best video editing setup

[Multimedia]

Just Found The Sony HDR-HC7 For Only $961 delivered

$926 + $35 shipping = $961 total for state of the art HDV Camcorder. Now that's a price you can live with. List is $1399 in case you didn't know. That's $438 off about 30% off list.

 

[spencerwatts]

ha, I can't believe the responses, thanks, everyone.

I've decided on what I'm going to get.
A refub iMac - $1050
and
a Canon GL2. I don't know whether I'm going to get it used or not.

And yes, I know there's extras. I know I need lighting equipment, sound equipment, a tripod, etc. I know my stuff when it comes to this. I've seen it done, and I've read multiple books on it all.

Something everyone should know.. I know what I need in a camera, and it's like bigbossbmb said. I need something that I can learn from and gets me a pretty decent picture. Not the latest in high def. Plenty of amazing movies have been filmed with the GL2 (and when I say amazing, I mean in the picture quality.)

LethalWolfe - I'll go out an get that book today, maybe. I'll be in the area of a Barnes & Nobles, anyways. And yeah, the gl2 has zebra patterns. The only thing it doesn't have is built in xlr ports, which would be nice. And.. uh, I'm not really a new kid to macrumors. I've been a member over two years. I just never found the urge to post (or log in.) I just read the message boards when I was interested in the topic.

Multimedia - A macbook can't run FCP, if I ever decide to install it. Which is why it was never on my list. Thanks, though. And no, I'm not brainwashed into the past. Neither am I brainwashed into something impractical for my purpose (although it is a nice camera, and I'll be showing it to my uncle, who's looking for a camera now. Thanks)

Artofilm - Thanks - I'll keep all of your post in mind.

tehybrid - I'll be in touch.



Thanks for all of your opinions. They helped, and I actually know what I want to get, instead of approaching it with a wishy-washy mentality. Thanks again, and sorry if I didn't reply.

 

[Multimedia]

Final Cut Studio 5.1.4UB Runs Perfectly On All MacBooks

Multimedia - A macbook can't run FCP, if I ever decide to install it. Which is why it was never on my list.

Yes it can and well. Whomever told you it couldn't hasn't read the many positive reports made right here of it running perfectly well on MacBooks ever since the first day MacBooks shipped almost a year ago.

Only the most advanced Motion could be a problem and not basic Motion work at all.

 

[cdarlington1]

DVCPRO HD all the way...

If you are thinking of going HDV...I would recommend going with Panasonic's DVCPRO HD...not sure if there is a camera in your price range but I've worked with both HDV and DVCPRO HD and DVCPRO HD leaves HDV in the dust...Data rates are similar but Panasonic just looks so much better...my 2 cents...

 

[Multimedia]

The Panasonic 200 HD Camera Is Missing HDMI Out

If you are thinking of going HDV...I would recommend going with Panasonic's DVCPRO HD...not sure if there is a camera in your price range but I've worked with both HDV and DVCPRO HD and DVCPRO HD leaves HDV in the dust...Data rates are similar but Panasonic just looks so much better...my 2 cents...

I know you're right. But that 200 camera has no HDMI output. So I'm gonna wait for the next refresh when they add HDMI out before spending $3-4k on one of those cameras. I want all my cameras to work with BlackMagic Design's Intensity's On-Air 3.0 when it ships in May.

 

[FF_productions]

a Canon GL2. I don't know whether I'm going to get it used or not.

I was on a tight budget and couldn't afford a GL2, so I went ahead and got a DVC30 so I could afford accessories and such. The GL2 and the DVC30 have many similarities. It's just something for you to consider.

The DVC30 has been considered the little-brother of the DVX100 and I agree with that.

 

[bimmzy]

Hey I like you're idea of saving money…

Power-mac G5s are still great computers, and what's more you can get 'em real cheep now.

If you can, get power-mac with duel processors running at speeds 2GHz plus, with say 2 gigs of RAM.

Make sure you get one with a nice graphics card that it will give you "extended desktop" so that you can save masses of dollars on monitors…..$$$$$$
Then go out and buy 2 large old style CRT monitors, plug them in to your mac and you're in the movie business!

CRT's are really cheep now and are really very good as they give you optional resolutions, better gamma control, and will display HD in progressive scan effortlessly (especially when displayed with QuickTime Pro… which you could now afford from your savings!! )

Cant wait to see the movies….

 

[eb6]

You need a WIDESCREEN 16:9 Camera NOT a 4x3 BOX camera. That is the #1 reason to buy HDV now. You need to learn WIDESCREEN composition for making movies. Anything not HDV will force you into the old paradigm of 4x3 BOXes.

My Canon Optura 20 will shoot widescreen.

 

[seniorstinky]

Senior Stinky's Opinion STINKS TO HIGH HEAVEN.

You need a WIDESCREEN 16:9 Camera NOT a 4x3 BOX camera. That is the #1 reason to buy HDV now. You need to learn WIDESCREEN composition for making movies. Anything not HDV will force you into the old paradigm of 4x3 BOXes. This will be really bad for your future. It will cripple your talent before you even get started. You of all people should know that WIDESCREEN is the proper way to make movies not 4x3 BOXes. Are you already getting too old to know that? I am 60 and I know it. Are you BRAINWASHED into the past already?

Funny, I find your opinion reeks as well.

You hype a camera you DON'T EVEN HAVE YET!

Since you state that 4x3 is the only thing in SD, I guess it's a MIRACLE that I shoot a majority of my video in SD 16x9. And, just so we are clear, I have a XL-H1 and CHOOSE to shoot in SD 16x9. I actually have reasons I PREFER SD to HD for most work.

While I won't disagree that HD is the future, I don't subscribe to your "YOU NEED HD NOW" Kool-Aid drinking.

Lastly, with your "GET MY CAMERA, even though I don't have it and shouldn't be recommending it" hype, I think a majority of the people that read this would agree that you are the BRAINWASHED one.

 

[Multimedia]

My apologies to Senior Stinky

Funny, I find your opinion reeks as well.

You hype a camera you DON'T EVEN HAVE YET!

Since you state that 4x3 is the only thing in SD, I guess it's a MIRACLE that I shoot a majority of my video in SD 16x9. And, just so we are clear, I have a XL-H1 and CHOOSE to shoot in SD 16x9. I actually have reasons I PREFER SD to HD for most work.

While I won't disagree that HD is the future, I don't subscribe to your "YOU NEED HD NOW" Kool-Aid drinking.

Lastly, with your "GET MY CAMERA, even though I don't have it and shouldn't be recommending it" hype, I think a majority of the people that read this would agree that you are the BRAINWASHED one.

You are right and I apologize. That was rude and disrespectful of me to write. I regret the post.

Care to elaborate why you would choose to shoot in Wide SD instead of HD and dumb down the HD master to SD later? I can't imagine why you wouldn't want a HD master.

If you read the Sony HCR-HC7 HDV Camcorder thread, everyone who has already received their HC7 loves it. I have paid for mine and it is in shipping now. According to Camcorderinfo.com, they think it "could be the best consumer HDV Sony camcorder of the year". spencerwatts said he had $1500 for a camera. HC7 is $1150. I still think that's the one he should buy.

My best friend has been shooting with a HC1 for two years. He just bought the HC7 and loves it. He's a pro. Just because it's a tiny little camcorder does not mean it's only for hobbiests. You couldn't give me a XL-H1. I have a XL1 and I HATE it. Size matters. And in this case, small is beautiful and large is so intimidating as to make many shoots impossible in most situations I like to shoot in. The beauty of tiny HQ camcorders is that few realize you are capturing HQ and will let you shoot, ignore you even, in situations that are priceless to record where a large camcorder, even as small large as a GL2 will not be allowed.

 

[zioxide]

You need a WIDESCREEN 16:9 Camera NOT a 4x3 BOX camera. That is the #1 reason to buy HDV now. You need to learn WIDESCREEN composition for making movies. Anything not HDV will force you into the old paradigm of 4x3 BOXes. This will be really bad for your future. It will cripple your talent before you even get started. You of all people should know that WIDESCREEN is the proper way to make movies not 4x3 BOXes. Are you already getting too old to know that? I am 60 and I know it. Are you BRAINWASHED into the past already?

Please, the basics of composition are the same whether you're shooting 1.33:1, 1.78:1, or 2.35:1.

 

[Carl Spackler]

Spencer,

Best of luck in your filmmaking edeavors. There a a number of level headed folks on this board, as you may know, whose advice is quite good...I'm looking at you Lethal.

It sounds like you may go for the GL2, which is another fine Canon product. You'll be happy with it if that's the way you go, but let me propose a something before you decide on a camera. Heck, your folks may be impressed with you research and kick in a little extra money. If you're able, and get your Mac before the camera, check out the boards at DVinfo.net. It's not too difficult to find or reqeust raw SD and HD footage. I bet if you tell people why, they'd gladly send a bit of footage your way. All you need is about 30 seconds, really. I'll be more than happy to send you XL2 footage, if you'd like. Get footage from a number of cameras you're considering, including HD cameras that are in your budget. Do whatever you'd like to it in FCE or even iMovie, burn it to a DVD and see which images you like the best.

Good luck!

 

[Keebler]

Hi Spencer,

First of all, welcome! Secondly - congrats on the urge to get this going!

i haven't read all the posts so i'm sorry if this is a repeat. Most of the posts have fantastic suggestions for equipment.

I have a slightly different one - courses. take tutorials (some good ones online) and learn the tuts in the books too. Having the equipment is great, but knowing how to use it efficiently is just as important.

Cheers,
Keebler

 

[spencerwatts]

Spencer,

Best of luck in your filmmaking edeavors. There a a number of level headed folks on this board, as you may know, whose advice is quite good...I'm looking at you Lethal.

It sounds like you may go for the GL2, which is another fine Canon product. You'll be happy with it if that's the way you go, but let me propose a something before you decide on a camera. Heck, your folks may be impressed with you research and kick in a little extra money. If you're able, and get your Mac before the camera, check out the boards at DVinfo.net. It's not too difficult to find or reqeust raw SD and HD footage. I bet if you tell people why, they'd gladly send a bit of footage your way. All you need is about 30 seconds, really. I'll be more than happy to send you XL2 footage, if you'd like. Get footage from a number of cameras you're considering, including HD cameras that are in your budget. Do whatever you'd like to it in FCE or even iMovie, burn it to a DVD and see which images you like the best.

Good luck!

Haha, I was sitting in history today thinking the exact same thing, but for the purpose to learn to edit before I get my camera. Your idea is an excellent idea, and as soon as the computer is purchased, I'll take you up on that offer

Thanks.




Keebler - Thanks. Once I get my computer, I'm thinking of getting some books off amazon and reading those.

 

[xlosltove777]

Dual-Monitor

Spencer,
I think you made a good choice as far as a computer, I have 17'' iMac to and it handles SD editing that I do in FCP perfectly fine. If you can spring the extra money for the 20'' refurbed though do it, it's the only thing I would want to improve my machine. And I agree with Bimmzy on the fact that picking up a cheap old CRT monitor and a Mini-DVI to VGA adaptor. could be useful for some things. Dual-monitors are great for being able to have multiple things up at once.

 

[Alpinism]

if you dont need it, hold on your purchase till mid april. You never know wht they gonna come out with during NAB.

If not, get HV20, the 24p or 24f feature alone is worth the asking price. Also plan on getting a decent shotgun mic & boom pole to go with your cam.

 

[techster85]

You need to decide on one thing...do you want to jump to HD now or later...If you are willing to wait a few more years (and I am waiting for HDV to not have compression issues, yes yes i know, it looks pretty, but it doesn't handle a ton of motion without breaking up in my opinion) then I would say go with a used Sony PD170 or vx2100, I think they are a little more stout than the GL2, and the PD170 has a good set of audio controls. That being said, I know a bunch of you guys are gonna get pissed because I dogged on HDV...that's fine, I just don't like the quality for the money right now, someday soon though, it will be worth the high price tag...

 

[poorlytoldjoke]

I think suggesting this kid a handheld camera is pretty dumb. Hunt down a Panasonic DVX-100A. It will do 24fps + 30fps, and has every setting you will need to use. It's a fantastic camera, and you can find used ones for just under 1000 right now. HD is not something you need right now. You especially do not want a handicam. There won't be the customizable settings you need. You want something that can accept external lenses and can be hooked to a standard tripod hitch, plus something that will accept a shotgun mic or a boom mic if you decide to jump to it. That handheld won't do ANY of that.

If you want a camera that can grow with you, that is the way to go. Oh and to the guy who keeps screaming about 16x9, almost all the cameras will shoot in 16x9. Just not a lot of handicams. Any decent prosumer camera will.

 

[Multimedia]

HC7 Can Do Everything poorlytoldjoke Says It Can't

I think suggesting this kid a handheld camera is pretty dumb. Hunt down a Panasonic DVX-100A. It will do 24fps + 30fps, and has every setting you will need to use. It's a fantastic camera, and you can find used ones for just under 1000 right now. HD is not something you need right now. You especially do not want a handicam. There won't be the customizable settings you need. You want something that can accept external lenses and can be hooked to a standard tripod hitch, plus something that will accept a shotgun mic or a boom mic if you decide to jump to it. That handheld won't do ANY of that.

If you want a camera that can grow with you, that is the way to go. Oh and to the guy who keeps screaming about 16x9, almost all the cameras will shoot in 16x9. Just not a lot of handicams. Any decent prosumer camera will.

I am not screaming. I am not writing about 16:9 SD. I am saying SD is dead as SpicyApple mentioned she also thinks so.

You are 100% WRONG about what the HC7 can not do. It can do all of what you say it cannot. A more misinformed post I have not read in many a moon.

 

[CHROMEDOME]

Get a Sony VX-2100. 16:9 shooting and Sony 3CCD quality.

Don't get the GL-2, its a good camera but even the VX-1000 is better.

 

[2jaded2care]

While of course I gotta agree with Lethal (about putting money into lights and sound as well as camera), I'd say to at least consider Multimedia's point about HD vs. SD.

Sure, lots of classic flicks were shot in 1.33. That's mostly because that was the only format way back when. 1.78 or 1.85 more closely approximates human sight, we have two eyes side-by-side, not one eyeball in the middle of our foreheads. (Maybe someone still prefers to shoot standard 16mm to S16, but I wouldn't understand that either.)

Of course your priorities are going to be different than some other peoples', and you gotta do what feels right for you, but... the HC7 seems like a good camera for the money.

I don't like the fake 24P aspect of the HC7, and the HDV format has some issues, but I thought there were some documentaries shot on HDV that aired on HBO. Not taped with the HC7, mind you, but still...

As far as HC7 low light problems, well, if you're in low light, you should have an obie light if it's a wedding you're shooting, and if it's a narrative short, you should have enough supplementary light to get around that problem. Low light can easily be a problem with SD DV camcorders, take my word for it.

You may not have gone HD yet, heck I haven't in my home yet, but as prices continue to drop it will likely happen within the next year or two, for me and many people. I've played around with some HDV camcorders, and when I saw the picture on an HD monitor, I was sold... I think you owe it to yourself to "kick the tires" in a store before you decide.

Whatever your decision, good luck!

 

[CanadaRAM]

I am not screaming.

All Caps is screaming...