Help with building new Video system

[LearningVideo]

Hi. First of all, I would like to thank you for this great forum. I have learned a lot from it and enjoyed everybit of it. But furthermore, this forum has influenced has influenced my purchasing decisions.

I am working to build new video system: couple of cameras, computers, software and hardware. The purpose of it is for church service, interviews, music video, and short documentaries. I have come up with the following list:


2 HVX200 (I was thinking of getting DVX100 but after reading the article of Jarred, I got sold on HVX200). So until december, I will be renting.

2 P2 8gigs

2 cases for HVX200 (do you know where I can get those from?)

2 MACH warrantee (does DVXUser forum sell those? for how much)?

2 Bogen Tripode (clearly, I cannot get the basic ones since HVX200 is heavier than dvx 100, which ones)

Diva-Lite 400 Fluorescent 1 Light System Kit (120AC)

Diva-Lite 200 Fluorescent 1 Light System Kit (120AC)

Do I need both of them? 80% of work is indoor in basement with higher ceiling. 20% of work is at church.

Sony Vegas 6

Computer with two monitors.

Wireless Mics (I was thinking of AKG since they can also be used for music video)

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[LearningVideo]

After some research and I am very thankful for the much help from this site, I managed to configure 3 systems. The First is ready to do HD (utilizing Avid), the second uses the HVX cameras but not fully ready because it utilizes Sony Vegas and the other uses DVX100A (quite cheaper) system. How does this system look like? Recommendations, suggestions, alterations will be greatly appreciated.

Option 1 HD READY
Item Quantity
Panasonic HVX200 2
Mach warrantee 2
Tripod Bogen 516/3182 2
AVID EXPRESS PRO HD 1
Kino Flo-Diva Lite 200 Kit 1
Kino Flo-Diva Lite 400 Kit 1
DELL Specialized Computer 1
Yamaha 01v9602 1
RME hammerfall 9652 1
Shure ULXP14D (Dual receiver) 1
WL51B lavalier Mics shure 2


Option 2 DV; HD-Option
Panasonic HVX200 2
Mach warrantee 2
Tripod Bogen 305/3182 2
SonyVegas 1
Kino Flo-Diva Lite 200 Kit 1
Kino Flo-Diva Lite 400 Kit 1
DELL Specialized Computer 1
Yamaha 01v9602 1
RME hammerfall 9652 1
Shure ULXP14D (Dual receiver) 1
WL51B lavalier Mics shure 2


Option 3 NO HD, DV only
Panasonix DVX100A 2
Mach warrantee 2
Tripod Bogen 503/3182 2
SonyVegas 1
Kino Flo-Diva Lite 200 Kit 1
Kino Flo-Diva Lite 400 Kit 1
DELL Specialized Computer 1
Yamaha 01v9602 1
RME hammerfall 9652 1
Shure ULXP14D 1
WL51 lavalier Mics shure 2
Firestone 2



Shure Path
ULXP14D (2 ULXP4)
ULX1 (transmitter)
WL51 (MIC)

AKG Path (WMS4000)
SR4000
PT4000
C417

 

[pookie_old]

So pick one.....

 

[LearningVideo]

pookie,

This is the first time I am building a system. I am trying to do a reality check before I commit. I really appreciate any input about this.

 

[LearningVideo]

We decided to go with Option2 knowing that Vegas does not fully support all formats, especially the HD format. Now do I need other equipment?

 

[therealslimfigge]

i don't think you need 2 hvx's.

 

[mitteg]

Sony DSR-PD170 or Sony DSR-400 (far more rock solid than DVX/HVX toys).
Vinten Tripod
Sennheiser Evolution serie 100 wireless system (or Lectrosonics)
Dell Precision 670 or HP xw8200 dual xeon processor with 2Gb of RAM
Sennheiser MKE-2 wired lavaliere mic
Sennheiser MKH416 shotgun mic with zeppelin
Yamaha MSP-5 active monitor speakers
Mackie VLZ1202 Pro audio mixer
Avid Xpress HD 5 with Mojo digital non-linear accelerator
Two Sony LCD-TFT monitors
Nvidia Quadro FX1300 graphic card (dualhead)
Avid Lanshare (if you need to share media between editors).
Avid mapped keyboard
Sony PVM-9L3 portable video monitor (broadcast quality)
Sennheiser HD25 broadcast headphones
Sounddevices portable mixer (great for monitoring levels and get a clean, crisp line level. It's better to bypass the built-in mic preamplifier that cameras have.

And last, but not least, don't get HVX200, you'll be a beta tester, get what the broadcast industry has set as standard (Sony DSR range cameras).

Good Luck.

 

[LearningVideo]

i don't think you need 2 hvx's.

Maybe you are correct. But if you are capturing an interview, it will be nice to have two cameras; even three.

 

[LearningVideo]

I really appreciate the time to respond to this post. I also appreciate listing equipment one after each other.

Sony DSR-PD170 or Sony DSR-400 (far more rock solid than DVX/HVX toys)

My understanding that PD170 is a good camera; better with low-light. bad internal sound (which might not matter if you are recording sound externally, altough the dvx and probably the hvx have decent system). My major problem with it does not support 24P and furthermore and it does not support HD (like DVX). But both DVX and HVX can do everything that the DSR cameras can do. From reading this forum, it seems to me that people are very happy with the reliability of DVX.

Vinten Tripod)

How do you compare Vinten to Bogen? Why would you recommend it?

Sennheiser Evolution serie 100 wireless system (or Lectrosonics)
Sennheiser MKE-2 wired lavaliere mic
Sennheiser MKH416 shotgun mic with zeppelin

What's the advantage of Sennheiser over Shure or AKG?

Dell Precision 670 or HP xw8200 dual xeon processor with 2Gb of RAM
Nvidia Quadro FX1300 graphic card (dualhead)

Do I really need dual xeon processor? How about the new Pentium dual core?
Anything special about Nvidia Quadro FX1300?

Avid Xpress HD 5 with Mojo digital non-linear accelerator
Avid Lanshare (if you need to share media between editors).
Avid mapped keyboard

I may have to also get Avid if Sony Vegas does not support the HD format of HVX. The reason I am thinking of getting Sony is because It seems to me to be lot faster, easier and complete than anything else. Weekly deadlines are not fun. I have weekly deadlines for one radio program and now we will have two tv programs a week. We need to do it the fastest way.

Sony PVM-9L3 portable video monitor (broadcast quality)

This is one thing I am missing

And last, but not least, don't get HVX200, you'll be a beta tester, get what the broadcast industry has set as standard (Sony DSR range cameras).

You might be correct. However, my understanding is that people were very happy with DVX100 when it first came out and it was a reliable and good camera. Furthermore, HVX200 is promising exactly what I was looking for: tape-free HD 24P camera that can also do DV and other speeds for satelites.

Good Luck

I greatly appreciate your reponse and your time to type all of this. Thank you again.

 

[taubkin]

Okay, this is mine:

HVX200 with basic acessories: two extra Batteries, a UV filter (for Run/gun shoots), a bag, cables, etc.. - Should cost you around 6000-6500.

A Sachtler DV6 tripod system (1500-2000)

Let's go the proven solution of not using a 35mm adapter for now:

Good Rods, Mattebox and FF System, like Chroziel (will set you back another 3000)

3-4 good quality square or rectangular filters: A polarizer, couple ND grads (Probably another 500)

That was 12K, the price for two HVXs. I think you can do more than this than with 2 HVXs, and you don't need to hire your second operator.

And Finally 2 P2 8GB. You will also need either a Laptop with a large HD or that P2 pocket HD from Panasonic. (I'd get it you would spend another 6000-7000 here)

Interviews don't need two cameras. If you need to cut, you can shoot coverage and solve that problem, and if you think ahead, you will know how to frame each statement from your interviwee adequatedly. And if you REALLY NEED two cameras for that day, you go and rent your extra.

For Audio you could do like this (all this will require hiring someone to operate audio, but having this person will make a LOT of difference) :

A Sound Devices 302 mixer with basic acessories like a bag and snake cable (About 1500)

A Sennheiser MKH416 Shotgun Microphone/suspension/wind protection and a boom (2000)

Two Good wireless system like a lectro 100 (3000)

Two good lav mics, like countryman B6 (700)

Or just start out with two wreless Lavs, maybe even the cheaper G2 systems (for 1000)

And for post (If you want you can substitute for equivalent PCs):

Dual G5 Powermac with 2GB RAM a nice widescreen display - like an apple 23' (4500-5000)

Lacie Bigger Disk Extreme with 1 or more TB (1000-2000)

Something that act as a P2 deck, a P2 reader of some sort (Don't know how much).

Blackmagic HD link and DVI to video box (1300)

Another 23' Apple Display for monitoring the video signal (1500)

Or skipping the Second apple display and the box and going for a CRT HD display (6000)

To enhance your DV workflow (that will still last a long time) Not required but if you have the cash for it, good purchases:

A DSR-11 Deck and a PVM-9 Monitor (2500 -3000, if you get batteries for the monitor)

Lighting

An Arri Kit with a chimera and some fresnel lenses. If you want you can complement it with a couple Divas, But a lot more versatile than only having flouro's.

Wow. I'd have all that if I won the lottery.

But I really think that you shouldn't spend that much money on this if you have all those questions. Why not start low?

Knowing how you operate is the best way to determine what gear you need. As "Depeche Mode" put it, different people have different needs.

My honest opinion, sorry for being so suspicious, but I really doubt you are really going to put the money where your mouth is, especially from only hearing advice from a message board, and if you do... well... good luck with THAT!

 

[LearningVideo]

Okay, this is mine:
HVX200 with basic acessories: two extra Batteries, a UV filter (for Run/gun shoots), a bag, cables, etc.. - Should cost you around 6000-6500.

Agreed.

A Sachtler DV6 tripod system (1500-2000)

Would love to get Sachtler but budget is limited. And I really want to get the HVX200.

Let's go the proven solution of not using a 35mm adapter for now:

Good Rods, Mattebox and FF System, like Chroziel (will set you back another 3000)

3-4 good quality square or rectangular filters: A polarizer, couple ND grads (Probably another 500)

Maybe in the future. As you said, I am starting very small and I can add these in the future.

That was 12K, the price for two HVXs. I think you can do more than this than with 2 HVXs, and you don't need to hire your second operator.

Interviews don't need two cameras. If you need to cut, you can shoot coverage and solve that problem, and if you think ahead, you will know how to frame each statement from your interviwee adequatedly. And if you REALLY NEED two cameras for that day, you go and rent your extra.

I understand but we really want to get two cameras. I am not sure you can do really nice professional interviews with one camera. Especially, when it is for a regular tv programming. I have been studying lot of interviews and I notice that there is at least two cameras.

And Finally 2 P2 8GB. You will also need either a Laptop with a large HD or that P2 pocket HD from Panasonic. (I'd get it you would spend another 6000-7000 here)

Something that act as a P2 deck, a P2 reader of some sort (Don't know how much).

Good point. But I might not get it right away. I wonder if I can use my personal laptop for this. It does have firewire.

A Sennheiser MKH416 Shotgun Microphone/suspension/wind protection and a boom (2000)

You are the second person to recommend SennHeiser. Why do you like it over sure or akg?

Lacie Bigger Disk Extreme with 1 or more TB (1000-2000)

Maybe in the future. Please do not laugh. I was planning to save work on DVDs after each session is finalized.

Blackmagic HD link and DVI to video box (1300)

Another 23' Apple Display for monitoring the video signal (1500)

Or skipping the Second apple display and the box and going for a CRT HD display (6000)

I was planning on DELL 24" as recommend by Jarred. I am a PC user.

To enhance your DV workflow (that will still last a long time) Not required but if you have the cash for it, good purchases:

A DSR-11 Deck and a PVM-9 Monitor (2500 -3000, if you get batteries for the monitor)

I am hoping to skip those if I can do it.

Lighting

An Arri Kit with a chimera and some fresnel lenses. If you want you can complement it with a couple Divas, But a lot more versatile than only having flouro's.

Well, The reason I was going for the Diva is because they are affordable and do not require lot of electricity compared to the list. The lightings is one area that I am least sure about. But I will look into Arri Kit

Wow. I'd have all that if I won the lottery.

But I really think that you shouldn't spend that much money on this if you have all those questions. Why not start low?

Knowing how you operate is the best way to determine what gear you need. As "Depeche Mode" put it, different people have different needs.

My honest opinion, sorry for being so suspicious, but I really doubt you are really going to put the money where your mouth is, especially from only hearing advice from a message board, and if you do... well... good luck with THAT!

I really appreciate your help and input. This is not a mere personal project. I represent a non-profit organization with specific and limited budget. I am consulting other people as well. However, I like this site because their recommendtions is based on how to accomplish with limited budget the best possible picture. I believe technology is the solution to achieve the goal. This is the reason I like the HVX200 and moving away from a workflow that is based on tape. I believe the most expensive and important investment is the HVX200. You cannot go wrong with them. I have some personal friends who tested the DVX100 and they were very impressed. So My expectation for HVX200 is that it will do At the least better than the DVX100.