[Shane O’brien]

Thanks all for the input. The consensus is clearly a Mac Pro. Zane, that’s a good point re the express card slot. Frustrating they went with an SD slot on the 15.4″ MBP. I would not go any bigger than the 15.4″, as I’d need it to be easily portable for everyday use. Without esata, I assume that rules out a RAID 5 array? I was thinking about a G-speed eS. Is connecting via FW 800 perfectly adequate for ProRes?

I should note I wouldn’t be doing much editing in the field. I would just be loading files from the camera, which I could do with most laptops. The main benefit I could see of having the MBP is that I would be able to take the machine to a client’s office. I will be editing at home, so bringing them to mine wouldn’t be feasible. I suppose the other option would be just to output the video from FCP and show them on my other laptop – though in that case, I wouldn’t be able to show them alternative clips or make changes then and there…

[Shane O’brien]

Thanks for everyone’s thoughts. It will only be output for NTSC and I won’t need to down-convert to SD – so I’ll stick with 1080/30p. Cheers.

[Shane O’brien]

Thanks for all the help. I have gone with the EX1. I picked it up today and will have tomorrow to get familiar with it before heading off on Monday.

I also rented a MBP, so I can backup the footage on location – as per the above suggestions. I also have an external firewire 800 drive I can bring. Once I’m back, I’ll transfer the files onto the drives I’ll actually be using while editing.

Just so I have the process straight – I can either transfer the BRAV files (just literally drag and drop) from the cards or I can use Sony’s Log & Transfer Utility to load the footage? The guy at the rental house recommended the latter. As I’m not going to be editing from the computer or drive upon which I’d be saving the files, is there any benefit to doing that?

One final question – I was thinking to shoot 1080/30p. It’s a corporate project – to go on DVD, the web, and possibly a higher res format that could be kept on computer and played on HDTVs in meeting rooms etc. Any thoughts on format?

Many thanks!

[Shane O’brien]

Do you know what kind of lead that was? Looks like I can rent an older Macbook Pro… just want to make sure it has the required connections.
Cheers!

[Shane O’brien]

I think I’m going to rule out having a laptop with me – I won’t be able to get a SxS reader to USB prior to leaving and won’t have much time to test. Any thoughts on my other question about what options I might have when I get back in terms of loading the footage onto a hard drive (before getting the new MP)?
Thanks!

[Shane O’brien]

That’s great. My other concern is what to how to load the footage onto a laptop / MP once I’ve shot it.

First, for the sake of bringing along a laptop, what would I need in order to be able to transfer the material onto a hard drive for backup (or if more recording is required). I’m wondering whether I could get away with using a Windows laptop from my office here and just buying a firewire/USB drive. I would just need an express card slot and the drive – is that right?

My G5 died about 6 months ago, and my old MB died about 2 months ago – so this project has prompted me to at least replace G5 with a new MP (and to upgrade FCP). However, as I’m leaving in a few days, I doubt I will have the machine by the time I get back. So I guess then my concern is what to do with the rented SxS cards once I get back. If I brought along a drive, could the VAR/post house transfer the footage to the drive?

Sorry, I know these are probably rather basic questions.

Thanks.

[Shane O’brien]

Thanks. Much appreciated.

[Shane O’brien]

Thanks for the advice! I should add a couple extra details. I will be working in FCP. Also, in terms of output, I’d like the final product to be of broadcast quality. However, the video will be used on HDTV screens in boardrooms, projectors at conferences, on DVD and for the web – that’s why I was thinking 1080/30p…

[Shane O’brien]

Yes indeed – the prices I mentioned do include the educational discount. I could look into leasing. I suppose the main reason for purchasing it is simply that it would be nice to get, while I have the chance, especially for low paid or unpaid work where I wouldn’t have a budget to cover the costs. I did always rent certain equipment such as a VTR. Also, I’m assuming if I leased a whole system for 2-3 weeks the costs could be quite substantial. Steve, are you thinking the budget I mentioned would not be adequate to get a system capable of handling HD?
Many thanks.

[Shane O’brien]

The input is much appreciated. Sorry it’s taken me a while to reply here – I ended up getting distracted with some other work this past week.

The 2408… I looked it up on some forums. There seemed to be quite a few negative comments about lag time and the brightness / colour… in particular, that the reds were very poor. Does anyone know how accurate that it?

I am happy to buy the 2408 (which I think is $699 in Canada), but only if it’s substantially better than the cheaper, basic 24″ displays like the Samsung 2443. Otherwise, if they all have issues, I might as well just go with a cheaper option.

Many thanks!