Gear up for Wedding

[lthown]

after editing it down to 1 1/2 hr is nearly 200Gb!

There are other workflows but personally I use Sony Vegas (now 8) to do the editing - you can export a DVD capable MPEG2 file right out of Vegas but I prefer to render it to a constant quality DivX file (1.2 quant) which I then run through TMPGEnc. At one point I was rendering to uncompressed or HUFFY AVI files but the disk access for those large files was slower than uncompressing a much smaller divx at the highest quality setting.

I like doing it in steps and different programs because I have better control over the quality, bitrate, pulldown etc, plus it calculates the bitrate to fit all the files in the current group onto the same disc. Once I have the MPEG2 file I author the DVD in Adobe Encore. Up until this point everything I've done was SD (well except one wedding I did with a rented FX1 a few years ago) but I plan on offering BluRay as an option. So that'll change the workflow a bit.

I also put the stuff I shoot up on Vimeo so they can look at it before I make the final disc - plus it makes for good promo material.

[titi]

Thanks IThow and Taki, very helpfull as usual. The more input on wedding gig subject the better, good Karma to you! Thank you again.

[titi]

Taki, what is your wedding business website, if you do not mind, and if anyone else who hahanxs one would like to post it as well so we can check it out. Thanx! Titi (chichi)

[Lunchbox]

here

L.A. Color - http://lacolor.com

[sp8ce07]

There are other workflows but personally I use Sony Vegas (now 8) to do the editing - you can export a DVD capable MPEG2 file right out of Vegas but I prefer to render it to a constant quality DivX file (1.2 quant) which I then run through TMPGEnc. At one point I was rendering to uncompressed or HUFFY AVI files but the disk access for those large files was slower than uncompressing a much smaller divx at the highest quality setting.

I like doing it in steps and different programs because I have better control over the quality, bitrate, pulldown etc, plus it calculates the bitrate to fit all the files in the current group onto the same disc. Once I have the MPEG2 file I author the DVD in Adobe Encore. Up until this point everything I've done was SD (well except one wedding I did with a rented FX1 a few years ago) but I plan on offering BluRay as an option. So that'll change the workflow a bit.

I also put the stuff I shoot up on Vimeo so they can look at it before I make the final disc - plus it makes for good promo material.

do you think you could walk me through your sony vegas divx workflow output? I'm having the worst time working with the large huffy files. If you want to do in a PM, I would be most appreciative!

[SteelTech6]

Elite Media Productions:
www.EliteMediaPro.com

Working on another demo now, but so far so good.

And as always, thank you Taky for all of your invaluable experience and information on these topics.

-Michael

[2Bdecided]

Shooting Mode
I personally can't stand to shoot in 60i as the "video" look makes my production cheap. I would suggest shoot in PF30 if you have HV30.

I've read(!) that BluRay can't do native 1080p30 - it has to be wrapped in 1080i60 (like the HV30). Most TVs supposedly bob 1080i60 to 1080p60, dropping the vertical resolution. Is this true, and/or have you found a way around it?

btw, the HD/SD samples on your website are true 60i.

Cheers,
David.

[Lunchbox]

I would say most TV are not even 1080p. In encoding to BluRay, 1080p30 is encoded as 1080i60. Frames are broken down to two fields with identical content. Playing back at 60 fields per second with idental field content will just be as same as 1080p30. I do not see any vertical resolution lost at all.

Let me do my ascii art again

Original 30p
[ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ 3 ] [ 4 ] [ 5 ]...

Encoded as 60i
[1    [2    [3    [4    [5   ...
   1]    2]    3]    4]    5]

All content is still playback on TV. No resolution loss.

[2Bdecided]

I think many current TVs bob such content to the equivalent of 540p60, but at their native resolution (e.g. 1366x768).

It's not visibly worse than 1080i60 on such TVs, and has some of the "film look".

However, I think on some TVs with full 1920x1080 resolution, 1080p24 is detected and handled as a full frame, while 1080p30-in-1080i60 is still treated as 1080i60 (i.e. two separate fields). The result is visible bobbing and resolution loss compared to 1080p24.

Hopefully future TVs will have 2:2 pulldown detection for "NTSC" markets as well as for "PAL" (though even that isn't universal yet - a lot of first generation / cheap HD-Ready TVs are basically junk).

Cheers,
David.

[Lunchbox]

However, I think on some TVs with full 1920x1080 resolution, 1080p24 is detected and handled as a full frame, while 1080p30-in-1080i60 is still treated as 1080i60 (i.e. two separate fields). The result is visible bobbing and resolution loss compared to 1080p24.

Theorectically and after practically visual test, breaking down a full frame into two fields DOEES NOT CAUSE RESOLUTION LOSS. PF25 PAL and PF30 NTSC are both treated that way. They are progressive content but treated as interlaced material.

[2Bdecided]

I know theoretically 25p-in-50i can be perfectly reconstructed into 25p.

What I'm saying is that many TVs don't.

I've had plenty of time to observe this - we've had 25p-in-50i broadcasts for longer than TVs have had digital processing!

We have plenty of 25p-in-50i HD broadcasts now too. I only have to walk into the Sony Centre to see how wrong that can go - and they have some of the best reviewed TVs available in there.

Cheers,
David.

[Lunchbox]

I thought you have some consipracy about vertical resolution loss. hehe

[2Bdecided]

Nah, I just have a low opinion of the picture quality available on most TVs. This is just one of the many problems out there.

[Islandervideo]

Good solid tips. I use a Sennheiser EW100-good job in cutting
ambient noise, just enough of a pattern to pick up groom, bride.
and minister. The Sony Minidisc is a stress reliever (saved me more
than once). My first broke, got lucky on Ebay..HD Minidisc-too expensive.
Someone said a tripod is your best investment. I bought a
Sachtler 14 over 20 years ago and it still is in primary use till today.
The smaller cams don't require that kind of investment.
At this age or any age...relieving stress on the wedding site
by any reasonable means is my advice-clears and calms the mind
to focus on being creative.

The HV20-30 is an excellent backup or B cam. I was so impressed with the
image, I'm figuring on purchasing another. Perhaps use it on
outdoor, well lit (non backlit) churches or on the fly mini-interviews.

This forum is one of the most fun , I've visited-very helpful.

[Apo]

After i bought my HV30, i´m trying to complete my setup with the necessary acessories for my friend wedding in a few months:
I have a low budget, but still i decided to buy:

- Extra battery (NB2L18 -2200mAh,7,2V) -(http://www.digitaltoyshop.com/prodty...ARA_CANON_HV30)
I have a charger from Canon EOS300D, to charge the first battery used.

- Raynox DCR-6000 (same link)

- Rode Videomic (local store-95 euros)

- Polarizer filter (43mm) - still looking where to buy

And now the biggest doubt:

- What should i buy: a tripod or the MMC Hague Stabilizer.

I dont have money for both, and i never used a tripod in my life. I guess in a Wedding we are always moving and i think the tripod is only for still recording, right? Would you agree on a MMC Hague?
Or maybe just tripod unipod (http://www.redcoon.pt/index.php/cmd/...4/Hama_Star_8/)

Please, can you experienced wedding film makers give me a good advice?
Is there anything of great importance that i´m missing?

Thanks

[Lunchbox]

Get a tripod! It's more important than an stablizer. Say like if you are shooting a Catholic wedding, it usually last over an hour. You don't have to hold the camera the entire time.

[Apo]

Get a tripod! It's more important than an stablizer. Say like if you are shooting a Catholic wedding, it usually last over an hour. You don't have to hold the camera the entire time.

Even in church, are you always placed in the same position? If not, you move the camera always attached to the tripod?
Maybe i can buy a very cheap tripod just for that.

What do you use, when you are not in the church?
At parents house, photos, etc... you use a stabilzer or just hold the camera in your hands?

Apo

[Lunchbox]

I have 2 cameras when shooting in church. One set at the back unmanned. One I operated on the left or right side. They are always attached to tripod so I can walk back and forth between to adjust the angle and stuff.

I use steadycam whenever I can, or in situation like photo session, bouquet toss, or open dance floor. You can use steadiam in parents house when the bride is getting ready. Compared to the footage in church, that footage is more causal, more room for creativity and not critical as someone's giving a speech in the reception.

A tripod is a must. Luckily HV20/30 isn't a heavy camera so a lighter weight tripod will do the job. Just make sure it doesn't look cheap. When you fold the tripod leg together, it can be used as monopod. actually, if the tripod is heavy enough, you can hold the camera like steadycam.

[blade borge]

Does anyone know the range of the HV20/30 remote, say you wanted to go from a wide to a medium on your unmanned...

[treyvollmer]

I bought this

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...ng_Studio.html



I put all my gears in it. Two Manfrotto tripods, XH-A1, two HV30, Merlin, Chargers, batteries, tapes, three VL-10 lights, LightPanel Micro, voice recorder....

Taky,

How much does that weigh (equipment included)?

Trey

[Lunchbox]

From the BH link, the bag itself is 24.5 lbs. It'll be irrelvent to answer the weight with equipmet included because everybody has different gear they have.

[Dota]

I'm gearing up for my sister's wedding in May. I've got two HV30s, although I'm only planning to use one, a rode video mic (which I don't really plan on using much cause aren't wedding videos mainly artsy and montage-ish)

What I THINK I need (please let me know if I'm way off!)

35mm adapter (JAGpro seems affordable)
50mm lens
steadicam (trying to be budget so a flycam? - I've been told that a hauge mmc wouldn't be able to balance everything listed above)

My biggest concern right now is that steadicam...

[Islandervideo]

Regarding the olymus voice recorder, it is for recording vows ONLY. I have really good sound recorded with it. I think you didn't change the settings within but using all default settings. I have to lower the sensitivity of the mic to get good clean sound.

But it's true the disadvantage is you cannot monitor the sound. But in a live ceremony going on, if the sound you are monitoring screw up, you can't interrupt the ceremony to fix it. With the voice recorder, I least I have a second audio track that is shot using shotgun mic in tape.

Another important thing is, it doesn't matter how expensive or how great the quality of your wireless mic system is, the church coordinator will always question you and to blame you if there are interferences of their wireless system. With the voice recorder, they can't blame me.

Taky, what model are you using and what setting works well?
Been researching-some have 5 settings and the lower priced ones
( some I'm guessing too cheap to be usable) have less possiblities.
Thanks-appreciate the tons of generous info.

[jptmedia]

I'm gearing up for my sister's wedding in May. I've got two HV30s, although I'm only planning to use one, a rode video mic (which I don't really plan on using much cause aren't wedding videos mainly artsy and montage-ish)

For audio, it all depends. If your sister doesn't want to hear her "I do's", then no it doesn't matter. But if you were ever doing a paid job audio is a BIG deal. No one wants to watch a silent wedding video.

[GrantF]

Greetings guys, great thread

Still not sure whether to use the HV30 as a main camera or not but if I do would an ND Filter be essential for outdoor shooting at the wedding?

cheers,
Grant