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Posted by: Wallimann Feb 8 2008, 02:42 PM

Hi everyone,
I really want to improve my video quality.
The darkness and lack of light is very frustrating and I don't know what to do to improve.

I record during the daylight with all windows opened and all lights on.
I have tried some heavy duty work lights bought at the home depot, but it didn't help at all.

I don't know what to do. I am so frustrated.

Any help? I am willing to invest into some lights (not too expensive). Do you guys have ideas?
Could the background be an issue? I use black because it looks professional..

Any suggestions would be welcome!

Posted by: Kristofer Dahl Feb 8 2008, 02:46 PM

Great topic David! biggrin.gif

In this lesson you had pretty good quality:

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/david-gilmour-style-lesson/

Do you remember what your settings were?

Posted by: Muris Feb 8 2008, 02:51 PM

Day light is greatest for sure.
However sometimes I record during evening and here's my light setup add.
-2x70watts lamps from ceiling
-50watts smooth lamp pointing at the neck(headstock)
-50watts heavy lamp pointing at body
-light neon lamp(maybe 20watts) aiming at fingerboard

It's kind a party,I know laugh.gif

Posted by: Wallimann Feb 8 2008, 02:57 PM

QUOTE (Kristofer Dahl @ Feb 8 2008, 08:46 AM) *
Great topic David! biggrin.gif

In this lesson you had pretty good quality:

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/david-gilmour-style-lesson/

Do you remember what your settings were?


Hmmm.. I can't remember, I think I've been using the same settings all the time.
The lighting isn't as bright here as opposed to this one:
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/david-gilmour-style-lesson2-lead/

I think I'm gonna go shop for lightings today...
Does anyone know what kind of light I need?
Soft? Fluorescant?

Posted by: Wallimann Feb 8 2008, 02:58 PM

QUOTE (Muris @ Feb 8 2008, 08:51 AM) *
Day light is greatest for sure.
However sometimes I record during evening and here's my light setup add.
-2x70watts lamps from ceiling
-50watts smooth lamp pointing at the neck(headstock)
-50watts heavy lamp pointing at body
-light neon lamp(maybe 20watts) aiming at fingerboard

It's kind a party,I know laugh.gif



Haha!
Party on!
Yeah, I'm definitally missing ceiling lights.
I don't have any at all here...

Posted by: Muris Feb 8 2008, 02:58 PM

QUOTE (Wallimann @ Feb 8 2008, 02:57 PM) *
Hmmm.. I can't remember, I think I've been using the same settings all the time.
The lighting isn't as bright here as opposed to this one:
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/david-gilmour-style-lesson2-lead/

I think I'm gonna go shop for lightings today...
Does anyone know what kind of light I need?
Soft? Fluorescant?


I use mostly "table" lamps,smaller and easier to arrange.

Posted by: Jerry Arcidiacono Feb 8 2008, 03:06 PM

Hi David,
I started to use a 500w halogen lamp like this one



in my last lesson, without the grid.
I've paid around 9 euro for it.

I will experiment adding some other lights to avoid shadows.

Posted by: Muris Feb 8 2008, 03:07 PM

QUOTE (Jerry Arcidiacono @ Feb 8 2008, 03:06 PM) *
Hi David,
I started to use a 500w halogen lamp like this one



in my last lesson, without the grid.
I've paid around 9 euro for it.

I will experiment adding some other lights to avoid shadows.


Wow,that IS lot of power,nice price tho.
Is it hot too much around it?

Posted by: Jerry Arcidiacono Feb 8 2008, 03:19 PM

QUOTE (Muris @ Feb 8 2008, 03:07 PM) *
Wow,that IS lot of power,nice price tho.
Is it hot too much around it?


I've purchased this lamp in a big store, discount price.
It's quite hot... yes.
Right now it's not a problem. I record my lesson in my private rehearsal room/studio and during the winter it's quite cold here.
I will tell you something different in the next months biggrin.gif

Posted by: Muris Feb 8 2008, 03:21 PM

QUOTE (Jerry Arcidiacono @ Feb 8 2008, 03:19 PM) *
I've purchased this lamp in a big store, discount price.
It's quite hot... yes.
Right now it's not a problem. I record my lesson in my private rehearsal room/studio and during the winter it's quite cold here.
I will tell you something different in the next months biggrin.gif


laugh.gif Summer in the city,I use a towel during hot months,there's a hint laugh.gif


Posted by: Wallimann Feb 8 2008, 03:26 PM

QUOTE (Jerry Arcidiacono @ Feb 8 2008, 09:06 AM) *
Hi David,
I started to use a 500w halogen lamp like this one



in my last lesson, without the grid.
I've paid around 9 euro for it.

I will experiment adding some other lights to avoid shadows.


Thanks Jerry,
That's exactly the lamp I bought too a while back.. But I had to return it.. It didn't make much difference...

Posted by: lavendell Feb 8 2008, 03:32 PM

QUOTE (Jerry Arcidiacono @ Feb 8 2008, 03:06 PM) *
Hi David,
I started to use a 500w halogen lamp like this one



in my last lesson, without the grid.
I've paid around 9 euro for it.

I will experiment adding some other lights to avoid shadows.

I use a lamp like this as well! smile.gif

Posted by: Jerry Arcidiacono Feb 8 2008, 03:38 PM

QUOTE (Muris @ Feb 8 2008, 03:21 PM) *
laugh.gif Summer in the city,I use a towel during hot months,there's a hint laugh.gif


and what about an air fan? You can add some "Steve-Vai-hairs-effect" to your lessons biggrin.gif

QUOTE (Wallimann @ Feb 8 2008, 03:26 PM) *
Thanks Jerry,
That's exactly the lamp I bought too a while back.. But I had to return it.. It didn't make much difference...


Sounds strange...

Posted by: Kristofer Dahl Feb 8 2008, 03:40 PM

I tried a construction lamp but didn't have much success (except I managed to heat the apartment).

I came to the conlcusion that the light that gave me good quality was "white" light (produced by desktop/office halogen lamp, not so expensive either) as opposed to the "yellow" one produced by the construction lamp.

But somewhere I got the advise to place something in front of the construction lamp as a light filter - the kind of paper used for bakery in the oven (don't know the word). I haven't tried it though - and be careful to not start a fire though! blink.gif

Posted by: Muris Feb 8 2008, 03:42 PM

QUOTE (Kristofer Dahl @ Feb 8 2008, 03:40 PM) *
I haven't tried it though - and be careful to not start a fire though! blink.gif


Yeah,halogen lamps are quite good,I must get more of them.
And I don't like the tune "There's a fire in the house" btw biggrin.gif

Posted by: Wallimann Feb 8 2008, 06:27 PM

Ok, I just got back from a photograph here.
We talked quite a while and he gave me a good adress to get pro lights.
I went there and they were very nice.
They told me to call this other guy next week.
He's a photograph and he happens to be a guitarist too. Perfect combination!
I'll talk to him next week and get what I need.
I'm expecting major improvement sometime next week! :-)

Posted by: Muris Feb 8 2008, 06:47 PM

Sounds great David,fingers crossed!!! smile.gif

Posted by: Bogdan Feb 8 2008, 07:54 PM

What camera do you use David ? Try playing with exposure values on it o get the more light in?

Posted by: Joe Kataldo Feb 8 2008, 07:54 PM

QUOTE (Muris @ Feb 8 2008, 02:51 PM) *
Day light is greatest for sure.
However sometimes I record during evening and here's my light setup add.
-2x70watts lamps from ceiling
-50watts smooth lamp pointing at the neck(headstock)
-50watts heavy lamp pointing at body
-light neon lamp(maybe 20watts) aiming at fingerboard

It's kind a party,I know laugh.gif


Let's Dace Muris laugh.gif laugh.gif laugh.gif

Posted by: Milenkovic Ivan Feb 9 2008, 01:12 PM

I use that 500W as well. Walli if you don't have money for a pro light difuser, just buy this cheap 500W halogen can, and you can point it in the wall and let the wall difuse the light. Two of this pointed in oposite walls will make your room shine.

Posted by: Dejan Feb 10 2008, 12:26 PM

The most important is that you don't mix daylight and lamps, so if the daylight is not enough you should darken the room as much as possible and then adding lights smile.gif

Posted by: Milenkovic Ivan Feb 10 2008, 05:50 PM

I agree, the natural and artificial lights have different frequency, and the result is not very good, especially if the daylight is too dark. But darkening the windows has side effects too, not only that the outside light cannot enter, but inside light does not disipate out the windows - it stays in the room and disperse.

Posted by: Muris Feb 10 2008, 06:49 PM

Actually I have quite good experience with mixing daylight and lamps! smile.gif
However I haven't done this in a while,winter day time and stuff. biggrin.gif

Posted by: Milenkovic Ivan Feb 11 2008, 03:17 AM

I did some lessons with winter light, and it didn't came out that nice to be honest. With the summer sun it is a whole another story.

Posted by: Muris Feb 11 2008, 03:20 AM

That's what I'm saying,waiting for the summer biggrin.gif laugh.gif

Posted by: Milenkovic Ivan Feb 11 2008, 08:12 PM

Summer has its disadvantages too, the Sun can be too bright, and different camera settings are needed. If you have a small window like me, it is the best to record drapes closed. Too much Sun, even in the summer is not a good thing.

Posted by: Muris Feb 11 2008, 09:28 PM

QUOTE (Milenkovic Ivan @ Feb 11 2008, 08:12 PM) *
Summer has its disadvantages too, the Sun can be too bright, and different camera settings are needed. If you have a small window like me, it is the best to record drapes closed. Too much Sun, even in the summer is not a good thing.


Somehow my room isn't exposed to the sun directly so I remove drapes fully.
It comes inside just enough to get nice light and not to "burn" the image.
And of course,you have to set different settings. smile.gif

Posted by: Milenkovic Ivan Feb 11 2008, 10:10 PM

Over the summer in my room is this big heat, because the room is on the sunny side of the building, so I don't know what to do. I know - must get air conditioner from my next salary wink.gif

Posted by: tonymiro Feb 11 2008, 10:27 PM

I empathise with you Ivan - no air con here either and in Summer it gets really hot - often over 45 outside and so hot electronics starts to overheat and shut down (I do as well). Personally, air con isn't a solution as it does my throat and chest no good. All I can do is to try and work late in the evening and early in the morning before the sun cooks us.

Posted by: Bogdan Feb 11 2008, 10:32 PM

Oh man you just reminded me how hot it gets to be in my room here where I record..I guess for me it will be impossible to work (all the lights will add up to heat)... sad.gif
I'll have to get air con installed here by then..I know its not good (have it in other room) but I'll have no other choice smile.gif

Posted by: Milenkovic Ivan Feb 11 2008, 10:32 PM

That's the exact problem that I have too, specially now when summers are warmer adn warmer each year. I've recorded a few lessons while the temperature was around 30 degrees inside, and MAN it is hot with a 500W halogen lamp on! smile.gif Now, in the winter, I keep my 500Watter on all the time when shooting and it warmes up my room pretty nicely, even with the windows halfopen! Waiting for the summer.... wink.gif

Posted by: Muris Feb 11 2008, 10:32 PM

I always have a looong shower after recoding during summer,you'll get the idea! laugh.gif

And spot on air condition Tony,it's non natural cooling/heating system and
might lead to very bad health problems,
I know my dad has got many,specially when driving car with AC.

Btw,good to see you back and well Tony,
I was missing your posts a lot!! smile.gif

Posted by: Bogdan Feb 11 2008, 10:45 PM

QUOTE (Muris @ Feb 11 2008, 10:32 PM) *
I know my dad has got many,specially when driving car with AC.


During hot days in summer I tend to stay under AC all day and not get much out..Also I'm addicted to AC in a car.. wink.gif
I love AC smile.gif hehehehe And I know its a bad thing sad.gif

Posted by: Muris Feb 12 2008, 01:01 AM

QUOTE (Bogdan @ Feb 11 2008, 10:45 PM) *
During hot days in summer I tend to stay under AC all day and not get much out..Also I'm addicted to AC in a car.. wink.gif
I love AC smile.gif hehehehe And I know its a bad thing sad.gif


Being an addict is usually related with wrong things laugh.gif

Posted by: Milenkovic Ivan Feb 12 2008, 12:09 PM

Stay off the AC Bogdan, Muris is right, you could really get health problems that way in the long run.

In the summer my preparations for lessons will be: towel, camera, towel, light, towel, guitar, laugh.gif

Posted by: Joe Kataldo Feb 12 2008, 12:26 PM

Yeah, I'm with you...say no to Air conditioning, during my last visit to L.A. (American people use it a Looooooooooooooot) people look at me like martian when I asked, "can you please shut off the air conditioning" and they "Why, the desert is Hot and Sunny"

laugh.gif laugh.gif laugh.gif laugh.gif laugh.gif

Posted by: Muris Feb 12 2008, 02:29 PM

QUOTE (Milenkovic Ivan @ Feb 12 2008, 12:09 PM) *
In the summer my preparations for lessons will be: towel, camera, towel, light, towel, guitar, laugh.gif


Kind of,yeah biggrin.gif

Posted by: Wallimann Feb 12 2008, 03:10 PM

Just wanted to give you an update.
I'm getting some lights today. :-)
Can't wait!

Posted by: Milenkovic Ivan Feb 12 2008, 07:02 PM

That's great Walli-man smile.gif Tell us what you bought when you come home! smile.gif

Posted by: Wallimann Feb 14 2008, 01:21 PM

Thanks for everyones' help guys!
I bought some new lights yesterday. I invested but thought it would really help to get a better pro look.
This is what I got: http://www.smithvictor.com/products/detail.asp?prodid=104&id=14&pid=1&s1=Lighting+Kits&s2=Photoflood+Kits&nm=KT1500U+THRIFTY+INTERMEDIATE+KIT

I filmed my 1st video yesterday and it looks SOOOO much better!
I need to edit but will post a sample here soon.


Posted by: Milenkovic Ivan Feb 14 2008, 04:59 PM

Congratulations Walli! This kit looks awesome man. Can't wait to see the lesson! smile.gif

Posted by: Andrew Cockburn Feb 14 2008, 06:29 PM

Looks like a cool setup Dave - can't wait to see the results!

Posted by: Muris Feb 14 2008, 07:56 PM

Those lights look awesome,I'm sure improvement will be huge,congrats! smile.gif

Posted by: Bogdan Feb 14 2008, 09:28 PM

Great kit you got there David !! I'm sure they are well worth the money!! They look great...I would like to buy something similar if I could find it here.. smile.gif Can't wait for the sample video! smile.gif

Posted by: Wallimann Feb 14 2008, 10:15 PM

Here's a sample!
Let me know what you think and if you have any suggestions to improve this even more. :-)

 Light_test.wmv ( 2.92MB ) : 159

Posted by: Bogdan Feb 14 2008, 11:09 PM

Thanks for sample !! I can see that this is a definitive improvement ! smile.gif

Posted by: Muris Feb 15 2008, 01:41 AM

Sounds really great David!! smile.gif
Have you checked the quality/image after you upload it?

Posted by: Dejan Feb 15 2008, 01:48 AM

This looks great smile.gif And you have only one light? And where is it positioned?

Only one remark, in one moment in second part there the neck was too shiny, nothing else smile.gif

Posted by: Wallimann Feb 15 2008, 04:46 AM

Thanks guys!
Dejan, the kit came with 3 lights. :-)
You're right about the shiny neck. I'll try to fix that.
I checked quality Muris, it doesn't loose a little of the quality after uploading, but not too much..
Muris, since you're using Vegas to, what settings do you covert to?

Posted by: Kosei Kubota Feb 15 2008, 06:35 AM

I use regular 150W standing light bought at Home Depot.
I just sit closer to the light.
The distance makes a huge difference.

Posted by: Wallimann Feb 15 2008, 02:42 PM

QUOTE (Kosei Kubota @ Feb 15 2008, 12:35 AM) *
I use regular 150W standing light bought at Home Depot.
I just sit closer to the light.
The distance makes a huge difference.


Thanks! I'll try that!

Posted by: Muris Feb 15 2008, 03:25 PM

I export it as Mov.(Multimedia 320-240),29fps,Sorenson 3 video codec.
That's sort of settings that gives me fine results without getting too big file. smile.gif

Posted by: Wallimann Feb 15 2008, 03:37 PM

QUOTE (Muris @ Feb 15 2008, 09:25 AM) *
I export it as Mov.(Multimedia 320-240),29fps,Sorenson 3 video codec.
That's sort of settings that gives me fine results without getting too big file. smile.gif



Thanks a lot!
I'll try that...

Posted by: Milenkovic Ivan Feb 16 2008, 05:12 AM

hey walli, the new sample looks great. try to play with your codec and bightness and color in vegas to get even better results. Muris gave a fine example. I suggest wmv file, quality VBR 97%,

Posted by: Milenkovic Ivan Feb 16 2008, 05:12 AM

hey walli, the new sample looks great. try to play with your codec and bightness and color in vegas to get even better results. Muris gave a fine example. I suggest wmv file, quality VBR 97%,

Posted by: Juan M. Valero Feb 16 2008, 07:07 AM

Looks good wink.gif I need some investigation and new light to improve quality !!

Posted by: Trond Vold Feb 16 2008, 01:49 PM

Hi all smile.gif

I just ordered one of those 500 W halogen lamps after i read you could get one for 9 euro.. found one for 12 euros at a local webshop.

Hopefully it will help me get rid of that yellowish hue my macgyver-rigged light-setup causes.

Posted by: Milenkovic Ivan Feb 16 2008, 02:13 PM

What lamp does that Mcgyver set uses Trond? Is it halogen too?

Posted by: Trond Vold Feb 17 2008, 12:36 AM

I cannibalized a few 40 w wall lamps and connected them on a 1.5 meter board facing downards on me.
Not the best results, but gave me lightning enough for the first video.

Posted by: Bogdan Feb 17 2008, 03:49 AM

QUOTE (Trond Vold @ Feb 17 2008, 12:36 AM) *
I cannibalized a few 40 w wall lamps and connected them on a 1.5 meter board facing downards on me.
Not the best results, but gave me lightning enough for the first video.


Heheh must be very interesting contraption wink.gif

Posted by: Milenkovic Ivan Feb 17 2008, 04:21 AM

Hey that's interesting idea. Maybe if you glue some alu foil on that board you can get even better results. just a thought. smile.gif

Posted by: Trond Vold Feb 17 2008, 06:36 AM

Hm.. I'll give that a try smile.gif

Posted by: Muris Feb 17 2008, 12:50 PM

Great first lesson Trond! smile.gif

You're lightning seems really good for me btw.

Posted by: Juan M. Valero Feb 17 2008, 01:29 PM

Improvements are always posible, but your quality is more than enough wink.gif Well done Trond !!

Posted by: Milenkovic Ivan Feb 17 2008, 02:43 PM

Yes man, your videos look great judging on your first lesson. Great job there! smile.gif

Posted by: Muris Feb 21 2008, 10:30 PM

David,my latest settings is Avi with xvid codec,pixel aspect ratio at 1,0926 ,
frame size multimedia 320x240.
I tried with MainConcept AVC/AAC(mp4) as well,it looks awesome on my PC(and file is pretty damn small)
but it's not supported here,it includes H264 codec tho.

Posted by: Wallimann Feb 21 2008, 11:39 PM

QUOTE (Muris @ Feb 21 2008, 04:30 PM) *
David,my latest settings is Avi with xvid codec,pixel aspect ratio at 1,0926 ,
frame size multimedia 320x240.
I tried with MainConcept AVC/AAC(mp4) as well,it looks awesome on my PC(and file is pretty damn small)
but it's not supported here,it includes H264 codec tho.



I've been trying all day too..
Too bad GMC doesn't support these codecs...
So far, I've found that Serveo3 is the best for me.
But please let me know if you find something better! :-)

Posted by: Muris Feb 21 2008, 11:40 PM

Sure,will stay tuned. wink.gif

Posted by: Milenkovic Ivan Feb 22 2008, 12:19 AM

Have you installed the K Lite codec pack? You can find it on internet for download. It has decent codecs and it works for me... hope this helps..

Posted by: Muris Feb 22 2008, 12:40 AM

I did but it didn't help me a lot to be honest... sad.gif
Then I took Morgan's pack,I still cannot export wmv
BUT now I can import Avi in Vegas,which I couldn't before,
I'd had to convert all videos from cam into Mov and then do editing in Vegas. smile.gif

Posted by: Milenkovic Ivan Feb 22 2008, 12:56 PM

When you install K Lite (or any other pack) you have to deinstall all other packs in order to avoid conflict issues. Some programs still use the old pack etc..

I'm glad you can now import avi. Try experimetning a little, and maybe you can export wmv, or avi too.

Posted by: Muris Feb 22 2008, 01:03 PM

Sure,I had to reinstall all other packs before installing KLite but it didn't helped a lot,
you know,Widows stuff biggrin.gif .

I was able to export Avi before,it's just that I couldn't import it in Vegas.
Well,I'm not that great in video/codecs area to be honest with you. wink.gif

Posted by: Milenkovic Ivan Feb 22 2008, 05:49 PM

Did you try maybe some other packs? I use separate XVid and Divx packs besides K Lite. I can put it on share (they are free) if you want. They are about 7.5MB There's no cost in trying smile.gif

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