Computer Specs: Editing 1080/60P

[jbartosh]

Wasn't able to find any up-to-date threads on this topic. I'm curious if anybody is doing any serious editing of 1080/60P and what type of PC build is getting the job done? For my purposes I'm looking to leisurely but confidently put together a 45 minute film with multiple scenes, editing including proper cuts, transitions, color corrections, mild graphics / overlays. Nothing rush to it, just want to know it's going to work without headaches, H264 but want to be able to handle multiple codecs as well. Anybody willing to share their experiences combined with specs?

[Selur]

Personally I would go for:
a. four 240GB SSDs (one for source files, one for temp files, one for the output, one for the main system)
b. the fastest CPU(s) I can and want to afford (+ a decent mainboard);
Server-Mainboards with multiple cpus and in example 64GB or more RAM are nice, but probably a bit overkill for the typical cutting/editing job. If it's not that time sensitive I would probably wait a bit for the i7 4770,...
c. 16 GB RAM (or more if the system supports it and I plan to also run VMs on the system)
d. depending on the software I use a graphic card which can be utilized of decoding/filtering purposes
e. 2 or 3 monitors (two for editing and a real control monitor if professional color guaranties are needed)

if you ask "what type of PC build is getting the job done", my answer would be more along the lines of: every current workstation (with 8GB of RAM) should normally be able to do the job, it's just a question of how fast.


Cu Selur

[jagabo]

It also depends on the nature of your source. h.264 with long GOPs is much harder to work with than, say, MPEG 2 with short GOPs. Also on what software you're using, what type of editing, etc.

[enim]

Wasn't able to find any up-to-date threads on this topic.

computer technology keeps changing way faster than we think. (invest and forget)
not like a Benz that even your grand grand gran son can drive. (worth investment)

check rendering FPS for your job requirement with various forum and friends with similar interest.

suppose you have a million to bet in a derby and choose one,


[Attachment 18238 - Click to enlarge]

or


[Attachment 18239 - Click to enlarge]

this one?

[smrpix]

There is really no computer you can put together that can handle a 45min h.264 project with many cuts and several layers smoothly. None.

If you transcode your material to an i-frame only codec like cineform, DNxHD, or Pro Res a decently outfitted i7 will work. You may want to think about fast esat drives, even raided USB3 is damn good, for your media storage. You will need more than 750gb. Save the SSD for your boot drive.

Excellent advice here:

http://www.videoguys.com/Guide/C/DIY%2BSystems.aspx

[jbartosh]

I haven't had to build a system for probably 5 years or so - but looking at it now it seems that things have flat lined as far as technology and in price last couple years. For instance, it seems a 2nd gen i7 sells no cheaper than the latest 4th gen? Kind of rules out waiting for prices to go down. Performance benchmarks haven't moved much either it seems? Not like back 5 or 10 years the way things would change from year to year. Opinions?

I was thinking 3770 with z77 board, 32gb ram, 2 low capacity ssd's 1 high capacity 7200 hdd, low level graphics card (more or less just for additional hdmi output). If I thought something better was coming out soon - or if older 6 cores were going to come down in price I'd hold out.

I don't want to dumb down my footage any because I'm doing a very photographic project right now; so the appeal is heavily based on image quality. Of course that rests on camera operation but 1080/60p is a marvel that should be taken advantage of in my opinion.

It would be great to hear if anybody is out there editing 1080/60p and what there experiences are with system performance?? What you are happy with? Wish you had upgraded, etc?

[Brad]

Does anyone utilize that much RAM?

[budwzr]

I shoot 1080p60 all the time, use a two year old i7 4GB nVidia 360M laptop, and have no problems. You need a good NLE like Vegas Pro, that dynamically reduces preview quality while editing.