CompuServe Thread

John, I have never responded to a message this way, I promised myself I would never discourage anyone, but I'm afraid I have to. What you need most is a little more experience. I know that was the point of your message, but questions like "should I use S-VHS or BetaSP" are almost impossible to answer because they betray a lack of understanding of the video business in general. I'll give you an idea: I specialize in low budget industrial training and sales videos and shoot and edit in S-VHS. My system can't produce the quality that I would like but it's the best I could do budget wise. Here's an idea of equipment costs (I'm estimating so don't hold me to anything): Edit Deck: $3500 Source Deck: $2800 Controller: $1600 Monitors: $800 Camera: $3300 (single CCD, not great but OK) Portable VTR: $2800 Power Supply: $500 Batteries: $500 Tripod: $600 Lighting: $1500 (I still need more) Mic's: $600 (need alot more) Grip cart: $600 Portable Mon: $350 Amiga: $7000 (toaster, TBC, 11 meg ram, 22 Mhz accel.) Software: $800 Misc: $1500 (gels, gel frames, G tape, dulling spray, grip clamps, dust-off, reflectors, flags &c) Total: $28,750 This would be considered by most professional producers to be a laughable and bare bones system. But it really depends on what you're looking to do. For wedding and birthday parties, you could get by with less. Many may argue that what I've listed is more than enough–but ask them if they do video full time or not. It really depends on what you're looking to produce. [More]

[Continued] But even more important than the numbers is the knowledge of how to use this stuff. Editing takes alot of proctice, working a camera and directing is complicated, audio recording is a science, and sometimes lighting seems like a job for mystics and magicians. It take years to learn this stuff. And the best way for you to learn is by diving in–slowly. Read magazines. Not Video, Videomaker and the like , but trade pubs like AV Video, Video Systems and Videography. Don't go spending bucks until you know what the whole things is about. If your in the NJ/NY are your free to stop by my place. If not then there may be someone else on the forum who could make the offer. I know all this may sound discouraging, but your message gives the impression that you really don't know what your getting into. If you're looking for an expensive hobby, that's great. But professional video production is expensive from a capital standpoint and HARD WORK! If you want to do it, go for it. But make sure all of your decisions are educated ones. And I say this not from the standpoint of an elitest, but from the standpoint of someone who made the mistakes you might be headed for. I lost alot of time, alot of money and probably a few millimeters from my stomach lining–and now have a closet full of equipment (not listed above) that is essentially useless. Bill.

I'm pretty much asking the same question as you, but I'm not sure of what your background is. If you haven't 'done' video before I have a few suggestions. Try to get involved with video production on someone elses equip. before spending the $$$'s. I've been doing video for over two years (still a novice…) Fortunately I live in an area that is served by a very good public access center. These places provide video training and productions all you have to do is put up with the beauracracy (Anything free usually involves paperwork, and waiting lists.) Of course you won't be able to make any money, but you can learn what video WORK is all about. You will also get some hands on use of equipment, probably better equip than you can afford (That depends on the access center.) You can check with your local cable company to see if PA is avail. and eligibility etc. Also check with your local PBS station to see if they need production volunteers, although they probably won't let you do much technical stuff, you can probably network from there. You will need to network just to find good deals on used equip. etc. Good Luck… …Joel