Video editing mechine

gateT

Member
Nov 6, 2000
140
0
0

A friend of mine wants me to build him a system he can use for video and digital photo editing. To this point I've only done gaming mechines. For this I'm a big fan of the AMD, NF-2 systems. Is that a good way to go for video also.

Right now he has a P3 600 with 128m of 133 memory. If he went up to a 1g and added memory could he have a workable video mechine? What kind of video card do ya need for this type of system,I think he has a TNT ultra.
 

Ionizer86

Diamond Member
Jun 20, 2001
5,292
0
76
P3 600? Way too slow even with more ram. It's all about the processor.
I have some buds with a P3 866 and they're complaining about how slow it is rendering vid. I recommended them an NF7-S / 2500+-->3200+ system for their overall needs.

As for editing vid, it really depends on the app. Some benefit a lot with a P4 2.6c whereas others are perfectly fine with a 2500+.
 

Trashman

Platinum Member
Jan 31, 2000
2,040
0
0
1GHz would be the very least, i would think....depends on much he'll be doing. I mean, sure a P4 or AMD 2500+ would be ideal. all up to his budget.
Don't forget a hard drive, 80gig-120gig would be something to consider as well.
If camcorder has firewire than his TnT video card could be left alone, just need a IEEE 1394 Firewire card .
 

Ionizer86

Diamond Member
Jun 20, 2001
5,292
0
76
Ah yes, many boards include firewire. Say, for example, the NF7-S. If he needs analog capture, then he could probably buy a cheap TV card or invest in a more expensive one (that has remote, radio etc). In any case, all the card would need is S-vid. If he's doing analog capture, he'll also need an RCA-->3.5mm adapter to get the sound to the sound card (Those are about $4 at Ratshack).
 

gateT

Member
Nov 6, 2000
140
0
0
Oops sorry for empty post.

Yep if I had gone on my own I would have gotten an NF7-S ,think I saw one for $64. Would the 512k cashe of the barton be a good thing for video? Not sure what type of input his video devices have,will have to check.

Not sure I think I saw somewhere that the older video cards (like a TNT) won't plug into an NF-2 MB?
 

vegetation

Diamond Member
Feb 21, 2001
4,270
2
0
P3 600 is fine for routine editing saving to mpeg2, as long as you're not compressing to divx.
 

SpeedFreak03

Golden Member
Apr 13, 2003
1,094
0
0
My TNT2 32MB AGP won't fit into my Asus A7V133's AGP slot, so I think they changed something. I think it is something with the voltages. So he will need a new video card.
 

chocoruacal

Golden Member
Nov 12, 2002
1,197
0
0
CPU is king in video editing/encoding. Get the fastest one you can. Its going to be pretty painfull trying to do any serious work on a CPU less than 1.5ghz. You could put 4 gigs of RAM in that system and it won't make a difference. CPU then a fast hard drive (7200RPM is fine) and then RAM. An overclocked Barton 2500 and you'll do real-time MPEG2 encoding.
 

oldfart

Lifer
Dec 2, 1999
10,207
0
0
As above, its all CPU speed for encoding. You dont need tons of ram or a blazing fast HD. CPU SPEED!
 

gateT

Member
Nov 6, 2000
140
0
0
Thanks guys.
I guess first thing is to see just how much money he wants to spend and how serious he wants to be with the video part of it.
 

Czar

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
28,510
0
0
encoding is only one part, and that part is just start and leave the room for a while, just depends on how long you have to wait

for editing you want a fast hd to shorten the time it takes to load up the video clip each time you preview the animation, and you want lots of memory to stop the computer from accessing the hd as much.

I just recently upgraded from 512mb to 1gb memory and it made the world of difference to me, just finished a 2 1/2 min short done with 3dsmax, photoshop, vegas and combustion, memory does ALOT
 

Czar

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
28,510
0
0
and for digital photo editing in photoshop, alot of memory is king there also, working with A3 print size posters and constantly running out of memory is not fun and neither is doing 2500x2500 textures, now its more since I have 1gb now :D
 

gateT

Member
Nov 6, 2000
140
0
0
Great info guys,learning a lot.
How about the monitor-CRT or LCD?
For a video card would it be wise to get an All-in-wonder. Say an 9000pro AIW for around $150.00.
 

oldfart

Lifer
Dec 2, 1999
10,207
0
0
What kind of video capture is he doing? If it is DV, all that is needed is a firewire port. If it is analog, an AIW or an analog capture card or external converter is needed.
 

DGath

Senior member
Jul 5, 2003
417
0
0
I just built my dad a video editing machine.

IC7-G
p4 2.8c
1 Gig HyperX
ATI AIW 9600 pro

I set it up dual monitor, 1 CRT and 1 LCD. CRT displays are better, but LCDs are good for space. I'd suggest buy a big ass LCD. He's gonna want a DVD burner too. That AIW 9600 is a good card for gaming and video capturing at an affordable price. If that is too expensive, go with an 8500 AIW.

Like everyone has said, with video editing, CPU is important. With photo editing, RAM is most important. So you are going to need to get both. If you have the money, I'd get an IC7 or a P4C800, 1 gig of HyperX, 9700/9800 AIW and a 2.8C. I built my dad's for about $1,400. If you want to go under $1,000, buy an 865 motherboard, like an IS7 or a P4P800, 512 megs of RAM, and a 2.4C with an 8500 or a 9600 AIW. That might bring it below $1,000.

 

gateT

Member
Nov 6, 2000
140
0
0
He hasn't gotten back to me on what kind of input he's using.
Right now I think it just digital photo,with DV being something that he's thinking of getting into. Although he may have a standard camcorder,which might just plugs into one of the ports.

As for the fry's thing,I don't think you can get that same deal online.No BM around here.