Any recommendations for buying a new computer for video/DVD

[blacktooth]

I have about $500 or so, and I want to buy a new computer to edit home video and burn to DVD. I have Nero 6.0 and VideoStudio 8.0, which don't seem to run well on my current computer (1.0 G Athlon, Windows 98SE, 256 of RAM, 100 G hard drive, LiteOn 411 DVD burner) I can't get anything decent when I try to render MPG2 using Nero, and my VideoStudio won't even run at all.

I'm not very knowledgable, but it seems that an upgrade would help - at least that's what the tech guy at Ulead told me.

Questions coming to mind are:
Would buying a new computer system be a likely be a wise move?

Would it be best to shop for a computer "as is" or have one built?

I'm going to shoot for, if my budget can handle it:
2.8 or faster processor
100 G hard drive
512 RAM
Windows XP

Are there any other specifications I should look for?

Is there anything else I should be aware of?

Thanks for any help you can give me.

Kevin

[budz]

Would it be best to shop for a computer "as is" or have one built?

Have someone build one for you or build it yourself. Get a Pioneer or Plextor Dvd burner. Check Newegg.com for computer components because they have the best prices on the internet.

[daamon]

Hi blacktooth,

The basic ingredients you want are:

1. As fast a CPU as possible - 2.8GHz is good.
2. Min 512Mb RAM, 1Gb is better - PC3200DDR (400 fsb) should be the stuff that best fits with your processor.
3. A motherboard that supports the speed of your CPU and RAM fsb (front side bus) speed - i.e. a CPU with an fsb speed of 800 is best on a mobo with the same and 400fsb DDR RAM.
4. Preferably a HDD with a spin speed of 7200 or above - helps to avoid dropped frames.

If you get WinXP and decide to upgrade to SP2 (Service Pack 2) - make sure that's the first thing you do before installing any additional software, especially the s/w you're gonna use for your editing etc.

Buy a are-writeable DVD for test burns. Use decent media (discs).

Don't scrimp on core components (above + DVD burners, as mentioned by budz).

Hope that helps...

[snafu099]

If you are looking to rationalize a decision to buy a new pc, go ahead.

Does your curren system provide adequate hdd data read/write ??
What capture device/method are you using.
Garbage in garbage out

Once the video is captured, the power of your system useing Nero or Ulead should only affect the amount of TIME that it takes, nothing to do with the quality of the output

The current problem is most likley in the capture itself, not after capture processing power.

A good hardware capture encoder that does both audio and video should work very well with your current pc provided the hdd can handle the data. A software encoder is another story, generally need 2+ ghz

[lordsmurf]

For video, do yourself a favor and get an INTEL P4 system. Any speed should do for you. Faster, the better. Don't buy an ultra-cheap motherboard either.

[lechtin]

Before you get into much expense (espacially since 500$ may not get you all the way to a much faster CPU/motherboard/memory), try cheap (free) upgrades.

See if you can borrow an extra 256 or 512MB of memory, borrow WinXP from someone to try (I only recommend a clean install), and re-try installing VideoStudio 8. The reason I say this is that I setup a relative that way with a PIII 733MHz and the only issue he has is with render times, as expected. If this works, you will know you can fix the problem cheaply. If not, follow Lordsmurf's advice.

As for quality, snafu is right, it depends on your capture method as much as your processor. You are not equipped to capture straight to MPEG2 reliably. You can do firewire (as my relative does) or maybe with a MJPEG codec, but I have not tried with anything other than my P4 1.6GHz.

[blacktooth]

Thanks everyone for your help. I really appreciate it. Here is some additional info.

My HDD is 7200. I capture with a firewire 1394. I have always captured to AVI files. In capturing several hours of video this way, I have never had a single problem. I have been editing, on and off for the last two years, using Ulead VideoStudio 4.0. I didn't realize until just now that 4.0 has the option to capture to MPG2. I have always captured in AVI and then edited and rendered to AVI. When I recently bought my DVD writer, I then began to try to encode to MPG2, as it seems that AVI is useless for DVDs.

I have tried encoding - several times - from AVI to MPG2 with Nero 6.0, but I can't get a useable file. The picture and sound are way out of sync and a real mess.

I recently upgraded to VideoStudio 8.0, but it will not run on my computer. I can't even begin to try encoding with 8.0 - the program crashes with a kernel32.dll error every time I try to run it. I have talked several times with Ulead, but they can't figure out what's going wrong. A small handful of people have posted to the Ulead web board with this same problem, which seems to only affect people with Windows98SE. The tech people at Ulead kindly suggest that I upgrade my Windows program, and my processor as well.

I have installed and uninstalled both VideoStudio programs - Nero as well - several times. Since one of the people who posted - sorry, I can't remember the name - talked about capturing directly to MPG2, I will try that with my VideoStudio 4.0 and see if it works. In the meantime, thanks for any feedback you can give me.

[daamon]

I can't get anything decent when I try to render MPG2 using Nero, and my VideoStudio won't even run at all.

Nero isn't known for being one of the better encoders to MPEG. These are the most commenly praised encoders (in no particualr order):

TMPGEnc
Canopus Procoder
Mainconcept MPEG Encoder
Cinema Craft Encoder

I use TMPGEnc myself because it's well priced and faired well in terms of usability, customisation and quality of output against the others. But look into them and decide for yourself.

If you go the TMPGEnc route, let me know as I can point you in the direction of some useful info.

As for your Video Studio problem, all I can suggest is a complete uninstall of v4.0 and clean install of v8.0. Hope it works for you...

Hope that helps.

[blacktooth]

If there are some good tips on TMPGEnc, I probably could use them. I made a half-hearted attempt to use it a few months ago. I downloaded the 30 day trial and tested a file or two. The TMPGEnc gave me separate video and audio files, and I didn't know what to do with them. I was probably missing something obvious, but I couldn't figure out how to get the audio track into my Nero 6.0 - only the video. I ended up giving up.

More recently, I've been browsing through the TMPGEnc guides here on this website, but nothing's getting through my head.

One additional question: since Nero 6.0 doesn't render good MPG2 for me, is it just a bad program, or are my own system limitation causing the problems? Or both? This thing's gotta be working on somebody's computer.

Thanks again.

[daamon]

If there are some good tips on TMPGEnc, I probably could use them.

See here for a good guide that explains all the settings in TMPGEnc. Read it carefully as there's loads of good info in there and it's easy to miss vital bits.

Also, see this old post of mine which gives a fairly detailed step-by-step guide (of sorts) on how I get home video from DV cam to DVD.

The TMPGEnc gave me separate video and audio files, and I didn't know what to do with them.

When you used TMPGEnc it sounds like you had the "ES (video + audio)" option selected. This is fine, and you use them as your inputs for video and audio during authoring (TMPGEnc DVD Author can do this, as can others).

See here for a pic of TMPGEnc's interface - look to the bottom right...

As a simple guide:

ES (Elementary Stream(s)) = This will produce the separate audio and video components in their separate files, audio.mp2 and video.m2v

System = filename.mpg containing video only, or audio and video together depending on which one you choose.

To get the audio and video in one file, you need to select "System (video + audio)". This will will give you a filename.mpg. Note that the audio will be in MP2 format which is only valid in the PAL region DVD specs, though it is likely to play OK on NTSC DVD players but not guaranteed.

If you're in NTSC land (hint: update your profile with your location) then I'd strongly recommend using the AC3 audio format. How to get this is covered in the link I gave you to my old post.

I was probably missing something obvious, but I couldn't figure out how to get the audio track into my Nero 6.0 - only the video.

As mentioned above, the next stage after encoding is "authoring" and TMPGEnc DVD Author is a good tool to start with.

I ended up giving up.

Shame on you... Seriously, I (and pretty much everyone here) knows the frustration - but stick with it and you'll get it figured in the end.

One additional question: since Nero 6.0 doesn't render good MPG2 for me, is it just a bad program, or are my own system limitation causing the problems? Or both? This thing's gotta be working on somebody's computer.

It's not a bad program, it's just that there's (much) better ones for encoding, like Nero is good at burning. In general, your system limitations will only increase the time taken for encoding, not the quality. Oh yes, loads of people have it working very much to their satisfaction - including myself who went through the same painful learning curve as you will, if you choose to accept this mission. Stick with it - it's tough, frustrating but rewarding once you get your first DVD working - and it all seems like a stroll in the park after that...!

Feel free to post back with any questions, and good luck!

[Vanderlow]

Try downloading TMPGEnc Express 3.0 and DVD Author 1.6 and try using the wizard. I've use this combination and it's pretty good.

If you build a computer, for $50 more (over a 2800 XP) you can get a 64-bit XP Athlon which is what you should do. Stay away from Plextor DVD burners... go with NEC, Pioneer, or BenQ. BenQ has software that will take a direct feed video firewire to DVD realtime.

[SatStorm]

500$ I believe is a little bit low for something cutting edge.
But it is O.K. for an average computer.


Now let see:
Mobo: ASUS K8N-E DELUXE (nforce 3, Socket 754) € 120
CPU: AMD SEMPRON 3100+ BOX 1800MHz 256kB € 116
Memory: 512 MB DDR DIMM PC3200-400 LIFETIME WARRANTY € 116
HD: WESTERN DIGITAL 250 GB (IDE, 7200rpm, 8MB buffer) € 143
VGA: ASUS GeForce MX 4000 - 128MB € 43 (cheapest avalaible and has video out. You don't need a good VGA card for this hobby)
Burner: A very bad time to buy a burner, but if you have to, I suggest PIONEER 108D DUAL LAYER (BULK,16x4x32x) € 90
Capture Video: ASUS TV TUNER RADIO CARD € 50 or a cheap KWORLD XPER TV-PVR 878 (INTERNAL) € 40 (this has the new conexant 10bit chip)
You don't need audio card, Mobo's internal is just O.K. for capturing.

This is somewhere more than 650 €, far more your 500$. But that way you have an excellent system IMO.

Software: I suggest w2k of course, with sp4, TMPGenc encoder / TMPGenc author, Womble mpeg2vcr, mainconcept 1.4.2 (if you wish realtime mpeg 2 capture), Nero for burning (you might have already a earlier copy, I use old versions myself, like 5.5) and of course Virtualvcr/virtualdub for freeware capture.
Those are 300$ or more.

Anyway, under 1K, you have an excellent PC for this hobby. IMO always.
BTW: I don't like Intel PCs. I always support AMD products (if you stay away from VIA chipsets, AMD are excellent)

[thinger62]

A Dell 400sc server makes a rock solid start. I paid $300 shipped for a 2.8 800 fsb, intel mobo, 512 ecc ram and a 40 gig. Add 2000 or xp, and your current hdd and burner, and you've got a fast and stable machine that is absolutely silent for either $300 or $390 if you watch for deals on them. It comes with a pci video card which works fine for common tasks, but it has an 8x agp slot if you want to upgrade. Going price on ebay for this is about $360, with $1,000,000 shipping (actually about $70 or so).

[Capmaster]

I have about $500 or so, and I want to buy a new computer to edit home video and burn to DVD. I have Nero 6.0 and VideoStudio 8.0, which don't seem to run well on my current computer (1.0 G Athlon, Windows 98SE, 256 of RAM, 100 G hard drive, LiteOn 411 DVD burner) I can't get anything decent when I try to render MPG2 using Nero, and my VideoStudio won't even run at all.

I'm not very knowledgable, but it seems that an upgrade would help - at least that's what the tech guy at Ulead told me.

Questions coming to mind are:
Would buying a new computer system be a likely be a wise move?

Would it be best to shop for a computer "as is" or have one built?

I'm going to shoot for, if my budget can handle it:
2.8 or faster processor
100 G hard drive
512 RAM
Windows XP

Are there any other specifications I should look for?

Is there anything else I should be aware of?

Thanks for any help you can give me.

Kevin

I'm not sure you can get a new system with those specs for $500, but it's possible, I suppose.

The number one priority for video work, aside from the obvious capture hardware and DVD burner, is a large, fast hard disk. Try to get one with a spindle speed of at least 7200 RPM and a decent sized cache.

[blacktooth]

You guys are all great. Thanks so much for taking the time to help me out. Thanks Daamon for the extensive help and the extra encouragement.

Coming into this, I would have thought that you just edit the video and then send it directly to a DVD. Now I'm waking up to the sophisticated process that seems to be required to actually do that. If my Nero 6.0 would encode properly, you would think that it's just that simple - encode it and burn it. There aren't a lot of settings to choose from with Nero, I don't think. It's rather intimidating to see all of the settings and the options and the choices to be made when encoding with TMPGEnc. I don't have the time just this moment, but I'll have to sit down and really go over all those guides and things and try to get an understanding.

I think I'll shelve the computer upgrade for now. (Although maybe around Christmas time I might look for a good sale. My VideoStudio 8.0 will still remain unuseable until I do upgrade.) If I can get past this encoding obstacle, I should be able to make due with my current computer. Thanks again.

[daamon]

You guys are all great. Thanks so much for taking the time to help me out. Thanks Daamon for the extensive help and the extra encouragement.

No problem - I learnt from all the great help given by the forum users (posts as well as guides submitted), including some of those who are "longer in the tooth" who've posted in this thread ( ). It's only fair to pass it on...

It's rather intimidating to see all of the settings and the options and the choices to be made when encoding with TMPGEnc. I don't have the time just this moment, but I'll have to sit down and really go over all those guides and things and try to get an understanding.

You'll soon come to see that, for the most part, you don't need to change many of the settings - most can be left at their default. Depending on what you're doing will mean that you may need to change a few more or a few less than someone else, but it'll be nothing taxing.

If I can get past this encoding obstacle, I should be able to make due with my current computer.

"obstacle"? It's a challenge... Your current system should be fine, it'll just be slower when encoding.

Welcome to the dark side...