Video Editing Computers
January 21, 2005 9:42 AM Subscribe
Looking for advice about building a high-end prosumer or low-end professional video editing computer. [+]
Ok, I need to give my boss specs for a new video editing computer. Before all of you say "Buy a Mac!" I'll interrupt and say that I wish it was so simple. The person requesting this information requires that the machine run Windows XP and Adobe Premiere Pro. There is no wiggle room on that, unfortunately.
This machine also can't be a homebuilt, because he's going to need to be able to call tech support and get onsite assistance immediately. Normally, I'd just say "Buy a Dell", but he's interested in Sony VAIO desktops.
Anyway, here's what I know we'll need:
- 2GB RAM (at least)
- many many GB of hard drive storage (SATA) and external (firewire)
- Several firewire ports or room for an expansion card
- At least one free PCI slot for a video capture card that we already have
The budget is $4000-$5000. I didn't specify a video card in the list above, because I'm wondering if any of you have any particular experience with good video cards for video editing on XP (stable drivers, etc.). Further, I need to know if you think it would be better to go for a high-end prosumer P4-based system or a lower-end dual-Xeon workstation or some such thing.
So, to sum up, can anyone recommend a good, national builder of high-end prosumer or low-end professional video editing computers or workstations and good baseline specs for a 3-year lifespan?
Ok, I need to give my boss specs for a new video editing computer. Before all of you say "Buy a Mac!" I'll interrupt and say that I wish it was so simple. The person requesting this information requires that the machine run Windows XP and Adobe Premiere Pro. There is no wiggle room on that, unfortunately.
This machine also can't be a homebuilt, because he's going to need to be able to call tech support and get onsite assistance immediately. Normally, I'd just say "Buy a Dell", but he's interested in Sony VAIO desktops.
Anyway, here's what I know we'll need:
- 2GB RAM (at least)
- many many GB of hard drive storage (SATA) and external (firewire)
- Several firewire ports or room for an expansion card
- At least one free PCI slot for a video capture card that we already have
The budget is $4000-$5000. I didn't specify a video card in the list above, because I'm wondering if any of you have any particular experience with good video cards for video editing on XP (stable drivers, etc.). Further, I need to know if you think it would be better to go for a high-end prosumer P4-based system or a lower-end dual-Xeon workstation or some such thing.
So, to sum up, can anyone recommend a good, national builder of high-end prosumer or low-end professional video editing computers or workstations and good baseline specs for a 3-year lifespan?
I'm starting to hear quite differently about Alienware customer support. I'm sure it's fine in most cases, but a couple of people I know have had really bad experiences.
One company that I'm fairly impressed with so far (and haven't yet heard anything bad about at least) is VoodooPC.
They mainly make gaming computers (like Alienware started I believe), but recently added the Eden F:2 workstation. I'm sure others might be able to point out something better, but I know that generally VoodooPC computers are a great buy, if somewhat expensive. Excellent coverage and service, and I'm not sure how they still go about doing it but when they started up they included a service plan that let you upgrade parts for only slightly over what it cost them to acquire them.
Worth looking into at least. Always good to be aware of as many options as possible.
posted by Stunt at 10:35 AM on January 21, 2005
One company that I'm fairly impressed with so far (and haven't yet heard anything bad about at least) is VoodooPC.
They mainly make gaming computers (like Alienware started I believe), but recently added the Eden F:2 workstation. I'm sure others might be able to point out something better, but I know that generally VoodooPC computers are a great buy, if somewhat expensive. Excellent coverage and service, and I'm not sure how they still go about doing it but when they started up they included a service plan that let you upgrade parts for only slightly over what it cost them to acquire them.
Worth looking into at least. Always good to be aware of as many options as possible.
posted by Stunt at 10:35 AM on January 21, 2005
Response by poster: Both VoodooPC and Alienware seem to be targeted mainly at gamers. I can pretty much confirm that case cutouts and lights will sink the deal (the boss looked over my shoulder as I was looking at the Eden F:2 machine and said, "What the hell is that awful thing?"), as much as I might try to convince him that the aesthetics of the enclosure don't have anything to do with the functionality of the box. :)
posted by socratic at 10:52 AM on January 21, 2005
posted by socratic at 10:52 AM on January 21, 2005
They are mainly magnets for gamers. From what I've seen of that Eden it looks to be a good workstation, but I'm sure someone can point you to something you can make use of that is slightly cheaper.
Regarding the aesthetics of the case, it's worth calling them to ask about something different. From what I've been told if you don't make the order through a real person (instead doing it online) then you're missing a large part of the satisfaction of dealing with them. They used to be very willing to accommodate buyers with slightly different needs, so they MIGHT be able to do something there.
Like I said though, someone might be able to point you towards something cheaper. Not sure if you need a liquid cooled machine.
posted by Stunt at 11:05 AM on January 21, 2005
Regarding the aesthetics of the case, it's worth calling them to ask about something different. From what I've been told if you don't make the order through a real person (instead doing it online) then you're missing a large part of the satisfaction of dealing with them. They used to be very willing to accommodate buyers with slightly different needs, so they MIGHT be able to do something there.
Like I said though, someone might be able to point you towards something cheaper. Not sure if you need a liquid cooled machine.
posted by Stunt at 11:05 AM on January 21, 2005
no personal experience, but I've heard good things about Boxx.
posted by GeekAnimator at 11:06 AM on January 21, 2005
posted by GeekAnimator at 11:06 AM on January 21, 2005
Response by poster: Stunt, thanks. I'll definitely give them a call, though liquid-cooled may be overkill (OTOH, the boss may get really excited about that....). Also, others who respond or have responded, thanks also to you. :)
posted by socratic at 11:09 AM on January 21, 2005
posted by socratic at 11:09 AM on January 21, 2005
Ummm... the one I linked to under "here" looks like this.
I doubt it'll offend anyone.
posted by SAC at 11:11 AM on January 21, 2005
I doubt it'll offend anyone.
posted by SAC at 11:11 AM on January 21, 2005
I would stay away from gaming machines. NYC's B+H Photo are one source for turnkey editing workstations.
posted by AlexReynolds at 11:20 AM on January 21, 2005
posted by AlexReynolds at 11:20 AM on January 21, 2005
As far as a pro-grade video card recommendation goes, it would depend a lot of what kind of video product you're trying to make, and where your video feed source is coming from.
posted by AlexReynolds at 11:22 AM on January 21, 2005
posted by AlexReynolds at 11:22 AM on January 21, 2005
Response by poster: SAC - Yeah, it was the Eden F:2 that got him going. Hard to believe that's an Alienware box... It's almost... conservative... :)
posted by socratic at 12:01 PM on January 21, 2005
posted by socratic at 12:01 PM on January 21, 2005
Response by poster: AlexReynolds - mainly we're pulling video over firewire from a digital camcorder and some analog video from a capture card. We could, almost certainly, make do with a much less juicy machine (though maxing out RAM and HD), but, well, bureaucracy being what it is, the boss is going to spend every penny authorized.
posted by socratic at 12:10 PM on January 21, 2005
posted by socratic at 12:10 PM on January 21, 2005
Mainly wanted to find out about the analog capture. There are various digitizing boards out there, but it sounds like you have one already. I'm also assuming you're putting all of this on to a DVD for a final product.
posted by AlexReynolds at 12:21 PM on January 21, 2005
posted by AlexReynolds at 12:21 PM on January 21, 2005
Response by poster: If I told you what the final product was, you'd cry quietly in the corner. :) (hint, sounds like "moe says, creaming pity, oh") Anyway, the analog capture card is ... uh ... an Osprey 2000 DV Pro. Unfortunately, it's not certified to work with Premiere Pro, but I didn't make that purchasing decision.
posted by socratic at 12:34 PM on January 21, 2005
posted by socratic at 12:34 PM on January 21, 2005
This might be a better option, if you need a newer version of Premiere Pro.
posted by AlexReynolds at 12:40 PM on January 21, 2005
posted by AlexReynolds at 12:40 PM on January 21, 2005
Please tell him to not get a Vaio. They're a little more stylish than your typical PC, but the failure rate is above normal and the tech support is far below average.
posted by zsazsa at 3:09 PM on January 21, 2005
posted by zsazsa at 3:09 PM on January 21, 2005
Check out The Electronic Mailbox, they specialize in desktop video editing. They don't sell computers, but they have recommendations about what to buy for video editing and a lot of great information.
posted by 445supermag at 3:35 PM on January 21, 2005
posted by 445supermag at 3:35 PM on January 21, 2005
Look. Don't built it yourself. Don't piecemeal it together. It sounds like your boss has said: "I don't know much about that editing stuff. You research and tell me what we need. It has to...etc. etc. etc."
I'm fairly impressed with ProMax. They sell turnkey systems, develop hardware, have reasonable prices (look, you could always go to B&H Video)
I'm suggesting Promax as:
They have a name and a reputation - have been in the business for 10+ years...I knew the owner (he died this past year...)
What you need is a turnkey group that will say "this will work" and provide service/support.
Let me know if this isn't right for you. I have thoughts on a system...but promax pretty much rocks.
posted by filmgeek at 6:10 PM on January 21, 2005
I'm fairly impressed with ProMax. They sell turnkey systems, develop hardware, have reasonable prices (look, you could always go to B&H Video)
I'm suggesting Promax as:
They have a name and a reputation - have been in the business for 10+ years...I knew the owner (he died this past year...)
What you need is a turnkey group that will say "this will work" and provide service/support.
Let me know if this isn't right for you. I have thoughts on a system...but promax pretty much rocks.
posted by filmgeek at 6:10 PM on January 21, 2005
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posted by SAC at 10:27 AM on January 21, 2005