[Gunther Stern]

I’m sorry if this is the wrong topic to post in, if you want me to open a new topic please say so.

I’m looking into buying a budget pro-sumer camera and I pretty much narrowed my options down to the JVC GY-HM100 and Panasonic AG-HMC151 (euro version of the HMC150). The Panasonic is the better camera but is AVCHD whilst the JVC’s files can be handled natively in FCP, which would benefit the projects I intend to use the camera for.

Basically I’m looking for arguments that can help me making a decision. All the camera guys I talked to recommend the Panasonic, but what would you as a FCS3 users say? Would these faster transfer times of AVCHD make it more interesting to choose the Panasonic?

(Right now I’m still running FCS2 because I need to end a few running projects first).

[Gunther Stern]

Not the answer you’re looking for, but I’ve got my fcp computer connected to a windows comuter that’s running Super © (https://www.erightsoft.com/SUPER.html). It’s not extremely user friendly, but it’s free and good enough for converting quicktime into internet and mobile phone content, like 3gp, swf, flv, mpeg1, wmv, etc, etc.

As said, it’s windows only so not at all the answer you’re looking for but perhaps it is of use to you.

Btw, doesn’t mpeg streamclip still require flip4mac to export wmv?

[Gunther Stern]

If you copy a color corrected clip in the timeline, you can paste it’s attributes (like filters and motion) to other clips.

Just copy the color corrected clip, right-click on the clip in the timeline you want to paste the color filters to and sellect ‘paste atrributes’. When you do so, a menu pops up where you can select what attributes you want to paste. To paste color settings choose ‘filters’. You can also remove attributes the same way (‘remove attributes’).

I hope this helps.

[Gunther Stern]

Thanks. I will definitely do that since it doesn’t hurt to try.

I was a bit too qucik asking before trying this, however according to the Apple Support pages the DHR1000 is only supported by older versions of FCP.

Thanks again!

[Gunther Stern]

Thanks a lot guys, it was indeed the blackburst and reference settings. Both problems seem to be solved now, but I will check on a different player to be 100% sure.

Cheers,

Gunther.

[Gunther Stern]

I’m sorry I never thanked you for your last reply, and I’m ashamed I only do it now whilst posting more of my questions…

I have been shopping around and made up my mind a bit, but I still have a few doubts. The set up I’ve been looking at is:

Mac Pro Dual Quad Core 2,8ghz
Nvidia 8800GT
3 x Seagate Barracuda 1tb
2x 2x2GB ram
Aja IO HD
2x Dell 2408wfp

I chose the Aja for it’s connectivity and for the fact that I’ll be able to move it around, it just seems to me that in that sense it’s a very versatile piece of equipment.
I choose 2.8ghz cause I figured that I’d be better of saving the extra money and keep it in my pocket for future upgrades.

For portability and back up I’m in doubt whether I should perhaps get a 1tb LaCie BigDisk as well, and perhaps get only 2x Barracuda if I do so. Will there be conflicts with the IO HD if I add a 2nd fw800 port?

For two of my clients I will need to render 25 min projects to mpeg2, and I’ll be doing a lot of open caption titling (from my experience it will be roughly 175 titles per project). Will the system I chose be able to handle the rendering quickly enough, or can I gain some speed with different drives? I want to put the internal disks in Raid 0.

I gathered that FCP is not the most easy program for spotting and titling. Are there, besides Belle Nuit and Subbits any other programs I can download demo’s from?

Thanks in advance,

Gunther.

[Gunther Stern]

Well searching provided me with a lot of info and clearified a lot for me, but it also made me doubt about what card I should get.
I’ve been looking at the AJA IO HD and IO, and the BM Decklink Pro and Eclipse. I won’t be using firewire for anything else, but I remember from my Media 100 days that capturing using firewire (back then firewire 400) was limiting. Since the portability and ease of connecting would be wasted on me, would it be better to go for a PCIe card like the Decklink Pro / Eclipse? Or are there reasons to prefer firewire over PCIe in a studio situation?

Also, the material I’m provided with on a weekly base comes on different formats, I’ll be capturing from different machines on one day. What card makes it easy to switch between the different inputs(component, composite, sdi)?

[Gunther Stern]

That’s really useful, and reassuring. Thanks!

[Gunther Stern]

Thank you. I know, searching gives me all my answers. It’s hard to determine what applies to my situation (heck, it;s hard to determine my situation in general 😉 ). As suggested here on the forum I guess I’ll be best of contacting a dealer that sets up systems. It’s just that it’s quite a big purchase, I was hoping to get some pointers to make me more secure about choosing. There is so much info here it’s a bit overwhelming, I can’t see the wood for the trees 😉