From: Larry Bouthillier <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Re: what kind of video camera
I have to agree with part of this, and disagree with another part.
I agree, it is true that technique in shooting can be more important in
your web
video shooting than your equipment. When shooting for the web, you do need to
think about the size and framerate of the playback window, and think about the
things that will help get the most of the bandwidth in the final encoded file.
But, I have to emphasize that professional quality source material, from a
technical standard, makes a huge difference in the quality of the end product.
Encoding from DV or BetaSP makes a visible difference over encoding from
VHS or Hi8
(think of all the bandwidth lost as the encoder tries hard to faithfully
reproduce
video noise from a VHS source). You CAN tell the difference in the
RealVideo file
when you've used a TBC on your video signal and compression on your audio
chain.
You can do good work with low-end equipment if your technique is
excellent. You
can do awful work with high-end equipment if your technique is lousy. But that
excellent technique paired with excellent equipment looks, sounds, and
"feels" like
a more professional, "broadcast quality" program. Also remember that
there is a
reason that video and audio production are professions, so don't discount
the value
of their experience.
Larry
RealForum wrote:
> From: Michael Strong <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Subject: Re: what kind of video camera
>
> James,
>
> Dennis is right on the mark. You don't need anything very expensive or high
> quality for the purpose of converting to streaming media on the web. The
output
> capability on the web is already so very low that almost anything has
more than
> enough quality for this purpose.
>
> A properly lit scene and steady camera work are more important than the
camera
> itself, up to a point. For that matter, very well done 8mm and Hi-8mm
work can
> be tough to tell from more professional and costly video cameras even on
studio
> monitors. This depends of course on various factors (light, stable camera
> platform, focus, dubbing equipment, etcetera).
>
> I've also seen very expensive equipment either 1) not get used because the
> buyers found it too intimidating or 2) produce truly lousy results
because the
> operators didn't know the basics of how, what and when to shoot. Often
they had
> asked for a good camera assuming that a good camera made good pictures. The
> sales clerk sold them his or her own wish list rather than a piece of
equipment
> which would work well for the purchaser. (Years ago used to buy very
nice used
> equipment because folks cleared out their closets after years of just
looking
> at those "best" cameras - best for me, not them. My first Leicas were bought
> that way.)
>
> I should also note that artistically, if the subject is really very
interesting
> the interest will survive even bad reproduction. At one point I used
that as a
> criteria when judging works; that is: if instead of being a superb technical
> piece of work would the print or film be as interesting if it were smudged,
> scratched, viewed through a dark glass, and so forth.
>
> All that said, buy the best piece of equipment that you WILL use and
KNOW HOW
> to use. Buy with an eye for what you intend to use it for. If it is only the
> web, you know the web shows poor quality. You might want something
better for
> archive purposes or for dual use including video production. You could still
> remain in the consumer market area with low cost (well under $1,000) Hi-8 or
> digital for quality that a few years ago would have cost mucho thousands for
> professional equipment. For heavy-duty needs, that is a whole other set of
> areas.
>
> Let me get back to simple and straightforward. At the low price of an
8mm you
> have a nice piece of equipment to use which will should you more than enough
> quality for the web and with very careful work enough quality for more
> demanding usage. In addition you will be able to get lots of inexpensive
> shooting experience and when you do have the need or interest for far more
> expensive equipment you 1) won't have so much invested in the 8mm that
it will
> be a drag on any later purchase and 2) will have a much better idea of what
> kinds of equipment will make your next step work well for you.
>
> You might also look for features on this camera and your computer which will
> make it easier to connect to your camera to your computer. Examples
could be an
> s-video output (with s-video input on a capture card) and a remote control
> method your computer can operate via a program. Remember, for now you can do
> this fairly simply. Later, when you become addicted and you've bought
all the
> equipment you can imagine, you will have only yourself to blame - ha :-)).
>
> Good Luck from me too!
> Have Fun!
> Mike Strong
>
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