New to Editing and Have Some Important Questions

Question

Greetings All,
I would consider myself a new editor - only because I feel I have so much to learn. Currently I edit for a local television show that broadcast on a cable network - I have been using makeshift solutions to get the job done - but would like to move into being a total professional.
Currently I have - Final Cut Studio 2 (will be upgrading to the new release in approx. 2 weeks) - 8 Core Mac Pro (upgraded video card & and extra ram)
- 23 inch Display (will purchase an additional 30" HD Display in approx. 2 weeks) -Mac Book Pro
-Adobe After Effects
I know that I need some sort of deck that can be used to put the tapes in and log and capture into final cut pro - (currently I rec. the footage on dvd and use MPEG to import the footage into Final Cut) - any recommendations on the type of deck I should get - something affordable that is universal that can be used with many types of tapes. Also I have been told that I may need a broadcast monitor - I've also been told that if I get the 30" HD display that I won't need a broadcast monitor- thoughts on this please? As a side not I have a 32 inch 720p flat screen Samsung television could this be used as a monitor? I've heard some discussion about Konika video capture card - after researching I'm still not sure I understand exactly what it's purpose is? Please help - is this something that I will need? What am I missing in my workflow? Any suggestions or advice would be appreciated - thanks

Answer 1

only because I feel I have so much to learn<</div>
Including where to post. This here's the LiveType forum.
You don't need one deck, you need a deck specific to every kind of tape you have to use. You probably only need a DVCAM deck. If you need Beta you already know that. If you don't know that, you need to start with a basic video production class at a college or high school. That's not a service we provide here in these forums.
The 30" Apple Cinema is way more screen than you need for FCP. Save your money and just get another 23".
Konica does not make capture cards. You may be thinking of Kona, easily researched.
You may or may not need a broadcast monitor. What you need is the firm knowledge and experience to make that decision on your own.
My suggestion is to look up a video expert in your market area and prepare your management to pay them for their expertise as a consultant. Your post indicates you have way too much to learn. You can do it in books and in many hours of online research but you're going to spend more time and money doing that than you would simply by hiring someone to do the easy parts for you.
bogiesan