What to use for editing?
 

Some advice for a newbie please. I'm only just starting the long journey and I want a system I can stick with that will do the job without crashing, hanging, etc.

What's the best for editing HD (hardware & software). Do I stick with Vista laptop and use Vegas Pro 9/Soundforge 9 or get a Macbook and Final Studio 2?

I already have a Quad Core PC( 8Gb Ram, Hot Swappable HDDs, good video card) that I built myself, but it has other stuff on it too...I can't use it exclusively for editing. Would this be adequate ?

That's a rather wide-open question.

I realise that Gene..I'm just looking for some guidance from more experienced folk. e.g. Pros and cons of both

Actually I've just been reading about Windows 7 which may change everything...so please ignore my post...I'll make my decisions later in the year.

Thanks

Macbook and Final Cut Studio 2 is an expensive solution, and my frustrations with the Mac platform lead me to switch from FCS to Sony Vegas; but your mileage may vary. Some people's frustrations with Sony Vegas cause them to switch to FCS!

Your quad-core PC is probably good for editing; I use mine for editing, rendering, and playing Team Fortress 2 - I just don't do all of them at the same time!

Here's what it came down to for me: I found the Sony Vegas, on the same hardware, was slightly faster to render, and slightly faster to produce a workable preview that allowed me to see what I was doing when I was editing. However, Final Cut Pro is simpler to learn, and to use; and I think I might have been overwhelmed with Sony Vegas had I not known Final Cut Pro first.

Sony Vegas also is easier to work with if your camera records digitally to H.264 formats such as AVCHD - Final Cut Pro requires you to log and transfer the footage so it can convert it to an intermediate format. That can result in similar importing times to tape.

Sorry for being terse, just one of those days. A lot of folks use the PC, and as Bryan indicates, a MAC just isn't as economical. There's nothing superior about MAC's, they're just different. They do have a large foothold in the Media application market, but that's just because of two reasons. A. Apple seeds the education market and has been doing so for decades. B. The greater expense of Mac's and theie proprietariness means that Media application vendors can charge more for their wares.

I too use Vegas - it's way an underrated application - but it's been picking up steam in recognition lately.

Hi Dave, I use a Core 2 Duo running XP and have heaps of other stuff on my computer, so can't see why you would have any problems with any windows editing program, after trying most of the free trails I went for Corel Video Studio ProX2, simple to use and will author AVCHD 1920x1080i to standard DVD 4.7GB or 8.5GB or Blue-ray 25GB or 50GB as well as most other formats, I would steer clear of Apple for AVCHD if my friends experiences are any thing to go by, his Mac works fine with his HD camera using fire wire to download from tape but wouldn't look at my Canon HF10 flash memory no matter how we tried in the end we decided there was now easy way to use both cameras for dual shoots on a Mac, but so easy on XP
Bryan

I finally decided on Vegas Pro 9, due to cost and the fact I already have a good spec PC. I did load the Windows 7 Beta onto it which has made a huge difference in terms of performance.

I'm now looking for some way to keep records of my clips e.g. databse for video. There is MeiaFiler from Vortex Media at $149 but I don't need anything as sophisticated. What are other people using? I could use spreasheet but it would be nice to have something with search functions in.

Thanks

Dave,

I think you'll be happy with your decision. I'm a PC guy, too. I use Pinnacle Studio, but I am also very familiar with the software and can do a lot more with it because of my familiarity.

I have Vegas 8 and am trying to learn it, though it's quite a bit different from Studio and it's taking me awhile to deal with teh learning curve. Many people love it and swear by its capabilities so I decided that's the more powerful program I am moving to in the future, but for now Studio works fine for me. (I also have Video Studio, Premiere Elements, and an older version of Premiere Pro, but none of these really worked well for me.)

Phil

Dave...

Final Cut Studio is now up to version 3.

According to Apple, there are about 1.4 million Final Cut Pro users, and the new version of Final Cut Pro Studio is now $1,000, about $300 less than it was.

So there is a large user base with many who can provide very good advice and assistance. Depending on where you are, there might be a lot of users around you who can provide help and possibly collaborate on projects.

If you have a problem with the Mac or need some basic training, you can go directly to an Apple Store near you. Many of the basic classes are free.

The FCS software package is very inclusive with Motion, Soundtrack Pro, Livetype and Color.

Color was an application that would have cost up to $25,000 by itself. It's now part of the package, with all the features the $25,000 version had. It's a very powerful color correction/grading application but you have to make sure the Mac you're using it on has enough horsepower to support it.

The Mac is certainly not the lowest priced system. However if you look at the features it's cost-effective, very stable, and highly capable as well.

If you're not in a huge rush, I'd recommend carefully shopping around. Compare systems. If you can get to an Apple store, take a good look at what's there. Be sure to explain carefully to the salesperson what it is that you want to do and if there's a video production specialist in the house who can show you around.

I've been doing production work with a Mac for 12 years. Perhaps I've been lucky, but I've never had a crippling crash, and my ability to hit deadlines has never been compromised.

Hope this helps.