's) unstinting efforet on our behalf. I hope you find alternative employment that you can enjoy as much as you obviuosly did CV.

I have to say I am tempted to say that CV readers should completely boycott all Hoighbury publications in protest - but I would hate to make your employment prospects worse, especially at this festive season.

Thanks again Bob

Just out of interest, What'll happen to the multi-part series like Audio Editing? (2/4 by Feb 05)

Are they already written and ready to co in the other mag, or would they be put on line?

I'm still up for a subscription web mag.

dave M

I've just rejoined this forum to add my 'condolences'. This was an excellent magazine, and gave me what others didn't. It didn't treat me as a noddy beginner, it helped move me forward. Its a great loss, and I thank Bob & Lisa and all at CV for their efforts over the years. I looked forward to receiving my magazine through the door each month.
I wish you all well in whichever way you go.
Its a sad loss.

Take a sideways move a few minutes.and think about how destructive as well as creative the internet can be. Destructive because there are countless scams going on out there , I don`t need to list, you all already know. A considerable destructive aspect I think, is that we are being led to believe that the internet is the only means of communication for the future. In due time we will not read a book or publication as we know it.But a download onto a mobile gadget. To get the info you want you may well have to navigate your way past countless pop ups and sidetracks or whatever clever new way of interference in your quest comes along.At least all you need is daylight to read a publication which is why I mourn the demise of our specialist mag. Unfortunately unbiased reviews and opinions costs money and is subsidised only by advertisement.In time , independence will be starved at the expense of those who want total control.M$ is a good example.

Hi
I would just like to add my comiserations regarding the end of CV. Another great magazine bites the dust with no real alternative on the horizon, not in the UK anyway.
For those few (?) readers adept in German I can recommend the German equivalent (though not connected) magazine by the name of "Computer Video" (surprise!). Their website with further details is at http://www.computervideo.de/

The magazine has six issues per year giving busy folk like me that bit more time to read and digest. A very good magazine all in all, but not a replacement for CV (UK).

Thanks to all at "CV HQ" for all the good work they have put in over the years (I have been following it right from issue 1).

Any news on having an online (subscription) magazine to follow CV ? Surely that would pay the editors' wages without having to spend oodles of money on the publishing end of things ? (Though personally I prefer a bit of paper in my hand, this seems like a much better alternative to a complete closure of this excellent source of information and discussion.)

All the best to ex-editors and ex-readers of CV. Let's hope that something will follow in due course in the New Year.
Jojo Neff

I'm sure Bob and the team don't need me to point it out, but those who worry about not being able to 'hold' online publications: anything published in .pdf format (for example), would be easy to read on computer monitor or to print out, for those who prefer hardcopy...

I came up with an idea to help DVdoctor raise funds so that it's not beholden to anyone when it's setting up its web site.

I put the idea to Paul D, who thought it might be a good one, but we both think we should ask people here first.

The idea is for a separate forum called something like, "DVdoctor's upside down auction"

What's different about this selling forum is that the stuff that's sold HAS to sell for more than the reserve price. And all funds would go to help pay for the setting up of the revamped site.

I'm happy to put up some goodies and was thinking of offering:

* A TomTom Go in-car satnav system that I bought a couple of weeks ago for my wife to use (she's having to drive all around London doing supply teaching) but she doesn't get on with it. Stupid of me really to have thought otherwise, I suppose. :(

* 10 copies of the last issue of CV that I'll get signed by all the key staff members and contributors.

* A considerable amount of software, hardware and books that we've had in for review (of different vintages).

Naturally, the idea is for others to sell their own stuff and for the money to go to DVdoc.

What do people think?

Is this sensible or plain silly?

Bob C

That's not just a sensible idea, it's also a very good one Bob. I've got a few bits and pieces you can have too just to get it off the ground.

will see what i can find ..............

i'll bid on one of the mag's with signatures.

Dv Doctor's upside down Auction forum !!!
A very good idea but please choose an attractive name for it..let's all give feedback on an appropriate name.
also Bob, to get more support on this please start a New thread on this as I nearly missed reading about this as this topic is mentioned by you in this section.
Plus when you start the new thread explain in detail on how the 'Auction' will be set up and for what purpose.
I am sure lots of us have good hardware to sell off to gather funds for this project. ;)

Bob et al.
I'm sorry to hear the demise of the Mag,
I truly hope you find an outlet for your unsurpassed talent and wealth of knowledge.

Best wishes for the future.

-Kenny.

Hi Bob,
Just returned from holiday to hear of demise of magazine. So sorry. I have subscribed from the beginning and it will, like others who have posted here, seem like losing a friend.

I have not always agreed with you or the direction the mag has taken (in particular the last incarnation) but I always respected, read with interest and learned from you and your team. Many thanks for all the hard work over the year, and good luck.

Barry Joyce

Well, there I was today in the queue at the newsagents. Looked over at the mag shelf...and there it was. The very last edition of (C)VE mag.
Yup, still in amongst the computer mags Bob! Walking over, there seemed something quite poignant that I was buying it for the last time on Christmas eve :( Picked it up...then put it down as if it'd burnt my hand! F***k those bl***y gooners!! were my thoughts. Why put money into there bl***y pockets? But then of course, I remembered all the hard work that'd gone into producing the mag. And of course bought it. I've devoured it already, & I'd say it's one of the best (in a long line) of CV mags.
So merry Christmas Bob & co. I'll be keeping an eye out for your future ventures. And thanks for the enlightenment over the years.

All the best

Arthur. (who's now off to get very drunk!! :D )

Devastated!

I stumbled across my fist copy of computer video yonks ago by accident when I went to the post office - I could not beleive my luck!!

Whoopee a mag that actually had what I was looking for!

Well I am gonna ask for a refund - as there is nothing that will touch it.

HIGHBURY ARE A BUNCH OF MORONS !! They could have atleast waited for the Video Forum Exhibition in London to host a stand and promote the mag and get the readership up!

Well they have voted with their chequebooks and I am going to Vote with my feet!!

Hope they all rot in hell having to listen to a Des OConnor record and having to use pinnacle software forever...

Yes to all the ideas to create a web based mag.
No idea what the current subscription base is but would it x the current subscription price support such an idea. I hope so. Much encouraged by Bob's Christmas message.

Know where you're coming from on this one, The Pinnacle sentence might be a little harsh tho ...

Very surprised and shocked.

Thank you for giving us all a high quality magazine and so sorry to hear it is to close.

I am devastated - there was nothing in the UK or the USA that ever came near to this unique publication. I would like to know/understand why it came to this? Is it purely a financial decision?
That having been said, I'm afraid the so-called revamp was a catastrophic disaster - too expensive, and the content too soft - often lagging in reviews where it once was in the vanguard - but latterly ended up in the guard's van.
What about a reader's BUYOUT - if it works for miners, why not for videographers?

I feel quite sad now.

I let my subscription lapse once I had made my choice (Pinnacle Studio Deluxe) 18 months ago or so.

I happened into the WH Smiths whilst Christmas Shopping recently and saw your mag again and bought it right away. I was really impressed with it and the DVD (esp. Ulead Cool 3d which is addictive!). I read the reviews with great interest and thought about re-subscribing - but it's obviously too little, too late from me.

I hope everything works out for you Bob, your mag has been inspirational.

As for this site, I've learned my lesson and I for one would be prepared to commit to paying a monthly fee to keep it going. What do folks think about a monthly subscription for this?

Best Wishes for the future.

:(

I've been on holiday in Goa for Christmas and I come back to this....

Bob, I wish you much luck and fortune in whatever direction the road takes you next, but I'm sure it is not the last we will hear of you.

Its like a little piece of the monthly routine has been taken away.

Anyway, web-based magazine sounds fantabulous. If you need any pointers for a web-based e-zine in the UK, get in touch with Pete over at www.ephotozine.co.uk He's been running a very popular emag/forums/community etc for some time and might be able to give you some good advice for this quirky UK market.

Thanks for all the unbelievably hard work over the years. Gutted....but the good times 'will' roll on

Tim

Bob,
Thanks for everything. Very useful magazine and whenever I've asked a question there has been a useful and pretty comprehensive answer. Rather unique in this day and age.

I did subscribe once but I must admit that I didn't buy every month but would flick through and purchase if there as an interesting article or series (but this was most months). I wonder how many other readers were like this and whether the magazine would succeed better as a quarterly or bimonthly?

Best wishes,

Francis Bunker

Hi
Was there any wave damage to the beach areas on Boxing Day?

Paul,

I wasn't there (Boxing day that is), but I spoke to someone who was, and they said that there was a couple of mad swells and waves, which they gathered were a result of crazy waves at sea, but no damage at all.

Heard similar stories further south also in Kerela.

Tim

Tim,

Good to see you about the place again!

Also good to know that you weren't affected by the horrible stuff while on holiday.

You have PM - but since I'm not sure whether your registered email is still current, it's possible you won't receive an email telling you of its arrival.

Bob C

Bob,

I am very sorry to hear of the demise of the mag and hope you and Lisa are able to move on with out too much pain. I bought my system from DVC in Dec 2001 having never used anything like it before. Although DVC were helpfull you don't like to ask too many questions or repeat queeries for questions to which you have already been given an answer. Back then I subscribed to the mag hardly understanding a word but I persevered and it became a window out of the isolation which I will really miss. I would support a subscription if that`s what it takes to keep DVDoctor alive. Once again all the very best to you and Lisa.

Regards

Robert (REDROC)

Bob,
Firstly I must add my commiserations to you and your team. I was deeply shocked to hear of the demise of such a terrific magazine (and reference guide).I am newcomer to the forum but have subscribed to CV since its inception.

Your dedication to the 'craft' was certainly obvious with your rapid advice and response to me regarding 'Pinnacle' products and I was pleased to see our 'correspondence in what is now the final issue. Others please be warned of sleepless nights trying to fathom the unfathomable -but that's another story.

Would it not be possible to rekindle CV fully on the back of Camcorder User (as already indicated by you)or another established video mag?

The publisher already has an indication of subsciber numbers and must surely read this forum as to indicate what a loss is felt by its readers.

Costs would therefore be halved and subscribers increased??

Financing some form of web bases mag appears OK but I don't think it will have the same impact.

CV is not not yet dead God save the cause

Kind Regards

Jon Margolis

Dear Mr Crabtree,

I had problem with getting registered your Ulead programs on the DVD and contacted your magazine. Great was my horror to learn that the magazine itself has been dropped. That´s just a catastrophe. I wasn´t totally pleased with the "big change" but still it´s (was!!) a marvellous publication.
Will I ever be able to register the Ulead stuff (seems like a minimal matter now.)
Happy New Year sounds like irony, but what to say??
Sad greetings from a big fan in Sweden.

Bob,

I am just coming back to video production after a lay off and the first thing I thought of doing was to check out the CV board. I am gutted that all your hard work has been rewarded in this way. Reminds me of a saying I heard many years ago and which I have never forgotted: "He who works hard and does his best, goes down the road like the ******* rest"

May I thank you Bob for all the excellent help and advice you have given me over the years. It was good to meet you at the Video Forum a couple of years ago and I wish you all the very best for the future.

Best regards,

Paolo

I have to admit, Computer Video mag. was rare Down Under but when I could find it, I bought it. It's a shame there'll be no more :-(

Hal,

This is the link, and it was working two minutes ago (I went ALL the way through the procedure, right up to being sent an email and getting a serial number on the link referred to in that email):
www.ulead.co.uk/events/cve/msp65

I suspect that you might have copied in the ** characters that someone included at the end of the address in the readme file.

Shout if this doesn't help.

As for the mag and my own situation, hopefully something better will arise from the ashes of CV.

Cheers

Bob C

Dear Bob,
On the Net as on paper you do a great job.
And you are right about those **s too!
Again thanks and I´ll be waiting and watching for the rise of the computer editing Phoenix bird!
Very best regards from Sweden, where there actually always were plenty offers of the CV in the three Interpress shops in my town (and fairly quickly disappearing as the month went by).
So I am certainly not alone in my mis(s)ery!

Dear Bob

Also sorry to hear of this development.

I'm from Finland and I have not seen your CV magazine. I have not seen it in the Finnish news stands.

However, there is one other magazine from Highbury available and that is: Digital Video made easy. It arrives with the DVD in the every issue. I have been bying that one. It is like a training or education magazine.

I'm happy to see, that this great web-site is still going on.

I hope, all will sort well for you.

Best Regards Lauri

Mr. Lauri Hirvonen
President of the Finnish Amateur Film- and Videomoviemaker Association.
Also the Board member of the UNICA, the International Film- and Videomoviemaker Union.
www.unica.to

Lauri,

Digital Video Made Easy was closed the same time as Computer Video.

The only remaining Highbury titles in this sector are the two camcorder mags.

Bob C

Hello Bob

This Highbury seem to have many magazines and fast actions. What are these 2 remaining Camcord magazines? I have seen the Camcorder User (subtitle & DVD Movie Maker). Last issue I have is from 2003, then it was coming out every second month.

Then I have seen Digital Video World and Video Editing with you PC. Also Digital Camcorder Buyer.

From USA, I do like the DV (Digital Video DV).

Also from USA I have a magazine with name:
"Camcorder & Computer Video". This seems to be what is now happening in UK :) The publisher in USA is Miller Magazines Inc. (Their web-site is [url=http://www.CandCV.com)]www.CandCV.com)[/url]

What are the other UK magazines still available? I have some copies of What Camcorder, but to me it is just a catalog, not a magazine.

Br. Lauri

Dear Bob C.
My heroe for many years. The finest of the finests man in this country. Bought the first CV mag. from the 9/1997 and suscribed from that to today. CV & DV (in states) are only two mag. I read every month. For me Bob is a heroe who can stand up to the bully from the big finacial guns
(commercial sharks). It a big lost to me, I was only known just come back to the DV doctor site today.
I will salute You as Winner on the video forum
this month.
Of course I will follow You anywhere and support
the next titles if I know you are in.
AVA-UK
Tominh

Tominh,

You are clearly a person with fine judgement of people and magazines!

;)

I look forward HUGELY to having my ego boosted even more than usual at the show, and of talking to you and everyone else about what I up to (and about video editing and authoring problems/ decisions, too, of course).

And there's only a little over two weeks until Video Forum kicks off.

Aaaaaaagh!!!!!!

So much to do!

Bob C

Hi Bob. I am sitting here looking at computer VIDEO EDITING (only just got a chance to look at the Frebuary issue) I thought THIS was going to be the last issue?

I see that there is no mention of this in your opening Scream, or should I say closing Scream?

Inside the mag it is still asking you to take out Subscriptions.

I see that it mentions what will be in the next issue?

Even if I have got it wrong about this being the last issue, why is it still asking people to subscribe?

So Bob, when is the last issue really going to be?

All the best, Ron.

"So Bob, when is the last issue really going to be?"

Sadly Ron, I think you'll find you already have the last issue. From what I can gather, whoever made the decision to pull the magazine made no effort to inform the editorial staff before the last issue had been signed off.

Rick.

Ron,

The very first posting in this thread (dated Thurs, Dec 9, the day after I heard the news) is by me, and says,

==============
Folks,

I had some bad news conveyed to me late on Wednesday afternoon.

Computer Video is to cease publishing from the February 05 issue - which we finished on Tuesday, and which goes on sale on Dec 23, 04.
=============
I thought that what I said was pretty clear but I guess you hadn't read it. So, just to make it clear, the powers that be only told me the day AFTER we'd finished the Feb 05 issue, so there is no way I could have put anything in there about the closure.

Truth is, though, looking back, I can see a few signs that now suggest to me that the decision had actually been taken earlier than the day on which I was told - perhaps a good bit earlier.

That's a supposition, not a fact, but if you want to know the answers to your questions, you need to ask the people who pulled the plug, not me - I don't even work for Highbury any longer.

And, on reflection, that is one of the pleasing things about the closure - I will be on the DVdoctor stand throughout VideoForum, so look forward to seeing you there.

Bob C

Yes Bob, I did read your first posting, but have not read everyone made since, so I had hoped, I had missed something. But sadly, no.

All the best and thanks for everything, Ron.

PS. I have had a very busy time recently mainly to do with being a Grandparent so have not had time to look at the Harddrive you sent back to me yet. Ron.

Bob,

I was away when this news broke but would like to add my thanks for your personal efforts in bringing on so many of us budding CV editors. I look forward to shaking your hand at Video Forum.

There are not too many folk who receive, or even deserve, the praise and appreciation recorded in this thread. I hope it goes some way to soften the blow. You must have been doing something right.

All the best,

Martin

Hell, I only registered to-day! and somebody has turned the light's off!
John W

[ 11.01.2005, 12:51 AM: Message edited by: PD DVdoctor ]

Would you believe it? Just getting back into(pretty basic) NLE only to find the fount of all knowledge is no longer around.The shock has made me forget the question I was going to ask of the experts on the forum. All the sentiments expressed so far I heartily endorse - it was encouraging words from BC that kept this PC illiterate going a couple of years ago.
My very best wishes to you Bob, and when I remember my question I'll visit the "doc" again.

Good luck, whatever you do I'm sure it'll be as good a job as your great work on CVE

Chris K

John,

Far from it!

Although one light has been turned off, another is being prepared.

When it's turned on, it will illuminate a much wider landscape and produce daylight out of darkness for massively more people.

Bob C

[ 11.01.2005, 12:51 AM: Message edited by: PD DVdoctor ]

Chris truth is I was never the fount of all knowledge, and nor was CV itself.

The mag did do a lot - though far less than I wanted - but, all things considered, I think it did a lot more than the resources might have reasonably allowed, and than anyone could have predicted if seeing the sum total of those resources.

What I will say, though, is that I think these forums have done a HUGE amount to help, inform and enthuse people.

John Ferrick and I were behind the setting up of these forums - and we'll both take any amount of backslapping that comes our way for doing that (and for still running the forums).

And, we did initially spent a lot of time trying to give sound advice here.

However, as I will NOT tire of saying, the people who have made this into the wonderful community it is are the REAL experts.

These are largely people who spend their working days USING the stuff and who have generously given of their time freely to inform, explain, entertain and - for many forum members - save the day and good deal of hair-pulling.

I'm delighted to be able to say (again) that these forums will continue - indeed they will be expanding and greatly widening their appeal.

I'm also very pleased to be able to say (yet again) that I am up to my elbows (neck, more like) in the process of creating an all-new DVdoctor web site that we believe will be a magnet for editors of video, makers of DVDs and users of camcorders - ranging from newbies to broadcast professionals.

So, while I mourn the passing of CV and am upset about the way that affected readers, contributors and other staff members, I do believe that what we are doing will produce a wonderful internet-based resource of which I can be no less proud than I am of CV and these forums – despite the shortcomings of both.

So, I look forward massively to seeing you and a huge number of others on the DVdoctor stand (No.152) at VideoForum.

Bob C

Martin B,

I'm planning to wear my thinking head to the show and hope that will ensure I remember to bring my best hand with me.

;)

Bob C

I'm gutted, i was just starting to read it and found it improved with the DVD with the tutorials.
To make matter's worse i only found out today when i rang to subscribe! And i cant find the FEB
issue!!!
Dont know what mag to get now?
i'm disapointed :(

dazza71,

Camcorder User will be having additional pages devoted to "Computer Video" stuff.

But you MUST keep an eye on these forums and www.dvdoctor.net to see how the all-new DVdoctor site develops - our deadline for showing the world what we are trying to set up is Jan 25.

The site will be a long way from completion then, but I hope it will be sufficiently far along the road for people to see where we are trying to get to.

Bob C

Hi,

Camcorder User made sense, I said this as soon as I saw the original closure announcement, and I’m so pleased this is the case and happy for everyone.

I hope Robert Hull (editor) and the new team get along OK, here's hopping anyway.

And more good news about the website, looks like 2005 is getting off to a great start.

Jim Bird.

Hi thanks i'll look out for that one,
does anyone have issues Nov(04), Dec (04)
and Feb (05) of video edit mag they want to sell??? There's no back issues left.
Thanks Darren.

bob said they will be dutch auctioning some of the last one with all/some staff signatures on them.

sorry , but i won't be getting rid of my copies for the forseeable future , too many people read them to allow me to give away.

maybe a nice email to bob might help you find out if they truly are out of copies !!!

Dazza - today Borders in Leicester had more than 30 Feb 05 copies.

The Feb 05 issues that I have are indeed to be auctioned.

I have 10 copies. These have already been signed by all the key staff members but await the signature of the key contributors who will be asked to sign these issues on the stand at VideoForum.

Then, then each of these key people will get a fully-signed copy.

There won't be many left over but I am hoping that, like me, these good people will add to the number by offering their copies for auction to raise money for the DVdoc website.

I'd appreciate receiving email from the contributors to the Feb 05 issue, letting me know whether they plan to keep their issues or let them go for auction, so I can give a better idea of how many there will be available.

Bob C

Bob,
Re my post of 11/1 and your reply. OK, "fount of all knowledge" was OTT but I assumed, mistakenly,that DV Doc. was about to expire as well. Your reassurances were most welcome.
It's stating the obvious but there must be many 'out there'who, like me, have come to NLE late in life with little or no computer skills who are immeasurably helped by the forum's contributors through the minefield that is video editing. More power to their (and your) collective elbow.
Best wishes, Chris K

Bob, I am very sad to hear this news (from the other side of the pond). There is no equal in Americas to what you and your team does. The world will not benefit from this loss. I hope to find a way to stay in contact with you going forward. In America, there are some mags like CV but with broader subject matters. Maybe you can ghost wirte for them? Think about Consumer Reports. CR is an independant non-advertizing mag that is very popular. It can be found in almost all the libraries in America. Maybe you can colum a video section? Also, there is Canopus that is always looking for talent on BBS and to provide them product guidance. Please do not let the BBS go down either. In fact - if you were out for funding I would kick in if the business strategy was right. Let us know.

Barry you have email.

But just for the record - the plan is for DVdoctor to have the world's best web site for video editing and all related matters.

Bob C

Bob likes to aim low. :D

Morris Minor!

Have you finished your homework?

Writing your VideoForum 2005 presentation on PCI Express?

If not, I suggest you get on with it and stop larfing around.

And it BETTER be perfect!

Mr Crabtree

B. Crabtree, CV staff and contributors:

Thank you for such marvelous information, education and effort. Priceless.

And best wishes for your next incarnation.

Win

A belated comment but thanks to you Bob for all your hard work both preparing the mag and the way that you have helped people on the forums (fora?)

I hope that you can keep up the good work in some other capacity. Keep us posted.

Alan,

The plan is to use these forums as a launch pad that will turn DVdoctor.net into the best video editing site on the web.

Look around and you'll see various posting from me about this.

But, you might like to read this first, which is from a handout at VideoForum 2005:
-------------
This will become THE site to visit for everyone interested in video production and disc authoring, from the greenest newcomers up to broadcast professionals.

Since DVdoctor launched in 1999, it’s only been a portal for Computer Video’s massively popular support forums but we’ve long dreamt of it being the best editing site on the net – and now that Bob Crabtree can bring his experience and editorial integrity to the web, that’s what we’re creating.

The forums are going from strength to strength, and the new-look DVdoctor site (www.DVdoctor.net) will clearly show how close our dream has got to reality.

We’re hosted by the UK's No.1 PC hardware site - www.HEXUS.net - and will take advantage of its 6M+ unique visitors, to massively grow interest in desktop video and DVD authoring.

Bob Crabtree
Paul Dutton
John Ferrick

DVdoctor, Inc. (www.DVdoctor.net)
===================

Personally I'm gutted as I had only recently discovered this magazine and it was great to get a one stop shop which covered practical tutorials, interviews with media professionals regarding the set ups they use AND, to top it off, a decent cover disk.

It was also (I found) rare to find that the Sony suite of software was covered in the magazine, which set it out from the competition for me. Most of the other magazines I've looked at are weighted towards Adobe or Avid stuff - so that made the magazine a real find for me.

Thanks to all those involved with the magazine for the 3 issues I did manage to purchase and hopefully you'll be given the chance to resurrect the magazine some time in the future.

I've not been doing any video work for the last 6 months so I only heard about this after Bobs DVDoctor mail today.

Back in 1999 I couldn't have got going in video editing without the help of CV magazine and these forums. Its really sad to hear about the magazines demise, but great to hear that Bobs expertise and professionalism is not going to be lost to the world. Good luck with the new website. Consider yourself bookmarked!

Mike B

Mike,

Thanks for the kind words.

Check out the DVdoctor front page at www.dvdoctor.net - you'll see it's starting to happen now.

Note, too, that these forums have changed greatly - the software we're using is much better for visitors, administators and for advertisers - and we've added new areas, most notably the "HDV and HD" forum, the .news forum for press releases, the .right2reply forum where people can comment about articles we publish.

We're hoping and expecting to add other new areas, including support forums dedicated to individual companies, and for which we'd get paid.

Bob