Just any advice from anybody please.
I'm getting G4 Dual 533, 512Mb Ram, Standard HDD's (for now), Luv the G4, runs the arse of PC's and more stable. I've been working with PC's and Microsoft too long (MCSE+I) and I know the crap they throw at you.
Any way, Q's
I'm undecided about either FCP2 or Prem6, I'm more inclined to FCP cos it's apple and I've heard some good pro reviews about it, but saying that, I've heard good things about prem6, what's the crack guys. I'm into documentary style shooting, mainly people, no real special effects, maybe in the future.
Also, RT card!!! I'm thinking of going with the RTmac, ?good or bad choice? I wanted the pinnacle cinewave, but nearly chundered when I saw the price for the base level!!!
And, I'm upgrading my DV, and am confused between getting the XL1/XM1 or the VX2000? they all look good and the XL1 and VX2000 are similar priced in the UK so any comments appreciated.
As it stands I'll be getting the G4, RTmac, FCP and VX2000, but again, I'd like some opinions. Thanks in advance!
At least I know which system I'm getting:)
Tim Callaghan
Hi Tim,
The only real way to make a choice between FCP and Premiere 6 is to ask a retailer to demonstrate both.
FCP has a more professional look and feel, but Premiere 6 is less expensive and has a lot of good features. Both programs are well-featured and quite intuitive in many respects, but fiddly in others.
As far as features and toolkits go, FCP wins on compositing (being able to animate individual layers of Photoshop files). That's only a consideration if you need it.
As for the Matrox RTMac, I don't think there's a set date for the UK launch yet. But when it is available, it's likely to be the only affordable realtime board for the Mac platform.
If you use analogue footage as well as DV, it may be worth the investment, as it sports DV and analogue I/O. The realtime features can save you a lot of time at the decision making stage - being able to preview transitions and titles over analogue output. But I'm sure that - like the Windows version - you'll still need to render for output via FireWire. If you're not using analogue devices, you don't use many fancy effects, and you don't work to tight deadlines, you probably don't need it.
Rendering is nature's way of making you drink coffee.
Good topic!
Keep the replies coming.
Pete
[This message has been edited by pcwells (edited 05 April 2001).]
Oh, and about the camcorders:
The XL1 is a nice machine, but very front-heavy. If you do a lot of handheld work, give it a miss or join a gym.
The VX2000 gives great results too. It's nicely balanced and handles well. My only gripe is that it feels a little fragile. If I had the money I'd still buy one though.
Sony's TRV900 wins the best value for money prize, being a 3CCD machine selling for well under £1,500. It gives superb results and has a BIG LCD monitor. There's no record button on the top (which is a minor gripe, but I notice it every time I do low-angle shooting), and long life batteries stick out of the back of the cam so far, it makes it almost impossible to use the viewfinder. But it's still a great machine.
The XM1 gives good picture quality, but loses points on sound. It uses an annoying audio gain controller, and there's no manual audio controls. I've also done a lot of shooting at live shows (using a wide range of 3CCD cams) and I found that the XM1 gave very little low light noise, but lost a lot of detail and definition when the subject was lit with a red spotlight. And lighting designers love those red gels!
Panasonic's MX300 gives fabulous results, and for a compact 3CCD cam seems to do everything right. BUT it's a bottom-loader, which you'll find is far more trouble than it's worth.
My advice would be a VX2000 if you can afford it, or a TRV900 if you can't.
Cheers,
Pete
Tim, Premier is a great package but not dual processor savvy. FCP is dual processor compliant and Apple claims a 70% performance boost over single processor machines - something that affects you cos of your duallie.
FCP also has a distinct advantage over Premier when it comes to editing longer projects. You can nest sequences (or timelines) within another sequence - this gives greater control when working on different segments (like you would in a documentary). Just build the sequences and place them all in a master sequence for the final edit. Very good.
I don't know what your background is but a friend has just bought a new Cam after much deliberation (He has a film background). He finally settled on the Canon XL1 because of the interchangable lenses. As a film camera kind of guy he bought an upgrade lens from Optex that they make to fit the XL1 - it has manual controls galore and made him very happy indeed.
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regards
Steven Hood
[ O U T L A W : S D G ]
Hi
PCWELLS - The RTMac does render DV in realtime unlike the windows counter part.
tim.callaghan - I would not get the RTMac yet. Get your G4 and F C P 2 (i use final cut pro and love it. but wait intil version 2 comes out, i am nmot sure when but it should not be too long, as it is out in the US) the reason for not getting the RTMac yet is that a duel pro G4 533 is going to render stuff very very quickly. maybe not in realtime but stil fast, and if you only make documentaries then you are not going to want to use to many transistions i would have thought.
I would recommend the VX2000 as it have s-video in as well as DV-in. but all the cameras mentioned are very good, i have the trv-900. best thing is to go to a shop and play with the all.
cj
FCP is miles better than Premiere. It's that simple.
CJ,
Peter said that it renders previews in realtime but may need to render before outputting.
Do you know that this is not the case?
Oh, but Peter is definitely wrong about one thing - availability. The RTMac is in store now. I'm told by Matrox that those with stock include CVP, Planet PC, Online GB and MacLine.
Trouble is, of course, none of the stores have got FCP 2.0 - even though there was, when I looked last night (early this morning) a claimed two-day wait only on Apple's UK store.
Bob C
quote:Originally posted by cj_jack:
Hi
PCWELLS - The RTMac does render DV in realtime unlike the windows counter part.
tim.callaghan - I would not get the RTMac yet. Get your G4 and F C P 2 (i use final cut pro and love it. but wait intil version 2 comes out, i am nmot sure when but it should not be too long, as it is out in the US) the reason for not getting the RTMac yet is that a duel pro G4 533 is going to render stuff very very quickly. maybe not in realtime but stil fast, and if you only make documentaries then you are not going to want to use to many transistions i would have thought.
I would recommend the VX2000 as it have s-video in as well as DV-in. but all the cameras mentioned are very good, i have the trv-900. best thing is to go to a shop and play with the all.
cj
Hi
The RTMac does i beleave render A DV preview in realtime. this is so because you would out put to a DV cam to see a preview on a TV.
quote from CVP website-
"Realtime processing of DV footage"
Hi Tim
As for the camera, I have an XL1, this is a blinding camera, PCWells comment about having to join a gym are a bit OTT, I am not the worlds most physical guy and i do a ton of handheld work with a handycam (not even with a vest and arm) and i don't find it too heavy at all, besides even if it was it would shape you up ready for when you upgrade to DVcam or DVCPro. A freind of mine bought a VX2000 a month ago, he recently borrowed my XL1 and is now trying to sell his Sony as he said it feels like a plastic toy compaired to mine. I once dropped my XL1 on the pavement, not even a scratch (maybe i was just lucky) my guiss is, if you did this with the VX2000 you would have one hell of a jigsaw. Why not consider a Sony DVcam, you can get one for little more than either the XL1 or VX2000 and it has better picture quality and has more pro backup (XLR etc) it is also DV firewire, so works a treat with FCP2.
About the programmes, i think after a lot of research that i am going to buy a G4 with Final cut pro 2, this is by far a better machine than any toy P.C. and from what i have read on here over the past 4 3 months, Final cut pro 2 P****S all over Premeire, My mate at the Beeb says Premeir is a toy and FCP ranks alongside the top Avid systems, there you have it. Good luck.