Forums Tag: equipment

Forums Tag: equipment http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ Forums Tag: equipment en Thu, 21 Aug 2008 23:49:26 +0000 CMarion on "Equipment advice for a newbie" http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/equipment-advice-for-a-newbie#post-37357 Wed, 11 Jun 2008 12:35:47 +0000 CMarion 37357@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ Jeremy, Thanks for the answer. I will look into your recommendations. Chris film814 on "Equipment advice for a newbie" http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/equipment-advice-for-a-newbie#post-37329 Tue, 10 Jun 2008 17:15:49 +0000 film814 37329@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ Hey CMarion, Here's some info that might help: Camera: look for a 3CCD MiniDV camcorder that has audio inputs and gain controls (Canon XL2, GL2; Panasonic AG-DVC20, AG-DVC30, AG-DVC60; Sony VX2100) Virtually any professional 3CCD camcorder is TV quality or better. (will run anywhere from $800 to $4000) Lights: look for a basic fluorescent lighting kit (check out <a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/shop/2249/Fluorescent_Lights_Kits.html">http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/shop/2249/Fluorescent_Lights_Kits.html</a> for a great choice of Fluorescent Lighting kits. Audio: check out the Pro Audio department at B&H and look for a mid-range shotgun mic or lavalier mic kit. ($200-400) Hope this helps, Jeremy CMarion on "Equipment advice for a newbie" http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/equipment-advice-for-a-newbie#post-37325 Tue, 10 Jun 2008 14:01:47 +0000 CMarion 37325@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ The folks I work for are new to videography and so am I. We're going to start capturing our own video, doing mostly interview style shooting and possibly some indoor event coverage. We're looking for quality good enough for tv (b roll) but will mostly be on the web. What kind of equipment should we buy? Are there kits we can buy that include lights etc? robgrauert on "Looking for: equipment vendor recommendations - besides B+H Photo" http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/looking-for-equipment-vendor-recommendations-besides-bh-photo#post-36377 Thu, 08 May 2008 15:26:36 +0000 robgrauert 36377@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ Whats wrong with B&H. If you've been going to them since the early 90s and haven't had a problem, why do you care about any other vendor? I wouldn't recommend anyone else anyway because B&H always seems to have the lowest prices for everything. film814 on "Looking for: equipment vendor recommendations - besides B+H Photo" http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/looking-for-equipment-vendor-recommendations-besides-bh-photo#post-36368 Wed, 07 May 2008 18:50:34 +0000 film814 36368@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ B&H is definitely top notch. However, you could also try Abe's of Maine and Markertek. Jeremy Morty72 on "Looking for: equipment vendor recommendations - besides B+H Photo" http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/looking-for-equipment-vendor-recommendations-besides-bh-photo#post-36354 Wed, 07 May 2008 08:05:44 +0000 Morty72 36354@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ I taught video for 10 years at the high school level, and now run an educational access channel for a large school corporation. I consult the teachers in our district on video equipment purchases as well. My first question would be, why not B&H? Their prices are always low, if not the lowest (while still being trustworthy). I was just thinking the same thing yesterday and was looking for monitors, adapters and cables. I checked a few sites and B&H looked to be lowest again. Although I've never used them, I have heard good things about Adorama, and their prices seem to be good. Occassionally I will use Full Compass or Markertek... it all depends on what you're purchasing. If you're looking for a company that will put it all together for you and do the leg work of finding what is right, then I would suggest somebody local. Ah, the times I remember getting the program started... headaches, joy, frustration, excitement, disappointment and sheer amazement at what kids can do. Heck, I thought I was just bi-polar. GOOD LUCK! videotee on "Player for Reg.8 analog and Reg 8 DVD tapes available?" http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/player-for-reg8-analog-and-reg-8-dvd-tapes-available#post-36162 Thu, 24 Apr 2008 07:50:07 +0000 videotee 36162@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ Dear Vman, Thanks for your infomation. You'd think someone would make a player for both 8 mm analog and digital tapes - there's got to be lots of people with collections of tapes. A player would allow them to transfer to the new media or continue to view the tapes. Like you, I've got a Sony allowing playback of both types - however, it's my only camera at this time and I've become very protective of it. I just don't want it to "go out" and leave my collection of tapes unreadable. I could start the transfer to computer but this would bring other issues, such as more wear on the my last remaining camera and increased hard drive and DVD storage and what's the life of that? Oh well - guess I just too paranoid. But I'd really like a player. 24 April 2008 davefinnh on "Looking for: equipment vendor recommendations - besides B+H Photo" http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/looking-for-equipment-vendor-recommendations-besides-bh-photo#post-36045 Thu, 17 Apr 2008 04:18:45 +0000 davefinnh 36045@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ I also started a high school media class from scratch 2 years ago. I hope I can be of assistance. Depending on what your looking for I have had good luck with adorama photo in New York. Their prices are very aggressive. The staff is helpful (especially Paul in educational sales) and they take purchase orders for payment. Fullcompass.com is also very good. David F. P.S. If you'd like to swap curriculum ideas leave me a post here and we can figure a way to get in touch. riVIDEOguy on "Looking for: equipment vendor recommendations - besides B+H Photo" http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/looking-for-equipment-vendor-recommendations-besides-bh-photo#post-36034 Wed, 16 Apr 2008 14:38:30 +0000 riVIDEOguy 36034@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ Hey all - I’ve come upon an interesting opportunity: to teach high school kids the great art and science of video production. Ooooh. Aaaah. I’ll run a newly created department in our town. Here’s the cool bit: Grants have been secured and the money HAS to be spent in order to get more funding in the future. Though I’m not offering up any work right now (sorry), I would be ever grateful for your input on vendor recommendations. Who else would you recommend as a reliable, full-service vendor beside B+H Photo? (I've done business with them since the early 1990's...mostly out of habit.) <img src="http://dvcreators.net/discuss/images/misc/progress.gif" /> Thanks! <a href="http://dvcreators.net/discuss/editpost.php?do=editpost&p=65254"><img src="http://dvcreators.net/discuss/images/dvc_buttons/edit.gif" alt="Edit/Delete Message" /></a> vman on "Player for Reg.8 analog and Reg 8 DVD tapes available?" http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/player-for-reg8-analog-and-reg-8-dvd-tapes-available#post-35950 Sat, 12 Apr 2008 12:44:25 +0000 vman 35950@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ Hi Videotee. I'm in the same situation. 15 years of tapes. I have two digital 8mm cameras and will have to go HD in the near future. I also have a GO.VIDEO std.8mm/VHS player which I'm thinking of using as a re-winder or a door stop. The 2 Sony cameras are backward compatible (will read analog). Also they will convert analog to digital when connected to a computer. I assume you do not have a computer with a video editing program. The next logical step would be to convert all your tapes to DVD. The computer should be equipped with a video capture program which will produce a DVD. I use an Apple iMac, with iMovie, that has a super drive (capable of burning CDs and DVDs). There are other other devices on the market that will convert tapes directly to DVDs but lack the editing feature. I like the editing prior to burning because then I can cut out the mistakes and bad takes. I have converted most of my VHS and std 8mm to DVDs. 20 yrs from now a new format may come around and the whole process will need to be repeated. I won't be around for that. My grandkids can worry about it. You could also convert to mini tape but that would require a different camera and will result in converting that to DVD. Mini tape cameras will be around for a while more. 8mm is pretty much gone. I think Sony is the only one that still makes an 8mm camcorder. Good luck. vman meh2424 on "New AV Studio - Need Advice for Hardware" http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/new-av-studio-need-advice-for-hardware#post-35859 Tue, 08 Apr 2008 06:31:21 +0000 meh2424 35859@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ The XL2 looks like a camera that will work well. Thanks, I will be checking it out. Any suggestions for peripherals such as wireless mic, mixers, tvs, etc? Or just somewhere I can read and educate myself on building a production studio? videotee on "Player for Reg.8 analog and Reg 8 DVD tapes available?" http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/player-for-reg8-analog-and-reg-8-dvd-tapes-available#post-35833 Sun, 06 Apr 2008 23:27:47 +0000 videotee 35833@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ Does anyone know of a player that will play both regular 8 mm analog and regular digital 8 mm tapes? I need one to move my stock footage to a computer hard drive or just play it. My digital 8 camera allows me to play both formats but I’ve realized when this camcorder fails I won’t be able to play my tapes. Any information or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I've got about a ten year collection of both kinds of tapes. 7 April 2008 cdanddvdpublisher on "New AV Studio - Need Advice for Hardware" http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/new-av-studio-need-advice-for-hardware#post-35791 Thu, 03 Apr 2008 22:14:02 +0000 cdanddvdpublisher 35791@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ I am using the Canon XL2 MiniDV Camcoder and its an excellent little camera. It will do your talking head shots really easily but will also double as a portable camera if you need it to be one in the future. Its also a great price for the kind of quality it produces. Johnboy on "How Do I Digitize a DVCPRO Tape?" http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/how-do-i-digitize-a-dccpro-tape#post-35765 Wed, 02 Apr 2008 18:25:33 +0000 Johnboy 35765@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ if all you're capturing is dvcpro and not anything like s-vhs, vhs, hi-8 (analog sources), then you don't need a capture card provided that you have a firewire port on your computer. Again, you only need a convertor if your source comes from an analog output. GodsGirl on "How Do I Digitize a DVCPRO Tape?" http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/how-do-i-digitize-a-dccpro-tape#post-35764 Wed, 02 Apr 2008 17:24:23 +0000 GodsGirl 35764@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ Ok, lets see if I understand this. I need to have the following: 1. NLE capture Program (I have Adobe Premiere Pro CS3) 2. A Capture Card (Canopus 300) 3. A DVCPRO Deck with Firewire connection. Am I missing anything? Thanks again! Johnboy on "How Do I Digitize a DVCPRO Tape?" http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/how-do-i-digitize-a-dccpro-tape#post-35759 Wed, 02 Apr 2008 10:36:26 +0000 Johnboy 35759@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ if you need to bring in an analog source, you need a convertor. I recommend canopus. At a minimum you'll need the 110, the 300 is nice with a built in time base corrector. If you have a dvcpro deck with firewire, just simply plug it into your computer's firewire port start your nle capture program and save the tape to your computer for editing. GodsGirl on "How Do I Digitize a DVCPRO Tape?" http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/how-do-i-digitize-a-dccpro-tape#post-35753 Tue, 01 Apr 2008 21:23:08 +0000 GodsGirl 35753@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ Hi all, I volunteer for a non-profit organization. We had a production company create a video for us. They sent us all the raw footage on tapes (DVCPRO AJ-P126L) and a DVD with the Final Master Video on it in .VOB format. Long story short, our rights to a song on the video will expire soon. Since I can not cut out the music on the VOB file, I need to get the tape footage onto the computer and rebuild the Video. I have a high end computer that I built myself. I'm a computer nerd thats why they asked me to help with this project. lol - I've never done any *real* video editing before, just playing around with home videos from a DVD Cam. My question: What do I need to purchase to read/encode/decode these tapes onto my computer. I've looked into purchasing a deck but I'm not sure exactly what I need. Since this will be something we plan on continuing (creating our own videos) I don't mind purchasing the equipment. I just need some direction. Thanks for your help. Â -GG meh2424 on "New AV Studio - Need Advice for Hardware" http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/new-av-studio-need-advice-for-hardware#post-35724 Mon, 31 Mar 2008 10:01:29 +0000 meh2424 35724@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ I was granted money at work to build a simple av studio. About $20,000. Until now I have been producing videos with a consumer level camera, a wireless mic from Radioshack and Pinnacle Studio software. I will be scrapping all 3 in favor or a more professional approach. Any equipment a MUST? I was thinking a mixer of some kind and multiple cameras. We do a lot of talking head shots. Lighting and mics, any suggestions? Camera suggestions? Thanks, I am new to the site but would love to collaborate going forward. LDPLDP on "Starting Business -> Need Advice!" http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/starting-business-gt-need-advice#post-34524 Tue, 08 Jan 2008 18:59:59 +0000 LDPLDP 34524@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ Weddings are one of the more stressful video activities. There are no retakes and significant risk of failure. You should consider creating a limited liability company to protect your current and future personal assets, particularly if you are doing weddings. As far as equipment, make sure your video camera performs well in low light (such as the Sony VX 2100) and can use external microphone(s). You should also buy a decent external mike and probably one or two wireless mikes. If you've learned video editing on a PC, I would stick with that but I'm an Apple user and if you have no experience at all with video editing, you might want to consider Apple, even with its higher cost. Alainstamour on "Starting Business -> Need Advice!" http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/starting-business-gt-need-advice#post-34514 Tue, 08 Jan 2008 07:26:16 +0000 Alainstamour 34514@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ Hi WazzuMan, I'm also in the early stages of launching an AV production company. I can't make solid recommendations based on years of experience, but I can tell you how I've chosen to start and you can judge for yourself if you would like to proceed the same way. a) Maxing out my credit card, I bought my gear instead of renting it. There are a lot of benefits to owning your gear. === you are guaranteed to have your gear 'in-stock' - as opposed to having to wait until the gear returns === you will get to know your gear inside and out, which will allow you to exploit your gear and use it to its' fullest potential - as opposed to the learning curve every time you use someone else's, not necessarily knowing what its' strengths and weaknesses are === if you get a great idea at 3 in the morning, you will have the luxury of firing up your camera and using it right away - as opposed to having to wait until the next business day where you are at the mercy of someone else's availability, and where you are obligated to get somewhere to pick up your gear b) camera, camera case, tripod, lots of big batteries (get the longest life batteries you can afford) shotgun mic, basic editing computer and software / I believe that if you have a good eye for your subjects, composition, exposure etc, you can get by without having to use filters for your camera. And even though I STRONGLY recommend a good lighting kit, you can probably live without it for a while and learn to harness natural light and get crafty with lamps, candles, flashlights, even mirrors c) one suggestion: find hair salons and drop off your cards or sample DVDs - hair salons = where ladies (and sometimes men) get their 'wedding hair' done, this is a great place for word of mouth. Good luck. In Solidarity, Alain <a href="http://www.crazyredacesproductions.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.crazyredacesproductions.blogspot.com/</a> WazzuMan on "Starting Business -> Need Advice!" http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/starting-business-gt-need-advice#post-34508 Mon, 07 Jan 2008 22:36:01 +0000 WazzuMan 34508@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ I am in the beginning phases of opening a Video Production business. I figure I will being with wedding videos since the I should be able to book few regardless of my experience. After establishing a portfolio and having my card floating around the area, I plan on moving along and expanding to other areas of the business. I have been reading a lot but really am interested in what you all have to say. Here are my questions: a) Should I being renting equipment until I make enough $ to buy my own, or should I go in debt immediatly? b) What equipment is ESSENTIAL when beginning? (note: I am just starting, but I have no intentions of creating anything less than great). c) What is the best first step(s) in breaking into the local wedding video business in my area? Those are some of the more important questions I have right now. I am going to try and get as much experience with other companies by just helping out right now, but market research has dominated my interest. I also understand how important good picture quality is, but I do believe that having an eye for photography can go a long way. Not having the best camera won't help my quest, but I do not believe that it will keep my company from creating good things. Thank you all!