Shootin Music video's

For indempent videos useing apple computers...

What software is mainly used and what are some good camcorders...

In other words if I was going to buy the equiptment to start doing independent music videos whats would I need to buy?

Dybs

Final cut..I've never tried the express version, but I would definitely try it. Don't sleep on any "lite" version on a Mac. They have high standards.
As far as a camcorder goes, i would definitely go Hi-Def. I just bought a canon HV20 for $650 and your gonna spend at least a few hundred bux to get something decent. The hi-Def camcorders of today have the specs and technology of the more professional cameras from 10 years ago. It's now possible to make movie quality films with home based camcorders. It's amazing what these cameras can do now.
If your on a SERIOUS budget (and I repeated this is a different area) I'd look at a Sony DSC-H1 all the way up to the DSC-H9 (H1/H5/H9). It's a digital camera with a camcorder function built right in. This way you do both, and a used DSC-H5 may hit you for about 250 bux. It's a 7.1mp camera and the movie function has better quality than a Hi8 camcorder (it just need proper lighting). It will definitely get you in the right direction to learn more about how to shoot and edit videos as well as a good camera to take pictures and learn software like photoshop.

Bro you just advised me to like a 7.1 mega pixel camera!! I'm talking about getting a camcorder around $2,400-$3,000...

Lighting I can rent and Finel cut you saying for a program I know of...

Do you know of any camcorders....

Canon GL2...

If u want hd canon hv 20 is a great hd camera. get a 35m filter and ur good.

You don't need a two thousand dollar camera to shoot a video. I did mention the canon HV20. Check out the quality of what it can do.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACVZp-UMD0Y
If you need anything better than this then your a bad dude.
But the digital camera suggestion was for if your just starting. Under any normal circumstances would I suggest using a photo camera for shooting a video but you'd be surprised what these things can really do nowadays. Like you, I was looking at a bigger, more professional camera, but their simply not needed nowadays depending on your level of experience. If you already know about shooting video (more than simply posting stuff on youtube) then you might just be ready for something bigger, but considering most Hi-Def camcorders have some the technology that cameras 5 times their price contain, I highly doubt your ready for a big boy like that. I may be wrong though, but just remember that the software is where the magic happens, the camera only shoots the footage.

Yea I feal you what software do you recomend?

You really don't have a whole lot of choice with the mac, but like I said, Final cut is some of the dopest schyt that's out there. They shot the movie "300" with Final cut pro, but I HIGHLY suggest trying out the smaller versions if it's easily accessible.Of course, the Pro version and a $3000+ camera "can" give you great results, but your going to learn how to use a camera with a few buttons, and software with a few options a lot faster. Avid liquid is more for the PC, but it's the PC's version of Final Cut Pro. Either programs are heavy! Personally, I use Sony Vegas 8.0 and it's simple to use. I'm no pro as I've only used it a few times, but I was able to learn it without a manual and did my first scratch video the day after I had the software with no help from anyone. I had downloaded Avid Liquid because people were telling me it's "the best" program and I can tell you two things that happened. One, it was KILLING my CPU..my computer was struggling, and secondly, i was completely lost. Beside loading it up, the software served me no purpose and I had the lite version (pinnacle studio ultimate).. there was a huge difference.
Check out the video below, my boy Lancescape produced the beat. The video was shot with a cheap regular home camcorder.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dn84_0EqGp4

Thats whats up if you got myspace hit me up...

Myspace.com/Djdyber

roxstar wrote:You don't need a two thousand dollar camera to shoot a video. I did mention the canon HV20. Check out the quality of what it can do.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACVZp-UMD0Y
If you need anything better than this then your a bad dude.
But the digital camera suggestion was for if your just starting. Under any normal circumstances would I suggest using a photo camera for shooting a video but you'd be surprised what these things can really do nowadays. Like you, I was looking at a bigger, more professional camera, but their simply not needed nowadays depending on your level of experience. If you already know about shooting video (more than simply posting stuff on youtube) then you might just be ready for something bigger, but considering most Hi-Def camcorders have some the technology that cameras 5 times their price contain, I highly doubt your ready for a big boy like that. I may be wrong though, but just remember that the software is where the magic happens, the camera only shoots the footage.

That's a cool little clip. Thanks for sharing.

I shot a Hi8 and a AVCHD camera side by side with fair lighting inside the crib. Then I imported both in Final Cut Express but I don't see a big difference in the two (I must be doing something wrong). I expected a little fuzziness in the Hi8 but the HD had a similar amount in the clip too. What do you use to take fuzziness out of footage?? What I'm trying to achieve is a clear picture indoors with "fair" or little lighting.

Any suggestions??

No I'm no pro so don't take my word seriously.
You shouldn't be seeing any fuzz with a Hi-Def camera. If anything (depending on how old the HD camera is) you may see some discoloration when your moving the camera from left to right, but it should stabilize everything very shorty after. If your camera is tape based, then how are you importing the video into your computer? I have a TV tuner card on my computer that's I import VCR tapes with, but it may not look so good with my HD camcorder. I'll let you know in a few days, but there are better cards for the higher standard. Also, just because you have an HD camera, you have to make sure your software is capable enough to handle it. I'm reading the specs of Final cut express 4 right now and it's pretty funkin' dope! I don't see a reason to need anything else. I'm buying a macbook in a few weeks and i was debating about getting final cut pro... the express will work just fine but make sure you have version 4.
http://www.apple.com/finalcutexpress/

I shot a Hi8 I expected a little fuzziness in the Hi8 but the HD had a similar amount in the clip too. What do you use to take fuzziness out of footage?and a AVCHD camera side by side with fair lighting inside the crib.

roxstar wrote:No I'm no pro so don't take my word seriously.
You shouldn't be seeing any fuzz with a Hi-Def camera. If anything (depending on how old the HD camera is) you may see some discoloration when your moving the camera from left to right, but it should stabilize everything very shorty after. If your camera is tape based, then how are you importing the video into your computer? I have a TV tuner card on my computer that's I import VCR tapes with, but it may not look so good with my HD camcorder. I'll let you know in a few days, but there are better cards for the higher standard. Also, just because you have an HD camera, you have to make sure your software is capable enough to handle it. I'm reading the specs of Final cut express 4 right now and it's pretty funkin' dope! I don't see a reason to need anything else. I'm buying a macbook in a few weeks and i was debating about getting final cut pro... the express will work just fine but make sure you have version 4.
http://www.apple.com/finalcutexpress/

I was thinking the same thing. I shouldn't see any fuzz with a HD cam right?? It should be clear (that's what you pay for).

My Hi8 cam transfers into my imac using a firewire cable (4pin x 6pin). In Final Cut, AVCHD cameras are converted differently. Your using USB 2.0 to transfer and process the HD footage. It's called "Log and Transfer" in Final Cut. Apple can't use the raw footage from the camera but it can convert the footage so Final Cut can see it. The only thing is the conversion is about 4 times bigger then the original. So that is something to think about too. Hopefully for my sake Final Cut will have less "red tape" when using AVCHD in the future.

Your right about getting a camera that's compatible with your computer & software.