Need Help Building a DVX100B System, Help!?!?

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drdobs

Active member
I'm putting together a new business venture with two partners and we have a video editing budget of about 10,000 to get the equipment we need.

The type of business we’ll be involved in will be shooting live video at small rock concerts (the kind with maybe 25 - 150 people in attendance) as well as doing one on one personal, narrative interviews. Basically, we're creating documentaries on various bands primarily in the LA area.

I have limited first hand videography experience and we do intend on seeking (semi) professional help through a few resources available (or anybody here who wants to help!). I do however have a very strong background in computer system building/construction, software configuration and some web development. I'm familiar with the technologies and terminology needed as I've been a observer of this hobby for quite some time playing with NLE software here and there.

Anyhow........... Let me give you a run down of what I'm planning on purchasing in both camera(s) equipment, then computer for editing and software.


Video Equipment
(2) DVX-100b Camera's ($6,300)
I'm nearly certain I'm going to want to use a multi-cam setup getting footage from various angles for the live performances and maybe for the interviews as well.

(1) Oktava MK012 w/Hypercardoid Cap w/Windscreen & Sambra Shockmount
From what I’ve read on here, this mic with an XLR adapter to hook into the camera on a Gitzo boompole comes pretty highly recommended and should do the trick for interviews. I may also consider getting an inexpensive lavilier wireless setup too. ($500.00)

(2) Tri-Pod’s with fluid heads ($75/ea kind), various cables, lens cleaning kit, 72mm UV protection lenses (really just to keep care of the Panasonic lens), camera cases, and other various equipment. ($500.00)

Haven't discussed lighting here just yet, but it appears I can get some decent equipment for around $400.00. Any suggestions here?


Computer Equipment
Abit ABP Pro Intel 965 Motherboard
Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 LGA775 2.4Ghz Processor
4Gb (4 X 1Gb) PC6400 DDR 240-pin Memory
Sapphire 100189 Radeon X1900GT 256Mb GDDR3 PCI Express Video Card
Single Western Digital 2500YD 250Gb SATA-2 w/16mb Cache (system drive)
Dual Western Digital 2500YD 320Gb SATA-2 w/16mb Cache (RAID 0 – 640Gb for video capture, editing)
Canopus ACEDivo PCI DV/Analog Capture Card
Two NEC ND-3550A DVD-R Drives
(2) Viewsonic 19” VP920B 1280X1024 TFT LCD Monitors
Antec P180 Desktop Case
Seasonic S12 430Watt Power Supply
Windows XP Professional
...Other hardware like mice, UPS protection, etc
(This system spec's out at about $2500.00)


Video Editing Software
REALLY not sure here but I can buy the Adobe Video Bundle that includes Premiere Pro 2.0, After Effects 7 Professional, Photoshop CS 2, Audition 2, Encore DVD 2, Illustrator CS 2, Flash Professional, etc. I can get the educational version for $700.00. That seems like a can’t miss bargain as far as I’m concerned. Particularly since I have a little experience with Premiere in the past.

Yes, I’m sure some here will argue Vegas or FCP, but when you’re starting from about ground zero, does it REALLY matter which NLE you are using provided you dedicate the time and energy to learn it completely? My guess is this is a pretty damn good suite of applications at the right price and should do the trick just fine.

Any thoughts??!?!?!

Your help/wisdom on the matter is greatly appreciated in advance.

Jon
 
I can't speak for everythign on your list but I have a couple of comments.

You need better Tripods. - the ones at the price you mention arn't fluid heads, and to be honest, arn't worth a damn.
You don't need true fluid heads, but you do have to spend a little more than $75 a peice.
Look to spend a minimum of about $200 (each) for tripods (with heads) that won't fall apart in 3 monthes and will be acceptable for any sort of camera moves.

Ideally one should spend anywhere from $500 - $1200 for a tripod for a camera of this type.



As for software.
I'm not going to get into a pissing contest over Editign software but i'll give my 2c.
You will want Photoshop. This is essentially a given.
If you want to do motion graphics, other effects and the like, After effects is one of the best choices.
And chances are that you will need DVD authoring too.
That combined with you allready having a bit of knoledge with Premiere would make it a sensible descision to get the Adobe bundle. Especially with that Educational deal.

Especially working in SD, Premiere Pro 2 is an extremly capable editing system.

- Mikko
 
mikkowilson said:
I can't speak for everythign on your list but I have a couple of comments.

You need better Tripods. - the ones at the price you mention arn't fluid heads, and to be honest, arn't worth a damn.
You don't need true fluid heads, but you do have to spend a little more than $75 a peice.
Look to spend a minimum of about $200 (each) for tripods (with heads) that won't fall apart in 3 monthes and will be acceptable for any sort of camera moves.

Ideally one should spend anywhere from $500 - $1200 for a tripod for a camera of this type.



As for software.
I'm not going to get into a pissing contest over Editign software but i'll give my 2c.
You will want Photoshop. This is essentially a given.
If you want to do motion graphics, other effects and the like, After effects is one of the best choices.
And chances are that you will need DVD authoring too.
That combined with you allready having a bit of knoledge with Premiere would make it a sensible descision to get the Adobe bundle. Especially with that Educational deal.

Especially working in SD, Premiere Pro 2 is an extremly capable editing system.

- Mikko
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply and insight. The tripod's I was looking at are the following:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=146249&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

$69.95 @ BHPhotovideo.com. I've actually used this tripod before for a digital camera shoot and found it pretty interesting. I could maybe see spending $200 on a tripod, but I can't imagine spending $1500+ on one. For that matter, I could darn near get HVX200 equipment which I would imagine would go farther to produce a better video then the sticks that hold the camera still. I guess I'm just not so sure what a $500 - $1500 tripod could possibly do to justify this huge price premium. I'm sure it's better, but 25X better? Can't see it...

Another thing I left out is a DV Deck. I don't want to wear down the camera's while in use so having one would make some sense for transfering video to the PC. The problem is, I can't find anything under about $700 - $800. That seems absurd! Afterall, you can buy a cheap digital camera for $150.00.. You'd think there would be a manufacturer out there who could put together a nice MiniDV unit for around $100 - $200 easily.... Very odd...
 
drdobs said:
Thanks for the reply and insight. The tripod's I was looking at are the following:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=146249&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

$69.95 @ BHPhotovideo.com. I've actually used this tripod before for a digital camera shoot and found it pretty interesting. I could maybe see spending $200 on a tripod, but I can't imagine spending $1500+ on one. For that matter, I could darn near get HVX200 equipment which I would imagine would go farther to produce a better video then the sticks that hold the camera still. I guess I'm just not so sure what a $500 - $1500 tripod could possibly do to justify this huge price premium. I'm sure it's better, but 25X better? .
Click to expand...

I would highly recommend against that tripod for any video work. It might be ok for still photography but that is entirely different. My recommendation to you would be to spendat least $200 each and get a couple of these.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...353&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation


For that price range these are a steal. I use a Bogen /Monfrotto combo but that looks like a good "B" tripod to me.

I also own one of these and I'm able to get decent results from it but the one above looks much better in my opinion.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...s&Q=&sku=131444&is=REG&addedTroughType=search
 
Wow! Thanks for the feedback..

The tripod's are primarily for the face-to-face interview's. I suppose I could probably afford some of these $200 one's. Thanks for the advice.

I must admit, of everything I mentioned, I didn't expect the Tripods to get so much attention! Does this mean everything else I mentioned is just perfect? :)

Jon
 
While that Seasonic S12 is a good ps, I would step it up a tad. You are going to be running alot and with the cash you are spending you might as well get a better(more power) ps. Plus you are running 3 sata drives and the S12 only has 2 sata power cables... The S12 600 watt will give you much more room to play with...
 
Interesting you would point that out. I did some basic power calculations and figured I probably had enough with the 430 watt unit. Much of this being based on the new Core 2 Duo processor sucking about 30% less energy. But then again, 4 Gb RAM which I know can be power hungry with the 3 drives, you may be right. I should probably look to maybe the higher end unit. Thanks for the suggestion. The reason I'm goin with the Seasonic 12 is the good price (less than $100) plus the fact it is generally considered to be one of the most silent power supplies around. This + a case that is also considered to be silent should give me a nice clean and quite PC to work with and not have PC noise interefere in the background.

Jon
 
Don't worry about the tripod, if the camera isnt moving it wont matter how much you spend, though the less you spend the shorter the life...
But two things, educational software is not intended for business use..
and I wouldnt get those Viewsonics, try and see them in a store like BestBuy and decide for yourself.. I'd go for the 19" UltraSharp by Dell, depending on time of year they will be the same price or less.. I've gotten them for both my gf and brother and I think they are pretty close in quality to my toooo expensive "pro" NEC's..
 
Interesting, it seemed to me the spec's on the Viewsonics were as good or better than the Dell and quite frankly, I can rarely see a difference between "better" LCD monitors side by side.

I'm not sure how I feel or if I have a problem buying an educational piece of software and trying to use it professionally. I've been a teacher for quite some time and have never actually bought educational software before. I mean, at least I'm buying it right? I know if I really wanted to I could probably find a bitTorrent of the software and use it for free (steel it actually) but I have no interest in that....

Jon
 
If you cant see a difference then you will never know what you are missing so go with whatever you like for price. But I would try and use one at a store, before you buy two. You most definitely cannot judge them just on numbers... and for the software I totally agree that purchasing an academic version is better than stealing, you may just not want to advertise it.
 
I was looking into Vegas a little more today. Is it really that much superior to Premiere Pro 2.0? I'm more concerned about it's lack of extra tools such as After Effects, Photoshop, Encore DVD, Audition, etc.

I could buy the package of Vegas that includes the DVD Factory thing + SoundForge 8.0, but the cost of this is now greater than the cost of the Adobe Product and in the Adobe product I get 2-3 other usefull apps in the process.

I would also imagine that the Adobe software may work a little better with one another.

Multi-cam support done well is a pretty important feature. Does anybody know what features Vegas 7 has coming? This would be a big help to know.

Lastly, I hear people complaining in and around these forums regarding the lack of "Panny" support in Vegas... Is this really true or does it only really matter when dealing with the HVX?

Jon
 
And please don't make the mistake of getting a PC. If you're going to be spending that money, get a MAC, the industry standard for video and music production.

Head to the Apple store and find a good rep to show you what they can do. :thumbup:
 
omar_ said:
And please don't make the mistake of getting a PC. If you're going to be spending that money, get a MAC, the industry standard for video and music production.

Head to the Apple store and find a good rep to show you what they can do. :thumbup:
Click to expand...

Even though I'm a Die Hard mac user, I would say that there are decent PC systems out there and Plenty of Pros use them with Avid, Discreet and other NLE's. I'm strictly FCP, but lots of users here like Vegas and Premiere pro.
 
omar_ said:
And please don't make the mistake of getting a PC. If you're going to be spending that money, get a MAC, the industry standard for video and music production.

Head to the Apple store and find a good rep to show you what they can do. :thumbup:
Click to expand...

Yes, this is one BIG ignorant statement. You've been brainwashed fellow. The tool is not what makes the production great anyways, it's content. The tools available (both MAC and PC) are 100% adequate for virtually anybody's needs..

Jon
 
... And one more MAC vs PC comment will lock this thread.

Get the gear & software you need based on features, reliablity, and price. Not because of the platform it runs on.


- Mikko
 
Ram S.O.S said:
I would highly recommend against that tripod for any video work. It might be ok for still photography but that is entirely different. My recommendation to you would be to spendat least $200 each and get a couple of these.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=403353&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation


For that price range these are a steal. I use a Bogen /Monfrotto combo but that looks like a good "B" tripod to me.

I also own one of these and I'm able to get decent results from it but the one above looks much better in my opinion.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=131444&is=REG&addedTroughType=search
Click to expand...
DO NOT BUY the Bescor TH-660. The cheap price is reflective what a cheap piece of **** that tri-pod is.

I would recommend that $75 tri-pod a hundred times over before I recommend anything from Bescor.

All of the components of the Bescor tri-pods are cheap plastic that will break as soon as you touch them. I know this from experience.

I got that exact tri-pod from B&H when I first bought my DVX, and the internal spreader had broken by the end of my first day of using the thing. Luckily I was able to return it for a full refund. Do not buy the Bescor.
 
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