[David Eaks]

Forget the 500GB drive, too small and too expensive. I’ve been using LaCie D2 Quadras for a few years now with no problems (note that I’ve replaced the HDDs in all of my D2’s, not because of failure but to increase storage capacity). Never used the Rugged drives though.

One thing to know is that there are only like three actual HDD manufacturers and therefore any brand external hard disk drive you buy will contain a drive made by one of those manufacturers. I’ve had very good (read flawless) expiriences with WD Caviar/Scorpio Blacks, buying bare drives and putting them into enclosures/Mac Pro/MBP.

If you don’t have a backup system in place, you MUST do so. Your hard drive WILL fail eventually. Something like a G-Tech G-RAID would probably be a better starting point than the drives you mentioned just for the built in RAID-1 but that on its own is not a “backup system”.

Here’s one, $265 for 2TB-
https://www.amazon.com/G-Technology-G-RAID-Dual-External-Drive/dp/B002Q887BS

Maybe more expensive but it’s only ~$80. How much is your work worth?

Or a 2TB D2 Quadra (now including USB 3) for $190 (not a RAID but you can daisy chain more than one with FW800 and RAID them, which I’ve done a lot)-
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=770602&is=REG&Q=&A=details

If you can afford it, why not throw an SSD in for the system drive. Ive found that 128GB is enough for me. Here’s one-
https://www.amazon.com/Crucial-128GB-2-5-Inch-Solid-CT128M4SSD2/dp/B004W2JKZI

[David Eaks]

Did you create proxy media and change the playback preference to use proxy? That will help.

What is the storage that your media is on? Internal drive? Thunderbolt RAID? USB 2.0 External drive? It makes a big difference.

[David Eaks]

I’m interested in this information as well, especially about the low light capability of the stock lens and lossless zoom with other lens’.

[David Eaks]

[Jeremy Garchow] “A different theory is Phi, but that’s a whole ‘nother set of pipe dream.”

I’d be interested in hearing a pipe dream theory or two regarding Phi, if you care to share.

[David Eaks]

[John Godwin]
“On the iMac: 15-20 seconds to render
Almost perfect realtime, dropping maybe 1-3 frames per second (again, with VERY heavy effects)

Why, it’s almost as if FCPX and the iMac were made for each other. Imagine that.”

It comments like this that make it so tempting. Especially with Larry and Walter and so many others praising the iMacs as well. I’ve never had the opportunity to edit on any TBolt Mac (not counting messing around at the Apple store). I spoke with a couple yesterday, friends of a friend, they just bought a new 27″ iMac with upgraded RAM. I said I’ve heard good things about them for what I do. They said it has a hard time playing “The Sims” and I just wanted to take the computer away from them.

[John Godwin] “My expectation is that sometime before or around NAB someone’ll release a Thunderbolt magic box with all the inputs and outputs I need and that’ll take care of things for a while.”

Yeah, I thought that when the time came for me, the Belkin dock would be my pick. Then they dropped eSATA and now I’m not so sure-
https://www.macrumors.com/2013/01/07/ces-2013-belkin-drops-esata-support-for-upcoming-thunderbolt-express-dock-cuts-price-back-to-299/

[John Godwin] “Oh, and anyone interested in a Mac Pro tower (sorry, I’m not in the office and don’t have the specs handy) with Kona 3 and breakout box) let me know before I put it on eBay).”

May as well put it up on the classifieds here 🙂

[David Eaks]

I say wait. There is no reason to jump the gun (unless there is). While I’m anxious to upgrade both my 2008 8-core & bought-just-months-before-thunderbolt-released-MBP and those new 27″ iMacs sure are tempting. I’m hoping that the new Mac Pro really will be “something great”. I bet it will be “made for FCPX” and it will run smokin fast, maybe even get decent Motion 5 performance 🙂 I could see losing an internal storage slot or two, the optical drives, even firewire (just don’t take away my PCI slots!) and having a seek, trimmed-down, nice rack-sized “sizzle-core beauty”.

but if it sucks and won’t work for you at all, those iMacs will still be there.

[David Eaks]

Sorry, I have the even less expensive Libec remotes with only the 2.5″.

Link-
https://m.bhphotovideo.com/mobile/detail?R=361366_REG&title=Zoom+Control+for+DV+Cameras

[David Eaks]

I don’t have an answer to your questions but just wanted to add my $0.02. With my first two Sony NX5s, I bought the more expensive Sony LANC zoom remotes, then with my second two NX5s I chose to get less expensive Libec ones. I actually preffer the Libec remotes and always reach for them when setting up to shoot. Assuming they work with your cameras, I’m sure you’ll be happy with the Libec remote.

[David Eaks]

I agree with Craig. If you’re shooting 4:3 SD just accept the pillar boxing. There are options for embedding a 4:3 player, that could potentially help you out, if your doing that sort of thing. But why not throw it into 16:9 mode? I looked up some PD 170 16:9 videos on youtube… I think its worth it.

Embedded video of PD 170 in 16:9 mode, in a “normal” 16:9 Youtube player-

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and a 4:3 video embedded in a 4:3 player (this video has pillar boxes when viewed on YouTube)-

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There is nothing “wrong” with a 4:3 image, playing in a 16:9 window, having the black bars on the sides. That is how its supposed to be unless you want to crop or stretch it. If there are black bars at the top and bottom as well as the sides, you have a problem and we can fix it.

I also agree with Craig on getting an HD camera. I had a Vixia G10 (in the $1000 range) for a short time. I was pretty impressed with the quality of the video, even in fairly low light theater situations. Of course it wasn’t as good as my Sony NX5s, but better than I expected it to be. I’m sure a model in the $300 dollar range would still give you a respectable picture, especially with favorable lighting conditions and a skilled camera operator.

As for AVCHD, IME with my NX5s, there is almost no visual difference between the AVCHD internal recording vs feeding the SDI to my AJA Ki Pro and recording Prores 422. Of course there is a difference when it comes to green screen or color grading, but I haven’t really tested for those differences.

[David Eaks]

Awesome! I’m really interested in hearing what you think about it and in seeing any test shots if you’re willing to post.