video editing build

[FlyIair]

I was hoping someone could help me by telling me what specific parts I should use in a computer with the only purpose of photo and home video editing. I've done tons of research on this site and others and found suggestions on builds for a moderate gaming machine, but I'm not sure what the differences would be for just a video/photo box. I've got an IT that will build It, so that shouldn't be a problem. I'm sure you get this from people all the time, but this info will really help me out. (please don't make me ask a guy at BB) Any specific parts list, links to other info, or suggestions are greatly appreciated. Oh ya, I'm looking to spend around $1000-1200 total on the system and will be running adobe and pinnacle software. Thanks

 

[LxMxFxD3]

Check out the rig in my sig.

I use vegas & photoshop and this thing destroys

Recs:

X2 processor
2GB ram
Some fast Hard Drives

Dont expect a monitor to fit into $1k though. A good LCD or CRT will run you another $500.

GL

 

[FlyIair]

Thanks, ya I've got the monitor and it a samsung as well. That 1k is without the screen.

 

[Novercalis]

first off:
what video editing tool you want to use.

Why you want to do Video Editing? Serious video editing to do studio work or just silly fun stuff but not something long term?
I'll try to help you on this but I need more feedback of your purpose on video editing.

Professional tool - currently go Mac G5
you want to enter the film industry via video editior or just knowing the tool - Current tool is FINAL CUT PRO (aka mac G50 however, 3 years down the road.. both Final Cut and Avid will be respectively in the same system, and someone will have a MAC OSX HACKED for non "Mactel" computers (apple using Intel chips).
Thus, Build a PC learning Avid.

For Anime Music Video, shorts, skits, weddiing stuff, ameateur stuff so to speak.. or more of a hobby so to speak.
Adobe premiere is good. Decent computer with RAMS!

it all depends what exactly your gonna be doing in video editing.. high end video editing system with HD, 1080i stuff, you want a powerful and FAST system. in that category, SPEED matters alot in building a top video editing computer.

so pls post the use of video editing.

--------------------

off the bat: with adobe and pinnacle.. and your price tag:

AMD Athlon 64 3700+ San Diego 1GHz FSB Socket 939 Processor

2x1GB ram pc 2700 minimum, perferally 3200).. it can be GENERIC NAME since your not gonna be oc the ram, thus it will be CHEAPER.
newegg: Rosewill 2GB (2 x 1GB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200)

Video Card: Radeon 9800 Pro - all in wonder

mobo:

Asus: ASUS A8V DELUXE Socket 939 VIA K8T800 Pro ATX AMD Motherboard
Epox: EPoX EP-9NDA3J Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce3 Ultra ATX AMD Motherboard
Gigabyte: GIGABYTE GA-K8NSC-939 Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce3 250Gb ATX AMD Motherboard
MSI: MSI K8N Neo2-F Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce3 Ultra ATX AMD Motherboard

proc: ~300
mobo ~100
video card ~ 200
ram = 195

so far: $700

 

[imported_rod]

If i were you, i would probably be looking at a dual-core p4 and 2GB of ram. Unfortunately, you'll have to use expensive DDR2. Also, look at getting a 6600gt as the video card, it'll be about right for you.

CPU: Intel Pentium D 820 (~$250)
Ram: 2GB Corsair VS DDR2-533 (~$200)
Video: Geforce 6600GT 128MB PCI Express (~$150)

That's only $600. That leaves you another $400-$600 for the rest of the machine (including a MoBo)

RoD

 

[FlyIair]

Thanks for the replies so far.
What I would be using on it to start would just be pinnacle studio 9, but then ugrade to studio 10 MediaSuite in the about a year. So for now I"ll be using the features of studio v.9+, but later with 10 or a similar program that uses (HD, Preview on second monitor, reverse video, slow motion). I'm starting a Wedding Photography business so most project will be digital high res. photo slideshows with some video overlay, then multple copies of DVD's made. All of this needs to be rendered and burned quickly. I'm building this because a new HP that I borrowed was really slow and took a few hours to render a one hour video. Hope this answered you question.

 

[gsellis]

@novercalis - more folks use Avid than FCP from my understanding. You don't need to be Mac to be full pro. LucasFilms uses AMD boxes. Some folks are stuck thinking FCP, but frankly, FCP got passed when x86 competition got fierce (Edius, Avid, Sony, Adobe, Canopus compete, we win).

Studio10 - If planning on HDV, get above 3GHz Intel or 4000++ AMD (although a 3800+ X2 will work well.). Need 256MB of video memory, so I suggest at least a ATI X600 with 256, but a lower end X800 with 256 would be sweet (but kill your budget). 2 drives minimum. Photoshop CS likes a scratch drive, the Liquid engine (Studio 10) works well with a video store and a render drive. Get 1GB of memory, at least.

 

[Novercalis]

gsellis, with all due respect, not trying to flame or anything negative towards you, but I must disagree.
For the most part, with half of my family and I working for the film industry here in Los Angeles, I have asked around what editing tool they use.
Primary is FCP.

as far as "Hollywood", are with FCP, independants, FCP and/or Avid.

if you wish to know my job occupasion: Currently working with my Uncle who is vice-president of "PackAir", the company works with alot of studious, moving thier sets, equipments, cameras, etc to the film location.
When they tend to forget a small package, we send it to them, HAND DELIVERY and im usually one of the guys who goes to where in the world the location is.
Upon doing so, I end up seeing the Film coordinator, Director and/or Producer.. I chat along with them and stay in the next day hopefully on set to watch the shooting and learn from it since I wish to become a director. I always ask about editing and majoirty of the time, FCP has been the choiced mentioned to me.

offtopic bragging: Fast the furious 3... OMFG!!!! the cars!!! 50 imported cars from Japan.. I CAN NOT WAIT when they have to ship it back to Japan.. Meaning it goes through US and hopefully, HOPEFULLY we get to drive them from the studio warehouse to our warehouse!!!
if not, we will only get to drive them for 3 minutes, putting them into our cargos only.. but still!!!

 

[gsellis]

Originally posted by: Novercalis
gsellis, with all due respect, not trying to flame or anything negative towards you, but I must disagree.
For the most part, with half of my family and I working for the film industry here in Los Angeles, I have asked around what editing tool they use.
Primary is FCP.

as far as "Hollywood", are with FCP, independants, FCP and/or Avid.

The guys I know don't use it. Most are indies using about everything there is with multiple platforms including FCP. The topic came up recently and the first thing they ask for in a job req is FCP, but in the interviews, they want an editor first, tools second. This is especially true if a third party handles the req.

And don't get me wrong, I debated hard about getting a G5 just for FCP, but found that some of the tools I had were more advanced than FCP was currently offering. 😀

OT - Do you edit or shoot on the side too? Not looking for someone, just curious. Were you guys at Cinegear?

 

[imported_rod]

Well Im no expert, but i still reckon a dual-core pentium 4 would probably be the best option.

RoD

 

[Crescent13]

Originally posted by: rod
Well Im no expert, but i still reckon a dual-core pentium 4 would probably be the best option.

RoD

not to flame, but dual core p4's are blown away by dual core x2's. I don't know how much this would be, but just off the top of my head...

AMD X2 3800+
at least 1gb of value ram
2 hitachi drives
geforce 6600GT

 

[Novercalis]

im currently buying my new rig simply mainly video editing (Avid + After Effect and maybe Premiere since Im used to that program currently).

the only things I have done are: Local bands Music Videos, Anime Music Video (local music and mainstream music), 4 years of TV production and damn good tv production from my HS.. so im expierenced with linear editing.
1 short for the Sci-Fi in 99... man I totaly forgot the name of that tv show but simply you submit to them a 3-5 min short, if approved, they will air it.

Mainly Music Video though, its great practice when trying to do basic, synch via sound, via drum clash, via lyrics, via "lip synch", etc.

Since im now upgrading out of my premiere to Avid, simply, cheaper and as you and I noted.. Independant scene also are on avid due to finicial reasons.
but for the big leagues.. they all invested in the apple + FCP cause thats how business works with each other. They dont know the computer technology scene such as we do to create better performance computer to utlize all hardware/software.

after I finish with my rig, I am saving up for a AG-HVX200 Cam ( http://www.dvxuser.com/articles/HVX200/ ), which by March I should have it. at that time, I should fully understand the ins and out of Avid.
Working with HD 1080i, I'll start small again with Local bands, push some commerial work, try pull some strigns to work at a studio to also learn FCP as well in a studio.
as well as go to School.. still debating Full Sail, back in Florida where I am from, or UCLA depending on Finicial Aid, Scholarship programs, since I never did take the SAT, I will study at a library b4 taking the test so I can get a very high score.. that will hopefully help me out in finding some funds and as well pass the CPT test and enter class in a high standard instead of a waste of semiester or 2 at generals.

I have alot of things to do... lol... im actually dont regret starting school late cause now im focus, much more wiser and open minded than before.
Most importantly, beside intelligence, Patience, awareness, acknowledgement, "adulthood"... I had my fun years, time to wake up and be serious/focus.