Considering building a dvd workstation

[Dr_Layne]

I'm considering building a DVD workstation to do capturing, encoding, authoriing and burning on a dedicated computer. I'm considering the following components based on my budget:

* AMD, Athlon XP 1800+, 1.53 GHz, Socket A
* COOLER MASTER, Socket A Coppermine Cooling Fan
* GIGABYTE, GA-7VAX, DDR-400, 8X AGP, Audio, USB 2.0, ATA-133, Retail
* SAMSUNG, 512Mb PC3200 DDR, 400MHz, Non-ECC (Lifetime Warranty)
* WESTERN DIGITAL, 60.0 Gb, ATA-100, 7200rpm
* CREATIVE LABS, Sound Blaster Platinum Audigy-2, Retail
* MITSUMI, 1.44Mb 3.5 Floppy Drive, oem
* LIAN LI, PC-08, Tower Aluminum Case, w/ Window, 300W PS

These items come to about 900USD assembled and shipped.

I have the following compnents to install into the computer also:

AIW 8500DV
WD 200G 7200 ATA HD (for capturing)
Sony DRU 500A DVD burner

[THE RIPPER]

I would spend the extra couple hundred and go amd dual 1800's .It would cut encoding time drastically.

[TSChris]

IMHO You will burn through that 60GB drive in no time.

I just picked up a 120GB Western Digital with 8MB cache that was designed for DV capture, editing and high end gaming for under $200. With this drive I am capturing, editing, authoring and burning on a 1000 Ghz AMD system.

[tonyp12]

I do not think the AMD 1800+ is the right one.

The sweet spot seems to be XP2100+
(e.g most bang for the buck.)

http://www.pricewatch.com/1/306/4659-1.htm


I have ordered a motherboard combo twice from smksuperstore.

http://www.smksuperstore.com/3003/viewitem.htm

No copper shim, no (extra) thermal grease, 60day warranty
and $0 shipping option and it gets really cheap.

Memory you get cheap from Bestbuy 256ddr for $44 (rebate)
HD at CompUSA, they had a 120GB for $99 (rebate)

Windows XP pro upgrade for $79 (academic priced)
http://www.provantage.com/fp_62583.htm


Or just go to CompUSA and pickup a PC with 2200+ for $650 (rebate)
http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=296613

Or this most be the biggest deal, $400 worth of free stuff
with a 2200+ and a 17" monitor for $699 (rebate)
http://www.compusa.com/product_images/pdfs/ads/8B01D775DEC1124/cover.pdf last day today.

[Dr_Layne]

IMHO You will burn through that 60GB drive in no time.

Perhaps you didn't read my whole post. I stated I also have a 200G WD 7200 ATA100 drive to ADD to the combination. I plan to use the 60G just for software.

Steve

[videojoe]

A few things to consider. First, the VIA chipsets can be problematic and compatibility nightmares. The ability to use 400MHZ DDR will not help much anyway as the chip only uses a 266MHZ front side bus. A better choice would be a nforce2 based motherboard, as it seems to bench faster than the KT400 anyway. If you plan to overclock, you will want to be sure the PCI bus speed is not adjusted when you adjust the memory speed. That can cause major problems with your capture card.

I have to agree that the sweet spot is the 2100+ athalon.

I know the creative sound cards also can cause problems, I am not sure if those problems extend to the audagy line but you may want to look into it. they cause Audio sync and frame dropping issues. Check out the turtle beach sound cards instead.

On a final note, be sure to buy a high quality power supply. Something like the Antec truepower 330 or 430, or thermaltake. A flakey power supply can cause any number of impossible to diagnose problems. Plus it is crazy to put a $20 or $30 powersupply into a $150 case. If you are focused on price, check out the Antec PLUS1080AMG case, It comes with a 430 watt powersupply and a very slick looking case. It is $122 shipped on pricewatch.