Ryan Holmes
3
COW Coins
Forum Replies Created
-
I think you’ll probably need to qualify what “inexpensive” means to you and your organization. Some people on here think $5K is inexpensive, while others think $15K is inexpensive. It depends on your market and what spectrum of the industry you work in.
I’m guessing that since you’re a non-profit even $5K might be expensive. So here’s my $.02:
(1) Research is best done on Google. Sites like Amazon, B&H Photo/Video, Adorama, AbelCine can give you all the specs you need for your purchases. Also reading the blogs of others who are in the industry is a good way to get a feel for what’s out there (time intensive I know).
(2) This is the ultra-cheap way to do your sanctuary (i.e. talking head) setup. Get a cheap camcorder with HDMI out on it (like a Panasonic HC-V700 or similar – https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/839122-REG/Panasonic_HC_V700_V700M_Full_HD_Camcorder.html) and record to inexpensive SD cards. That would run you under $500 while still maintaining an HD image.
Higher up the price ladder you might start to consider JVC’s cameras (the GY-HM150U, GY-HM600, GY-HMQ10U) as an alternative. You’ll need to think about how you plan on running audio to this camera….a feed from your in-house mix? Another wireless receiver attached to the camera? And what type of connection you want the camera to have – mini-jack, XLR’s, etc.
You could also get a cheap camera for the talking head recording and then pickup a DSLR for any more “creative” projects the church asks for. So your DSLR would be for sermon illustrations, advertisement videos, etc. Something like a Canon T3i only sets you back about $600 (less if you get one used).
There’s plenty of options out there you’ll probably need to get a better idea of what your price range is. And don’t forget the other stuff that comes with the territory – cables, tripods, bags, SD/CF cards, etc. All that can really add up quick.
Ryan Holmes
http://www.ryanholmes.me
vimeo.com/ryanholmes -
Or use Lynda.com. It’s $25/month, which won’t exactly break the bank (just give up the morning Starbucks once per week and you’ve got your $25 for the month! 😉
https://www.lynda.com/Final-Cut-Pro-training-tutorials/201-0.html
Ryan Holmes
http://www.ryanholmes.me
vimeo.com/ryanholmes -
[Mark Suszko] “Right now it is very hard to beat the Adobe bundle and current Premiere/AE/PS combo. If I was starting from scratch, that would be my current choice.”
+1 to this. Adobe is where I took my team once FCPX came out and we determined it wouldn’t meet our needs. But as Mark notes, X has come quite a ways. Apple has been quite faithful in updating it. Additionally, Adobe offers a free 30-day trial of their software (for a time Apple was allowing people to demo X as well…not sure if that’s still an option). We affectionately call Premiere Pro CS6 by it’s pet name – Final Cut Pro 8. 😉
Ryan Holmes
http://www.ryanholmes.me
vimeo.com/ryanholmes -
Exactly what Shane said. Since it’s dead (as of June 2011) “retailers” don’t stock it anymore. The excess supply that may have existed has dried up. So you’re only looking at used copies.
If corporate purchases this it may be time to look at what’s next – Avid, FCPX, or Adobe.
Ryan Holmes
http://www.ryanholmes.me
vimeo.com/ryanholmes -
PluralEyes is the way to go.
https://www.redgiantsoftware.com/products/all/pluraleyes/Ryan Holmes
http://www.ryanholmes.me
vimeo.com/ryanholmes -
eBay or Craigslist is probably your only options now.
Ryan Holmes
http://www.ryanholmes.me
vimeo.com/ryanholmes -
The only question you’ll have to answer is what your export settings are set to. You encode everything to the lowest common denominator – ProRes422. Or you can export your final timeline as ProRes(HQ) which will convert all the standard ProRes clips in your timeline to (HQ). You’re call in the end….which way you go may depend on the type of footage you have and if it has other post-processes to go through (graphics, color grading, etc.).
Ryan Holmes
http://www.ryanholmes.me
vimeo.com/ryanholmes -
Yep. They will intermix and coexist fine in a timeline.
Ryan Holmes
http://www.ryanholmes.me
vimeo.com/ryanholmes -
The generational loss that Dave is referring to applies specifically to ProRes. So it’s not counted as a generation when you transcode from XYZ codec to ProRes.
In your case it looks like this
MTS –> ProRes (transcode, no generational loss as you haven’t been in ProRes until now, this is essentially the first generation of ProRes)
Export timeline as ProRes Master (2nd generation)So if you want to re-import the master and drop the graphic on there you shouldn’t have any problems. And even if you were over 6 generations it takes a very discerning eye to notice the degradation. I had a hard time seeing it at NAB when Apple released this codec back in ’07….but maybe I don’t have a discerning eye! 😉
You’ll be fine re-importing the master and tweaking that real quick.
Ryan Holmes
http://www.ryanholmes.me
vimeo.com/ryanholmes -
[Anthony D'Amico] “Ok….so, what do you use for very shaky footage? Mocha Pro?
“You don’t shoot crazy shaky footage! 😉
Seriously, though if you’re trying to stabilize a GoPro camera strapped to a jack hammer no software can solve that for you. If it’s footage that’s handheld with mild-to-moderate shake then software may be able to correct it. There’s no magic bullet to fix shaky footage. This raises the importance of shooting things in the field with the appropriate gear to mitigate shake and then use software to smooth out any imperfections.
But if you’re trying to stabilize a handheld camcorder in the midst of a hurricane so it looks like a tripod shot – software ain’t gonna help you there. It’s not possible.
Ryan Holmes
http://www.ryanholmes.me
vimeo.com/ryanholmes