Archived from groups: rec.video.desktop (More info?)

I'm looking for a PC to do some capturing/editing of kid's movies, etc.
Nothing major (at least not yet) My budget is about $700 or $800.

I've searched the list and found that people do use laptop for this
purpose. I like the laptop for its mobility (especially since I also
do digital photography) but would consider a desktop too.

So my questions are:
1. What are the minimum requirements for laptop (Centrino/P4HT? RAM?
5400RPM HD?, etc)

2. What are the minimum requirements for a desktop. If I go with a desktop,
I'd like something a bit more than minimum.

3. As far as software, I'd consider running Linux as well. Anyone here
using Linux for this? If so, any software (preferrably open source) you
recommend?

Thanks.

Henry

Archived from groups: rec.video.desktop (More info?)

Within your budget, avoid a laptop.

You might build a video editing laptop for $2,000 these days but don't count
on it.
Floor models, demo and return units might get you close to the $2,000 mark
but likely it'll be more - certainly more if you're paying full pop.

Do what you like for an OS but my personal suggestion is avoid Linux - or
anything "non-mainstream" at all costs.
WinXP all the way. It just works.

7200 rpm hard drive, no question. (in notebooks I'm limited to 5400rpm in
the 80-100GB sizes but the drives are tiny and have much higher areal
density so a 5400 rpm 2.5" drive isn't as slow as a 5400 3.5" )

You can get away with Centrino but something faster is preferable. Go to
www.Dell.com and price a system or ten. Even if you don't buy from them,
you'll have an idea what the going rate is. Also: don't buy accessories or
upgrades from the big boys (Dell, HP etc).

Do any upgrades yourself for about half the price (eg: bumping RAM up to 512
or 1024mb)
Ditto for the DVD burner - cheaper to do it yourself in the case of Dell.
Since this is a home PC, don't spring for "at home service" with the Dell -
their phone in and ship-to warranties are cheaper, in the event anything
goes wrong. (I've been lucky with Dell - never had a squeak from one)

"Video Guys" do the DV user community a great service with their website.
While their aim is to run a profitable business, they've got a fantastic
website aimed at *educating* the consumer. If you're thinking of buying any
of the products they carry, consider sourcing from them to help keep great
resources like their site active.

Here's a link to a section you need to read:
http://www.videoguys.com/dtvhome.html
I have no affiliation but their site has set me straight on a number of
occassions. Heck, I haven't even bought anything from them yet! (planning on
it)

That site will give you all the details of what works and what doesn't in an
NLE workstation. Some sections are getting stale dated BUT really only on
the pricing. Take whatever specs and prices they show (if they're older
pages) and substitute higher speeds or lower prices. (a 2.4GHz machine they
priced out should now be a 3.2GHz P4 or drop the price by 25%)

Good luck and get back to us once you've read that page and have any other
specific questions!

C.J.





<nospam@no.no> wrote in message
news:ZpU9e.98029$QB6.3926853@twister.southeast.rr.com...
> I'm looking for a PC to do some capturing/editing of kid's movies, etc.
> Nothing major (at least not yet) My budget is about $700 or $800.
>
> I've searched the list and found that people do use laptop for this
> purpose. I like the laptop for its mobility (especially since I also
> do digital photography) but would consider a desktop too.
>
> So my questions are:
> 1. What are the minimum requirements for laptop (Centrino/P4HT? RAM?
> 5400RPM HD?, etc)
>
> 2. What are the minimum requirements for a desktop. If I go with a
> desktop,
> I'd like something a bit more than minimum.
>
> 3. As far as software, I'd consider running Linux as well. Anyone here
> using Linux for this? If so, any software (preferrably open source) you
> recommend?
>
> Thanks.
>
> Henry

Archived from groups: rec.video.desktop (More info?)

C.J.Patten <cjpatten@knowspamrogers.com> wrote:
> Within your budget, avoid a laptop.

C.J,
Thanks for the info. The Dell Inspiron 6000 is in this price range ($750+)
during the occassional sales like today. What do you think about that one
for light NLE work?

> 7200 rpm hard drive, no question. (in notebooks I'm limited to 5400rpm in
> the 80-100GB sizes but the drives are tiny and have much higher areal
> density so a 5400 rpm 2.5" drive isn't as slow as a 5400 3.5" )

For desktop, all my HDs now are 7200RPM. If i get another desktop, I might
even consider SATA if 7200 RPM becomes the bottleneck.
Also for desktop, what video card do you recommend?

As far as storage goes, I only need enough space to render one time. Once
done, I can always move the file to my dedicated fileserver (Linux with
software RAID and a quarter Terabytes) so 40GB may not be too bad.

> Here's a link to a section you need to read:
> http://www.videoguys.com/dtvhome.html

Reading it...

I'm ok with either desktop or laptop, whichever works. I've looked at this
thread and wondering if anybody else has experience with doing NLE on laptops.

http://groups-beta.google.com/grou [...] 7b51dc5951

Anyway, I'll keep reading and post more questions. For now, any comment
on the Dell Inspiron 6000 (or other Mfg) is much appreciated.

Henry

Archived from groups: rec.video.desktop (More info?)

Just to be clear: Dell ALWAYS HAS A SALE!

Don't be swayed to make a purchase because you think a sale won't go on
forever.
"The sale ending today only means there'll be a better one starting
tomorrow."

That thread was actually posted HERE BTW... (I wrote two of the messages

On the technical side of things...

CAN you edit on that notebook? SURE. You bet. If I knew someone who owned
one and they asked about video, I'd happily show them how to do it with
Window Movie Maker 2 that came with XP SP2. Without anything to compare it
to, you'd probably be ecstatic with editing video on it.

The only decision you have to make is if you want to sacrifice the
convenience of a faster system with more screen real-estate for the
convenience of portability.

Entirely a personal decision - we can't make that one for you.

256mb of RAM is a bit skimpy. Budget for an upgrade to 512mb (not through
Dell - they're way overpriced).

Lot of differences between notebooks so generalizing doesn't do much good.

My fire-breathing P4 waffle iron (that draws over 120watts and has 1 hour of
battery) is really a desktop that travels from power outlet to power outlet.
It's a completely different beast from a thin-and-light ultraportable
notebook which is a different thing again from a CompAmerica Orca 9000
laptop: http://www.compamericadirect.com/m [...] ca9000.htm

I'm happy with my zd7260 - maybe folks around here have tried the Dell. I'd
suggest a Google search on on the model you're looking at. It'll turn up any
glitches people may have found.

Good luck!
C.j

<nospam@no.no> wrote in message
news:eCZ9e.75314$JL2.2629595@twister.southeast.rr.com...
> C.J.Patten <cjpatten@knowspamrogers.com> wrote:
>> Within your budget, avoid a laptop.
>
> C.J,
> Thanks for the info. The Dell Inspiron 6000 is in this price range
> ($750+)
> during the occassional sales like today. What do you think about that one
> for light NLE work?
>
>> 7200 rpm hard drive, no question. (in notebooks I'm limited to 5400rpm in
>> the 80-100GB sizes but the drives are tiny and have much higher areal
>> density so a 5400 rpm 2.5" drive isn't as slow as a 5400 3.5" )
>
> For desktop, all my HDs now are 7200RPM. If i get another desktop, I
> might
> even consider SATA if 7200 RPM becomes the bottleneck.
> Also for desktop, what video card do you recommend?
>
> As far as storage goes, I only need enough space to render one time. Once
> done, I can always move the file to my dedicated fileserver (Linux with
> software RAID and a quarter Terabytes) so 40GB may not be too bad.
>
>> Here's a link to a section you need to read:
>> http://www.videoguys.com/dtvhome.html
>
> Reading it...
>
> I'm ok with either desktop or laptop, whichever works. I've looked at
> this
> thread and wondering if anybody else has experience with doing NLE on
> laptops.
>
> http://groups-beta.google.com/grou [...] 7b51dc5951
>
> Anyway, I'll keep reading and post more questions. For now, any comment
> on the Dell Inspiron 6000 (or other Mfg) is much appreciated.
>
> Henry

Archived from groups: rec.video.desktop (More info?)

<nospam@no.no> wrote in message
news:eCZ9e.75314$JL2.2629595@twister.southeast.rr.com...
> C.J.Patten <cjpatten@knowspamrogers.com> wrote:
> > Within your budget, avoid a laptop.
>
> C.J,
> Thanks for the info. The Dell Inspiron 6000 is in this price range
($750+)
> during the occassional sales like today. What do you think about that one
> for light NLE work?
>
> > 7200 rpm hard drive, no question. (in notebooks I'm limited to 5400rpm
in
> > the 80-100GB sizes but the drives are tiny and have much higher areal
> > density so a 5400 rpm 2.5" drive isn't as slow as a 5400 3.5" )
>
> For desktop, all my HDs now are 7200RPM. If i get another desktop, I
might
> even consider SATA if 7200 RPM becomes the bottleneck.
> Also for desktop, what video card do you recommend?

One point: if you only work with D-25 video, i.e. miniDV or Digital8, and
will not be digitizing analog video using a lossless codec like Huffyuv,
then you're fine with 5400 rpm drives, as long as they're not the older ones
that actually paused when they did thermal compensation. My editing
computer has 10 drives on it, for a total of 1.25 terabytes of storage.
They're a mix of 5400 rpm and 7200 rpm drives, and all work just fine for
capture, editing, rendering and transcoding.


>
> As far as storage goes, I only need enough space to render one time. Once
> done, I can always move the file to my dedicated fileserver (Linux with
> software RAID and a quarter Terabytes) so 40GB may not be too bad.
>
> > Here's a link to a section you need to read:
> > http://www.videoguys.com/dtvhome.html
>
> Reading it...
>
> I'm ok with either desktop or laptop, whichever works. I've looked at
this
> thread and wondering if anybody else has experience with doing NLE on
laptops.
>
>
http://groups-beta.google.com/grou [...] 7b51dc5951
>
> Anyway, I'll keep reading and post more questions. For now, any comment
> on the Dell Inspiron 6000 (or other Mfg) is much appreciated.
>
> Henry

Archived from groups: rec.video.desktop (More info?)

"C.J.Patten" <cjpatten@KNOWSPAMrogers.com> wrote in message
news:cf2dnSYL86XE6fXfRVn-uw@rogers.com...
> Just to be clear: Dell ALWAYS HAS A SALE!
>
> Don't be swayed to make a purchase because you think a sale won't go on
> forever.
> "The sale ending today only means there'll be a better one starting
> tomorrow."
>
> That thread was actually posted HERE BTW... (I wrote two of the messages

>
> On the technical side of things...
>
> CAN you edit on that notebook? SURE. You bet. If I knew someone who owned
> one and they asked about video, I'd happily show them how to do it with
> Window Movie Maker 2 that came with XP SP2. Without anything to compare it
> to, you'd probably be ecstatic with editing video on it.
>
> The only decision you have to make is if you want to sacrifice the
> convenience of a faster system with more screen real-estate for the
> convenience of portability.

I have a Sony VAIO laptop which I've used, on occassion, to edit in Adobe
Premiere (it's run from 6.5 to Pro 1.5, which is what's on it now). As you
note, it is possible, but no where nears as convenient as a desktop editing
station. My VAIO has a 1.7 GHz P3 (it's an older one) and 512 Meg of RAM.
It has some kind of ATI graphics chip built in. Everything works, but it's
on the slow and awkward side. One significant factor is display of the
video -- my desktop system outputs a DV stream to my camcorder which, in
turn, passes the video signal through to an editing monitor. This way, I
can see exactly what I'm getting. Though I have calibrated the video
display on my laptop, there are significant gamma differences between its
LCD monitor and a television monitor -- it would be near impossible to do
color correction, color matching, etc. with a laptop editing system (unless,
of course, I passed the DV stream through a camcorder and monitor as I do
with my desktop system).

With all that said, I've used my laptop in the field, both for capture, and
for rudimentary editing -- rough cuts, test clips, things like that.


>
> Entirely a personal decision - we can't make that one for you.
>
> 256mb of RAM is a bit skimpy. Budget for an upgrade to 512mb (not through
> Dell - they're way overpriced).
>
> Lot of differences between notebooks so generalizing doesn't do much good.
>
> My fire-breathing P4 waffle iron (that draws over 120watts and has 1 hour
of
> battery) is really a desktop that travels from power outlet to power
outlet.
> It's a completely different beast from a thin-and-light ultraportable
> notebook which is a different thing again from a CompAmerica Orca 9000
> laptop: http://www.compamericadirect.com/m [...] ca9000.htm
>
> I'm happy with my zd7260 - maybe folks around here have tried the Dell.
I'd
> suggest a Google search on on the model you're looking at. It'll turn up
any
> glitches people may have found.
>
> Good luck!
> C.j
>
> <nospam@no.no> wrote in message
> news:eCZ9e.75314$JL2.2629595@twister.southeast.rr.com...
> > C.J.Patten <cjpatten@knowspamrogers.com> wrote:
> >> Within your budget, avoid a laptop.
> >
> > C.J,
> > Thanks for the info. The Dell Inspiron 6000 is in this price range
> > ($750+)
> > during the occassional sales like today. What do you think about that
one
> > for light NLE work?
> >
> >> 7200 rpm hard drive, no question. (in notebooks I'm limited to 5400rpm
in
> >> the 80-100GB sizes but the drives are tiny and have much higher areal
> >> density so a 5400 rpm 2.5" drive isn't as slow as a 5400 3.5" )
> >
> > For desktop, all my HDs now are 7200RPM. If i get another desktop, I
> > might
> > even consider SATA if 7200 RPM becomes the bottleneck.
> > Also for desktop, what video card do you recommend?
> >
> > As far as storage goes, I only need enough space to render one time.
Once
> > done, I can always move the file to my dedicated fileserver (Linux with
> > software RAID and a quarter Terabytes) so 40GB may not be too bad.
> >
> >> Here's a link to a section you need to read:
> >> http://www.videoguys.com/dtvhome.html
> >
> > Reading it...
> >
> > I'm ok with either desktop or laptop, whichever works. I've looked at
> > this
> > thread and wondering if anybody else has experience with doing NLE on
> > laptops.
> >
> >
http://groups-beta.google.com/grou [...] 7b51dc5951
> >
> > Anyway, I'll keep reading and post more questions. For now, any comment
> > on the Dell Inspiron 6000 (or other Mfg) is much appreciated.
> >
> > Henry
>
>

Archived from groups: rec.video.desktop (More info?)

> Just to be clear: Dell ALWAYS HAS A SALE!

But some sales, like their recent $300-700 off a system coupon sale
(see www.techbargains.com and www.fatwallet.com/c/18/ posts) are
spectacular!!!! vs normal sales of $100-300 off.

eg. on their special recent sale, you can easily save $750!
from fatwallet.com
Date Posted: Apr/20/2005 1:48 PM
Topic Rating:16

$750 Off Select Inspiron Notebook Purchases $1499+ - 2 evalue codes
only: 11111-i600mA3, and 11111-i600mA2

Offer Valid: Only 6000 systems available for purchase with this coupon
code. Limited time offer. ONLINE ONLY Save $750 on select Inspiron™
notebook purchases of $1499 or more (before tax and shipping)!

This Coupon code is valid on these evalue codes ONLY: 11111-i600mA3, and
11111-i600mA2. In order to view the special configurations to which this
coupon code applies visit www.dell.com/save750. Not combinable with
Deals of the Week, Outrageous Deals, dollars off, percentages off and
select other promotions. Only one coupon may be applied per cart at
checkout. This is a limited quantity offer, with only 6,000 systems
available for purchase with this coupon code. This offer will expire at
5:59am CDT on 4/26/05 or when the limited quantity available are sold,
whichever comes first. Offers subject to change. View details in 'My
Cart'. Enter Coupon Code at checkout.

Coupon Code: 546TJ5FSDR6D38

Archived from groups: rec.video.desktop (More info?)

That isn't a bad deal at all. Reasonable little system too.

Pentium M 715 not a Celeron. (big plus)

DVD DL burner. Drooool ... mine's only a DVD-5 burner...

Spring for the "upgrade" model which has a 64MB video card (not the 32 on
the base model).

Also, VERY IMPORTANT: spend the extra $50 to get the SXGA screen!

Adobe Premiere's system requirements (or perhaps system "preference"?) is a
1280x1024 screen.
The stock XGA is NOT high enough res for effective "production" like
Photoshop and Premiere.
The SXGA is.

I couldn't get the coupons to work so the system prices out at $1200
shipped.
You absolute need to upgrade the memory to 512mb or a GB. Don't bother with
Dell's upgrades - they're ridiculous.

Ditto the hard drive - just buy an 80GB 5400rpm notebook drive from your
local computer shop for $100 and sell your old one for $50 to $75 - new
drive for a net of $25 to $50 - less than half of Dell's price.

Let us know if you get the coupon working. That computer at $1200 is an "OK"
deal - at $900 it's probably the best deal going right now.

C.



"David Chien" <chiendh@uci.edu> wrote in message
news4btvc$q2n$2@news.service.uci.edu...
>
>> Just to be clear: Dell ALWAYS HAS A SALE!
>
> But some sales, like their recent $300-700 off a system coupon sale (see
> www.techbargains.com and www.fatwallet.com/c/18/ posts) are
> spectacular!!!! vs normal sales of $100-300 off.
>
> eg. on their special recent sale, you can easily save $750!
> from fatwallet.com
> Date Posted: Apr/20/2005 1:48 PM
> Topic Rating:16
>
> $750 Off Select Inspiron Notebook Purchases $1499+ - 2 evalue codes only:
> 11111-i600mA3, and 11111-i600mA2
>
> Offer Valid: Only 6000 systems available for purchase with this coupon
> code. Limited time offer. ONLINE ONLY Save $750 on select Inspiron™
> notebook purchases of $1499 or more (before tax and shipping)!
>
> This Coupon code is valid on these evalue codes ONLY: 11111-i600mA3, and
> 11111-i600mA2. In order to view the special configurations to which this
> coupon code applies visit www.dell.com/save750. Not combinable with Deals
> of the Week, Outrageous Deals, dollars off, percentages off and select
> other promotions. Only one coupon may be applied per cart at checkout.
> This is a limited quantity offer, with only 6,000 systems available for
> purchase with this coupon code. This offer will expire at 5:59am CDT on
> 4/26/05 or when the limited quantity available are sold, whichever comes
> first. Offers subject to change. View details in 'My Cart'. Enter Coupon
> Code at checkout.
>
> Coupon Code: 546TJ5FSDR6D38

Archived from groups: rec.video.desktop (More info?)

On Thu, 21 Apr 2005 20:54:17 GMT, nospam@no.no wrote:

> I'm looking for a PC to do some capturing/editing of kid's movies, etc.
> Nothing major (at least not yet) My budget is about $700 or $800.
>
> I've searched the list and found that people do use laptop for this
> purpose. I like the laptop for its mobility (especially since I also
> do digital photography) but would consider a desktop too.
>
> So my questions are:
> 1. What are the minimum requirements for laptop (Centrino/P4HT? RAM?
> 5400RPM HD?, etc)
It depends, I use my laptop to do some occasional video editing. It's a AMD
Athlon XP 3000+, 512MB RAM, 60GB HD (5400rpm). I preprocess the video with
VirtualDub and AviSynth, then do my editing with Premiere Pro using the
PICVIDEO Codec, only at the final step I replace the clips with the actual
ones, otherwise it would be intollerably slow.

> 2. What are the minimum requirements for a desktop. If I go with a desktop,
> I'd like something a bit more than minimum.
A lot of RAM(1GB+) and at least 2 HD, one for the operating system (it can
also be a small and slow HD) and another one for video editing.

C.G.