Computer specification for editing

[ddvmor]

Hello

I will be replacing my PC in the next couple of months in preparation for the editing process on my movie project. Not being a computer expert, I was wondering if anyone had any reccomendations on the sort of specifications I should be looking for.

I will be editing a lot of standard definition mini dv footage, although I'd like to future proof as best I can, probably using Adobe Premier Pro (I forget the version number - it was a hand-me-down when a friend bought the latest version. It'll be 2 or 3 years old, though).

What sort of processor do I want? How about the video and sound cards? Obviously I want as much hard disk space as possible - I should be able to get my old 150gb hard drive installed as a secondary drive. I also have a (possibly over ambitious) vision of using my old LCD monitor in concert with a new one to give me a 2 screen display to make the editing a bit easier.

As a slight aside, on my old PC, how come Premiere Pro grinds to an absolute halt when dealing with mini dv footage, while Windows Movie Maker deals with it with no problem at all?

Thanks again for your help!

[howardtay]

I do a lot of editing on my PC and I use Pinnacle Studio which is very easy to use, but occasionally has problems, I have used Premiere Pro but it does have a very steep learning curve, but works well on my system.

My PC is as follows:-

MSI 945 Motherboard
Intel 3.4Ghz Processor
2.0Gb DDR2 RAM ( I would like to have 4.0Gb but maybe later )
512Mb Nvidia 7950GT PCIe Video Card
This card has 2 x DVI ports and I have 2 monitors connected, 1 17" CRT Monitor for preview and 1 x 19" TFT for editing.
1 x 80Gb SATA Hard Drive (Boot Drive)
1 x 250Gb SATA Hard Drive (for Video data files)
On-Board Sound Card and Speakers
Firewire Card
NEC DVD-RW Drive capable of recording to Dual Layer DVD's
I always record to DVD at 8x faster speeds can cause problems.
SONY DVD Reader

Modern PCs are nearly all Dual core Processors now and most have on-board sound cards and networking cards whisch are usually very good.

Hope the above helps.

[stument]

I Edit alot also, i use Premiere Pro, Sony Vegas, Pinnacle Studio and After Effects.

I tend to mix it up between the lot for different effects and trasactions but i mainly stick to Premiere as i have the better knowledge with that software.

My Computer Specs:

ASUS 993 Motherboard
AMD Athlon 64 3800+
1.0Gb DDR RAM ( Best to have 2.0GB Havnt got round to it yet )
512Mb Radeon X800 PCI-E
At the moment using just 1 19" W/S But grabbing another one in a few weeks to help out with the workspace of editing.
1 x 250GB Porche Externam HDD (for Video data)
1 x 80Gb SATA Hard Drive (for Video data)
1 x 180Gb SATA Hard Drive (Boot)
On-Board Sound Card 7.1
7.1 Logitec Speakers Surround Sound (Not to sure of the model)
Firewire Card
Basic DVD RW think its Sony or Samsung

These are basic specs and run all the software i know of smooth and effeciently.

[jetinder]

My Computer is 4 years old and isnt as powerful as the others.

I have
:-
Gigabyte mother board with nvidia dual memory channels

AMD Athlon XP 2500 - overclocked to 2800

1gb ram

1 x 300GB hard drive (for Video data)

1 x tv card (used to capture video from VHS tapes)

2 speakers

1 x Firewire Card.

1 x DVD RW

To name a few things.

Its great for photo editting and video editting.

Only thing is after editting, converting 50 gb AVI files to 4.3 gb DVD can take any where from a 3 hours to 2 days non stop as Magix Movie Edit Pro 2005 isnt that fast but it will do.

I'd like to build an Intel quad core based pc which will be faster but i want to wait for software which will make use of quad core technology.

[mmace]

I edit HDV, WMV-HD VC1, h.264 (HD) and MPEG2 HD all in various editors, the main one I do most work in is Premiere Pro CS2 (soon to upgrade to CS3)
I use my main monitor for editing with my HDTV showing the premiere monitor in full

my specs are in my signature

I am wanting to upgrade to Core2Duo or Core2Quad in the near future, but at the moment I don't have a need to.
I will also be upgrading my graphics card to one that plays back h.264/AVC without using the CPU

[ddvmor]

Thanks guys. That's really helpful. Now I just have to find something I can afford!

[jaymac]

Hardrives 1 80gb and 1 160 GB .1Gb ram P4 3Ghz processor Nvideo GeForce 6200 with 120 Mb Both Pro 6 and Elements 2 run fine on that