Building an A/V PC

[mrreizor]

My job has been asked me to start video editing. I have a strong background in pc's but not in video editing.

Our main functions will be to edit video from digital camcorders, adding pictures and audio commentary, and recording clips from an analog cable source. We'd also like the pc to power 2 LCD/Plasma screens in the future. Is this even possible?

Here's what I need:

Common specs for hardware. (I can build or purchase - budget is $1500 approx.. (including software)
Software that I would need.

Anything else I need to know?

 

[ShadowBlade]

I'll try and leave money for software because I dont know which would be best for your situation.

All Prices from newegg unless otherwise indicated:
EPox EP-9NPA+Ultra Motherboard $95
AMD Athlon 64 X2 4400+ $555
OCZ 1GB PC3200 CAS3 $112.95 each - get 4 if you can rework your budget somehow, I'm counting two into the total
Gigabyte 6600GT $150
canopus ADVC110 Capture Device $261 - not sure if you need this, optional
M-Audio 9900-40906-00 6 Sound Card $75 - again, an option, onboard should do fine
WD Caviar 200GB Hard Drive $93
Lite-On DVD ROM $17.99
Lite-On DVD Burner $42.99
Antec P180 Case $135 at mwave.com
OCZ PowerStream 520W $135

Total: $1449.88
Total with options: $1785.88
Total with options and 4GB RAM: $2011.78

Use pricegrabber.com + resellerratings.com to find the best price from a reputable reseller.

 

[gsellis]

Originally posted by: ShadowBlade
I'll try and leave money for software because I dont know which would be best for your situation.

All Prices from newegg unless otherwise indicated:
EPox EP-9NPA+Ultra Motherboard $95
AMD Athlon 64 X2 4400+ $555
OCZ 1GB PC3200 CAS3 $112.95 each - get 4 if you can rework your budget somehow, I'm counting two into the total
Gigabyte 6600GT $150
canopus ADVC110 Capture Device $261 - not sure if you need this, optional
M-Audio 9900-40906-00 6 Sound Card $75 - again, an option, onboard should do fine
WD Caviar 200GB Hard Drive $93
Lite-On DVD ROM $17.99
Lite-On DVD Burner $42.99
Antec P180 Case $135 at mwave.com
OCZ PowerStream 520W $135

Total: $1449.88
Total with options: $1785.88
Total with options and 4GB RAM: $2011.78

Use pricegrabber.com + resellerratings.com to find the best price from a reputable reseller.

Great list, but my opinion differs on the few of the items (but it is a great list ShadowBlade!) I would change to Pioneer DVD writer (lower DVD -R error rates usually), 3 WD 250GB drives. Only 2GB of memory as most editors efficiently use 1-2GB.

The Canopus is great if you need to get analog video. There are even two better models. Since they are DV, they work in almost all NLEs. Get the one ShadowBlade recommends at a minimum if you are converting VHS to DVD.

Get the M-Audio. Higher end editors do not do well with onboard audio (ASIO sucks onboard and can cause out of synch captures).

For editing, budget at least $500 for an editor, but up to $1000.

FWIW, Avid/Pinnacle just announced Studio 10 based on the Liquid engine. Being a Liquid user, all I can say is 'Sweet".