[Emre Tufekci s.o.a.]

One alternative that comes to mind is the new motu box V3HD. It works nativly dvcpro hd and can up down cross convert on the fly. Downside: nothing above dvcprohd and costs 2K+

A cheaper option is the new blackmagic card intensity pro. You can view hdmi or analog out from FCP or Premiere for only $330. Downside: Dvcprohd support is on the way, you have to cross convert everything to blackmagic codec 1080p 10bit (1 GB dvcprohd becomes 12 GB). Desktop only.

There ofcourse is the AJA IOHD but you already said you donot need prores.

I am sure more people will add many other options, but it’s a start.

PS: When you receive your HVX with the power off slowly tilt it forward and then back. If it “clunks”, you’re good.

Good Luck and enjoy your HVX.

Emre
http://www.productionpit.com
Boxx Tech PC, dual-dual AMD 2.0,4BG ram,Avidexpress HD w/Mojo,UVW-1800,DSR-25, Adobe Premium CS3.Steadicam OP/Owner.

“Creative cow is udder madness.”

[Emre Tufekci s.o.a.]

Hi Kevin,

If you have the budget you should also consider using kinoflo green bulbs. I have a kit and cant imagine doing green screen without them now. As stated above either a light meter or a waveform monitor is very usefull in lighting a green screen. 1080i is reccomended for maximum resolution and a tool like mochaAE from imagineer systems is a good back up incase you have problems and do not want to roto everything by hand(just incase something does not turn out as you wanted).

Hope this helps,

Emre
http://www.productionpit.com
Boxx Tech PC, dual-dual AMD 2.0,4BG ram,Avidexpress HD w/Mojo,UVW-1800,DSR-25, Adobe Premium CS3.Steadicam OP/Owner.

“Creative cow is udder madness.”

[Emre Tufekci s.o.a.]

If I am not mistaken Letus has a 14 day no questions asked return policy. You might want to check it out from letus.

Emre
http://www.productionpit.com
Boxx Tech PC, dual-dual AMD 2.0,4BG ram,Avidexpress HD w/Mojo,UVW-1800,DSR-25, Adobe Premium CS3.Steadicam OP/Owner.

“Creative cow is udder madness.”

[Emre Tufekci s.o.a.]

I think this is also a good place to discuss business investments as it is Business and marketing. I personally have not seen any effects to P2 becoming outdated (in fact I thinks Panasonic is making more and more modifications and improvements as it introduces new systems like the hvx-3000).

But like any venture I buy what I need, when I need it. I dont buy it for the future or I dont wait for the future to arrive. If my clients stop asking for beta sp masters, my uvw-1400 will go out the door next day. If P2 cameras are replaced by holographic discs, adios.

Everything I bought has either paid for itself or got ejected right away. There will always be “the next thing”. My $3000 dual hard drive, 4 gb ram, hd-dvd recording, sentient laptop I bought 6 months ago is 2 generations behind already…lol

Cheers,

Emre
http://www.productionpit.com
Boxx Tech PC, dual-dual AMD 2.0,4BG ram,Avidexpress HD w/Mojo,UVW-1800,DSR-25, Adobe Premium CS3.Steadicam OP/Owner.

“Creative cow is udder madness.”

[Emre Tufekci s.o.a.]

I also wonder if they would want to wait around while the footage downloads. I guess I’m just use to working with producers from tv shows that always seem to be in to big of a hurry for anything!

For people that are in that much of a rush “can” generally afford to rent the cards. Speed, cost, quality…they get to pick 2 only.

I guess I would be concerned with downloading on a clients laptop because, wouldn’t they need to have clip software already installed?

Panasonic has a free P2 viewer software available for PC.There are also a plethora of choices availible from commercial sources your clients should have if they want to go tapeless.

I’m still considering which way to go, P2 or EX, but it sounds like workflow issues would be the same ether way.

If you are looking to choose between P2 or EX the workflow is similar but the technology is completely different. Long GOP vs. I frame, 4:2:0 vs 4:2:2 full raster vs pixel shifting. With P2 AVC-I full raster differance has actually gone away.

I chose to go P2 because I do a lot of effects/Green screen and compositing work.Panasonic has been at the solid state media business longer so the have a lead. At the time of my purchase (2 years ago) there were no tapeless 4:2:2 options. And I dont think there still is.

PS; I think it’s the first time I used the word “plethora” in a sentence. 😛

Cheers,

Emre
http://www.productionpit.com
Boxx Tech PC, dual-dual AMD 2.0,4BG ram,Avidexpress HD w/Mojo,UVW-1800,DSR-25, Adobe Premium CS3.Steadicam OP/Owner.

“Creative cow is udder madness.”

[Emre Tufekci s.o.a.]

For XDCAM, you hand off the cartridge.

For P2 a few options:

P2 store can be lent to very dependable clients but that is soon becoming redundant as P2 store is 60GB and 32 GB cards are out.

I download the material on the spot to P2 Store or Laptop on location and transfer to clients hard drive right there.

You can take the material home and either FTP server it or burn disc/copy to another hard drive.

I have never handed my P2 cards to a client as if they get lost, even if they replace them, I am out of business for the time being.Sometimes clients will bring a fs-100 or rent cards for me.

XDCAM EX: Should provide similar workflows as the P2

Ikegami: I have a friend who’s company invested in ikegami’s and they are as sorry as they can be. They have no solutions. They hate the systems.

Hope this helps.

Emre
http://www.productionpit.com
Boxx Tech PC, dual-dual AMD 2.0,4BG ram,Avidexpress HD w/Mojo,UVW-1800,DSR-25, Adobe Premium CS3.Steadicam OP/Owner.

“Creative cow is udder madness.”

[Emre Tufekci s.o.a.]

Hey Lars,

I have not used the letus extreme but I do know the light loss is .5 stops (hvx 200 rates at 200-250 asa) as opposed to 1.5 stop loss with redrock (100 ASA).

There are many reasons why you might be getting vignetting, its hard to diagnose without knowing your set up and achromat but, lack of edge to edge sharpness is very common with the M2.

Letus extreme also has an upright image which is quite a help.

Hope this helps.

Emre
http://www.productionpit.com
Boxx Tech PC, dual-dual AMD 2.0,4BG ram,Avidexpress HD w/Mojo,UVW-1800,DSR-25, Adobe Premium CS3.Steadicam OP/Owner.

“Creative cow is udder madness.”

[Emre Tufekci s.o.a.]

I think you are correct about the SK2 being around 25lbs. My first rig was a Provid 2 (identical to SK except the 2 part arm that does not add to lifting capacity)which pretty much carried any camera I can throw at it but that was like 5-6 years ago so my memory is failing me.

Also like Todd said getting a decent rig on ebay is hard and a few in between.If you find a decent Sk or Provid I would say jump on it. Frank Rush from steadicam told me they were unable to find anymore green monitors for replacement so keep those babies away from sharp corners.

The most I every flew on a flyer was a HDX-900 and it was maxed out. They lift more then advertised but have a lot of drawbacks.

I cant see myself going back to green since I have been bitten by the HD ultra bright monitors. But at 5K a pop as an add-on their bite leaves a mark.

Emre
http://www.productionpit.com
Boxx Tech PC, dual-dual AMD 2.0,4BG ram,Avidexpress HD w/Mojo,UVW-1800,DSR-25, Adobe Premium CS3.Steadicam OP/Owner.

“Creative cow is udder madness.”

[Emre Tufekci s.o.a.]

Here is a simple breakdown for future reference:

Steadicam SK:
Lift: 21 lbs
Arm: 1 piece articulated
Price: Ebay only or 2nd hand
Cons: green 4:3 monitor, old technology

Steadicam Flyer:
Lift: 15 lbs
Arm: 2 piece articulated
Price: 6k
Cons: Vibration and squeaking vests.

Steadicam Archer:
Lift: 50 lbs
Arm: G-50 (state of the art)
Price: 25K+
Cons: No lower electronics, less mass at the bottom. Harder to dynamicaly balance.

Steadicam Clipper 2:
Lift: 50 lbs
Arm: G-50 (state of the art)
Price: 35k+
Cons: 35k+

Steadicam Ultra:
Lift: 70 lbs
Arm: G-70 (state of the art)
Price: 70k+
Cons: Loss of operator height over the years. AKA: I used to be 6’2″ now I am 5′ 4″ syndrome.

Emre
http://www.productionpit.com
Boxx Tech PC, dual-dual AMD 2.0,4BG ram,Avidexpress HD w/Mojo,UVW-1800,DSR-25, Adobe Premium CS3.Steadicam OP/Owner.

“Creative cow is udder madness.”

[Emre Tufekci s.o.a.]

re: Steadicam and Jib use,

I use with HVX200, redrock M2, Zeiss primes with Bartech Follow Focus on a steadicam Flyer and it works just fine (good static and dynamic balancing). I have also great 1st AC who really knows how to judge distances and says its a lot easier working on steadicam as he can place himself between the camera and the subject (as opposed to being stuck next to me).

I also own a steadicam clipper 2 which can fly the same rig 10 times easier but not all my clients have a budget for that.

If you do intend to do steadicam work with primes (with an adapter) it is a lot different to doing video(eng lens) work where you point and walk. It is a lot harder and requires lot more practice (considering you’ve been to a steadicam workshop already).

Same principal applies to a jib as my AC will use a remote to pull focus. In fact we will be in Arlington cemetery next week where we will do a jib shot to go ground level from a tombstone to a high overview (same setup from above). The focus will shift from 1′ to infinity.

BUT: Would I use primes for walking tours? No. It would cost too much and too long to film. With added light loss from the adapter, rehearsal time,added crew members, complexity of the set up, stamina, financial impact on the client, it would be too much of a hassle. The only time I use such a set up is for movies,commercials,music videos and high-end corporate jobs.

I hope this helps.

PS: Todd, dont hold back on your posts, make them long as you want. I truly enjoy reading them and appreciate the time you take out of your busy day to write them. We learn a lot. Cheers!!!

Emre
http://www.productionpit.com
Boxx Tech PC, dual-dual AMD 2.0,4BG ram,Avidexpress HD w/Mojo,UVW-1800,DSR-25, Adobe Premium CS3.Steadicam OP/Owner.

“Creative cow is udder madness.”