Ryan Pratzel
Forum Replies Created
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You’re welcome. What’s great about the Final Cut Studio is that there is more than one way to do things. Different people have different preferences in how to go about workflow.
You can go straight from FCP to Compressor. In fact, Apple has improved the output from FCP to Compressor in the latest upgrade. Compressor can now work in the background while you continue to work in FCP.
Good luck with your project.
Ryan Pratzel
Executive Producer
Creative Liquid Productions
http://www.CreativeLiquid.com -
Jason-
Welcome to Mac. It may seem daunting, but this is actually a fairly simple process.
1) Put all of your footage into a FCP sequence. (ProRes or XDCAM codec is fine)
2) Add *chapter* markers in your timeline. (“M” on the keyboad) Then right click on the marker to bring up the marker edit window. Make sure you choose Chapter marker and you can even label it. This way when you export your footage all of your markers are already in the sequence. **If this process gets to be confusing skip it, you can add markers in DVD SP.
3) Export using COMPRESSOR — Compressor has all of the correct settings to down convert your footage and make it looks its best on DVD
4) In compressor go through the Compressor settings. This should be a window in the bottom left hand side of the Compressor screen. If has several folders with different types of settings. Choose the DVD folder.
**When picking the correct setting I would recommend 120minute Fast Encode. This will still give you a good quality DVD it just won’t multi-pass. To use the compressor settings just click and drag both the Video and Audio settings to your File. (This will be above the settings window)
5) Make sure you set your destination on your file. Right click on the word “Source” and choose your destination.
6) Click SubmitFor 90 minutes of footage is will take a while. Sit back, relax and watch TV. (You can click on the batch monitor to watch the progress)
7) When compressor is finished open up DVD SP. If you want a menu, just choose one of the templates and delete everything except for a title and one of the buttons.
8) In your DVD SP Pallet (Right side) you will see a Video and Audio tab. You need to go to each tab, click the “+” and add your compressed video.
9) Drag your video to the menu button and select “Add Track” when it prompts you. Do the same thing with the audio.
That’s all you need to do.**If you need to add or move markers in DVD SP click on your video track timeline. You can move the playhead and click “M” to create markers wherever you want them. You can test your DVD by clicking the “Simulate” button. This will play and allow you to test your chapters and menu.
Hope this helps. I’m sitting here watching video render, so I thought I’d at least share some wisdom.
Ryan Pratzel
Executive Producer
Creative Liquid Productions
http://www.CreativeLiquid.com -
Lee-
Are you editing in FCP? I would recommend taking your video through compressor and using one of the compressor DVD settings to send your file to DVD Studio Pro. H.264 is not a DVD format. DVD’s are mpeg2.
Hope this helps.
Ryan Pratzel
Executive Producer
Creative Liquid Productions
http://www.CreativeLiquid.com -
The monitors are matte not glossy. The frame is a shiny black plastic, but the monitor itself is not.
Ryan Pratzel
Executive Producer
Creative Liquid Productions
http://www.CreativeLiquid.com -
Chuck-
On multi-camera shoots we often use a second 500 (freelancer or rental).
But we also use the HVX200 or 170. Both are excellent B cameras and more cost effective.If you can get the day rate and get the use out of it, the 500 is a great work horse.
Ryan Pratzel
Executive Producer
Creative Liquid Productions
http://www.CreativeLiquid.com -
Gloria-
Also check out the Dell 24″ S2409W monitor. We have a couple of these on one of our FCP suites and love them. They are a fantastic price and quality wise they are very good. We also have a FCP suite with a 20″ Apple cinema display. The Apple monitors are nice, just way over priced.
Here’s Dell’s link:
https://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/products/Monitors/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&cs=19&sku=320-7345Good luck.
Ryan Pratzel
Executive Producer
Creative Liquid Productions
http://www.CreativeLiquid.com -
Chuck-
We shoot 90% of our projects with the 500. We spent more than a year testing XDCAM, EX1 and HPX cameras before choosing the 500. You can load it with (1) 32GB P2 card, shoot at 720p 24PN and get 84 minutes out of the card. Or shoot 720p 30PN. If you are down converting to SD there is no reason to shoot in 1080.
I have been a shooter for 15 years and while I like the little cameras, the full size ENG/EFP cameras are hard to beat. Especially for shooting sports.
Workflow:
1) Log and transfer your footage.
2) Put into a ProRes or DVCPRO HD timeline and export with Compressor (Dual pass it if you have the time with the higher quality settings)
3) You are ready to take the files to DVD Studio Pro and burn your DVDs.The down convert is effortless and the SD files will be beautiful.
Timing is all going to depend on:
*Your hardware and computer (for example: are you transferring from the camera or a capture device)We shoot 90% of our work at 720p. Unless you’re shooting for broadcast there really is no reason to worry about the 1080. (Especially since you are going to SD DVD.
Final thoughts on the 500:
1) Full size 2/3″
2) EXCELLENT buy for the money
3) 4 Independent Audio Channel
4) Flexible formats
5) Holds (4) P2 cards
6) Works seamlessly with FCPWe’re down in Washington, DC. If you’re ever down from PA fee free to hit us up.
Ryan Pratzel
Executive Producer
Creative Liquid Productions
http://www.CreativeLiquid.com -
Kat-
Always try to carry on your camera if you can. It’s always a good idea to be able to keep your eyes on the camera at all times. Remember, checked bags can be searched without you being present.
One suggestion, we use a variety of Pelican and Porta Brace cases, but we also have a Cinebags backpack (CB 25). It holds a HVX/Z1U sized camera as well as a laptop… all in one bag. Plus it has tons of pockets for other accessories and the bag fits in a standard overhead bin.
Also keep in mind the type of aircraft you are flying on. I just got back from a shoot in Canada and we were on regional jets the entire way. No room in the overhead. Gear had to fit under the seat or be checked.
Finally, when it comes to TSA checkpoints, they are familiar with cameras. I have yet to have TSA agents give me any headaches. Like a laptop, you’ll more than likely be asked to take it out.
Happy travels.
Ryan Pratzel
Executive Producer
Creative Liquid Productions
http://www.CreativeLiquid.com -
Cale-
My production company completed a major HD equipment purchase in the first quarter of 2009. We spent nearly a year researching and demoing gear before we made a final decision. We ended up deciding on the HPX500 from Panasonic and the P2 workflow.
Now with that said, for your price range I would recommend the Sony EX1 or EX3. We worked with both cameras and loved them. The EX3 even gives you the option to change out lenses. Both cameras fit into your price range. I would recommend the XDCam codec over HDV any day.
There is also the HPX170 and HVX200 from Panasonic. Those are also good options. Both record in the DVCPRO HD Codec.HDV does what it is designed to do, but if you need to raise the bar a bit, I would look at XDCam or P2. The newer P2 cards make P2 more less expensive. Also, remember with an HDV camera you’re going to want to get an HDV deck that will play/record all of the same formats. This is another 3-5k. (Some of the cheaper decks don’t play 24p)
The EX1 & EX3 shoot on SxS cards and work well with AVID, FCP and Adobe. Just keep the entire workflow in mind when making a camera purchase. (ie: camera –> editing/post –> output)
Hope this helps.
Ryan Pratzel
Executive Producer
Creative Liquid Productions
http://www.CreativeLiquid.com -
Dan-
One of the great things about the 25 is that it is very well padded on the back and it has the padded straps that will wrap around your waist. Fully loaded it is a bit heavy, but considering what it’s carrying it’s not bad.
Good luck!
Ryan
Ryan Pratzel
Executive Producer
Creative Liquid Productions
http://www.CreativeLiquid.com