What tripod and editing software for a Canon XHA1?

H

hitman

Member
Hi this is my first post so please be gentle!

Bought the XHA1 on the weekend and really am a camcorder novice but wanted to make films for a long time so decided to take the plunge.

2 questions really:

1. I know I need a tripod but which one ? Initially just looking to film everything and anything with an ambition to film shorts, although do have in mind an idea for educational videos so would be filming interviews aswell.
Have considered the Manfrotto 503 HDV?/ 525 tripod kit but wonder is this overkill? Could I go for one of the heads designed to deal with smaller weight loads and still get as good results?

2. What software would you recommend for importing and editing video from the XHA1? Saw some video that was edited using Sony Vegas but when I went to download free trial realised my old Vaio laptop does not meet the min specs! Can I download the basic version of this and import HD vid at SD quality? Is there another programme out there I should consider? Or should I upgrade my laptop and go for a new PC or even an Apple Mac and run Final Cut? ps my laptop is 1.75GHZ pentium 4 ( I think!) with 512 mb RAM

Any help for a newbie much appreciated

Hitman
 
hitman said:
1. I know I need a tripod but which one ?
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Buy the best one you can afford. I bought a Libec tripod (don't remember the model) and it does about 80% of what I need for it to do. It's light and sets up easily, but it doesn't have adjustable drag and while it had a fluid head, it does catch occasionally when panning. A good quality tripod, like the Manfrotto, is on my upgrade list.

hitman said:
2. What software would you recommend for importing and editing video from the XHA1? Saw some video that was edited using Sony Vegas but when I went to download free trial realised my old Vaio laptop does not meet the min specs! Can I download the basic version of this and import HD vid at SD quality? Is there another programme out there I should consider? Or should I upgrade my laptop and go for a new PC or even an Apple Mac and run Final Cut? ps my laptop is 1.75GHZ pentium 4 ( I think!) with 512 mb RAM
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It sounds like you need a new computer. You'll find that editing on a laptop no matter how fast is a prescription for frustration, especially with HD. Buy the biggest, fastest machine you can find. Mac or PC, it's your preference.

To answer question 2a, if I was starting from scratch, I'd try everything I could. Vegas, FCP, Adobe and anything else you can find. That choice will help you with your Mac or PC decision.

You can capture in SD from the A1, but why? You'll lose all those wonderful images you captured and be left with a low (standard def) resolution surrogate. I think most people shoot and edit in HD unless it's a specifically SD project. You can down-res when you output to tape, DVD, Web or whatever. If you start an SD project then decide to output in HD, it's a lot more complicated.

Hope that helps.
 
Tripp
thanks for the reply
I know that I should buy the best tripod but wondered if the 503hdv/525 setup was overkill for a novice like myself
As far as my laptop is concerned I think you're right - I need a new one
My problem is I want to try some of the software b4 I commit to PC or Mac and one particular type of programme but my PCs not powerful enough to try most/all of this software
Wanted to try the Sony Vegas software but the HD supported version won't run on my PC and not sure if I can import HD and convert to SD on the standrad
At the moment I have nothing to edit and watch my vids on (when I shoot them! ) which is not ideal
Guess its a PC or Mac and pretty soon for me but unfortunately money is tight after the XHA1 purchase
Any suggestions?
Hitman
 
hitman said:
I know that I should buy the best tripod but wondered if the 503hdv/525 setup was overkill for a novice like myself
Click to expand...
No. There's really no such thing as overkill when it comes to a quality tripod. If you're going to carry it a lot one might be too heavy, but a high quality tripod will work for you, not against you.
hitman said:
I want to try some of the software b4 I commit to PC or Mac and one particular type of programme but my PCs not powerful enough to try most/all of this software
Wanted to try the Sony Vegas software but the HD supported version won't run on my PC
Click to expand...
Testing software is something you can do with SD footage. What you're testing primarily are the interface and functionality. You should be able to do that with your current laptop, unless the software won't install. Working with HD footage won't be any different than SD except the program will run slower. It might be slow on your Vaio but you'll get an idea of how it works. Barring that, find someone locally who might let you play with their machine. If you have a friend with a Mac, you can try FCP.

hitman said:
Guess its a PC or Mac and pretty soon for me but unfortunately money is tight after the XHA1 purchase
Any suggestions?
Hitman
Click to expand...
Since you spell "program" with a few too many letters to be living in the States, I can't help you there. Your optimal PC or Mac configuration depends on a bunch of things and should be the subject of another question posted on the appropirate forum once you make your software decision. There are no simple answers for this one.

Good luck.
 
Tripp
many thanks for sharing your expertise
From what you're saying if I want to say try out Sony Vegas I should download the basic free trial, shoot on SD and then try out the software
Presumably if I shoot on HD it will not let me import on the basic version ?
As far as the tripod is concerned, portability is a factor
For instance I'm just about to go to The Netherlands to visit friends and want to take my XHA1 with me but what about a tripod - the 503HDV/525 set up looks too big to travel with . What do you do then? Keep the same head and take a monopod/different legs or just leave the tripod behind?
I know, I know nothing about all of this but what the hell I'm looking forward to making my own little films (however bad)!
Hitman
 
as about traveling, i'm planing to go to italy , shoot formula 1 in september, i plan to cary 35mm adapter, tripod and camera by plane.... i think you can handle camera and tripod to the plane with you, as tripods case is not such a big thing...
 
hitman... Yes, for the test, just shoot anything in SD... your cat, budgie or a bowl of fruit. You don't need much. 10 minutes of footage will give you more than enough. I wouldn't even worry about HD at this point. It just adds a level of unnecessary complexity at this point. If this all works, you can try capturing some HD footage to see if it works.

I don't know if the Manfrotto kit is too big to travel with since I don't have one...yet. Check the measurements and see if it will fit in your suitcase. A monopod's a good alternative.

And you don't know nothing... You've already started the learning curve, which will never end. [grin].

exe... can I come? huh? can I? please? canIcanIcanIcanI?
 
Abso-stinkin-lutely. My racing itinerary for this year is rather paltry with just two NASCAR events in Loudon, NH and hanging around some of the local short tracks.
 
unTripp said:
Abso-stinkin-lutely. My racing itinerary for this year is rather paltry with just two NASCAR events in Loudon, NH and hanging around some of the local short tracks.
Click to expand...


well... what you're offering :) i might have a possibility to get a second permission for filming :) i'm gonna send you a pm with my skype id, contact me
 
Get the Libec LS-22 with a mid-spreader. You'll thank yourself for getting it right the first time. Zotz is a honest dealer, I got mine there.

As for editing Final Cut Pro is good and does everything you need. Sign up for a class at college and you can get it cheap!!! (student discount)
 
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