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Creating a Comprehensive Edit Suite
I’d like to ask your opinion on what would be, building from scratch, an awesome and cost effective (mac) edit suite capable of handling all formats of video ranging from DV through to uncompressed HD.
What would be necessary as far as system requirements:
processor speed, memory, raid card, hard drive type/size, graphics card, fibre channel card, capture card, etc?Forgive my lack of knowledge, but until now everything i do has been self taught. Previous work has included corporate video, motion graphics, and small scale TVC’s but i am faced with the opportunity to start cutting a lot more higher end broadcast spots, but will need to do a definite update. I figure i might as well throw myself in the deep end and see where i end up.
I currently operate off of a Duel 2.3 PowerMac G5, Sony DVCAM DSR-11 deck, LaCie external hard drives and use FCP 5.1.4 and Adobe CS3 production premium.
Your feedback is welcomed. Thanks,
Dan -
6 Replies
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First do a search on this forum as there have been a lot of posts about this.
This is what I would build a new suite around and basically what we have in our two main edit suites.
Mac Octo Core 3.2 w/10GB RAM
AJA Kona 3
AJA ADA 4
AJA HD10AVA
ATTO R380 SAS/SATA Card
MaxxDigital EVO HD SATA Array
Dual Dell 2408 computer displays
TV Logic 24″ LCD HD Video Monitor
Panasonic Pro Plasma Display
Wacom Intuos 3 tablet
Mackie 1202 Audio mixer
KRK Rokit 5 audio monitors
Final Cut Studio 2
Adobe Production Premium CS3
FastMac BluRay burnerWalter Biscardi, Jr.
Biscardi Creative Media
HD and SD Production for Broadcast and Independent Productions.STOP STARING AND START GRADING WITH APPLE COLOR Apple Color Training DVD available now!
Read my Blog!
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Thanks Walter,
As far as decks are concerned, do you own them or hire them according to the job?
Also does this kind setup mean that you can do on-line and off-line editing?I’m sure this is basic stuff. Perhaps you could point me in the right direction as to a good place to learn more.
Also, just wanted to personally give you a credit for all the time and work you put into the cow forum, you seem to be in almost every thread. Thanks,
Dan
dan
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I rent my decks. If there was one that I knew I would be using all the time, then I might buy it.
This is the reason that places like PROMAX need to exist…so that you can go to someone and say “I need a system capable of doing this,” and they can then configure a system to suit your needs. VARs is what they are called. A good place I know of is EVS in Oklahoma…but if you can find someone local then all the better.
Shane
GETTING ORGANIZED WITH FINAL CUT PRO DVD now for sale!
http://www.LFHD.net
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[dan cooper] “As far as decks are concerned, do you own them or hire them according to the job?”
I own two Panasonic AJ-HD1400s, two Sony M15U HDV decks, one Sony UVW-1800 and one Sony J3-902 so we can ingest every single format except HDCAM natively in-house. For that we can hire a deck.
[dan cooper] “Also does this kind setup mean that you can do on-line and off-line editing?”
This setup is good all the way to full native 2K editing.
[dan cooper] “I’m sure this is basic stuff. Perhaps you could point me in the right direction as to a good place to learn more.”
I would probably search for System, What Should I buy, Computer, things like that in the Search Tool here on the Forum. Also look at forums like the AJA and BlackMagic to learn more about those products. I personally only use AJA products here in our shop.
[dan cooper] “Also, just wanted to personally give you a credit for all the time and work you put into the cow forum, you seem to be in almost every thread. Thanks,”
Much appreciated! We’re all volunteers here so getting a kind word like that reminds me of why we do what we do!
Walter Biscardi, Jr.
Biscardi Creative Media
HD and SD Production for Broadcast and Independent Productions.STOP STARING AND START GRADING WITH APPLE COLOR Apple Color Training DVD available now!
Read my Blog!
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[Shane Ross] “This is the reason that places like PROMAX need to exist…so that you can go to someone and say “I need a system capable of doing this,” and they can then configure a system to suit your needs.”
Absolutely precisely 100% spot on the nose. We’re really helpful on these forums but there is nothing like having that one reseller who can listen to your needs, assemble an entire system, and then stand behind it with support once you start working.
When I started out back 2001 I was coming from Media 100 and had absolutely no idea how to configure an FCP system. So I called Promax and told them I need and uncompressed SD system and a UVW-1800. Three hours later I had a quote for a complete system built around the Pinnacle CinéWave. That system ran for about three years. Awesome folks and they will be missed.
I can also recommend WH Platts company for folks on the east coast. whplatts.com. My sales rep is David Strupp in the Atlanta office and probably THE nicest guy I’ve ever met in the business. He only sells you what you need and will even propose a cheaper option if it better suits your needs. I purchase about 90% of all my equipment and software through David.
Walter Biscardi, Jr.
Biscardi Creative Media
HD and SD Production for Broadcast and Independent Productions.STOP STARING AND START GRADING WITH APPLE COLOR Apple Color Training DVD available now!
Read my Blog!
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Haven’t read the rest of the contributions yet.
I try to list the stuff you will forget or pretend you can do without:
1. comfortable chairs for your clients
2. totally bombproof uninterruptible power system for the parts of the rig that must not crash if the power goes out.
3. Backup regime. Not to protect you, you’re replaceable, but to protect your clients.
4. Really good insurance for your failure to have a good backup regime
5. Proper air conditioning to protect your investment
6. proper audio amplification and delivery
7. cable management so you’re not always saying, “Sorry the place is a such a mess.”
8. A strict NO FOOD OR DRINK NEAR THE EXPENSIVE TOYS policybogiesan
This is my standard sigfile so do not take it personally: “For crying out loud, read the freakin’ manual.”
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