http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ Videomaker Community Forums » Tag: equipment - Recent Topics en Fri, 17 Feb 2012 23:28:41 +0000 http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/can-someone-please-help-me-out#post-74546 Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:16:46 +0000 Earl Edison Ang 74546@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>I have been recently put charge ('inherited') of a local television production company and the problem is I have no idea where to start. I don't know what kind of equipment to replace... for live broadcast or for studio ( Most of the equipment feels like a decade old already) . (mixers, modulators, etc.) Could somebody point me where good resources where I could learn the ropes? </p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/studio-reno-need-some-suggestions#post-74196 Wed, 25 Jan 2012 12:54:20 +0000 Shawn Speller 74196@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Hey all,</p> <p>I am new here, and fairly new to the business. The company I work for is looking to do improvements to their small studio and I have been elected to spearhead the project. I have looked around on the net a bit for some of the items we were looking into getting and I thought I would try here to see what your suggestions are.</p> <p>What we are looking into getting is...</p> <p>1. Tile flooring (suggestions on what I should be looking for, what I should avoid? We are hoping to be able to paint the tiles chroma green/black/white when needed)</p> <p>2. Track/rail for curtains (a cyc) ( what should I be looking for? Do I have to get the rails from a video equipment dealer or is there a cheaper more readily available choice?</p> <p>3. Looking to put up a grid for small studio lights (What should I be looking for and where? Just at the local hardware store?</p> <p>4. Sound proofing for a small v/o studio and in the main part of the studio (Should I go with sound proofing blankets/foam made for that or can I get away with hardware store items?)</p> <p>5. Blacking out windows (Paint, stick on vinyl, what else, what would be the best option?)</p> <p>6. Paint (What is my best choice, obviously matte but is there something I may miss?)</p> <p>Thanks ahead of time for any response, it is greatly appreciated. I can't wait to get this project going, I will have to post some before and after pictures at a later date!</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/brand-new-in-making-videos#post-71914 Fri, 28 Oct 2011 10:20:06 +0000 Moving Onwards 71914@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Ok. So I want to make videos. But I have NO idea how. </p> <p>But first things first, I need to buy a camera and equipment. I don't want to have to put down a huge investment right off, but I do want to buy nice equipment.</p> <p>I would like a camera that doesn't need a lot of artificial light, because I plan on randomly going around a shooting stuff.</p> <p>I also need an editing software, and need some suggestions on that as well.</p> <p>I don't really know what else I need, so any and all help will be appreciated. </p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/video-setup#post-65930 Sun, 27 Feb 2011 19:51:22 +0000 Chris Morlang 65930@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>I have my current setup with dual 27" displays running on a QuadCore Desktop, its nothing special but it gets my work done. Friends have been wanting me to upgrade my stuff so that I can edit their Indy projects. I have been wanting to upgrade anyway as I got a new job as a commercial editor and I would like to do some of my work at home.</p> <p>I am going to build my own computer to use Avid Media Composer and Adobe Premiere, my budget is 15,000$ </p> <p>I can build a computer myself as I have built several what I have no clue about is more advanced setups for video editing. I keep hearing about Kona3G and BlackMagic but I don't know exactly how they integrate.I would love to have scopes to check all my stuff for broadcast, speakers for surround sound setup and editing.</p> <p>Honestly I'm just at a complete loss of where to start once I get the base computer setup. Here is what I have so far (I'll store all my video/projects on my server):</p> <p>Two Video Editing Monitors - Asus VH242H</p> <p>Motherboard - Asus P6X58D-E</p> <p>Processor - Intel Core i7-970 Gulftown 3.2Ghz</p> <p>RAM -Corsair XMS 4GB 240-Pin DDR3 (x4)</p> <p>Hard Drive - Western Digital AV-GP WD10EURS 1TB 64MB Cache SATA</p> <p>Graphics Card (for two monitors) - PNY VCQFX3800-PCIE-PB Quadro FX 3800 1GB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16</p> <p> </p> <p>That is my base to work with now what I need is to figure out the rest of the setup</p> <p>Capturing HD, SD and being able to Listen to and Edit Surround Sound. Should I just buy a Surround Sound card and get some quality speakers (I was thinking KRK Speakers) and somehow to hook up a broadcast CRT monitor and then also support a HD TV connection for previewing to clients and stuff, do I just need another graphics card or should I look into something like Blackmagic or Kona?</p> <p>I'm sure you'll have questions for me to help figure out more of my needs, I'll answer what I can.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/chapman-university-equipment-operations-asst#post-64674 Fri, 07 Jan 2011 13:21:21 +0000 DodgeCollege 64674@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Chapman University's Dodge College of Film and Media Arts is accepting applications for Equipment Operations Assistant. Under the direction of the Equipment Manager, provides superior customer service to students by managing equipment room circulation and supporting professor/class relations. Duties include reviewing and approving reservation requests, processing invoices, processing reservations and checkouts, generating equipment usage reports, tracking reservation pull schedules and tracking overdue equipment.  <a href="http://web.chapman.edu/HR/jobListing/details.aspx?job=100-10">http://web.chapman.edu/HR/jobListing/details.aspx?job=100-10</a></p> <p>Contact Michele Kennedy (<a href="mailto:kennedym@chapman.edu">kennedym@chapman.edu</a>) for more information.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/leasing-equipment#post-57682 Wed, 21 Apr 2010 17:41:21 +0000 javapop 57682@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>We are wanting to upgrade our SD digital cams, and have thought perhaps leasing may be the better route, since HD cams are changing rapidly. </p> <p>Any recommendations on leasing? is it best to use a video production leasing company? I really am not too sure, and can't find much info. We are looking at (2) Canon XF300, and new tripods. probably close to 15k.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/equipment-shopping-list#post-57298 Sun, 11 Apr 2010 17:09:50 +0000 EarlC 57298@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>This could fall in any one of a number of other topic titles, and certainly might become more of a "Making Losses" instead of "Making Profit" but I'm gonna put my wish/shopping list for 2010 up here. Some, if not all of it will be purchased by Dec. 31, and hopefully the remainder in 1st quarter 2011. At the current level of production work I'm getting, and have booked over the next several months, it is not ALL wishful thinking.</p> <p>Two JVC GY-HM100 HD camcorders</p> <p>Two Litepanels MicroPro units</p> <p>Two Sennheiser MKE 400 and/or MKH 416-Pr8U3</p> <p>Two Sennheiser wireless units in the 3000/5000 model series</p> <p>One Manfrotto 468MGRC3 Head w/ 190XPROB sticks</p> <p>One Disc Makers 15-unit portable CD/DVD burning rack</p> <p>One of the BRAVO disk printing systems ??? or suitable heavy duty alternative for in-house printing</p> <p>Well, that's my story and I'm stickin' to it (or most of it, well some of it, then again...)</p> <p>Anyone else care to share, or debate or willing to volunteer donations to help make my wishes come true ;-)</p> <p>Sorry about the poll, wanted to have one for tripods/heads/support, one for "other" and one for none, but settled for NOPE.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/starting-from-scratch-equipment-purchase-advice#post-55062 Thu, 11 Feb 2010 00:01:52 +0000 hygravity 55062@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>First post to this forum so I’ll apologize now for any faux pas.</p> <p>Short background:</p> <p> 14 year veteran of the video production industry, laid off in April of 2009 after eight years  at one of Americas largest for hire production houses. Spending savings to start my own event/wedding/industrial “video boutique”. I’m planning on using a portable editing solution because of my ties to the local event industry and the possibility of on the road post work. I plan to shoot AVCHD to SD cards, post to DVD or Blu-ray.</p> <p> I would appreciate feedback you may have on the following planned equipment purchases. Money is very tight as you can imagine, so if I spend a few extra dollars on something, the money has to come from a drop in price on something else.</p> <p> CAMERAS:</p> <ul> <li>Camera (Main): Sony HXR-NX5U NXCAM, $3,999</li> </ul> <p>                        Note: This camera will also be used for industrial/training video production work with business clients. I like the SDI out in case I need to go to the local production house for tape dubs to a broadcast HD format.</p> <ul> <li>Camera (Secondary): Panasonic HDC TM-300, $1,023.79</li> <li>Tripods: Davis &amp; Sanford Pro Vista Video Tripod with FM18 Fluid Head, $179.95 each</li> </ul> <p>AUDIO:</p> <ul> <li>Audio capture: Zoom h4n, $299</li> <li>Lavaliere Mic: Samson QL5-CL, $69.00</li> <li>On Camera audio (Main cam): Included shotgun from Sony,  NC</li> <li>On Camera Audio (Secondary cam) : Sennheiser MKE 400, $199.00</li> </ul> <p>LIGHTING:</p> <ul> <li>On Camera Light: Litepanels Microloght Micro, $297.00</li> <li>Light Kit: Still working on this one.</li> </ul> <p>POST PRODUCTION:</p> <ul> <li>Computer: Sony VAIO F11, $1984.98</li> </ul> <p>Processor: core i7-720QM<br />Operating System: Windows 7 Professional 64<br />Hard Drive: 320gb 7200 rpm<br />Memory: 6gb<br />Optical Drive: Blu-Ray burner<br />Display: 16.4” 1920 – 1080 display<br />Graphics: NVIDIA®GeForce® GT 330M GPU (1GB VRAM)</p> <ul> <li>Software: Sony Vegas Pro 9 ($399 option with the computer, seems like a good price for the software)</li> <li>External Drive: LaCie 1TB Little Big Disk Quadra External Hard Drive, esata, Raid 0, $266.95</li> </ul> <p>There’s also a plethora of cables, and other misc gear that I won’t bore you with here.</p> <p>Am I missing anything major as far as the basics?</p> <p>Can you recommend anything that might work better then what I have listed here?</p> <p>I’ll buy used as the opportunity present itself; do you see anywhere else that I could save a few dollars?</p> <p>This is my first time buying my own equipment, as opposed to using company equipment, so any feedback is greatly appreciated. </p> <p>Thanks,</p> <p> </p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/what-do-i-need-to-set-up-a-video-studio#post-50739 Thu, 10 Sep 2009 11:57:16 +0000 bookin_it 50739@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Hi there! My company is looking to set up a video studio. Nothing crazy but to use a storage room to film incoming executives for training videos-talking heads mainly. What type of equipment would we need? Around how much would it cost? And does anyone have recommendations for products? I loved to know EVERYTHING we might need--from makeup brushes to lighting. Also, we would like it if we could take the camera and lighting out to conventions.</p> <p>We would send staff to learn to film and one of our staff members already edits video on her mac laptop using Final Cut or imovie for simple edits. </p> <p>Any recommendations would be much appreciated. Thanks so much in advance!</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/starting-business-gt-need-advice#post-34508 Mon, 07 Jan 2008 21:36:01 +0000 WazzuMan 34508@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>I am in the beginning phases of opening a Video Production business. I figure I will being with wedding videos since the I should be able to book few regardless of my experience.  After establishing a portfolio and having my card floating around the area, I plan on moving along and expanding to other areas of the business. I have been reading a lot but really am interested in what you all have to say. Here are my questions:</p> <p>a) Should I being renting equipment until I make enough $ to buy my own, or should I go in debt immediatly?</p> <p>b) What equipment is ESSENTIAL when beginning? (note: I am just starting, but I have no intentions of creating anything less than great).</p> <p>c) What is the best first step(s) in breaking into the local wedding video business in my area?</p> <p>Those are some of the more important questions I have right now. I am going to try and get as much experience with other companies by just helping out right now, but market research has dominated my interest.  I also understand how important good picture quality is, but I do believe that having an eye for photography can go a long way.  Not having the best camera won't help my quest, but I do not believe that it will keep my company from creating good things.  Thank you all!</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/beginner-help-travel-documentary-equipment#post-50234 Thu, 20 Aug 2009 07:16:24 +0000 davidI 50234@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>I spent 2.5 years traveling the world and am off on another 6 - 18 month adventure shortly. This round, I've considered filming a travel documentary based on my overseas experiences. I've been into photography for ~15 years and have spent plenty of time in the darkroom and more recently transitioned to digital. I'd like to try my hand at film now but am having a hard time figuring out what I'll need to film a decent documentary. I've spent countless hours researching already, but need to start buying equipment soon as I head out in less than a month. If possible I'd like to keep my spend &lt;$4k CDN, but do have some flexibility.</p> <p>#1 Camcorder - I looked at prosumer cameras like the HVRA1U &#38; HD1000U but decided they're too big and bulky for travel. Plus, there is the potential for issues at immigration as I'd rather not be seen as a journalist. I've read that it may be best to stick to HDV / Mini-DV format - what's a good camera that will give me the manual flexibility to begin learning proper videographer skills? I read great things about the Canon HV20 when it came out as a camcorder that would fit my needs - is the HV40 the best current iteration for my needs or is there a comparable Sony / Panasonic worth looking at?</p> <p>#2 Laptop - Looks like Mac is the way to go with Final Cut Pro. I've read all sorts of conflicting information with respect to which model of Macbook Pro I should get though. I figure when it comes down to editing I can get an external monitor, so screen size isn't necessarily a deciding factor, and smaller is better when it comes to travel. The 17" is also plenty expensive. I've read that the 13" can't run all the features in FCP because it doesn't have a dedicated video card - which would guide me towards the 15". Will the 15" do for me? I've read some stuff about the firewire port being an issue - presumably because people want 2 FW ports so they can import video from their camera directly to an external HD?</p> <p>#3 External HD - I haven't played around with much video editing software in the past, but I know storage is always a big factor. What should I be looking at for an external HD to pair with the Macbook Pro.</p> <p>#4 Tripod, Lights, Mic (external sound necessary?) - Any budget / compact recommendations for these accessories? Any other must-haves for filming. Content is going to have to play a larger part than quality in my documentary but I'd still like to aim for a reasonable quality!</p> <p>#5 Workflow - Can anyone give me any hints / tips for how I should approach my filming, storage, import, editing and output. I know I have a ton to learn about FCP and I'll make tons of mistakes along the way, but any helpful newbie hints would be appreciated!!!</p> <p>Sorry for the long post - but I'd really appreciate any help you can offer as it's a rather complicated endeavour to jump into with such short lead-time!! </p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/a-good-lavalier-microphone#post-47392 Sun, 31 May 2009 16:04:30 +0000 LKraemer456 47392@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p> I need a decent Lavalier microphone that is $150.00 or under.  It can be wired or wireless.  Of course I'd prefer wireless, but I've heard for that price the quality would be much better on a wired mic.</p> <p>I'm making 10 minute educational videos on parenting, self-esteem, etc. (a trainer giving a lesson with a flip chart, or role play with one other person, mostly indoors).</p> <p>I have a Canon XH-A1, which has left and right XLR inputs.  It has phantom power if I need it.</p> <p>Please make suggestions.  I've looked at Audio Technica AT803, ATPro70, ECM 44B.  It's hard to tell what's good.</p> <p>Thanks,</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/help-with-nonlinear-video-equipment#post-47060 Thu, 21 May 2009 15:42:19 +0000 marco 47060@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p> i last year i started filming weddings and events i recently purchased a Sony HVR-HD1000u camera and a new top notch XPS pc. I want like help on what other equipment i should purchase for a good home based studio. Also what software i should use for editing in HD looking to be able to burn hd , blue ray finished products. Please keep in mind budget need equipment and software to do good jpb but not break the bank lol . Thank you to all in advance.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/avchd-equipment-requirements#post-46198 Sun, 26 Apr 2009 12:33:18 +0000 rxp1933 46198@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p> New to AVCHD What spec video card is required for AVCHD. I understand Pinnacle 11 will work with this format.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/new-av-studio-need-advice-for-hardware#post-35724 Mon, 31 Mar 2008 09:01:29 +0000 meh2424 35724@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>I was granted money at work to build a simple av studio.  About $20,000.  Until now I have been producing videos with a consumer level camera, a wireless mic from Radioshack and Pinnacle Studio software.  I will be scrapping all 3 in favor or a more professional approach.  Any equipment a MUST?  I was thinking a mixer of some kind and multiple cameras.  We do a lot of talking head shots.  Lighting and mics, any suggestions?  Camera suggestions?  Thanks, I am new to the site but would love to collaborate going forward.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/equipment-advice-for-a-newbie#post-37325 Tue, 10 Jun 2008 13:01:47 +0000 CMarion 37325@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>The folks I work for are new to videography and so am I.  We're going to start capturing our own video, doing mostly interview style shooting and possibly some indoor event coverage. We're looking for quality good enough for tv (b roll) but will mostly be on the web. What kind of equipment should we buy? Are there kits we can buy that include lights etc?</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/looking-for-equipment-vendor-recommendations-besides-bh-photo#post-36034 Wed, 16 Apr 2008 13:38:30 +0000 riVIDEOguy 36034@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Hey all -</p> <p>I’ve come upon an interesting opportunity: to teach high school kids the great art and science of video production. Ooooh. Aaaah. I’ll run a newly created department in our town. Here’s the cool bit:</p> <p>Grants have been secured and the money HAS to be spent in order to get more funding in the future. Though I’m not offering up any work right now (sorry), I would be ever grateful for your input on vendor recommendations.</p> <p>Who else would you recommend as a reliable, full-service vendor beside B+H Photo? (I've done business with them since the early 1990's...mostly out of habit.)</p> <p>&lt;!-- / message --&gt;&lt;!-- controls --&gt;<img src="http://dvcreators.net/discuss/images/misc/progress.gif" /> Thanks! <a href="http://dvcreators.net/discuss/editpost.php?do=editpost&amp;p=65254"><img src="http://dvcreators.net/discuss/images/dvc_buttons/edit.gif" alt="Edit/Delete Message" /></a> </p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/player-for-reg8-analog-and-reg-8-dvd-tapes-available#post-35833 Sun, 06 Apr 2008 22:27:47 +0000 videotee 35833@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Does anyone know of a player that will play both regular 8 mm analog and regular digital 8 mm tapes?  I need one to move my stock footage to a computer hard drive or just play it. My digital 8 camera allows me to play both formats but I’ve realized when this camcorder fails I won’t be able to play my tapes.  Any information or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.</p> <p>I've got about a ten year collection of both kinds of tapes.</p> <p>7 April 2008</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/how-do-i-digitize-a-dccpro-tape#post-35753 Tue, 01 Apr 2008 20:23:08 +0000 GodsGirl 35753@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Hi all,</p> <p>I volunteer for a non-profit organization. We had a production company create a video for us. They sent us all the raw footage on tapes (DVCPRO AJ-P126L) and a DVD with the Final Master Video on it in .VOB format.</p> <p> Long story short, our rights to a song on the video will expire soon. Since I can not cut out the music on the VOB file, I need to get the tape footage onto the computer and rebuild the Video. I have a high end computer that I built myself. I'm a computer nerd thats why they asked me to help with this project. lol - I've never done any *real* video editing before, just playing around with home videos from a DVD Cam.</p> <p>My question: What do I need to purchase to read/encode/decode these tapes onto my computer. I've looked into purchasing a deck but I'm not sure exactly what I need. Since this will be something we plan on continuing (creating our own videos) I don't mind purchasing the equipment. I just need some direction. Thanks for your help.</p> <p>Â -GG</p>