New Computer System

Steve Grisetti wrote on 7/25/2003, 1:51 PM

Welcome aboard, Larry. You're going to love video editing.

Just one question: Will your video be DV (or Digital 8) or analogue (such VHS)? These are ported into the computer in different ways and show up as different formats, and getting your computer to marry your camcorder can be your first big challenge. Digital Video is definitely easier to work with. A Fireware sends pure DV to the hard drive. Analogue must be converted to a compressed form of MPEG through a special converter, and there is a little loss of quality.

That said, virtually any new system should be powerful enough to do the job. Intel is preferred by some over AMD processors, but at today's speeds it doesn't make that much of a difference. Most new machines have graphics accelerator cards and fast hard drives as part of the package. I'd recommend a name brand computer (though Compaqs have been known to be tempramental). HPs are great values. Gateways are okay. Dells are top of the line. Sonys are often built for multimedia but can be a bit pricey. It's really hard to go wrong.

For optional equipment, a couple important pieces: LOTS of RAM. Your DV editing life will be much easier if you have at lest 512 Meg. More so if you have a 1 Gb.

Also, buy a big monitor, even if you have to buy it separately. Believe me, you'll soon appreciate the extrea real estate of a 19" monitor offers.

Also, get a big (at least 60 gig) second hard drive that you can dedicate to video capture. This keeps data flying from camcorder to disk from bumping into data from OS to RAM. Second hard drives are being discounted all over the place, and they're almost as easy to install as RAM so, if money is an issue, don't be afraid to buy your computer without and install the second drive yourself. You can do it in half an hour.

Finally, you'll be way ahead of the game if you buy a computer with firewire inputs already installed (even more so if you can find one with at least one input on the FRONT of the computer -- like HPs and Sonys). You can easily install your own later, but why not let the factory guys do it so you can be sure it works out of the box?

Good luck! Have fun!

And, as for editing software, well, you can't be Sony Screenblast Movie Studio (an embelished version of Video Factory). But, since you'll have Windows XP anyway on your new machine, definitely download the free Windows Movie Maker 2 from the Microsoft site. It's a terrific back-up.

Steve Grisetti wrote on 7/25/2003, 2:03 PM

Oh yeah. You asked about codecs.

Codecs are types of compression for multimedia and video files. There are dozens of codecs out there, and some can reduce file size a lot without much quality loss. Unfortunately, if the person viewing the file doesn't have software that can read that codec, they can't watch the video you sent them.

When you save your video as an AVI, for instance, you'll have the option of saving it as several codecs. Naturally, DV-AVI is the one you'll use most when you edit since, well, when you're done you're going to send it back out to Digital Video, right? DV is huge, though. Something like 12 gigs of space for every half hour of footage. Other codecs can make for smaller files, but then you'll need to turn it back into a DV-AVI before you output it or your camcorder won't be able to read the file. Understand?

You'll find a long list of possible codecs when you choose to save your file as an MPEG. Usually, they're listed in order of age and universality. The Intel codec is old and fairly universal. You can be sure pretty much any computer can play it. Some of the newer codecs and really compress a file nicely, but you may be the only person you know with the ability to play the file back!

Basically, I don't think much about codecs. I just use the most popular (I always keep by AVIs in the DV codec) and don't worry about the disk space they're using.

That make sense?

Larry124 wrote on 7/26/2003, 6:19 PM

Thanks for your response, it makes perfect sense. I will be doing both dv and analog, do you have a recommendation for a video capture card? I'm thinking of building my own pc but I know it is much more expensive than ordering a name brand pc so I would like an internal capture card.Most of what I will be doing is simply burning cd's or dvd for family distribution to be played on their dvd players, do you have a favorite dvd burning software? Also, what takes all the time in rendering and is there a way to shorten the time? I've read posts where it takes all night or day to render a project,I hope a fast machine will quicken the pace.

IanG wrote on 7/28/2003, 3:33 AM

>I'm thinking of building my own pc but I know it is much more expensive than ordering a name brand pc
Are you sure about that? I can only speak for the UK, but we have any number of small PC shops that'll build something to your spec, usually a lot cheaper than a comparable name brand (if there is one). Even if you can't afford your dream machine on day one, you can get something with the potential to be upgraded - most of the name brands are sadly lacking in that department.

Ian G.

miketree wrote on 7/28/2003, 7:14 AM

Personally (and I've only been working in IT for 15+ years so what do I know!) I'd go with a Compaq PC if funds aren't a real issue. You may well have fewer problems if all the bit's inside come from a single manufacturer. If you have a motherboard from company A, and graphics from company B etc if there is a problem everyone blames each other. plus Compaq support is really good.

OS wise - Go for XP Proffesional. It's more stable than XP home.

just by 2p

Whatever you get - enjoy!

IanG wrote on 7/28/2003, 7:44 AM

>You may well have fewer problems if all the bit's inside come from a single manufacturer

Snag is, they don't. Compaq (now HP), along with Dell etc don't manufacture components - they assemble them. They use motherboards, graphics cards etc. from anyone who'll supply them at the price. And they'll want to keep using those same components for as long as possible, even though better / cheaper ones are now available*. Please don't get me wrong, I've nothing against the big boys (they've kept me gainfully employed for >30 years :-) ) but I don't think they're the best option for the home user with a relatively specialised requirement.

* On the positive side, that means they can provide replacements for a longer time.

Ian G.

Steve Grisetti wrote on 7/28/2003, 8:13 AM

Rendering times vary, depending on the needs of your project. Transitions and special effects need to be rendered, as do stills that are placed in a video project. But, if you're just cutting footage together and outputing it back to your camcorder, there's virtually no rendering needed!

On the other hand, if you're outputting to a different format -- say a Windows Media File -- there will be some rendering, as you file is converted and compressed. Nonetheless, in most cases, especially with your hot, new machine (particulary if you've got lots of RAM), rendering will take a few minutes rather than hours.

As for DVD software, Nero is extremely popular, though I've had no experience with it. Pinnacle Studio 8 also combines excellent editing and DVD applications. But, as noted elsewhere on the board, the new Screenblast Movie Studio 2.0, to be released next month by Sonic Foundry and Sony, will be give you editing ability and DVD production facilities with the reliability and power of Video Factory.

Capture cards? Again, Pinnacle Studio can be purchased either as software alone or bundled with either a firewire card (for DV) or an analogue input card (that plugs into your USB port). Check around the internet and you'll likely find it in version 7 either discounted and used (for under a $100), and it's a great value. And the firewire card is supported by Screenblast/Video Factory.

You can buy an analogue input device separately from Dazzle also. I think it's around $100. But I'd definitely go with the Pinnacle Studio and their firewire card. Not only is it a great value, but you get the editing software bundled, and it's always nice to have a second video editing software on hand for those occasional times when your primary software falls short of your needs.

But those are just my opinions, based on my experience. JohnnyRoy, Chienworks or others who contribute valuable opinions to this forum may have some thoughts of their own.

You're gonna have a blast!

miketree wrote on 7/28/2003, 10:58 AM

The point is THEY put them in the box & supply all the drivers and Garantee that the all work together.

If you but fred's Motherboard, Brian's Video Card & Charlies Sound Card & the Soundcard won't work Charlie says Ahh, it's your motherboard.... etc

Been there - it just aint worth the hassle.

Having said that - please ignore everything I've just said, because if you follow my advice I'LL end up supporting it for the rest of my life :) "Mike knows about computers..... he'll have a look at it.....yada yada yada....."

(I'm not really bitter)

IanG wrote on 7/28/2003, 11:53 AM

Mike, I share your pain - I get those 'phone call too! It's an occupational hazard!

Ian G.

Larry124 wrote on 7/28/2003, 3:38 PM

Thanks for all your input.Mike, I will look into a compaq system. Is there a particular video capture card your fond of? I will be doing both analog and dv.Like Billy Martin once said" I feel very strongly both ways" you can argue for either a custom system or a big box Co. A custom built will have the highest end product you can afford to put into it vs. whatever the box Co. has on hand. But the box Co. will offer a guarantee and free replacement and support vs. having to do your own tech support. Decisions decisions, anybody have a coin?

JohnnyRoy wrote on 7/28/2003, 6:06 PM

As for hardware: If you do choose to buy a computer from a big name brand, be very careful of what you “think” you are getting. That brand new Dell with the Audigy 2 sound card doesn’t have a MIDI or Joystick port. (I’m a musician, and a gamer, so this is a show stopper for me!) Creative doesn’t even make an Audigy 2 without MIDI or a Joystick port. But Dell saves money by having them custom make an OEM version that’s crippled. I have an nVidia GeForce2 GTS graphics card with ½ the memory of any GTS card that nVidia makes, and a SoundBlaster Live! card with no digital out. (Creative doesn’t make any of those to sell to the unsuspecting public either) All compliments of Dell deception. Big name companies have a habit of selling you crippled parts and advertising them as the real thing. Buyer beware.

I would be very weary of Pinnacle. If you do buy a Pinnacle solution, buy it from a store that will let you return it if it doesn’t work on your PC. Some have had success but many have had nothing but failure. Visit their support forums and see for yourself.

I would get a Canopus ADVC-50 capture solution since your target is DVD. They are rock solid and work with any software that supports firewire. I would also wait for the new Sony Screenblast Movie Studio 2.0. It sounds like it will be just the ticket for entry level editing that does it all.

~jr

Larry124 wrote on 7/29/2003, 12:09 PM

Thanks JR, excellent points. I found a local computer shop that has been in business long enough to be around in the future and I will probably use them to build a custom box with all name brand components. More expensive than doing it myself but they will guarantee everything and I'll know whats inside.Until than I still have to learn the program and read all the great help thats on this board.WHAT A FIND.I know I'll be back with many a question, thanks to all for your help.