[scadboy]

As part of my new job, my boss has asked me to look into what it would take, and how much it would cost, to put together a basic DVCPro-based editing system for our ad agency.

The agency currently handles every aspect of production on TV commercials save for the actual filming and editing of the footage, which we have a local tv station do.

The boss is interested in being able to do BASIC video editing, based on DVCPro, which is the format the TV station uses, and the current library of ads is in. Primarily, he would like to be able to clean-up and make copies of the DVCPro tapes we have, as well as start doing SOME editing and ad creation in house. While filming would still be done independently.

So, from what I understand, we need:

• a Mac with lotsa RAM and a fast chip, 1.6GHZ G5 should be sufficient, yes?

• lots of storage space, preferably internal, and preferably 7200rpm with big cache

• lots of backup space, external, probably firewire or firewire800

•_a firewire capable DVCPro deck, or "tvr"

• a video monitor, for playback

• software, this is where I'm fuzzy. I'm thinking FinalCut Pro and Adobe AfterEffects, but is there a better solution? Or any ancillary application that would be good to have as well?

I'm keen on learning how to do this, I already know my way around Final Cut and After Effects, but I'm new to DVCPro. Thankfully, the boss is equally keen on getting me some training, but when it comes down to it, I'm a graphic design guy, not a video nerd, so please help me out here? What do we need, and what's it going to cost? Definitely want to hear what brands and models of hardware y'all prefer or hate, and what applications you love.

thanks!

michael

[nate_02]

Is money a big issue? I picked out a DVCAM editing system for my job and it cost around $17,000.

Is the raw footage filmed on Panavision or taped on DVCpro?

-For editing video (if money is not a big issue) , I would not settle for anything less than the fastest mac possible with at least 2 or 4 gigs or ram.

-Yes, lots of internal storage is good, and it's good to have some firewire storage also. You should consider an external raid (via scsi or gigabit ethernet).

-I have had a lot of problems with JVC decks. The only ones that I have used are the cheaper ones so go with something higher end. Panasonic also makes the decks which are excatly the same as JVC's (although I'm not sure if their high end are the same). Too bad you have to do DVCpro. Although it is great quality, Sony's DVCAM decks are a dream to work with.

-Along with the playback monitor, you might want some decent studio monitors for audio and a 4 or 6 channel mackie mixer.

-For Software, I have Final Cut Pro, After Effects, Photoshop, and Microsoft Office. I have a few other apps, but those are the ones I use the most.

-If you don't have any computers with scanners, you may want to get a decent scanner.

If you are doing very basic editing (not using many filters or effects) you can probably get by with a slower mac, but I wouldn't go down to the 1.6.

If interested, here's a picture of my setup:

http://homepage.mac.com/powermatt99/..../macsetup.jpg

[direktor]

Funny, my name is Nate too. I produce concert DVDs all day long, shot on 24P DV. Final Cut Pro and DVDSP are my life. A few comments:

1-DVCPRO is a Panasonic only format, but it is based on DV. It's not the most popular DV-derived format out there, but it is solid and so is the gear.

2-Since it is a DV25 format, almost any drive available these days will be fast enough...there's no need for SCSI. FW800 will be nice if you forsee moving footage from one drive to another frequently, but not necessary.

3-You might as well keep all your media on external drives. There's no real disadvantage to doing this (when working in DV), and it keeps your material portable.

4-No need to go nuts on the DVCPRO VTR. The Panasonic AJ-D230H is the cheapest at $4500, but more than enough for what you'll likely do with it. It does however need a Firewire IO board as a $700 option. This is as cheap as it gets with DVCPRO, AFAIK. This deck is comparable to the Sony DSR-40 and it's ilk. Very solid, real pro gear.

5-Monitor: The Sony PVM14L2 is the latest incarnation of a very popular 14" mid/low-level broadcast monitor. Runs about $1200. On the audio front, we just got a set of Alesis ProActive 5.1 Surround monitors for $350. Very decent for the money, but my rig needed the surround for a project this month.

6-Software: Final Cut Pro, Final Cut Pro, Final Cut Pro. This is by far the most cost effective SW for your needs. Avid's XPress Pro is a fine, fine product, but FCP is fine for 90% of what people editing need. It's limitations are things like long-format, complex projects where it starts to bog down. In this area Avid's maturity is an advantage.

7-Computer: a 1.6 G5 will be fine if you'll be doing simple things like just cutting together agency reels, etc, but like in most endeavors, a little planning ahead won't hurt. If you forsee any sort of escalation in your work, go for a dual 1.8.