The cost of a starter HVX200 setup?

D

Drent

New member
Hello everybody,

I've got my spare $10000 and am willing to spend them on HVX200 + gear and start shooting a couple of short feature films.

I already have everything needed for editing (MacPro + FCP) and nothing for shooting.

Will $10000 be enough for basic gear (mic + 35mm + tripod + etc(?)?


Maybe anybody can recommend the good HVX200 setup for $10000?


Also - I'm going to move to NTSC country for a couple years in the near future, and still going to do some filming in PAL country - so I'll face the problem of both worlds. What'd be your advice? PAL or NTSC camera?
 
I was pricing out a second setup and here's what I came up with:

HVX200 w/1 8-gig card
2 additional batteries
$5299

2 Additional 8-gig cards $1,100 each, $2,200 total.
P2 Store: $1,250

$8,749 total.

TC400 charger: $485.00

$9,234 total.
 
Lets see:

For continuous recording:

HVX with 8gb P2 card 5100

Brevis or M2- 1100

Decent usable tripod- not spectacular, but usable and capable- 500

Nikor lenses (second hand)- 600'

Adittional P2 cards 1x 8gb- 1100
1x 4gb- 500

P2 store- 1200

Total: $ 10 100 (maybe you can get a better deal on the tripod and lenses.)

OR just change the extra 2800 for the P2 store and the extra p2 cards for a FIrestore- $2200

For non continuous recording, however, just go for the 3 cards and exclude the P2 store, and you'll have a very acceptable 21 minutes in 1080p recording untill you need to dump the cards. For narrative work, that's enough.
 
I was just wondering how some of you were able to afford the HVX and things such as lenses/tripods etc.

Did anyone have to take out a loan or did you just have 10,000 sitting around to cover the costs for all those things.

Also Do you think one of those Mac Mini's will be good enough and be able to handle Using editing programs such as AF and FCP?

I do know it is a good idea to have a laptop on the field with you so you can capture on P2 cards and then dump them onto the laptop and record on the P2 cards again. Also what is a good laptop that could handle this for the cheapest price. I want to start putting aside some money and buying some of the things to have my own set up.

It's quite depressing knowing it will take me a year to save up around 10 grand.

Your thoughts?
 
dont get a mac mini for your main cpu if it's going to be used for video production. spend as much as you can afford and get as much memory, processor speed, hard drive space, etc. as you can.

as far as getting the HVX - i made a call to Steven Speilberg and had him buy me one since he's so rich. :) (joke) seriously, i'll say this. it always helps to have a second source of income. i do a lot of freelance work and this way i never had to spend money from my dayjob when it comes time to buy equipment.
 
10 grand is a good amount to get some good gear, although I would skip the 35mm adaptor... for now at least.... (an adaptor is a cool tool to have laying around for some special "looks" if you need them but IMO its not too crucial for a start up rig)

after I got the HVX and the rebated 8gig card I would purchase some of the follow...

Oktava Mic from the soundroom
a GOOD tripod.... spend more than 500 bucks on your tripod, dont skimp on this item
spiderbrace.... excellent little tool for handheld and a price you cant shake a stick at
extra batts for sure
extra p2 card or two
and you migt wanna think about an older model powerbook with the p2 slot
mattebox with some good filters
marshall monitor

I wouldnt worry about buying a sick lighting setup (at this point) but eventually that is something to think about..... for right now a modest little flo kit or even some rigged home depot sh*t and china balls will get you started

now in the future for sure, splurge a lot of funds into lighting but right now its not crucial, same with the adaptor..... gotta have the kart before the horse.....

of course this is all just IMO!!:beer:
 
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Here's my suggestion

HVX200 w/1 8-gig card, 2 additional batteries, Additional 4-gig card
from Specc Comm http://www.spec-comm.com/hvx200.php -- $5,799.00

Oktava MK012A microphone from the Sound Room http://sound-room.com/inc/sdetail/474 -- $173.00

Audio Technica 4073a boom kit package from Coffey Sound http://www.coffeysound.com/ -- $869.00

Formatt HD UV Filter from video direct http://www.videodirect.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=BF82CLUVHD -- $109.95

DV Rack HD (to turn laptop into a field monitor/capture device that includes native 24p) from Serious Magic
http://www.seriousmagic.com/products/dvrack/index.cfm -- $795.00

Bogen / Manfrotto tripod with 519 Fluid Head from B&H Photo http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=5136&A=details&Q=&sku=359713&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation -- $1,106.95

Follow Focus/Iris Foxi by bebob from http://www.16x9inc.com/cgibin/eDatCat/169store.cgi?user_action=detail&catalogno=BE-FOXI -- $465.00

Total before taxes --- $9,317.90
 
FilmBoy77 said:
dont get a mac mini for your main cpu if it's going to be used for video production. spend as much as you can afford and get as much memory, processor speed, hard drive space, etc. as you can.

as far as getting the HVX - i made a call to Steven Speilberg and had him buy me one since he's so rich. :) (joke) seriously, i'll say this. it always helps to have a second source of income. i do a lot of freelance work and this way i never had to spend money from my dayjob when it comes time to buy equipment.
Click to expand...

See, that's the thing. I don't have a DVX or an HVX to do any freelance work. I just have my main job as my income for rent/bills and living expences. Encoding music videos is fun but the may is so and so. Not enough to buy an HVX though. I'd have to save for a year in order to buy an HVX and all the goodies.

I'd consider a loan, but those things always scare me. If you know what I mean. So i dunno what to do. That's why I was asking how people on here were able to afford a HVX and how they went about getting one. Either loan, Saving up, Freelance. I need some advice.

-Also, Thanks for the suggestion on the mac mini. If and when I get an HVX i know I'm going to want a laptop for field use and a Desktop for editing and only for editing. But I like I said before. I'm very limited on the income. HAHA. I'm all good for the bills and living but Dropping a couple grand on a HVX and a couple more grand on a laptop and editing station. That's where it gets rough...

Any thoughts?
 
Raw and Vital said:
See, that's the thing. I don't have a DVX or an HVX to do any freelance work. I just have my main job as my income for rent/bills and living expences. Encoding music videos is fun but the may is so and so. Not enough to buy an HVX though. I'd have to save for a year in order to buy an HVX and all the goodies.

I'd consider a loan, but those things always scare me. If you know what I mean. So i dunno what to do. That's why I was asking how people on here were able to afford a HVX and how they went about getting one. Either loan, Saving up, Freelance. I need some advice.

-Also, Thanks for the suggestion on the mac mini. If and when I get an HVX i know I'm going to want a laptop for field use and a Desktop for editing and only for editing. But I like I said before. I'm very limited on the income. HAHA. I'm all good for the bills and living but Dropping a couple grand on a HVX and a couple more grand on a laptop and editing station. That's where it gets rough...

Any thoughts?
Click to expand...
i feel your pain man. i got a lot of my dough from doing side work with web /graphic design (it's my dayjob actually) and anything i couldnt afford i put on a business credit card i just opened up under my business name because i didnt just have the funds laying around either and didnt want the additional debt to go on my personal credit report. so it's not a loan but i'm financing it, however i am using it to pay for itself along with additional graphic design and web design projects i get. this stuff is certainly not cheap but if you map out a plan on how to get it and how you can dig yourself out of the financial hole if you finance it then it's all good. :Drogar-Smoke(DBG):
 
For film production (basic) ? You didn't provide much of a context for your experience or scope of production, so I'm making some assumptions here..

camera- (2) 8 gig cards

tripod- don't skimp, spend at least $1,200.00

Audio- shotgun, boom, a couple of XLR's, and a good set of cans. AT 4073A, Ktek holder and boom. Rent wireless when needed.

Monitor- rent either a Marshall or CRT field monitor. You don't need a HD monitor. Nice, but not neccesary. Buying a field CRT makes sense if your going to use it with your edit station as well. You mentioned that you are in Pal land, so buying may not makes sense if your coming to the states.

Lighting and grip- either rent a good package or buy a few heads/stands that can't be replicated by DIY methods and then build some DIY units as well.

A set of screw on ND's- .3, .6, .9. A polarizer filter. A good matte box may be justified in place of just getting screw in filters. The french flag can save a lot of grip work in many cases. Personally, I favor the matte box, but your budget and priorities may dictate otherwise.

A capable CPU workstation with adequate processor speed and HD storage. I'm not familiar with the new Macbook pros, so I don't know if they are up to the task. I use a 12 inch PB for downloading in the field and a Quad with 8 gbs ram as a workstation.

Grip peripherals- stingers, A clamps, gaffer tape, foamcore, Quaker clamp(s), dimmers, c-47's, duvateen, sound blanket(s). Buy this stuff so that you have it on hand. These are some of the most useful (if not least glamorous) items to purchase on this list.

Rent, rent, rent when it makes sense. There are items that are important for you to own due to practical, logistical and financial reasons. However, there are alot of items that don't make sense to purcahse on your budget, some listed in previous posts. Be aware ( as you may be) that when you make these kinds of solicitations for input, it turns into a "Fantasy Football" kind of thread with a lot of suggestions emanating from vicarious budgeting and gear fantasies ;-).

Save your money for travel, craft services and specific rental needs (HMI's etc..).
 
You all forgot to mention the costs for archiving. Be it on LTO or harddisk.
 
Raw and Vital said:
See, that's the thing. I don't have a DVX or an HVX to do any freelance work. I just have my main job as my income for rent/bills and living expences. Encoding music videos is fun but the may is so and so. Not enough to buy an HVX though. I'd have to save for a year in order to buy an HVX and all the goodies.

I'd consider a loan, but those things always scare me. If you know what I mean. So i dunno what to do. That's why I was asking how people on here were able to afford a HVX and how they went about getting one. Either loan, Saving up, Freelance. I need some advice.

Any thoughts?
Click to expand...

I heard the crack business is booming, and real estate is bound to bounce back.

The HD game is still way expensive. Maybe set your sights on a used DVX and some accessories.
 
Thank you everybody for the suggestions. Sure, it's possible to compile a decent setup from all the variants posted.

Now about that accursed PAL/NTSC thing... Will I suffer if I come with my PAL HVX200 to USA for a couple of years? Is it hard to get (rent) all the stuff nedeed for conversion there (or, for many of you - here)?


Thanks!
 
uhrgl said:
I heard the crack business is booming, and real estate is bound to bounce back.

The HD game is still way expensive. Maybe set your sights on a used DVX and some accessories.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I have thought about going with a DVX. But I definately have my sites set on the HVX and the quality/outcome it can achieve.

Maybe I have my standards set too high. Maybe I should just buy a DVX shoot a couple weddings for 800-1000 each and save up for the HVX and a laptop and editing station.

I dunno.
 
Drent...

What you pick up is entirely dependent on what sort of work you intend to do.

For example, if you're doing a lot of work out in the field where you may get rained on you'll want to get a Kata rain cover or equivalent. If you're doing a lot of work where a host is talking to a guest you'll want to get a pair of wireless systems. If you're in tight spaces and can't back up for a wider shot you'll need a good wide angle adapter.

As for how to afford the equipment, some will take out loans. I put mine on a zero percent interest card and try to pay it down as quickly as possible. Video production IS my day job so it's not like I have another job to cover the mortgage while my freelance work covers the cost of equipment. And, unfortunately, renting equipment in Hawaii isn't too easy as there aren't many rental houses around.

So develop a business plan. Have someone experienced look it over. And then proceed with care if this is your primary means of making a living. Most of all, be persistent and strive for quality. It'll take a lot of work to pay off the equipment bill PLUS make a reasonable living. And as an independent, you live or die by your reputation.

Raw and Vital...

You might want to see if the Mac Mini can even handle footage from an HVX. Take some test footage to an Apple Store and talk to the sales associates there. See if it's capable of doing some of the basics like dissolves and mulitple track clips, etc. Also, something worth considering is how it will handle system expansion. A laptop is a good idea in that the MacBook Pros can handle DVCProHD and they make nice portable editing workstations. They're not as flexible as towers but they're more powerful than Mac Minis.

As for the 4-gig cards, I opted for 8-gig cards. When transferring them to a P2 Store they get written as seperate partitions and that means I have to transfer 7 partitions into my workstation. If it were 4-gig cards that would mean transferring 15 partitions -- a much bigger workload. 8-gig cards also mean more shooting time with a pair of cards loaded into the HVX. Cost per minute is about the same.

The advantage of a 4-gig card is that it fits nicelty onto DVD-R's for storage. However, as I'm storing my camera footage onto a Level-1 RAID, I'm not tied to 4-gig partitions.
 
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