What do I need?

[DJMartin]

Hello all people out there!

To this point I have been making videos with a computer and a camera, a PAL camera actually. But I've got a job this summer wich is going to be produced in full HD.
I've watched the "Pimp my gear" thread, and I can see that you got all kinds of hardware.

Can somebody tell me why I should use more hardware than my computer? I know there is a reason why you got all that hardware, but what are their purposes?

And when beginning with HD, what hardware is necessary? Do I need a capturedevice other than my firewire cable?

I need some beginner hardware tips of what I need

This is my present hardware:

• AMD X2 4400+
• 2 gb ram
• 72gb running 10 000rpm
• 1,5tb running 7200rpm
• GeForce 7800gt
• Sound Blaster X-fi

I hope my english was readable, and that you can help me with these questions.
Thanks!

[anthony113]

Hey Martin,

HDV and other compressed HD formats are pretty easy to handle with today's computer hardware. The real issue comes when you start working with uncompressed 4:4:4 HD. Because the data rate of uncompressed HD is so high you start running into bottlenecks. Some people end up working off of very fast RAID hard drive configurations and use special devices which allow full res playback on production monitors. Though, you could just save your money and work in proxy then render out at full res and color depth for dailies and final delivery.

As for the capture device, it really depends on what kind of HD camera you're working with. HDV will transfer over firewire. Panasonic's P2 system just drags and drops and then you convert it to video clips. Full 4:4:4 HD could come to you on a hard drive from the client.

[DJMartin]

Ok, thank you. I am not quite sure what camera I will be using, I am also going to shoot. But my client is providing the camera. I can get back to you when I find it out.

So all these devices that I saw is to store and giving full quality playback? And do you know of a site where I can read about HD, HDV and what those numbers are (4:4:4)?

[Tagger]

wikipedia