I do appreciate the feedback, and obviously the goal here is to get away from the DVD Discs, too much hassle without even mentioning the pending obsolesence of the drives and disc.
Here is our workflow:
1. Our shows last from 1 to 3 days typically, with two days being the norm. Each day we have a set number of classes (typically 10-15) with a set number of entrants in each class (called runs). Each run has a time of 2:30 not including waiting for the score at the end of the run and the name of the horse announced at the beginning.
2. At the end of any run, the judge can announce the score with a "REVIEW", which means that at the end of the class, the judge and I go upstairs to the judges review area and we watch a part of the run in regular and slow motion.
3. Each run is recorded as a separate "clip" and the disc is finalized at the end of the class, and a copy of the disc is made for the judge.
This process is repeated each day and on the last day after the last run of the last class, I typically finalize the disc on the stand unless there is a review. I then take that disc and go upstaris and finalize it. This normally takes about 30 minutes, they judge would prefer 10 as a lot of times they are in a hurry to head back to the airport.
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This system does work don't get me wrong, but it has a lot of cons:
1. The expense of purchasing new recorders every year (with the dust and dirt they wear out fast).
2. cost of the discs.
3. failed recordings (dirt or dust getting on the disc or just a bad burn)
4. Failures during finalization of the disc.
5. cost of the dvd's.
6. costs of the sleeves.
7. The time needed to finish each disc
--------
Over the past year we have been looking for a method that is faster, cleaner, more reliable and won't be obsolete in a year or so. I have permission on certain shows to test new methods, but this will also be passed along to other videographers at some of the other shows and a standard established. Now when I say standard, I don't mean specific equipment as that gets into the whole contractor/employee issue with the IRS but rather a format that can be recorded, dropped on a thumb drive and then handed to the judge with a handshake and say bye bye.
We have a JVC as a backup but as you know, JVC records in MOD files, which although readable with mpeg streamclip and I'm sure other converters I'm not aware of quicktime or media player reading them natively so they require a conversion and anytime we end up converting we lose time.
For me, I have no problem spending the money necessary. Keep in mind that some videographers are weekend shooters looking for a few bucks to spend on their other hobbies and won't incur the expense of a good camera, I will and I know there are some that will as well,.
I don't think with the criteria above in mind that the G10 is going work - for one I haven't found a dvd recorder that accepts hdmi as an input and using rca cables is putting me in the same position I'm in now.
I'll welcome all comments, suggestions, and ideas...
I would also like to thank those who have already devoted their time to helping thus far.
Here is our workflow:
1. Our shows last from 1 to 3 days typically, with two days being the norm. Each day we have a set number of classes (typically 10-15) with a set number of entrants in each class (called runs). Each run has a time of 2:30 not including waiting for the score at the end of the run and the name of the horse announced at the beginning.
2. At the end of any run, the judge can announce the score with a "REVIEW", which means that at the end of the class, the judge and I go upstairs to the judges review area and we watch a part of the run in regular and slow motion.
3. Each run is recorded as a separate "clip" and the disc is finalized at the end of the class, and a copy of the disc is made for the judge.
This process is repeated each day and on the last day after the last run of the last class, I typically finalize the disc on the stand unless there is a review. I then take that disc and go upstaris and finalize it. This normally takes about 30 minutes, they judge would prefer 10 as a lot of times they are in a hurry to head back to the airport.
----------
This system does work don't get me wrong, but it has a lot of cons:
1. The expense of purchasing new recorders every year (with the dust and dirt they wear out fast).
2. cost of the discs.
3. failed recordings (dirt or dust getting on the disc or just a bad burn)
4. Failures during finalization of the disc.
5. cost of the dvd's.
6. costs of the sleeves.
7. The time needed to finish each disc
--------
Over the past year we have been looking for a method that is faster, cleaner, more reliable and won't be obsolete in a year or so. I have permission on certain shows to test new methods, but this will also be passed along to other videographers at some of the other shows and a standard established. Now when I say standard, I don't mean specific equipment as that gets into the whole contractor/employee issue with the IRS but rather a format that can be recorded, dropped on a thumb drive and then handed to the judge with a handshake and say bye bye.
We have a JVC as a backup but as you know, JVC records in MOD files, which although readable with mpeg streamclip and I'm sure other converters I'm not aware of quicktime or media player reading them natively so they require a conversion and anytime we end up converting we lose time.
For me, I have no problem spending the money necessary. Keep in mind that some videographers are weekend shooters looking for a few bucks to spend on their other hobbies and won't incur the expense of a good camera, I will and I know there are some that will as well,.
I don't think with the criteria above in mind that the G10 is going work - for one I haven't found a dvd recorder that accepts hdmi as an input and using rca cables is putting me in the same position I'm in now.
I'll welcome all comments, suggestions, and ideas...
I would also like to thank those who have already devoted their time to helping thus far.