ok. i've made my mind up about software and will get the AVID XPRESS DV 3.5. so now all i have to do is build my pc around this and make sure all components agree with eachother.

videoguys.com reccomended i go with the DELL PRECISION 340 WORKSTATION.

avid.com/products/xpressv/specs/pc.shtml state a number of work stations:
HP workstation x1100
IBM intellistation M pro model 6229
Compaq Evo W4000 and Compaq Evo W8000 workstations

on the dell precision 340 they say the following:

DELL PRECISION 340 WORKSTATION: use ATI Radeon VE graphics card. NVIDIA Quadro2 1 also supported for v3.5 only.

they also say that i'll require the following minimum specs:
- windows xp
- pentium III or penium 4 processor, 750 Mhz or higher
- 384 MB system memory
- 20 GB internal IDE drive. (additional media storage is recommended, such as an opt Ultra2/Ultra3 SCSI drive or firewire drive. if SCSI drives are selected, use an Adaptec controller)

then they go on to reccommend DV in/out cards and graphics cards.

has anyone had experience with xpress dv and a dell precision 340 workstation?

has anyone any comments?
suggestions?
reccommendations?

i'm gonna need lots of storage, making long documentaries. no big effect extravaganzas. mainly straight forward cutting.

what good sound software works well with avid. protools?

i know i've been asking similar questions in this forum before, sorry. i hope that i'm becoming more and more specific as i narrow it down to what i will finally purchase. please be patient. thanks.

You won't need SCSI disks unless you plan on doing D1/Uncompressed work. For DV25 (XL, VX200, PD150 etc) ATA100 IDE disks are fine. To be one the safe side, make sure they are 7200rpm; an 8MB disk buffer is a big help to.

There are a number of folks at Avid's Xpress DV forum running XDV3.5 with the 340. With the latest upgrade, 3.53...everyone I've talked with is having success with the Dell 340.

Yeah, get plenty of hard drive storage. XDV does not have an offline resolution so you're going to need it. I have around 14 hours of video space with two 100 gig WD 7200 RPM drives.
I could use always another 100 gigs.

thanks. would like to hear more about successful setups for xpress dv 3.5...

Could also start by looking at turn-key Avid Xpress DV 3.5 machines and build from there. For example, www.dvline.com has a few Avid machines and I like how they list every component they use. You can then tailor your machine accordingly as well. Visit a few and you'll probably get a good idea of what to build for.

Be sure to check out the Avid compatibity list as well. The ADS Pyro is one of the firewire cards Avid certifies. Its very cheap. You'll find the 8MB cache IDE drives primarily from Western Digital, termed SE for Special Edition. The 120GB drives have really come down in price.

thanks. yeah, that's what i was hoping to do. get the specs on a workstation, then order the parts and put it together (with the help of a friend).

by the way, does xpress dv have any problems running on the same system with VV3? i know that premiere and xpress dv don't agree and was wondering if there is a similar problem with VV3.

Another option

Visit http://www.lairdtelemedia.com

Take a look at their P4 products. You get the same warranty and good service just like Dell. Then contact Empire Valley Consultants at evc@starband.net are great for prices.

I have a rackmount from Laird. It is cool. plus they burn these things in for ya. Dell won't and if you want to go pro you can't beat Laird.

Bob

I am not sure how computer savvy you are, how comfortable you are with going in and "tweaking" an os for maximum efficiency.

I'm not comfortable at all, that's why I went with a turnkey from DVLINE

Dual athlons, a gig of DDR Ram, Pyro card ,40 gig system drive, dual 120 gig media drives, Matrox G550. Connected with a Canopus advc100 for transcoding.

Combine all that with the Avid XpressDV powerpack and bonus software, and I couldn't build it for the same ammount by purchasing components from Fry's. (WHich sells components CHEAP)

And I sure as heck couldn't have "tuned" it up properly.

But that's just me.

Definatley check into a turnkey system. Promax, Laird, there are some real deals out there. I went with DVLINE because of price, and service. (Lifetime free tech. And yeah, they answer the phone)

Sorry, one more thing regarding loading VV and Premiere with Avid. Avid does not play well with others. (Or rather, others don't play well with avid if you like) They utilize system resources and different drivers, so they tend to struggle with each other. Those people who run both on the same machine, usually choose to do a "dual boot" . That is, partician the hard drive with different systems, so you essentially shut down, and switch configurations for the reboot between apps.

You should be able to get these prices (or better) on equipment.

Laird LTM-DVC1-YUV Workstation
$4,439.00

Laird OPT11, 512K Ram upgrade (1gb total)
$279.00

Laird LTM-ER4DX IEEE 1394 Expander Module
$829.00

Laird DVC-OPT1: 120 Gig drive replaces 60Gig HD
$165.00

Laird DVC-OPT10: Silver DVora 7 bay rackmount
$437.00


You don't have to buy the software from a Laird dealer. You can send Laird the software and they will install it for you as long as it is new and you discuss it with them first.

You can call Laird direct and buy direct from them but they will only discount 10% on the equipment. Their dealers can do better. The other turnkey guys will do the same.

If you are in a situation where you have visitors to your studio as I do, then you will want to look professional. It is like going into a shoot with a little hi8 camera vs a XL-1 or JVC 550. People want to see hugh cameras. When the visist your studio they want to see "cool and complex" looking stuff. Many people are just weird.

It doesn't matter who you buy the Laird from because they install the software. Their dealers just take orders over the phone.

I believe that Ocean Systems is the same. They too have a good reputation.

Also, these mfgs also will help with your software problems if they installed it. They won't go over-board for you, but they will assist if it is in the set up that they made when the system was sold to you.

I'm new at editing (but not computers) so I wanted the system set up for me. I didn't want to play games with sound and codec stuff.

I have heard and read some of the problems with Avid but many times the problems end up with the installation of the software.

Shop around before you do anything. It sounds like you investigated the software. Avid is great.

So like a chicken I had someone install everything for me and make sure it works. Plus I like the colour of Laird equipment.

i don't know anymore. i'm know computer genius. farm from it. but i have some buddies that know their way around a pc more or less who say that putting together a machine isn't difficult at all and that all you really need is a screwdriver.

(from previous replies:)
-----------------------------------
"I have a rackmount from Laird. It is cool. plus they burn these things in for ya. Dell won't and if you want to go pro you can't beat Laird."


"Combine all that with the Avid XpressDV powerpack and bonus software, and I couldn't build it for the same ammount by purchasing components from Fry's. (WHich sells components CHEAP) And I sure as heck couldn't have "tuned" it up properly. "
-----------------------------------

what does "... they burn these things in for ya" mean?
and what is "'tuned' it up properly" mean?

is there anything more i have to know about than just putting the the parts in their correct places, hooking them together and installing software?




what does configuring hardwar

To "burn in a system" means to test it out and make sure all its functionality is available to an end user, that way when the end user receives the system he or she won't have to spend time troubleshooting problems in a brand new computer. For a video editing workstation, this usually consists of leaving the operating system running for a day or two just to make sure the computer is stable, and then performing a few simple tasks like inputting video, cutting it together with some transitions, and then printing it back out to tape. (I'm a bit skeptical that those who claim they burn in a system really do as thorough a job as they say. Of the three computers I've bought in the last five years, only my Dell worked without fail out of the box, and my two custom jobs--a video editing workstation and in internet server--both had problems that I spent MONTHS sorting through. So it's up to you whether you think the extra money charged by "system configurators" for is really worth it to you. All I can say is make sure their tech support is free for a least a year.)

Besides plugging everything in in the right place in the system, there may be a few tricks, such as assigning IRQs and configuring the BIOS, and the occasional dip switch setting on the motherboard and/or hard drives. And indeed, you're going to need to take some simple precautions like grounding yourself while you work. There's nothing more embarassing than buying a new motherboard only to damage it with static charge while you're installing it.

After my experiences with custom-built computers, I'd rather build everything myself and then ask for help here or on Usenet when something goes wrong. At least I'll have learned something in the end and I won't feel distressed about having thrown away money for configuration services that may or may not have solved all the problems in a machine. (I'll save the particulars of my horror stories for when somebody's really interested.)

Robert

I can agree with everything you said.

I don't know about all of the turnkey guys. Right now I am upset with Lairdtelemedia.com.

Notes for systems. I too think that I would rather build a system for basic editing. I chose Laird because of the audio and video outputs and their tech support.

But like I say I am very upset with the company to the point of accusing them of "fraud".

This matter is being resolved but not right away. I'm going to let the stew for awhile. Then I will decide to call their CEO.

Anyway back to putting systems together. Hard drives baby. Ya need some good ones. WD1200JB are nice and have good ratings. The board could be a Abit At7 max2. That is what Laird uses. You can buy it for 159.00.
Drives are 179.00.

After looking at my Laird again I am just going to copy what they have in their box. The most expensive thing about Laird is their A/V inputs. And it is nice. But not necessary for most people.

BTW don't buy a WE1200BB. The BB means it only has 2meg of chache.

Enough...let someone else talk about their preferences. Ask questions!

Tech support is really important from the turnkey guys, if you are not getting it... let people know.

I've been real happy with DVLine. Had some trouble with my DSL modem (Supplied by my ISP) conflicting with the system, and DVLINE helped me work it out. Of course, they also send a rebuild disk which was a godsend a week after I got the system. Picked up a nasty virus from the net, and just did a complete rebuild with the disk, no problems. (Remember, your media is stored on seperate drives.)

Addressing the other thread concerning DUAL athlons, yeah, I am running them. And no I don't think avid supports them. But then again, you are trying to save money right? So calling avid at - like $50 an hour - to work out a problem you might have is not going to happen even when you use an approved system right? SO take your questions to the avid forum, and people will happily make suggestions and offer help.

I really did look into seriously building myself, and it just wasn't worth it for me. But if you have lots of computer buddies willing to build your system, and are keen on making the system tweaks and changes to avoid conflicts, and maybe you have access to some "inexpensive' version of XP Pro, then you might could save some money.

ok. thanks for all the help.

i have a question regarding a dual boot set up.

since avid and adobe software tend to come into conflict when run on the same system, i have been told that the best way around this is to build a computer with dual boot.

what exactly do i need two of for fixing a dual boot in my pc?
two motherboards? two hard discs? two processors?

what are the down sides to dual boot systems?

To dual boot, you need to partician your hard drive. One side has the operating system for your avid setup, the other has the operating system for your premiere setup. When you boot up the computer, you choose which drive, (which partician) to boot from.

Never done it myself, but there are plenty people who do.

One more thing. You are going to need AT LEAST two hard drives on your system. One for the OS (this is the one you partician for dual boot) and the other for your media files. I actually reccomend two for media files. In avid you have the option to split your audio and video between drives when you capture. This makes it much smoother, and avoids the dreaded underun issues.

I use two 120 gig for media storage. I would like more. Can you ever have too much storage space?

(ask my wife)

Hi,

Here is a review of a pretty good motherboard. This is the same unit that Laird sells.

http://www.motherboards.org/articlesd/motherboard-reviews/1206_2.html

Start to making a list of parts that you will need and get their costs together. Then decide about DVline, Ocean Systems, Larid or one of the other systems guys recommend.

A good system should consist of a system drive, a large (120gig) hard drive (or two).

About the dual boot thing....you don't need anything special or extra in the hardward area. You just need to "partition" your system drive and have your two operating systems. Or I believe that you can install XP two times on your "0" drive. Someone else here will have to support you with that question. You might have to use Windows 2000 Pro (SP-3) as your second operating system.

Now, there is a specific way to partition. Windows XP tells you how, but not really the best way. When you get to that point then ask us how and it will be explained.

Just keep in mind that if you set this computer up yourself, be very careful with the parts and always (as mentioned) use a ground strap on your wrist. And.....this isn't as easy as some guys say. For a new guy putting togethe a system it is frustrating. There could be a lot of tweeking to do.

Let us know how it is going.

Adi,

Here is a link to the tech specs for the WD1200JB

www.westerndigital.com/products/products.asp?DriveID=27


If you want to talk to someone that knows the Laird System call Carl at Laird and tell him my name. Tell him what you want and see if he will give you some good prices. I bet he will if you mention me to him. I told him your name.

Carl will talk to you and give you some good advice and good prices. He won't try and sell you a Larid System, he is a good guy. I don't think that you can put together a system for the cost of a turnkey system. Plus you have tech support and service. Avid doesn't like to support anything that is not on their list.

Also, Vin Bruno is the Vice President and he is a good guy.

If you decide on a Laird System I don't make any money on it. I just like their service and support. I'm not pushing Laird.

The reason I like Laird is because they fixed my problem I had with them and they went beyond the call of duty to do it. That is service!

And in respect to burn it. Laird will burn in. They will import and export video. The computer will work right out of the box. No problems. Or if there is something you don't understand you can call Carl and he will fix it.

Enough about Laird. The other turnkeys are about the same.

I'm new to this game like you are. I was going to build by own. But Laird explained their policy to me and I couldn't resist.

Good luck

Bob

What you want to do is partition your application drive--have Avid sit on one partition and Premiere, Vegas etc on the other----I used Partition Magic to do mine and it really works well. Now Dr. Dropout (one of the chief developers) believes that with 3.5 you shouldn't have these issues---but since you are a newbie I would generally follow this tried an tested technique---Beyond that, I can recommend a fantastic builder---PCNirvana--contact Earle Foote the guy is just a remarkable NLE builder and the support the company gives you is just fantastic.