Hello, I am an idiot and I need buying help

deewaa wrote on 3/1/2002, 10:44 PM

I am thinking about buying a DV editing system (Video Factory) and a DV camera. To date I have only used the most rudimentary analog editing equipment.
I am not a computer expert. Most of the posts on this site are way over my head.

Bottom line is this: Can I get into the DV world as a relative computer idiot? I use my computer quite a bit, but I don't understand most of this technical jargon. Will I be able to get by?

Thanks in advance.

Comments

Stiffler wrote on 3/2/2002, 2:53 AM

I think once you do jump into it, you will learn alot. I bet most of the people started where you are now.

wyatt wrote on 3/2/2002, 2:09 PM

I agree. The technical stuff looks complicated at first but as joncinmn says once you get into it you'll be fine. Word of advice. Even though VF has a great manual (compared to others out there), I still think it is better to just dive in and work the program. Case in point. I have a film background and believe it or not it took me quite a while to do a simple edit. Why? Because I assumed that cut or edit would do the job. In film we say splice. VF says "split event". I would have went right to it if they said "splice event". Oh well. Bottom line. This program blows VW out of the water. Have fun! P.S. There is NO dumb question and you are not an idiot. (I hope!)

deewaa wrote on 3/2/2002, 5:24 PM

Thanks for the help. It is a relief to hear that I will be able to get by without knowing much in advance.

On a related important note, what DV cameras are recommended for quality and ease of use? How much should I expect to pay?

abadjw wrote on 3/3/2002, 10:23 AM

<<what DV cameras are recommended for quality and ease of use? How much should I expect to pay? >>

go to www.epinions.com and look through the camcorder section. I purchased a Sony DCR-TRV17 that retails 1099.00 for 811.00 through BestBuy price matching deal after I printed a quote from www.buydig.com for the camera. Anyway the sony camcorder is VERY NICE!!!! www.epinions.com seems to be a good place for opinions on products. Thats where I started and it saved me $400.
PS: I got the idea/info about using the matching offer deals through this site.

Lody wrote on 3/3/2002, 1:26 PM

First of all, I am all for Sony cameras, what ever review you're reading they are great.

Don't go for latest and the greatest (can't remember the name, it's a very small camera) that records in MPEG2 format, but select a DV one that support DV in/out so you will be able to write back to your camera.

If you want to digitally edit some of your old material, select a camera with sVHS in. Then you can simply use your camera as a digitising bridge (sorry for the jargon).