Ultimate computer setup for Vegas

johnmeyer wrote on 9/1/2002, 5:05 PM

I'm going to buy/build a new computer for Vegas video editing. I would like some advice on the following components of this system, as well as which computer vendor I should purchase it from.

This will be a DV editing system, and I will be using my camcorder as the external encoder/decoder for analog sources. The one exception to this is that I would also like to be able to use this computer as a "Tivo system" in order to encode/time-shift live broadcasts, and also to quickly archive videotapes (mostly from old TV shows) onto DVD.

Here are my questions:

1. I want to include hardware that will encode MPEG in real time for Tivo-style video timeshift capture/playback. Also, if possible, I would like for this same hardware to also accelerate non-realtime MPEG encoding when converting DV into MPEG2-based DVDs. Thus, my question is: What MPEG capture hardware card should I get? This is the one part of my configuration over which I am completely stumped.

2. Should I get Windows 2000, or Windows XP Professional?

3. Would a dual-processor computer help anything (either Vegas preview/rendering or MPEG encoding), or is this a waste of money for this application?

4. Which DVD drive should I purchase? The Pioneer A04 seems like the way to go, but I'm open to other suggestions.

5. Which computer vendor should I purchase from? I'm leaning towards either Dell or Polywell, although I've purchased all of my previous systems from Micron.

Any other suggestions or thoughts are welcome. I have a healthy budget and could go as high as $5,000 for the entire system.

Thanks!

John

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Comments

jerbecca wrote on 9/13/2002, 2:36 AM

I just thought I'd throw in the fact that ever since I got rid of my WinME computer and got this WinXP Home Edition computer, I have not been able to record multiple audio tracks at the same time through my RPC-1 8 track sound card from MIDIMAN.

No one seems to think this is their fault. Thus, no one is working on a fix. I'm guessing it's a driver issue, but can't get Midiman to even care. Sonic Foundry said they may be able to overcome this in a future version by supporting ASIO drivers (as they have in Acid 4). I pray they do.

In the meantime, I wish you could record multiple audio tracks at the same time into Acid 4, then I could get working again.

Jeremy

John_Beech wrote on 9/13/2002, 10:27 AM

Jeremy, why don't you simply reload WinME instead? Gee folks, an operating system is just for messing with aspects of programs such as files and printing while your software is what really makes things work. Were you having trouble with WinME? I.e. was there a compelling reason to change?

Chienworks wrote on 9/13/2002, 10:30 AM

jerbecca: this is a stupid question, i'm sure, but ... have you tried reinstalling the MIDIMAN drivers after upgrading to XP? It might also be possible that the Windows upgrade caused Vegas' default sound input to revert back to Microsoft SoundMapper instead of whatever input channels the MIDIMAN uses.

glyptic wrote on 10/23/2002, 1:47 PM

Actually this is a driver issue with M-audio. The XP driver is a BETA driver that's 7 months old now. They just don't care if the driver works with Sonic Foundry's Software. The driver is also unsupported.

Laurence wrote on 10/23/2002, 11:25 PM

I use a Toshiba laptop as well. One of their multimedia ones with a PIII 1.1 CPU, 512 meg of memory and a 30 gig drive. It works well at half sized preview resolution which is fine with me. I usually work off a bank of six external Maxtor 80 gig, 5400 RPM drives. It works as it should.

For the first year I owned it, it performed abysmally. Then I figured out that what was happening was that as the CPU (a desktop one) would heat up, the laptop would fall back to a lower poor performing speed for safety. Fortunately a recent bios update seems to have fixed this.

Laurence Kingston

astral_supreme wrote on 10/26/2002, 7:12 AM

Dont by the boxx....I spent 2 days breaking it down to a science and designed this system that you can get for around 3000$...This is also the system I am using to produce my hollywood film. (I included part prices for comparison "delivery included") If you want to no where to buy for these prices...let me know.

My super duper "supreme" system:
Features include:

Tyan k7 (s2468) dual processor motherboard / support for 4 gb of pc2100 ddr ram(447$)
(network cards are integrated just like on the boxx system)

Dual 1.8 ghz amd athlon mp 2200+ processors (470$for two of them)

Hard drives: 40 gb 7200rpm for software (76$)
Hard drives: ibm 07n8086 120gb for music (171$)
Hard drives: ibm 07n8086 120gb for movies(171$)

ddram....1gb cheapest I found (451$)
ddram....512................... (150$)

The "pc case" to put all the stuff in is on ebay....item #1773406182 (69$free s/h)
3 fans included...made out of alluminum..300w power supply..this is one of many 69$ cases ebay has to view.

firewire adapter (3 port Ieee1394)...............(47$)

operating system is windows xp pro...picked for its file size capabilities...found for a steal at (143$) delivered to your door.

Keyboard, mouse, floppy drive.....40$

sound card: waveterminal 192m.....216$ with delivery

Video card: ati 9700 pro.......331$

dvd/ cd combo drive:dvdrom16x dvd ram16x 40x cd ibm (65$)

Dvd burner:pioneer dvd ao4.......(271$ yes includeds delivery)

----------------------------------------------------------------------
total cost of all this delivered to your door: $ 3118.00!!!!

Blows the boxx out of the water!!!
I am ordering these pieces but "putting it all together" will be tricky...tho worth it.

Anybody have any advice on my system before I spend the money?

Thanks and hope this layout helps others in choosing a super system.

MyST wrote on 10/26/2002, 8:41 AM

I'm far from being a computer expert, but isn't a 300 watts power supply a little low for a dual set-up?
Just asking.

M

riredale wrote on 10/26/2002, 10:04 AM

MyST: go to www.tomshardware.com for a very recent review of power supply requirements. Their conclusion, I recall, was that the typical system needs about 350w.

Everybody else: This is a very interesting topic--how to mix and match various components to get the most bang for the buck. I suggest that you all take a look at one of the recent threads over at the cow forum. In it, the respondents post their results of running a single, processor-intensive veg file. One gets the impression that processor speed is a major factor in reduced rendering times, not hard disk arrays or rotation speed.

astral_supreme wrote on 10/27/2002, 1:45 AM

The mystery of should you get dual processors solved below:

The motherboard I selected (thunder k7x s2468)only supports duel amd athlon 2200 processors and lower; not the 2600, 3000, and higher models. The two 2200 processers are 1.8ghz and I realized the two combined would only be a 2.16 ghz computer.

Worried I should just by a single 2+ghz processor I asked an expert. Here is what he said (this also answers an original question in the first post):quote"

Dual Platform processing is a whole different level of computing.

A Dual processor system will be more powerful than a single processor.

Even if you add the 2 CPU speeds and its less than the single CPU.
The architecture relays in a "coupled" processing scheme. A master
processor and a slave processor. When there are enough processes in the
master it routes requests to the slave processor, "Load Balancing".
It's like having 2 lines of people in a concision stand rather than
one.

A Multiprocessing operating system is a must (MS Windows 2000 Pro, or
MS
Windows XP Pro, or Linux) otherwise you will not be utilizing the Dual
capabilities.

The hardware layer, Operating system Layer, then application layer
reside on top. If you are not going to be using applications (programs)
that will need that Dual power (that will push the limit) then you are
not going to see much difference. But you will see a difference in the
overall speed. Certainly in high end games. But not in solitaire for
example.

The best way to look at buying a PC these days, is to start by
determining how much you want to spend, then get the best value
possible. Rather than letting the specs and the power of the PC
determine how much you spend!
Hope that was helpful." .......end quote

The original pc case I wanted to purchase was 450 watts. It sold on ebay already so I put the 300 watt pc case with item number for an example. Under ebay/ computers/ pc cases you will find many nice 450 -400 watt cases for around 65-75$ price range.

I havent picked an exact case yet because I am still researching the cases and powersupplys the thunder k7x (s2468) motherboard will be compatible in. I think I will need a mount system...I am unsure.

Just some info....hope it answers your questions.