Another thought for editing: It can be nice to have two monitors. One monitor shows the controls while the other shows full screen video.

In Vegas, this is quite easy to set up. (I've used After Effects for years and still can't figure out how to configure the video without a border.) Once the setup is done, just click the monitor icon and the video will show full screen on the second monitor. (That said, I'm using Vegas Pro. I'm not sure if Studio supports this.)

Vegas doesn't require a second monitor. It allows an area of the editing surface to show the editing result.Personally, I often just use the smaller window. However, when you want to see details, or how big the text will look, the larger monitor is excellent. The big advantage, however, is when you collaborate. Having a second monitor allows friends, colleagues, and onlookers to see the video in progress. For you and your son working together, I think that this would be very rewarding. It might help open up his awareness towards sharing the video, rather than editing in his own little world.

In this situation, the main monitor can be of any resolution and quality. The video monitor, however, should have good quality, be 16x9 and have HD (or UHD) resolution. In my case, I use a 32-inch TV as my video monitor. That said, some TVs have strange pixel structures that look bad up close or with computer text. I'm using a "gaming TV" that handles computer graphics cleanly.

Jon

Thank you for all the great information about Vegas in these three posts. Am feeling a little under the weather tonight, so I just skimmed them, but there is a lot there. When I am feeling better tomorrow, I will read them more for content, and get back to you.

Thank you very much !

Michael

Magix bought Vegas earlier this year and still have the offer to buy Vegas 13 and get Vegas 14 free. Offer is available to end of August. Exclusive welcome offer (http://www.magix.com/?id=22799&L=52&C=36&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=mail&utm_campaign=CA_vcs_intro3&utm_term=vegasupg&utm_content=vegas14). This is the full version rather than Movie Studio too and comes with the full version of DVD Architect 6.0 for DVD and Bluray authoring. I was on Vegas 12 and have taken this offer as it is a good deal. Even if you do this and get Studio for $79 the total is a lot less than almost all the other NLE's you may look at and a really good DVD authoring package.

I use EDIUS 8 WG for video most of the time but always use Vegas for audio and DVDArchitect for disc authoring. As Jon has said it is easy to work with and can be used simply or as complicated as you wish.

Ron Evans

Ron

Thank you for the information. As I mentioned to Jon, not feeling my best tonight. Will discuss further when I am feeling better.

Thanks very much !

Michael

Brian

Thank you for posting this comparison. What you say is true, and I have a lot of learning and research to do.

I am going to buy a new computer robust enough to work with 4K files. I just have to find the time to go shopping, or maybe have one built.

Thank you for your great responses and the information they contain.

Michael

I am going to buy a new computer robust enough to work with 4K files

Actually, you first need to decide what NLE you will be using and build your computer around that. Every NLE has different requirements, some might require a very powerful graphicscard and others don't even need a graphics card like Edius.

The computer and editing software is definitely another part of the total equation. I'm another Vegas user, still on the fence on the 13-14 upgrade to my v12...

I've also been looking at DaVinci Resolve, as it's been mentioned on DVi a few times, and it's apparently free with an extensive feature set...

You can build a decently powerful desktop machine, or a higher end laptop can be an option. There are some gaming laptops that have 4K screens that would do the trick, I've got a cheap Seiki 4K TV for my "monitor" when at the desktop. You can put together a capable system for a reasonable price if you're careful.

hi, I'd like to add my ¢2 if I may, first off it's a huge challenge for both you and your son and I wish you well. My ten year old grandnephew has aspergers, so I can relate on some level to the challenge you face.
I'd also like to note how great this community is in offering the advice encouragement etc.

One of the things that strikes me, is that you will have to learn this subject which is totally new to you, there are two distinct areas to learn, one is the technical side the other is the creative angle, as others have said start shooting and the questions will come! but you have to learn and understand every single aspect of this subject prior to teaching anyone else, I hope you have allowed some time to accomplish this. It has taken me a long while to learn everything I need and indeed I'm still Iearning.
I cant offer much advice in the way you might go about this learning curve, but i'm sure there are others here that will.

I guess one of the first things you have to do, is consider your gear list before you start to learn anything. I realise that most of these have been discussed, but just to gather it all in one place.
So keeping your budget in mind (this can get very expensive fast!), I think you need to consider and make decisions on some or all of the following:
1. Cameras - Main/backup B roll cam. I think you should think of some of the cheaper entry level
cams because your budget must allow for other pieces of equipment besides just a camera.
a. Form Factor - DSLR Video/ Camcorder. Fixed lens/ Interchangeable.
Your Main Cam ideally should match up with the B-Roll as much as possible, saves a lot
on colour matching in post.
b. For documentary style shooting (leaving out interchangeable lens cams) in no particular order;
(1) Sony DSC-RX10M mark II/III
(2) Canon XC10 4K/
(3) Sony PXW-X70 XDCAM/ FDR-AX100
(4) Canon 70D/ 80D
2. Storage cards for cameras - obviously you'll need cards and extra cards for each cam.
3. Extra batteries so you don't run out in the field.
4. Camera monitor I have a Lilliput 663/O/P 7" monitor it's ok, I find it a bit fiddley to use.
5. Audio Solutions
a. Rode Video Mic
b. Boom pole kit
c. Deadcat (for wind noise reduction - essential for outdoor scenes)
d. Headphones
6. Lighting There may be times that you want to add light on location i.e. when the subject is backlit by the sun or very bright sky or late into the evening
a. Light Reflector/ Dimmable High Power Panel LED Video Light
b. Light stands
7. Stabilisation system - Tripod / 3-Axis Stabilised Handheld Gimbal System. If a tripod, along with
a few quick release plates, I would say any of these manufacturers;
a. Libec
b. Manfrotto
c. Vinten
d. Sirui
e. Sachtler
8. Lanc system for the tripod (control Zoom and other functions from the panhandle)
9. Slider
10. Card reader
11. Software programs
a. Adobe Premiere Pro CC Current one is 2015.3. CS 6 is still available.
b. Vegas
c. Movie Studio Pro - got this free with the AX-100 couldn't get used to it at all.
d. Another free program is Davinci Resolve 12.5 from Blackmagic Design.
e. DVD Authoring program.
f. Backing track creation software/Subscription to Royalty Free music.
12. Computer
a. Desktop computer with a good graphics card Nvidea GeForce GTX 950/970 4Gb. At least 16
Gb RAM recommended 24 Gb. Intel Core i7 6700K or better. SSD OS drive and at least 4 TB
internal. (4K files are big) All of this depends on the system requirements of the software you
decide on getting.
b. Monitor either a two monitor setup something like one 27" and secondary one can be smaller
or one big monitor say a 30"/42".Choose IPS if possible and check on the ports that the
monitor has. LG, Samsung, Dell have a good line of monitors.
13. Storage solutions;
a. Eventually you'll have to archive footage and move it off the main machine.
b. Cloud storage
14. Cases/Bags to carry all the stuff around!
15. Operator Table/ Desk/Chair (very important)
16. Field guides, tutorials etc.

Theres probably lots I've left out but hopefully this might provide a little context to what you need to have, to help towards achieving the task.

Sorry for the long post.

best of luck and best wishes

R

Magix bought Vegas earlier this year and still have the offer to buy Vegas 13 and get Vegas 14 free. Offer is available to end of August. Exclusive welcome offer (http://www.magix.com/?id=22799&L=52&C=36&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=mail&utm_campaign=CA_vcs_intro3&utm_term=vegasupg&utm_content=vegas14). This is the full version rather than Movie Studio too and comes with the full version of DVD Architect 6.0 for DVD and Bluray authoring. I was on Vegas 12 and have taken this offer as it is a good deal. Even if you do this and get Studio for $79 the total is a lot less than almost all the other NLE's you may look at and a really good DVD authoring package.

I use EDIUS 8 WG for video most of the time but always use Vegas for audio and DVDArchitect for disc authoring. As Jon has said it is easy to work with and can be used simply or as complicated as you wish.

Ron Evans

One point not yet made is that with Vegas, you can run several instances at the same time.

I am usually able to run 3, if I launch a 4th, things seem to slow down.

It's probably a question of how much RAM is in a PC.

I have a family member who's going through the same thing, trying to find his son, who has some form of aspergers/autism, a job but with no luck. It's hard enough for a kid fresh out of school to find a job but some who can't communicate it's almost impossible.

The computer and editing software is definitely another part of the total equation. I'm another Vegas user, still on the fence on the 13-14 upgrade to my v12...

I've also been looking at DaVinci Resolve, as it's been mentioned on DVi a few times, and it's apparently free with an extensive feature set...

You can build a decently powerful desktop machine, or a higher end laptop can be an option. There are some gaming laptops that have 4K screens that would do the trick, I've got a cheap Seiki 4K TV for my "monitor" when at the desktop. You can put together a capable system for a reasonable price if you're careful.

Dave

Thank you for the reply, and the words of wisdom. I would have to say I am leaning toward Vegas after the positive testimonials from yourself Jon, Ron, Walter and others. What is the shared opinion of Power Director ?

Thanks

Michael

Rob

Thank you for the reply, and all the information it contains. Thank you for the well wishes too ! I hope your grandnephew is doing well, and when he needs help, I hope he is able to find a place just as fantastic as I have here, to get that help.

As far as the task ahead, it will be a challenge, no doubt about that. As carefully as I can, will break each step into small "lesson plans" and teach each plan to mastery, with appropriate positive reinforcement. Of course that only addresses my teaching Mackenzie, and says nothing about my learning the subject matter, and I recognize that. I do feel I can learn what is needed (thank the fates that it is not physics, or calculus). I am, and will continue searching for a mentor, and of course I have my friends here.

Rob, that is a long list you have provided. My own is not quite that long yet, but it is getting there.

Again, thanks for this great post, and for the well wishes .

Michael

I have a family member who's going through the same thing, trying to find his son, who has some form of aspergers/autism, a job but with no luck. It's hard enough for a kid fresh out of school to find a job but some who can't communicate it's almost impossible.

Hi Pete

Thank you for the reply. I hope your family member's son with Autism Spectrum Disorder is able to accomplish great things once he gets his chance.

Besides his very high interest in the subject matter, Mackenzie is not exactly a people person, and that is why I have been proactive in trying to make this quest a reality. If he can just film his subject matter, then go home and in the course of time edit it, copy it, (hopefully we can sell it), package it, and ship it, then we will be in his comfort zone with a minimal of interpersonal communication (and what there is of that, I will take care of). As I have said before, if this does not work, I will move on to the next thing, whatever that may be.

Again, thank you for your post.

Michael

Actually, you first need to decide what NLE you will be using and build your computer around that. Every NLE has different requirements, some might require a very powerful graphicscard and others don't even need a graphics card like Edius.

Noa

As best I can, I am going to roughly guess what my choice of an NLE maybe, and get a machine that I am confidant will handle the workload. I may get more machine than I actually need, but in this case, better to ere on the side of more capability.

I am strongly considering having a computer made instead of buying one off the shelf, and if I thought I would have the time, I would order the components and build one myself.

Michael

Thank you for the reply, and the words of wisdom. I would have to say I am leaning toward Vegas after the positive testimonials from yourself Jon, Ron, Walter and others. What is the shared opinion of Power Director ?
l

Just be aware you'll get just as strong testimonials from users of their own NLE of choice. Fortunately, you can try each NLE for a trial period, so you can check them out, although the first limiter of choice will be the operating system. If you go with Windows that rules out FCP X, but if you go with Mac, the same applies to Vegas.

I've heard a few people liking Power Director, although the import options are limited, it's more a consumer NLE, than one that supports the higher end codecs used by many professionals. It really depends on the end purpose for the productions.

First question would be does he want to work with a track based editor or a non track based editor? For the latter, the only professional option is FCPX, all the others are track based.

Brian makes some good points about NLEs. You can download trial versions and test them out for free on your current computer(s). As mentioned, the OS decision narrows the available choices.

I would beware NLEs that are limited to the lower end of the market. A lower-end editor might be attractive at first, but you might run into limits. Changing to a different NLE can then be challenging as we always compare it to that comfortable one that we learned first.

Avid, FCP, and Premiere are probably the main pro NLEs. IMO, Avid is overkill, FCP is a good option, and Premiere is not easy to learn.

The next set includes Vegas, Edius, Resolve and possibly others. Vegas is nice in that it has an inexpensive version with an upgrade path to a pro version. I've never used Edius, but from what I read, many like it and it seems to be very capable. Resolve is quite interesting as it's used professionally and BlackMagic Design is opening it up to the masses. These may all be good choices, depending on which falls to hand most easily.

I would stay far away from iMovie, MovieMaker, and other editors that are for consumers only. They are too limiting and could be hard to leave behind, once learned. (And this is why I recommend avoiding Simple Edit Mode in Vegas.) I don't know if PowerDirector falls in this category or is in the next tier above.

Another consideration is the prospect of long-time development and support of the software. Avid, FCP, and Premiere are on solid ground. Sony just sold Vegas to Magix. Magix seems committed to it, but I don't know about their financials. BlackMagic is solid and seems committed to Resolve. Edius is now owned by Grass Valley, which is owned by Belden, so they have a broader financial base than just software editors. Sometimes companies lose interest in smaller product lines. (Ask me about Tascam's treatment of GigaStudio sometime - or others about Gibson and Opcode.) But each of these software bases seem mature enough that they can be sold and continued, rather than suffocated.

Anyway, FCP, Vegas, Edius, and Resolve would be the ones I would look at. Maybe PowerDirector is in that list as well, but I can't answer that.

I would also throw Lightworks into the mix, since it's been around as long as Avid and is now supported by a company who's background is video/digital post production,kit for the broadcast industry, so it's part of a range of products.

Lightworks is used by a number of feature film editors and it's tradition is long form narrative editing for dramas and documentaries . It has a number of advanced features, some of which over the years have been taken up by other manufacturers. .

Michael,

All of this stuff your considering on the computer and software side of things warrants a call to Videoguys. Building video editing machines is their specialty. They will custom build you one or you can go turnkey. They are the industry experts in knowing which hardware components work the best with which software. You can check them out here: Video Editing and Live Production Hardware and Software - VideoGuys.com (http://www.videoguys.com)

I would encourage you to call them too. There reputation is for first class customer service to taylor a custom machine to meet the needs of the caller.

They are also a DVINFO sponsor and at least for me that matters. If you call please let them know you heard about them here.

Kind Regards,

Steve

Just be aware you'll get just as strong testimonials from users of their own NLE of choice. Fortunately, you can try each NLE for a trial period, so you can check them out, although the first limiter of choice will be the operating system. If you go with Windows that rules out FCP X, but if you go with Mac, the same applies to Vegas.

I've heard a few people liking Power Director, although the import options are limited, it's more a consumer NLE, than one that supports the higher end codecs used by many professionals. It really depends on the end purpose for the productions.

First question would be does he want to work with a track based editor or a non track based editor? For the latter, the only professional option is FCPX, all the others are track based.

Brian

Thank you for this information. I am going to do my research, and whenever possible try these programs (on a trial basis) with Mackenzie to see if one might be a better fit for him, thank you for the idea/suggestion.

Is there an advantage in regards a track based editor versus a non track based editor ?

Thank you

Michael

Brian makes some good points about NLEs. You can download trial versions and test them out for free on your current computer(s). As mentioned, the OS decision narrows the available choices.

I would beware NLEs that are limited to the lower end of the market. A lower-end editor might be attractive at first, but you might run into limits. Changing to a different NLE can then be challenging as we always compare it to that comfortable one that we learned first.

Avid, FCP, and Premiere are probably the main pro NLEs. IMO, Avid is overkill, FCP is a good option, and Premiere is not easy to learn.

The next set includes Vegas, Edius, Resolve and possibly others. Vegas is nice in that it has an inexpensive version with an upgrade path to a pro version. I've never used Edius, but from what I read, many like it and it seems to be very capable. Resolve is quite interesting as it's used professionally and BlackMagic Design is opening it up to the masses. These may all be good choices, depending on which falls to hand most easily.

I would stay far away from iMovie, MovieMaker, and other editors that are for consumers only. They are too limiting and could be hard to leave behind, once learned. (And this is why I recommend avoiding Simple Edit Mode in Vegas.) I don't know if PowerDirector falls in this category or is in the next tier above.

Another consideration is the prospect of long-time development and support of the software. Avid, FCP, and Premiere are on solid ground. Sony just sold Vegas to Magix. Magix seems committed to it, but I don't know about their financials. BlackMagic is solid and seems committed to Resolve. Edius is now owned by Grass Valley, which is owned by Belden, so they have a broader financial base than just software editors. Sometimes companies lose interest in smaller product lines. (Ask me about Tascam's treatment of GigaStudio sometime - or others about Gibson and Opcode.) But each of these software bases seem mature enough that they can be sold and continued, rather than suffocated.

Anyway, FCP, Vegas, Edius, and Resolve would be the ones I would look at. Maybe PowerDirector is in that list as well, but I can't answer that.

Jon

Thanks for the post and your advice. I am only going to be looking at NLE's that can do the job now and for the future(with upgrades of course). You are very wise stressing the support or lack of when considering any of these.

Thank you

Michael

Brian

Thank you for reminding me of that, and the additional information !


Michael

Michael,

All of this stuff your considering on the computer and software side of things warrants a call to Videoguys. Building video editing machines is their specialty. They will custom build you one or you can go turnkey. They are the industry experts in knowing which hardware components work the best with which software. You can check them out here: Video Editing and Live Production Hardware and Software - VideoGuys.com (http://www.videoguys.com)

I would encourage you to call them too. There reputation is for first class customer service to taylor a custom machine to meet the needs of the caller.

They are also a DVINFO sponsor and at least for me that matters. If you call please let them know you heard about them here.

Kind Regards,

Steve

Steve

Thank you for letting me know and the link. It is great that they are sponsors of this wonderful forum.

That is two I owe you, the first was about the audio section of this forum, and now VideoGuys. I will call them, and since they are sponsors, that makes it even better.

Thank You !

Michael

Hi Everyone

Looks like I have another camera to consider ftp://ftp.panasonic.com/camcorder/catalog/HC_X1_Catalog_160824.pdf

I know that I am new to this, but it seems odd that Panasonic would bring out a camera (HC X1) that is due out in December that is so similar to one (UX 180) that was announced earlier, and is due out this fall. Granted, when the final production cameras are released, they may be very different, but as of now, the major difference is that the UX 180 has SDI, while the HC X1 does not, for $800 more.

Michael

The HC-X1 looks like an upgrade from the HC-X1000 with a new sensor in the consumer lineup. The UX series is a new 4K series in the pro lineup. Until we see the specs of both we will not really know the differences. Only clear difference so far is SDI but the UX could have timecode on the outputs etc or different codec options and accessories included in the price. I am sure we will get more information at IBC in a week. To me the confusion is with the UX90.

Ron Evans

Hello Everyone,

I am still around, basically just waiting for the new Panasonic cameras (HC-X1, and UX 180) to come out this November and December. Following the advice of many of you, once they are out, I'll be taking my son into the city to B&H to get a more hands on look at these cameras and the DVX 200. Will keep everyone updated as the process moves forward.

Once again, I wish to thank everyone for the tips, advice, and support I have received during my short time here. I am sure I will have more questions, and will be seeking help and guidance as we move further toward our goal(s).

Thanks Again !

Michael