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Capture 250+ hrs mini DV tape > Newbie seeking best workflow plan
Hello Everyone,
I look forward to your advise/mentorship on how to approach this massive process. Primarily I need to decide on a Capture Tool (software) based upon understanding the pros/cons of workflow options/scenarios. “Your Wisdom is My Command!”
I’ve provided every detail that came to mind, and I will respond promptly to any/all of your questions and suggestions.
Thank you very much, in advance, for your wisdom… I am eager to embark on this process in the most advantageous way.
What I’ve listed for your reference:
1. equipment list and my current setup
2. immediate capture, log, & edit goals
3. final uses of edited ContentEquipment List:
– both systems arrived last week, 10.6.3 w/Snow Leopard (iMovie incl.) otherwise no editing software purchased yet (i.e., FCP, FCE, etc.)1 ea – Mac Mini 2.53/ 4GB/ 320 (dedicated to the video project)
1 ea – Mac Book Pro 2.53/ 4GB/ 250 (admin/day2day biz) may use for simultaneous video capture
1 ea – Drobo DR04 w/ 2 ea – 1TB, and 1 ea – 1.5 TB WD Caviar Green drives
(currently have 1.8GB free – soon to add another 1.5 GB drive to gain 3.0GB free)
1 ea – 24″ LCD Monitor (shared) connected via mini display port to DVI, and VGA
1 ea – Tripp Lite 1000 VA / 500 watt UPS
2 ea – Standard def. mini DV video cameras, BOTH w/Firewire 400 ports (currently do not own a DV player/deck)2 ea – Dell Laptops (general biz applications – to become secondary systems to new Macs)
1 ea – Fantom Green Drive Quad 1TB (for dedicated PC system backup)Immediate Goals:
a) retain quality through most efficient and “organized” method of capture to allow seamless transfer files/log/EDL data (most likely into FCP)
b) make sure I am purchasing the right accessories (not over or under purchasing drives/cables/software)
c) determine best use setup for highest transfer rates in any/all configurationsMy Duties:
1. capture footage to harddrives (to archive and make ready for scrubb)
2. scrubb through to LOG, create EDL for a professional video editor/storyteller (yet to be determined)
3. I may prefer to hand-off less material “the rough-cut” to editor
– Does this require anything more than additional storage drives?
– From a process perspective, what else would this entail?BEST CAPTURE TOOL – workflow?:
iMovie 09 vs FCE vs FCP vs iDive vs FootTrack
– What makes the most sense from a workflow perspective (considering MY specific duties)?– Does FCEP manage time codes and log data to match up with FCP?
– OR do I need to purchase FCP for this process to be seamless?NOTE: I’m planning to use the FW800 ports (1 ea on Mini and Mac Book) for camera(s)/deck(s) capture to internal HDs, then periodically batch “dump” from each to combine onto Drobo via its FW800 port. I plan to use FW400/4pin to FW800/9pin cable between camera/deck and Mac systems.
Final Uses of Content:
a) online educational and entertainment segments (2-20 mins ea)
– some are subject matter expert interviews
b) 15 yr chronicle backstory rolling into online “docu-drama” series
c) feature and/or short form documentary filmNOTES:
1. I’m toying with the time saving idea of using 2 cameras/decks to capture “simultaneously” on 2 systems, then dump to Drobo.
– Is this crazy… What might I be missing here?2. I absolutely would prefer to use a mini DV player (rather than camcorders) for capture. Very likely this is my only massive capture project (a one-time need), so I’ve been seeking Used SONY GVD or DSR players. Also already over budget… so I’m kinda falling back to using $300 JVC camera as player, and perhaps buying another like camera. Very reluctant to use my prosumer SONY PDx10 for such a task.
3. This raises concern about head alignment between original tape capture (different camera) and the player(s). I’m figuring a true “dv player/deck” eliminates or minimizes this issue… is it a concern?
– Also, will the player type affect quality of capture (if I keep heads clean)?4. Overwhelming majority of tapes are SONY brand. Early-on I became aware of the different chemical treatments (wet/dry) and their impacts on heads and quality, etc.
With Endless Gratitude,
Chris -
2 Replies
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I think you should look into this software.
https://www.squarebox.co.uk/tour.html
Hope this helps.
Richard Cooper
FrostLine Productions, LLC
Anchorage, Alaska
http://www.frostlineproductions.com -
250 hrs! wow… a lot of fotage.
i cant compare, but have had to capture lots of material in a hurry.
(director coming back from OS with a bag-load of tapes)
this is wat we did:YES we captured on 2 or sometimes 3 systems at once.
our film was shot with 2 cams so that made a lot of sense.our film was HDV, we captured as DV.
capture whole tapes, no time for logging.
as the tapes are capturing, make broad log notes of what is on them.when the tapes are in at the end of each day, run DV start/stop on the captured clips to add markers on every new shot.
this is a function in FCP. might be in FCE.
the time & date needs to have been set in the cameras for this to work.the markes help break down the shots into the rough-logged sections
we edit all shots into a timeline, select them all, right click & “make independent clips”
blade up & re-name the segs.
then MEDIA MANAGE the segments.
Media Managing exports the segments as self contained files, with the new names & keeps the markersone very small hiccup:
you need to trim TWO FRAMES from between each segment for MM to work,
otherwise it wont create separate files.so we’d capture all day on two or three machines,
then spend an hour or so running DV start/stop, blading, renaming etc,
then run Media Manager over night.
first thing next morning we check that it worked OK,
then power on with the capturing.hope that helps,
nick
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