PC for editing

Post by **T-Scan** » Fri Feb 06, 2004 12:04 pm

i want to put together a new tower for the WP setup. my current setup is 3 years old and wouldn't come close to handling the job. what brand computers should i look for? and what should i avoid? also would appreciate some advice on a very good video card.

Post by **sunrise** » Fri Feb 06, 2004 2:03 pm

You should look for fast hard disk with lots of space, preferably a RAID setup.

Processor power is also nice.

You can benefit from a dual screen setup, but a widescreen monitor will also do fine.

Look for Canopus products at: http://www.canopus.com

Good luck,
sunrise

YouTube · Post by **Andreas Wideroe** » Fri Feb 06, 2004 2:53 pm

I think a 2.4Ghz (or faster) processor set up with 1gb RAM, S-ATA harddrives in a RAID-0 array (the largest disks you can get) and a Canopus card will do you fine. I don't pay too much attention to Graphic Adapters because a cheap one is more than good enough for me. I don't play 3D games so I don't need that much power.

WinXP is a good software choice.

Andreas

Post by **bouncybabybucket** » Fri Feb 06, 2004 6:47 pm

You guys are insane - buy a Apple G5 and use the best NLE going in Final Cut Pro.

Post by **seekaee** » Fri Feb 06, 2004 7:12 pm

bouncybabybucket wrote:You guys are insane - buy a Apple G5 and use the best NLE going in Final Cut Pro.

But what if you want to upgrade the motherboard later on?..lol! ( i'm sorry,I'm sorry, that's a low blow)

Honesty, I believe someone said the WP isn't very compatible with FCP as it doesn't have a animation/single frame function .It's a shame, because FCP is the coolest of-the-shelf NLE around.

Post by **tacotim** » Fri Feb 06, 2004 8:39 pm

seekaee wrote:
bouncybabybucket wrote:Y
Honesty, I believe someone said the WP isn't very compatible with FCP as it doesn't have a animation/single frame function .It's a shame, because FCP is the coolest of-the-shelf NLE around.

Just to clear up the confusion. The mac platform is perfectly compatible with the workprinter. I have used Final cut Pro to earn my living for the last 3 uears. I run a dual 1.25 GHZ G4. I have a Workprinter XP that I use for S8 xfers. I use the software that was written by ben bird specifically for the Workprinter on OSX Works like a champ. I think the mac platform is great and FCP is a marvelous piece of software that is very expandable, from DV to HD and everything in between. But in reality it all comes down to preference. There are software/hardware products that will fill your needs on either platform. If you've got any mac questions, feel free to PM me. Either way congratulations on taking the plunge!

-TIm

Post by **T-Scan** » Fri Feb 06, 2004 10:45 pm

i've considered the mac, but for me its best to stick with a PC and keep using some of my current hardware and software. yes i will want the things some of you guys mentioned.. was thinking 2 120Gb drives in a raid setup, 1GB RAM, and hopefully 3Ghz processing. but what brand computers to shop, and what has worked well for those using the WP. Sony, Dell, HP, others? or does it even matter i just cutstom build around a good video card.?

Post by **super8man** » Fri Feb 06, 2004 11:37 pm

Dude, you're gettin' a Dell. Just kidding...

Well, it seems the jury is split - Apple guys and PC guys...what else is new. On the PC side, there is really no such thing as a brand. Build what you can afford and sacrifice where you can, splurge where it matters. My advice, build it if you have the skills and you have a pre-existing stash of PC software. Otherwise, if starting with no computer in the home, I would be tempted to go the G4 route...

Website · Post by **Raimo** » Sat Feb 07, 2004 1:46 am

Extensive information on PC setups for editing is found on the Digital Information network forum. Use the search feature to get the right discussions. <Http://www.dvinfo.net>

Post by **David M. Leugers** » Sat Feb 07, 2004 2:06 am

While I like the Mac (we have owned an IMac for five years) and my wife uses one all the time at work and home, I went the IBM clone route for video editing because of dodcap, and I was used to Adobe Premiere. I would love to use a powerhouse double-processor Mac setup...

I build my own computer setups. You end up with a custom setup with all the components you hand selected. It is fun, easy, and rewarding. Plus you get more bang for the buck. Once you learn the innards of a computer, it's just so much nuts and bolts. Research and research before you buy. Good advice for any purchase really.

David M. Leugers

P.S. Anyone in the states interested in a Canonpus Raptor setup? Hate to part with it, but my new computer rocks and this one has become just a backup. Still a very good system with Adobe Premiere 6.5.

Post by **T-Scan** » Sat Feb 07, 2004 2:39 am

dvinfo has a LOT too sift through, but will be really usefull. i have about 6 weeks time to research a good system setup.. i think i'll need it.

Post by **seekaee** » Sat Feb 07, 2004 8:07 am

A good beginners site is videoguys.com.The fokes who run it are a nice bunch and very honist as well.

Post by **T-Scan** » Sat Feb 07, 2004 11:02 am

seekaee, good site. they also deal with HP setups built for video editing. thanks

Post by **mercyboy** » Sat Feb 07, 2004 10:58 pm

I use both PCs and Macs in my little home office, all networked together and working in relative harmony...world peace is just around the corner! I use my MACs for the actual DV editing in FCP, because you just get more work done is less time on a Mac. The PC is what I use to actually capture the footage with my Workprinter XP. I ran a few tests using the Dodcap demo because I didn't have totaly faith in my aging PC machineÃ¢â‚¬â€an HP consumer tower with a single 605Mhz processor, only 512Mb ram, and a Maxtor 133 Controller card that hosts my dedicated 30Gb 133 IDE target hard drive. To my suprize, it works fine with no dropped frames, though I did have to adjust the WP's timing disc a tad. So I let the Windows machine be the somewhat brainless clone / workhorse they are designed to be, and then move the captured AVI files over to the dual processor Mac maxed out on ram and 7 (gasp!) internal RAIDed drives, (plus extra fans and the case always cracked open) where creativity abounds. FYI: I also use the HP as a DVD duplication system, as it also JUST meets the minimum standards for that sort of thing. To me, it's a closed system that works with the WP and my DVD duper and I just think of it as a toaster--not going to upgrade or tinker with it as long as everything browns nicely. So I don't think you really need to spend a bundle for the captures, just perhaps the editing needs. Keep them on separate machines and you can also upgrade the one without messing up the other. (Having multiple computers is great for multitasking, too.)

Post by **Pedro** » Mon Feb 09, 2004 11:36 am

When using a emac or imac with G4 and OSX, you can be shure that everything will work right out of the box, without messing around, changing configurations, upgrading etc., at a price of a similar PC.

The married hardware-operating system configuration garantees trouble free performance. Just plug in and start, that is my expierience. After many nights of PC servicing and maintaining, I sold everything at ebay and now I am happy to use a iMac G4 with 800MHz and DVD-superdrive.

Besides office work, design and layout, I use it to capture video and to convert VHS video to DVD, using the free iMovie and free iDVD as well as premiere and DVD Studio pro 2.

iMovie is GREAT for capturing and some edits or setting chapter marks. There is absolutly nothing that you miss regarding performance. For workprinter, you could install premiere or final cut (pro).

Pedro

Filmshooting

PC for editing

PC for editing

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