When it comes to working with video, the days of multiple video decks strung together and operated by a coffee table-sized controller are numbered. Now you can quickly cut and manipulate video on your computer, saving time and hassle. Thanks to devices like Contour Designs' ShuttlePro, you won't lose the tactile feel of a scrub wheel, which speeds up the process of moving video files around.

The ShuttlePro requires very little desk space, taking up no more room than a trackball. Its small, flat design keeps it out of the way when it is not being used. The wheel has two modes: It can go frame-by-frame forward and backward, and a secondary wheel lets you jump ahead multiple seconds. Beyond that, there are 13 programmable buttons, which can be customized with the product's software.

TechTV Labs tested the ShuttlePro using Final Cut Pro 3.0 in Mac OS X, as Contour Design offers drivers for both the latest version of Apple's professional video-editing software and the new OS. Included in the beta download is a settings file for Final Cut Pro 3.0, so you won't need to program it for first use. We found it worked out of the box and only required further customization for the buttons we wanted to change.

Let your fingers do the...

According to the company's website, a settings file is already available for many popular applications (Final Cut Pro, Adobe Premiere, Avid, and so on) and if not, the ShuttlePro can be customized to work with any application. Customizing the device is easy using the included software. To make your own setup, simply select Create New Settings from the Target Application drop-down menu, select the button or wheel direction you wish to control, then type in the keystroke it should repeat. You can even program it to open files and folders or launch applications.

The price for the ShuttlePro seems higher than it needs to be, which will keep us from giving it our highest rating. But if you're frustrated with your mouse and keyboard when editing video or audio, and if you're short on desk space and don't mind parting with a few dollars, the ShuttlePro is for you.

Summary: USB mouse equipped with jog-wheel and programmable buttons makes working with video and audio easy.

Pros: Compact design; easy-to-program buttons.

Cons: Price higher than it needs to be.

Company: Contour Design
Price: $125
Available: Now
Platform Mac OS 8.6-X.1; Windows 98, 98SE, ME, 2000, XP
Requirements: USB-equipped Mac or PC