Attn: DV Rack Users

Streckfus

Streckfus

Member
I'll be shooting a feature next summer and right now we're planning on using DV Rack software. A few questions regarding the setup:

1) Laptop/Notebook specs. I've got a mean desktop machine that I built at home so I know what I should be looking at as far as CPU, RAM, Video Card, etc. in a new laptop PC. However, I'm not sure which route I should go as far as screen size is concerned. From what I've read about DV Rack, the windows are not dockable or re-sizeable, so I would assume that the bigger the screen size/resolution, the better. Of course, once you go for a 17" screen on a laptop, the price jumps exponentially, even with standard, mid-rage components. Should I be looking at a 17" screen with high resolution for DV Rack usage, or would a 15.4" suffice?

Also, anyone know of some decent places to pick up a quality but affordable laptop? I'm not a big fan of Best Buy, Circuit City, etc so right now I'm looking at Dell, as ABS, FalconNW & Alienware are MUCH too spendy (and overboard as far as components go.)

2) Although there are going to be plenty of standard, static setups in our shoot, there will also be a lot of handheld, glidecam and tracking shots. So in some cases I can setup the monitoring/recording station next to the camera, but in many other cases camera mobility will be a major concern. I've been searching for firewire cables (from DVX to Laptop), but the longest cable I've been able to find is only about 16ft or so. There have GOT to be longer firewire cables, right? Any ideas as to where I might be able to shop for some LONG firewire cables? (I read somewhere that wireless firewire is on the horizon....)

3) In an effort to save some cash, I plan on picking up a couple of Firewire Enclosures, each with a 250GB Seagate HD inside, then daisy-chaining them together for a 500GB system. (Model Numbers: ULT31310 + ST3250823A). That should weigh in at about $300-$350. Any other suggestions for HD Recording?

Thanks in advance for the input.
 
In a thread on the Serious Magic forum, we've had customers report flawless performance with cables up to 75' in length--longer with repeaters. Two recommendations for longer FireWire cables were Unibrain as a brand (Google "Unibrain" and "Firewire") and markertek.com as a retailer.

I'll let some real-world users address your other questions as my experience in the test lab won't be of great use.
 
We just tried using DV Rack on a shoot this last weekend, brought two 30' firewire cables and two 16' extension cables.

No go.

With the straight 30' cables everything worked fine. With the extension cables we'd get spotty performance with the desktop, and absolutely no connection with the laptop. Remove the extensions, all worked fine again.

If you intend to use a long cable, only get one that has been specifically designed for that purpose, by a responsible manufacturer (such as Laird).
 
Thanks for the replies so far - although I find it hard to believe that only two users on this forum are using DV Rack! Sounds like it's becoming pretty popular.

I saw a 65ft Unibrain cable at their website, but nothing at markertek.com from either Unibrain or Laird. I would think 65ft would be sufficient, as I'm not interested in dumping a huge amount of cash on a repeater and don't want to go the extension-cable route.

Any feedback on the laptop issue regarding screen size? I'd like to get a 17" screen but I'm wondering if 15.4" is good enough? Is it true that the windows in DV Rack are not dockable/resizeable? Those of you who are using DV Rack, what's your typical laptop screen size/resolution?
 
I've got a cheapo 1024x768, which is wide enough for standard-def DV Rack, but it makes for lots of scrolling up and down if you want to use more of the components.

If you ever intend to go to the high-def version, by all means get at least a 1280x720 display, at least. The 16x9 field monitor cannot fit comfortably on the screen alongside the waveform monitor on my 1024-wide screen, and that's really annoying.

Make awfully sure your firewire cable will work before you go trusting it...
 
Thanks for the quick reply Barry. Looks like I'll stick with my widescreen 17" plan and spend the extra cash.

Great book, by the way. I don't even have the DVX yet (my producing partner owns "our" camera) but it's good info to have since I'll eventually be getting one myself. (And since my producing partner is also the DP, he's found great value in the book as well!)
 
DV Rack or similar for Mac?

DV Rack or similar for Mac?

Does anyone know of a software such as DV Rack that works with the mac?
 
ivolution said:
Does anyone know of a software such as DV Rack that works with the mac?
Click to expand...
None so far! Sorry! Get a cheap PC laptop, and capture in quicktime (DV Rack allows for that I believe), then simply transfer to your Mac. I think this is what I'm going to do.
 
On the laptop subject, definitely go with a high resolution screen as I have experienced the endless scrolling to view the various tools. Also, I do a lot of researching and consulting (the "just for fun" kind) for family and friends when they are in the market for new computers. Consistently, Dell continues to offer the best price/feature/quality ratio of reputable manufacturers. I cannot comment with experience on all the companies you listed (never touched an ABS), but I have had several Dell laptops myself (one overpriced Falcon) and worked on many other Dells purchased on my recommendation (all but one person were happy with their Dell for the time they owned it.), and all of them had amazing LCDs despite the price point. Obviously the more expensive ones (with the more up to date technology) produced superior images, but all looked pretty great with some fantastic color rendition in the hi-res "True Life" screens (1920 x 1200 pixel & amazing .19mm pixel pitch with some unbelievable viewing angles) as found on the Inspiron 9300's. A pretty mean configuration of the 9300 (with a DVI out...) can be had for about $2000 (check for coupons that are offered weekly on sites like techbargains.com to save as much as $700 off a $1500 purchase-no kidding, it's one I have used myself...but most times the prices fluctuate to accommodate these insane coupons so a $500 off may be the same as the next weeks 25% off...).

I do not work for Dell, and despise the fact that I so often recommend them (Damn the Man!), but unless you've got the cash for something of similar specs (but often higher name brand components) by someone like Alienware, you can't beat the price/feature/quality ratio.

Also, a couple pros of the 9300 (or pros to look for in other laptops...) is made from a strong yet light magnesium alloy (only about 7lbs...not light, but hulking like other desktop replacements....) and has a workable 4 hour-ish battery life (unlike my other 4 hour but maybe really 1:30hour of real use I get from my 15" Powerbook 1.25G4). Pretty sweet for such a mean machine!

Phew! Sorry for writing a book...I hope that helps someone!

PS-the "True Bright" screen or any manufacturer's equivalent is, as I'm sure you are aware, is most made of of just a shiny, reflective screen as opposed to the older matte like LCD's. These can suck hard with glare in the wrong light....check out 3m filters, or other privacy filters that work magic if you have that problem...also checkout 3M and their new Vikuiti™ films that are supposed to improve LCD brightness by as much as 150%! No experience myself, but an associate said they need to be seen to be believed...here's a link- http://cms.3m.com/cms/US/en/2-136/FkckeFU/view.jhtml
 
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