hdv system package

[Wayne Carey]

Yes to all… The problem with HDV is the way FCP handles it. The best method is to use something like the AJA HD10A inconjunction with the Kona2 so that you can digitize the signal HD-SDI rather than the HDV way.

Now, my next question is… Which HDV are you looking at? There is little support for any flavor of HDV but Panasonic and JVC 24p recordings are almost impossible to use in FCP with a translation program, and don’t even consider the Sony HDV if you are wanting 24p, it sucks. But if you go with Sony and use standard HDV or Cineframe 30, you’ll be just fine.

Main thing is… FCP doesn’t handle HDV very well at all, at the moment. NAB is comming up and I know Apple has some new improvements for FCP so I think it would be very beneficial to wait until NAB and do some research there for your solution.

Just for your knowledge… I purchased my system thru ProMax, who was very very helpful and understanding of my budget constraints.

_____________________________

Wayne Carey
wcarey@strikeking.com

[Sterling Noren]

I think FCP actually handles HDV pretty darn good (at least straight-up 60i which is what i use). I am currently editing HDV on my system at home with an out of the box Apple G5/Final Cut Pro setup. I have almost 80 hours of footage stored on two FireWire drives that I have been working on w/o problem for several months.

I use the Dell 24″ for monitoring and dont get too fussy when it comes to color correction other than making sure my levels are broadcast safe. it works great for my needs.

Perhaps it does not compare with the system I use at work (Kona 2, Apple RAID, expensive CRT monitor, etc) but for about 12k (camera package AND edit system) I was able to get myself into HD production on my own. And I can always bring my project into work on a FireWire drive and look at it in that context too, if I need to.

Used wisely it can stand up fairly well and even in my *normal* job we regularly intercut HDV with DVCProHD originated material. That said, there ARE reasons to get an expensive capture card but not having it wont stop you from being able to edit HDV in a not-too-painful way either.

Sterling

[Rick Neely]

Thanks for the feedback,

Not sure what camera package will be used. I’m simply budgeting the post side of things while the camera package has already been assembled (I think it will be a JVC camera). Whether they use 24p or 30p is uncertain.
This thing might be for a Football franchise, but I sitll don’t know how big or frequent production will be to necessitate a KONA drive. I will lokk at Promax’s website for package options though. Thanks.

Rick