Posted by Richard Crowley on 11/19/07 06:16

"Pre-Meltdown" wrote ...
> And indeed, not just "watchable on youtube", but an instructional dvd
> to be supplied with a product

Look at some comparable instructional videos for similar
(exercise, etc.) products. Even late-nite infomercials, etc. if you
don't have access to any examples of comparable instructional
videos. I am quite confident in saying that NONE of them
were produced with "webcam" type cameras. Have you ever
used a conventional camcorder? Do you appreate the very
substantial difference between a "real" camera and a "webcam"?

> I'm just on the verge of bringing to market, which is an
> exercise/rehab device for, among many other things, quickly
> stretching/rehab-ing bad backs--not every bad back, of course, but a
> surprising number of them.
> I developed/make this unit in a full machine shop I have downstairs.
> Nicely machined product, a rarity in today's retail market.

Perhaps off-topic for this newsgroup but if it is hand-machined
in your basement, is it commercially viable as a mass-market
product? I love hand-machining things in my garage, but have
no delusion that they could be commercially marketed with
that much hand-work. If this is intended for actual rehab
with the intent of remedying a medical condition, doesn't that
make it a "medical device" and subject to strict FDA rules?
Perhaps not something you need to answer here, but likely
something you will have to deal with somewhre along the line.

> The unit permanently installs in a doorway, which is mocked up in the
> middle of a 5-600 sq ft studio (8' ceilings) upstairs, so the video
> would be shot around this doorway, front, back, left, right.
> This studio/video equipment will be permanent, and likely not moved
> from this location.

I don't understand either of your assumed predelictions:

1) Why "permanent" how many of these videos do you think
you will be making? Are you going into the video making
business in addition to making your exercise/rehab device?

2) How did you arrive at multiple cameras and post-production
editing? I am also quite confident in saying that NO comparable
videos were produced this way. And for very good reason. They
were virtually all done in a conventional "film-production style"
where a single camera was used, optimally placed, lighted, etc,
and then several takes, perhaps at different zooms, etc. were
put onto tape before moving to the next (scripted) camera
position.

> I reasoned that since turn-key surveillance systems with up to eight
> cameras can be viewed simultaneously on one partitioned monitor, that
> several cameras could stream their images via a suitable program, from
> which I could then grab whatever view was the best for that particular
> demo/instruction.
> I gather this strategy does *not* extend to production video?

I gather you have not seen very many surveillence videos?
Even full-screen ones are often too fuzzy to even get a good
identification of the suspects. Despite the fiction you see
every week on CSI.

> I assumed that this could also be done straight into the computer,
> altho I guess it doesn't really matter whether the playback is from
> the computer's HD or from the camcorder's themselves.
> The point being, RE the "ISO" you mentioned:
>
> Yes, I would like to have multiple cameras just running, and LATER be
> able to select the best footage from the various vantage points.

From this, I gather that you have no video production experience.
Nothing wrong with this, nobody started out with such knowledge.
If you insist on your multiple webcam/surveillence camera scheme,
I predict that you will end up spending hundreds (thousands?) of
$$$ and end up with nothing usable to show for it.

> With sufficient field of view on each camera to cover my motion
> within/about the doorway. I was hoping to be able to play back all
> the footage simultaneously, to make selection easier.
> Realistic, in a real-life video world?

Not in my opinion.

> Since I will be starting all this from scratch (new everything), I
> don't have a program in mind, and could use suggestions along those
> lines as well.
> I've seen Pinnacle and Premier demo'd at B&H in Manhattan, but don't
> really grok their full capabilities. The simpler the program the
> better, for now.
>
> You mentioned "very capable mini-DV camcorders" for 2-3x a webcam.
> What might some of these be, ito general brands/models, and what
> ballpark price range?
> And where would one find a reliable/objective evaluation of these and
> other products?

Do you not have any friends with camcorders? Borrow one and
compare it to any "webcam" or surveillence camera you wish. After
doing a side-by-side comparison, I think you will quickly recant of
your fascination with multiple webcams.

> I will be setting up from scratch (new computer, lighting, mics,
> software, etc.), and as MG mentioned ito of bang for my buck, would
> basically like spend the minimum (for now, to get started, at least),
> with the best bang/buck, hopefully in a way that can be upgradeable.
> In essence, a basic but serviceable studio for these demos.
> I'll have to spend whatever I gotta spend, and hopefully not wind up
> homeless. :)

Buy a $500 mini-DV camcorder. Be sure to get one with a
microphone input jack and a headphone jack. I most strongly
recommend against your multiple-webcam scheme.

> I'm not against the idea of a consultant, but would sort of like to
> get my feet wet first, and maybe get a little income stream in first,
> so I can get to the "next level".

With a reasonable camcorder, sufficient lighting and TIME, you
could shoot enough video to edit together an acceptable video.
Have you written a script for this project? Do you have any kind
of urgent deadline for this video? It may take several months to
get things set up to produce halfway-decent video. Your 8-foot
ceilings may pose a problem trying to light things properly.

> This will also be an ongoing project, with a regular output of
> instructional dvds for a variety of machined products.

All the more reason to forget your "fixed installation" scheme
as inflexible and unworkable in the long-term.

> Again, I can start real basic, but would like to do it in a way where
> I can also expand/upgrade without scrapping what I've already bought.
> Wishful thinking??

Everything you tell us lobbies AGAINST your multiple fixed-
location webcame scheme.

> Looking for "decent" quality, but not for any prizes in a film
> festival.
>
> One last Q:
> What is the difference between this ng and rec.video.desktop? What
> types of Qs are more suitable there, vs here?

Theoretically, this newsgroup (r.v.p) is targetted at "production"
or the process of shooting, and the r.v.d is targetted at post-
production (editing). But in reality, there is a very large amount
of crossover. Your own situation is a perfect example.

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