Cut/Daily #384 an editing keyboard!
Surprisingly I have never owned one because I have never seen one for ergonomic keyboard users or I would have bought them years ago. And I think LED in key keyboards would be even better, but again no ergonomic versions. I always used to have them in AVID bays, which was nice.
I am always looking at new Ergo Keyboard solutions and this Dygma Defy Keyboard does look interesting, though at $279 pounds a bit rich for my blood.
I have been a video editor for over 20 years now, and so I spend way too many hours in front of a computer, and have had horrible carpal tunnel as a result. An Aeron chair helped as did putting 5 rubber bands around my fingers and stretching out in sets of 100. And using guitar finger strengthener, but the biggest help was an ergonomic keyboard.
For years I have used Microsoft Ergonomic Keyboards, one at home and one I carried to offices. Of course they break. Unfortunately the new Microsoft Ergonomic Keyboard has damn emoticon keys in the 3 function keys, and you can’t remap them on Mac. It would be fine if I could remap them, but I can’t.
It doesn’t look like the Sculpt Ergonomic Desktop gas those keys, but I don’t need wireless, and I like Keyboard keys clacky and not laptop like.
And the Microsoft Sculpt Comfort Desktop seems not separated enough for my comfort.
The Logitech Ergo K860 looks like Laptop keys which again I am not a fan of, but at least it is a normal keyboard.
I have tried x-bows, and am not sold as of yet. It is bowed, but flat, and the key placement is weird. And it us nice that the software is online so it works Mac or PC, but it is not easy to use. And with no upgrades since moving to online software, it feels like the company is stagnating a bit. And I am not sure about the separate keypad even if it does magnetically attach. I really need a full keyboard.
The Kinesis Advantage is is big and expensive and I have heard people complain about the all the keys for your thumbs.
Split keyboards look interesting for placement, but are just flat where they are. I guess I would have to try one, and you can still tilt them. and get a separate Keypad.
Kinesis has Mac ones, but the pros have Cherry MX keys which are the best.
The Dygma looks more solid with it’s metal body, but it’s lack of function keys makes it useless for me.
The GoldTouch V2 for PC and Mac looks interesting, but again no keypad and the keys on teh sides are moved around so more learning curve.
The Matias Ergo Pro Keyboard for Mac looks plasticy and need a keypad again, but has full size keys, but says it is there own keys, not Cherry MX,
Perixx has some inexpensive solutions, that have full size keys and split or full keyboard.
I would really love to try this Cloud 9 Ergo Keyboard, because it is split and as full keyboard (and have Cherry MX Keys), but it’s software is Windows only, which means zero mac control and a useless nob, and function buttons on the left.
Am I missing any? Honestly I just wish I could find the old Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000, but they don’t make it anymore, and it selling for $399 at Amazon! Have I missed any? Does anyone have any ideas?
I guess I could try the wireless Microsoft, but I like clacky keys, but at least I know I like the setup.
Of course what I really want is something like the Nemeio but ergonomic, so the keys can change based on the program, but who knows if the Nemeio will ever even come out, especially since it is kickstarter and an Indigogo.
Now the Speed Editor was $295 and included Resolve Studio, so that is going the wrong way, but $595 is getting better for the Editor Keyboard (down $400_ and $1000 off the mini panel is great, though I will stick with my Tangent.
The thing is I know that Blackmagic Panels are better built than Tangent, but they also only work with DaVinci, and even with the price drop are still so expensive. And I only work with ergonomic keyboards so the editing Keyboard is useless to me, so I was interested in the Speed Editor, but it’s focus on the Cut Panel turns me off. Honestly I know you aren’t reading this Blackmagic, but I would love a smaller panel with basically the dial and a few other buttons, but I know it wouldn’t have customizable buttons or work with other software, so…
And the customability is the weird thing, since DaVinci doesn’t let you customize the buttons nor let them work with anything else. And the buttons on the Speed Editor are too focused on the Cut Page, which I do not like and do not use, I would much rather have it based on the edit page, but would also want it to work with Premiere Pro, so…
Scott Simmons at ProVideo Coalition has posted his second part of his review of the DaVinci Resolve Speed Editor, this one focused on Multicam Editing, which seems to be mostly a mess.
While The Speed Editor seems great overall, it’s basis in the Cut Page and the buttons chosen on it seem to be the main problems of it., and the reason I will likely never get it, though maybe a version 2 more focused on Editing?
Scott Simmons at the Pro Video Coaition has posted part 1 of 2 of an in depth review of the DaVinci Resolve Speed Editor Keyboard. This part 1 is about all the functionality minus the multi-cam functionality which will be in part 2.
It is a great review, and shows that this is really for the Cut Page of DaVinci resolve, a page that is likely going to slow down experienced editors until they use it for a long time. I have barely used the cut page yet, as I think the Edit page needs more depth, and I am much more comfortable with a less Final Cut Pro X type interface, though there are some things for scanning footage that seem great.
Honestly it makes me not care so much about it or the full DaVinci keyboard as I don’t want keys that are just for the cut page, but would like things for the edit page as well.
And in depth and well worth it read.
So I have been an editor for a long time now, and I spend so much time on a computer that at times I get massive Carpal Tunnel attacks. I have figured out solutions, and my main one is to use an ergonomic keyboard. I currently use a Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000.
In fact I own 2. And I carry one to work with me ,as well as Kensington Expert Trackball as I never really got why you would need a wireless mouse or especially trackball.
Of course at home I still use my last (my 3rd) Microsoft Trackball Explorer, which they stopped making years ago, and now sells for around $200 on ebay for a used one, and will never be replaced as the best Trackball ever made. No idea what I will do when my current one dies, but that is a bit off topic of this post.
So back on topic, I always use an ergo keyboard, and have an Aeron on home to help with my wrists (as well as some exercises with rubber bands I do when things get bad), but I would love to have an Editing keyboard. Yes I know most of the keyboard shortcuts I use on a regular basis, but there are still some in Premiere I don’t know or think about and would love an a Premiere Pro editing keyboard, but they tend to be the standard Apple keyboards, which are flat and have no key travel (I like my keys to click and loved the old apple clicky keyboard) and they hurt my wrists! WHY OH WHY HAS NO ONE MADE AN ERGONOMIC EDITORS KEYBOARD?
I mean most editors spend way too much time on a computer, so you would think someone would do this! So if anyone is listening an Ergonomic Editors keyboard would be AMAZING! AS would someone copying the Microsoft Trackball Explorer, though unless I someday become a billionaire I doubt either will ever happen! Oh well.
