Computer editing platform

[BLT]

Hmm I hope I'm not repeating that thread on HVX editing here and double posting cuz I'm not sure where to put a thread like this but I was wondering whether any of ya'll could give me any specific details with regards to what sort of computer specifications I should be looking for in a desktop that I can do HDV editing on Premiere 2.0 on. I'm currently using a single processor windows laptop (1-2 years old) for editing, and needless to say, its rather slow.

I'm not gunning for HVX editing with p2 cards in particular, but rather HDV editing in general: I'm looking for a windows system that'll let me edit quickly (Irregardless of the type of HDV across all HD cameras) and not get outdated or slow in 2-3 yearstime. Specifics regarding the different components I should get would be great. (I.e. Processor, RAM, graphics card, HDD, etc.) I'm not sure about the budget yet but I think less than $1,500 would be a safe estimate. Thanks!

[morten]

I can give you some recomendations:

Motherboard: Anything a Intel P965 chipset board that has socket LGA775, at least one PCI-e slot, SATA and supports lots of RAM. One suggestion is the ASUS P5B. I have the ASUS P5GD1 myself (couple of years old) and I've had zero problems with it.

NOTE: Don't worry if the motherboard doesn't have FireWire. If you're custom building your computer I can almost guarantee that you can hassle whomever you're buying the system from to throw in a free FireWire pci card (they're about $70 to $150 and they all do the same thing. you don't need anything fancy. it's just a communication port)

Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo for sure. It's socket LGA775 which means you can switch it out for a better one when the time comes and they are lightning fast. The E6400 has 64-bit support which means you can run the 64-bit Vista when it's released and is very stable.

RAM: the more the merrier but it also has to be fast. The Corsair Twin2X-6400 2GB (2 x 1 GB) CL5 is fast and only takes up two slots. you can double up with 4 and have enough to run even huge HD without many problems.

Video card: assuming you're just getting a graphics card (not a capture card) get one with two DVI outputs and at least 256MB of memory. Get a card that uses the PCI-e slot. I have an ATI x700 Pro which works perfectly. I know nVidia and Matrox also makes cards but I landed on the ATI (although I don't remember why anymore).

Hard Drives: Get at least 2, maybe 3 or 4 or 5. Make sure they are all SATA. Dedicate one to just your system and program files. if you can afford more than one more have your project files on one drive and have a huge one solely for footage and scrubbing. The more drives the more effective your setup will be. SATA is so fast you don't really need RAID but if you're doing tons of HD it might be a good idea anyway. Good drives include the Westen Digital Caviar and Raptor drives. Steer clear of Maxtor - I've destroyed 4 Maxtor drives but my Western Digital drives have never given me any problems. At least 7200 rpm and 16MB cache. You might want something faster (rpm) but that'll cost you a lot more. Your system drive should be at least 150GB, your project drive should be at least 300GB and other than that you can just do whatever you want. If I was buying a new computer right now I'd get a 150GB system drive, 300GB project drive and 2 500GB scrubbing and footage drives set up for RAID (that'll take up your 4 SATA slots). But that's overkill unless you're doing a LOT of editing and it'll kill your budget for sure. Remeber you can always ad more drives later.

Power: Systems of this size use a lot of power and a small power supply will kill them. get at least 550W or better yet 600 or 700W. it's a good investment because if it's not big enough it'll fry and you have to replace it. or worse it'll fry your computer and you have to get a whole new one. Your power supply should have one or better yet two fans to keep cool.

Cabinet: This is the tricky part. you want something that keeps cool even when everything is running full speed which means many fans. at the same time many fans means lots of noise. the noise can be reduced by putting the computer inside a sound proof enclosure or away from the workstation or by getting an expensive watercooling system. I don't have any good sollutions for you here. Some cabs are more silent then others. look around and ask to get the noise demonstrated. With the processor, graphics card, powersupply and a couple of cab fans you're looking at around 6-8 fans in the computer.

Monitors: Get two of the same brand and the same size or get one huge wide screen. LCD saves energy and doesn't take up as much space and they're fairly cheap. no preference here really.

Additional stuff you (and everyone else) should get:
- The Pantone HUEY colour corrector. Cheap at $79.95 or whatever and keeps your colours in line (see Jareds thread on this somewhere else on the site)
- A huge backup disk, either FireWire, USB or a network drive (NAS). backups are vital and the new externals all come with backup software so you don't have to think about it.

Once you have your system, go to videoguys.com and follow their XP optimization tips. it'll take your computer from fast to really fast. http://www.videoguys.com/WinXP.html

that's all I got

mor10

[MalcolmOng]

Get the 6600 instead. Much better performance for a relatively cheap price. ITs worth the extra dough - especially if you want your rig to last you for the next 2-3 years.

[BLT]

Wow thanks for that reply, morten. Really appreciate the advice - Especially since it looks as if it took quite some time to type that all out. Thanks mate. Haha I currently have 4 external harddrives totaling about 1,100 GBs right now. Think that'll suffce if I just get a smaller built in drive of about 200 or 300 GB? Btw, with all that specifications that you listed, can the budget still be kept under $1,500?

Malcolm are you talking about the nVidia 6600? Cuz if you are I have the exact same video card in my laptop and it ain't working out (Maybe due to other factors like bb pellets holes and rain)

[morten]

I think he's referring to the processor - the E6600 instead of the E6400

[Tom Marshall]

Hey morten... nice post... :thumbsup: