http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ Videomaker Forums » Forum: General Questions - Recent Posts en Mon, 23 Nov 2009 17:36:41 +0000 http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/from-camcorder-to-computer#post-52485 Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:10:58 +0000 pmorton62 52485@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p> If your camera does not have a firewire output, I will assume it is an analog camera.  If that is so, your best option is the s-video.</p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/from-camcorder-to-computer#post-52484 Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:23:59 +0000 oneshot 52484@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>ok but what if my camera doesnt have a firewire output</p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/from-camcorder-to-computer#post-52479 Mon, 23 Nov 2009 08:17:35 +0000 Derek_Sine 52479@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Firewire device </p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/from-camcorder-to-computer#post-52474 Mon, 23 Nov 2009 06:09:11 +0000 oneshot 52474@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>ok so im assuming im losing alot of quality importing to my computer...im using a s-video cable out my cam into a dazzle(pinnacle) device which is connected to my computer via usb...i was wondering what else i could do or use to possibly get a better picture...thanks for any and all help</p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/same-right-minus-built-in-flash-memory#post-52472 Mon, 23 Nov 2009 04:21:05 +0000 cfoster 52472@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>was looking at the VIXIA HF S10 and the VIXIA HF S100 look like the same buy minus the flash memory correct?</p> <p>Aslo found a deal on a hf20 for 499.99 anyone think that is a good deal?</p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/anyone-ever-bought-from#post-52471 Mon, 23 Nov 2009 04:19:04 +0000 cfoster 52471@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Anyone ever bought from camerakings.com?</p> <p>or from fumfie.com?</p> <p>Found a good price for the hfs100 thought i might buy</p> <p> </p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/camcorder-upgrade-help#post-52451 Sun, 22 Nov 2009 03:08:29 +0000 composite1 52451@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p><em>"... you can still build a house with a hammer and a handsaw ...."</em></p> <p>True. But ask a professional carpenter would he rather build said house with 'medieval tools' or the latest Black &amp; Decker line of powertools....</p> <p>We're looking to move with the DSLR's for our theatrical projects. Though we intend to spend the money on mattebox kits, I'd rather rig them out for the DSLR's. I currently have no intention of abandoning tape anytime soon, but the DSLR's are a nice option and we already use canon still rigs so the transition won't be so tough.</p> <p>But in agreement with Earl's statement; I've built a number of houses. Now I'm getting ready to build mansions.</p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/camcorder-upgrade-help#post-52447 Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:30:33 +0000 oneshot 52447@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>what about the stock lens that comes with the 7D is it anything different than the lens that came with my canon rebel xsi? if not then maybe i should just get the body...what do you think?<a href="http://www.samys.com/index/page/product/product_id/33530/product_name/EOS+7D+Digital+SLR+Camera+with+18-135mm+f3.5-5.6+IS+Lens+"><br /></a></p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/camcorder-upgrade-help#post-52444 Sat, 21 Nov 2009 21:55:56 +0000 Derek_Sine 52444@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>I've worked on several projects that use the Red as an A cam and 7D's for B-Roll - looks legit. </p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/want-to-step-into-the-pro-sumer-market-i-think#post-52443 Sat, 21 Nov 2009 21:32:29 +0000 EarlC 52443@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Casey, regardless of what camera you use do keep in mind that it is HOW you shoot your footage, the less candid and more by design approach of focusing on, well, focusing, lighting, audio acquisition, framing, stability and selective recording of elements. The average home video enthusiast is MORE focused on capturing the moments - all of them - than on the elements of acquisition, followed by application of editing and finish where the major differences in quality production reside.</p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/camcorder-upgrade-help#post-52442 Sat, 21 Nov 2009 21:27:38 +0000 EarlC 52442@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Nice tools are great, no doubt. But you can still build a house with a hammer and a handsaw - sometimes a darned good one.</p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/camcorder-upgrade-help#post-52435 Sat, 21 Nov 2009 18:54:33 +0000 composite1 52435@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>The folks making the DSLR rigs have definitely hit on something, though I don't think they've 'evolved' to their max potential yet.</p> <p>I'm a huge fan of the 5Dmk II and the 7D, but I read the white paper on the EOS 1D III and HOLY MOTHER OF PEARL! Sorry about the all caps there, but it had to be said. Granted it's in the same price range as pro lower-end JVC, Sony and Panasonic video cam's, but the stuff it can do seriously rivals the RED ONE. You put a mattebox kit and some good Canon 35mm lenses on that puppy and look out! </p> <p>We do plan on picking up one more JVC GYHD-200UB (now $4k at B&amp;H) but I also want to add a couple of DSLR's to the arsenal. The thing is; go cheap and get 2 7D's or cough up a lung and get a 1D III. </p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/camcorder-upgrade-help#post-52424 Sat, 21 Nov 2009 10:36:42 +0000 Derek_Sine 52424@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Used HV30 with a mini 35mm if your stuck on HD for under 1k. What's the format of the final product? Most markets still broadcast local commercials in SD... Used Dvx's can easily be had at $1,000 and it's a great camera. The 7D is definitely worth the extra cash - market photos and video. The 7D is lightweight as well as being insanely compact and once you go tapeless you will never look back. </p> <p>Check out this article SNL has been using the 7D with killer results. </p> <p><a href="http://philipbloom.co.uk/2009/09/29/saturday-night-live-use-canon-7d-and-5d/" rel="nofollow">http://philipbloom.co.uk/2009/09/29/saturday-night-live-use-canon-7d-and-5d/</a></p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/camcorder-upgrade-help#post-52423 Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:32:58 +0000 XTR-91 52423@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Have you considered the Canon HF S10. Yes, it's in the consumer realm, but it's virtually the best performing HD camcorder in comparison to its price. My only complaint is the single CMOS sensor. Not to say that CMOS sensors aren't capable of producing good video, but they have plenty of side affects such as shutter roll and seem to be as a way of economizing camcorders.</p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/want-to-step-into-the-pro-sumer-market-i-think#post-52419 Sat, 21 Nov 2009 02:24:28 +0000 Eventvideoguy 52419@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>My dad can make a video shot with a professional camcorder look like it was shot by a 3 year old.  I can make a cheap $100 consumer brand camcorder look like it was shot by Steven Spielberg.</p> <p>Granted there are more controls on a pro camera, the quality is a bit better and the low-light capabilities are awesome.  But for general shooting (when I don't want to put my pro cams at risk) I always have my cheap cam on hand.</p> <p>Most people can't tell the difference and I have a good looking shot.</p> <p>It all depends on your skill level.  Keep that in mind.</p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/camcorder-upgrade-help#post-52414 Sat, 21 Nov 2009 01:12:27 +0000 oneshot 52414@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>i hav just recently seen the Canon eos 7d in action and i'd hav to say im very surprised,amazed and interested..i think i might be a great upgrade for me since i try to do a lil photography now that would take the place of the rebel xsi and possibly the xl1 or at least a great addition...i guess im gonna have to up my budget...</p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/want-to-step-into-the-pro-sumer-market-i-think#post-52413 Sat, 21 Nov 2009 01:10:48 +0000 CaseyD35 52413@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Thank you very much for all the input and advice.  I see that I have a very big decision to make.  Im sure I will be asking many more questions in the future.</p> <p> </p> <p>Casey</p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/blu-ray-thought#post-52406 Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:42:16 +0000 EarlC 52406@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Nope, it's actually a LOT more than "just a filter." And 24 progressive isn't going to guarantee you an "HD look" either. There are lots of things that can be done with SD, lots of things that can be done cheaply in some form of higher definition, but a filter or special effect isn't going to accomplish the pristine pimples and nose hairs, peach fuzz and dew look of perfectly focused, well-lighted high definition footage.</p> <p>People research and test to find something they can live with, and a whole 'nother set seek ways to "trash" the HD look so it isn't quite so crisp and pristine - the quality, class and architecture of what winds up on the screen (outside testing for the numbers using appropriate equipment) is totally subjective. Beauty is in the eye, or attitude, or school of thought, experience, or learning of the beholder.</p> <p>None, however, are going to find high definition's plane of quality apparent in a filter or digital post-production workaround IMHO.</p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/camcorder-upgrade-help#post-52405 Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:29:06 +0000 composite1 52405@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Oneshot,</p> <p>Earl's dead-on about the XL series. The only way you'll get a higher quality image is spend a lot more than less than $1k!</p> <p>I still have an XL1s on active duty despite having moved up to proHD. Despite it being interlaced DV uncompressed video out of that camera is just as nice now as the day I first got it. Of course the rig I use has been 'tricked out' as a full pro rig with extra lenses, b&amp;w viewfinder, etc. but the basics are still there. You've got a great camera for standard dvd and web production, but if you want to move up to HD no dinky $1k or less camera is going to give you the superior image or controls than what you've already got. Now, if you cough up $1600 for a Canon EOS 7D, you're talking a whole new weight-class....</p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/want-to-step-into-the-pro-sumer-market-i-think#post-52403 Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:01:23 +0000 composite1 52403@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Hmueller,</p> <p>Yes the little digital video book is a nice learn the basics guide. Unfortunately the basic editing portion discusses iMovie only (all of my students use Movie Maker) but there is enough basic shooting info to make it a valuable tool for teaching 'off the street' level students.</p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/blu-ray-thought#post-52401 Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:45:03 +0000 cfoster 52401@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>got a question i was just thinking by chance is the bluray movie just a add on filter to the movie to make it look clear cut like say if you used a filter like 24pcinemode? i know it looks better cause the more use of raw footage but do you think there is a filter you can add to movie footage to give it that look? hopefully i said that right thanks </p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/want-to-step-into-the-pro-sumer-market-i-think#post-52400 Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:55:19 +0000 hmueller 52400@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Have a look at this little book - The Little Digital Video Book (<a href="http://www.peachpit.com/store/product.aspx?isbn=0321572629">http://www.peachpit.com/store/product.aspx?isbn=0321572629</a>). It could help you clarify your goals and shed some light on how to turn your home movies into quality videos even with an inexpenside SD camera.</p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/want-to-step-into-the-pro-sumer-market-i-think#post-52397 Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:04:25 +0000 mtam 52397@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p> Some sage acvice above!  Before buying a pricey camera I would recommend a good tripod.  Not a walmart special one with a decent head that allows for fluid movement.  Not sure of the cost, I would guess $250 on up to several thousand.  If you want to get away from the "home movie" look a tripod is your first stop.  Keeping the video fluid and not jerky will make it look significantly less home movie.  EVen with a fancey camera, if its all shakey all you will have is nice colors that move around alot.  Oh and of course you must USE the tripod.  I also have a monopod for those times when 3 legs is too much  </p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/camcorder-upgrade-help#post-52389 Fri, 20 Nov 2009 03:56:39 +0000 EarlC 52389@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Your $1K budget isn't going to get you something comparable to the XL Canons, even if you go with something without interchangeable lens capabilities.</p> <p>There ARE some HD camcorders that can do a decent job for you on a multitude of formats but you're going to take a serious hit on the glass. The Canon lens quality, not so much interchangeability, was why I went with a pair of XL units in the first place, later augmenting that with a third camera - the Canon GL2.</p> <p>I still will have to take a step backward IMHO if I go with the Panasonic HMC-150 or JVC's competitive model, and these units go for mid to high $3K range. I used to think I'd settle for a Canon HV30, but I cannot recall if that model is a CCD or CMOS - I know its replacement HV40 is CMOS and I'm simply not going to go there.</p> <p>You can certainly find some stuff that will do the job for you in the $1K or so budget bracket, but it will NOT match up to  Canon XL1 lens and overall quality.</p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/camcorder-upgrade-help#post-52387 Fri, 20 Nov 2009 03:48:56 +0000 oneshot 52387@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>as of right now i have a canon xl1 which i do like but i really want to upgrade to something with a much better quality but not so high in price..i would definitly like something that shoots in high def  but like i said not to high in price if i could find some under a grand that would be great..any ideals or suggestions would be greatly appreciated..thank you for your time</p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/need-help-keep-loosing-audio-in-cs4-premiere#post-52379 Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:32:49 +0000 escobar 52379@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Can someone please help me, everytime i open up my film, i have about 6-8 scenes without dialogue? i put them back in, and when i try to burn it it doesnt show up? or once i am done with editing for the day, i save it, the next day i open it up, it's gone again, i am using cs4 premiere pro, my movie is about 1 hour and 4o minutes, and i continue loosing dialogue for the same scenes...does anyone know whats going on? can you please help me?</p> <p>thanks</p> <p>escobar</p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/want-to-step-into-the-pro-sumer-market-i-think#post-52378 Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:50:19 +0000 composite1 52378@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p><em>"... aim and shoot "mess"terpieces...."</em></p> <p>HA! That one definitely goes in the tool kit.</p> <p>Casey,</p> <p>There are some really good suggestions made by everyone so I won't parrot them. I would like to add since you do recognize a 'short fall' in your production values, you're already on the right track. Before your run out and spend a significant amount of money on a prosumer rig, first seriously watch movies and television programs. </p> <p>Avoid big-budget blockbusters with buttloads of special fx and CG imagery as they will distract you from looking at the basics of how they were shot. Yes, most high-end productions use top of the line cameras, but more and more big name films are getting made with tools off the shelf available to people like yourself. Whether it's a top of the heap Panavision super 35mm camera or a Canon XHA1, the basics still apply. Until you learn how to focus, expose, compose and hold a shot steady, you can use all the fancy cameras and fancy camera tricks you want. It'll still look like you didn't know what you were doing.</p> <p>So watch how the pro's do it on DVD's. Of particular help are the 'making of' documentaries in the 'special features'. I've been doing this stuff since '96 and still rummage through the special features to get new ideas and techniques. Also go to sites like YouTube and Vimeo to see how folks just like yourself are making their videos. It won't take long to figure out the good from the atrocious after an hour or so. </p> <p>The second thing to do will be to decide how you want your projects to look. Apply the things you've seen watching movies and the tips you've picked up from VM when using your existing camera. When you can make your videos shot with a dinky consumer rig look good, you'll be more than ready to move up to something more advanced. </p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/want-to-step-into-the-pro-sumer-market-i-think#post-52377 Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:00:43 +0000 Johnboy 52377@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p> Casey, short answer to your question is no.  You should invest in a camera you can afford and spend time learning how to shoot with it.  Take a look at some of the tutorials on this site about composition, light, planning the shoot etc. to get the most out of the camera.</p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/want-to-step-into-the-pro-sumer-market-i-think#post-52374 Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:57:25 +0000 birdcat 52374@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Earl is very correct - Making home movies NOT look like home movies starts in your mind, then progresses to the camera.  You cna do things in your editor to help but first you have to have 1) A good idea of what you are wanting as a final product, and 2) decent source material (footage).</p> <p>I would suggest you start learning to utilize your NLE of choice to it's fullest using what footage you already have (things like color correction, cropping, audio sweetening, etc...) and then try again using better caemera techniques and an eye toward the "shoot to edit" mindset.</p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/avi-file-conversion-to-mov#post-52372 Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:42:38 +0000 birdcat 52372@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Most non-linear editors will do this - All (I tihnk) will let you put AVI files on the timeline and most will render out to MOV (wrapper) with various CODEC's.</p>