http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ Videomaker Community Forums » Tag: formats - Recent Posts en Thu, 16 Feb 2012 09:30:32 +0000 http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/new-guy-old-equipment#post-74484 Mon, 06 Feb 2012 08:56:17 +0000 composite1 74484@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Peter,</p> <p>VHS is a great format to learn on. It's cheap and you can burn through it without pulling your hair out. Learning how best to light it and record sound within its limitations will be a big help when you move onto higher-end formats. But, as Earl mentioned forget VHS as a potentially pro format. It was used for news inserts for a time but only when there wasn't a U-matic, betacam or pro high-8 tape available. </p> <p>It was an excellent consumer format for distribution of film and television products and VHS is the reason we have the 'home video entertainment' industry. Once the porn guys figured out they could put their work directly onto VHS and make direct profits, it wasn't long before Hollywood took noticed and followed suit. VHS paved the way for Lazer Disc, which paved the way for Video CD, then DVD, HDVD and Blu-Ray Discs. </p> <p>So feel free to play with your existing VHS stock. Just be advised that it will eventually break down as you shoot it and play it back. Keep your camera and player heads clean so you can get the most out of it.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/new-guy-old-equipment#post-74470 Sat, 04 Feb 2012 17:41:26 +0000 Peter Rose 74470@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Thanks again Earl and thank you Mike for your input.  I will check-out that Community Cable aspect - could be an okay experience for me.</p> <p>Meanwhile, I will keep using my GR-60U in VHS-C in order to keep improving my technique, composition, etc.  I have lots of VHS-C tape to play with.</p> <p>Peter</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/new-guy-old-equipment#post-74469 Sat, 04 Feb 2012 11:19:03 +0000 VidProMike 74469@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Peter - Your community's public access (cable TV) operation may offer access to high-quality digital cams and editing.  Likely be restrictions for "personal use," but worth looking into for training and new experiences.  Mike </p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/new-guy-old-equipment#post-74468 Sat, 04 Feb 2012 10:02:31 +0000 EarlC 74468@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>This CAN be an expensive hobby (or more) Peter, but if you really, REALLY want to do some video with an eye on it being more than your own home brew ... producing stuff that can (or WILL) be distributed over the channels ... you CAN do so fairly economically.</p> <p>Again, depending on your immediate goals and expectations, so far as "shooting" video goes, you can be doing that for well under $1K US, although specifically for network distribution might not yet be included in that range. I suspect it will be acquiring something in the editing department that is also able to work with the footage a new camera would produce in one of the many formats (a computer and/or editing program(s)) that will cost you a bit more.</p> <p>Video is a GREAT tool for personal, creative and professional-level development. Obviously, if you've had a VHS or VHS-C camcorder and used it, you're a bit interested if not hooked. Where there's a will there's a way, even financially, I suspect ;-)</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/new-guy-old-equipment#post-74465 Sat, 04 Feb 2012 00:59:36 +0000 Peter Rose 74465@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Thank you for your candid and straightforward reply, Earl.  I really appreciate it.</p> <p>It looks like I will have to save-up some good old pension cash, over time, and get a digital rig in the future.</p> <p>Pete</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/new-guy-old-equipment#post-74464 Fri, 03 Feb 2012 23:11:23 +0000 EarlC 74464@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>I very seriously doubt VHS of any type would be acceptable by a studio, PBS or TVO. Even when VHS was a more popular consumer format it was not acceptable to these places over U-Matic or the Betacam formats, S-VHS and then, of course, digital. Nothing wrong with utilizing VHS or the compact VHS (VHS-C) for personal use, I suppose, if that's your ONLY option, but the tape simply doesn't hold up to long-term storage nor multi-pass editing, shredding off bits with each pas as you digitize it or try to work from the original masters. VHS never was a preferred professional format, really, and certainly wouldn't be accepted now.</p> <p>The ONLY possible exception is if you had footage of something unique and one-of-a-kind that had occurred or existed and was NOT available in any other resource ... something, say, historically significant.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/new-guy-old-equipment#post-74459 Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:04:34 +0000 Peter Rose 74459@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>&nbsp;Sorry, my post disappeared into cyberspace or something.&nbsp; I was asking about using VHS-C format for documentaries for personal use and some I've done for local volunteer groups for promotional purposes.</p> <p>Is there any chance of using VHS-C or VHS for presentation of my work to a studio or PBS or TVO (Canada)?</p> <p>Thanks.</p> <p>Peter Rose</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/rendering-and-format-for-youtube#post-74349 Tue, 31 Jan 2012 03:40:45 +0000 birdcat 74349@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>I believe YouTube prefers H.264 compressed MP4 files but will convert many formats, including WMV.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/rendering-and-format-for-youtube#post-74325 Mon, 30 Jan 2012 09:45:23 +0000 Weddingmaster 74325@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p> if im not mistaken youtube can accept a wmv? </p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/rendering-and-format-for-youtube#post-74321 Mon, 30 Jan 2012 09:16:12 +0000 Maria 74321@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p> Hi all,</p> <p>I'm a newbe and need help PLS.  I have a .wmv 320 X240 (1454 kbps) 6 minute long video clip.  I have used Vegas Pro 9 to edit this video.  Now I need to render it for YouTube.  Can I/should I change the format in my project ? How and what format should I use for a good quality clip and how ? Thank you in advance.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/hd-myths#post-56375 Sun, 14 Mar 2010 10:00:14 +0000 composite1 56375@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>One of the things making many of novice to intermediate shooters and editors on the forum's heads spin is the "HD" format itself. "What HD Camera should I buy?" "What HD editing software should I buy?" On and on with good reason. 'HD' comes in a number of 'flavors' (i.e. resolutions, codecs, etc.) and it can be enough to make your freakin' head spin.</p> <p>However, unless you're working on really high-end projects for theatrical or broadcast TV distribution you can safely pass on HD formats like, HDCAM, XDCAM, DVCPRO HD, REDONE and a number of others. Most of you will be working with DV, HDV and AVCHD formats which are common among consumer, prosumer and low to mid-level pro cameras. So unless you're prepared to fork over at least $10k for just a camera body, the pro formats don't concern you. Relax.</p> <p>I've said it a number of times in other posts (and I'll say it again) that the bottom line of what gear and software you get totally depends on your planned output. So if you're looking to get into HD but can't make heads or tails between DV, 720p, 1080i, 1080p, 30p, 60i or p and so on, read the following article by Zack Stern, "8 HDTV Myths Demystified". The article pertains to purchasing an HDTV, but remember whether it's a computer monitor or a TV that's going to be your primary output point. So knowing how your footage is going to be viewed on your primary output point will be a big help for deciding what kind of gear and software you should be looking to get.</p> <p><a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35770126/ns/technology_and_science-tech_and_gadgets/">http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35770126/ns/technology_and_science-tech_and_gadgets/</a></p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/african-wildlife-big-small-footage-a-need#post-55259 Wed, 17 Feb 2010 05:17:17 +0000 Tigger 55259@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p> Thanks Derek. Are there many people out there supplying good HD african wildlife scenes??? I've googled a lot, but I want to get peoples opinions.....</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/african-wildlife-big-small-footage-a-need#post-55000 Tue, 09 Feb 2010 20:56:36 +0000 Derek Sine 55000@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>HD. Stock footage is a huge market. If they look exotic it could work. </p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/african-wildlife-big-small-footage-a-need#post-54955 Tue, 09 Feb 2010 04:47:41 +0000 Tigger 54955@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p> I have the fortunate opporunity and experience to be able to pursue and get footage of a wide variety of African Mammals/Birds/Insects/Reptiles/Amphibians/Plants etc. </p> <p>Is there a market for the 'out-of-the-ordinary' animal scenes, like Bushpig, Aardvark, endangered Karkloof Blue Butterfly, Narina Trogon etc? or is it just the big and nasties like Elephant/Buffalo/Lion/Rhino etc that sell?? Is it worthwhile to pursue???</p> <p>If so, what formats are recommended? What do you guys think?</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/too-many-output-options-in-pp#post-54935 Mon, 08 Feb 2010 16:36:05 +0000 BruceMol 54935@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>I can confirm that on a PC, WinXP, CS3, with Quicktime (free version) loaded, the choices are as Jerron describes them. The Quicktime option is second last in my drop down list.</p> <p><img src="/Documents%20and%20Settings/Default/Desktop/Sprite%207.jpg" /></p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/too-many-output-options-in-pp#post-54929 Mon, 08 Feb 2010 14:15:11 +0000 jerronsmith 54929@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Are you on a PC?</p> <p>Try downloading the Quicktime Player. That may be required to output to Quicktime format from Premiere Pro on a PC.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/too-many-output-options-in-pp#post-54900 Sun, 07 Feb 2010 14:09:43 +0000 skoegler 54900@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Thanks Jerron - but...</p> <p>My format list includes H.264 but not Quicktime. So I selected the H264 format. Then looked in the Video tab, and The codec is listed as MainConcept H.264, but there is no dropdown list to select from.</p> <p>Do I need to install a Quicktime codec? and from where?</p> <p> </p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/too-many-output-options-in-pp#post-54882 Sat, 06 Feb 2010 15:59:11 +0000 jerronsmith 54882@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>.mov is the extension for a Quicktime file. To produce that the following steps should help.</p> <p>step 1: Choose File&gt;Export&gt;Media</p> <p>step 2: In the Export Settings dialog box chose Quicktime from the Format pull-down menu at the top of the dialog box.</p> <p>step 3: Click on the Video tab at the bottom of the dialog box. In the Codec pull-down menu choose h.264.</p> <p>That should give you the format/codec that you need.</p> <p> </p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/too-many-output-options-in-pp#post-54868 Sat, 06 Feb 2010 08:10:10 +0000 skoegler 54868@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Most of the time I export to FLV/FL4V in PP-CS4 and that works pretty well. Even so there are so many options in the preset category that I keep trying different ones. I upload to TubeMogul.com that does some transcoding and crossposting to a variety of server sites, so I don't need to worry much about the specifics.</p> <p>But - I'm not really happy with the quality of the viewing on some of the sites. </p> <p>Question 1 - is there a preferred/best Format/Preset for Youtube HD?</p> <p>Question 2 - I've been asked to provide H.264 with .MOV container. I can't seem to find an option for .MOV output. There are several iPod output presets, but nothing that creates a .MOV file. They all create .mp4 extensions.</p> <p>Confused.... </p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/newbie-needs-advice#post-51393 Wed, 14 Oct 2009 23:27:54 +0000 EarlC 51393@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Occasionally sync can be problematic. There's no literal "magic" formula that works on first try, every try, but with some degree of practice and familiarity with your audio editing software you can really get close on first try, then bump forward or back a few clicks until things sync up.</p> <p>Being an accomplished lip reader does give me an edge on this, just has having been a touch typist since I was in junior high (I'm 60 now, do the math :-) has always given me an edge in typing. That's probably why all my stuff is longer and occasionally more definitive than others who hate to read, or write, or type. I was the only one also that did not groan out loud in class when a professor would as for a 500-word essay or whatever. If anything, maybe I DID groan but it was because I wasn't sure HOW I was going to keep the assignment UNDER 500 words.</p> <p>Sorry for the sidetrack there...</p> <p>...anyway the amount of "extra" work depends on how much you have to labor in post because all you had was your "synced" camera audio, but there were problems with sound, depth, etc. or simply lining up the GREAT audio from your backup source, syncing it once, maybe a few more if  you have to break up sequences in the video, but essentially dealing with nice, clean, clear audio.</p> <p>Another thing that is great, in addition to the quality of that digitally acquired audio is being able to "normalize" the levels between proper audio levels due to proximity, and some lower stuff picked up from farther away, making the levels sweeten up really nice.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/newbie-needs-advice#post-51392 Wed, 14 Oct 2009 20:18:08 +0000 flaubert 51392@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>ok..different<br /> than i thought...I'm just concerned that this may be more work in post<br /> production than simply having the audio already synced to the video.  In post production, how do I<br /> sync up the audio file to the mouth movements of the speakers on the video<br /> file?</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/newbie-needs-advice#post-51385 Wed, 14 Oct 2009 15:35:35 +0000 EarlC 51385@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>No, the Zoom is a standalone digital recorder and you can use a USB card reader to transfer the files from the card to your computer. I use TOAST to convert the files to AIFF because that's what I like to do though there are certainly others ways to handle the WAV files it produces. You don't need the adapter for this type of audio acquisition.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/newbie-needs-advice#post-51379 Wed, 14 Oct 2009 11:39:44 +0000 flaubert 51379@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Earl, i bought a refurb'd GL2 yesterday. I should begin shooting in a week or two.  I intend to buy a Zoom H2 either tonight or tomorrow.  Do I neeed the Canon MA-300 Adapter for the Zoom?</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/newbie-needs-advice#post-51223 Tue, 06 Oct 2009 12:58:50 +0000 EarlC 51223@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>I've used the GL2 and the XL1 (a pair) for a long, long time. XLs have given me more grief than the GL. On rare occasion, when I've had to intermix tape brands, or occasionally in a windy, sandy, salt air and sea, snow going in and out of the cold, I've had some issues, but they've been predominantly environmentally generated, or from mixing tape brands/stock. Major heat and hot winds, during firestorms - like are experienced in the southern California area, can cause some grief, but the camera is stable, dependable and productive.</p> <p>I had "issues" with the defunct Amiga Toaster/Flyer, others didn't; Others have had "issues" with Panasonic, or Sony, or TDK, or other tape stocks - I did until I went, and stuck, with Sony Premium. Some people hate Memorex or TDK DVD blanks, I haven't. Poop happens, but I'll NOT be selling or off-loading my Canons even when I DO change brands and go with the Panasonic HMC-150 or JVC's 100 version both abandoning tape and offering SDHC card recording instead - no more tape path wear, or "remove cassette" problems.</p> <p>If Canon comes out with a comparably priced SDHC only, no tape, recordable unit at a competitive price before I am ready to invest in the new tools I will stay with Canon simply because of their superior lens quality and superior image stabilization quality.</p> <p>YOU have to make the decision. Read widely enough and go far enough and you will read negative input about most ANY brand or model on the market since the 1800's (a joke) - some people LOVE liver, others HATE it; same for anchovies.</p> <p>Me? Hold the liver, but put that gravy on my potatoes; no anchovies on the pizza or I will NEVER come back to RoundTable :-)</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/newbie-needs-advice#post-51221 Tue, 06 Oct 2009 08:08:41 +0000 flaubert 51221@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Hi Earl, i'm considering purchasing a GL2 instead of renting, but i see that relative to sony and panasonic prosumer models, the GL2 has a lot of negative reviews on the amazon.  Almost all of them complain about "remove cassette" errors or "inabilaty to rewind".  Any thoughts on this issue?</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/newbie-needs-advice#post-51159 Fri, 02 Oct 2009 01:30:41 +0000 EarlC 51159@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>There are many variables and I am not knowledgeable enough to explain in layman's terms the various compression formulas and results. Basically, simple ingestion/digitizing of DV video from a MiniDV videotape used in a GL2 has a minimum requirement of 13 GB per hour. What you do with it, how you work with it, the compression schemes you use on it, your computer, software and DVD output, or web site output size and many other variables will directly effect the size of the files you work with.</p> <p>Digital video applied with standard DV/DVCPRO compression takes up about 250 megabytes per minute or 13 gigabytes per hour.</p> <p>An example video can have a <strong>duration (T)</strong> of 1 hour (3600<em>sec</em>), a frame size of 640x480 <em>(WxH)</em> at a color depth of 24<em>bits</em> and a frame rate of 25<em>fps</em>. This example video has the following properties:</p> <ul> <li><strong>pixels per frame</strong> = 640 * 480 = 307,200</li> <li><strong>bits per frame</strong> = 307,200 * 24 = 7,372,800 = 7.37<em>Mbits</em></li> <li><strong>bit rate (BR)</strong> = 7.37 * 25 = 184.25<em><strong>Mbits/sec</strong></em></li> <li><strong>video size (VS)</strong> = 184<em>Mbits/sec</em> * 3600<em>sec</em> = 662,400<em>Mbits</em> = 82,800<em>Mbytes</em> = 82.8<em><strong>Gbytes</strong></em></li> </ul> <p>My editing workstation is a Mac Pro 8-core unit with 16 gigs of RAM memory. I have installed three terabytes of hard drive storage set up exclusively for video resources. My system drive is a 350 GB unit. I like having plenty of resource storage space. HD capacity and storage is comparatively cheap and it is not wise in today's video editing environments to cheap out on storage. More is always better, and I like having the options to take on a short 8-min montage with some fancy production work, or a movie-length project with gobs of resource materials, a wedding project and anything between. I often have more than one project under way at a time.</p> <p>In my previous systems I often was under nourished with storage capacity and had to reuse hard drives before I was willing to erase the original work files. Consequently there were times when situations called for me returning to a project and I had to go through the digitizing process all over again. I hope to never have to go that route again.</p> <p>In another system I had a series of hard drives in sleds that I could exchange from project to project. That was a GREAT system to work with, and I continue that with external storage capacities beyond my 3TB work drives. My Drobo and some a couple of jbods (just a bunch of hard drives) help me keep resources at hand, but off my primary production HDs. I can fire them up as needed, access resources as needed, and continue with my work flow without interrupting the creative process while locating something on a back up HD, CD, DVD or elsewhere. There's a lot to be said about being able to sustain your focus and productive juices without having to stop and think...</p> <p>...sometimes. :-)</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/newbie-needs-advice#post-51155 Thu, 01 Oct 2009 18:01:27 +0000 flaubert 51155@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>thanks Earl, I'm a bit confused - regarding SD/GL2 you mention a requirement of both 13GB and 82.8GB.  Which one applies to me in my situation?</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/newbie-needs-advice#post-51146 Thu, 01 Oct 2009 11:26:46 +0000 EarlC 51146@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>RE: the Zoom H2 digital audio recorder = GREAT, clear, crisp, clean audio with minimum effort. Audio, especially for your intended purpose, is TOP PRIORITY! And though decent enough under controlled taping sessions, the GL2 on-camera mic picks up internal sounds from the tape mechanism, and other hard to isolate sound interruptions.</p> <p>Disclaimer: I am NOT PC centric, nor do I have even a modicum of working knowledge of the platform and its various components or available operating or editing systems. That being said...</p> <p>Desktop, generally speaking, is always better because (with admitted exceptions) desktop systems are more robust and capable. So, yes, "doing all this stuff" on your desktop is probably beneficial.</p> <p>If your system has firewire (still a lot of 400 out there, but 800 is better and faster) then yes you can usually purchase the required cable/connection at most electronics stores. Prices vary, as does quality, but don't let the salesperson snow you into some ultra-awesome monster cable with gold plating - not always all that and a cheeseburger. You can usually find better pricing and value at on-line, web-centric outlets like <a href="http://www.supermediastore.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.supermediastore.com</a> or <a href="http://www.cdrdvdrmedia.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.cdrdvdrmedia.com</a> or <a href="http://www.microcenter.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.microcenter.com</a> etc.</p> <p>You WILL NEED a video/graphics card. Google for recommendations for your particular computers - primarily the desktop - with at least 512 memory, preferably higher. There are two or three reputable brand names, but you'll have to do this research on your own.</p> <p>DO NOT use your system drive for processing video! Period! Use another drive(s) dedicated to processing/editing video - external firewire, SATA (skip USB, even USB2 simply isn't up to snuff for dealing with video editing, though some will tell you it works fine. Nada.</p> <p>You're going to need large capacity drives, external or internal. You will need to find a way to determine how well your PC deals with extra memory, and high capacity drives, as there often are, or can be, limitations to what a specific system will utilize and I don't have the answers.</p> <p>It is widely accepted that NTSC, DV, Standard Definition (the GL2, tape recordable digital MiniDV camcorder, for example) will result in your computer needing about 13 GB per hour. HDV, on the other hand, requires anywhere from 38-50 GB per hour; UHDV (ultra high def) chimes in at 100 GB = 18 mins, or six GB per min. Do the math, verify your PC's ability and/or limits for high capacity HDs, then buy a couple, perhaps a few.</p> <p>NTSC = 1.5 GB per min<br /> DVCPro HD = 1 GB per min, or according to Wikipedia, approximately 250MB per min/13 GB per hour.<br /> Cineform compressed HDV takes 30-40 GB per hour<br /> Uncompressed, 1440 x 1080 = 234 GB per hour</p> <p>In other words, one hour of Standard Definition (SD - the GL2) at 640x480 (also 720x480 a bit more), at 24-bit color depth, and 25 fps (frames per second) frame rate will require 82.8 GB. </p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/newbie-needs-advice#post-51142 Thu, 01 Oct 2009 07:38:31 +0000 flaubert 51142@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Thank Earl for the advice. I will rent the GL2. I also will check out YouTube. Let me correct my earlier post… </p> <p>My desktop (purchased in 2005)- Pentium 4 processor at 2.67GHz. RAM of 512MB, upgradable to 2GB. Read/write DVD drive. Internal drive of 80GB, with an external drive of 160GB.</p> <p>My laptop (purchased in 2009) - Intel Atom processor at 1.6GHz. RAM of 1.0GB, upgradable to 2GB. No read/write capability. </p> <p>Question#1: Isn't it better to be doing all this stuff on my desktop?</p> <p>Question#2: Regarding the “firewire” (I’m really ignorant on this stuff), is this simply a “wire” that I buy at Best Buy, for example, and plug one end into the camcorder, the other end into the back of my computer somewhere? Or the other end into my external hard drive? And then press a button of some sort?<br /> Question#3: Do I have to check to see if my system has a “video card”?<br /> Question#4: How much free space do I need to have on my internal and external hard drives, respectively, before I begin ?<br /> Question #5: Why would the Zoom H2 be best for my situation? </p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/newbie-needs-advice#post-51136 Wed, 30 Sep 2009 15:31:57 +0000 EarlC 51136@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>IMHO...<br /> Do NOT buy a GL1 for ANY price. Borrow only! Even then...</p> <p>Rent, or even purchase a GL2 and shoot SD. GL2s can be found for around $1,500, even less sometimes, by searching other forums' for sale boards - <a href="http://www.wedvidpro.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.wedvidpro.com</a> <a href="http://www.dvprofessionals.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.dvprofessionals.com</a> <a href="http://www.videouniversity.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.videouniversity.com</a> here at <a href="http://www.videomaker.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.videomaker.com</a> for starters. I recently posted here somewhere regarding a couple I know personally who were selling off three GL2s for an outstanding value to recoup their investment in HD Canons - XH A1s, I believe. The original ad was on dvprofessionals.</p> <p>Rent, or purchase a used XL1 (original model) - their prices didn't/haven't held up as well as the GL2s, but it remains an awesome camera.</p> <p>Your HV10/20 isn't a stinker, though kind of small and low on the production pole. They'll work, but you will need to learn a number of workarounds regarding light and audio. Check here for good tips and suggestions regarding both. Videomaker is tops when it comes to solid basic production information.</p> <p>If you stick primarily with cuts only your PC should be useable. (I am NOT at all familiar with PCs but I would think it should at least be able to help you produce something) Your RAM is low, go at least 4 (RAM is relatively cheap) if your unit will accommodate four. You WILL want and need at least that. Be prepared to wait a considerable amount of time for rendering if you use slow motion or dissolves much.</p> <p>If any camera you purchase gets you producing and those projects are successful then there will be NO net loss - it's a write off, or throwaway as they say amongst those in the business who claim to know it all :-)</p> <p>The rental for a week seems in line with your needs.</p> <p>GL2 is pretty user friendly and a few hours of practice, testing all the bells and whistles will get you close to ready, if not ready. Also, it is VERY important to try and keep your backgrounds static (no motion, blowing leaves, moving vehicles, belly dancers, etc. :-)</p> <p>...and keep the background as uncluttered, busy and no red as possible. If you go to YouTube and search for "practice builders" I think, I hope you will find at least a couple of talking head productions we did using the GL2 for a marketing services client who works with folks in the medical profession. If you cannot find let me know and I will try to better identify the links later.</p> <p>I do not have personal hands-on knowledge of the VX2100, but I know many in the business who have used them and STILL are reluctant to allow them prized from their cold, dead fingers.</p> <p>Finally, trust your audio to at least one, two if possible, Zoom H2 standalone digital microphones. They are awesome! you should be able to find them for under $200.</p> <p>If you plan your episodes well you should be able to shoot a heck of a lot of instructional video footage in a week's time using a rental camera, but you will definitely want your own equipment ASAP. Maybe an HMC-150 Panasonic or the comparable JVC - both HD and both tapeless to SDHC cards, the wave of the future, but then you're gonna need to spring for more power in the editing arena.</p> <p>Hope this helps. </p>