Getting Started! Need your input
 

I plan on getting started in the DV realm and want to make sure I have all the *basic* purchases covered before I start:

1. Camera - dvx100
2. External Mic - Senheisser ME66
3. Tripod - Bogen 3011BN legs and a 3433 (501)
4. Lighting kit (probably going to rent this one)
5. Firewire/USB expansion card (my computer has no firewire port...not sure which one to get though)
6. NLE - I have access to vegas, avid, premiere and after effects
7. DVD burner

This list does not include minor accessories I will aquire later on such as a case, tapes, filters, etc. These are only the very basic items i believe i need to get started without burning through too much cash. Please give me any input on anything else I might need to get started, or if something on the list can be better. Thanks!

Get an extra disk drive and an additional battery, since those included with cameras are often kinda small. You may want a lapel mic and possibly a wireless microphone kit.

Get a firewire card- USB is no good for capturing video. A FW card is $30 or less from newegg.com. If you want to go cheaper then check prices on pricewatch.com.

<<<-- Originally posted by Glenn Chan : Get a firewire card- USB is no good for capturing video. A FW card is $30 or less from newegg.com. If you want to go cheaper then check prices on pricewatch.com. -->>>

Hey Glen- Actually it's a 2xUSB/ 2x Firewire card in one. I need the extra USB slots as well :)

PS> do you think an AMD 1.4ghz Athlon w/ 512 RAM will hold up ok for now as far as video editing?

Getting Started! Need your input
 

I plan on getting started in the DV realm and want to make sure I have all the *basic* purchases covered before I start:

1. Camera - DVX100
2. External Mic - Senheisser ME66
3. Tripod - Bogen 3011BN legs and a 3433 (501)
4. Lighting kit (probably going to rent this one)
5. Firewire+USB expansion card-in-one (my computer has no firewire ports...not sure which one to get though)
6. NLE - I have access to vegas, avid, premiere and after effects
7. DVD burner
8. possible upgrade from my AMD 1.4ghz Athlon w/ 512 RAM to P4 3GHZ w/ 1Gig RAM (id prefer not to do this unless you guys think it's *really* necessary)

This list does not include minor accessories I will aquire later on such as a case, tapes, filters, etc. These are only the very basic items i believe i need to get started without burning through too much cash. Please give me any input on anything else I might need (ie anything I shouldnt live without) to get started, or if something on the list can be better. Thanks!

Which Athlon is that? Not the Opteron right?

The processor might be a little slow depending on what you do and which NLE you use. Try it out for a bit and see if you need to upgrade. I see you have lots of "backups" of software... testing wouldn't be a problem I guess.

You'll need something to mount your ME66 on the camera, or a boom setup. Plus a windscreen for it. Add a few hundred bucks, minimum, either way.
However, microphones are a great thing to rent, since you may not always use it, depending on what you are doing.
Renting the light kit is smart too.

<<<-- Originally posted by Dylan Couper : You'll need something to mount your ME66 on the camera, or a boom setup. Plus a windscreen for it. Add a few hundred bucks, minimum, either way.
However, microphones are a great thing to rent, since you may not always use it, depending on what you are doing.
Renting the light kit is smart too. -->>>

what part(s) are these specifically?

I would absolutely recommend you buy a UV filter either before or at the same time as your camera so you can put it on the second you take the camera out of the box.

<<<-- Originally posted by Dan Lahav : <<<-- Originally posted by Dylan Couper : You'll need something to mount your ME66 on the camera, or a boom setup. Plus a windscreen for it. Add a few hundred bucks, minimum, either way.
However, microphones are a great thing to rent, since you may not always use it, depending on what you are doing.
Renting the light kit is smart too. -->>>

what part(s) are these specifically? -->>>

Check out this link.
Zotzs Digital's Lightwave section
Lighwave makes good equipment, and will cover the basics of what you need from on camera mounts to booms. Zotz Digital is a very trustworthy seller, and one of the forum's sponsors as well.