OK, this is what I want.

A computer to use Adobe Premiere Pro CS4 on, to edit MiniDV footage off of a Canon XM-2 camera.

So firstly, the inevitable clichéd question: Mac or PC?

Secondly, if Mac is and iMac enough or should I really be looking at a Mac Pro?

And finally, if PC which ones are most suitable for my purposes? Can you buy PCs specifically for video editing?

And by the way, I want a desktop not a laptop.

Thanks!

For editing SD footage from a MiniDV tape most modern PC's or Macs will do the job, however, if at some point you intend to move up to HD footage you will need a higher end PC or Mac(Quad core). Don't get a net book or you will be disappointed.

You can buy PCs specifically for video editing but like I said unless you are going to move up to HD editing this shouldn't be necessary.

One thing to bear in mind is the rendering times. The faster the processor the faster the rendering. So it's a question of balancing cost with performance and need/usage.

There are some good theads in this forum that lists some good high spec PC's for info about Macs see "The White Room" in this forum.

__________________
Every thing said by me should be taken with a pinch of salt. Unless you have high blood pressure, then I would recommend a salt substitute.

Personally you need to make your mind up which type of computer you intent to buy.

The PC you'll get more bang for buck, Mac has been designed with the graphics person in mind.
Mac's are more expensive in hardware and software but in my opinion these are suited better for professionals.

These days the gap is getting tighter between MAC and PC and the software applications you choose to use and your needs from the system have a barring.


This is a spec I have chosen for myself a few months back; I use this as an amateur machine, it serves my needs.

Because time has moved on, I would change a few things.........But your usage and how you'll be using the system. Will dictate to some degree your spec, I built this in mind of CS4 products. Also you cannot use flash media on CS4, at this moment in time. I do recommend solid state drive for OS, and compatible apps, where you need performance.


http://www.videoforums.co.uk/perfect...l-pc-spec.html

http://www.videoforums.co.uk/perfect...eon-vs-i7.html


Mac's however is another case but mainly dictated to how big your budget is, get the best your money can buy. Also even though limited compared to the PC, your hardware choices I would recommend Nvida graphics as your using CS4, there maybe a few more subtle changes.

Problems are suffered from both machine type's (this is a general statement and not to be dwelled upon).

anything haichdee - 4 cores preferred.
Two disc drives.
Dont overclock.
Two monitors.

Any computer will edit any video - 'editing rig' is not complicated like ' oil rig ' .

Mac / pc - same. One is wipe clean tho...

Explain and expand why you shouldn't overclock? merely saying that you shouldn't overclock isn't enough really.

As it is perfectly safe to do so, done properly and you know what you are doing.

You are right to say don't overclock in general, for people who don't know how to do it.

My PC is overclocked and is working perfectly, but then again I know what am doing.

Also just saying: Two disc drives, Two monitors.

Even though maybe right, doesn't help the person very much who placed the post.

Would have been nice for you too expand a little and part with your wealth of knowledge.

I dont care to expand - I dont need to - you answered your own question I think.

I will bet my cat your pc is more unreliable than mine and breaks sooner - that is what over clocking is for - breaking your pc. Overcloking is like a noisy exhaust on a car - all show little go. Reliability is the post important thing.

I guess a 10% oc if s ware driven may be safe - but I still would never advise it.

Oh - I did expand....

Just cos I disgree dont take it as a personal attack - please. You do what you want with your pc - I dont think you are a bad person

Yes I did,

I wasn't disagreeing with you; thats why I added the extra info

It was merely to suggest to expand on what you have suggested, as it was very brief, but I point that out, on the bit I edited shortly after. At least help the person you a giving advice to.

I don't take it as a pesonal attack; I actually like you and the very fact you have a different point of view to mine. Its great to have a discussion, as its boring when people always agree with you all the time, you tend to learn nothing.


But as a person who is Anti-Capitalism, and want corporations to die........

I would surly expect you to want yourself and others to get the best out of there equipment.
where they don't need to support these corporations too much. Even though I am a big believer in using the right tool for the right job.


I think I have won your cat; its OK I don't need it as my dog will be teared to ribbons by it


What evidence are you basing this statement on? Is it the people who don't know what they are doing ?


You are right reliability is important, however you can still over clock and have a reliable machine. Its clearly evident that you don't understand how over-clocking works. Take the CPU for instance, in manufacturing the processor is made at one of a selected speed in a range.

So lets say you have a processor badge up at 2Ghz, this processor may have been manufactured to 3.Ghz max, which is the manufacturing speed.

The processor manufacture has a range of products between this range, where it was designed for upto 3. Ghz. But to cater for the range they, choke em to 2, 2.2, 2.5, 2.8 Ghz and badge them up at such. That processor is still fully capable of performing at 3.Ghz (in theory).

The problem is when they are manufactured, due to the complexity of the construction and manufacturing of the CPU. A percentage don't reach the desired ranged (3ghz) when tested, they will get badge accordingly to the range its tests too or lower.


Thats the problem, as when you have your CPU in your hands, you don't know the true speed of that processor. You can measure it with specialist software/hardware (I have such hardware and software). However each processor has a tolerance, this is what your playing with unless you know the true speed.

Also the manufacture in choking the processor; breaks links/pathways to give it a lower speed.
This in-turn and to keep this short, makes a slower processor produce more heat when over-clocked. This is because the pathways that were there no longer exists, and the draw back is more heat. aHH so technical

So in short its best not to play in this area if you don't know what you are doing. If you do then as I say more bang for your buck, less money to the corporations. OOh there is another debate there lol

TLDR.

sorry.

I am brief cos I am busy.

LOL

Yeah know the feeling, not telling you what to do, but wouldn't it be better to comment when you are less busy. Then at least you can put you 2 penith worth in and actually help someone.

From what I can make out from your videos, you are a decent guy, who has a opinion. Nothing wrong by that. I might be able to learn something from you, I can't if you keep it short hehehehe

Just a thought; I prefer to help rather then making the person even more confused.

No one is paying so i do brief - I do long for stuff that really interests me.
I probably should say less even tho sometimes... I am just pugnacious I guess.

Also - I once worked hard but got pissed off that few people returned the fav - but that is just the way of things - so I stopped being so nice