HD Changeover

CClub wrote on 4/25/2007, 6:30 PM
I posted a comment a while back ("Panicking, Dump SD") asking if I should switch to HD from my 2100's. I'm about to do it. I took a lot of the information given by everyone and made a decision based on my specific circumstances.

That being said, a couple basic questions:
there are a zillion postings here on HD... any that summarize some basics of what I need to know? I'm looking for CURRENT BASICS. I'm reading stuff that says to use intermediary codecs and I'm not sure if people still do. Any good links to other online resources, pdf's, etc. that can break down the workflow and basics on HD would be great also.

I should be able to work with HD with the system I have, right?: Intel Core 2 Duo, 2 Gig Ram, Intel D975XBX2 motherboard, about 900 Gig of HDD space in the system (SATA), nVidia 7800 GTX and a couple of 500 Gig HDD external, 2 monitors (21", 19" CRT's). XP, Vegas 7, most VASST plugins, Excalibur, most NewBlue, CreativEase, etc..

Here's my concept: I have about $7k to work with based on a few video jobs I've done recently and the sale of my two 2100's. But that's all I'm working with. No $5K cameras here yet. Here's what I want: HDV, 35 mm adapters, 24p, fairly good audio. I'm putting together a documentary on a Holocaust survivor, and I'm very partial to the 24p, 35mm adapter look. Here's what I'm looking at picking up:
Cameras: 2 Canon HV20's.
Other equipment: two Brevis35 35mm adapters (their website and dvinfo.net has AMAZING footage when used with the HV20's),
Audio: just ordered 2 Rode Videomics today, pre-ordered the Zoom H2 to go with my Hi-MD and two lavaliers.

I know I'm spending a lot on the 35mm adapters vs cameras, but I'm planning on upgrading later and also once the prices of some of the bigger cameras drop, and I'll still have the HV20's. I'd rather have the 35mm adapters now vs two FX7's. And I know some pros here will hate the component choices. It just has the look I want at the price I can afford. Comments?

Comments

Jay Gladwell wrote on 4/25/2007, 7:16 PM

I'm not trying to be difficult, it's an honest question...

It sounds like you've pretty well made up your mind on what direction you're going, so what difference does anyone's opinion make in this instance?

What will work for you may not work for another, and vice versa.

Just do it!


richard-courtney wrote on 4/25/2007, 7:25 PM
Sony is to release a 1/2" pickup XDCAM EX that uses memory cards. We are waiting
for it because of the better pickup, DOF like you are trying to achieve with the 35mm
hardware, and tapeless.
fldave wrote on 4/25/2007, 8:41 PM
Core 2 Duo and the rest of your system should do it fine. I've been using HDV for two years on a P4 3.2.

Create some killer HD footage using the Vegas built-in "Insert Generated Media". Start with a color gradient, and keyframe the h*ll out of it with color changes to create a test video m2t using Main Concept HDV template. Then play around with it. It should be nearly the same as SD, if you are patient in the learning process.

With V7 you may not need to buy Connect HD, just use Cineform intermediates (built in to V7) if necessary. M2T's play fine on my P4, and I also just upgraded an old system to AMD 64 X2 4400+.
Spot|DSE wrote on 4/25/2007, 10:39 PM
The larger imager will give you a more shallow DOF, but by no means, don't confuse it with the significantly more shallow DOF that you can achieve with a 35MM adaptor.
The differences are significant. Even with my Fuji/XDCAM at 1.8, can't even begin to approach what my Nikon 85 provides on a Z1 with a RedRock Micro adapter at half the distance to subject.
They're just not made for the same thing.
That said, you can get a nice, reasonably shallow DOF from .5 imager/XDCAM
CClub wrote on 4/26/2007, 5:44 AM
Jay, not taken as difficult. I greatly respect your views on this forum. I probably combined too many issues in the one posting. You're right... I am settled on moving from SD to HD. One of the questions I was asking was for some HD basics links.

Then, I was looking for any input on equipment that could produce similar effects to what I'm looking for. The new XDCAM EX sounds interesting... street price in November?
John_Cline wrote on 4/26/2007, 7:10 AM
The XDCAM EX will have a list price of around $8,000.
CClub wrote on 4/26/2007, 9:33 AM
Ouch.
John_Cline wrote on 4/26/2007, 9:53 AM
One person's "ouch" is another person's, "Hallelujah!"
richard-courtney wrote on 4/26/2007, 3:53 PM
a muffled ouch but still better than F330/350
dat5150 wrote on 4/26/2007, 4:32 PM
I recommend Spot's HDV book found on VASST. I bought it a couple of weeks ago and its very helpful and to the point. I think it will help answer the questions you presented.
CClub wrote on 4/26/2007, 7:09 PM
I wasn't considering that book, as I wondered if due to all the continual changes with HD, it might not be as current. I just looked it up, and it seems there's a new edition, and I just ordered it. Thanks much.
24Peter wrote on 4/26/2007, 9:07 PM
"With V7 you may not need to buy Connect HD, just use Cineform intermediates (built in to V7) if necessary. M2T's play fine on my P4, and I also just upgraded an old system to AMD 64 X2 4400+. "

He will with the HV20's since he wants to shoot 24p. Vegas can't do pulldown (yet?) on those files. Need Connect....