I am about to shoot a project on a Sony EX3 (at 35Mbps if the system will handle it) and need to know if my system can handle the images when editing. Total hours of images will be approx 3 hrs edited to about 40 mins.
Config is -

Vegas 9d
Processor : Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU T7300 @ 2.00GHz
Memory : 1024MB(Speed 667) - strange...I know i have 2 gigs installed. Betta look under the bonnet.
Mother Board : Tahoe
Windows Version : Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate Service Pack 1
Installation Date : 2011-02-04
Monitor : Generic PnP Monitor
Video Adapter : ATI Mobility Radeon HD 2400 XT
Disk Drive : WDC WD2500BEVS-22UST0 ATA Device(232GB, IDE)
Drive 2: WD 1 Gb SATA
DVD/CD-ROM Drive : MATSHITA DVD-RAM UJ-850S ATA Device

Is this going to cut the mustard or do I need a heftier system.
Thx in advance.

short answer no.

you'd probably edit hdv ok, avchd might prove painful, 35mbps mxf is pushing it over the edge. imho.

I can't see it happening, sorry. You need a new system.

Ok, thanks for the advice guys.

Just remember don't go over the edge.
Choose wisely your components. ANY pc built will be old in 1 year and a half or two.

There are a lot of topics in here about pc components, have a look and go from there.

Hope it turns out ok for you.

Ok so I got the message I cant import @35mbps cos my system is not powerful enough...so...can you recommend the best bit rate and format.

I can record (in PAL land) at HQ and SP1080/50i / and HQ 1080/25p then other record option are HQ720/50p / 25p.

Which one to go for?

If I record in the highest setting then when exporting to Vegas 9e downconvert to a workable setting that my system can hanle then that would be fine. The program needs to be screened on a HD TV.

I see there are heaps of options in Vegas as well.

As usual, I have lots to learn. Thx

It will edit. I used a core2duo 2.4 with 2gb ram for EX1 footage for over a year, got a bit sticky at times, ie, multicam etc, but got the job done. I now use an Acer laptop, (i5 with 8gb ram) handles anything I throw at it, and only cost £400. At that sort of price it makes upgrading a no brainer

Geoff, if you're using Pro 9, try using the free Proxy Stream (http://sony.vegas.1.free.fr/) script to downconvert your files to a format that's easier to edit.
Gilles has a lot of other excellent scripts on there (I use Open In Graphic Editor all the time) so definitely check them out too.

Here's the readme file from the script.

THE CONVERSION TAB.
The “directory” area is to select the source files (input) and the proxy files (output) directory.
The “Files to convert” area is to list the media located in the source files directory with one of the selected extension of the “Media Type” area.
The name of the Proxy file is based on the name of the source file + the new extension (for example, “Movie.mpg” become “Movie.mpg.AVI”)

THE SWITCH TAB.
This tab is to switch between the Proxy and Source files in a project.
Proxy and Source files must be stored in the same directory.


What's new in 1.5b:
-Proxy Stream 1.5b works with VP9 only.
-Added ability to anable/disable Switches (Resample, Maintain Aspect Ratio and Reduce Interlace Flicker).
-Proxy files have same creation time and last write time attributs as source file. So you can use SVDTS script from Paavo Jurvelin with proxy files ( see at svdts.com (http://www.svdts.com) )

Wow! thats pretty amazing...and encouraging Colin.

So what settings to use if I start out at 1080/50i...or do you recommend starting at another setting.

Also what setting to use for render. There are heaps of render to possibilities in Render As. Cheers

Brilliant Mike! Thx
I'll definitely have a go at this.
How to install the script pls.

So does that mean I can record at the highest setting in the Sony EX3, edit in a proxy, then the original images are rendered, without those large originals being imported to the timeline?

Geoff, drop the dll and png (the script icon) files into your Pro 9 Script Menu folder.
Start up Vegas and the script should be there. Add it to your toolbar if you want to.
Once that's done, run the script. It's very user-friendly and I don't see you having any problems with it.

"you'd probably edit hdv ok, avchd might prove painful, 35mbps mxf is pushing it over the edge. imho."

...I have to disagree... I've been with Vegas since Sonic Foundry ... drag and drop 35mbps mxf files and edit them is as easier as AVI-DV in those good old days.... better than HDV & AVCHD ....

...just ADD memory (RAM) to your system.......

good luck

Just remember don't go over the edge.
Choose wisely your components. ANY pc built will be old in 1 year and a half or two.

There are a lot of topics in here about pc components, have a look and go from there.

Hope it turns out ok for you.

I've never built my own computer but I hear folks speak highly of PC Perspective (PC Perspective | Your #1 Source for PC Hardware Reviews, News and Information! (http://www.pcper.com)) for info on hardware for DIYers. Specifically, go to the "HW LEADERBOARD" tab at the top and you'll see 4 pre-configured systems depending on your budget and needs.

FYI, I have no financial or any other relationship with pcper.

D

I've read all your advice over the past 24 hrs and am impressed with the response.

Off to the shoot soon and can now go in there confidently that I will come out of there with pics that will edit well on my system. It's a load off my mind I can tell you.

I will come back to this thread in a couple of weeks and let you know how the edit went.

Thanks to you all Geoff

One more thing....when exporting the scenes from XDCAM Browser 1.0.0.1 I have exported to MFX for NLE. Is that the right one.

The output will be DVD.

There are a bunch of other export options and I dont really know which to use. Thx

The shoot exporting to went off ok.
I still need confirmation exporting to MFX for NLE from XDCAM Browser 1.0.0.1 is the best solution for VP9e.

Output will be DVD's
Thx

Geoff, that's what I do to re-wrap the MP4 files that my cameras (JVC HM-750U) generate and it works like a charm as Vegas loves MXF files.
BTW, I use XDCAM EX ClipBrowser 2.6 for this.
Sony | Micro Site XDCAM EX (http://pro.sony.com/bbsc/ssr/micro-xdcamexsite/resource.downloads.bbsccms-assets-micro-xdcamex-downloads-XDCAMEXClipBrowserWindowsMac.shtml)

Thx Mike again

Im still unsure...are you saying export all the origianl files to "MFX for NLE" for Vegas editing?

As I was saying, the production will end up on DVD to be screened on HDTV PAL units here in Oz.

And XDCAM EX ClipBrowser 2.6... where can I DL that from. I hired the camera so dont have passwords n stuff if that is needed.
Thx

Thx Mike again

Im still unsure...are you saying export all the origianl files to "MFX for NLE" for Vegas editing?

Yes, that's exactly the method I use all the time.

As I was saying, the production will end up on DVD to be screened on HDTV PAL units here in Oz.

I make DVDs all the time but, so far, only SD, not HD (yet!!).

And XDCAM EX ClipBrowser 2.6... where can I DL that from. I hired the camera so dont have passwords n stuff if that is needed.
Thx

Follow the link (the last line) in my previous post. You have to agree to the Software License but I don't recall a password being necessary to download it.

Great Mike

I have installed the script and checked it out - it is working on my system thank you.

To date I have exported the pics onto two external HD's....and played the original shots on the Vegas timeline (without proxy) to check the integrity of the video and audio scenes and all is well, although I will be using the proxy for editing.

SP v HP DVD burning - Glad you pointed that out Mike....- I too like you havent done HD on DVD...so....?...I wonder - a DVD is 4.7 Gigs on SD ( or the double layers which arent used much here).... so how many minutes obsorbed on DVD HD. And can DVD Architect 4.5 deal with that.

And this could bring up another thread ( or look for previous answers in the forum). Thx

Geoff, I'm glad that the script worked for you.
As far as SD vs. HD, I've never done any Blu-ray (what you need for HD DVD) so a search/a new thread is probably in order.
I have read here and elsewhere that some folks are simply encoding (rendering) the files to a compatible HD format (whatever that may be), copying them to a media player drive (or even a USB stick or SD card) and plugging that into an HDTV set.
It all depends on your specific needs.

OK, well you have helped me understand a little more....I wont need Blue Ray, so the DVD's will be burned as nornal then. Thx Geoff

FWIW, Sony AVCHD at 1080i works fine on PS3's and XBox units when burnt to standard DVD.
Cheap HD disc for short projects.

Well done Gerald. Valuable info. I'll keep that in mind. Cheers