canon xl-h1 after effects

[Celticman]

HI. Im planning on getting canon xl-h1. Does anyone have this camera. I'm just wondering will there be any problem with after effects or photoshop bcas camera shoot at 24f not 24p.Any help would be much appreciated.

[oneinfiniteloop]

It depends on how you capture it then export it through your NLE. AE can read just about every major file format there is out there, so can Photoshop. Not sure if this answers your question, but if you can be more specific we can help further.

[Celticman]

Thanks for the reply. I really wish I could be more specific. I'm a complete novice. I have never used a pro camera before.Just finished college and I want to get into documentary making. Anything I know is by looking up websites and to be completely honest, I'm throwing myself in the deep end. I dont know what nle means. I'm a quick learner though. All I know is that I will need a good camera. A new computer and lots of software for special effects. I cant afford a deck, so I'll be using camera as deck loading the footage onto the computer. Thats about as much as I know. It's hd, so ill be looking for hd dvd recorders if they are available. I know im asking a hell of a lot of advice, but any reply would be appreciated. Thanks again

[oneinfiniteloop]

Well, NLE stands for non-linear editor, in reference to programs like Final Cut, Premiere, Avid, etc... You first have to capture your footage into one of these programs over firewire or SDI (which will require a special capture card), then you export your footage in a certain codec. The codec is basically the format the footage will be, so you can export HD Quicktime files, image sequences, Uncompressed HD, etc... Keep in mind, each codec has it's advantages and disadvantages. Some are better quality, some take up lots of space, some are good quality and smaller.

Once you have your exported footage, you then Import that into After Effects and do what you need to do, then render it out.

What kind of doc work are you doing? If you can be more specific about what you wish to accomplish it would be helpful.

[surf]

I think there would not be any problems

[Celticman]

Thanks for getting back again. I'm planning a couple of documentaries. I'm based in Ireland, so it will be on local Irish history. Im planning on interviewing people on, I thinks it the 60i frame mode. I will then reinact historical sequences on 24f mode for that film effect. I will be using a PAL camera.The camera is a hdv.Would I be better off to film in sd or could I film in hd for increased quality and then compress it onto normal dvd. I'm not sure when it comes to this matter as hd tvs are'nt common in Ireland yet. Would the image quality still be ok if I filmed hd mode and decompress it. Would it still work in normal dvd players. Thanks.Ps I would be using the AE, bullet magic and photoshop for short film for special effects.

[oneinfiniteloop]

Well, it seems like you're a little new to these things so I'm going to make some suggestions.

First, the Canon XLH1 will give you more resolution and detail than SD would, but if you're final product is going to be SD it might not be worth it. Also, you would need to have an NLE that edits HDV, and you should have a basic understanding of the underlying technology.

With that being said, SD might be a better route. Here is something Barry Green said to another new camera user:


If you're just starting out, it makes little sense to buy the most expensive camera. I mean, how much will "image quality" affect your results, vs. the sheer process of learning your skills?

If I were in your position I'd look at a used DVX100. You should be able to get it for under 2000 Euros, and really there's no reason to go spending five or six thousand on a camera that is most likely well above your skill level. Learn on the less expensive tool, and upgrade when your skills warrant upgrading. When you get to the point where the camera itself is limiting you, that's when you should look into upgrading. And, by that time, there may be many other, newer tools to choose from.

But this is the advice I'd give to anyone starting out -- don't overextend yourself at the beginning. Get something that does what you need, but I really don't see the rationale in spending twice as much when, in all likelihood, it'll be a year or two before you have developed your skillset to the point where any particular camera is limiting you.

[Celticman]

Thanks for your help.Much appreciated

[Matt Grunau]

Good posts oneinf. I'de like to add a couple of suggestions as well.

Celtic, being brand new as you said, the first thing you should do (before even getting a camera or software) would be to buy a book, or a few of them about desktop filmaking. You will very quickly find yourself mired in technical unknowns, until you get the fundamentals of not only video once it's inside the computer (formats, codecs, audio), but camera operations (shutter, apature, LIGHTING) as well. And that's just the tip of it. Just as Barry Green suggests with a camera, the same it true with computer hardware and software. Going out and buying an expensive video dedicated computer with the Adobe video suite would be nice, but how much use are you really going to get out of it or After Effects, let alone Audition or Encore, if you have yet to learn what they can do? I would suggest getting an older version of Photoshop, and and older version Vegas Video (and that's it for software), learning about preproduction, shooting techniques, lighting, sound, and editing principles before even attempting a documentary. If you have a computer less than 3 years old, odds are you already have the power to do the small things you need to get the process started. Not to imply your idea or desire to create one isn't a good one, just that 3-4 months of learning and experimentation will be invaluable. Your documentary will be a lot better once you have some experience under your belt, even if it is a bunch of 30 second to 2 minute test clips.

Trust me. I have jumped in with both feet before without knowing how deep the water was and paid the price.

This forum is a great resource, and people like oneinfiniateloop are one of the reasons why. Ask as much as you can, people share like mad around here.

That's one of the reasons we are all addicted to it. :Drogar-BigGrin(DBG)

Good luck in your work.

[surf]

Rapier says well.
but if you have time and power, you could buy the latest software versions too. it will be cheaper later, when you have to upgrade it. and you don't have to use all functions... and if you get used to an older one it will be hard the get used to a newer one again.

[Celticman]

Thanks . This site is brilliant for advice. I'd be lost otherwise.