Getting a new computer, and I want new hardware - tips?

[MikeMGMVE]

I know this question is asked on a daily basis, but, well, here I go anyway.

I'm getting a new computer, alienware, 1gb ram, plenty of hard drive space, pentium 4 3ghz processor. I have a large video collection (stuff taped off of TV and what not). The tapes are aging of course, so I want to get decent hardware to rip them and keep them at the highest quality and burn them onto dvds.

I've used editing programs like virtual dub, and tmpgenc, and I'll get to the authoring process when I get there. But I'm trying to decide on what is good hardware/software for ripping the video tapes.

Alienware offers 3 different systems which I could get pre-installed:

Pinnacle® Studio AV/DV Deluxe Version 9
- which I haven't read the most positive comments on here.

Matrox RT.X100 Xtreme Pro Suite Video Editing System
Matrox RT.X10 Xtra Suite Digital Video Editing System
- the 100 seems like an excellent system, top-rated here, BUT - $1000 is alot to spend for a lot of features I'm afraid I may never use - I'm sure most of that price is all the Adobe software that comes with it tho, as well.

I am interested in software I can use to maybe clean up some of the video as well, if that's at all possible, but to be honest, I'm pretty clueless otherwise.

Preferably the hardware/software would cost below $300.

Any tips would be greatly appreciated, and sorry for posting something that is asked every other day.

~mike
My only other video encoding experience is with an OLD Dazzle DVC USB edition from a few years ago - which is frankly, a piece of shit.

[budz]

Build your own pc that way you can have the hardware you want installed rather than have a choice.

__________________________________________________ ___________
on the slow pent 3 933 pc

[MikeMGMVE]

Well I may not go with any of the video hardware offered on their site, I just mentioned it in case anyone recommends them. But I'm open to any suggestions, and have no problem installing it myself.

[thecoalman]

If you don't want to build it your self I wouldn't go with Alienware they are way overpriced, same with any other brand name computer. Check here you will see that there is a signifigant price difference. www.abspc.com I purchased my computer from them so did both of my brothers, everyone is pleased. Tech support sucks tho, but I think that's the general consensus on any large computer retailer.

[disturbed1]

It is a good idea to buy a turnkey system, the support is great, and the hardware all meshes together nicely.

As far as the Matrox cards go, they are more for someone in the Coporate Market making instructional videos, or a Pro-Sumer making wedding tapes for a living. Serious overkill for VHS archiving. Mainly because the main features of a Matrox system over any other basic capture card is the real time 3d effects (Overlays, transitions, color correction, and key mapping). For the most part, those would just be added toys, which you wouldn't use 99% of the time for what you detailed the primary use will be.

To archive VHS tapes, the easy way out would be a stand alone DVD Recorder. If you like to get your hands dirty, and your semi computer savvy, then I'd avoid those.

Those new DV converters (Canopus ADVC100, ADS Pyro) are all the rage now. These can be had for under $300. With an ultra fast new PC, DV to MPEG2 conversion wouldn't take much time.

You can go a step further, and get something like a Canopus Let's Edit RT+ system (~$300), which includes a DV to Analouge converter, with real time input/output on screne, and on the monitor. If you add a Canopus MPEG MVR/EMR it adds realtime hardware encoding from the timeline. This system has no were near as many bells and whistles as a Matrox system, but would be more than enough for what you want, and is capable of turning out some stunning Corporate and Wedding titles also.

If you have the cash, get the Alienware system, but be prepared to spend more time playing around with the neat stuff than actually working.

[MikeMGMVE]

If you don't want to build it your self I wouldn't go with Alienware they are way overpriced, same with any other brand name computer. Check here you will see that there is a signifigant price difference. www.abspc.com I purchased my computer from them so did both of my brothers, everyone is pleased. Tech support sucks tho, but I think that's the general consensus on any large computer retailer.

I went through that site on your suggestion, and configured a computer to the same specifications as the one on Alienware, and it was more expensive. Plus - Alienware gave me credit through them, so, I think I'll go with them. But I do appreciate the advice.

I guess I'll be going with the Alienware system - however, I will be purchasing video encoding hardware seperately, as the 3 options seem to be more than I actually need.

[smearbrick1]

If you aren't into the whole building it yourself thing, check out www.ibuypower.com. They seem to have some pretty good deals, and have a wide selection of hardware options.