Best cam for capturing HD directly to computer. T2i?

D

deltakid

New member
Hi!

What I look for is a DSLR that I can connect directly to my PC and capture full HD video directly to Sony Vegas or Premiere Pro. I don't need to stream this live but just want to caputre directly from DSLR to a video editing software.

I have a rather powerful laptop for this but if necessary can even upgrade the laptop or get converters or whatever is needed!

I read a lot of good things about the Canon T2i here. Would this work? The audio quality should be ok too with an external mic. If yes what other things should I buy? Any help would be geat. My current setup is driving me crazy...
 
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Before I explain why I think that shooting tethered to a laptop is a bad idea, in terms of the DSLR world, let me just say: capture to a computer with DSLRs does not work, nor does recording a live signal out from HDMI. Look at other cameras that are able to provide a clean HDMI signal (4:2:2 preferred)

In my opinion, shooting to a laptop is the complete antithesis of everything that is indie film making. For one, it seriously hampers mobility, meaning you can't just shoot and scoot in locations where expressed permission might not be given. Unless you're shooting in a closed set in a controllable environment, I find it risky to whip out £1000s of computer equipment and leave it sitting as well as my camera equipment. It will also slow your workflow down tremendously as the inevitable headaches start to rear their ugly faces, such as; dodgy cables, ports, jacks and temperamental software.

It all serves as one big distraction from the ultimate goal of any shoot: getting lots of great looking shots in the bag.
 
I don't have the T2i in front of me right now, but I'm assuming you're intending to record over HDMI? IIRC, the T2i will output 1080i when not recording (e.g. just in live view mode) and will downres to 480p over HDMI when recording to a card (AFAIK, all current Canon models except for the 7D downres during recording). Finally, the camera's own LCD turns off during recording when connected via HDMI, so you'd have to use the laptop screen for monitoring.

Aside from the 1080i format, if you want to capture when simply in live view, you'll still have to contend with the auto shut off, sensor overheating, etc.
 
It's also not a cheap proposition. What's the cheapest HDMI capture device out there? Blackmagic Intensity Shuttle? It's still $200, and no native 1080p recording. Everything else is about $500 or more.

A DSLR is just not a great solution if you're trying to record over HDMI, and it negates the advantages they have in size and portability.
 
Yeah for this I'd start at the AF100 and work my way up. If your primary goal is HDMI recording, DSLR is not the best.

Noah
 
I was hoping I could get this to work for about 1500 USD...

What camcorder would be a good choice? Is there any adapter or similar that I could read from an SD card right after something was recorded? (So the SD card is connecting to the cam and the computer...)

I simply do have to record like that because everything else is pretty bad for my workflow. Right now I shoot with two HD cams and always have to run back and forth to check the footage because I always shoot alone and in different locations. Then something might be wrong with the focus again, the audio might be not good... and I have to set everything up again... That's just very annoying so if I can capture directly to my computer I can check right away if everything is ok.
 
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1500 including the camera or 1500 for just the HDMI recorder? If the latter- you want the Atomos Ninja or something from AJA or Blackmagic. Please explain what it is you are trying to do exactly- what's your workflow and why is recording directly to the laptop important. Then we could give you better guidance.

Noah
 
Thanks Noah,
I record some online courses and I usually record them alone and at different locations. So with capturing directly to my laptop I can make sure I do have the footage that works and that I need.

So far I was shooting with two HD cams that could only capture to SD cards and always had to transfer the footage after a shot and check everything. This is a tedious process and I simply don't have time for this. Then sometimes I realize some part is unusable and I have to set everything up again, change batteries, make sure the external wireless mics have still enough power, check that the focus is right.... again!

I shoot mostly indoors so I would just want to get one cam that has a good picture, connect it to a continuous power source and set everything up and simply shoot. For 1-2 hours, as long as it takes. Even managing all the batteries is quite annoying.

Yesterday I lost the audio signal for 20 minutes because even though the sennheiser wireless mics still showed a little bit battery they stopped transmitting. Then in the next shot the autofocus of the close up cam screwed up and the background was in focus instead of my face.

I'm tired of this and don't have time for these kind of problems. That's why I want to switch to a setup in which I can check the footage right away.

I was hoping to get something half decent for 1500 USD, that includes whatever I need to shoot. Do some of the prosumer camcorders have the option to do remote captures directly to a disk? I would also be interested if there are some "hacked" sd cards that I could read out directly with my computer while they are still in the cam. Something like the Eye Fi cards (www.eye.fi) but with USB cables for example.
 
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Find some cheapo HDV cams and run them into Adobe OnLocation. Then you won't have to buy a capture device.

Also, realize that nothing will make your life easier because you are the camera operator AND the talent.
 
Yeah the eye-fi would take 3-5 times longer than the cards to transfer. I wouldn't go that way. Sounds more like you need an intern or camera assistant to run the camera.

Noah
 
As hendosan and NoahK indicate, by being both the camera operator and talent, you're asking for trouble.

The laptop workflow you propose may help catch your errors in the field, but won't prevent you from wasting time on bad takes in the first place.

Acquiring an assistant, intern, or volunteer to take over one of these duties (presumably camera operation), would help drastically reduce the number of bad takes you're producing in the first place.

If you *must* operate in field solo, a field monitor may be more practical than a laptop for shot verification. Modern tapeless (SDHC, P2, SxS) cameras allow for easy clip playback with fastforward and rewind capabilities. A battery operated field monitor and a good pair of headphones would permit you to rapidly check audio, composition, focus, and exposure without the added encumberance of a laptop. A field monitor can also potentially be used while shooting, turned toward the talent (yourself)

However... the cheapest single item that might improve results for you on camera talent shots... is a tape measure, and a roll of gaffe tape (or masking tape, in a pinch). Generally, even cheaper cameras with an infinity spinning servo focus ring can provide an EVF or LCD display readout of the focus distance. Mark your spot on the ground, measure the distance from the lens to that spot, set your focus, and go.

An extension cable for your headphones would allow you to check audio at the talent mark, then drop the headphones out of camera view.

If you don't need high bit rate recording, a laptop provides no real advantage.
 
Furthermore, if you're already having problems with focus using "HD Cams" that presumably have small chips (1/3", 1/2", possibly 2/3" or 1/4"), you'll have even more trouble focusing using a DSLR with large sensor. So, a video camera is probably better suited to this work than a DSLR, particularly if you don't have a dedicated camera operator.
 
Yeah I'd get a very small chip HDV camera which would have more depth of field and then a large monitor to go on top of it- that way you'll see everything is in focus and looking right. And if you turn on audio meters you'll know your getting audio. But nothing beats a human being helping you....

Noah
 
Thanks guys, great suggestions. I will stick to my current setup now. I did the last takes with manual focus and will only shoot with fully charged, battery cameras. The idea with the field monitor is great. I will look into that.

Thank you all for helping me out!
 
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