HELP PLEASE... 200 hrs in can - now seeking software / hardware solutions?

[PosRole]

Hello, we are a nonprofit cause. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE GUIDANCE YOU WILL OFFER.

My question: which software/hardware combos will be efficient and cost effective options so as not to "box us in" after this first stage of capture and rough-cut only.

1. We have 200 hrs of documentary footage that needs to be caputured for review, logging, and first rough-cut (down to 100 hrs) in prep for Professional Editor(PE). PE will not be chosen before this first stage, therefore we seek to understand pros/cons (risks) associated with choosing one brand/version of software/hardware vs another.

2. PE will most likely use one of the leading packages i.e., AVID, FINAL CUT, ADOBE software. Not sure if it will be PC or MAC.

3. We seek to maintain quality (no resolution loss) during the process of capturing and rough cutting the footage, thereby delivering the highest quality to the PE for final edits and outputs. Final products will be purposed for Television, DVD, and Web distribution as feature and short form documentary, and as internet clips.

Key considerations/issues or current assumptions (remember I'm no techy :

A. - Content resides on 200 1-hour miniDV tapes
B. - PC and Mac both maintain resolution quality (its digital) regardless of end purpose for TV, internet, or DVD.
C. - Logging data (digitally) may not transfer between software editing packages (we must learn which packages "communicate" to migrate data successfully).
D. - Time Code from cameras (mostly used a Sony PDX10 and Cannon XL-1) may not transfer between software packages and is a consideration when doing "bulk edits". As we understand it, we can note "ins and outs" and the system will bulk "auto edit"?

4. Although still unsure... our info to date has us leaning toward a MAC mini (2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 1066MHz, 120GB 5400 RPM drive, 4GB SD3Ram) http://www.apple.com/macmini/specs.html, plus 2 ea external 500 GB HDrives (?brand?) - running Final Cut Express.

[mrswla]

I don't think FCE will cut it. You may need to step up to Final Cut Studio 2. That will do everything that you stated you wanted. Also, you may be able to qualify for the academic edition which is $600 versuses the $1200 for the non-academic version. Both are the exact same. The only difference is that when Final Cut Studio 3 comes out (when???) you will not be able to upgrade at a reduced price.

[PosRole]

what about the issues around LOGGING and TIME CODE transfer, depending upon who and what the ultimate editor we choose will be using?
Are you saying that FC Studio 2 gives us all of this flexibility - data can be converted/transferred to PC edting systems as well.

[mrswla]

I'm saying FCS 2 is basically all you will need to capture with logging (can add comments, takes, etc.), rough edit, final edit, render, and export to a whole lot of different file formats. Browse around here to get a better idea of the capabilities of FCS 2.

[filmboss80]

For time codes and edit decision list considerations, you really have 2 choices. Mac: Final Cut Pro. PC: Avid Media Composer. Both offer decent capture and logging options.

If your footage is not HD, or at least native 16:9 widescreen, there's little chance you'll get it on television these days.

You should start picking out your professional editing person BEFORE you commit to post-production hardware and software. Each artist has his/her preferred set of tools.

[mrswla]

Mac: Final Cut Pro. PC: Avid Media Composer. Both offer decent capture and logging options.

Final Cut Studio 2 $1299 ($699 for academic version)

Avid Media Composer $2495 (not sure if there is an academic version)

[redwudz]

Just my opinion, but I would think a Mac Mini may not be a good choice. For what you have planned, a full size PC would seem a lot better. If you're set on a Mac, then look into our Mac forums.

And if you wish your topic moved to a different forum, PM a Mod. Don't do it yourself, as we have to clean up the results. (I deleted your other topic.)

Generally for editing, I would want a fairly fast PC and a lot of hard drive space. Two 500GB drives are a start. If you've set a budget for all this, that would help give our members an idea of what might work for you.

If you just do basic cuts and pastes, you should be able to keep the DV in the original format with no losses. DV is about 13GB an hour, so lots of HDD room is good.

And welcome to our forums.

And since this seems mostly a editing question, moving you to our Editing Forum.

[PosRole]

I am under the impression that FC Express has been upgraded with logging and time code that is readily transferrable to FC Studio. Is this correct?

If we use FC Express or FC Studio for initial Capture and ROUGH CUT process, does this limit us to only MAC based editors from that point forward? Is this stage my "moment of choice"?

Since this first stage is a limited project (max 6 months) we are looking to be frugal with purchase. In fact we'd rather borrow a system because of the brief need. Either way we first need to know what equipment we need.

[PosRole]

[quote="filmboss80"]
If your footage is not HD, or at least native 16:9 widescreen, there's little chance you'll get it on television these days.


Posrole:
IT's a documentary so camera format is not as much the issue. They still play old and older format content all the time.

[mrswla]

If we use FC Express or FC Studio for initial Capture and ROUGH CUT process, does this limit us to only MAC based editors from that point forward? Is this stage my "moment of choice"?

No, you are not limited to only using FCS. The program can export to many different popular formats.