At least for the first version I think the Pi4 path would be easiest development platform for me to program and debug. Cost is not an issue.It would only need to be one Pico if running Pico-PIO-USB.Two Picos is another (cheaper) possibility.
It's going to be even easier if Pico SDK, MicroPython or CircuitPython, ever provide an API to make use of it.
If it works out and generates enough interest among Lightworks users, I will look for lower cost solutions for contract manufacturing.
The Shuttlepro with adapter option would still be less than half the price of a new ground up console.
For a future professional console like the MK2 Lightworks console pictured above, it will be momentary push buttons, a rotary encoder for jog, and an analog voltage ramp or rotary multistep switch for bi-directional shuttle. Similar products in the market sell for $300-$1k today, like Black Magic's edit controllers.
The unique analog audio scrub jog/shuttle function of Lightworks using the original ergonomic consoles is still head and shoulders above anything that exists in today's market.
A BBC TV series editor worked on a weekly show that shot with two different production teams on alternating weeks. One team used Avid Media Composer for post. The other team used Lightworks. The editor was skilled with both NLE's. A half hour episode took six hours to finish on Avid, just two hours on Lightworks.
I have some modest experience programming dedicated PLC's and proprietary remote control systems via network or serial I/O for control for AV systems and DSP hardware. Sending and receiving serial control strings and logic states is relatively simple.
Writing modern OS compliant secure drivers and installers for Windows/OSX/Linux is a whole different level of complexity that I don't have the time or interest to learn.
I'd rather shoot and edit my video projects
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LWKS, have their hands full bringing Lightworks, originally developed for offline editing of major studio theatrical features shot on film, up to contemporary digital media NLE standards. They don't have the resources to spare for designing and building a new console. The electronics of the old version are obsolete and the dies to mold the chassis parts have disappeared.
I am retired from a career as an audio/video systems design engineer as well as having an earlier career in industrial film and TV production.
Crowd funding a new console design for modern additive manufacturing and current far less expensive electronics seems like the only practical solution if there is enough interest from the current user base.
Statistics: Posted by David Rasberry — Sat May 18, 2024 9:26 pm