Boyd Mccollum
Forum Replies Created
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I concur with debe – go for the CPU over RAM. I’m doing a small project on an old single processor G5 – one of the original ones, and it’s slow (it’s not mine!). The irony is that they got it at a time when the dual processors had just come out and decided not to get one. One of those duals would be nice to have today. The point is, you want to have maximum flexibility and usage on the box 2-3, even 4, years from now.
The other thing to look at is the graphics card you get. That’ll make a big difference on your performance as well.
I’d agree that if money’s tight right now, go with the CPU, minimum RAM, and lowest end graphics card. Then as you get money in, purchase additional RAM and upgrade the graphics card (not from Apple). Note on graphics card – if you are doing lots of heavy graphics work, you’ll want the high end card.
my $0.02.
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[Michael G] “The nornal setting for HDV is two channel 16 bit 48Khz. “
I didn’t know this!
[Michael G] “Internally the audio is recorded to tape as mpeg, but comes out as PCM 16bit 48Khz.”
When it’s recorded using MPEG-1 Layer 2, the audio bitrate is 384Kbps – which is a 4:1 compression over DV audio, which is using uncompressed 16-bit PCM at 1536Kbps. So while it may be sent out PCM 16bit 48khHz, it’s sending out data that’s already been compressed. (i knew there was some reduced quality issue with HDV audio, but I was thinking it was the 12bit 32kHz thing 🙂
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I’m still running 5.1.2. In the capture preset you can select DV audio to capture at 32kHz 16 bit 2-chan.
I thought 32kHz was 12 bit, but there you go. I’d duplicate the preset you want to use and set the audio to 32kHz. Should work okay. Afterall, FCP can capture HDV which is 32kHz 12bit.
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[harveyhead] “a bag full of HDV tapes. The shooter person has no idea at all about video, so its up to me figure this all out…*gulp…thats okay I think – “
relax. HDV isn’t the end of the world – and the workflow for it is pretty well laid out. Jerry Hofmann has an excellent article in Issue 2 of the Creative Cow Magazine – you can sign up for a free subscription and download it:
https://magazine.creativecow.net/
[harveyhead] “I’ve heard that the HDV-Apple Intermediate Codec looks like garbage “
I’d be more concern with the content ON the tape being garbage…
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Lighting is the absolute key to doing a good greenscreen. The screen should be evenly lit and you want to have good separation between the subject and the greenscreen. Relative exposure between the two elements isn’t too critical – usually within a stop or so of each other – the biggest concern is to control any spill coming from the screen. You should use a backlight on the subject – the quality and intensity based on what will be your background image.
t[rbengraff] “I really would like the 24p cine look and becuse I am compositing I assume I must shoot full progressive.”
I think you just answered your own question.
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[Charles Bittner] “I have a final cut package 5.1, Can i sell it if i have installed it? (yes i’ll remove the install) “
To be absolutely sure, you should just contact Apple directly. Here’s the relevant information from the License agreement:
“3. Transfer.
You may not rent, lease, lend or sublicense the Apple Software. You may, however, make a one-time permanent transfer of all of your license rights to the Apple Software to another party, provided that: (a) the transfer must include all of the Apple Software, including all its component parts, original media, printed materials and this License; (b) you do not retain any copies of the Apple Software, full or partial, including copies stored on a computer or other storage device; and (c) the party receiving the Apple Software reads and agrees to accept the terms and conditions of this License. All components of the Apple Software are provided as part of a bundle and may not be separated from the bundle and distributed as standalone applications.NFR (Not for Resale) Copies: Notwithstanding other sections of this License, Apple Software labeled or otherwise provided to you on a promotional basis may only be used for demonstration, testing and evaluation purposes and may not be resold or transferred.
Academic Copies: If the Apple Software package has an academic label or if you acquired the Apple Software at an academic discount, you must be an Eligible Educational End User to use the Apple Software.
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You may want to shoot everything at 29.97 and then use the Nattress plugin to come down to 24p which is really 23.98. I believe, 24p is a much cleaner downconvert from 29.97 as they are multiples of each other. Also, all of the camera’s would be at the same framerate (you’d use 60i for each). If I’m not mistaken, Graeme has said that it’s much more difficult to do the 50i to 24p than 60i. It seems easier because it’s only one frame off, but that’s misleading. Double check at http://www.nattress.com.
The look should also be more consistent with everthing shooting at 60i, than mixing 30p with 50i (even bringing them to 24p).
I’m not sure if there would be any issues with the GOP structures, the Z1 uses long GOP and the Canon short GOP – but that may be overthinking it.
One thing you should do, is shoot a short test with both cameras and the different frame rates and check out your workflow. Even if you need to spend money to rent the cameras to do this, it will save SO much time in post. Test. Test. Test.
Did I say test? There is no substitution, and it’s better than being in post going “it’s not working/looking the way we thought it would.”
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Take a look at CatDV Pro 5.1: https://www.squarebox.co.uk/professional.html
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There really isn’t “video” editing or “film” editing at this point. Very few people edit linear videotape or edit with actual film prints on flatbeds. Pretty much everyone uses NLEs (AVID, FCP, Premiere, etc.). Many films – including the ones you might be able to work on – are being shot on DV or HD.
What you are talking about is narrative fiction editing. Do some research and reading on narrative editing and storytelling. Amazon.com, the Creative Cow, etc. are great places to start. Watch “The Cutting Edge” on film editing. Bryce Button’s “Nonlinear Editing for DV: Story, Aesthetics, & Craft” is an excellent resource and I’d highly recommend it. Watch the films of the type you want to edit, and really look at them as an editor. If you’re using FCP, you might want to look into getting Jerry Hofmann’s FCP 4 book. The information is still mostly relevant, but what’s great about it is the project on the DVD that comes with the book is a narrative short that you edit – it has all the footage that was shot – great experience to edit narrative fiction.
But to really get experience, try editing a couple of projects free of charge. Look at local film schools for students looking for an editor. The beauty of a student short is that they are short. You’ll begin to understand the narrative structure and editing for story and performance. You could check at a local film school for a class on editing, or a beginning production class. A scriptwriting class might be of value to.
You could also post your services at film schools- say you’re an experienced doc editor needing to get experience in narratives. Don’t forget that editing documentaries requires many of the same skills of storytelling as narrative fiction films. Check on Craigslist (and similar local outlets) for folks with little or no money looking to complete their films. It’s the old trade off of no money for no experience :-). If you’re in an area where lots of films are being made, go to them and asks if you can be an assistant on a film.
You could even take a short script and shoot simple scenes yourself with actors (try to get real actors, even students) and then cut it. Great experience, especially working with actors, seeing how they perform in front of the camera, then editing that performance.
Good luck!
Boyd
“Go slow to go fast” -
I’ve used the 30″ Cinema Display for a year and a half. I’ve had no issues editing, and the real estate is incredible. Keep the brightness turned down, I had it to high when I first got it and it hurt my eyes. I’ve had no dead pixels, but did experience an issue where part of the screen became discolored. I have Pro Care and it was covered under Apple Care (I bought it with a tower). The Apple Store took it and 3-4 days later I had it back with the screen replaced.