I am looking for best workflow practices for EX1 and Mac.

Looking to shoot in the Keys this summer and upload to my website www.scubanation.com

I am an advanced diver but new to being an underwater videographer. I might be getting in over my head with the EX1 but I plan to give myself all summer to learn and take lessons from a pro.

They key here is to map out the easiest way to capture - edit- upload to website. So I am looking at either MacPro or Mac Book Pro. I have someone to edit but I want to give them the best possible tools for the job. I will take all advice, thank you in advance!!!!

Billy C.


I will also like to get some advice on best practices for in the field video storage, in order to re-use SxS memory cards. Those things are expensive and I am looking to have a few 16GB and a few 8 GB. But if I am diving all week I might need to reuse a few of those. Thanks!!

I'm not a sony guy but I am a mac guy and everyone will most likely same the same thing. If you don't need the portability of the MacBookPro, get the MacPro and load it up with a ton of RAM(not bought from apple), a solid video card and dual 20" or 23" cinema displays. Ohh yeah make sure you pickup a Contour Shuttle Pro, some SATA II drives and if you're feeling really adventurous a Wacom Tablet, I like the 9"x12". At least that's what I like to use.

Billy

So now you have a Laptop and two hard drvies to cart around with you.

Spend time downloading to the hardrives after a dive or two, then more time to make backups onto the second drive, then once you get home with it, keep your fingers crossed that the data is still on the drives.

EDIT it then spend a huge amount of time archiving the material back to a storage medium as there is no way you are going to leave all that data siting on mechanical hard drives.

If you ask me, good old tapes are allot easier to deal with.

And as for the best way to EDIT it....well ...

So you have boxes of tapes to cart round with you

Spend loads of time sifting through the tapes copying them to your 'laptop' ?.. hopefully not finding all the drop outs have ruined your work or that the cassette holders stuck or won't load...

Once you get home you find your tapes have been ruined by condensation or whatever !!! then when you have to go back to find certain sequences, spend you life racing through tape after tape because you did'nt log it properly..

If you ask me swings and roundabouts but SS is the way 4ward and will get better...

And as for editing.. Get someone else to do it...

Dive safe

DeanB

wow, you guys are being really helpful! Maybe slagging off a newbies gear isn't the nicest thing to do

My understanding is that on mac you need to convert ex1 files to an intermediate codec to be able to edit - which is a pain but might become a thing of the past when apple release an update for FCP2.

Even if you buy a Mac Pro, you'd probably still want a laptop to back-up / download cards in the field / check setting etc. To keep things simple you'd probably get another mac.

So, basically in my opinion getting a Mac Pro would also necessitate the purchase of a macbook pro anyway.

Backing-up on the MBP isnt a big deal anyway, you can setup external drives in raid configuration, and using FW800 it will transfer very quickly, and if you were running out of time you could leave it backing up while you went out diving again.

Disclaimer: Most of what I've said is probably wrong according to others on here But as Dean has MBP and an EX1 he could take the time to give something back to the forum that has given so much to him. Go on Dean, step out into the limelight - become the star than your momma always said you would be. Come on you Pikey, i want to know how to do it too!

Thanks Scuba SI, I dont mind the newbie stuff, I really anticipated it. I do believe peeple here are unbelievable at their craft. And that is why I seek out opinions here. Even if a little ribbing is going to cme my way. For me Scuba Diving has been a passion for the last 18 years. SO I hardly consider myself a newbie to a sport that consumes me.

It is a great time for divers right now. Technology is develping so rapidly that someone like me can start a busienss wrapped around a passion with very little investment.

For the sake of arguement, there is no way in hell I am looking at older technology, so therefore the latest and greatest will do. EX1, tapeless workflow. I am embracing this technolgy and committed to making/capturing beautiful underwater experiences here in the Florida Keys.

Have a good one everybody!!!

Glad to have been a help in your dilemma Billy...

Simon.. Hmmmm Pikey you say.. a derogatory comment that i'm sure my Caravan living, bare-knuckle fighting friend 'Little Joe boy' would love to hear you call him..

I'm no techno head.. how many bleeding times.. but once i get this EX1 to MBP thing sorted and believe me i will !! i'll be a happy camper.. or just camp... still working off tapes at the mo as my project is still my pike(y) stuff... but soon my precious...soon...


Dive safe

Dean(do wanna buy a dag)B

Sheesh, this place really can't function without me.

Billy,
All this has been discussed before. Always do a search before you post questions to streamline your queries.
I would suggest the MBP because of the express card slot and like Simon says, the FW800 slot is useful for drives. Wiebetech, Gtech and other makers have RAID and single drive enclosures with FW800/400 and even eSATA plugs. I would use FW800 for field and eSATA for in house.
A macpro and MBP are worlds apart in performance but you have to buy an express card adapter card/reader etc for the Mac Pro. The MBP is adequate for medium editing but slow for Compressor, Motion and AFx animations.
With the mac platform, Final Cut Studio is the platform that works best with XDCAM EX.

Yeah !!!! what he said ...

Dive safe

DeanB

Thanks Fellas, errrrrrrr, I mean Drew!

Just got the EX1, Mac Book Pro with Final Cut Studio 2 delivered!!!! Tomorrow I get the Gates Housing delivered, good times ahead.

Already overwhelmed with shooting and getting the footage imported into FCS. Watching tutuorial as we speak. Long learning curve ahead.

Anyone diving in the Keys this summer. I just dove the Speigal Grove this weekend, that ship is damn impressive!! Cannot wait to shoot it in two weeks!!!!!!!!!