I currently use a Final Cut Pro system but I'm looking for a better solution to edit HDV.
Here's what I'm using with Final Cut:

17" macbook Pro Core dual Intel processors
(2) firewire 800 drives
(1) external 23" cinema display
(1) NTSC video monitor

REALISTICALLY, what does it take to work in windows?

Hey David,
When Im away on a job and I have to do quick edits, I use a macbook with bootcamp. Flip over to windows open Vegas, capture HDV footage and start editing HDV. One of the many beauties of vegas is that its editing power is based on processor power as opposed to to graphics card etc. I am a Mac user but I love Vegas. Heaps better in so many ways to FCP especially if you are a musician as well as an editor.

yeah that is a good idea. Unfortunately for me, my hard drive is only 90 gigs. I only have 15 left. Can't afford to partition it for windows.

David,
it takes SO LITTLE.
You want to stay on a Mac, then get an external and use bootcamp.
Or...go get an el cheapo laptop (any will do) and run Vegas on it.
Vegas is not hardware dependent. It'll run well on a semi-fast proc, and scream on a dual proc, and stun you on a quad core.
You already own the monitors, already own the NTSC monitor, and already have the drives.
Just get a box, and either use a KVM switch, or plan on disconnecting a lot.
FWIW, I have one system set up this way in my office, but I also run Vegas on BootCamp on my MBP.

OK, now I'm REALLY tempted. Only other concern is using my camera for a deck. I have a Sony DSR-25 deck for my DV work. No deck for HDV. I do a lot of local performance type shows for schools. I usually end up with 4 one hour tapes to cull through. Anyway, not the problem of Vegas.

thx to all for the replys

David,
I forgot to mention David that when I edit on the macbook using bootcamp, I use a 500gig external drive for holding all my Vegas projects as well as captured HDV footage. Edits beautifully. No Lag. Hard to believe I know but true.

got that.

thx again for the reply

i am also tempted to go mac. Is it faster than using windows (vegas). Also my fear is exposing the uglies of windows on a mac.
Also what about the supposely 64 bit version of vegas coming out soon. I am soooooo tempted to go mac but WON'T GIVE UP VEGAS. and macs are a lot more expensive.

Hi David,

Unless you really want to switch to Vegas (and I wouldn't blame you at all), you might want to look at this thread about capturing HDV in FCP.

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=118627

Hope this helps.

Doug, I'm aware of the pro-res codec too. However, I'm using FC ver 5. In addition, 50 megs / hr is a lot of HD space for what I'm doing. Since I generally used at least two cameras, and shoot nearly two hours per show, I'd be chewing up drives like there's no tomorrow.
In addition to my own, I will have access to another Intel Macbook Pro in about a month. I'm going to partition it for windows and buy a copy of Vegas 8. I'll invest that much to give this a go. It seems like a really good app.

dave

make that 50 gigs per hr. :-)