Comments

craftech wrote on 4/7/2005, 2:36 PM
I don't think any modern computer will have a problem. But I would suggest you use it only for video editing. A dedicated computer will be easier to troubleshoot and is less likely to have conflicts and memory hogs.

John
busterkeaton wrote on 4/7/2005, 4:30 PM
Are you doing DV only?

Most modern fast systems will run Vegas fine.

You could certainly run Vegas on a Dell system, but you have to decide if that's what you want.

The advantages to a

When you tally up the full package, Dell is hard to beat for the price especially if you catch a sale.
They run very quiet.
They are reasonably well made computers.
Lots of USB 2.0 slots

The downsides are
Dell's regular desktops use proprietary motherboards and power supplies, which means if you have to replace them you have to buy from Dell.
The minitowers don't have much expandability. If you have two hard drives and a DVD burner, you have one drive slot left.

If you are looking at a Dell, I would look to buying a refurbished workstation.
PossibilityX wrote on 4/7/2005, 4:54 PM
LRamirez, I have a Dell 4550 I bought a bit more than 2 years ago because my previous computer (an ancient Dell) couldn't handle digital video. Didn't even have a CD-R drive, much less the muscle for editing.

I've had good luck with my machine.

As a caveat, I have to say I know nothing about other brands or their capabilities, as I've used Dell machines the past ten years or so. I'm not neccesarily recommending them over other machines that might be much better, just saying I've been satisfied with my machine.

I agree with the idea of having a computer dedicated only to audio and video production, if you can afford to do it that way. I can't, but as I say, my Dell desktop has been working fine.
LRamirez wrote on 4/8/2005, 9:59 AM
Thanks for your answer. The company I work for has a relationship with Dell, so chances are we are going to go with a Dell.

I was looking at some of the HD discussion and got some numbers from that thread. I figure if the numbers I got are enough for cutting HD then they've got to be plenty for regular DV.

And you're right! I would never have anything but a dedicated station. I've had a hard enough time as it is with the integrity of a dedicated system with out needing the extra variables to add to the frustration.
Thanks again.
-Litha
RafalK wrote on 4/8/2005, 1:48 PM
Definitely go to the small business section on their website and look for the "workstation" configuration. These are directed at a business user and that's reflected in the standard configurations which do not include all these goofy little consumer applications that the personal computers do. I have my Dell for the last 2 years and love it. Either way, lots of fast memory, dual processor motherboard, even if you just start off with one processor. RAID if you can throw in the extra cash, and most definitely at least a dual monitor video card.