Tell me what you think of the following setup I am looking at:
Totally maxed HP dv6000 Laptop (2 ghz processor, 2 gb ram, 100 gb hd, extenal 500gb hd, and so on)
Not Sure about camera, either JVC 20 gig HD version, or Sony mini DV recorder
Adobe Production Studio.
I am fairly new to video production, and I would like to start producing next month. I also am looking at building a system for our church, and not sure what to get.
Looks pretty good dude, you are all set. Use the main hard drive (the one Windows is on) for your software installation and all film files on the external... if you didn't know already.
Only problem might be the lack of a dual core, especially with the laptop element. I edit on a 2.2Ghz machine and it works fine even for a lot of effects and cuts put into abstract film editing (syncing with music etc). But bear in mind that's a desktop.
Josso is right. Try finding another computer with a dual core processor, it's way faster. If you can't find it then you might want to customize that laptop.
Looks like a you have a good little settup goin, as the other 2 above mentioned the faster the better the dual would make it sweeter.
I've been really impressed by the dual core technology.... Dunno, I didn't really think it would make as big of a difference as the developers said it would when it first came out. But dang.
I forgot to mention the processor is a Dual-core Intel.
Cody Guhl
Well, I wouldn't really go for a laptop. These things get stolen more easy than a desktop, and they're really much more expensive.
Now, here's what I'd recommend:
The CPU(processor) isn't that necessary. 2GHz or 5GHz, it really doesn't matter. The main thing you need is RAM. 2GB is recommended, but I'd go with 4GB of dual channel. Also, a good video accelerator(graphics card) is needed, but you needn't go with the expensive models from nvidia or ati. A good place to look here is Matrox. Matrox millenium is a good one, and they are more suited to do video editing than the gaming models from Nvidia and ATi.
Now, hard drives. You should buy one Raptor hard drive (these ones are expensive, and smaller, but faster) to install all your software on (windows etc.) and then you should get a 500GB Sata drive to store all your video on. Perhaps you should get an external drive to store all your video on, so that it can be removed when you leave, so thiefs can't take that one, if someone should decide to steal your video editing suite.
Another thing I'd get, which is quite handy, is Pinnacle Video Studio. Now, while PVS isn't as compicated or by any means good as, say, premiere, it comes bundled with a bay for connecting stuff like camera, microphones, monitors and whatnots.
Hope that helped.
WAW......
(my dream PC)
good explanation eLto......big Thanx.....
but i'm not have PC like that.....(must to have much money..... )
hi cody.....
if you have been finished your project.....
please share it to us ....
ok
Be BlessedDual core is def the best way to go. I can have photoshop, after effects open at the same time and switch back and forth between jobs as quick as I can click.
Dual Core is standard now, so that won't be an issue.
Cody: you can save 100's of dollars by NOT buying an expensive Processor or Graphics card. Instead, use the money on RAM and Hard drives.
What about the AMD duo core? I've read both good and bad reviews of it's technology. Videomaker says it is faster for editing but PC says it is slower. Anybody have experience w/both of them?
Do any of you use PINNACLE SYSTEMS STUDIO 10.5? Can you use it w/windows 2000. Yes 2000 It is for a school and we are wwwwaaaayyyy behind the times.
I'd get a dual core as well. Intel has some core 2 duo laptops for sale now so if you want a laptop you can get a dual core one. I edit on a laptop but you are making serious sacrifices by not getting a desktop (you can't expand like you can with a desktop.) That being said, my only computer is a laptop and I run a video production company and edit everything on it. It can be done but you need to know what you are doing. If you do get a laptop, make sure you get an external hardrive to dump your video on. You don't want to have your video on the same harddrive as all your applications. You want to make sure your external hardrive is at least 7200 rpm as well as you need a high speed to avoid dropping frames. I use a firewire 800 external drive.
As for the camera I'd step up to a 3-chip mini DV camera at least. A 3-chip camera uses a seperate CCD for each primary color making your images look much better. This is the same technology that TV broadcast cameras use. You can find cheap 3-chip cameras these days...I think Panasonic even makes some for around $400....and your image will thank you!
For serious video production you will need some other things as well. A TRIPOD!!! The biggest thing that separates the pro from the amateur....is rock steady video!! Then you want external microphones and lights. That's just a start....there are many many things you will end up wanting, jibs and cranes, dollys, location greenscreens etc... I recommend checking out B&H for all your video needs. They have great prices and you can find anything under the sun at their online superstore.
I'd recomend either a powerful PC desktop or a Mac desktop (iMac or Mac Pro), Laptops are not really that good for video stuff, but if you're always on the move so then of course a laptop, but if you're more of a home guy then get a desktop, because desktops have more power and defenitely more hard disk space!!! 
Of course there are quite powerful laptops out there but it'll cost way more expensive than a desktop of the same capabilites.
Whatever you do avoid domestic(consumer level) Hard disc cameras. If you have the choice go with MiniDV. HDD Cameras usually always have issues with interlacing and the quality is always a lil poor due to recording to such a compressed format (mpeg2).
Any of you have experience between the AMD and the Core Duo? I am going to be building a system and would like which way to go.
I don't know where to ask this question. It is sooooo... low tech. I have a video player that connects to an RCA cable that I have to boost the signal. I don't know how to boost a video signal if it uses an RCA jack. I would rather not have to get svideo switcher, cables & boost.
Sabe,
What you probably need is a proc amp (processing amplifier). You can find one at B&H....www.bhphotovideo.com, once you get to their site, just search for one using their search box.
| eLto wrote: |
| Also, a good video accelerator(graphics card) is needed, but you needn't go with the expensive models from nvidia or ati. A good place to look here is Matrox. Matrox millenium is a good one, and they are more suited to do video editing than the gaming models from Nvidia and ATi. |
sorry eLto but this is a little misleading so i wanna agree and make it clearer.
if you are trying to get a fast video system choosing the right card is tricky. Standard highend gaming graphics cards will be wasted on alot of setups. Most video applications dont use the graphics cards at all. It is more specialised software like 3d applications such as 3D Max or compositing apps such as Afetr Effects that will benefit from these kind of cards.
However as eLto pointed out eith the Matrox card. There are cards that are designed to work with some software. Matrox works and is designed with Adobe Premier in mind although it has been used within diffrent applications also. There are other cards out there for diffrent software too. If you ar looking for a good combo of Software and hardware then premier Pro and a matrox card is a good option.
I am a freelance editor with my own systems. My flagship system relies on Ram, CPU and Disk Setup for speed. Its the disk setup thats key to my fast system.
It is running;
4Gb dual channel DDR ram.
3.2Ghz Dual Core Athlon CPU.
Then there is the disk set up.
I am running two stripped raid sytems running 8 disks in total:
Operating System Raid Drive: 4 x 36Gb Seagate 10k rpm Raptors.
Media Raid Drive: 4 x 150Gb Seagate 10k rpm Raptors.
Fast disk speed is essential as it causes the biggest bottle neck in data flow on the PC. This is the biggest reason why laptops are not as fast.
If you must go laptop then consioder trying to get it loaded with a solid state sata drive althought to my knowledge the biggest size available is only 64GB and you will have to sell your grandmother to afford one.A 500 - 1000 $ Panasonic will be great or then a 2000 up Sony or Canon for a camera! 
That's my suggestion | Alaskacameradude wrote: |
Sabe,
What you probably need is a proc amp (processing amplifier). You can find one at B&H....www.bhphotovideo.com, once you get to their site, just search for one using their search box. |
Thanks for the info. 
I will go to the site and see what I can find. I have used B&H for camera stuff before but not for video.No problem, I try and be helpful as I have a pretty heavy background in video production. Most proc amps will allow you to adjust the gamma, contrast, brightness, you can tweak them all separately and boost colors, brightness or whatever you need.
get a good tripod also, and dont be afraid to spend around 500 dollars just for an entry level tripod, it is essential to have one
| videoguy wrote: |
| get a good tripod also, and dont be afraid to spend around 500 dollars just for an entry level tripod, it is essential to have one |
I agree. You can always get a shaky shot on purpose. Most of the time you need a good steady shot so your viewer is not distracted by the movement. Even the "u-tube" type videos need this. Especially when your shot is of poor quality. Some of the stuff you can't even tell what is in the video because of the shake.
