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Level 1

4 points

General Question About Gear/Software for Producing DVD's

Hi,

I just bought a MacBook Pro, and am hoping to produce and sell guitar instruction DVD's. I've been researching all the stuff I'll need to get started, and am feeling overwhelmed.

Anyone interested in recommending a good setup? I've used Final Cut Pro before, and it seemed a bit too complicated, but I might try it again. Would Final Cut Express be easier to use?

And as far as camcorders go...will my type of camera be determined by the software I get? Or the other way around? I've heard, for example, that some recording formats (like the compression used on HDD cameras?) is not compatible with most editing software.

I'm willing to pay $1000-$3000 for the camcorder--I really want my DVD's to look and sound great.

I realize this is a broad question, but even some links to information would be helpful.

Thanks a ton,

Rob

17" MacBook Pro Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Posted on Dec 12, 2006 6:11 PM

27 replies

Switch900

Level 2

232 points

Dec 14, 2006 7:11 AM in response to MartinR

What I am using is the handy cam dock, one just press the burn dvd button and a drive would pop up on the desktop then you use stream clip a free download software decompress the Mpeg file and then import them into FCE. Wa La its done and good surround sound

Dec 14, 2006 7:42 AM in response to Switch900

Nobody will dispute that it is possible to get DVD footage into FCE but there are 2 factors involved that make it unsuitable for regular serious editing:-

1. MPEG2 is of a lower quality than DV and the process of converting it further reduces that quality.

2. The conversion process is unnecessarily cumbersome.

I have converted DVD material into DV using both software converters and an A/D Converter.

The edited quality is quite reasonable and acceptable.

However, I would never dream of doing it on a regular basis.

Ian.

Neil G

Level 3

764 points

Dec 14, 2006 8:33 AM in response to Srmaximo

I second the others' comments on MiniDV, accessory microphones, lights, and a tripod. If your budget has some more 'room', I suggest a second MiniDV camera, too, for closeups. Mind you, I know very little about music instruction, but I'd expect a "two camera" view: wide shots of talking and closeups of 'fingering'. FCE excels at this while iMovie will require a bunch of work. As you get better, consider a view with the second camera 'inset' on the screen -- either the wide shot or the closeup as the larger image and the other shot as a picture-in-picture image.

iMovie won't do PIP, FCE handles it pretty easily, and FCP is overkill. Tom Wolsky's book gives several examples and clear instructions.

24" Core2Duo iMac. 15" PowerBook, 1.5GHz Mac OS X (10.4.8) FCE 3.5, external FW disks, iLife '06

Srmaximo Author

Level 1

4 points

Dec 14, 2006 9:21 AM in response to Neil G

I'm glad you brought up this issue of picture-in-picture images. I was going to check out iMovie today specifically looking for that capability, thinking that I may end up buying two cameras to show right hand and left hand technique at the same time.

Sounds like I may need to buy FCE after all.

Any other recommendations for lighting?

Thanks again,

Rob

Neil G

Level 3

764 points

Dec 14, 2006 9:40 AM in response to Srmaximo

Many cameras suffer at low light levels but get a great image if there's enough. "Videomaker" magazine frequently has articles on lighting for particular effects and lighting placement. Reflectors made from large white foam core posterboard can reduce shadows. Manual white balance is a feature you probably ought to look for when choosing your camera(s). If you go the two-camera route it might help if they are both the same 'brand' if not the same model.

Dec 14, 2006 9:43 AM in response to Srmaximo

Lighting!!

there's a hundred different ways.
Where are you shooting the video??
How much have you got to spend??
i would suggest soft / bounce light.
if you have the space, go out and buy huge sheets of white card
to work as inexpensive reflectors
then you'll need to look at a couple of 300w / or higher light's
ARRI, Satchler etc.
You might be better Hiring

ian

Dec 14, 2006 9:48 AM in response to Neil G

manual white balance in a camera is a must!!!
and if you are getting 2 camera's, look to see if you can sync time code
also shoot 30 seconds of bars at the start of each tape.
you can match the bars from both camera's in the edit.
mind you - you really are talking about fce, or even fcp if your looking at
multi-camera shoots

ian

Switch900

Level 2

232 points

Dec 14, 2006 12:23 PM in response to Ian R. Brown

Like I said if it is of lower quality I get good footage with my sony camcorder like I said I use Stream clip and the handy cam dock has a button that says Burn DVD right which is to use with a DVD burner player that sony has well its useless to use that I just connect the handy cam dock to the USB connector to my Imac and hit that button a small drives pops up and I open all the Mpeg files with stream clips and to be honest I get good quality image with the conversion straight into DV I should post a small video of some of the stuff I have done.
Would do so in you Tube.
Tony

Srmaximo Author

Level 1

4 points

Dec 14, 2006 1:11 PM in response to Ian-Hunter

I'll be shooting the video in my teaching studio, which is a large bedroom-sized building in my backyard with lots of windows and not much furnature (I can clear space for reflective panels if necessary).

I'm hoping to pay under $3000 for my whole setup (camera(s), lighting, software). But I just pulled that number out of air--I'm flexible, but if I spend more than that, it's really got to be worth it. My main goal is to produce the best DVD I can without burning out reading software instruction manuals for days on end. If I go wih Final Cut, for example, I think I'll take a class--I learn better using the program than by reading, and I'm used to just figuring out programs as I go along, but Final Cut's too complex for that approach!

I hear people's comments about the importance of good edting. I know I have a ton to learn, but this aspect of the process really excites me. I used to do video projects in high school (I did one on the history of rock that had me and my friends dressing up like the Beatles and the Stones and performing songs), and I can't wait to make movies again using better gear! Of course, the difference in quality between a video that gets an "A" in Civics, and one that people will pay $20 for, is big. But I'm excited to try.

After hearing about the added complexity of multi-camera editing, I'm thinking I'll do my first DVD (for beginning guitarists) with iMovie, and if that goes well I'll buy another camera and do a second DVD teaching more technical material using split-screen and picture-in-picture, using Final Cut Express.

What is the benifit of having two cameras of the same brand/model? It would definately be cheaper to get one nice camera with XLR inputs, and a cheaper one for the occasional close-up. I don't think it'd matter much if one looked slightly different than the other.

Thanks again for this outpouring of help.

17" MacBook Pro Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Neil G

Level 3

764 points

Dec 14, 2006 1:44 PM in response to Srmaximo

I suggested two of the same brand so the video 'looks' about the same, especially any color variations. Ease of use, like how to use the cameras' menu systems, probably comes in second place. XLR inputs are valuable for the primary camera, and you'll probably use only one camera's sound in the edit for consistency.

I have Wolsky's "Final Cut Express 2 Editing Workshop" and it came with a DVD with very useful exercises, including multi-camera.

Studio X

Level 7

27,229 points

Dec 14, 2006 4:17 PM in response to Switch900

The concept of 'acceptable quality' comes into play here. If you think youtube is acceptable quality, then your DVD camera will be a useful tool.

If you believe anything less than uncompressed 8 bit HD shot will good glass and controlled lighting is unacceptable, then your camera doesn't even register on the radar screen.

If it works for you and your intended audience - grand. Don't assume that it is a one size fits all proposition. Horses for courses.

x

Srmaximo Author

Level 1

4 points

Dec 14, 2006 5:54 PM in response to Neil G

Got it, thanks Neil. And I'm happy to get a guide to Final Cut Express--that DVD is probably right up my alley.

Right now my plan is to get a Panasonic DVX-100b (I'm seeing prices on the web as low as $999--can that be right, Studio X?! Am I missing something?

Then, if my first DVD is successful, I'll get a cheaper Panasonic for a second DVD with split-frame.

General Question About Gear/Software for Producing DVD's