What Kind of Computer To Buy?.

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What are your suggestions on what kind of computer to buy that will fit my editing. I heard that apple makes the best computers for that. Should I go for that or a PC. Any suggestions on what kind? I know they have computers sometimes for different needs. I wonder if they have one for movie editing that comes with all the programs and tools you need. Any suggestions?
 
Re: What Kind of Computer To Buy?.

ooops I forgot to log in. Well everyone this is me from above asking the question. ..

Finally happy to find out about this community can't wait to learn about the DVX, I plan to shoot my first feature lenght with it, but first before I go out and do the feature lenght, I need to practice on short films first. I don't want to make a fool of myself and waste alot of money if I started the feature length as my first project, cause I have no idea yet what I'm doing. Hopefully I will learn.
 
Re: What Kind of Computer To Buy?.

The computer you choose depends more on what your preferences are. Shhhhhh... Do you hear that? It's the MAC / PC debate coming!

What OS are you used to? Have you used any kind of NLE before?

The bottomline is: (And I'll say this quickly before the stampede)

Any OS can support what you need to accomplish your goals. It will come dwon to a matter of preference.
 
Re: What Kind of Computer To Buy?.

Not this debate again.  i remember following the last thread.  After 200 posts, where had we gotten, those that had Macs said Macs, and those that use PC's said PC's.  The bottom line is, where your past experience lies, like John said.  Do you have any previous experience with a particular NLE.  You really can't go wrong either way you go.  Your going to end up spending lots of money either way,  but it really isn't, (or shouldn't) be the hardware/softare that limits your art, it's all up to what you as an artist put into it.  We can debate all day and far into the night about what you should get, but in the end no one is going to say "dude your movie rocks because it was edited in Final Cut Pro" or "I'm really diggin those Sony Vegas video effects, rock on".
 
Re: What Kind of Computer To Buy?.

Okay.. first I am a newbie to all this ??? confused.
Don't know what OS is and what NLE is?

Basically I haven't done anything yet with the camera or any editing. Well abit of editing with adobe but nothing really, just fooling around with it.

Just wondering what is a good system.
 
Re: What Kind of Computer To Buy?.

Dont worry, you'll catch on quick  ;D

OS= Operating System (WindowsXP, OSX, etc.)

NLE= Non Linear Editors (Final Cut Pro, Vegas, Adobe Premiere, etc.)

to get a good idea of some good systems, check out www.ProMax.com and see what they have. They offer both Mac and PC solutions.
 
Re: What Kind of Computer To Buy?.

Well, it sounds like you have little experience editing video on Mac or PC.  This can be a good thing :).

The first thing to know is that no single company makes "the best" computer for working with video.  As others have already said, it comes down to certain choices that you would need to make before taking the plunge (how much money you want to spend, experience with a certain computer system be it Mac or PC, etc.)

Before going on, perhaps a good thing to do would be to download as many of the different demos of different Non-Linear Editors (NLE) as you can, as that is the primary piece of software that you'll be needing to edit your videos on your computer.  Unfortunately, there is no demo (as far as I know) for Final Cut Pro, but you can always go to an Apple store or a CompUSA and try it out there.  If you don't have a PC or Mac, find someone who does so you can try out these programs.

Here are the links to a few choices for video editing on the PC side (as Final Cut Pro/Express/iMovie is pretty much the only NLE on the Mac).

1) Sony Vegas (link)
2) Adobe Premier Pro (link)
3) Pinnacle Edition (link) [Note: you can only order a demo CD of Edition; no download available]
4) Avid Free/Xpress DV (link) [Note: only Free DV available for download]
5) In-Sync Blade (link)

There are other NLEs available, but this is a good start.  My NLE of choice is Sony Vegas, as I've used all of the rest fairly extensively for work and play, but found Vegas most suited to my needs and wants.  Your choice may be different, so it may be a good idea to check out all of those editors mentioned above.  They are all in the same price range ($400-$700), except for Avid Free DV, which is...free (you'd think that would mean it would be the best choice being that it's Avid, and free.  It is not  ;)).

As for which machine to use (Mac or PC), that's mostly going to be determined by the software you choose. But the speed:cost relationship is always an issue. In that regard, I have always found Macs to be far to expensive compared to their worth. While that statement may be fanning the flames of another pointless (tho sometimes entertaining) Mac vs. PC debate, I would also add that I build all my own PCs so I don't even think buying a ready-made PC is worth the money. However, you may take heart in knowing that both platforms are very suitable to editing your video to whatever extent you desire. Truly, it comes down to your familiarity with the craft of editing and your prowess on your chosen NLE (in the end, when you learn one NLE, you basically can get on any other NLE and edit with a very small learning curve).

I know this may be a lot to take in when you're first starting, but as others have said, you'll get the hang of it quick, and things will become much more clear once you start shooting things and editing them.  Also, doing small projects before jumping head-first into a huge project is a very good idea.
 
Re: What Kind of Computer To Buy?.

I'm generally platform agnostic, though I do spend a fair amount of time on a Mac. Rather than choose a computer platform and then look at software, check out the software first. If you buy a Mac and then fall in love with Vegas, you are stuck. The only cross-platform software on the market is Avid Express Pro and DV.

I have used Adobe Premiere, Pinnacle Edition, Final Cut Pro, and Toaster. Final Cut Pro is the tool that works best for me, especially now that I am shooting a lot of 24P footage. Just don't buy into the rhetoric about Mac versus PC. Computers are like screwdrivers - you have slot heads and phillips heads. Make sure you choose the right tool for your workflow.

MIDIMan
 
Re: What Kind of Computer To Buy?.

<groan> :P

I just logged back on today after being gone last night.  Please no one start a Mac/PC debate for a while.  My butt's still sore from Steve's foot.

I also concur with Jive and in my NLE choice, with MidiMan.  I also tried others and simply like FCP better.  When you consider that it comes with LiveType, Soundtrack and Compressor, it's a nice package. (also Peak Express)

Chico
 
Re: What Kind of Computer To Buy?.

Your OK Chico. ;D Sometimes messin' wit the man gets you in the end ;)

Personally, I think you guys who like to defend your right to choose, just get a bit too wrapped up in it. I've been involved with computers since (believe it or not) 1969. I've seen so much happen over the years in computers, nothing is too exciting anymore to me about any of them. I will say that using the right tool for the job, is more then the hardware though. Even so, it's very nice to have "shiny and new" stuff to work with.

Midiman gave some good advise, try all the software you think you need to use. Try it on various plateforms. If your new to this stuff, get someone to go with you who isn't and watch him do his stuff. Count your bucks and choose the best stuff for you at what you can afford.

Above all, have some fun. Life really is too short.

-Rodger
 
Re: What Kind of Computer To Buy?.

Thank You all for the advice   :)  Now it's time to research and try all these editing software.

Jive thanks for all those links.
 
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