video editing set up

i am getting into the whole editing side of filming and was wondering what every one thought was the best and what i would need.

thanks for your help

What's your budget?

not quite sure i am getting a ton of help from the parents its gonna be a graduation gift (high shool)

I primarily use a PC for video editing, so here's what I would consider a really nice setup with a slightly over extended budget in mind (This does NOT include the Operating System, monitor, keyboard, and mouse).

Notes:
1) Because video editing is CPU and memory intensive I focused on those 2 key components. With this setup you’ll have the ability to add another 1 GB (maybe a present for your b-day =) for a total of 2 GB (the motherboard will support up to 4GB). Programs like Adobe After Effects can easily use up 1GB with complex renders.

2) If you want to use this system for gaming then I would consider a different video card, but that will increase the price. For video editing the Matrox will work just fine and it gives you the option of dual monitor hookups.

3) I set this up with 2 hard drives. One for all your applications (the 40GB) and the 200GB for your videos/editing. Ideally you would want to run multiple 200GB in a RAID, but the keep cost down we'll just stick with the 40 and 200 GB drives for now. With this motherboard you'll be able to add more drives in a RAID config anytime in the future.


Total Cost:
With the OS, monitor, keyboard, and mouse you're probably looking at around $2000 - $2200 and that does not include the editing software like Premiere Pro or Vegas. Check out the following post for software alternatives with student pricing. http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/87667/108163.html?1082416588





Where to Buy:
I purchase all my systems from http://www.monarchcomputer.com because they assemble (cleanly running the cables), burn it in, and you don't pay tax (unless you live in Atlanta). They will let also you know if you pick two components that don't work together so you get a system that works, period!

I've compared prices of the separate components from newegg.com vs. a whole system from monarch and after all is said and done the difference is usually only $50 - 60. For the extra money I don’t have to build the machine myself and it saves me an entire weekend of headaches trying to put it all together.


Alternative Solutions:
If this is way out of the budget, then I would take a look at the package systems from Frys, Comp USA, etc. They will usually have the entire setup for around $1000. The components may not be of the same quality; mainly the motherboard, memory, video, and power supply. Just keep in mind that you might not be able to add more than one hard drive or run a RAID config.


Hopefully someone from the Apple arena will give you some ideas on a Mac setup so you can compare the choices.

thanks for the info !

might also wanna check out if u can afford it dual processors and or amd64 just a thought. But definatly heavey on the memory

Dual procs are the way to go, but that will run at least $3000+

I saw some systems for sale at Costco that we around $1300 with 17" monitor, but you only get 512K memory and one hard drive.

do u have any suggestions on a setup for a dual proc setup like AMD or Intel, mobo memory

Kung Fu, the last 2 vids I did were edited on my laptop, a Toshiba P25-S509...2.8GHz HT (dual procs), 512MB, 17" screen, 80GB hard drive, DVD-R, integrated wireless, etc. After rebates, Norton Anti-virus, and extended warranty, out the door price came out to 1700 bucks.

Joe - When I say dual procs I mean two physical procs, not HyperThreading (HT). The motherboards for the dual procs are pretty pricing and so is the memory, hence the $3K figure.

Regardless your laptop does sounds like a very nice travel editing machine. What speed is the drive? 5200 or 7200 rpm?

I think it's 5200.

It has an additional bay on the left. I'm wondering if I can put an additional hard drive in that bay.

On some laptops you can swap out the DVD/CD players for an extra hard drive.

Hmmm.. 5200, that pretty slow for video editing. Are you dropping any frames?

nope...haven't dropped a single one.

If you want to get serious about editing get a mac w/ avid or final cut. I would check out www.bhphotovideo.com for a pre built editing turnkey system.

i just got my mac G5 and i am stoked with it. 1.8 dual proc heavy on mem and a 160 external hd. the thing is a beast!!!!

damn thats a nice set up!

I got a Mac G5 w/ dual 2.0 ghz processors, 4 gigs of memory, 2-250 gb hds, 8-72 gig hds (10,000 rpm) set at RAID 0, 2-21 inch monitors, a sony Beta-BetaSP deck, a sony DVCAM deck, a Sony Trinitron Osciliscope, a Mackie VLZ Pro Mixer, and a AVID ADRENALINE box.

All running AVID Media Composer. But I still wish it was a PC.

niCe!!! Is that your personal or work machine?

work.....I cheated, I know.

thats crazy what was the pric tag on it. what do u do for a living that allows u to spend that mcuh

Dude if you want a kick ass comp get a mac g5 2.5 with liquid cooling. and final cut pro or advid NOTHING COMPARES to this, pcs are ok for office crap but media......well the pros dont use it so why should you right?....i mean that pc cost 1 G right my set up was 5,000 and im not even done yet, but thats all i do.

Unfortunatly, Mac is the preferred editting system. I would NOT get a 2.5 G5. I have heard of leaking issues with the new system.

I love leaving work and my $100,000+ Mac editting system everyday to go home and play minesweeper on my $650 PC. One day, Mac will get a real OS.

thats nice, do u want a cookie with that as well??

one optimized for minesweeper? Thats worth about $6.50. ;) You got ripped!