Video Editing Home Studio Setup Ideas

[VideoTechMan]

I need a little help and perhaps some ideas.

Unfortunately I am pretty challenged when it comes to setting up an editing studio furniture wise to place all of my gear in an organized fashion. This is the list of gear that I have right now:

JVC JX-S900 AV Switcher
JVC BR-S525U
JVC BR-S822U
JVC RM-G870U Edit Controller
Panasonic AG-DV2000
Panasonic AG-1980
Panasonic AG-DS840
Sony SLV-R1000
Feral A4:2:2 Full-frame TBC
Mackie 1402 Audio Mixer


I am having a hard time trying to figure out how to setup the VCR decks. I could possibly build a rack to simply stack the gear in, but I don't have rack mounts for all of the decks. Then its the matter of placing the monitors for sound, and then the audio gear like my tape deck, turntable and receiver. Plus I would need to add some small broadcast monitors for the pro-decks for source monitoring.

I would post a pic of a mock setup I have but people have a bad habit of poking fun at something that isn't perfect or a work-in-progress or end up putting it down. My end goal is to have a setup where I can do all sorts of video transfers, plus some extra projects and some audio work as well. Yes I do intend to do the HD stuff too but I have lots of analog material to work with so most of the older gear I have will suit the purposes fine. I figure on having an L-based workstation setup where I can setup my PC monitors on one desk, and have the AV gear on the other. But I just can't for the life of me figure out what would be an ideal setup!!

Any ideas or thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

[VideoTechMan]

Two days and no responses...hmm okay.

Well I think what I will do is build an equipment rack for the VTR's and audio equipment and have a bottom section to house the computer towers in. Then I could use the desk surface for the monitors and keyboards. Just have to see what wood material would be best to build the rack with.

[sanlyn]

You can mix metal with wood (looks kinda ugly, though), which is what I did for my scale modeling projects years ago. It had to contain all the modeling stuff, air compressors, etc., plus the tuntable and stereo I used then. I think there's likely no specific answer here because it depends on the size of the components, your workflow, and all that. I'd offer the suggestion that you need to watch two areas: airflow and lighting. If your monitors are facing a sunlit window, you can forget about working during daylight unless you have heavy curtains over the windows (your wife will not love you for this). You should not enclose PC's in tight little corners; there will be little air movement, and you'll start blowing up hard drives really fast. You will definitely need a couple of battery-equipped UPS units that can run for a hour or so each when the power goes down. Most of them for $100 or up will do a fairly decent job of cleaning power spikes while you work (your monitors will be happy). Don't think you can get away with so-called Monster "surge protectors" or those $30 cheapos. A $200 Monster "protector" blew out one of my beloved CRTs; you can guess what I did with both of them. The cheapest surge protector I own is a $100 Belkin (the cutoff type that does a relatively "slow" shut down when a power loss or surge hits, and doesn't restart until you tell it to). Keep extra hard drives and other hardware behind closed doors when not being used: dust is your enemy. Never use of any of this stuff without proper ventilation.

[VideoTechMan]

You can mix metal with wood (looks kinda ugly, though), which is what I did for my scale modeling projects years ago. It had to contain all the modeling stuff, air compressors, etc., plus the tuntable and stereo I used then. I think there's likely no specific answer here because it depends on the size of the components, your workflow, and all that. I'd offer the suggestion that you need to watch two areas: airflow and lighting. If your monitors are facing a sunlit window, you can forget about working during daylight unless you have heavy curtains over the windows (your wife will not love you for this). You should not enclose PC's in tight little corners; there will be little air movement, and you'll start blowing up hard drives really fast. You will definitely need a couple of battery-equipped UPS units that can run for a hour or so each when the power goes down. Most of them for $100 or up will do a fairly decent job of cleaning power spikes while you work (your monitors will be happy). Don't think you can get away with so-called Monster "surge protectors" or those $30 cheapos. A $200 Monster "protector" blew out one of my beloved CRTs; you can guess what I did with both of them. The cheapest surge protector I own is a $100 Belkin (the cutoff type that does a relatively "slow" shut down when a power loss or surge hits, and doesn't restart until you tell it to). Keep extra hard drives and other hardware behind closed doors when not being used: dust is your enemy. Never use of any of this stuff without proper ventilation.

I'm single so don't have the SO issue to deal with when it comes to curtains. I do have dark-colored curtains on two of the windows so working in a darkened environment won't be an issue if need be in the daytime.

My PC's, once built will be spotted where they will have plenty of airflow and not cramped into each other. Actually I plan to place those at the bottom of the equipment rack since it will be in an open space (no backing). My main concern is the rack for placing the video gear itself, as far as shelving is concerned and have to ensure those are well ventilated also. I'm not really hung up with looks as far as the materials for the rack but any wood pieces I use I will stain them to at least look presentable.

Other stuff like UPS's and such will be a must also. I avoid anything 'Monster' brand as their stuff is an overpriced joke for junk. Most of that stuff I am not too worried about, as I will tackle that once I get a workable setup going. Its a challenge for me since room design is not one of my strongpoints. I could sit for hours in a room trying to figure how things should be placed.

[sanlyn]

Sounds as if you're on your way. Avoid permanently fixed fixed shelves whenever you can. You'll make many changes. I was going to design my own desk recently; I was in despair when I saw how much DIY and modular stuff has disappeared nowadays. I finally drew up some quick sketches and measurements and had a carpenter make the computer unit. It's plain old stained pine and solid oak. It cost more than all my PC's, VCR's, DVD players, proc amps, etc., and software put together. That's what happens when a wife "helps" to design computer furniture.

[VideoTechMan]

Sounds as if you're on your way. Avoid permanently fixed fixed shelves whenever you can. You'll make many changes. I was going to design my own desk recently; I was in despair when I saw how much DIY and modular stuff has disappeared nowadays. I finally drew up some quick sketches and measurements and had a carpenter make the computer unit. It's plain old stained pine and solid oak. It cost more than all my PC's, VCR's, DVD players, proc amps, etc., and software put together. That's what happens when a wife "helps" to design computer furniture.

Indeed..lol. Well I know solid oak is solid wood but more expensive. Pine could be a viable option as well, but not sure how steady it would be. Two of the VTR's I have weigh 50lbs each so it would have to be pretty solid to hold them on their own shelf. I would get some sliding rails so whenever changes are needed I can simply slide the shelf out and change the component.

Guess I need to put this all on paper and get the visual that way, and go from there.