[Craig Alan]

Yeah you are correct. I wrote the post at home and thought I had it set for pn. 30P under recording setup on the 170.

Remove pulldown is correct or not correct? I believe I had it checked. But I’ve tried it both ways and still getting slow mo.

What settings would you recommend for the 170/FC import?

Mac Pro, macbook pro, Imacs (i7); Canon 5D Mark III/70D, Panasonic AG-HPX170/AG-HPX250P, Canon HV40, Sony Z7U/VX2000/PD170; FCP 6 certified; FCP X write professionally for a variety of media; teach video production in L.A.

[Craig Alan]

Ok. 24 inputs give or take.

connection to computer for live adjustments/recordings.

8 outputs (4 stereo pairs)

rugged but installed so doesn’t not need to be portable or bullet proof.

Mac Pro, macbook pro, Imacs (i7); Canon 5D Mark III/70D, Panasonic AG-HPX170/AG-HPX250P, Canon HV40, Sony Z7U/VX2000/PD170; FCP 6 certified; FCP X write professionally for a variety of media; teach video production in L.A.

[Craig Alan]

Thanks Peter and Richard,

I know these are all key variables. I assume there are sweet spots at various price points where you get the best bang for the buck? Meaning quality + as many input/outputs as possible.

Yes it needs to be rugged – but not bullet proof. It will be a console in a control room in the back of an auditorium not a portable.

It’s tough proposing purchases for a school since we are never given a budget upfront.

I’ve set up a meeting for next week to go over what the needs of the drama teacher and music teacher are.

I will count the number of speakers in the auditorium and add a couple of extras for the on-stage monitors plus the exports I need for our cameras though I’m thinking a feed to a computer audio program might be better?

Is there a brand/brands you recommend that have a good selection at different price point where I can start to get the feel of what you get for how much?

Any features beyond ins and outs I should look for. If this is too vague I’ll post back after meeting.

Mac Pro, macbook pro, Imacs (i7); Canon 5D Mark III/70D, Panasonic AG-HPX170/AG-HPX250P, Canon HV40, Sony Z7U/VX2000/PD170; FCP 6 certified; FCP X write professionally for a variety of media; teach video production in L.A.

[Craig Alan]

ok … just a thought.

Mac Pro, macbook pro, Imacs (i7); Canon 5D Mark III/70D, Panasonic AG-HPX170/AG-HPX250P, Canon HV40, Sony Z7U/VX2000/PD170; FCP 6 certified; FCP X write professionally for a variety of media; teach video production in L.A.

[Craig Alan]

I just used Handbrake for the first time after asking at the compression forum what would be the best app to encode a large FC project to under 8 gigs (x.264). It did a great job. But if you are talking about encoding a ton of video is that for archiving? Because it might be a better choice to just get a ton of storage. The only purpose to an archive is for future use. And in the future there will be better encoders and higher res expectations.

Mac Pro, macbook pro, Imacs (i7); Canon 5D Mark III/70D, Panasonic AG-HPX170/AG-HPX250P, Canon HV40, Sony Z7U/VX2000/PD170; FCP 6 certified; FCP X write professionally for a variety of media; teach video production in L.A.

[Craig Alan]

https://www.larryjordan.biz/fcp-x-trash-preferences-video/

Mac Pro, macbook pro, Imacs (i7); Canon 5D Mark III/70D, Panasonic AG-HPX170/AG-HPX250P, Canon HV40, Sony Z7U/VX2000/PD170; FCP 6 certified; FCP X write professionally for a variety of media; teach video production in L.A.

[Craig Alan]

Thanks Eric, I encoded the 1.5 video in handbrake and it looks very good. I stayed with your suggestions and didn’t play with a manual bit rate setting. Changing it to slow it came in just over 4gigs and looks to my eyes very close to the original. At least on a 21.5 inch computer screen. We’re throwing in a bunch of stills as a bonus so we’ll have plenty of room for those, though we might need to compress them as well.

Mac Pro, macbook pro, Imacs (i7); Canon 5D Mark III/70D, Panasonic AG-HPX170/AG-HPX250P, Canon HV40, Sony Z7U/VX2000/PD170; FCP 6 certified; FCP X write professionally for a variety of media; teach video production in L.A.

[Craig Alan]

Thanks – works like a charm. Got a set of very thin permanent markers and a thick dry erase marker and all is good.

Mac Pro, macbook pro, Imacs (i7); Canon 5D Mark III/70D, Panasonic AG-HPX170/AG-HPX250P, Canon HV40, Sony Z7U/VX2000/PD170; FCP 6 certified; FCP X write professionally for a variety of media; teach video production in L.A.

[Craig Alan]

Todd is right on. Lighting may even be more key here than DOF. If, for example, the b.g. is blurry but lit up as bright as your subject then you have these distracting geometric shapes in the b.g. and still calling attention away from your subject. The easiest light to get decent results with is a kino flo. Just get one diva lite on a Matthews baby jr stand and dim your b.g. however way possible and light your subject with your key to one side of your cam. Play with the distance of the light to your subject and the camera to your subject. If you back away from your subject with your cam you can get a narrower DOF by zooming in. The other thing that will really help you compose your shots is an external monitor. Get a broadcast monitor from Flanders and what you see is what you got. The pros at the lighting forum have years of experience and they can give you pointers but every situation is different. You know the look you want, experiment until you have it. Having a monitor allows you to do just that. Otherwise you are just guessing.
The monitor can also help improve the look in post. Color correction has come a long way and it is not just for high end pros any more. One thing to look for to keep attention on your subject is the catch, the little spot in each eye – these makes the audience see the life in your subject. Angle your key light so you see the catch. Try to find b.g. that provides contrast to your subject. Light subject dark b.g.
The fast canon lenses cost several times that of your camera. Go to bhphoto and do a search for canon lenses that fit your camera. Read the f-stop and focal lengths. You’ll get it. You get what you pay for. With your camera I’d start with getting a lighting kit. I highly recommend the kino flo for beginners because it’s very flattering. It also uses any outlet available. And does not get hot. I recommend the kit cause it will be easy to bring to a location, protected and with spare bulbs.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/258599-REG/Kino_Flo_KIT_D4_120_Diva_Lite_400_One_Light.html

Note:Fluorescent tubes are not included

Mac Pro, macbook pro, Imacs (i7); Canon 5D Mark III/70D, Panasonic AG-HPX170/AG-HPX250P, Canon HV40, Sony Z7U/VX2000/PD170; FCP 6 certified; FCP X write professionally for a variety of media; teach video production in L.A.

[Craig Alan]

So a dry erase marker will help dissolve the “permanent” ink? Alcohol does the trick too but may destroy the finish of the white board?

Mac Pro, macbook pro, Imacs (i7); Canon 5D Mark III/70D, Panasonic AG-HPX170/AG-HPX250P, Canon HV40, Sony Z7U/VX2000/PD170; FCP 6 certified; FCP X write professionally for a variety of media; teach video production in L.A.