Design My Next Computer to Support Vegas Video

jcg wrote on 12/9/2002, 5:36 PM
I'm preparing to order a new Dell computer for my home office. It will serve 2 major functions: 1) supporting Vegas Video and related programs for editing video captured on miniDV in production of commercial film product and 2) general busines functions (e.g., Microsoft Office suite, Quicken, ACT).

I realize I will need to add the DVD burning software since this is not part of Vegas Video. However, I felt after much studying that, if I wanted to stay with a PC-based system, Vegas Video 3.0 was the way to go.

First question is, as a Vegas Video user, how do you feel about Vegas Video as the choice for non-liner DV editing?

Second, we all know that that system requirements listed for a software product are only the minimum requirements. What more should I get? How much hard drive space? Considing the dual use of the computer, how about getting 2 hard drives? How fast do I want to go? What kind of video card? And so on. Assume cost is not a problem.

Let it all hang out. Thanks.

jcg

Comments

David_Kuznicki wrote on 12/9/2002, 6:21 PM
First question is, as a Vegas Video user, how do you feel about Vegas Video as the choice for non-liner DV editing?

Boy, are you looking for an *objective* opinion in this forum? ;)
Seriously though, Vegas is fast, flexible & stable. And, oddly enough, fun. It's highly touted audio tools really ARE second to none. It's not a toy like some of the Pinnacle products, but it's easy enough to limit the learning curve. I hope that makes sense!
Seriously-- it's odd. I find myself pushing VV down the throat of everyone at the station I work for. I've gotten a few converts already...


Second, we all know that that system requirements listed for a software product are only the minimum requirements. What more should I get?

Again-- Vegas is stable, and it's not particularly a resource hog, at least until you're rendering. I still run VV on a PIII 750 mhz, without any hiccups. Hell, I don't think you can buy anything THAT antiquated now! Whatever you get, you'll be fine. If rendering speed is an issue... then yeah, build a beast. If not, quite frankly, whatever you build should be fine.

How much hard drive space?

DV is a space hog. Remember-- approx. 4.5 minutes of DV will run you a gig. Remember to multiply that by a MINIMUM of 2 (providing that you're working with a 1:1 shooting to edit ratio, which I HOPE you're not!)... as you'll need the clips and the final rendered output. I suppose that it depends upon the length of your projects.

Considing the dual use of the computer, how about getting 2 hard drives?

It's ALWAYS recommended that you have a second media drive. Period. Although I keep my footage on my system drive (yeah, I know...) and have never had a dropped frame, I'm guessing that I've been lucky so far. Better safe than sorry.

How fast do I want to go?

On the processor or the hard drives? See above for proc. recommendations; as for HD's, there's no reason to stay away from 7200's. As for the 10,000+... I'm not sure the speed is necessary, but you'd know what you need better than I would.

What kind of video card? And so on.

I'm not the best judge of video cards, although video is NOT particularly intensive. However, maybe do yourself a favor & get a dual headed cards... two monitors make a WORLD of difference!
And remember to get an OHCI firewire card, which is good, as they're cheaper anyway. DO NOT grab something like a DV500 & expect to be able to capture with VV.

And, what are your audio needs?

Assume cost is not a problem.

Man, I wish I was in YOUR shoes!

David.
jcg wrote on 12/9/2002, 8:02 PM
David,

What a guy. Thanks for taking the time to send your advice. As all my productions are documentary in style, my audio requirements are not that big. The usual voice and music tracks. Any further advice?

Although my work does not involve creating music, I've been having fun with the ACID tutorials. I wish I was 20 years old again. I might have gone the creative route to begin with. Instead I became a scientist and now at 50 have started a new life in the arts, where I belonged all along. The silver lining is having the funds to buy whatever I want...

jcg
BillyBoy wrote on 12/9/2002, 9:57 PM
What you may want to consider also is building your own computer system. It really is simple, you don't actually "build" anything, you just assemble it, with the hardest part being putting the heatsink on the CPU, because of the force you need to position a clamp. Other then that just putting the motherboard in the case, adding the power supply, memory, plugging in a few wires and then adding the hard drives, video card, etc.. the next hardest thing is setting up the BIOS and installing the OS.

Really nothing to it. I've done it countless times, and I'm rather clumsy. The big advantage isn't that you'll save that much money, rather you get to pick all the parts and not end up with stuff you don't need or want. Also many places on the web that will sell you a "bare bones" system with the CPU, memory already installed and tested, then you got to do is customize.
Paul_Holmes wrote on 12/10/2002, 1:05 AM
One other point (if I remember correctly), is that if you intend to do a lot of rendering to avi (1st cuts, special effects, etc) a dual processor will make a big difference. I don't think this applies to any other kind of render (mpgs, real, windows media), just avi. Also, like BillyBoy said, although I'm proud I built my Athlon 1800, there really ain't nothin to it -- not like the old days. When I build the next one it'll be a dual-processor.

And it was either here or on the Cow forums that Douglas Spotted Eagle was having people post rendering times with a certain veg file. I think a big factor in the best rendering times was having a raid setup, rather than just a 7200rpm hard drive.
BillyBoy wrote on 12/10/2002, 10:30 AM
One thing I forgot too...

If you build your own, you need to buy the OS, but no need to buy the boxed version at retail prices. All kinds of places on the web that will sell you genuine
Microsoft Windows XP Pro OEM version for $100 or less. Many that do require you buy some hardware at the same time. For an example try www.pricewatch.com
wcoxe1 wrote on 12/10/2002, 10:55 AM
For those building our own:

I understand that there are troubles with VIA Chipsets. Is this true? How about other chipsets? What about certain motherboards to avoid?
decrink wrote on 12/10/2002, 11:25 AM
I hear from many sources that the place to contact is:
www.pcnirvana.com

I never bought from them as I'm set with my rig for awhile but from all that everyone says, they are the great for assembling Vegas specific setups. There's even supposed to be a guy there that you contact, you'll have to search Creative Cow for his name.

Good luck.
BillyBoy wrote on 12/10/2002, 12:09 PM
There USE to be problems with some VIA chips. Unless you buy an old version of some motherboard you should be OK. It is hard to tell a "bad" motherboard until you actaully get it. One physical sign that isn't good is one or more jumper wires going from traces on the printed circut to fix some oops. Like with software, version 1.0 can contain errors that may not show up until tested by the masses.

ASUS makes quality boards, so does IWill. Lots of sites on the web that review the various makes and versions, sometimes to painfull excess. AS far as Intel verses AMD, I see no real differences quality wise. They do leap frog one another as to which currently has the "fastest" chip, which isn't the only thing you should consider.
williamconifer wrote on 12/10/2002, 2:47 PM
I concurr with all that has been said. rolling your own is quite fun, and the best part is that it's exactly what you want. That is of course you know what you want. hehe. BTW here is a link to a case that Directron sells. Its a PC clone of a Mac. Really sweet. That's what's in store for me in the next 12 months. http://www.directron.com/macpc.html

They will bare bones it for you. I have bought a lot from them and their prices are great and really good service. They have active and helpful forums.

good luck
jack
jcg wrote on 12/10/2002, 3:24 PM
David, is it possible to "talk" to you on line? I have a few questions I think you could answer. I have looked at your history of answers. You can reach me at jcg022802@aol.com. I would really appreciate it. I won't take a lot of time. Thanks very much in advance.

jcg
wcoxe1 wrote on 12/10/2002, 7:32 PM
By the way, I have found that if you look at the Dell Workstation 430 (for Pentium 4) or the Workstation 450 (for Xeon), you get a MUCH greater choice of what you can have in and on your computer, and better prices, too.

There is minimal JUNK software forced on you. I have ALL the software I need, and don't like being forced to buy more MickySoft Office, etc. That alone saves hundreds, but the extra choices, not available in their "Home" models, cinched the idea.

On the other hand, for ultimate flexibility, try Boxx Computers, a SoFo partner. they sell VERY nice systems, both with and without software.