I would like some lighting advice on an upcoming shoot interview I would like to shoot "60 minutes" style..

It will be shot in a hotel room with interviewer & interviewee face to face or slightly off center with camera one behind interviewer left shoulder to shoot interviewee and cam 2 setup to shoot interviewer.

I have a Lowel kit with the following:

Rifa-Lite (softbox)
Tota Light
Fren-I 650

I was thinking about softboxing the interviewee and spot (Fren-I 650) and fill (tota) the interviewer. Any thoughts on this or other ideas on how to light this?

Thanks for any help with this....

I am in the market for an on camera video light for my Sony PDX-10 and need some advice. While i was at the B&H website i saw the Bescore MPL-635 and was wondering if anyone thought this was a good light to buy?If anyone had thoughts on a different unit i would like to know as well. Post here or e-mail me off list at dcinema2134@yahoo.com .

Thanks
Matt

A8N-SLI Premium mother board
AMD 4400 X2
Raid 0 2X 250 WD SATA II
program C Drive WD 250 Sata II
2 Gb Ram
PPRO 1.5.1

I have put together this computer and have found that everything works fine except the PPRO capture. When I try to manually or Batch capture (SD not HDV yet) I get errors. They are video recorder error or time line error. The tape has been striped. I am using a fire wire from my Sony FX1. When I use MS movie maker it captures fine. Also I tested the tape/capture on my P4 and it worked fine. I also had originally installed the wrong motherboard (A8V-e Deluxe ASUS) that did not recognise the X2 dual core. When I captured with that motherboard it worked perfect.
I have run out of ideas. Does anyone know if this has been a problem. It seems that the problem is with PPro since Movie maker works.

This is a very cool product, but it should really allow support fora USB storage device, such as a small hard, or an external hard drive/DVD drive.

http://www.tomshardware.com/hardnews/jp/20050907_072100.html

JVC introduces memory card video player
By Akihabara News Japan
September 7, 2005 - 07:21 EST

JVC will release this TX-500 on the professional market. This device is a memory card reader with a 5-inch TFT screen that supports MPEG 1 and 2 videos (8 Mbps max) from SD and CF card... seems like the ideal tool for POS (Point Of Sale) enthusiasts.

Hi there

I record usually, with two different audio settings (or sometimes even two different sources) in camera, which gives me two different channels.

If I copy from one camera to another, I think the two different channels are preserved.

But if I copy from disk to camera, does it do the same? Suppose I have two audio tracks in Premiere and use it to send the footage back to tape, does it keep both my channels seperate or does it mix it?

Does Scenalyzer or any other program?

I ask because I want to spread footage over several miniDV tapes onto one tape. In the past when I digitized the footage, with premiere it only takes the video with a mono audio clip. I'm going to get scenalyzer for stereo.

Dear Dylan Couper,


I have read your review in DVinfo.net about the book “The Independent Video Producer” by Bob Jacobs
Because I have the intention to start up my own video production company it seems that this book is very interesting for me to start with.

I am living in the Netherlands and my question is, where can I buy or order this book?

I hoop you can help me,

Thanks in advance,

Tonnie van der Heijden

I have a SONY DCR-PC110E (PAL) Camcorder, that is about 4 years old. It works fine and I have had no problems with the filming part of the camera. I have had problems with the Firewire port though. The middle 2 pins in the socket have been pushed back on themselves by a dodgy cable, thus making data transfer to the PC impossible.

I called the Sony Repair centre and was quoted £177 (~$300) to fix it. This is a very large cost for something so trivial. So I thought why not just buy a cheap 2nd camcorder (for less) with DV out and upload from that.

My 1st question is can I upload footage shot on the SONY using a 2nd cheap and nasty camcorder without affecting the original quality? i.e. is the DV out purely for data transfer (no encoding)?

My 2nd question is about the 2nd camcorder. I have seen a cheapish JVC model on Ebay, that features 520 lines horizontal resolution. Is this different from my SONY camcorder. If so will it have an impact on my ability to transfer footage shot on the Sony onto the PC?

Thanks in advance.
Ste

Hello all,

I was digging up a really old project of mine that was edited with a Pinnacle Systems miroDC (miroDV?) codec. DC30 Pro was the card I believe (with the breakout box).

The clips were all captured with the Pinnacle card and codec. They are of .avi extension.

I'm running OS X and Final Cut Pro so I'd like to get all the video files converted over and edit with FCP. I tried ffmpegx but it doesn't seem to like the files: converting the file yields a "finished!" bell after just a split second.

Interestingly, VLC Player can play the files!

Are there any converters for this old codec? I can't get to the original footage at the moment.

Any help is appreciated, thanks.

Seems I heard a while back that you can get
some idea of how good the multicoating of a lens
is just by looking at it. Purple is the best?
The darker the better?
Any rules of thumb for checking how good the
multicoating is just by looking at the front
surface?

Here's what I have and propose. Shot a live jazz concert a while back. Used a Panasonic DVX100a for the most part for the wide shot, a Canon XL1s for closeups etc. and a Sony 1-ship camera, (not sure of the model). All 60i. The sound guy messed up my recording on the Panny but they did record the concert to CD which I'm using as the audio track cause the Panny tracks are blown out.
I also have a copy of the audio on a ProTools disc. Anyhow - here's the problem, the Panny runs consistent, much to my surprise a couple of friends running the other cameras, well, shut them on and off. This is a syncing nightmare (at least as far as making the concert interesting like a live DVD).
This is highly critical as the artist is out of Hollywood and plays with the likes of Billy Sheenan. The artists are critical of hand accuracy of which there is quite a bit of. A lot can be faked because we had no room in front of the stage that most camera angles are poor in my opinion anyhow, it was a last minute thing. Being jazz it's almost impossible to naturally feel where they are at and it's two hours long. My hope was to match up waves to intercut the footage but frankly I'm just not that good yet. Any input on how I could get this thing knocked out? I stand to lose money, reputation, and a good friend. Now the or - I am willing to consider hiring this out to someone well versed in a situation like this. If so, you'll get an enclosed 160gb hard drive
with Firewire interface including all the clips. In addition the original tapes and the CD soundtrack (which I personally think still stinks because the sound guys focused on the keys and sax and during a few vocal songs, well, the vocals took a back seat) and/or the ProTools disc. It also can be shortened a little bit if needed. Basic credits front and back and you can take honors for editing. Please help or contact me if interested in taking it on.

Thanks for your time.

Ok I just got the tiffen 812 warming filter and I have the PDX 10. I've been told this is a great combo. I did a short test and it took the SONY look and edges away which is nice. I just need a bit a help with the proper way to shoot with this kind of filter. Ok for out doors? Only Close ups? Thanks

Sony announces digital camera with touch-screen focusing
By Humphrey Cheung
October 4, 2005 - 10:48 EST

San Diego (CA) - Sony preps a new tweak for its Cybershot digital still camera series. The DSC-N1 comes with a "Free Spot Focus," which lets users focus on objects with a simple tap on the LCD screen.

http://www.tomshardware.com/hardnews/20051004_104825.html
-------------------------------------------------------------------

Boy, I would like to have more advanced focusing on my camcorder.
I like the point focusing of my DSLR cameras, and I'd be willing to pay
for an advanced focus module that doesn't just go for contrast maximization on the whole scene. A couple of my videos were softened due to persistent
back-focusing on a white rear wall with a huge black logo. I didn't understand this until I reviewed the video. I was using manual focus with the AF-assist button on my Sony VX2000, on which I would press the button whenever the
subject entered or exited the scene.

http://www.harkyman.com/bp.html

download the video. i know it's not as good as Massive, but it's FREE!!!! that's unbelievable already in of itself!

So, I have these clips I'd like to integrate into my Vegas 6 timeline. I got them from a P2P file sharing service. They are the size of the correct clip length ... about 20 megs each, but when I go to play them in Media Player or PowerDVD or anywhere, they show as 10 or 15 seconds. It plays from the beginning but cuts out after the 10 seconds is up.

Here's the weird thing, though. If I move the cursor, it will skip ahead randomly to a point not accessible otherwise.

If I had to visualize it, it seems like there are multiple layers sitting on top of each other. Or maybe just a timecode that repeats and fools the players.

Any advice?

Thanks,

DJ

I am planning on making a film called The Sniper and I need alot of shots of a man on a industrial roof of some sort. I might be able to get onto a roof to get some still shots but I was going to green screen a man laying on another floor to film him and composite the roof under him later. How would I go about making sure the stills I take match each shot? I was thinking along the lines of measured references like golf balls or something in the shot and then lining the camera up on the roof to shot, but that raised another problem. Is there a way to overlay an image on the lcd so I can see where the golfballs should line up? I know that the GL2 has this capability of overlay but what about a GS400 from Panasonic? If anyone has any other suggestions for setting up this shot or accomplishing it, Ide greatly appreciate it.

-Kyle

Hey, all.

I'm in Maui this week and next. In fact, I'm typing this from Cafe Cafe in Dolphin Plaza right now. I searched the forums for "Maui", but only found one member, Todd Mizomi, who has not emailed back. Maybe he changed his email.

Anyway, I'm here on vacation and would like to hook up with fellow DVInfo.net members for a beer or Maui Taco. Members who either live on Maui or will be in the Kehei area this week or next are welcome to go to my profile and shoot me an email.

Aloha

Very interesting bit on engadget, about getting recordings from a Tivo to a video iPod. Take a peek here: http://www.engadget.com/entry/1234000583063891/

They are using the videoplayer VideoLan (VLC) in streaming mode to do the conversion to MPEG4. This is interesting since it means that anything that the VLC-player can show in realtime can be converted to iPod-ready video just as fast or faster.

The VLC does not perform any resizing. This means that if the MPEG-decoder in the video iPod is unable to resize video, then an additionel step has to be taken in order to get the device to show the video.

I am not able to test this, as I do not have one of the new iPods (yet), but the video I have converted using VLC plays nicely in iTunes.

I am looking for some backups solutions for my situation. I currently use two pc's one for general work and the other for encoding videos. I currently am thinking about setting up a gigabit network and saving all of my files on the raid 5 server instead of the two pc's. I have large video files. I would then use some incremental backup software to backup the raid5 server.Not sure which medium to backup the raid5 server files to. I hear windows storage 2003 is a good software for the raid5 server to run on. What do you guys think?

I'm working on an experimental short right now, silent narrative with music and sound fx, nothing big, just something to submit to festivals to get my feet wet, no profit planned.

A big section of this takes place in a Las Vegas hotel room. There are no establishing shots that imply which hotel this is, though the view out the window might give it away if you know your Strip geography. I have an earlier shot of the sunrise reflecting of Mandalay Bay, so if one was to reach they could assume it took place there, but I don't really suggest it.

My question is, if I need to, do I need to contact the powers that be to get permission to do this? We are paying for the room just like normal guests, I plan on removing any and all stationary and setting up my own props, and like I said, the exact hotel is never mentioned. It is a very simple sequence, no Fear and Loathing.

If I should get permission, does anybody have any idea how to contact people in casinos who can actually make decisions. I've been trying for months now and I'm beginning to think that they don't actually exist.

I am looking for a good place for to transfer some 16mm color movies to DVCAM in Miami - Fort Lauderdale area...Any recomendation about?

thanks

FP

Does anyone one have any idea how to connect a laptop and desktop pc using firewire?
Both pc's have windows xp. I have the firewire cable connected to both.
The desktop pc is already on a regular ethernet network, but i want this laptop/desktop connection just beteween these 2. I've looked this up and all I get is run the network setup wizard, but I've had no luck that.

Any help would be much appreciated.
Thanks in advance!

Hello,

I purchased the Marshall V-LCD4-PA 4" Camera Mountable LCD Monitor with Battery and Case from B&H. The problem I've discovered was in charging the battery. I know it came with about an 80% charge and it was working fine. Then the screen started distorting - showing horizontal lines, a white/gray screen, and a buzzing sound with no picture at all. So I thought it just needed to be recharged. However, it appears it's not charging, the pack or the adapter does not even feel warm after an hour or so, and I still see the same distortion on the screen. I then hooked it up to the regular plug-in adapter and the screen works fine. But when I plug in the battery pack, it still shows distortion and no picture. Anyone familiar with these "symptoms"?
B&H is closed til Oct. 27th so I thought I'd reach out to this community in the meantime. Probably just a faulty battery pack/charger that I need to exchange.

I have no idea where this thread belongs, but seeing how there are so many resourceful people on this board hopefully some one can help.

Here’s my problem; there is an halloween event this coming weekend that I’m helping organize. At this event there will be a booth where people wearing costumes will have their picture taken for a contest. The camera will be a canon 20d and will be tethered to a computer. Now here is the tricky part, I am going to have the jpegs saved to the local network. There are various screens throughout the building all with their own source computers.

What I would like to know is. Does anyone know of an application that can play a slideshow, taking the jpegs from the network drive, which will be updated as the pictures are taken.

Originally the organizers were planning on continuously slides to a power point. My first thought was the “My Picture Slideshow” screen saver in windows xp. However all the source computers are windows 2000pro.

Any help would be great.

Hello fellow video creators!

I just recently bought my Canon XL2 camcorder and since its arrival I have been researching different support systems, lenses, filters and affordable lighting kits.

I COULD post each piece of equipment in their respective forum, but considering that I have several questions about numerous equipment I thought it would be best to post on the General forum. If this is a problem, my apologies--delete the thread and I'll post everything in their respective forums. On to the questions.

I've been looking at Tiffen filters quite a bit and there are a few I want to buy. My question is, are they worth it? Do they really make a difference on your recordings? I've seen some pictures and comparisons to the filters I want to buy and they look quite awesome, but advertisement can sometimes be a little if not, completely false. So I'd like to get some feedback from tiffen users or people who have used Tiffen once or twice and can recall their experience.

As for light kits, I'm a beginner and I was looking at the Lowel - DVcreator Kit 55. Is it worth the cash? I'm not much of a DP and don't know much about lighting, but I do intend to learn as much as I possibly can. It looks like a great kit to start out with and it looks like it will last me quite a good while before I have to upgrade or start getting more lights.

As for the supports, I've thinking about getting a steady stick from DVcreators.net as well. Looks comfy and pretty damn versatile for its price. I want the steady stick to replace the need of a tripod for now, not for good! I plan on using the steady as a tripod for a couple of months. Good choice, bad choice? Do you guys recommend something else?

I've been curious about the Skycrane Premiere, but their website does not have any images. I can't tell if the image gallery is displaying the audtion or shottaker. One of these (probably the jr) is also on my buying list.

thanks in advance, I hope to soon start sharing my experiences and videos with the rest of the community!

-Roger

Hi guys,

I have a tricky situation here. I recently shot half of my short film using the Panasonic AG-DVC32E (PAL). Unfortunately, the camera broke down in the middle of the shoot (improvised car mount probably rattled the camera's insides). Since I live in an NTSC country, it might take a while before my camera gets repaired. However, a friend has offered to lend me his DVX100a (NTSC) so I can finish the film.

Can anyone give me some guidelines, tips or warnings about combining PAL 25p footage (after deinterlacing from 50i) and NTSC 24p footage? The original plan was to print the final cut to film, which based on research, won't be too problematic. But what if we decide to do an NTSC output for TV? Is there anything I should watch out for?

Would appreciate your replies.

Thanks,
Jerrold

I bought a Kata MC61 bag for my DVX100A and am pleased with all the compartments to fit my gear. I now have a job overseas and would like to carry it onboard with the camera on the flight. The specs say that it is the correct size but my measurements say it's larger.

Has anyone any experience in flying with this bag as carry-on?? I would hate to have to check it at the last minute.

Thanks.

Jim

This show is waaay out of my league..but if you go the TekServe website,

http://www.tekserve.com

There is a code for a free exhibits only pass if you are going to be in the city and want to see the show for free.

I just might visit the Steadicam booth[wanna see the Merlin] if I can get off work that day...

Hey, does anyone if Tascam has released the HD-P2 yet? It seems like they have, but I can't find it anywhere. Looks like it will go for about under $1000/... SWEET!!

http://www.tascam.com/Press/Releases/hdp2.html

Needing a Sony DSR-11 deck, I am contemplating an extended warranty for it. Does Sony provide them? No help from their web page. Also, does anyone have first hand knowledge of MACK warranties?

Is there any programs that are similar to livetype but on a PC Based platform at all? Im using vegas 6.0 if that helps at all or it can be a whole separate program, doesnt matter.

Hi all,

I am a wedding videographer and I am looking for someone who might be able to rent me an FX1 or Z1 for a few weddings until I have the money for my second FX1. Please let me know if you are interested. I am fully insured thru WEVA.

scott@ambientsky.com

Cheers,
Scott

Hi.

I use a Sony Digital8 DCR-TRV120.

My battery is acting funny. It wont charge. I think it is dead and i need a new battery. I went to an electronics market to find a battery and here is what happened.

My current (dead) Sony factory battery has this info on the back: 7.2V 1350mAh.

I looked at a new, non Sony, replacement battery today that had this info on the back: 7.4V 3700mAh.

Several salesmen told me that the 7.4V battery will work just fine in my camera. They said it would not harm my camera. Actually i tried one in my camera and it seemed to work just fine for the few minutes i tried it.

Here is my question: Is the 7.4V battery ok? Even if the battery that my camera came with is 7.2V? I know the increase in mAh means longer battery charge, and indeed this new battery is a bit bigger than my current (dead) battery.

Also, i am in Asia, not America. I dont know exactly how things work here but i have a feeling that if my camera gets hurt, i may have a hard time getting someone to answer for it.

So if someone out there with experience in this matter could just tell me, that would be great, because i just dont know.

Please help.

Thanks.

It was a guy riding home on a Bus...

What video was that?
Where is the post?

I can't find it...

THANKS

or maybe like a Ground level Subway

I am slowly gathering equipment for my lighting kit. I have a nice light, but I need a C-Stand for it, but I am not sure where I can get one used (Canada preferrably so save on shipping).

Also looking for a Frenal glass and Barndoor for my light.

Thanks!

As an aspiring film composer I always deal with TC from a post-production perspective. But I’d like a little more knowledge of how timecode is used on the set of Hollywood productions with cameras running at 24 fps and audio running at 30 fps.

In post I deal with all TC formats and the hour figure usually stands for the reel number or show number. Now I don’t think this is the case for production footage (film and audio), so how does it work?

I’ve read several articles on the subject, but seem to be unable to get a clear overall picture.

- What TC format is used (30 fps ND for the audio and 24 fps for the film?) and how is everything connected? What device generates the TC to which all recorders and cameras slave? Where does a smart slate come in? Is it all LTC?

- They don’t go back to 00:00:00:00 for every take, so what counting method is used?

- What does ‘time of day’ mean?

- What’s ‘jam-syncing’?

- What do film cameras actually do with the incoming TC?

- I noticed from watching behind the scenes footage that when a smart slate is clapped, it shows two different timecode addresses, one before the clap and one after. What’s that about?

- Is syncing up audio and picture in post the only purpose of production TC?

I’d appreciate any help!

Thanks,

Roy

Hello

Why is it that CineForm puts all the files into individual files when capturing the video? is there any way to capture the whole video as one file in HDLink? Also what should the size be for 21 mins of video? Mine has turned out to be just under 14GB is this correct? is there any way you can change the settings in CineForm HDLink so it takes up less space?

Thanks

We would like to thank all of our customers and friends for your support and patronage throughout the years. Every year around this time I refresh the following article and post it for everyone to share:

Videoguys' Tips for Shooting Family/Home/holiday Video
If you're like me, you shoot tons of video of your family. I've got hours and hours of videotape of my kids. Over the past 10 years I've learned a thing or two about getting the best possible footage. No matter how cool your NLE system is and how many awesome special effects you can add, the bottom line is this: The video is only as good as the video you shoot. http://www.videoguys.com/family.html

Gary

On an extended warranty registration form a question is asked as to whether the equipment is to be used professionally or not. What does the answer here mean in terms of how the warranty provider will cover a claim? Anyone know? Will the warranty company be harder on a non-professional's claim or a pro's claim? Are there warranty companies which provide different extended warranties for amateurs and pros?
Thanks!

I wish to use deshaker through virtualdub. The compression codec is huffyuv. They are all the latest versions. My problem is that even very carefully following guides and instructions on how to set up Pass 1 and 2 of the deshaker program the result I get flickers which is unuseable. Has anyone out there had the same problem. Did you find a solution which you may share with me. I'm completely stumped having spent 2 days trying everything. It is an AVI 720x576 interlaced PAL file.

Thanks
Shane

Where I work (for UW-Milwaukee for the union AV department) we are currently revamping our video setup/gear. We have decided on the XL-2 as a main camera and probably a GL-2 for B-Roll. We would like to have the video (From the firewire) from the XL go to an external harddrive off a laptop AND we would also like the Firewire line to go to a Mini-DV/VCR combo tape deck (for backup in case the laptop/harddrive fails). Is there some type of firewire Hub that can accomplish this task?

As for the GL2 I want to vouch for the Firestore FS-4 but it seems to be *slightly* unreliable. Any input on the compatability of these two devices?

Thank you,
Max

Anyone have any (or links to) statistics regarding use of video? For example: "Sutdies show that people respond 75% better to video advertising than print alone."

I just made that one up, but anyone have anything that I could throw at my potential clients to convince them that video is their business' friend?

Thanks!

Hey Everyone
I'm going up to New York City to meet with my publicist, visit my sister and I also need to have my feature film transferred to DigiBeta and Beta Sp, but I'm not sure which facility is the best one. I am going to ask my publicist about it, but I'm curious what you guys have to say about it.
Thanks
-Russell

Not sure if this should be posted in this forum.

The best thing I have notice with this program is you get a big screen to view why you shoot. Also let's you capture not sure about the quality but it is a nice alternative to QuickTime and Finalcut. This program was developed to capture your tv programs.

Program download:
http://developer.apple.com/samplecode/HackTVCarbon/HackTVCarbon.html

info on the program.
http://digitalmedia.oreilly.com/2005/01/26/hacktv.html

link to combine this program with Ical:
http://digitalmedia.oreilly.com/pub/a/oreilly/digitalmedia/2005/02/02/hacktv.html

If anyone finds other uses for this let me know.

--Jose

Being a film buff I’m currently studying TC on the set. I know how TC is used on film shoots, but I was wondering how it is used on professional video shoots (whether they be SD or HD). So far I can't seem to get a clear overview.

What’s the TC situation..

- When recording audio with an audio recorder and using one video camera?
- When recording audio with an audio recorder and using multiple video cameras?

Is the audio recorder used as master or will there be a dedicated master TC generator? Are timecode slates used? Is TC recorded to all tapes? Do the cams just record TC onto one of their audio tracks or actually slave to incoming TC? What framerates are used? What about genlock?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

I do outdoor videos i notice on some of the hunting shows they have a small camera lense that mounts either on there hat or on the gun barrell does anyone know what this is it is about 3-4" long and round looks like it has a cable going to another device

Eddie

Does anyone know if there is any windows software that can do real-time rendering of video, or stills for that matter, to correct spherical aberration ?

Any help is appreciated

Richard

Australia

Hey All,

I was reading a post on here the other day about creating a shallower depth of field. Someon suggested using "invisible silk" between the subject and background. I tried researching it online with no luck. Anybody got some info on this stuff? Where I can order it, or better yet, any of you guys going out of business and feeling charitable to give me sopme, along with all of your other equipment?

Hey...it's Christmas.

THanks for the help!

Bryon <><

My business partner has this camera and when you start viewing footage from FCP (firewire) it turns of the analog output. We would like to use this device to output to our new 13" sony trinitron monitor but obviously this isn't working.

Is there any firmware hacks availible to make this work, I know we can use our XL1s but we'd rather not unpack it and leave it hooked up just for this purpose.

Any suggestioins welcome
Kevin

oh, and mods feel free to relocate this to a more appropriate forum if need be.

Hey,

Is it recommended to use a Nikon Zoom lens with my Mini35 and HD100U? And if so, which one is reocmmended? Something under 2K please, or around there.

I was looking at a Nikon AF Nikkor 70-210mm 1: 4 Zoom Lens. Worth getting?

Thanks

What exactly is RAwDv??