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Connecting monitor to Mac Pro to work with FCP suite
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[Jim Nicholson] “I am in PA. I have bought all the direct video equipment except the computer and software from B+H photo.
I guess they would be considered a VAR”No, not a VAR. An internet clearinghouse is more appropriate. A true VAR gives good advice before, during and especially AFTER the sale. They develop a relationship with you to make you a long term client. I never purchase from B&H unless I absolutely have to and there only for smaller items.
WH Platts does cover the whole east coast, but I’m sure you can find some recommendations in PA.
Walter Biscardi, Jr.
Editor, Colorist, Director, Writer, Consultant, Author.
Credits include multiple Emmy, Telly, Aurora and Peabody Awards.
Owner, Biscardi Creative Media featuring HD Post
Biscardi Creative MediaCreative Cow Forum Host:
Apple Final Cut Pro, Apple Motion, Apple Color, AJA Kona, Business & Marketing, Maxx Digital. -
For VARs, it can be a very personal.
Through the years, I’ve purchase equipment from just about everyone.-it’s not a good thing. BH does have the best pricing, but unless your happy with what you receive (as you’ve experienced) it can be hard to live with.For you, it would probably be best to find a VAR that you can go to and actually hold, touch, shake, etc the equipment before you buy it. Since you don’t know a lot about equipment it’s going to be important that the VAR understands you’re needs and that you understand what you’re getting. A good VAR, even if they don’t stock an item you might be interest in, sometimes can get a sales rep to stop by with a demo that you can look at. As Walter mentioned, once you find a VAR that you like, it can be a great relationship for you both. They get all of your business, and you get someone who can answer your questions and will have your back if you need a return.
Hint, usually good VARs are NOT going to have the best pricing on every piece of equipment-it’s a trade off for having quality staff.Good Luck,
Todd at UCSB
Television Production -
[Todd Gillespie] “Hint, usually good VARs are NOT going to have the best pricing on every piece of equipment-it’s a trade off for having quality staff. “
I can absolutely agree with that. There are times I pay more than the “going internet rate” for products from the Platts company, but their service more than makes up for any monetary cost. Especially when it comes to returns, technical issues, etc… If something doesn’t work as advertised, THEY deal with the manufacturers, not me.
Walter Biscardi, Jr.
Editor, Colorist, Director, Writer, Consultant, Author.
Credits include multiple Emmy, Telly, Aurora and Peabody Awards.
Owner, Biscardi Creative Media featuring HD Post
Biscardi Creative MediaCreative Cow Forum Host:
Apple Final Cut Pro, Apple Motion, Apple Color, AJA Kona, Business & Marketing, Maxx Digital. -
“Yes, I can walk down to the Apple Store and pick up a new computer, but I’ve built a 5 year relationship with this company and they know my facility”
The problem I have with the Apple store knowing nothing about video editing, they write the FCP software so why should I not expect them to know about it? I bought the software there as well.
Why would I deal with others when it comes to Apple made products.Apple was paid so they should have the answers.
I know in a perfect word! -
Just to get BACK on topic for a moment…
Those GRAPHICS cards you used in PCs had S-Video out. But they sent out a non-professional computer-type signal…basically making a TV into a third monitor, or a player for a number of PC applications. Mac graphics cards have those too, but you do not use that to monitor video from FCP. NO, you need capture cards or video input/output devices. High end cards like the AJA Kona series, Decklink Extreme series and Matrox MXO 2 ($900 – $3500). Or mid level Decklink Intensity/Intensity Pro, MXO2 mini and AJA I/O Express (around $150-$500). Those do SD and prepare you for the HD world.
Now…if you want SD only, and you are working with DV, then a DV camera, deck, or DV I/O device like the Canopus AVCD-300 will work. But that is almost as much as an Intensity Pro, MXO2 mini or AJA Express. So really, the mid level would be a good starting point for this. And all have RCA component and composite connections.
And just to comment on the whole PC/Mac thing. PCs aren’t just for gamers…they too are used as professional level editing systems. Setting Avid aside (as it is high end enterprise class, on PC and Mac), there is Sony Vegas, Adobe Premiere, Edius…a few others. And they TOO use capture cards or I/O devices. The Matrox RT is for Premiere, Edius has it’s own hardware…both might use the AJA Xena cards. Vegas might have something too….I just don’t know what.
The point is…this isn’t just a “Mac thing.” This is a PROFESSIONAL VIDEO editing thing. Start getting into professional video production and things will start to cost more…and throw in HD…a LOT more. More than a $7000 computer with software, monitor and hard drives. No, you need proper monitoring, proper I/O video devices, and then something to output your final projects too, if you go the BluRay route, or HD Tape route.
Your big hurdles are not only the leap from PC to Mac….but the leap from hobbyist video into the professional video world. And you are trying to do this on your own…self taught. There will be issues, and a lot of them will be user error. If I bought a set of tools and lumber and some blue-prints…or Time/Life books…and then set out to build a house, there are bound to be HUGE issues with this house. I will mess up a lot along the way, and it will take a long time. Not only the building of the structure, but then, oh my, there’s plumbing and electrical. Just like there is editing, then color correction, then post sound work…and graphics. There are people who ONLY do audio, ONLY color correct, ONLY edit…as long term careers. just like there are plumbers and carpenters and electricians.
So yes, this can be done…you can learn from manuals and help DVDs and the like, but it won’t be easy, it won’t be quick, and you will stumble a lot along the way. Robert Rodriguez did it…but he is also an exception.
And just because Apple wrote the editing software, doesn’t mean the Apple Store employees know how to build a functional professional editing system. They don’t.
So good luck…I wish you the best. But in all truth, if you want to make it in this world of professional production, you should think about becoming an employee at a production company first. Learn from people who know what they are doing…see how it is done first hand. This will help you skip making a lot of mistakes.
Shane
GETTING ORGANIZED WITH FINAL CUT PRO DVD…don’t miss it.
Read my blog, Little Frog in High Def -
Thanks Shane
You are correct. First let me say I was only trying to get a rise with the PC statement. I still have 5 and use most of them everyday. I use an X-Box for games when I play them so I do not use pc’s for games. So I hope I did not ruffle any feathers.
Back on topic, I admit I was kinda speaking out on the Apple store guys. They made many promises of functionality (right out of the box) that were entirely FALSE! This is what upset me. Yes it is my fault for not taking the zillions of hours and months to learn about the MAC before going to buy one but lets not sugar coat the wrong that was promised. This was upsetting to me. Nuff said about the Apple guys.
I agree with all of your comments about learning. I would have loved to find a production job to learn the basics and more but in this economy they are not on every street corner. In my area the few companies I know about when hiring will only hire students out of film school or college. Even the local public television (may be closing due to lost funding) will not talk to a streetwise candidate anymore. If I could relocate, maybe something could be found but I am rooted with responsibilities. I am no longer a young person with a free schedule.
I also am aware of the costs involved. I have already invested $45k and that is not even the bare minimum needed to pull off many jobs competing with local companies that have zillions$$ of equipment. This is only a drop in the bucket. You mention $900 converters and $1500 capture cards. I am not complaining I am just trying to highlight the fact that I will do this and I do not have the bucks many houses have.
In this tech world I know we will hear about how the equipment does not make up for skill/ability but it certainly helps. That equipment is needed if your finished work is to be on the same level of professional output of the other guys. I am sure we will hear how one guy with a camera and low end editor has done a tremendous job and is right up there with the big houses. Not if tech drove the project. I would like to see this guy’s final work compare to a big house job when loads of fx and all other high tech end work is required.
I do guerrilla film making as I do not have that big buck equipment. Yes,I can do decent work as long as I do not need those graphic/animation/sound people that specialize as you mention. I can always hire out if the budget allows.
Yes I keep striving to learn.Funny thing, when I entered the Aerospace field 30+ years ago as a class A machinist. I never had any formal training, just worked at a small job shop for 6 months, was hired off the street with a willingness to learn and was told by the lead man after a short while I was not in the right place. He told me I needed to go to a large shop where my talent would be appreciated. I did and never had 1 minute of formal training. Peoples lives depended on my work. I worked at Avco Lycoming in R+D and production.
Will it be tough, you bet, will I make mistakes, already have, will I learn, I am every day. Can I do this? I already am. Can I do it better, that is what I hope happens with the help of this and other forums.
With your help and the help of many other professionals that are willing to offer their knowledge/skills so that others may realize their dreams.I thank all of you. This is how I always learned and if it were not for people like you guys I might be in school today!
:0) just kidding about school that is!
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