Which Computer for Video Production? ITS OVER!!! FINALLY!

[budz]

jimmalenko wrote:

Good god ! A P3 450 slot ! Oh well, I guess our P2 400 slots look real old now.

LOL! Hey I did learn how to build a pc with that guide!!!!

[Bearbegr]

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=879369&CatId=1222

Here is an atholon one... Is this good? Intel or atholon? Are these good deals? What else would I need if I Purchased this... A hard Drive, other drives(cd, floppy), and???

[Bearbegr]

jimmalenko wrote:

Good god ! A P3 450 slot ! Oh well, I guess our P2 400 slots look real old now.

LOL! Hey I did learn how to build a pc with that guide!!!!

I know you said it wasnt that complicated... but it looks like it is a little... Are the barebones kits I posted any good? are they a good idea? They are preassebled right?

[jimmalenko]

Onboard doesn't cut it ?.

No it doesn't cut it, I did a 4 second animation that took 7 hours to render on 9800 pro. Many many polygons. Might have a lot to do with the software as it renders the shape at full quality regardless of the size

Edit: at full quality when full quality is selected.

To be fair, I got the impression this PC we're talking about ain't gonna be doing 3D animations and I think onboard should be sufficient for most video-related purposes.

[Bearbegr]

Onboard doesn't cut it ?.

No it doesn't cut it, I did a 4 second animation that took 7 hours to render on 9800 pro. Many many polygons. Might have a lot to do with the software as it renders the shape at full quality regardless of the size

Edit: at full quality when full quality is selected.

To be fair, I got the impression this PC we're talking about ain't gonna be doing 3D animations and I think onboard should be sufficient for most video-related purposes.

This would be what I was thinking... Plus buy the time I learn 3d, computers will be obsolute...

[budz]

I still say build your own and get the components from NEWEGG . Or have a have a local pc shop build it for you.

[D.A.R.J.R.]

I have an HP Pavilion 513w that I bought at Walmart about 2 years ago. Whats great about buying a prebuilt PC is that if anything goes wrong you can send it back to the company for repairs at no cost to you. I have broken 2 Hard drives and a CDRW/DVD combo drive and they were all covered in the warranty. They even sent me my replacement CD/DVD drive and let me install it. I have added more Ram and a Plextor 708A and havent had many problems with this computer, although I think this hard drive is about to go.

The only thing bad about HP is that the tech support barely speaks english if you call after 5pm.

All in All I think I will buy a new HP again.

[Bearbegr]

okay... What about those barbones kits... Any answers?

[Bearbegr]

I have an HP Pavilion 513w that I bought at Walmart about 2 years ago. Whats great about buying a prebuilt PC is that if anything goes wrong you can send it back to the company for repairs at no cost to you. I have broken 2 Hard drives and a CDRW/DVD combo drive and they were all covered in the warranty. They even sent me my replacement CD/DVD drive and let me install it. I have added more Ram and a Plextor 708A and havent had many problems with this computer, although I think this hard drive is about to go.

The only thing bad about HP is that the tech support barely speaks english if you call after 5pm.

All in All I think I will buy a new HP again.

I dont know... my cousins have been through 2 HP from Walmart...

[budz]

okay... What about those barbones kits... Any answers?

I wouldn't purchase any of those barebone kits. Why buy barebones when you can purchase better components than that.

[jimmalenko]

I have an HP Pavilion 513w that I bought at Walmart about 2 years ago. Whats great about buying a prebuilt PC is that if anything goes wrong you can send it back to the company for repairs at no cost to you. I have broken 2 Hard drives and a CDRW/DVD combo drive and they were all covered in the warranty. They even sent me my replacement CD/DVD drive and let me install it. I have added more Ram and a Plextor 708A and havent had many problems with this computer, although I think this hard drive is about to go.

The only thing bad about HP is that the tech support barely speaks english if you call after 5pm.

All in All I think I will buy a new HP again.

That sounds pretty reasonable to me.

Your local shop will give warranty also - my local is 2 years parts and five years labour. They're happy to fix things under warranty even if I've looked at it already because they know that I know I'm doing.

[Bearbegr]

okay... What about those barbones kits... Any answers?

I wouldn't purchase any of those barebone kits. Why buy barebones when you can purchase better components than that.

So those components arent any good? Too bad... I was relaly hoping to skip those steps...

I think Im going to have to have someone build me one because It seems too complicated to me... I know I can put in the drives and such, but the flashing of the bios, and other things like that seem very much complicated... I emailed my local store to see what they say...

What is good to get? anyone know of a barebones kit thats good?

[dosun]

We who are sticking to the topic at hand are achieving plenty, so please take your flaming somewhere else. We don't want this thread locked because of your ego.

Ego?, maybe you are reading it the wrong way. I have not used profanity nor have I flamed. I have posted solid evidence. Read lordsmurf's comment directed at me. There is profanity and no facts, yet you don't want to say anything to him? I'll be happy to help the original poster and point out some misinformation that he is receiving.

[dosun]

okay... What about those barbones kits... Any answers?

I'd suggest you don't get those kits since you won't get much more help from the store you bought it from than if you buy the parts seperatly. Looking at your situation, I'd suggest you get it built for you. If you plan to get it over the net though, make sure the company is credible and has been in business. There are lots of here now, gone the next day shops. Those shops usually have a non-existant customer support system and run the risk of going out of business every day. One good way to check is find their tech support line(not the sales) number and call it. You can see how fast they respond to phone calls.

[jimmalenko]

We who are sticking to the topic at hand are achieving plenty, so please take your flaming somewhere else. We don't want this thread locked because of your ego.

Ego?, maybe you are reading it the wrong way. I have not used profanity nor have I flamed. I have posted solid evidence. Read lordsmurf's comment directed at me. There is profanity and no facts, yet you don't want to say anything to him? I'll be happy to help the original poster and point out some misinformation that he is receiving.

To be honest, I wasn't sure who made those comments at you because I was too lazy to look back through the thread.

I agree in principle with what Lordsmurf said, however, although I do agree perhaps his delivery was lacking a bit of respect.

It is a big call to question the thoughts of someone who has contributed so much to this site.

I was merely suggesting that you keep it civil from your end and people will do the same back

[Bearbegr]

I went to my local computer stores, and one does not build Pcs, and the other was as follows:

Mid Tower ATX Case w/300 watt power supply
Motherboard with onbourt 32bit sound card 3.5" floppy
40GB Western Digital hard drive
AMD 2200+ XP
256 MB Ram
52xCDrw
Geforce 2 64mb MX 400
56K modem
XP Pro

All for $777!!! To add a DVD RW its 90, and to upgrade to an 80 GB HD its 20... So with tax, it would be 949.00 without even a monitor or printer!

What a horrible deal! Only plus was a 3 year Warrenty...

Now I dont know what to do... After this, those Dells on Ebay look a lot better...

[Bearbegr]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=51145&item=5118098155&rd=1

This seems like a really good deal, and am serieously thinking of purchasing it. Can someone just tell me if this will be able to put in a DVD RW drive... Thats all I need to know... It has the monitor that flat panel DVD rom and CDRW... I will take out the CDRW and put in the DVD...

Someone please tell me what they think... I am not going to be doing the major project. My laptop does everything right now, but the HD is only 40GB... Thats not enough... I only use software like TMPG and TMPG DVD author... I really believe that dells are good do to the fact that I have another laptop thats dell. Its really ond with a 400mhz and 4GB HD... And it still works awsomely... Its faster then our 1.6ghz Emachines... LMK ASAP Please!

[overclockxp]

The auction is for a Dell 4600 which has no AGP slot and probably won't be much of a gamer. You could take out the cd-rw and put in a dvd-rw drive. However, BE CAREFUL BUYING OFF OF EBAY! You don't know the history of the machine, etc. I don't care what feedback ratings say. I bought a food processor last week and had previously e-mailed the seller to see if the item was new in box. He said it was so I bought it. I got it and I swear that the item is refurbished or something but definitely not brand new. There was some white paint on the electrical cord and the misc stickers on the device were coming off. Caveat emptor baby!

Anyways, here is a quick system I put together on Newegg for you. Building a computer isn't as hard as people make it seem. Get the parts and find a friend to come over for a couple of hours and help you. It is the most fun you can have with a computer. Google and find some sites that walk you thru the steps. I've been builing for about 6 years and loved every minute of it.

Bearbegr's Computer

Total Cost: $682.99

Still need
modem - if required (get DSL)
AGP Video Card (depends on what games you want to play)
Optical mouse
Keyboard
Speakers
3.5 1.44 MB Floppy
Monitor

There are two hard drives in the configuration, IDE for windows, programs, etc, SATA for capture and render. Two drives are a must if you will be doing any digital video editing. I find it handy to format my capture drive from time-to-time to clear the slate.

[Bearbegr]

The auction is for a Dell 4600 which has no AGP slot and probably won't be much of a gamer. You could take out the cd-rw and put in a dvd-rw drive. However, BE CAREFUL BUYING OFF OF EBAY! You don't know the history of the machine, etc. I don't care what feedback ratings say. I bought a food processor last week and had previously e-mailed the seller to see if the item was new in box. He said it was so I bought it. I got it and I swear that the item is refurbished or something but definitely not brand new. There was some white paint on the electrical cord and the misc stickers on the device were coming off. Caveat emptor baby!

Anyways, here is a quick system I put together on Newegg for you. Building a computer isn't as hard as people make it seem. Get the parts and find a friend to come over for a couple of hours and help you. It is the most fun you can have with a computer. Google and find some sites that walk you thru the steps. I've been builing for about 6 years and loved every minute of it.

Bearbegr's Computer

Total Cost: $682.99

Still need
modem - if required (get DSL)
AGP Video Card (depends on what games you want to play)
Optical mouse
Keyboard
Speakers
3.5 1.44 MB Floppy
Monitor

There are two hard drives in the configuration, IDE for windows, programs, etc, SATA for capture and render. Two drives are a must if you will be doing any digital video editing. I find it handy to format my capture drive from time-to-time to clear the slate.

Thanks for doing that package and answering my questions... I am really thinking of buying the one on ebay... I already talked to the seller... I chose this cause its in my budget very much and I get the monitor I really want... And people say its good enough... Plus I know I will not be doing the video editing everyone else does that requires the big stuff... I only use TMPG DVD author... I just want a DVD burner that not external, and is not a 2x DVD-r only burner...

All in all it seems as though this is what I need... LMK what you think

[dosun]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 5&rd=1

Thats not a bad deal. Even if you build one yourself, the price wouldn't be much less since that includes a 17" flat panel. Although you don't actually know what they are using inside, I'd think they'd use that the components they use are of decent quality. If you do get it though, upgrade the memory to at least 512mb, especially since it uses intergrated video. Make sure there is an AGP slot free if you plan to use programs that need a more powerful video card. You can always take out that included drive if there are no extra slots for an additional dvd burner.

I was merely suggesting that you keep it civil from your end and people will do the same back

If you read my first post it was quite civil. I see nothing uncivil about it and had no intention of starting an arguement with Lordsmurf. He then comes along claiming what i said was "baloney", followed by no facts, sources or the like. When I pointed out how wrong he was using actual facts(still no profanity involved) and links, he said "@dosun,
You don't know shit. Your articles are old. The people in them, didn't know shit either." So now he isn't just disrespecting me, he is disrespected to all those people that wrote those articles. If you do plan to call someone out, at least read the whole thread first or at least all the posts by the people in question.

It is a big call to question the thoughts of someone who has contributed so much to this site.

So its ok that if the thoughts are wrong and to misinform all the people that ask a question? I'm not how much of his statements are true/false since I don't know enough about digital video and recording. I do know enough about current computer hardware to know which are correct and incorrect. I've read past "recommendations" regarding computer hardware from him, they are usually misinformed. Its ok to be wrong, but its not ok to be flat out wrong, not admit it, and attack the poster with the correct info.

[jimmalenko]

I wouldn't get so worked up about it if I were you. It's not worth worrying about. Everyone is entitled to their opinions.

[lordsmurf]

It is AUGUST 2004. I suggest all posters stop dwelling on the past of PCs, and worry about how things are RIGHT NOW. That's what I've been doing. Nobody cares about systems made in 2003 and 2002 or whatever. Right now. August. 2004.

[jimmalenko]

It is AUGUST 2004. I suggest all posters stop dwelling on the past of PCs, and worry about how things are RIGHT NOW. That's what I've been doing. Nobody cares about systems made in 2003 and 2002 or whatever. Right now. August. 2004.

In all fairness LS, a lot of the computers from 2003 and 2002 would still be under warranty and so they are still relevant to the discussion. Also, I'm sure a lot of people here may not have bought a new computer since before 2002 and so are only speaking from experiences back then. Regardless of whether information is factual or misinformed, I think everyone needs to show a bit more mutual respect and take some posts with a grain of salt.

[Bearbegr]

[quote="dosun"]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 5&rd=1

Thats not a bad deal. Even if you build one yourself, the price wouldn't be much less since that includes a 17" flat panel. Although you don't actually know what they are using inside, I'd think they'd use that the components they use are of decent quality. If you do get it though, upgrade the memory to at least 512mb, especially since it uses intergrated video. Make sure there is an AGP slot free if you plan to use programs that need a more powerful video card. You can always take out that included drive if there are no extra slots for an additional dvd burner.

[quote]

Thanks for the information... Im going to do a little more research, but I am really thinking that this could be the one...

[thinger62]

I hope you didn't buy the 4600 from ebay. Save yourself some serious money (like more that $150) and buy the exact same package from Dell yourself. Go to fatwallet or slickdeals and look for the dell 4600 deal. Expires Wednesday I think. If you miss this deal, don't worry. In the next month there will be deals on the 2400 (limited upgrades, but still possible, carpet tape solves a lot of problems), the 4600 and the 8300. Even better is their server special (sc 400 maybe?) with the p4 2.8 800 fsb upgrade. These deals come by often. Dell is introducing new versions of the first three models and clearing out the old ones. I've had 2 Dells, and currently have 3 pc's that I made myself. For the average person a Dell is sufficient. With smart shopping it is impossible to build a comparable machine for less. or even the same price. If you go top end, or are the kind of person to buy without much though, then building can save serious money.

[thecoalman]

For the average person a Dell is sufficient. With smart shopping it is impossible to build a comparable machine for less. or even the same price.

True but only on there low end clearance models. High end models are way over priced and can be purchased from other vendors for much better deal.

[Bearbegr]

I hope you didn't buy the 4600 from ebay. Save yourself some serious money (like more that $150) and buy the exact same package from Dell yourself. Go to fatwallet or slickdeals and look for the dell 4600 deal. Expires Wednesday I think. If you miss this deal, don't worry. In the next month there will be deals on the 2400 (limited upgrades, but still possible, carpet tape solves a lot of problems), the 4600 and the 8300. Even better is their server special (sc 400 maybe?) with the p4 2.8 800 fsb upgrade. These deals come by often. Dell is introducing new versions of the first three models and clearing out the old ones. I've had 2 Dells, and currently have 3 pc's that I made myself. For the average person a Dell is sufficient. With smart shopping it is impossible to build a comparable machine for less. or even the same price. If you go top end, or are the kind of person to buy without much though, then building can save serious money.

I dont see a package less then the one on ebay... Could you point me in the right direction? (IE Link...)

Okay, I found it... But its EXPIRED... Dang it...

[thinger62]

Wasn't it $550 after rebate with the lcd now? That's still better. If it is dead, wait. It'll come back. I think there is a server deal going on now with a 2.8 800 fsb. Depending on what parts and os you may already have, this could be a killer machine for not much $..

http://fatwallet.com/t/18/353580/

I cannot imagine buying a computer off of ebay for that price. I keep an eye on some deal sites and might be able to steer you in the right direction. If you want to discuss this, email me.

[kosekjm]

Hello again,

I've been looking for the ATX wiring spec and have found out that the 20 pin connector that we have been talking about has been replaced by a 24 pin. The 24 pin is to support the new PCI express boards. If you want to see the specs, check out: http://www.formfactors.org/

However, it appears that there may have been some truth to the non standard PSU in older dell systems. According to this page:

http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=3301

there is a post about the non-standard PSU AND Dell's response on the issue. It appears that both budz (Hopefully as I'm not scrolling back through all the posts ) and LS are correct. Dell did indeed use non-standard connectors in some of their older machines, however according to the article (and take dell at whatever word you want) the new systems have been switched back to a standard ATX PSU (Not the case or MB mind you just the PSU)

I thought it was interesting enough to share.

kosekjm

[Bearbegr]

Wasn't it $550 after rebate with the lcd now? That's still better. If it is dead, wait. It'll come back. I think there is a server deal going on now with a 2.8 800 fsb. Depending on what parts and os you may already have, this could be a killer machine for not much $..

http://fatwallet.com/t/18/353580/

I cannot imagine buying a computer off of ebay for that price. I keep an eye on some deal sites and might be able to steer you in the right direction. If you want to discuss this, email me.

I pmed you! Whats your email?