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Son wants to make movies-what do I need!What should i get?
- Thread starter batikdruid
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Re: Re: Son wants to make movies-what do I need!What should i get?
She pointed avioded this topic because she already decided she wanted a Mac so why do you have to bring it up when you know it's gonna hijack the thread? And just incase you don't realize this hardware speed, while always wanted, is not the most important aspect for an NLE.
Lethal
She pointed avioded this topic because she already decided she wanted a Mac so why do you have to bring it up when you know it's gonna hijack the thread? And just incase you don't realize this hardware speed, while always wanted, is not the most important aspect for an NLE.
Lethal
You can edit DV on a PC. I have. But, do you really want to? Since you came here, I'm guessing you don't.
1 GHz Combo eMac ~ $800 (cheaper if refurb)
512 MB RAM (3rd party, easy to put in) ~ $100
(Though some places will give you free or cheap RAM upgrades)
External FireWire Hard Drive ~ $200
DV camcorder (instead of analog converter) ~ $300-$400
FCExpress (if you want it, which I would suggest) - $99
-
Total = $1500-$1600 (plus tax).
Knowing that Mom is cool enough to buy you a Mac... priceless.
1 GHz Combo eMac ~ $800 (cheaper if refurb)
512 MB RAM (3rd party, easy to put in) ~ $100
(Though some places will give you free or cheap RAM upgrades)
External FireWire Hard Drive ~ $200
DV camcorder (instead of analog converter) ~ $300-$400
FCExpress (if you want it, which I would suggest) - $99
-
Total = $1500-$1600 (plus tax).
Knowing that Mom is cool enough to buy you a Mac... priceless.
Not a bad list. However, I'd go with this:
1 Ghz superdrive emac - $1100
Custom build the hard drive for the 160 GB model - $100
512 MB more RAM from crucial (for a total of 768) - $100
Final Cut Express - $100
Total: $1400 + tax (5%) = $1470
The only thing I've left out is a bridge for your current camera because I don't know what that costs.
Superdrive will be important for making videos. With the 160 GB internal drive, your son won't need an external drive for quite some time.
Ideally, you may be able to find an online store (like macmall.com, for example) that will give you the RAM for free, won't even charge sales tax, and will let you custom build the hard drive up to 160 GB. That way, even with the installation fee on your "free" RAM, you end up saving ~$130, bringing your total to $1340.
And you would have a 1 Ghz G4 with superdrive, 160 GB hard drive, 768 RAM, and Final Cut Express. Just my suggestion.
edit: oh, and one more thing. www.macspeedzone.com has a great buyers guide that compares what is currently being offered by online mac resellers. They will tell you who charges tax, who charges shipping, and what extras each online store offers. Great site - check it out!
If your shopping for a DV camcorder for a low price, go with Samsung, they are great 
I have an SCD-80 that I got last christmas and its been awsome. Also, it was only $300 and has all the great features <night vision, effects, 2.5inch screen, and a lot more.>
Heres a list of their models. http://www.samsung.com/Products/Camcorder/index.htm
I have an SCD-80 that I got last christmas and its been awsome. Also, it was only $300 and has all the great features <night vision, effects, 2.5inch screen, and a lot more.>Heres a list of their models. http://www.samsung.com/Products/Camcorder/index.htm
i would say don't even bother with the edu discount. if you purchase from an online reseller like MacZone etc, you'd forego the taxes, the shipping could be cheaper, and you could get some freebies like extra RAM (and maybe even some software discounted deeply). more than compensates for the edu discount Apple would give you.
and yes, imho an emac is the best option for you.
btw, you mentioned a couple of times that you had some software already like Premiere etc, and if my guess is right you are talking Windows version. if so, they won't work on the mac. you'd need to buy the mac versions, in which case the Final Cut Express at a discount would be a cheaper option. (or maybe Adobe might cut you a break for swapping out the versions)
I am a Very Very poor Uni student so how else do you think I got most of the programs I use.
I just told it like it is, no smoke and mirrors just the facts. If you could honestly believe that the iMac for $3200AUD is better than the PC machine listed for lees money then I pitty you. I'm not a troll, and I'm not fishing just telling the truth.
Leet has camed down quite a bit since his first 50 posts in 2 days, and even made a constructive comment on this thread about a samsung DV cam.
Re: thanks you're all the best
Get an eMac with a Superdrive. Don't bother with the software yet. The problem with this type of gift though is he going to stick with it? The computer will get use regaurdless if he sticks with making movies. However, 1500 dollar software packages not so much. iMovie is plenty for beginners, and you can consider upgrading later. I think iDVD is an editor too when you get a superdrive equiped emac, but i've only used iMovie.
As for a camera get a decent but cheap one. Cnet seems to like Canon ZR65MC ($350).
Get an eMac with a Superdrive. Don't bother with the software yet. The problem with this type of gift though is he going to stick with it? The computer will get use regaurdless if he sticks with making movies. However, 1500 dollar software packages not so much. iMovie is plenty for beginners, and you can consider upgrading later. I think iDVD is an editor too when you get a superdrive equiped emac, but i've only used iMovie.
As for a camera get a decent but cheap one. Cnet seems to like Canon ZR65MC ($350).
Re: Re: thanks you're all the best
well, we're not talking about $1500 software. We're talking about $99 software. And yes, it's true that he might get bored with movie making, but at the same time, you wouldn't want him to give it up because he finds imovie too frustrating. I think final cut express is a nice compromise - plenty for him to start with, but at a very reasonable price.
well, we're not talking about $1500 software. We're talking about $99 software. And yes, it's true that he might get bored with movie making, but at the same time, you wouldn't want him to give it up because he finds imovie too frustrating. I think final cut express is a nice compromise - plenty for him to start with, but at a very reasonable price.
Been there, done that, got into the real world, bought a PowerMac.
batikdruid came in here asking for advice about which Mac to get for her son who wants to do some video editing. She didn't ask which platfrom is better (in fact she specifcally tried to aviod that topic). When I'm on a PC forum and someone asks advice about a PC editing solution I don't start trashing PCs and throw pro-Mac crap at them. I try and help them. I give them advice. I tell them what I would do if I was building/buying a PC based editing solution based on what their needs are and what their skill level is.
Is the PC you spec'ed faster? Yes. Is it better? In this situation I'd say no. You've got a novice who wants to mess around w/some home movies right now and make a hi-lite vhs/dvd of his football games. And you want to toss Vegas and AE at him? iMovie and iDVD are geared exactly for people like her son and are so incredibly well thought out and easy to use their are damn near staggering in their simplicity. And if he enjoys doing it and outgrows iMovie that's great. He can move on to FCE or FCP. I'd much rather him have fun w/iMovie and out grow it then get bogged down in a program that's over his head and stop making videos because he's not having fun doing it.
Lethal
EDIT: ethernet76, iMovie is a video editing app, iDVD is a DVD authoring app. Once you make the video in the editing you import into the authoring app that is where you make your DVD menu's and everything.
Re: Re: Re: thanks you're all the best
iMovie is what my highschool used. And i find it's still used in college in beginning movie courses.
iMovie is what my highschool used. And i find it's still used in college in beginning movie courses.
Re: Re: Re: Re: thanks you're all the best
I think that's a very good idea. It allows instructors to teach students about editing, about storytelling, and worry less about teaching them about software (save that for high level classes).
Lethal
I think that's a very good idea. It allows instructors to teach students about editing, about storytelling, and worry less about teaching them about software (save that for high level classes).
Lethal
Originally posted by LethalWolfe
Been there, done that, got into the real world, bought a PowerMac.
batikdruid came in here asking for advice about which Mac to get for her son who wants to do some video editing. She didn't ask which platfrom is better (in fact she specifcally tried to aviod that topic). When I'm on a PC forum and someone asks advice about a PC editing solution I don't start trashing PCs and throw pro-Mac crap at them. I try and help them. I give them advice. I tell them what I would do if I was building/buying a PC based editing solution based on what their needs are and what their skill level is.
Is the PC you spec'ed faster? Yes. Is it better? In this situation I'd say no. You've got a novice who wants to mess around w/some home movies right now and make a hi-lite vhs/dvd of his football games. And you want to toss Vegas and AE at him? iMovie and iDVD are geared exactly for people like her son and are so incredibly well thought out and easy to use their are damn near staggering in their simplicity. And if he enjoys doing it and outgrows iMovie that's great. He can move on to FCE or FCP. I'd much rather him have fun w/iMovie and out grow it then get bogged down in a program that's over his head and stop making videos because he's not having fun doing it.
Lethal
EDIT: ethernet76, iMovie is a video editing app, iDVD is a DVD authoring app. Once you make the video in the editing you import into the authoring app that is where you make your DVD menu's and everything.
'Son wants to make movies-what do I need!What should i get?'
Is the title of this tread not I have the $$$ what overpriced mac can I buy for amature video editing. Vegas 4.0 and DVD Architect 1.0 are really straight forward to use and link fantastically with Sound Forge to add sound effects.
I've never used FCE so I can't comment, but After FX is quite advanced, so I see your point there. Each platform has its pros and cons, and in this situation AMD/intel come out on top.
Don't you think it's a bit sad that you obviously think macs are overpriced and that your beloved PCs are much better YET you hang around on mac discussion forums banging on about it. This is far from the first time you've repeated the same tired mantra.
I have owned several PC's all built by myself and I have built several for other people - if they decide they definitely want a PC and for some folks it IS the right answer. Personally I no longer own any PC hardware. I own a powermac and an ibook and I'm actually enjoying USING it rather than spending time ****ing about installing new bits of hardware then figuring why it doesn't work like it should.
BTW FWIW it is also pretty damn easy to get all the mac software you'd want on bittorrent as well but perhaps some people would rather be legal?
Not to confuse you even more, but MCE is now putting 2x DVD burners in the G4 iBook.
$1299 for G4 iBook with Superdrive. Sweet. You need to make sure that it is compatible with iDVD though.
http://www.mcetech.com/pr/pr20031117ibookg4dvdrw.pdf
$1299 for G4 iBook with Superdrive. Sweet. You need to make sure that it is compatible with iDVD though.
http://www.mcetech.com/pr/pr20031117ibookg4dvdrw.pdf
jayscheuerle
macrumors 68020
It is better if you want to run Mac OSX.
Your PC may be stronger under the hood, but the Mac's got a lot nicer interior...
Did you try reading the first post? Did you miss the part where she said she wanted a Mac, not a PC?
If you have anything constructive to say I'd love to hear it (I think we all have gotten the picture that you think the best Xmas present for her kid would be a DIY PC running pirated software). If you want keep dropping flamebait and, er, *discussing* which platform is better and why start another thread. There's no reason to hijack this one.
Lethal
Thanks everyone
Thank you everyone for all of your suggestions and ideas. Don't mean to get everyone mad at each other - I know well the feelings between macs and bills, that's why I said I wasn't going there.
I can figure out pretty well on my own a PC that will do what I want, (as I am by no means a "newbie" ) with exceptions of dvd burning, and SPEED of rendering, etc. Truly am sick of waiting around for stuff - direct tv channels, email downloads, websites coming up etc etc etc.
I appreciate especially the consideration of my son's age and interest. He's very intelligent and creative - he/we've been making videos with the ol' analog to vhs for YEARS for many of his school projects. When he has the option, he always opts for a video presentation - so he's into it. But it would be good to start easy but have a more advanced option available SOON (ie:FCE) - as he's the type of kid he'll have the thing figured out by the end of the first week, guaranteed.
Do I think he'll make it a career? Maybe not, but maybe so - his cousin just made an indy horror movie that just won best at Woods Hole, but at the least, I think he'll have a fun hobby he can do his whole life. (uhh....not of the Paris HIlton kind, I am sure...*hands praying*).
The reason I am here as HE has been asking for a Mac for awhile. They have them at his school and he thinks they are "so cool".
So there you have it!
I am thinking the emacs are going to be "so cool" too - if I can get the dh on board for about $1400.... nyuk nyuk
No problemo, right!!??
Thanks again!!!!! I feel much more educated about this whole thing and its only a day or so later! I feel like I have some "ammo" to go on now.
Thank you everyone for all of your suggestions and ideas. Don't mean to get everyone mad at each other - I know well the feelings between macs and bills, that's why I said I wasn't going there.
I can figure out pretty well on my own a PC that will do what I want, (as I am by no means a "newbie" ) with exceptions of dvd burning, and SPEED of rendering, etc. Truly am sick of waiting around for stuff - direct tv channels, email downloads, websites coming up etc etc etc.
I appreciate especially the consideration of my son's age and interest. He's very intelligent and creative - he/we've been making videos with the ol' analog to vhs for YEARS for many of his school projects. When he has the option, he always opts for a video presentation - so he's into it. But it would be good to start easy but have a more advanced option available SOON (ie:FCE) - as he's the type of kid he'll have the thing figured out by the end of the first week, guaranteed.
Do I think he'll make it a career? Maybe not, but maybe so - his cousin just made an indy horror movie that just won best at Woods Hole, but at the least, I think he'll have a fun hobby he can do his whole life. (uhh....not of the Paris HIlton kind, I am sure...*hands praying*).
The reason I am here as HE has been asking for a Mac for awhile. They have them at his school and he thinks they are "so cool".
So there you have it!
I am thinking the emacs are going to be "so cool" too - if I can get the dh on board for about $1400.... nyuk nyuk
No problemo, right!!??
Thanks again!!!!! I feel much more educated about this whole thing and its only a day or so later! I feel like I have some "ammo" to go on now.
ONe more thing..
thinking...thinking....
Say I bought a set top dvd player/burner. Could i make dvds from the analog camera or vhs and then import them to the emac?
Thinking of a way to avert the analog converter.... Going to be buying a dvd player/maybe burner and digital camcorder at some point in the future anyway... I mean, can't stay in the dark ages forever.. once we save up some more cash after the emac and the car... (!)
Does this make sense at all or.... ?? just wondering
Also, on MacZone they have a
eMac G4/1GHz 17in CRT Super w/FREE 256MB Memory
that free ram prob isn't in addition to the regular ram,huh?
link is here:http://www.maczone.com/cgi-bin/zones/site/product/index.html?id=523770&partner_id=-12769
thinking...thinking....
Say I bought a set top dvd player/burner. Could i make dvds from the analog camera or vhs and then import them to the emac?
Thinking of a way to avert the analog converter.... Going to be buying a dvd player/maybe burner and digital camcorder at some point in the future anyway... I mean, can't stay in the dark ages forever.. once we save up some more cash after the emac and the car... (!)
Does this make sense at all or.... ?? just wondering
Also, on MacZone they have a
eMac G4/1GHz 17in CRT Super w/FREE 256MB Memory
that free ram prob isn't in addition to the regular ram,huh?
link is here:http://www.maczone.com/cgi-bin/zones/site/product/index.html?id=523770&partner_id=-12769
Re: ONe more thing..
I don't suggest going from VHS->DVD->DV(eMac)->DVD. That is a whole lotta recompression and it's going to kill yer footage. Plus, most of the set top DVD burners I've seen aren't very good unless you get into the $500 or $600 dollar range. We just got a really, really sweet Panasonic set top burner here at work but it cost like $800. Unforunetly you'll need a converter (either a stand alone or a DV camera that allows pass thru). Now, Canopus does make a product, the ADVC-50, that I believe is $199 (as opposed to the $200 of the ADVC-100). The difference is the ADVC-50 is analog input *only.* So the only way to get videos off of the eMac would be DVD. But, if you had a set top DVD player you could burn a DVD from the eMac, put it into the player and record it onto VHS if need be. The only limitation there is that iDVD woun't do projects longer than 90minutes. Also, iDVD has 2 automatic compression settings based on length. If the project is under 1hr it gets a lower compression setting (higher quality video) if it is over 1hr it gets a higher compression setting (lower quality video).
Lethal
I don't suggest going from VHS->DVD->DV(eMac)->DVD. That is a whole lotta recompression and it's going to kill yer footage. Plus, most of the set top DVD burners I've seen aren't very good unless you get into the $500 or $600 dollar range. We just got a really, really sweet Panasonic set top burner here at work but it cost like $800.
Unforunetly you'll need a converter (either a stand alone or a DV camera that allows pass thru). Now, Canopus does make a product, the ADVC-50, that I believe is $199 (as opposed to the $200 of the ADVC-100). The difference is the ADVC-50 is analog input *only.* So the only way to get videos off of the eMac would be DVD. But, if you had a set top DVD player you could burn a DVD from the eMac, put it into the player and record it onto VHS if need be. The only limitation there is that iDVD woun't do projects longer than 90minutes. Also, iDVD has 2 automatic compression settings based on length. If the project is under 1hr it gets a lower compression setting (higher quality video) if it is over 1hr it gets a higher compression setting (lower quality video).Lethal
If your set on a mac which it sounds like your are go for a Power Mac G4, Since you can keep the screen and add all kinds of goodies on the inside like heaps of RAM, Better graphics card, Pci cards, 4 HDD's, 2nd optical drive, I thinks thats all, and there gettinng quite cheap because they are in some sort of run out, because they are no longer the flagship model.
If I were to buy a mac today it would be a twin PM G4 1.25, Best value for money from apple at this time.
Sorry for getting you guys in a ster, just wanted to show the other side of the story.
If I were to buy a mac today it would be a twin PM G4 1.25, Best value for money from apple at this time.
Sorry for getting you guys in a ster, just wanted to show the other side of the story.
Holy crap that's a good idea. I completely forgot about the "old" G4 towers. Heck, you could even look at a refurb and that would shave a lil' more off the price. IIRC correctly refurbs are sent back to Apple to get check out and are supported as "like new" machines (even qualifying for apple care). Where as "used" machines recieve no such perks. So if you buy previously owned go "refurb" not "used."
manitoubalck, I appriciate you presenting a different point of view. You just came off a bit heavy handed, especially sense she stated up front she didn't want a PC. Intent was good, execution was a bit rusty though.
Lethal
Hmm, i have a 15 inchALbook, and when i purchased it i didn't really care for video editing, then i was bored, so i filmed my dogs playing (rottweller, and an englsih mastive) and made a rather nice imovie out of it. now i really enjoy film making, me and my sister even started making a script for a movie we would like to submit to the toronto film festival, the thing is i have quickly surpased the limits of imovie. so i was wandering if i could use those upgrade coupons, which come with new macs, to get the 99 dollar final cut express deal?
aethjer
aethjer
Re: ONe more thing..
Formac has an analog to DV converter with TV recording that's just been reduced in price to $299. From everything I've read, the Studio TVR is quite good. There is also the Studio DV, but they don't list a price now so it may have been discontinued. Here's the website link: http://www.formac.com
I think anything else would just lead to a great deal of frustration as the work would lose much of its original quality with all of the analog noise and compression.
Formac has an analog to DV converter with TV recording that's just been reduced in price to $299. From everything I've read, the Studio TVR is quite good. There is also the Studio DV, but they don't list a price now so it may have been discontinued. Here's the website link: http://www.formac.com
I think anything else would just lead to a great deal of frustration as the work would lose much of its original quality with all of the analog noise and compression.