PC can't cope with my new vixia HF 10. I need more everything.

[topsyturveytoo]

Hello
I am a complete novice at this. I was given a Canon vixia HF10 as a wedding present. I now have the camera, with a memory card inside with my wedding video on.

When I installed the camera and its editing software on my PC, I soon realised that I am kidding myself if I think I am ever going to edit or even burn dvds with the kind of high quality files this video camera seems to produce. Even to edit a tiny 1 minute film to have a go took me all day...and then I didn't have enough power or disc space or whatever to burn it...so eveything is stuck on my portable harddrive for now.

The first thing I would like to do is be able to make dvds of the .m2ts files that I have stored.
The second thing I would like to be able to do is mini home video project, a bit of light editing and dvd making.....that is all.

I get the feeling I have the wrong camera for my needs....but since I quite fancy a new PC that can handle a bit more work I am would like to look into upgrading.

But I don't want to get this bit wrong, or I will have a PC to add to the list of things that right now aren't really what I need. I already have the dvd recorder and the HF10 out of action.

So I want to upgrade my PC, it is long over due, or at least try and understand what I need. The january sales are coming up, so I could perhaps get a good deal.

I have had a read through some of the forum stuff on problems and questions re the Canon vixia Hf10, and I can see that there may be trouble ahead....but for now I would just like to get the thing working at a basic home video level.

So. If you were going to the January sales and buying a new PC what are the key elements that it would have to have.

Many thanks, I know you all work on much more interesting topics regarding actually making films....but I am way off that stage for now.......
Topsy



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[KBeee]

Generally, go for the fastest CPU you can afford, (Intel quad cores seem to be the sweet spot at the moment), and the biggest hard disks you can get your hands on. It's often recommended to have your operating system and programs on 1 hard disk, and a second hard disk to hold your working files. The price of hard disks is pretty good these days, so a couple of 1TB drives, and 2GB of memory would be a good start for a WinXP system.
The grafix card is far less important than the raw processing power of the CPU, though some of the newer cards do help with processing some video formats.

[Soopafresh]

Hi Topsy, the lowest end processor that would allow you unfettered access to HF10 video editing is the Intel Q6600.

Dell sells decent machines for the average computer user. They're not the best, but they're quite cost effective and have a pretty good support and warranty program. I mean, technology changes so much that in 3-4 years it'll be time for a new one anyway. Expect to pay $700 for a basic machine with a Q6600 in it, prolly 700 British Pounds (amazing how the numbers are always the same but the value is so different). You can also get one custom made for you at any local computer store, or you can even build one yourself but that's up to you.

Add $120 for Vegas Movie Studio Platinum Pro editing software, which would work natively with the files from your HF10.

Here are some videos filmed with the HF10 so you can get an idea of what your stuff will look like after you render it to standard definition quality.:

http://www.vimeo.com/videos/search:HF10/sort:newest/format:thumbnail

In addition to computing power, you'll want to look at ways to stabilize the image when you move around with your camera. That's the funny thing about holding and filming with a High Definition camcorder - even your own heartbeat shows up as shakiness in the video. I'd recommend the Hague Mini Motioncam stabilizer, especially since you live in the UK. Consider it, especially since they're only 60 Pounds. This will separate your footage from that of the unwashed masses. See below for example videos.

Here's what the contraption looks like:



Here's what it does: http://www.vimeo.com/2074009 and http://www.vimeo.com/2551524

Notice the gliding, floaty movement of the shots.

Compare it to walking without a stabilizer: http://www.vimeo.com/1928411

You can get one here:
http://www.b-hague.co.uk/hague_mini_motion_cam_steadicam_type_camcorder_stabilizer.htm


And congrats on your wedding. First comes the engagement ring, then the wedding ring, and now comes the suffering

[topsyturveytoo]

Thanks so much to Soopafresh and KBeee.
Wow...I don't think I was really expecting a reply. This is extremely helpful and clear. I am going to print off your replies and take them to my local computer dealer and fixer, see what he can put together for me.

Many thanks again
Topsy