CESAR Posted June 15, 2008 Report Share Posted June 15, 2008 Hi everyone, I have been working on the film industry for several years, this is my second time I worked as a video assist. The system that I used is the old school one (using a vcr and record what the film camera is shooting) I have been looking thru the internet and found several websites that show you different types of video assist equipment, my question is can I use a dvd recorder instead of a vcr and performed the job more quickly? Any suggestions? My other question is if the video assist operators would become a thing from the past in the near future due to the increasing number of film shoot in high definition video? Thanks Cesar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Charles Papert Posted June 15, 2008 Premium Members Report Share Posted June 15, 2008 Most video assist guys are using proprietary hard drive recording software at this point (with tape backup as needed). I have yet to work on an HD show where the video assist is being recorded in HD (they record and play back the downconverted SD signal) but it is only a matter of time. (p.s. please add your last name to your screen name). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CESAR Posted June 16, 2008 Author Report Share Posted June 16, 2008 Thanks for the reply Charles, sorry I didn't put my last name, it is Diaz. Charles or anyone can suggest an affordable video assist equipment or how I can put together a good video assist equipment that have the basic tools necessary for the job?. Thanks. Cesar Díaz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members James Puli Posted June 16, 2008 Premium Members Report Share Posted June 16, 2008 (edited) Hey Cesar, Check out the Raptor system. http://raptorddr.com/ I just finished on a series with the Raptor X system, and it worked well for the most part. Fairly basic computer system, just add cables and monitors. It does all your variable frame rates etc and is fairly robust when rack mounted in a case. Otherwise check out http://www.cockpitcube.com/ - this is just software that you can load onto a standard PC system. But you will then need specific video i/o cards, da's, and a pc powerful enough to run it all. I would personally buy the Raptor system as it comes ready to work, rather then having to set up the PC and customise it all myself. And then you get the personal service and support that Raptor offer which are fantastic (consider im on the other side of the world) On the affordable front, you should just think that its going to work for you and pay it self off over the term of the job. But by the time you get cases, cables (or transmitters etc) and a couple of decent monitors you are probably looking at around $10,000 for a 1 camera kit. They are making a HD version but its not available as yet from what i have been told. For HD shows we have been downconverting either at Camera end or at the monitor end. Which ever works in the given situation JP Edited June 16, 2008 by James Puli Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Murphy Posted October 28, 2008 Report Share Posted October 28, 2008 I've used the RaptorHD and it worked great. At this point we have 6 Raptors and I'd never use anything else. It's just worked too well for us. Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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