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ernesttx

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    Entry level HD cameras, or DSLR?

    in Off Topic

    Posted

    A few other websites with active forums:

     

    www.dvxuser.com

    www.dvinfo.net

     

    Lots of discussions about cameras, setups, editing, lenses, directing, etc. Both pro and hobby. Both DSLR and pro camera discussions.

     

    And Wildsided, I love the Zi8s. I have 5 of them and I just set them up around an event in strategic places and just let them record for a few hours.

    Entry level HD cameras, or DSLR?

    in Off Topic

    Posted

    Something else that just came to mind that you might factor into your decision and that is, what will your final delivery be? That is, what will you be deliverying to your client. Is the end result just a DVD of the event? In that case, a high end DV camera is adequate. Unless you will be mastering and deliverying a Blu Ray Disc, then getting an HD camcorder might be overkill at this point (depending on your experience).

     

    However, you can put HD video on a regular DVD (I think it's a bout 20 minutes, not sure as I've not done it); then, getting an HD camera would be justified.

     

    If you are wondering, I currently use a JVC HM100. Nice camera for the price (currently they are about $2100, shop around). Records to dual digital cards, CCD imagers, lightweight, XLR inputs, manually adjust settings (iris, shutter,etc), gain, many HD resolutions, .mp4 (xdcam) and .mov codecs, 35bit, HDMI clean 4:2:2 out, and the list goes on. JVC will introduce their new model, HM150, this october; so, the price may go down even more. But, it'll be north of $3500.

    Entry level HD cameras, or DSLR?

    in Off Topic

    Posted

    Hey, Roger,

    For the DSLR cameras, the big concern there would be stabilizing the camera. Since most (if not all) DSLRs are using CMOS imagers, any movement during recording will generate wobbly video (ie rolling shutter). I have a Canon T2i and even as experienced as I am and using a shoulder brace, there are many times were even the slightest movement or adjustment of camera position results in a bit of wobble. Especially if zoomed in on my subject.

     

    Using a DSLR on a tripod is recommended, but for any type of walking movements or even pan and tilt, there will be wobble. So, you will need some sort of rolling shutter correction filter in your editing application or a dedicated application like Mercalli. If that's the case, then you are looking at more expense.

     

    Also, what the sales guy was probably hinting at, is that many of the DSLRs can only record video for a certain number of minutes before either the camera reaches its record limit or the camera gets hot and needs to cool down. No very good for lengthy event recordings.

     

    I have used professional gear from Sony BetaCams, Ikegami, Panasonic, etc. for years and in my opinion, if you are even considering doing any time of video work and want to "look" professional, then go with a CCD camcorder. Yes, you will loose some of the dynamic range that the DSLRs offer, however, learn about lighting. You will loose the ability to use different lenses and get that wow factor shallow depth of field look; but, in many event video recordings (ie weddings, meetings, festivals, etc), you won't be using that. It's mainly used by people creating a scripted film and want that hollywood big camera look.

     

    But, want you will gain from CCD is stable video. Video you can use in matchmoving applications to composite live action and CG images. It may not be something you are considering now. But, trust me, if you want to be able to do that, you will have that option. Not to say that it can't be done with a DSLR, but the workflow (and the prep work) is much easier.

     

    Also, many DSLRs do not have microphone inputs, and those that do only have 1/8" inputs. Most don't have headpone jacks for monitoring audio. Most don't have allow you to manually adjust audio levels, etc. Basically, meaning that during video recording (especially event recording where you may only have one opportunity to get the shoot, most DSLRs are not ergonomically setup to allow on the fly adjustments).

     

    Also, consider, your level of experience and knowledge of working in video. If this is a serious hobby and one you will be growing in experience and knowledge over the coming years vs starting out with no experience and wanting to learn more; then, I would suggest started with a low end DV camera and finding out what you need to learn about. If you have experience; then, I would suggest taking time to review different HD camcorders and finding one within your budget. If you get steady regular work; then the camera will pay for itself.

     

    Let me know if you have any other questions.

    Scarecrow of Oz Trailer

    in Scarecrow of Oz

    Posted

    Thanks, everyone. I took your suggestions and implemented them as I could. I'll look into the fonts and see if I can find some that are a bit better. I was using the ones that I have on my system. Overall, I like the pace of the 4th trailer. There's prolly one or two shots that I would omit, but I'm satisfied with the last version.

     

    I'll look again at robcat's examples again and see if I can match some of the feel and look a little better. Also, I'll need to adjust levels and all that before a final final version is made. Let me know if anything else pops out at anyone.

     

    Mouseman, I'm not sure when you would need an updated copy. I suspect that for festival DVD entries, I'll need to send you an MPEG2 version sometime.

    Let me know.

    Scarecrow of Oz Trailer

    in Scarecrow of Oz

    Posted

    If someone has the music, then they can send it to me.

     

    I don't mind doing it; just a lot of different things to attend to all of a sudden: trying to launch 2 possible roku channels, editing video, stage show and filming music festival this weekend.

     

    it's all good. :)

    Scarecrow of Oz Trailer

    in Scarecrow of Oz

    Posted

    Thanks everyone. I'll probably redo the text slates into a more colorful picture and have it slowly crawl in towards the camera and fade out. I'm not sure if maybe using more text slates through out the trailer, but it seems odd that they are used at the beginning and nowhere else. Maybe one or two near the end before the ending?

     

    Thoughts?

    Export MDD?

    in Work In Progress / Sweatbox

    Posted

    Elm, I wouldn't know what has "changed" code wise in the .obj exporter. I have just been recently testing it out with various programs that I have, since there has been talk here about a new version of the exporter.

     

    But, yes, I right click on model > plugins > export .obj or .lwo. Only .mdd uses the front camera view only (or as far as I can tell).

    Export MDD?

    in Work In Progress / Sweatbox

    Posted

    I've had a chance to play with the new export in 16 RC2. I'm loving it.

     

    I've been able to export .obj files of my models and be able to import them into Fusion 6.1 for compositing. I've also been able to export an .obj sequence into Fusion, as well. The Groups in a model also transfer making it easy to re-material, texture or shade a group in Fusion, as well.

     

    Other things I've been playing with, .obj export model, export .mdd and import both into messiah 5. Also, works with the .lwo exporter too. I was testing messiah to be able to export out .fbx, but I'm not sure animation of .mdd files follow through on that. Also, playing with Blender 2.56 as well.

     

    But, it's nice to have A:M models playing nicely with other programs. Don't get me wrong, I love A:M and it's features, and with the new .obj exporter I can model and animate in A:M, and now export out to Fusion for compositing. That is nice. Plus, can always export .exr as well. but it's nice to composite with "real" model in 3D environment.

     

    My biggest area of exploration is in UV mapping and texturing (as I'm not that well versed yet and I have some personal learning to do to correlate from A:M to Fusion or messiah or other programs) and being able to apply, resurface, texture, use shaders in the other programs. But, it's fun learning. :)

    Episode 10 - script and storyboards finished - animation begins

    in Subject 99

    Posted

    Hey guys, me again, been busy last few weeks with SXSW here in Austin, TX. I can't gripe, lots of networking and recording bands and editing videos, etc.

     

    But, back to animating this new episode. I'm working on completing the video animatic and then it will be dialog recording time. Dialog will be interesting as none of my actors have done face tracking before, so, I have to ease them into that. But, once done, I'll have some technique videos on my site to show sort of the making of stuff.

     

    Hang in there, year of the Rabbit is proving its chaotic upheaval.

     

    Chao :)

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