A top-of-the-line graphics card, such as the GeForce GTS 240, is an essential component in computers designed to edit video--especially HD video. All new computers come with some sort of graphics card built in, and some are better than others.

Computer

Editing video requires a decent machine. Editing HD video requires a beastly machine. Bayou Bucks is edited on Apple Mac Pro computers, because these machines are built specifically for multimedia applications. Also, some sort of video editing software is required to manipulate your video scenes into a more presentable structure to show your family, friends, or the world.

Programs such as Apple’s Final Cut Pro HD, Sony’s Vegas Pro, and Adobe’s Premiere Pro are some of the more popular editing applications which produce professional results. These applications cost between $500 and $1,200. More affordable and popular options (although less intuitive) include Microsoft’s Movie Maker and Apple’s iMovie, which both come pre-installed free on PCs or Macs, respectively.

Deciding on a proper computer is a difficult and time consuming task—one which is beyond the scope of this article. Many of today’s newer machines can handle SD video just fine, but extra precautions should be taken if you plan on editing HD footage. Some important components to analyze are the computer’s RAM, processor speed, hard drive space, and most importantly, the power of the computer’s graphics card (video card).
 

Take the Plunge

Building a filming equipment arsenal from scratch can cost anywhere from $400 to $30,000, depending on the results you want to achieve. Although expenditures can run high, with proper research an exceptional package can be put together on a tight budget. Below you’ll find an intermediate starter package that I put together as an example for less than $2,500. The camcorder in this package, the Sony HVR-HD1000U, records in a switchable standard definition (MiniDV) or HD (HDV) format and comes with an external shotgun mic, so you can save an additional $150 by not having to purchase one separately. Just bear in mind that if you’re planning to edit any footage shot in HD, your computer’s performance will need to be excellent. For the quality of video this package can produce, this price tag is incredibly impressive!

This filming equipment kit was put together for under $2,500. Sony's HVR-HD1000U camcorder can record in both HD and SD.

Camcorder: Sony HVR-HD1000U HD/SD ($1,650)
Camera Arm: HunterCam Cradle Pro ($440)
Fluid Head: Manfrotto 501HDV ($186)
Windscreen: Rode WS6 Deluxe ($99)
Camera Light: Bescor LED-14 ($40)
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Total: $2,465

This article simply covers the basics of the equipment necessary to film professional looking hunts. I agree that in all actuality, only a camcorder is truly needed to do this, but a thorough understanding of the auxiliary items surrounding the camcorder should give you insights into how to make better video. Stable footage, good lighting, superb audio, video archiving, and video editing capabilities all need to be considered, regardless of the quality of your equipment. Remember again: garbage in equals garbage out.

Don’t sweat it if you can only afford to get the bare minimum to start off with, because the most critical aspect for achieving professional footage begins with the person behind the camera—you. We’ll talk more about this in Part 2 of this article series, which will include setting up for the hunt, shot composition, filming techniques, and storyline development. Stay tuned for that…