[Al Bergstein]

While I own both Macs (Mac Pro & Laptop) and PCs (Windows 7 64 bit) there is some food for thought on which is “better”. I agree with John’s general comments, that it is a much larger universe on Mac. My experience with Boot Camp led me to just buy a ‘real’ Windows machine. I found (at the time, it may no longer be true) that I had more problems with Boot Camp than any regular Windows machine (my Dell Desktop is extremely stable, as is my Lenovo laptop). One problem I had was that the high end Mac card overheated routinely in Boot Camp, the drivers just didn’t seem to work as well, likely from Apple’s compatability layer. That same thing did not happen when I booted into the Mac OS. ( I do know enough to figure out how to troubleshoot this, but there did not seem to be answer to it, so I gave up). I also had a lot of BSOD on the Boot Camp drive, and virutually none on native Windows. BSOD are pretty much a thing of the past, as compatability with Windows hardware to the OS is much better. Knock on wood (G).

Hanging out in the Adobe forums, it seems that CS6 is having far more problems on Mac than Windows. And I no longer trust Apple to do the right thing for pros. Whether they are not giving Adobe enough advanced information on how to develop for their platform, or whatever, it’s been much more stable on Windows than on my Mac. I no longer start projects on Adobe on Mac. and don’t get me started on the OS upgrades from Hell on Apple. At least there is no need to constantly upgrade Windows. 64 bit 7 is fine, thank you. But you have to deal with some possibly buggy security fixes from MSFT every month.

Apple has not really given us new high end workstations forever, and appears to have abandoned that market, given it’s refresh cycle on laptops and the consumer desktop. It’s handling of FCP was just amateurish, a fiasco. Ultimately, Apple seems to be moving faster than ever into the consumer market, the FCP thing reminds us that the pro market is a tiny niche of what really is a phone business and service now. MSFT has always catered to the professional market as a distinct niche, as IMHO is doing much better than they ever have there.

I agree with John, that iCloud, iPhone and IPad sync wonderfully on Mac. Haven’t had a problem either with Windows and those items. In fact, WIndows uses the iPad as a storage device, which I’ve not been able to do with my Mac as easily.

But I’ve started using Windows Live Skydrive, and it is a nicer interface than either iCloud or Google Drive, and seems to work fine with my documents. Time will tell. It does work fine on my mac as well.

As to Vegas, it’s just been terribly unstable on my otherwise rock solid machines. Same machine, Vegas vs. CS 6, there is no question. I *love* Vegas’ interface, fast and intuitive. I can edit and finish much faster on it. I *want* it to be better. But I only use it for light duty work, quick and dirty. It just is too buggy for me trusting longer form efforts. Maybe someday. Waiting to see if they stabilize 12 (the beta has not been kind to me). It’s their last hope for my money.

Well, morning coffee over, back to the editing bench. Clients coming in a few hours.

Al

[Al Bergstein]

+1 to Peter’s post.ifyou really want this to succeed and be something for a portfolio, hire a sound person. Our practice till you know you can do it. Consider the cost of a sound engineer to be aninvestment in a good outcome, just like your gear!

Al

[Al Bergstein]

I’ve already run into this, as I’ve expanded my video business in the last few years. It sounds like you need to get a larger set of drives, first off, if you can afford it. I’m now up to an 8TB RAID 1 from OWC (running on Windows 7 64bit)

https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/hard-drives/RAID/Desktop/

This allows me to have everything for my projects all together. I am likely to need to another one by end of next year, but will put all major projects on one and minor projects on another. You also might be able to, by archiving older, less likely video, be able to setup a second PC with your less used footage, running next to your main unit, connected by 1Gb Ethernet. That would keep it close, fast and online.

There are more expensive solutions, including towers of RAID, and SAN solutions, but really, for a small shop, I think this would serve you better for expansion. According to the link above 16 TBs of RAID is only $1400. Only downside is that these models don’t yet have USB 3. I’m waiting on the next cycle to make sure I get both eSata and USB3 on a unit. I’ve liked USB 3 on a few portable drives. Fast, easy. Hope this helps.

Cataloguing it all? I don’t know. I’m not a fan of Bridge for Video (yet). For example, it doesn’t store metadata for MTS files. I will read the article above and give it another try. It seems now that it might be better than it was. I’ve not found the right solution for cataloging it outside of Adobe (need lots of metadata). Would love to see Lighroom step up to the task. I use it for all my still stock. Maybe there’s a way to export all my LR metadata into Bridge or maybe Bridge will see it . Have to look into it further.

Al

[Al Bergstein]

DV Multirig – I’ve not used it as much with my 305 as I did with my HMC150. Not really sure why. But I’d likely sell it

https://www.dvtec.tv/id33.html

Al

[Al Bergstein]

I can’t imagine ever shooting hand held for hours, even shoulder mounted. I always rely on at least a monopod, and even that’s not ideal. LIghtweight tripod is preferable, no matter where. But you can try a mount. Heck I might sell you one of mine if you want! (G)

Al

[Al Bergstein]

Ah this question raises as many questions as it answers. There is no ‘perfect’ choice. You have Canon lenses you have invested in, no doubt. As do I. Upgrading to GH3, even though if was starting over again, I’d likely be tempted to do so, is a an expensive option, given your current Canon investment. But for the price, it’s hard to ignore the new Black Magic. But 4k files for editing on a normal run and gun shoot? I don’t think so. As to shooting Pro Res files, how very Final Cut Pro 7ish. Seems almost quaint today. Just kidding.

Questions we don’t know: What’s your budget? What do you shoot? etc. etc.

I like the “Canon Look” and have found it much more flexible in post than using AVCHD, which I had in a HMC150 before my xf305. I also have a 7D, and use it on occasion. The C100 would really be interesting if it can get better latitude than my previous experience with AVCHD has shown (way too hot and burned out highlights, and tending to accentuate reds in woods, in places where the xf305 just is wonderful). I can usually salvage contrasty scenes like shadow to bright sunlight in a pinch with 4:2:2. I could never do that with the HMC150, for example. I would be very suspect about the GH3 in this regard. And the ability to fine tune the picture files gives you something to grow into as to tuning to the right scene. But in overcast light, and where you control light, the GH2 footage a friend has shot has been very solid.

The Sony(s) has a great look but ergonomically people aren’t wild about it. However, many people I respect have started shooting with it. (Eric Becker is currently in Africa shooting with one, it will be interesting to get his perspective on it in the field). But again, AVCHD.

For my money, starting over from scratch, with budget $20k US or less, I’d probably look at the Canon C300. 4:2:2 color space, MXF files, great latitude. It can use your existing Canon lens investment. But it’s pricey, and requires an investment in your future work. But wait a month or so, as the new crop will be out, Philip Bloom will have reviewed the BMCC and GH3 by then, and you can make a better choice.

Al

[Al Bergstein]

I’ve bought a few. The most flexible, for the price, has seemed to be the one from Westside AV in NYC. It has a flexible arm(s) to it, and you can mount a receiver, recorder, or other device to it. You can also mount a battery on the back. Bare bones, but very flexible rig. I mount a receiver on the front hot shoe, and sometimes mount the Marantz PM661 on the Westside mount arm.

Zacuto and Red Rock Micro makes a real nice mount with rails for a much more expensive price, as do a few other companies. For my style shooting (more documentary) I eventually found myself happy with shoulder jamming it without a mount, but wonder if the Zacuto mounts that simply add a support to the chest would work better. I find that I have no problem holding it pretty steady with just shoulder support, as the tilting LCD gives you a great range of vision to allow you to be flexible with, unlike a DSLR. The Zacuto “Target Shooter” might be a good option for the price. The IKAN flyweight might also do.

But I’ve also found a monopod to be just about as steady as my shoulder mounts.

Looked into the Fig Rig, and it’s similar ones, but I just worried about too much attention being drawn to me. I don’t shoot theatrical work much (at this time) and wandering around a general location with a big tire seemed to add even more attention to my already attention getting camera.

https://www.westsideav.com.

Al

[Al Bergstein]

I know. I’m talking about automating adding various titles. See vegasaur feature list to better understand. But looking at Adobe’s partner web site it does not seem that there is such an add on. Worse case is I export files to mxf bring them into Vegas and the run Veg. Buti might be missing something in Pr.

Al

[Al Bergstein]

Would love to try it out. I will get a hold of you today or tomorrow. Congratulations on your efforts coming to market!

Al

[Al Bergstein]

Just to clarify for new users.