Video Editing - What computer specs do I need?

[Jenny]

Hi.

What computer system specs are suggested for video editing?

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MY COMPUTER
Speed: 700 MGHZ
RAM: 448
Hard Disk: 20 GB (15 is being used)
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Thanks 8-)
Jenny

[TheInformer]

That is one of the more open questions found here on VCDHelp, Jenny

Editing = computing power, for all practical purposes. For example, you can run a video editor on a Celeron 300, but any effects, filters, etc that you apply will slow the system down. The faster the machine, the faster things will get done.

That being said, a 700 Mhz machine should be ok. RAM sounds ok. Hard drive? Hmm potentially a little lean there, but it depends on the amount of editing you have to do.

Any program in particular that you are going to use? The only way you're going to know if your system is "enough" is by actually trying out your editing program, and watching what happens. Say for example you load in an AVI file, apply a few filters and add a title or two. Now you render the file and set the target format as MPEG-1. If it takes too long for you, then you'll need a faster processor. If your source files are large, then maybe a larger hard drive might be necessary to hold them and your rendered final result.

Hope some of this helps.

[Jenny]

Hi. Thanks for the response.

Any program in particular that you are going to use? The only way you're going to know if your system is "enough" is by actually trying out your editing program, and watching what happens. Say for example you load in an AVI file, apply a few filters and add a title or two. Now you render the file and set the target format as MPEG-1. If it takes too long for you, then you'll need a faster processor...

I am using Vegas Video 3.0.
I only plan on making short 2 to 10 minute videos for the internet.

Thanks.
Jenny

[spidey]

As mentioned above your CPU is what would control the encoding speed.

As far as Vegas 3 you should be cool. DId you check out Sonic FOundry's page for spec's on it ?

Also, as previously mentioned the drive space (5 gig available) is of concern depending on what your source is. If it's an uncompressed avi or DV, you're gonna need another drive to dump the source files onto, before encoding them.

[Jenny]

Hi. Good idea. I checked the specs on SonicFoundry.

Vegas Video 3.0
400 MHz processor
Windows-compatible sound card
CD-ROM drive
Supported CD-Recordable drive (for CD burning only)
7200 RPM hard-disk drive
OHCI-compliant IEEE-1394/DV capture card (for DV capture and print-to-tape tools only)
24-bit color display recommended
128 MB RAM
40 MB hard-disk space for program installation
Microsoft® Windows® 98SE, Me, 2000, or XP
Microsoft DirectX® 8 or later (included on CD-ROM)
Internet Explorer 5.0 or later (included on CD-ROM)

Does anyone know how can I find out how many RPM my hard-disk can do?

I also noticed that Vegas Video 3.0 doesn't save in ASF format.
Is ASF a good format to save in? What's similar?

Thanks again.
Jenny :-)