The Pro edition supports additional professional formats (including Pinnacle, Avid OMF, Final Cut pro), has enhanced search capabilities, and can work with an optional centralised relational database, whereas the Personal Edition provides a low cost single user version of the application.
Editors’ Review
Download.com staff
CatDV Pro offers video editors a powerful solution for logging and cataloging media. It automates the process with scene detection and creates searchable thumbnail catalogs.
Pros
Automates logging with scene detection.
Builds searchable thumbnail catalogs.
Supports unlimited user-defined comment fields.
Manages preview movies for offline files.
Exports batch files and EDLs for editing.
Cons
Description does not mention specific file format support.
No details provided on integration with specific NLEs.
I needed a method for organizing my pile of home videos and CatDV Pro turns out to be just what I needed. It takes time to log the tapes (about 75min to review a 60min tape) because I am listening to all the audio and am essentially transcribing the audio on some of the tapes.
CatDV provides captures a lot of data using the metadata that is part of the movie file. It also provides user defined fields and plenty of space for notes.
CatDV is the missing link between my pile of tapes and video editing software.
A huge timesaver!
Pros
Cons
Summary
I've been using CatDV a while and it's really helped me put some order in my tape library. AVI support could be improved (it uses QuickTime internally) but it's still an excellent tool on the PC.
A huge timesaver!
Pros
Cons
Summary
I've been using CatDV a while and it's really helped me put some order in my tape library. AVI support could be improved (it uses QuickTime internally) but it's still an excellent tool on the PC.
Obtain a clean and easy-to-use catalog of all your clips.
CatDV Pro is an essential logging and cataloging utility for video editors and everyone else who needs to manage a large number of media files. Video files are analyzed and automatic scene detection is applied to automate the logging process. A thumbnail catalog is built up of all your clips, including an unlimited number of user-defined comment fields that you can search on to quickly find clips of interest. CatDV will also create and manage small preview movies that give you a compact record of your entire tape library even when the full resolution files are offline. Once you have idetified clips of interest, export a batch file or EDL to use these clips in your editing application.