Keep new PC or switch to Mac for video?

[fiesgeist]

Less than two months ago I bought a Dell 4600 with a Pentium 2.6 with HT, 512 mb RAMM, and 80gb hd espcially for the purpose of converting vhs tapes and home movies to dvd. I'll probably want to play with editing and authoring as I go along as well. After nearly a month of frustration with the Dell (Roxio) movie package, I sent the package back and began reading up on what to and what not to buy to get the job done.

The overall impression of everything I learned was that everything has quirks. And everyone I talked with who knew anything about video capture and dvd said, "You should have bought a Mac." The only thing I've settled on is a Canopus ADVC-100 to convert analog to DV.

The big question now is whether to get rid of the Dell while I can minimize my loss and get an iMac (or other model), or stick it out with what I have and try to get the best software for the best results. Also, if I am to stick it out, what software package(s) do you suggest?. Any suggestions from the knowing would really be appreciated.

Thanks in advance for your input.

Mike

[Tommyknocker]

I do not own a Mac, but I am successful with making videos on my PC. The great thing these days is while there are several right answers as to which software is best, almost all of them offer trial ware versions so you can play around with the ones you think you may like, and then buy the ones you prefer.

Once you have your AVDC-100 up and running on your system, I suggest you try DVIO for your next capture from analog to DV. It is freeware, very basic and easy to use.

Keep us posted.

[rcb]

To add to tommyknocker's suggestions, consider getting TMPGEnc Plus for encoding/editing and TMPGEnc DVD Author for authoring/burning.

Both are solid apps...

[sacajaweeda]

Buying a particular type of hardware or software is going to make a negligible difference, if in fact any. You're going to have to actually learn something.

[fiesgeist]

I've since downloaded TMPGEnc and TMPGnc DVD Author, as well as the free trial of Nero. Nero seemed to work better for copying a DVD movie. I'll give DVIO a try also. If this success continues, then I'll stick with the PC. Thanks for the tips.

[Will Hay]

You've overcome your biggest hurdle and trust me, the ADVC-100 is a superb investment for what you plan (analogue to DV, right?).
I'm only echoing other posts but....


DVIO to capture from ADVC-100 > Firewire > PC (I use Pinnacle Studio 8.10, I like to edit and add a few light transitions)

TMPGEnc to encode to mpeg2

TMPGEnc Plus to author (I use Ulead Movie Factory 2.0)

My footage of my family on DVD is flawless, all via the ADVC-100.
Will Hay

[Kolosus]

Buying a particular type of hardware or software is going to make a negligible difference, if in fact any. You're going to have to actually learn something.

The statement above is the hard cold truth of the matter. Whether one owns a PC or a Mac, you still have to learn something about the hardware and the software you are working with. And sometimes what you learn will seem to have nothing to do with what you are trying to accomplish.
Forgive the expression, but, Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater.
The PC will do the job once you learn the steps it takes to get there.

There are guys/gals on this site working with half the computer you and I use, and doing just fine.

Hang in there.

[fiesgeist]

Thanks for all your posts. True, I have to learn something, and I've been doing just that. Since there was not overwhelming advise to go to Mac, I'll stick with what I have and make what I have work. I have been successfully copying DVDs, so now have an idea how to do it. Challenging but pretty cool once it works.

[mike1061]

You have a long road ahead.
One of the biggest mistakes I ever made was buying a dell 8200 with all the video editing hardware/software. $2,500.00 down the drain. I then replaced each componant one at a time. Over $1,200.00 more down the drian. All this and not 1 DVD that played consistantly. Did I mention that I have several hundred hours invested. (probably close to 500 hours).
No body is going to be able to help you, not your friends, not people who work on computers that you pay, not certainly not dell, or roxio, you are on your own.
But I now know enough about computers people are starting to bring theres to me for me to fix. Terrific.
Thanks Mike.

[Tommyknocker]

You have a long road ahead.
One of the biggest mistakes I ever made was buying a dell 8200 with all the video editing hardware/software. $2,500.00 down the drain. I then replaced each componant one at a time. Over $1,200.00 more down the drian. All this and not 1 DVD that played consistantly. Did I mention that I have several hundred hours invested. (probably close to 500 hours).
No body is going to be able to help you, not your friends, not people who work on computers that you pay, not certainly not dell, or roxio, you are on your own.
But I now know enough about computers people are starting to bring theres to me for me to fix. Terrific.
Thanks Mike.

Since Fiesgeist has had better success than you've had in a shorter amount of time, maybe your friends should start bringing their broken computers to him instead.

[mike1061]

I a way that was funny. Truth is I now know some about computers, but still don't know how to make a DVD.
Thanks Mike.