Don't put anything other than the OS and programs on the boot drive. Don't use it for any video or audio.

Yup. I had absorbed that, Ron...but good reminder.

I would save your money on the second Raptor and buy a few more hard drives that you could use for storage and editing. Any of the present 7200rpm drives will be 20 to 30 times faster than you need for HDV.

The 7200RPM drives are considerably less $$$/Gb, so I think I will exchange on Raptor for 2 WD Black Caviar, for a total of at least 3TB of workspace.

You can see my system earlier on in this thread ....

Yes, I had reviewed that post along with others enroute to my current situation.

THANKS, Ron.

Dave,

This is similar but with a few IMO better componets from avadirect.com. I think the raptor is overkill and the Antec case is a better value. Total is $1860.56

CUSTOM COMPUTER, Core™ i7 2-way CrossFire™ DDR3 24GB Performance Series System
ANTEC, Nine Hundred Two Black Mid-Tower Case w/ Window, ATX, No PSU
CORSAIR, CMPSU-750TX TX Series Power Supply, 750W, 80 PLUS®, 24-pin ATX12V EPS12V, Multi-GPU Ready
ASUS, P6T Deluxe V2, LGA1366, Intel® X58, 6400 MT/s QPI, DDR3-2000MHz (O.C.) 24GB /6, PCIe x16 SLI CF /3, SATA 3 Gb/s RAID 5 /6, HDA, GbLAN /2, FW /2, ATX, Retail
INTEL, Core™ i7-920 Quad-Core 2.66GHz, LGA1366, 6400 MT/s QPI, 8MB L3 Cache, 45nm, 130W, EM64T EIST VT XD, Retail
COOLER MASTER, Hyper N520 CPU Cooler, Socket 775/1366/754/939/940/AM2, Copper/Aluminum
CORSAIR, 6GB (3 x 2GB) Dominator XMP PC3-12800 DDR3 1600MHz CL9 (8-8-8-24) 1.65V SDRAM DIMM, Non-ECC
ASUS, EAH4870 DK/HTDI/512MD5, Radeon™ HD 4870 750MHz, 512MB GDDR5 3600MHz, PCIe x16 CrossFire, DVI /2, HDTV-Out, Retail
WESTERN DIGITAL, 160GB WD RE Boot Drive, SATA 3 Gb/s, 7200 RPM, 16MB cache
WESTERN DIGITAL, 1TB WD Caviar® Black™ (WD1001FALS), SATA 3 Gb/s, 7200 RPM, 32MB Cache
RAID, No RAID, Independent HDD Drives
SAMSUNG, Super-WriteMaster™ SH-S223 Black 22x DVD±R/RW Dual-Layer Burner w/ LightScribe, SATA, w/ Software, OEM
MICROSOFT, Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit Edition w/ SP1, OEM
WARRANTY, Silver Warranty Package (3 Year Limited Parts, 3 Year Labor Warranty)

I think the raptor is overkill and the Antec case is a better value.
I'm sure you're probably correct about the raptor-overkill, but it's a small way I can do my part for the economic stimulus!

I did change my parts list to sub the Antec case!

Thanks for sharing.

Hi Alex,

This is my experience. Are you going to use Adobe software? Since I am using Premiere Pro CS3 and Encore CS3, etc. I will assume you are for the purpose of my comments. But you can still use this information if you use another product. This is what I would build at least on the PC/Windows side I do not have experience or very little experience with macs. And anyone can add to this list. I currently have a DEll Model 490 computer it is about 3 years old, how time flies by. This computer had a Dual Zeon 3GHz processor, 4GB RAM, NVidia Quadro FX 3500 graphics card, Blackmagic Intensity Pro card, and sound Blaster Extreme Music sound card. I have an Adaptec ESATA controller card. I installed the ESATA card and the Blackmagic card my self. Every is working OK but Tech support for the different companies did not certify that the card from Blackmagic and Adaptec would work with a dell. All this you should check into first before buying. If the Drivers and the Hardware is certified to work with the computer that is the best. Thinking about it, better yet, my bottom line is to look into a Turnkey system if you can afford it you may not get absolutly everthing you want but you will know that everything will work. And let me say when every thing works and you can concentrate on your editing at hand it is wonderful. It took me about 3 month traching down all the bug in my computer when I tried to upgrade it. I probably would have gone the Turnkey rout if I had to do it all over again.
This computer seems really fast but it is just fast enough for doing HDV video processing. I am doing it right now with no problems. I have ask a lot of people and they say this is border line at best to try to do Uncompressed HD.

First, If you are using Prmiere Pro software Adobe does not recomend going with a 64bit motherboard and OS. So this means that 4GB RAM is all you can use at the moment. I hate this because Premiere is always saying I am low on Memory. I don't know if this is a bug or really true because it happens only when I try to use the titler(spelling).

Next, If you build a PC yourself, make sure that all Drivers for you graphics card, sound card,etc. Are Adobe certified.
This was a big issue for me trying to figure out probems when I tried to upgrade my dell. You need 6-10 7200RPM HDs in a RAID 0 configuration to run Uncompressed HD. It is in the capturing process that take all the resources. If it was not for that you could get away with a slower PC. This is for the speed not so much for storage space even though HD does take up a lot of room. I think you will need 2 quad code Processors 3ghz or more for Uncompressed HD, give or take. I don't know which cpu type is the best. If you go with 10,000 RPM or 15,000RPM drives then you might only need 4-6 drives. I use one separate drive for my programs and OS. One drive for my scratch disk, and 2 7200RPM drives in RAID 0 for my projects. and then External drives for my backup project files. The backup drives don't have to be very fast even USB drive are OK because you are just coping files. Also some of the on board Sound is not that great from what I have heard.

One other think, I have 2 24" dell monitors the 2407 and the 2408 Ultrasharp and I would recomend these highly. Not only do they look great but you can use them as a regular HDTV with all the input you will ever need. These even have Memory card and USB slots in them.

John Gerard

If you are using Prmiere Pro software Adobe does not recomend going with a 64bit motherboard and OS. So this means that 4GB RAM is all you can use at the moment. I hate this because Premiere is always saying I am low on Memory.
That's absolutely true for CS3, but not for CS4. ;)

Hi,

Adobe finally went the way of 64bit. I read not to long ago that Adobe had no plans to create a 64bit version of Premiere Pro and I thought that stinks with all the low memory errors I get. That might be a good reason to upgrade to CS4 except that my computer is working so good at the monent maybe I should not mess with it. I get a low memory or crash once in a while but that is it. As I said I think the key was making sure all drivers are Adobe certified.

Also, I turned off even more services than Adobe recomends and everything seem stable. I am also resisting the urge to go on the internet with this computer. In part this is so I don't have to install any AV software and no internet temp files to slow down my computer. Since I don't need any networking options at all I turn off all of those services. Including remote desktop, remote registry, telephony services, etc. amoung many others.

John Gerard

One other small issue to remember is that you want to keep your HDs at half full or less. So, concider that on the amount of hard drive space you will need. The more data on the Hard drive the slower it is. So I run one project at a time on my RAID 0 drives (2 500GB)and then copy it over to backup before starting another project. And/or I put other projects that are waiting to be finished on other drives and copy them to the RAID when needed. I have found the cleaner you can keep thing the better your computer will run so don't install a lot of crap you will never use and have a second cheep computer that you can hook to the internet and install other sotware not directly related to creating your projects.

John Gerard

Adobe finally went the way of 64bit.
Note that Premiere is not a 64-bit app, although it does manage memory better than in CS3 and can use more RAM under a 64-bit OS. In CS4, only Photoshop is 64-bit.

Adobe, in their white paper on the subject, recommends Vista 64 with 16GB of RAM for CS4.

One other small issue to remember is that you want to keep your HDs at half full or less. So, concider that on the amount of hard drive space you will need. The more data on the Hard drive the slower it is. So I run one project at a time on my RAID 0 drives (2 500GB)and then copy it over to backup before starting another project. And/or I put other projects that are waiting to be finished on other drives and copy them to the RAID when needed. I have found the cleaner you can keep thing the better your computer will run so don't install a lot of crap you will never use and have a second cheep computer that you can hook to the internet and install other sotware not directly related to creating your projects.

John Gerard

I have posted on another forum some guides with considerations about storage, new PC's and optimizing Vista. Maybe you can benefit from reading all articles. Please keep in mind that first of all I'm an autodidact, so I had an idiot as a teacher, and second video editing is just a hobby.

Adobe Forums: How to get the best from a PC? Some... (http://forums.adobe.com/thread/436215)

Hi all,

If you wouldn't mind check B&H Photo & Video for their Turnkey editing system for Premiere Pro CS4. After reading the specs. I am interested on what others think of the specs on this computer. In some ways I think it is a good system but not in other ways. Meaning I would probably add more RAM, this one comes with 3GB upgradable to 24GB. And it has (1) 1 TB hard drive. I heard that you need a lot of hard drives to work with Capturing HD video. It does not say if it includes RAID configuration. So, one question I have is does CS4 not require as much Hardware specs as CS3? In which case I might just upgrade to PP CS4 if CS4 is all around better than CS3.

Thanks,

John Gerard

I'm looking to build a computer that I can use to edit HD footage in. I'm used to a basic Mac for all of my SD stuff, but this is a big step. What would you suggest that I look into?

Also, I'm used to editing on a mac, but I've been reading that Macs can't burn blu-rays due to DVDSP dropping the ball on that. Will I need to pick up a PC as well just for burning those DVD's? Should I make a complete platform switch? Is that worth it? I've been using FCP since 4.0 was new, and I'm very adjusted to that, but I also know that NLE's are basically the same with different cookies here and there.

I guess one of the things that I really question is what processor speed, how much RAM, and what kind of video card? I don't need a Bugatti, but I know that if I buy a used sub compact, I'll be repairing/replacing it in a year.

**EDIT** This is, of course, mainly to be used for weddings. I won't be making a Star Wars film on this, so I don't need to go that over the top.

Reread # 60. It may help you.

I see that B&H has several different systems. I was originally looking at the one prices at $2899.95US.

John Gerard

Hi all,

If you wouldn't mind check B&H Photo & Video for their Turnkey editing system for Premiere Pro CS4. After reading the specs. I am interested on what others think of the specs on this computer. In some ways I think it is a good system but not in other ways. Meaning I would probably add more RAM, this one comes with 3GB upgradable to 24GB. And it has (1) 1 TB hard drive. I heard that you need a lot of hard drives to work with Capturing HD video. It does not say if it includes RAID configuration. So, one question I have is does CS4 not require as much Hardware specs as CS3? In which case I might just upgrade to PP CS4 if CS4 is all around better than CS3.

Thanks,

John Gerard

Hi,

I just wondered with 17 drive what external RAID cabnet you are using? I was curious why they would have only 1 1TB hard drive in the system instead of 2 500GB drives. The only thing I can think of is if this particular system was for doing SD only work. I have gotten by in the past with a Notebook, which included one 5400 RPM drive and a external USB drive as an upgrade when I first started. I am told that one need at least 2 7200RPM drives in RAID 0 to do HDv. This among other drives is my config. and it works well. I have yet to get it to work when I try to capture HD with the Blackmagic Intensity Pro card.

John Gerard

John,

I'm not clear if the question was directed at me, but the mention of 17 drives made me think so.

17 drives are all internal, 1 Velociraptor and 16 1 TB Samsung drives, plus 2 BR burners. No external drive cages, apart from a single firewire drive. I do have room for 1 extra internal disk and 4 external ones on the raid controller though. Plenty of room to grow...

As to the B&H turnkey system you are talking about, maybe you can give a link, as I have not been able to find it.

Common wisdom is to use 1 disk for OS & programs, 1 disk for pagefile, scratch & renders, 1 disk for media and 1 disk for exports, making it 4 at least. For HDV work a normal 7200 disk is fast enough, but....

the bottleneck comes when you use multiple tracks with clips from the same disk. That is when congestion may rear it's ugly head. Some people choose to distribute their source files over different disks, others choose for raid configurations, like I did.

I suggest you look carefully at your normal workflow, consider what type of source material you usually edit, what number of tracks you normally use, etc. and then calculate what bandwidth you need or like within which budget limits.

If this appears daunting, don't hesitate to ask.