#Hi8 or SVHS VTR?
12 messages in this thread
I will soon be in the market for a single frame VTR to record my
animations. I am not sure what I should be looking for or even what
format to get. As with most of us, my target market for my work will
vary. Could a few of you that have experience in this give me some
pointers? I am currently using a single 486DX2/66 but after I attend
COMDEX I plan the purchase of substantial additional equipment.
I also am looking into schools that gear toward production work using
3DS. Any suggestions? Is the Center for Creative Imaging in Camden
Maine still around and would it be recommended? I have very basic
3DS skills and continue building daily but desire formal training
that does not involve a year long pgm.
I live on the Central Coast of California but would relocate about
anywhere to learn this wonderful field. Any help would certainly be
appreciated.
Thank You in advance for the help,
Steve V. Soza
My preference is for SVHS over Hi8 ( I have technical reasons for
this) but you really should consider purchasing the PAR as this will
be less initial cost than a single frame VTR and produce equal to or
better quality than either SVHS or Hi8. You can then output to any
vcr from consumer lowest end to betacam SP or MII in full component
output. Add a TBC IV for an additional $900 and you have a complete
animation recording and rotoscoping system. And the PAR allows you
to do this in real time, not 3 frames per pinute as with single frame.
Looks like I have some reading to do.
I sure do thank you for the input and will do my research.
Single frame is quite an expense for someone getting started in this
racket. Check all threads related to the PAR for a cost effective
alternative which will yield high quality output.
I drove through Camden, Maine two weeks ago and I heard rumors from
TedB that the Center for Creative Imaging may not exist anymore. I
should have tried to locate CCI but I didn't so I can't confirm any
of these rumors. However, the scenery in that town makes Camden
worth a coast to coast vacation visit.
Thank you for the info re:PAR. I will research it. The rumours are
right, I found out about 20 minutes ago that CCI closed it's doors
two weeks ago and they are selling off all of their equipment. I
contacted the person in charge of equipment about fifteen minutes ago
and he said they have sold all the VTRs and Silicone Graphics
machines and that they have 75 Apple II FXs w/ 20 MB RAM and 160 MB
HDD. They are selling those for $1050 each. I assume there is still
other equipment available.
If anyone wants to contact the equipment seller his name is Brent
Lerner and his cellular # is (207) 596-9843
Too bad about CCI, I had heard they were a good school, though very
expensive.
Steve:
Sorry to hear about CCI. 🙁 Good luck in your search.
Bob
I do admit, the CCI deal was a real shocker! I knew they were
expensive but I also heard they were really good. I am glad if it
had to happen it happened now, I had gone through their catalog and
marked the courses I thought I needed. It was going to cost me
$12,770 for a forty day schedule, high price but high quality
training.
Glad I had to wait until now to be able to go, sad for the people in
the middle of a learning experience.
See 'ya Bob.
Steve
Hi-8 will not stand up to the start/stop wear of frame-by-frame
recording. The Sanyo GVR-S950 is a frame accurate S-VHS
recorder/player/editor with a built in controller that works well
with 3DS. Something to consider. List price around $3k. Newer
model has enhanced editing capabilities.
Paul
NRNBAQW
(No Reply Needed But Additional Questions Welcomed)
Thank you for the input Paul. The start/stop cycling is something I
never considered. As you will see in other replies to my questions I
have a lot of research/reading to do. I do appreciate your help and
will check into the Sanyo system. Do you know the model # of the
newer model you mentioned, or is it the same #? Thanks again for the
help.
Steve,
I am also located in central Ca. and have a small studio that I
operate for local cable TV broadcasts and industrial video. I use
BetaCam SP, SVHS and Hi8. My Hi8 is for editing purposes only. I
agree with the others about the durability of the Hi8 when it comes
to siingle frame work. I have the EVO9850 and it is not capable of
doing single frame for more than ~30-40 frames. I use a Targa+64 for
my frame buffer, and use the VLAN network for doing frame by frame.
Videomedia supports a "Turbo" Targa mode that will send out frames at
a greater speed than normal FxF methods. You need to consider the
other requirements that surround the system other than animation. If
you plan to do any "quality" recording or duplication, commercial
VCR's will simply not cut it as a production deck, in either quality
or durability. The PAR is an excellent choice if you have few
requirements for other types of video editing/special effects. If you
need A/B roll capabilities, sync rolls, edits to the frame buffer
etc, you might look further into various frame buffers and deck
control equipment.
Thank you! I am so glad to be able to discuss the various equipment
configurations from people who actually use it. I have TONS of
brochures and all say they are the best, but experience is what
matters.
Thanks for the reply and for the good input. You have shed a lot of
light on my problems!
It's cheaper to go with a Sony EVO 9650 as you don't need any additional VTR
controller hardware or software – 3DS controlls it directly and the quality is
good.
Ringling School of Art – Sarasota, FL.