Re: Do I really need a capture card for editing hdv? Help!

Hi Tim! Gracias mucho grande for your comments. The deal is I do have enough resources to go pretty big right off the bat in terms of investing in equipment. That's why I don't want to skimp to "get by" with the basics, or give that impression. Nor do I want to buy stuff in igorance that is really unnecessary.

I could go ahead and get the JVC monitor and the card. A couple of questions... is that significantly better, short run and long run, than a Matrox MXO and a 23" Apple Display? When I read stuff about the Matrox (their own literature, of course, ha!) it makes it sound even BETTER than a dedicated monitor. I read about the color bars and blue channels (not even sure how that works yet) and de-interlacing, and the MXO sounds like it does it all. But I want to do it right and it would be nice to have a dedicated monitor so I don't have to switch back and forth. Also, you mentioned a separate card. Are you saying a Kona Lhe or Kona 3 or a Blackmagic Multibridge isn't sufficient for monitoring... do I need an additonal card besides one of those?

Also, I've read about ingesting footage from the HDSDI-out from the camera. By that does it mean I have to have a fast laptop connected directly to the camera and it records directly onto the laptop before the codex stuff hits the SxS cars? I really am not sure what that's all about.

And you mentioned something about a "Convergent Design Flash XDR recorder". Never heard of it? I Googled it and read a brief on it, and some specs, and although I have no idea what I'm really reading, it sounds FANTASTIC!?! It records on CF cards or something? For wilderness adventure stuff, how would this Convergent Design Flash XDR recorder help me "real world"? I'd get one in a heartbeat if I need it, even at $5 grand.

You're right about my desire to focus on quality. I know I can capture beautiful, well-thought out footage of amazing places and exciting experiences. I want my studio gear to have the capacity to output this footage "as good as it gets" for the medium I've chosen (Sony Ex1). I will be doing this on a serious level. I don't want any limitations on editing for color and graphics. Since I'm starting from scratch, I want everything to be compatable and fast and effecient (I know, I'm dreaming). If a Mac Pro and a firewire and an external harddrive with an EX1 can accomplish my goals, great. If I need capture cards and monitors and racks of gear and pretty secretaries, that's what I'll do. Whatever it takes. This is my passion and my dream. Un-asked for insight... my mother died of cancer last May, at age 67... tore me up. She left me with additional resources and instead of just putting money in the bank and working in insurance as I do now (along with my photography), I want to "live" and "create" and go for it. Do exciting stuff for a living. I won't quit my day job until I'm profitable, but I'm pretty close already with my photography, and with the hd videography added I don't think it will take me long. The wilderness is my real cubicle. My wife is behind me on this. She knows I'm happiest exploring wild places. I can both spend more time with her and our small kids, and do what I love as well. And more importantly, I'm doing this for my mom. Sappy, I know, but it's hugely motivating to me. There ya go, more than you cared to hear, ha!

Short story long, I appreciate your time to give suggestions. I'm leaning more towards the solution you just provided.