Advice needed: Starting a video wing with $10,000

[xinajerrett]

Hello, I'm new to the forums, but I thought this might be a good place to get some advice. I work for a non-profit organization, and we've been given the green light to start developing a media department. I took a few video classes in college (Video Production, Editing), and used Canon XL1s and GL2s, but my knowledge is pretty basic and limited.

We'll be producing some things for supporters of our organization, promotional pieces, informational pieces and products that we'll put online and possibly on DVD. So, most will be interviews with some b-roll thrown in so it's not just at talking head. We don't have a ton of resources to throw in this area, but we want things to look and sound professional.

Our budget is $10,000 for everything (that includes a computer, NLE software, camera, audio equipment, lights, etc.)

So I guess my question is, as we're starting up this department, how do we make the most of this money? What are areas that we can skimp on, and where should spend a little more money to get good quality?

Here's what we're thinking right now:

Computer and Software:
Mac Pro (which will also be used for Graphic Design) with Final Cut Studio

Camera: We've been looking at the Panasonic HPX170 (with the expensive P2 cards), as well as the HMC150 (with the more affordable SD cards and slightly lower price tag). What are some of the huge differences between these cameras, and for our purposes, is it worth the HPX170?
Also, I've been told that good audio is one of the most important things for professional video, so would we be better off getting a decent HD consumer camcorder and high-end audio equipment, or should we go for the nicer camera?

Lighting: Is this an area we could cut some cost on? Could we get away with one good soft-box as a key light, or do we need a whole light kit?

Tripod: I'm pretty clueless here. I've been hearing this is also very important for good video. However, if most of what we will be filming is stationary interviews at this point, could we get away with a cheaper tripod for now and maybe invest in something better later on?

Audio: What kinds of mics do we need? A good shotgun mic, a lav mic, both, or something else?

Thanks so much for your help!

 

[David Saraceno]

Welcome to the boards

1. Expensive relative for p2 cards. A E series 32 GB card runs about $600.00; can be used again and again and holds hours 82 minutes of 720/24pN footage.

2. 170 produces DVCProHD footage that edits like butter. 150 produces beautiful AVCHD footage that must be transcoded. I don't mind it, but the 4:2:2 color space of the 170 is gorgeous, plus it is intraframe footage.

3. Audio and lighting are important components, but it depends on what you intend to deliver and where. Web delivery works well with both. DVD - I prefer quite strongly the 170 and DVCProHD footage

4. Get a good tripod; don't skimp. Eventually you'll need it.

5. I have a lav and a shotgun and interview mic.

Stay away from good consumer cams. You are limited by low light issues, and less versatile codecs.

All, stay with one post. Double posting doesn't generate any more responses.

 

[ggrantly]

At the 10k price point for the entire kit, you will have to make compromises. Here are a few suggestions on reducing cost. After being in this for a while, I have a rule of thumb that the cam is about 25% of your kit.

Post: iMac 27" w/ ext raid drive and FCP $3000
Cam: HMC-150, memory, batteries, misc. $3750 (or HMC40 $2750)
Audio: $1250 will get you a minimal start
Sticks: $750
Lights: $1250

You can jiggy these numbers a bit, but if you squeeze one place you will suffer somewhere else. Some folks will point out that you can start with less, and that is true, but the above is realistic for a semi-pro kit on a modest budget. For me, I feel the audio budget is very important because crap audio will ruin anything else good you do. I would look to buy some used equipment if possible to help your budget. For example, there are lots of used cases and luggage on eBay. Cameras and audio can be found in the market place here. IMHO, you will need more $ before you are finished, but this will get you started. I would hang out in the specialty forums such as audio and lighting to get better info on the particulars on specific equipment.

Best Regards,
Grant

 

[ikander]

I agree with ggrantly. Go with the HMC 150 to save costs and pour that into your audio, sticks, and lighting.

 

[xinajerrett]

Thank you all for your help!

2. 170 produces DVCProHD footage that edits like butter. 150 produces beautiful AVCHD footage that must be transcoded. I don't mind it, but the 4:2:2 color space of the 170 is gorgeous, plus it is intraframe footage.

David,
Can you explain what that means a little more? (I'm still learning a lot of this.) How difficult is the process of transcoding? How much time does it take? Is it challenging to do this into Final Cut?

And what is the color space on the HMC150? What's the main differences?

And what is intraframe footage and its advantages?

Thanks so much!

 

[David Saraceno]

None of the transcoding is challenging at all. You mount the card, and use log and transfer to transcode to pro res, and then you edit. This is an additional step in processing, but not daunting at all.

DVCProHD = 4:2:2 color space; AVCHD is 4:2:0.

This is an article in the Articles section at dvxuser.com explaining the difference:

http://www.dvxuser.com/articles/colorspace/

AVCHD is a long-GOP codec and doesn't use frame-discrete compression like DVCProHD.

AVC itself represents pretty much the pinnacle of compression technology right now; AVC is also known as h.264. It's two to 2.5 times more efficient than MPEG-2.

AVC is being used in two very different formats: AVC-HD, which is a long-GOP system designed for low-bitrate recordings, and AVC-Intra, which is a top-quality codec designed to rival and even exceed DVCPRO-HD.

 

[ChipG]

Don't forget about eBay, I have seen used HVX200's sell for $2500, HMC 150's under $3k and HPX 170's for about $3k, also good deals on used audio equiptment, tripods and lights.

 

[mainstreetprod]

For interviews, a corded lavalier mic with XLR may be all you need. Check the audio section for endless discussion on those. $200- $300. If your subject will be roving a bit, get a Sennheiser G3 wireless with same lav as above, adapted for it. $600-700. That and a good set of headphones may be all that is needed.