#The whole shebang!
5 messages in this thread
Hi all,
I am planning on setting up a complete, but small, animation studio for my
recently formed company, Mindscape Animation Productions. I already have 3DS,
and I am currently subcontracting my work.
Anyhow, it looks promising that I will have some key financial backing from
various local companies who have seen my work. I am considering going the
route and buying/building a decent setup from scratch. I would like anyone's
input on my planned setup. Also, any thoughts for the ?? items . . .
Among other things, here is what I have in mind:
=== Computer ===
+ Zeos EISA 486/66 DX, 32MB RAM, 1G HD.
? SCSI Controller ?? Maybe an Adaptec.
? CD ROM ?? Maybe a Double speed Photo CD/Multisession.
=== Display/Video ===
+ Diamond Viper w/2MB Display Memory.
? Main Display ?? Maybe 15" SVGA Trinitron of some sort.
+ Matrox Illuminator Pro 4MB w/CCIR.
+ DPS PAR for PC w/1G HD. (Yes, Greg P, your name is in my Source column.:-)
+ Sony CPD-1730 17" Multiscan Trinitron Display (for framebuffer).
=== Tape Output ===
+ Exabyte 8505.
+ ASDG Abekas format compatibility software.
+ Tapedisk (for 5MB backup)
=== VCR/VTR Output === (If sufficient buckage is there).
? Consumer level SVHS ??
? Professional Deck?? Probably BetaCAM SP. See my post for Sony UVW-1800.
+ VTR Controller?? Probably DiaQuest 422+.
+ Sony GVM 1311Q 13" NTSC Monitor.
=== Other ===
+ Lots of insurance. 🙂
— James —
James,
gosh! I'm green with envy if you can get all that stuff. I'll comment on a
couple of things:
+ Matrox Illuminator Pro 4MB w/CCIR.
+ DPS PAR for PC w/1G HD.
If you are convinced you'll get the Illuminator pro you might take a
look at the Movie Express (aka MAX) solution which is a daughter
board that works with the Ill Pro. Once you have the Pro then the
JPEG daughter board might be about the same price as the DPS PAR with
similar performance. The DPS would be perfect if you already had a
framebuffer or didn't want one.
Martin,
Thanks for your input regarding the PAR vs. MAX. I am swayed to go with the
PAR due both to price and to it having Pyros' backing.
Do you have any thoughts about software VTR control vs. Diaquest?
> gosh! I'm green with envy if you can get all that stuff.
I'll be lucky to get half of it at first. It will all depend on how well I can
present the benefits of my animaiton services. I'm hopeful!
— James —
James,
>> Thanks for your input regarding the PAR vs. MAX. I am swayed to go with the
PAR due both to price and to it having Pyros' backing.
Well, if you like the idea of the PAR, then I'd suggest getting the
DPS PAR and an Exabyte 8505 _instead_ of a Matrox Illuminator Pro, at
first. You'd have most bases covered then. You could do previews with
the PAR (possibly final output for some clients), and use the
Exabyte for backup and for sending your animations to tape, via Greg
(if he upgrades to a 8500/8505) or via an Abekas house. I really
don't see you being able to cost justify all the high-end equipment
at first. I've been in business 2.5 years, am fairly busy, and still
couldn't justify my own frame acurrate vtr or Sony LVR3000. I almost
leased the latter, about 8 months ago and I'm glad I didn't because
I'd probably be bankrupt now, if I had. The PAR should give me the
power to experiment in full colour/full speed and try out my ideas
before committing to tape. For the occasions I need to dump to tape,
I have contacts who own high-end equipment. I often do barter deals
where I do animation in exchange for use of equipment. I did my first
demo reel (2 years ago) and my second (this week) with this method
and made sure that the people I deal with are influential, will give
me an impressive new name to add to my list of clients, and will
possibly send more work my way. Hard to lose, doing that.
You don't need a lot of equipment to get started in your own
animation business, and you can always add stuff as you go along.
Some dealers will tell you that you need a ton of stuff, but it just
ain't true or wise.
>> Do you have any thoughts about software VTR control vs. Diaquest?
I've always liked the Diaquest but I've never had to buy one. I've
been lucky enough to use other peoples. The Videomedia Animax/V-LAN
might be a better way to go because they cost less than Diaquest,
don't ask you to pay for every little piece of software and
essentially do the same thing. SoftVTR has its supporters but I've
never used it, and can't feel comfortable saying much about it.
Thanks for the response, Martin. I may have to follow your advice and go with
the PAR to start with and get the rest later. One of the reasons I am trying
to get the high end stuff (VTR & ILL Pro) is because I may be working with a
video prodcuction house.
If I can hand them a Beta SP tape, I'll have much less trouble being compatible
with their studio.
I was also wondering about editing with the PAR without a good editing deck. I
don't plan on being a video shop, but slipping a spot of live video in with
animation would be nice for those high paced graphics/live things that some
customers want. I suppose if my PAR had enough space I could rotoscope and VP.
— James —