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

[Buck Forester] "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? ... 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?

The MXO is a fine product, but I would still go with the Kona HDSDI>the JVC panel if I had a choice...the JVC is designed for video signals specifically.

The "other card" I mentioned is the display card. Every computer has one. It's what feeds the signal to your computer desktop monitors. To simply hook up a second Apple display to the other monitor port on your computer would be utilizing an RGB signal path (DVI) and display to monitor a Y'CbCr signal, which would probably not be giving you the most accurate feedback for subtle colors occuring in nature...the MXO box mitigates the color space mismatch somewhat. I use a 30" LCD for video overlay, but I have a beefy display card installed (a PNY QuadroFX 4500) and I run a calibration program called cineSpace to manage it.

I still think that an SDI output would be easier and more cost effective for your specific situation.

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.

The Flash XDR box, which is in final development and isn't available yet, is relatively small-no laptop required. You would run an HDSDI cable from your camera to the FXDR recorder and record onto Compact Flash (ExtremeIII) cards. The advantage vs the SxS cards in the camera is that the camera only records up to 35 Mbits/s, Long GOP, 4:2:0 video. The FXDR recorder will go as high as 160 Mbit/s, I-frame, 4:2:2 video...much higher quality footage.

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."

Pretty secretaries are an important part of any workflow...

The key will be using HDSDI to bring in, and to monitor your footage in a nutshell...and of course, shooting the best image possible.








TimK,
Director, Consultant
Kolb Productions,

Creative Cow Host,
Author/Trainer
www.focalpress.com
www.classondemand.net