Help a Newb

[Jmtasu]

I have some newbie questions... I’m about a week away from taking the plunge and buying the HVX and had some basic questions so I can hit the ground running.

I’m planning on getting the HVX and 2 p2 cards and wondering what else I need.

Is there a p2 card attachment I can get for my PC tower?

I edit on Premiere Pro 2.0, what do I need to upgrade too, to edit 720 and 1080HD?

I also sometimes edit on FCP g4, does FCP need an upgrade to edit in 720 and 1080?

Is either editor better or worse for HD?

I will basically only be shooting in 24p if that changes anything.

All my mac friends say the mac is better for p2 downloading, any truth to this?

Also, out of the box, what are the best settings to get “the film look” I know 24p, anything else I should look at?

I’ve been skowering the forum for a week, but if there is anything else you think I should know, please share it.

This is my first high end camera, I am a total newb, feel free to treat me as one =P

J.M. Thomas

 

[jazzx]

Is there a p2 card attachment I can get for my PC tower?

There are pci cards but you will then have to insert the P2 card in the back of the pc

I edit on Premiere Pro 2.0, what do I need to upgrade too, to edit 720 and 1080HD?

AVID and Edius have native MXF DVCPRO-HD support for the HVX. On Premiere you will have to use products like Cineform and Raylight to work. Do a search here for more info.

I also sometimes edit on FCP g4, does FCP need an upgrade to edit in 720 and 1080?

if you're using version 5.04 and up, no you won't need an update.

Is either editor better or worse for HD?

This is a philosophical question, you will be the judge on this. Generally FCP is a much more stable solution that Premiere. Avid also is one of the best.

All my mac friends say the mac is better for p2 downloading, any truth to this?

Better in what? in speed? Not true. Workflow wise it's ok but you will have your MXF wrapped in .mov files. Either way it's your choice.

I’ve been skowering the forum for a week, but if there is anything else you think I should know, please share it.

You need more than a week to learn things from this forum, believe me...

 

[David Saraceno]

Read everything you can for a couple of months.

That's what I did, and I'm sure many many others before they determined to buy.