a new computer, what requirements?

[nerie]

I have a lot of digital video, captured with my canon optura xi. I will buy a new computer soon, but have a few questions...

1. What are the hardware requirements that would make editing DV painless? How much hard drive, processor, memory, etc. should I get?

2. I am strongly considering dell, but may consider apple as well, any ideas?

Thanks!

[yoda313]

Hello,

PC - 2.5ghz or faster, 512mb RAM minimum 80gb harddrive or more - DV - probably a 200gb drive would be nice.

Apple - don't DO IT!

Kevin

[northcat_8]

I had to laugh when I read your post nerie...

2 things - processor and RAM. The faster the processor the better, and the more RAM the better.

I suggest a minimum of 512 MB of RAM, but 1 GB or more would be suggestable.

As yoda said, you will need some Hard drive space. Considering that 1 hour of DV-AVI video is approximately 12 GB. You will also want more than one HD. You will not want to capture and output to the same drive or even the same IDE channel.

While I do not recommend you go with Apple, I also would not recommend Dell.

The reason for my laughter is that you are wanting "hardware that will make editing DV painless" good luck with that I knew what you meant

[mpack]

In addition to what others have said, I would add: make sure the PC has an actual AGP slot. In other words, don't assume that just because it says "AGP Graphics" on the box, make sure it is an actual slot and not integrated onto the motherboard - ie. that the graphics card can be replaced with (eg.) an All-In-Wonder or similar that has better support for video (as opposed to being optimized for 3D games).

On the other specs: IMHO 512MB memory is more than enough (it is enough for example to hold quite a large video clip entirely resident in memory!). In fact, my XT system runs very happily with 256MB. On the other hand, one thing you can never have enough of is disk space: you need enough for several versions of a movie, which in some formats might be 40GB each. I don't recommend buying a machine that comes with a 250GB drive, because that is likely to be sold as a "high spec" (server) type machine which has lots of other stuff you don't need. Go for a machine that has 80GB (say) as standard, and plan on buying a second 250GB drive for it, which you'll use just for video files (capture and editing).

[bazooka]

If you choose an apple, then you limit yourself hardware wise and software wise.

You will also pay wayyyyyyyyy toooooooo muchhhhhhhh monnnnnnnnnneyyyyyyyyyyyy

[tekkieman]

my XT system runs very happily with 256MB

Ok, other than the fact that it is impossible as stated, I'm sure we all know you meant XP

[maek]

There are some who have some serious resentment towards Dell, but I, for one, can't complain with my system (see my computer details).

My Dell has run PROBLEM FREE - software-wise, however, you're better off researching on your own. At least Dell is not as bad as COMPAQ, for example, which loads horrendous amounts of software titles that prove to be either irrelevant or useless.

Whether or not you get a Dell is up to you - it's up to you as a consumer to research a responsible choice. My experience has been good and my hardware is more than adequate to handle what you suggest.

[Gregg]

Hi,

At least 512M RAM, Pentium 4 2.5 and up and SATA HDD. Looking at the trends maybe you should go with the new LGA775, 915/925, PCI Express boards. Buy all the parts separately and assemble it yourself.
I however would start this conversation with budget considerations first. Tell us how much do you intend to spend for your new computer and then we'll be able to give you more detailed advice.

Enjoy!

[bazooka]

There are some who have some serious resentment towards Dell, but I, for one, can't complain with my system (see my computer details).

My Dell has run PROBLEM FREE - software-wise, however, you're better off researching on your own. At least Dell is not as bad as COMPAQ, for example, which loads horrendous amounts of software titles that prove to be either irrelevant or useless.

Whether or not you get a Dell is up to you - it's up to you as a consumer to research a responsible choice. My experience has been good and my hardware is more than adequate to handle what you suggest.

You overpay for the computer

[tekkieman]

There are some who have some serious resentment towards Dell

You overpay for the computer

...and there's one now! Seriously, you will get many different opinions, and no one is more or less right than any other (within reason). If you know anything about computers, and you've done your homework on a Dell, and are happy with it then go for it. I boought 5 in one year, and have been happy with all of them (and the price I paid). Their support has gone downhill fast, but the product is still decent. My next one I will build, but I have reasons for that too.

[bazooka]

They are ok.

I just know that you overpay for the computer.

My former friend was making monthly payments for like two or three years.

I told him, I could build him a better system that he would own for a fraction of that money but he stubbornly clung to his Dell.

[nerie]

I am more concerned about hardware, not so much software. I learned long ago; instead of trying to fix a software related issue, just reformat the darn thing and start over. I probably reformat my current system every 6 months. I am hearing lots of people saying that apple is bad and dell is bad, but not recommending anything else, other than purchasing the parts seperately and then doing it myself. I would like to spend less than 2 grand, 2500 the absolute limit... Obviously, I know that DV editing will be a pain, but I would at least like to have enough horsepower to do it properly...

[bazooka]

You can build a great system for way cheaper than 2 grand

[tekkieman]

My former friend was making monthly payments for like two or three years.

There's the problem! Financing through Dell will get you raped worse than in a Turkish prison! Minimum 18%. Pay cash. I have never paid more than $400 for any Dell (including tax since I lived in Texas, and shipping).

I have never been raped, or in a Turkish prison. I mean no disrespect to anyone of Turk ancestry. It's just a saying.

[funkguy4]

w/ video editting/encoding GHz is what really matters. this is where intel processors tend to really shine. additionally, they shine even more because of their great memory bandwidth capabilities. these are key for video editting. you'll prolly want to go for some sort of dual-drive set up (maybe RAID) since you'll be streaming raw data into your hardrives. prolly SATA.
go for intel on this one........

[bazooka]

w/ video editting/encoding GHz is what really matters. this is where intel processors tend to really shine. additionally, they shine even more because of their great memory bandwidth capabilities. these are key for video editting. you'll prolly want to go for some sort of dual-drive set up (maybe RAID) since you'll be streaming raw data into your hardrives. prolly SATA.
go for intel on this one........

An athlon64 is better.

[tekkieman]

w/ video editting/encoding GHz is what really matters. this is where intel processors tend to really shine. additionally, they shine even more because of their great memory bandwidth capabilities. these are key for video editting. you'll prolly want to go for some sort of dual-drive set up (maybe RAID) since you'll be streaming raw data into your hardrives. prolly SATA.
go for intel on this one........

An athlon64 is better.

Why? No offense, but remember, I like information backed by facts. You may very well be right, but that's hard to tell with no information given on your part.

[johns0]

Athlon64 are better and google it for more information if you need to know.

[tekkieman]

Athlon64 are better and google it for more information if you need to know.

Forgive me, but someone expressed an opinion, and I asked what that opinion was based on. If it's based on a google search, then we shouldn't need this forum. Everyone can just google their butts off.

Now, since you also believe it's better, would you care to make any statements of fact (or educated opinion will do) to support it, or did you just google someone else's opinion and spout it as fact?

[bazooka]

w/ video editting/encoding GHz is what really matters. this is where intel processors tend to really shine. additionally, they shine even more because of their great memory bandwidth capabilities. these are key for video editting. you'll prolly want to go for some sort of dual-drive set up (maybe RAID) since you'll be streaming raw data into your hardrives. prolly SATA.
go for intel on this one........

An athlon64 is better.

Why? No offense, but remember, I like information backed by facts. You may very well be right, but that's hard to tell with no information given on your part.

Numerous reviews in multiple computer magazines

[tekkieman]

Ok, taking johns0's advice and doing a google search specific to "comparison AMD Intel video editing", numerous reviews on multiple computer sites give Intel the runaway victory for video encoding.

What else?

[Soopafresh]

I recently performed a AviSynth benchmark test on the numerous workstations we have at work. And boy, we've got some fast machines - Dual 3.0 Xeons, Pentium 4 3.4, etc.

The AMD 64 3200 was the best machine of the bunch, considering it cost around $700 for a 2GB system.

https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=248409&highlight=avs2avi

Just put together a system from NewEgg.com with an Athlon 64 3400, 1GB Mushkin RAM, Soltek Nforce 3 Mobo, 300GB Maxtor SATA drive, ATI 9800 Clone, Lian Li Aluminum Case, and 500W Power Supply for just under $900.

[johns0]

Athlon64 are better and google it for more information if you need to know.

or did you just google someone else's opinion and spout it as fact?

If you had looked under my details you would have seen that i have an athlon64 3000 and i do service calls for all types of computers including p4 and athlon and celeron and by far the athlon64 is a better performer when i compare them to my own computer plus i research the facts on google and yes i still come here.

[northcat_8]

I do not believe that the AMD64 is better than the P4.

I was a long time AMD lover, and recently had to build a new system and I went with the P4...simply because of price

With that being said, I do have a machine with a AMD64 3000+. There is no noticable difference in speed with the AMD chip than there is with my 2.666 P4 chip.

Now the difference may be in the P4 box has 1 GB of RAM, where as the AMD64 only has 512.

I also disagree with the 256 MB being enough memory. I guess it all depends on what you are doing with your PC, but I know if I am rendering a 3D animation for a video I'm working on, 512 MB of RAM is iffy and if I don't close down all other apps, the system will stick and eventually crash. It doesn't do that with 1 GB of RAM.

Trust me, you want RAM in addition to CPU, and pmack makes a good point about the video card. Often overlooked piece of hardware.

The reason I replied was to point out that I do like the Dell computers, they are a good price for what you get and are cheaper than you could ever buy each part individually for. I just don't think you are going to get a PC already built for editing video from them. Their PC's are built for the majority of the public for the majority of their tasks...which means, word processing, spreadsheets and solitaire.

If you want a PC built for video, build it yourself. I built an entirely new system...P4 box, 160 GB HD, ATI Radeon 9800 Video card, 2.666 Ghz CPU, D865GLC Intel MoBo...all for $75. But I doubt you have a friend like I do

[bazooka]

I am only stating what I read.

The people that get paid to do reviews have given the athlon64 the edge in many computer mags.

pcworld,pcmagazine,computerpoweruser just to name a few.

[tekkieman]

I truly hope you guys don't take offense at my questioning you (I won't lose any sleep if you do), but I can't begin to count how many times I've seen people post to the newbies "give us details", but feel free to post "I said so, so just take my word for it". If you've got something to say, great! That's what we're here for, the free exchange of information and experience.

Does it really take that much to back it up with facts, experience details, etc? To give credit where it's due, I've learned a lot here. I've also learned that some people type to see their own words. Anyone who says this is better or best without any other info, I disregard as a blowhard. Anyone who's given me any reason to respect their opinion, I'll take the time to ask why?

EDIT: Before I submitted, I saw your response bazooka. I agree. Many reviews I've read give the 64 winning marks hands down in most areas, especially gaming. However, most of them give the award to Intel for encoding. That's what I've read.

[northcat_8]

It really doesn't matter to me bazooka, it's like arguing Chevy vs Ford.

When a render job takes 19 hours, it's not like I'm sitting in the chair waiting on it to finish.

[bazooka]

It really doesn't matter to me bazooka, it's like arguing Chevy vs Ford.

When a render job takes 19 hours, it's not like I'm sitting in the chair waiting on it to finish.

I hear ya.

[bazooka]

I truly hope you guys don't take offense at my questioning you

I don't.

Sometimes the reasoning behind a statement is just as important than the actual statement.

[northcat_8]

I truly hope you guys don't take offense at my questioning you (I won't lose any sleep if you do)

I take offense (offence for Flan) tekkie you wanker

and you will lose sleep, I'm setting up my wardialer to call you ever 10 minutes