Help!

[End of Fall]

I was shooting a project today. This is the first time I've used a DVX & Letus rig. I bought this off ebay 2 weeks ago for a really good price.

I looked over the DVX Book last week, took me 3 days to read. I figured I had a general idea of what I was doing.

How ever I thought wrong, I spent four hours today doing the interviews and a little B-Roll.

The footage in the view finder looked perfect, how ever when I got home the color of the footage changed, its not rich / sharp looking. Its very flat and the colors are off a bit.

The second issue aside from the color of the B-Roll the color in the camera seems to look good. I import it into the laptop and I'm looking at the color and my face is orange, the background is yellowish / green thats more a lime green. It didn't look like that in my view finder.

When I shot in doors the footage looked perfect, skin color was good, the blue gels I used looked good. How ever the imported footage has no skin color tones, the blue gels are gone and the color just doesn't look as rich as what I seen in the view finder. The grain level is very strong not like it was in the view finder.


How ever the worst issue I am having is the Shotgun mic mounted onto the camera doesn't seem to have picked up my audio. I had it in the open slot 1, the XLR was in and I figured it was good. How ever the assistant behind me asking the questions are nice and sharp compared to the interviewee. That being the audio was a total waste!



What can I do, I'll post my specs that I filmed in and I'll let you tell me what I did wrong.


I shot mainly with a 105 for the interviews, the 28 for the B-Roll along side of the 50 for some shots. I need help for a up coming shoot on Tuesday!!!

 

[End of Fall]

Scene 3_ 8ball

Detail level > -3
V Detail Level > +1
Detail coring > +2
Chroma Level > +3
Chroma Phase > 0
Color Temp > 0
Master Ped > -8
A. Iris Level >-1
Gamma > B. Press
Knee > High
Matrix > Cine-Like
Skine tone > OFF
V detail Freq > Thick
Shot @ 24P

I also have my scene F1 setting shooting at 24PA

Detail level > -2
V Detail Level > -1
Detail coring > -1
Chroma Level > +1
Chroma Phase > 0
Color Temp > +2
Master Ped > -3
A. Iris Level > 0
Gamma > Low
Knee > Mid
Matrix > Cine-Like
Skine tone > OFF
V detail Freq > Mid
Shot @ 24PA

 

[End of Fall]

I just looked over the chapter in the DVX book about scene files.

I changed my F1 file scene, I have no clue what it looks like since I'm in my bedroom at the desk so I don't want to test it out until tomorrow when I'm out side.

Detail Level ---- + 3
V Detail Level ---- +1
Detail Coring ----- +7
Chroma Level ----- +7
Chroma Phase ----- 0
Color Temp ----- 0
Master Ped ----- -4
A. Iris Level ----- 0
Gamma ----- Cine-Like
Matrix ----- Normal
Skine Tone ----- OFF
V Detail Freq ----- Thin
Progessive ---- 24PA

Some of the reasons why I done what I done is; I want a smoother picture, not so grainy. My picture seems to be really grainy which could also be because I forgot to turn the Letus on. I'm not sure if that enhanced the grain or not but I totally forgot to turn it on in some shots.

I also enhanced the color a little, I kind of don't want to have to fix all that much color in post if I don't have to. I know I been spending about 14 hours a day reading color correction posts on the internet and it seems like a lot of guys rather crush the colors and fix it later in post. Fixing something in post that you could have possible fixed while shooting seems a little pointless to me. I know I'll have to color correct in post but I won't be spending ours per shot as if I crushed the colors....


Any-way I'm needing help with the audio, I forgot to mention this is my audio set up.

 

[Cassius]

First, calibrate your monitor to make sure that's not the issue. I don't recommend Chroma Level +7 for most things, but that shouldn't change the color. Just bring it out more. Which could be an issue in some cases, depending on which channel comes through strongest.

As for your microphone, they aren't meant to be put there. Your levels were adjusted for someone too close. These things work ideally in the 3-5 foot range. Clearly the mic works, since you got audio; you just have to have it closer to your subject. That depends on exactly what microphone it is. The person near it came through loud, your levels were set for that and the people at a distance were too low. Get a boom pole.

 

[End of Fall]

First, calibrate your monitor to make sure that's not the issue. I don't recommend Chroma Level +7 for most things, but that shouldn't change the color. Just bring it out more. Which could be an issue in some cases, depending on which channel comes through strongest.

As for your microphone, they aren't meant to be put there. Your levels were adjusted for someone too close. These things work ideally in the 3-5 foot range. Clearly the mic works, since you got audio; you just have to have it closer to your subject. That depends on exactly what microphone it is. The person near it came through loud, your levels were set for that and the people at a distance were too low. Get a boom pole.

Well I have a crappy boom poll and mic that I bought off line for 100, takes S video cable. I'm not a fan of that mic. How ever that being the case I have a shotgun mic I paid 250 for off B&H. I'm now looking for a Boompoll and decent XLR cables.

Here is my audio set up, tell me what you think could be the issue.

Sorry for the crappy photo!

Any ways I doubt my screen is going to be the issue unless you think that it is. How ever its a brand new macbook pro, I also have it dual linked to 24" samsung HDTV thats on the desk. I also tried it out on a 42" HDTV that is right above me and I didn't see any difference between the two T.V's but a small slight shift from the T.V to the Laptop screen which I figured would be the case.

You mentioned you wouldn't do +7 chroma, do you have a reason behind not doing that?

 

[ggrantly]

Are you sure you white balanced properly? You mentioned gels, so you were correcting something. Mixed light sources often spell TROUBLE. Also, avoid the auto white balance on the DVX unless you really need it.

With regard to audio, were you tracking the audio bars in the viewfinder? The DVX likes to just barely hit the red. Avoid the auto limiters (my opinion). And, were you or someone wearing headphones to monitor the sound? You should be. Even with a shotgun, your mic should be as close as you can get it to the subject, nearly on cam, think 12" if possible, 36" max, or it will really suffer. If the interviewer was at a different distance than the interviewee, you need to become familiar with the inverse square law.

And most important of all, use you rig a little more before a real shoot....

Good Luck
Grant

Good Luck

 

[End of Fall]

I'm doing a Documentary this coming up week, if you ever heard of ' Flashes of Hope ' Its a foundation that takes photos for children with Cancer. Usually some of the kids don't make it past that week, gives their parents something to remember them by.

Keep in mind I'm not use to the DVX by the least bit. I only just picked this up off Ebay as my XH-A1 was stolen from a airport. So I decided I'll buy a DVX till scarlet comes out.

That said! Ughhh ok I'm not sure if I even white balanced properly. In the office I was recording in, I put up black flags on all window sources, I was using my 3 piece light kit with a extra light. I shut off all the lights in the room I had my lights and gels all on; when lit it looked really good. How ever when imported it looked like crap. I'm guessing I have a white balance issue but what button does the white balance. It looked like their were 3 buttons for white balance which do I click.

What did I do wrong there? Can anyone give me a link to a decent boom poll and XLR's so I can buy those.

Well that being what I intend to do, I wont have the cables ready for Tuesday so guys help me out here try to figure out the best method of shooting the audio.

Also what's the settings of fixing the audio, the guy above was saying I might have my audio set for near rather then far. How do I fix that?


I had a set of can's on, how ever when I was out side the ambient noise was a bit tough so I decided to resort to plan B, we went in her office. The only down fall in this was we were limited space. I didn't have my cans on my head during this time because I was trying to keep up with the time codes, etc.


Another thing, how do I turn time codes on in the DVX. I'm using a iPhone timecode program so when I edit I know the time codes to look for.

I'm a newb when it comes down to this with the DVX, so bare with me here!!

 

[End of Fall]

If anyone can help me, It would help me out big time!!

 

[saturnin]

watch this video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RIaiV575P40

sounds like WB might be one of the main issues you have, dvx auto WB is garbage

 

[Alex H.]

The footage in the view finder looked perfect, how ever when I got home the color of the footage changed, its not rich / sharp looking. Its very flat and the colors are off a bit.

The second issue aside from the color of the B-Roll the color in the camera seems to look good. I import it into the laptop and I'm looking at the color and my face is orange, the background is yellowish / green thats more a lime green. It didn't look like that in my view finder.

When I shot in doors the footage looked perfect, skin color was good, the blue gels I used looked good. How ever the imported footage has no skin color tones, the blue gels are gone and the color just doesn't look as rich as what I seen in the view finder. The grain level is very strong not like it was in the view finder.

How are you monitoring after the shoot? If your only viewing source outside of the camera is your computer screen, then you will notice that everything looks weird. The computer monitor is nowhere near accurate for color monitoring.

Without seeing what you are seeing, though, it's really hard to tell. Sample footage would be helpful.

How ever the worst issue I am having is the Shotgun mic mounted onto the camera doesn't seem to have picked up my audio. I had it in the open slot 1, the XLR was in and I figured it was good. How ever the assistant behind me asking the questions are nice and sharp compared to the interviewee. That being the audio was a total waste!

Honestly, without hearing it, sounds like the mic was pointed in the wrong direction.

But again, without seeing what you're seeing and hearing what you're hearing, there's little we can offer. Post some clips and they will help us help you.

Well I have a crappy boom poll and mic that I bought off line for 100, takes S video cable. I'm not a fan of that mic. How ever that being the case I have a shotgun mic I paid 250 for off B&H. I'm now looking for a Boompoll and decent XLR cables.

I have never seen, nor heard of, a mic that takes an S-Video cable. Did you buy these new? Anything like that purchased for $100 new is suspect at best.

As for your audio settings, if you are using only the one mic, I would plug it into Input 2. Make sure that your input on the front of the camera is set to MIC. Since you are now using Input 2, you can send it to both record channels using the switches on the sides of the camera, and make sure that Phantom is ON for Input 2. Past that, if you aren't gettin genough signal, go into your menu and set the mic input to -60dB if it is not already.

Always wear your headphones. There's nothing you have to do to keep up with Time Code that will inhibit you from wearing headphones. You have to know what you are recording while you are recording it.

As for white balance, always go manual. Get a white balance card. Turn Auto WB off. Set the switch to PRST and you can toggle between 3200 (indoors, incandescent lighting) and 5600 (outdoors, sunlight, HMI). Switch to A or B and you can set your own white balance by zooming all the way in on the white card and holding down the button on the front of the camera until the camera says "WB OK." Each position, A and B, will store the last custom setting used there. White balance everytime you move the location, add or remove a light, or see any other change in the lighting (sun moves behind clouds, etc.).

You also mentioned that you forgot to turn the Letus motor on. That will add grain, since the motor's job is to vibrate the focusing screen, which is grainy, and thus minimize the grain that is visible.

And look through this thread to play with some in-camera settings:
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=101419

 

[End of Fall]

Thanks C2V, heres some photos of the video shoot.


I dragged my footage from the laptop to the samsung screen, I'm not sure which is better to use for corrections but the laptop seems pale and the HDTV seems to give her a redish skin tone..

Thats a screen shot of what we did out side.

I believe my mic was pointed directly to her, how-ever I'm not sure if my fantom power was turned on or not.

If you could give me a how-to 101 quick lesson on how I should set up my audio that would be helpful. I don't know my way around the DVX yet so if you can walk me through it step by step it would be really helpful.

Also how do you turn auto wb off?

 

[Alex H.]

I dragged my footage from the laptop to the samsung screen, I'm not sure which is better to use for corrections but the laptop seems pale and the HDTV seems to give her a redish skin tone..

Well, neither is proper for "corrections" since they're both using the computer's color space. You need to have a deck/camera hooked up, and use the video out to a real production monitor. Use your waveform monitor and vector scope (if you have them in your NLE) to make sure colors are in the limits, but outside of that you need an accurate monitor.

How did you create that still? Is it a screen grab from your computer, or is it a still export from your editing software? If it's a screen grab, it's no good for evaluation.

If it's a still export, then it looks underexposed, soft on focus, and grainy in the "Letus-motor-wasn't-running" kind of way (may also soften the image too much). Underexposure will also add grain. The DVX loves light, so the more the better. You also need to realize that you are working with an SD camera, and the one you mention having been stolen was HD. So the image is going to look softer, expecially on an HD screen. That's just the way it is.

I believe my mic was pointed directly to her, how-ever I'm not sure if my fantom power was turned on or not.

If you could give me a how-to 101 quick lesson on how I should set up my audio that would be helpful. I don't know my way around the DVX yet so if you can walk me through it step by step it would be really helpful.

First, the mic needs to be as close to the interview subject as possible. Camera-mount isn't going to get you anywhere. If you don't have a boom op, you can mount the shotgun (which shotgun do you have, by the way?) to a regular mic stand with arm, and place it over or under the frame at the interview subject for proper pickup.

For a better boom pole and mount, try here: http://www.dvcreators.net/rode-10-aluminum-boompole/

My last post gave you the basic setup for single-mic use. After that, simply bring up your input level adjustments (use the dials on the side of the camera) to proper recording level. The level should peak, mostly, right at -12dB, or at the meter segment that has a cross-hatch on it (last white segment before red). Occasional peaks above that are fine, as long as they don't hit/pass 0dB. You'll hear distortion if that happens. Since you have only one mic, set the second record channel just a little bit lower, as a safety in case there are sudden peaks that distort on the first channel.

Also how do you turn auto wb off?

Go into your menu. Go to SW MODE, and then set ATW to OFF. Also, in the main menu, go to AUTO SW and set ATW to OFF.

By the way, are you using a 100, 100a, or 100b?

 

[End of Fall]

I'm using a DVX100a, I only opened a shot in FCP and I just took a screen shot.

I'm still trying to figure out how not to underexpose the shots. Its a little mind boggling to know the only way I can adjust the exposer is by the iris.

How ever I'm going to tweak the settings now like you said in my settings.

I'm currently using a Audio-Technica AT875R shotgun mic.

As for proper color correction, how much do the monitors cost?

 

[Alex H.]

To keep proper exposure, use your zebra indicators. There are two main lines of thought for that:

1) Set your zebras to 100%. Expose to the point that the zebras start to show up in the highlights, and then back off a little.

2) Set your zebras to 80% and expose to the point that zebras just start to show up in the highlights.

I use 80%.

And the iris wheel is not the only exposure control you have. You also have the built-in ND filters, shutter speed, and gain. I don't know what other controls you think you're missing, but those are pretty much basic across any camera.

Your shotgun mic should be just fine. It's the mounting and placement that you need to work on.

And to get a better image for evaluation here, you need either to export a still frame from within FCP, or to export a clip and post it to Vimeo or YouTube.

 

[End of Fall]

To keep proper exposure, use your zebra indicators. There are two main lines of thought for that:

1) Set your zebras to 100%. Expose to the point that the zebras start to show up in the highlights, and then back off a little.

2) Set your zebras to 80% and expose to the point that zebras just start to show up in the highlights.

I use 80%.

And the iris wheel is not the only exposure control you have. You also have the built-in ND filters, shutter speed, and gain. I don't know what other controls you think you're missing, but those are pretty much basic across any camera.

Your shotgun mic should be just fine. It's the mounting and placement that you need to work on.

And to get a better image for evaluation here, you need either to export a still frame from within FCP, or to export a clip and post it to Vimeo or YouTube.

I'm heading to my house now, I will export a clip to youtube.

Umm Barry Green told me never to really play around with the shutter speeds as thats used for slow motion effects.

How ever I will post a clip on youtube of both the good and the bad. Also how much does it cost for a decent color correction monitor.

How should I mount my mic to the camera? I'm buying a boom poll and XLR, the link you sent me I think I'm going to buy it from. How ever is their any cheaper rigs?

Since your into audio have you seen the new program called FiRe for the iPhone?

 

[Alex H.]

Umm Barry Green told me never to really play around with the shutter speeds as thats used for slow motion effects.

Well, true... mostly. Shooting in 24p, you can drop the shutter to 1/24 for lower-light situations, assuming that fast motion isn't a factor. And higher shutter speeds stop fast motion, as in any type of photography/imaging, such as water droplets from rain or a waterfall.

High shutter speeds can also be used to give fast-moving footage a chaotic feel. Think "Saving Private Ryan," where everything looks stuttered and all the dirt clumps from the explosions are captured in great detail.

But the overall point is that shutter speed affects exposure, in the greater conversation of "the iris wheel isn't your only setting." 90% of the time, you'll shoot with the shutter speed off.

How ever I will post a clip on youtube of both the good and the bad. Also how much does it cost for a decent color correction monitor.

Anywhere from $500 to $2000, depending on what you get. Maybe a little less. Look around your favorite Internet auction site for deals on used Sony PVM-L2 monitors.

How should I mount my mic to the camera? I'm buying a boom poll and XLR, the link you sent me I think I'm going to buy it from. How ever is their any cheaper rigs?

Well, if you really need to mount it to the camera, get a shoe-mounted shock mount system. Many of the mounts on that link will have shoe-mount options. Ask about that when you order.

There are cheaper rigs, but most of them I wouldn't bother with. Mention DVXUser when you call DVEStore to order.

Since your into audio have you seen the new program called FiRe for the iPhone?

Seen it. Meh. I don't have an iPhone or an iPod Touch, so it wouldn't do me much good. And with a Zoom H4, I'm covered for handheld recording.

 

[End of Fall]

I'm uploading the video now.

I have 3 clips, I just took a chunk of each. I'm not going to use any of the footage I shot because none of it seems up to par.

It seems as if a lot of my footage seems a tad bit soft / out of focus.

I understand that was due to me, I'll fix it as I practice more with the DVX / Letus.

Also the two clips you'll see will have two different color tone of interviews. Blue & orange, I'm not sure if I am under exposed but let me know how I could correct it.

I have about 23 mins left on the video on youtube.

 

[End of Fall]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npFA0vlpEWI


Here is the clips, I feel like a total idiot since the footage is really bad.

Its REALLY soft how could I get it a little crisper since its to soft...

 

[Alex H.]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npFA0vlpEWI


Here is the clips, I feel like a total idiot since the footage is really bad.

Its REALLY soft how could I get it a little crisper since its to soft...

Don't feel like an idiot. It's a learning process, and learning by trial and error can sometimes be much better than anything you learn in a class.

The soft focus may be due to improper macro focus on the ground glass. If you aren't set up properly there, it doesn't matter how sharp the focus is from the lens on the Letus.

The exposure isn't bad... maybe just a tad under for my taste, but still not out of decent working range. What I cannot figure out is how you got two color temps out of the same interview setting (where she has the cat in her arms). Did you change something (lights, camera settings) between takes? This is where manual white balance is crucial.

Using your zebra indicators will help you ensure proper exposure.

As for the audio, it sounds like the mic was too far away to do any good. Again, the mic needs to be on a boom or mic stand, located as close to the subject as possible. Maximum working distance for your shotgun is about 3', but that's pushing it. 1' is much, much better. Also, indoors is not the friendliest environment for a shotgun.

 

[End of Fall]

Don't feel like an idiot. It's a learning process, and learning by trial and error can sometimes be much better than anything you learn in a class.

The soft focus may be due to improper macro focus on the ground glass. If you aren't set up properly there, it doesn't matter how sharp the focus is from the lens on the Letus.

The exposure isn't bad... maybe just a tad under for my taste, but still not out of decent working range. What I cannot figure out is how you got two color temps out of the same interview setting (where she has the cat in her arms). Did you change something (lights, camera settings) between takes? This is where manual white balance is crucial.

Using your zebra indicators will help you ensure proper exposure.

As for the audio, it sounds like the mic was too far away to do any good. Again, the mic needs to be on a boom or mic stand, located as close to the subject as possible. Maximum working distance for your shotgun is about 3', but that's pushing it. 1' is much, much better. Also, indoors is not the friendliest environment for a shotgun.

Thanks for the advice.

Only thing I've yet to grasp is how I set the focus on the Letus. I've been told to take the lens off, shoot the DVX with the Letus on a white board or anything white and focus on the grain. I don't see the grain in my view finder when I go to do that.

Any tips?


Also I changed the color tint in the DVX to +4 from +2 from scene to scene, looked a little warm in the camera but actually looked decent in FCP.