In general, broadcast quality frame-by-frame output averages $200 per hour. What leads to these high costs? Several things. When you hire an output service, you are essentially renting their equipment and personnel for that time period. Most people don’t realize that the equipment in these facilities is expensive and often exceeds $80,000. Until recently, most output was performed direct to tape with Betacam recorders. These machines are capable of outputting 250 frames per hour which is essentially the same as performing 250 edits, with pre and post roll for each edit. After a few months of use, the tape mechanism and heads wear out and have to be replaced. All of these factors contribute to high output costs.
 
At FreezeByte Graphics, we use a Pioneer Rewritable Laserdisc Recorder. This recorder records the signal in full component format onto a laser disc. Unlike a tape recorder, the Pioneer records a digital analog signal without any physical head contact or pre and post roll. The Pioneer can easily record 1500 frames per hour in frame-by-frame recording mode. Our rates are hourly, so you get almost 5 times as much output for your money.
We also use the Chromatek 9120 Scan Down Converter. In our opinion, the 9120 delivers the best signal conversion from a computer image to a video signal. The unit has built in flicker elimination, notch and comb filters, as well as image enhancing circuitry. The unit also has component output which is fed directly into the Pioneer recorder. After your work has been recorded on the laserdisc, it is transferred in real-time to your desired output format (Betacam SP, U-Matic SP, S-VHS, VHS).
