My Gear: Media & Computing
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CARDS & READERSCompact Media for recording your data to, whether it is videos or photos. |
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HARDDRIVESYou will need somewhere to store your data for post-production and archiving purposes. |
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EXTERNAL RECORDERSOften times it is necessary to record proxies on-set, whether you are in need of an on-set transcode or a lower resolution (1080p) proxy of your 5K RED footage. A number of different external recording options are listed here. |
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SOFTWAREA collection of software for your post-production needs – from editing to grading. |
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HARDWARE |
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I Like the Lexar Express-card reader, or the Firewire 800 model.
Why the USB?
Wouldn’t it be cool if the Canon had a FireWire 800 or HD-SDI straight to the AJA KiPro?
BTW, The Lexar description is a cut-and-paste fail.
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Vincent Laforet Reply:
September 9th, 2010 at 1:05 am
@Tulio, The FW 800 is faster – but so much bulkier especially when you travel w/ 3-4 of them. I let DITs work with those but travel w/ 2-3 of these in my personal backpack – it also allows me to download both my CF and SD cards which is a plus.
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Vince, what about Aperture or do you just do video now?
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Vincent Laforet Reply:
September 9th, 2010 at 1:05 am
@Sam, Will update that as well.
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Awesome Gear write up Vincent.
Although the Description of the Lexar Professional UDMA Dual-Slot USB Reader has The Redrock Micro microLensSupport description 😉
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Vincent Laforet Reply:
September 9th, 2010 at 1:07 am
@Kevin H, fixed!
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Links to the Lexar Professional UDMA Dual-Slot USB Reader are wrong or broken.
Here’s the BH link:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=Lexar+Professional+UDMA+Dual-Slot+USB+Reader&N=0&InitialSearch=yes
Here’s a link to the Lexar card reader page:
http://lexar.com/products/card-readers
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good to see you are a fan of lexar
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Why the conversion to ProRes.(i´m a novice)
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Hey Vincent,
What program are you using to make your titles for your videos? I’m new to video and I’m running on Windows so maybe you just use FCP but I’m using Vegas. Is there a program that you use to specifically make the titles?
Thanks,
Mike
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Hey Vincent. I have a quick question for you. I work on a PC for the time being, and I have a 7D and I am having trouble converting it to a easy to edit with codec. I know you use a Mac and use ProRes, but do you have any advice on a codec that I should be using for editing? Thanks for all your help (your blog is awesome)
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Vincent Laforet Reply:
February 10th, 2011 at 9:38 am
All depends on what editing software u use – you should obviously convert it to a codec it supports. Both avid and cs5 premiere support canon footage natively
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Hi Vincent, wondering about your i/o video card setup, and do you use a dual monitor (probably) What cards and/or else are you using? Thanks!
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From my experience, the raid Glyph drives have never crashed on me. I don’t know if G-Tech sponsors you, but I’ve had plenty of G-Tech drives die on me before.
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Hi Vincent
Great site and stuff, thanx!
I got a Q: I were also using MPEG STREAMCLIP for converting footage from my 7D in HD 24p to ProRes222. But then I tried to make an a/b test of the footage and the converted stuff from MPEG STREAM is a bit less saturated and contrasted which I find anoying. It simply looses some contrast and vibrance after the process. I tried the same, but much more time stealing, through FCP’s Media Manager, which looks just as beautiful as the original footage. I tried several adjustments etc etc. But same results.
Did you experience the same, and what to do?
Best from Denmark,
Bjarke
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How about Monitor Calibration?
That’s very important for both Photo and Video, I can’t believe it’s missing…
Any suggestion guys?
Cheers !
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Great list Vincent. What about studio management software? Do you have a single preference or a combo of different programs?
Thanks!
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Thank you Vincent. This is extremely helpful.
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Hi Vincent,
I use mpeg streamclip to convert in prores 422.
But,when I import convetrted footage in FC7,the picture is too dark in viewer and canvas window. I also use compressor and I got same result.
And when I export edited material I got perfect result,image is OK,but is absolutely amazing to work with sach dark footage.
Any chance to fix this?
Thanks in advance.
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Vincent Laforet Reply:
July 5th, 2011 at 12:43 pm
it’s a VERY dark or slightly darker? if it’s slightly – that’s a known Quicktime issue… it’s it’s very dark – not sure what the problem is. Obviously it’s MUCH darker than your ORIGINAL footage correct? Or is it all dark?
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Hey Vincent,thanks for replay…
problem is partly solved…
My dysplay color profile was HD 709-A. I change it to Generic RGB Profile,and everuthing is fine,maybe slightly darker. I cheked Enable FCS color compatibilty in QT7,but I still see noticable darker image in FCP,hmmm….
If you have any suggestion
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Vincent Laforet Reply:
July 6th, 2011 at 8:33 am
No – that’s the problem w/ QT. It’s MADDENING especially when you spend time grading it carefully! You can basically grade for web or other computer monitors … if you need to grade for TV/Film you need to use a reference monitor. So there are too many variables for me to give you an intelligent answer… you did the hard part – enabling FCS color in QT 7 prefs which is hard to find/know about. Other than that – there is still a color shift. Generally – you can grade and output straight from there and not have a color shift… let me know if that works/helps at all. It’s always been a source of frustration…
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Thanks for the responses, I appreciate this. It seems that I will stick to premiere until I buy a reference monitor,one day.
Here in Serbia is very difficult to get money for equipment, I barely managed to get to the more expensive PC and turn it into heck… so I worked more comfortable.When I realized the problem with the final cut, I was frustrated.
Thanks again and all the best.
You were always a role model and inspiration.
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Hey Vincent,
Do you typically use the Magic Bullet software to color your Epic footage? I wasn’t sure if RED supplied software for that.
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Vincent Laforet Reply:
July 15th, 2011 at 12:00 am
Red supplies Redcine-X for free – but we have been using Magic Bullet all the time and doing great. Just getting started w/ DaVinci Resolve this week… more to come on that…
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Hey Vincent,
Did you try 5DtoRGB?
http://rarevision.com/5dtorgb/
Salute
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Vincent Laforet Reply:
August 12th, 2011 at 2:34 pm
Yes – very nice. Premiere uses similar technology now (as of 5.5) so I no longer use 5DtoRGB
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Vincent,
A little over a year ago you were asked if you still use Aperture or if you were strictly film. I have the same question. Do you do any still work, and if so is Aperture still your goto?
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Vincent Laforet Reply:
October 30th, 2011 at 6:57 pm
I use both Aperture and Lightroom. I enjoy the organizational structure of Aperture very much.
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It was a great presentation at the show today.
You are a master.
I could not read my writing of the apps you gave and woud appreciate their names. Thanks very much to Canon and to you.
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Vincent Laforet Reply:
October 30th, 2011 at 6:55 pm
Sunseeker
Artemis
Go Skywatch
Focalware
and thank you for the kind words!
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What did you edit mobius on? Did and what did you use to convert if codec?
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Vincent Laforet Reply:
November 26th, 2011 at 9:53 pm
Edited in Adobe Premiere. No conversion necessary
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Hey Vince,
Do you prefer Magic Bullet DeNoiser OR Neat Video?
P.S. Learning from you has changed my life for me and my family. Thank you.
Marvin Henderosn.
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Vincent Laforet Reply:
January 19th, 2012 at 8:42 am
Thank you Marvin! I have the most experience w/ Neat Video -but Stu designed DeNoiser and it’s pretty darn amazing as well…
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I have shot with P2-based cameras for years and always used the compare feature of the P2 copy software to be sure what ended up on the hard drive was the same as what was on the card. Now I have started testing with a 7D, but I can’t find a good copy & compare program for use with CF cards on a Mac. Any suggestions?
Thanks for all the info you’ve posted on your site – it has all been extremely helpful and interesting.
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Vincent Laforet Reply:
January 20th, 2012 at 11:25 am
I’m sure DITs can give you a better answer – but I’ve used Carbon Copy Cloner…
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Hello Vincent, I had the same question some days ago as Dustin. Thanks for your assistance and advices you provide on your blog. I really enjoy reading it, it is great!
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Hi,
I wanted to know , have you tried the other external recorders like the ATOMOS NINJA/SAMURAI , if yes how would you rate it in comparison to the KI PRO MINI . The ninja uses SSD’s which have higher capacity than the CF cards on the Ki Pro mini . In terms of price and data SSD’s have more to offer . Please let me know what you think .
Awaiting your reply .
Thanks,
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Vincent Laforet Reply:
March 2nd, 2012 at 2:51 pm
I’m waiting to get a chance to play with the Samurai… Ki pro works nicely… You should check out the deck from sound devices – it’s quite popular…
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I bought the G-Drive Mini 1TB based on its reputation as an industry standard. It sustained a week of hard work before stopping to work entirely. Checked out the issue I was having online and saw a dozen threads with the same issue. As is said here in Latin America … con cuidado!
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Vincent Laforet Reply:
March 3rd, 2012 at 11:00 am
So sorry to hear that!!!!! Nothing worse… I’m going more and more towards SSD drives – very very expensive yes – but so much more peace of mind…
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At first glance couldn’t see anything on archiving.
Do you and how do you DAM your video files?
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Vincent Laforet Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 1:59 pm
Coming…
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Vincent Laforet Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 6:28 pm
We’ll do that at some point. We have a high end system here and the fear is that it’s going to be out of the price range for many. But we’re going to do a tiered look at different ways of doing DAM w/ video within the next few months.
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Hello there, I discovered your site by the use of Google even as looking for a similar topic, your web site came up, it looks great. I have bookmarked to my favourites|added to bookmarks.
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Hi Vincent
I’m just wondering what are the specs of your edit suite and if you have any recommendations?
I’ve recently been donated a 5d mk2 =D and I keep reading contradictory edit suite specs all over the net and I’m a little confused to say the least.
I used to use Final Cut Pro but I’m probably gonna switch to CS6.
I don’t mind whether its a MAC or PC (but I’d prefer a PC as it’ll be cheaper and I can get more for my £££).
I don’t wanna mess things up when I spend all this money!
Cheers in advance
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Vincent Laforet Reply:
May 29th, 2012 at 7:56 pm
I use a Mac Tower and an NVIDIA CUDA card w/ 16GB of ram, Red Rockets and e-Sata drives. I’ve found the performance to be excellent in Premiere.
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Hi Vincent,
Thanks so much for all the work you have put into this blog. It’s quite amazing!
Got a question though. I startede shooting RED Epic, and I can already now see an incoming problem: Storage solution.
Projects stack up and are really taking loads of space.
My NAS, that I thought had PLENTY of space, are soon full!
How do you manage all your RED footage, and your archive in general?
Thanks in advance 🙂
Kinds regards
Viktor
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Vincent Laforet Reply:
November 7th, 2012 at 9:38 pm
Oh it’s endless… I have 72TB of storage in my office – RAIDED servers.. when those fill up I go to LTO tape (Tandberg) … prior to that it’s all G-tech drives – most of them usb 3.0 and Thunderbolt
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Hi Vincent,
I am a photographer and I own some G-Drives, I was looking into the G-Raid vs. G-Drives. Which one do you prefer or is more reliable for photo storage and some video storage?
Thanks
Barbara
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Vincent Laforet Reply:
December 12th, 2012 at 11:47 pm
I’ve been using the SLIMs recently and been very happy with them even though they’re not raided (I copy data to TWO sets of drives and keep them separate) I would actually steer you towards the G-Speeds or raided G-Tech drives for the more safety/redundancy that raided units give you.
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I simply could not depart your web site prior to suggesting that I really loved the usual information an individual supply on your guests? Is going to be again ceaselessly to check out new posts
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Hi Vincent! Thanks for all the great info!!!!!!!
What screen do you recommend? If I use “Eye-One”, could an imac screen work for color correcting?
Thanks, Anjali
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@Vincent Laforet, Sorry for the LATE reply but thanks alot for getting back to me Vincent – much appreciated! =D
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Hi Vincent,
Im using FCPX for edits, Im wandering what your recommendation is for a jog wheel or some sort of controller? what do you currently use? do you recommend them? I have a budget of around 1K.
Lastly on the matter of editing, I have a C300, would I be better off using Premier, it seems to be the editor of choice.
Thanks
Tez
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Vincent Laforet Reply:
May 27th, 2013 at 3:51 pm
I used to use a ShuttlePro but no longer…
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Hello, I use canon to shoot, any good recommendations for weddings
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hey vincent,
thanks for all your info.
is there a round-about amount of storage space you would suggest to a unit still photographer covering a 6 week feature film shoot? i’m thinking of shooting fujifilm xt1s (16mp files) for the low profile…if those files will be large enough. otherwise, i’d shoot nikon d800’s (9-36mp)?
can you recommend good places to rent silencing/muffling blimps for nikon d800s? fujifilm xt1s? ones that hopefully allow for as much control of the camera controls as possible? peace, jahi
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I suspect that some professor at college is hacking my ereader even though it has wifi off … how is that possible???
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Time to face the music armed with this great inoonmatifr.
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The ability to think like that shows you’re an expert
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A me di trasmettere i file sorgenti non me ne fregava una beata ceppa.Facevo un bel "raccogli dati per la stampa", poi se la vedeva lo stampatore: se toppava qualcosa, era un problema suo.Il pdf, per me, è solo un passaggio in più e quindi una rottura di palle in più.
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Good point. I hadn’t thought about it quite that way. 🙂
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Mary, I could not agree more about the simpler flavors & recipes of old. This wonderful recipe would be a big hit at any meal. I especially like the caramel sauce ~ I could see it finding its way to a simple bowl of vanilla ice cream. Many thanks for posting this terrific recipe.
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