GOAL Productions of Pasadena, California, recently upgraded its video recording and editing equipment to JVC's DIGITAL-S 4:2:2 component digital videotape format. As the official video production company for Pasadena's Tournament of Roses Association, GOAL Productions will use DIGITAL-S to record and edit the Rose Bowl and Rose Parade this year.

"We're Really excited about the quality of the video we'll be able to provide this year with our new DIGITAL-S equipment," said Jack Oswald, president of GOAL Productions. Oswald is especially enthusiastic about the true, vibrant color reproduction that his DIGITAL-S equipment will yield. "We supply video of the game and parade to the networks, and with DIGITAL-S, the video will truly be of broadcast quality," Oswald said.

The company, which specializes in marketing, educational and documentary videos, had been using Betacam SP for 10 years before purchasing the DIGITAL-S BR-D80 editing and recorder and BR-D50 player. GOAL Productions also purchased the DIGITAL-S BR-D40 dockable recorder to use with its main camera, the JVC KY-27.

The company did extensive competitive research on digital editing products, and ultimately, the superior 4:2:2 quality of DIGITAL-S proved to be a point of difference that GOAL Productions could not ignore. "We've been blown away by DIGITAL-S" Oswald said. "The Quality is just amazing. I don't think there is truly any difference between DIGITAL-S and Digital Betacam."

According to Oswald, "There are positives to the DV formats, but when it comes to really high quality work, you need 4:2:2 and wider tape. " DIGITAL-S uses metal particle tape that can better withstand the rigors of editing than the smaller formats.

GOAL is now working in a virtually all-digital domain with DIGITAL-S and a Speed Razor non-linear editing system. "DIGITAL-S has opened a whole new way of looking at production," said Oswald. "Now, we can do most of our finishing work, such as page turns and other effects, in-house without losing any quality. As far as post-production is concerned, we are providing a better product because we can make changes in-house that previously would have been cost-prohibitive to send out. So, our clients are getting increased quality for the same or less money."

GOAL Productions also for Pasadena's Tournament of Roses Association. They are hoping to receive approval to transfer all tapes of past parades and Rose Bowl games form 3/4" U-matic to DIGITAL-S, since the original tapes have begun to decay over the years.