Video Data Information:When supplying material for video editing or multimedia use. Here are a few tips to make the job easier for all concerned.
DV, DV-CAM, Mini-DV are all the same thing it is just the "Shell size" holding exactly the same tape.
Digital Formats we use now are usually recorded on SD Cards, memory sticks, XD-CAM discs, Hard Drives or P2 cards. If you can shoot on DNxHD or ProRes life will be much easier.
Digi-Betacam is old school over kill, unless you are doing a high-end broadcast job and then you should be editing in "uncompressed" or you're wasting your time and money.
Home Movie cameras are generally only Single CCD Chip cameras. So don't expect them to have great colour and perfect exposure, no-where near comparable to a 3CCD Chip Camera, you get what you pay for. Set your frame rates for 25 or 50fps NOT 30 or 60 a good size is 1280 x 720 for 16:9.
DON'T USE the SHUTTER on cameras, they are intended for specific uses when used inappropriately the vision you shoot will look like an 8mm home movie. If you are shooting an old computer screen or intending to slow-mo your material then maybe consider using the shutter.
Other useful bits:
Any graphics for use in a video production should be 1024 pixels x 576 pixels minimum 72 DPI for SD for HD then only 1920 x 1080.
Targa = TGA, PNG or TIF are the best formats, however if you only have JPG's don't re-save them supply the original JPG's to us.
Good sound is just as important as your vision, use a close microphone - the camera mic will not pick up an interview well enough it is only good for atmosphere ambience.
Lighting is still important sure you can get a picture with-out lights, but hire in a lighting guy and see the difference, now your video is looking like an expert shot it.
Script before you shoot, every minute of vision you shoot will cost you 10 mins in the editing suite. If write scripted first you will shoot only what you need to meaning a much more cost effective edit.
Preview your material before you come to the edit, knock up a rough edit list on paper it will be the difference between having a 3 hour edit session and 10 hour session - your paying.
Have fun, more coming soon
