Help building an HD system at DVinfo.net

Chris Vaglio · August 27th, 2009, 10:33 AM

So I am at the stage now, where I am beginning to edit higher end HD stuff (live concerts and stuff of that nature) and I do like working Premiere - I have been doing so the last 8 years. I have been told many things by many people as to what kind of system I should get next, so I wanted to throw this out to there to the pros out there, what do you recommend as a system if I were to stay PC. Thank you in adavance for all of your help.

As a side note I see that B&H has a few PC turnkey systems, does anyone recommend any of these?

Harm Millaard · August 27th, 2009, 03:30 PM

Maybe this can help: Adobe Forums: How to get the best from a PC? Some...

Tripp Woelfel · August 29th, 2009, 06:19 AM

There are lots of options out there but one should keep the old racing adage in mind, "Speed costs money. How fast do you want to go?"

You haven't said what format your HD will be. HDV can live quite nicely with a Quad Core system. AVCHD needs the fastest processor you can find. There are lots of variable to consider and what works for you will depend upon the work you plan on doing. Are you going to do multi-camera editing, a lot of compositing or color correction? Keep that in mind when you check out the options. I don't believe that one brand is any better than another. If you favor one brand, you can stay with it. If you're technically minded, dig into the specs of potential systems because sometimes an obscure detail can make a significant difference.

I don't believe that there's just one, best system out there for everyone. It's important to understand what you want to do with your system before you plunk down your cash for one. Planning ahead will serve you well in your ultimate decision.

Ed Hecht · September 22nd, 2009, 12:36 PM

Hi All,
My brother-in-law is pulsing me on a laptop configuration for editing AVCHD files from his Sony Blu-ray camcorder. I know there are other things to consider (RAM, drive speed). But is this processor adequate?
Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Extreme Mobile Processor QX9300 (2.53Ghz, 12MB L2 Cache, 1066MHz FSB)
It's for editing home movies really. Any input is much appreciated. Thanks!
Ed

Harm Millaard · September 22nd, 2009, 02:59 PM

Ed,

For AVCHD a laptop is out of the question. Way too slow. You need at least an overclocked i7 for that and only if all the other components fit the bill as well.

My notebook had a more powerful CPU than the QX9300 and is way too slow in comparison to my desktop. My laptop scores 790 on the PassMark benchmark test, my desktop 6055, approximately 7 - 8 times faster and it still is not comfortable with editing AVCHD.

Pete Bauer · September 22nd, 2009, 03:45 PM

I hesitate to disagree with Harm because he knows his stuff. No doubt, the faster the computer, the better and at a given price point, laptops aren't as fast as desktops. But for CASUAL home editing, it CAN be done on a fast laptop -- not ideal and as soon as you do anything fancy, it'll slow down.

I really had no trouble doing basic edit and color correction on HF10 footage as described (with a couple hours worth of 1080 AVCHD clips in bins): http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/1265147-post20.html

Hardware choice also depends on which OS and which NLE you use as well, so if the budget is limited you need to look at the whole package before deciding. For example, if you have a 32-bit OS (don't do 32 bit, but if you do...) then anything above about 3.25GB of RAM just won't help you.

Dale Guthormsen · October 1st, 2009, 11:34 AM

Good afternoon,

I upgraded to an I7 processor in a Dell, once by a few problems it has run perfectly well for me and it did not break the bank!!!

In the vegas forum there is a lot of talk about the I7 and making your own.

http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/what-hap...users-yet.html

It is the only way I would go

Mark Williams · October 1st, 2009, 12:00 PM

Chris,

I recommend narrowing it down to the componets you need to be compatible with Premiere as Harm suggested, then go to avadirect.com and build a system online to see how it will price out. The advantage being you can choose top of the line performing parts as opposed to a Dell or other similar company. I made the switch to an HD system earlier this year and purchased a PC from them that met my needs. In my case I was on a low end buget ($2,700) and chose not to stay with Premiere (old longtime 6.5 user here). Instead I went with Edius 5 and the HDspark card for realtime preview on an hdtv which I installed myself without any problems. My final costs worked out like this..

- Computer $1600 from avadirect.com
- Edius5 with spark card $745 from videoguys.com
- 19" Samsung HDTV $280 from B&H (very accurate color via hdmi connection to HDpark card).
- Amtron P2 card reader $100

This system works really well with Panasonic P2 media from my HPX170.

Robert M Wright · October 1st, 2009, 07:49 PM

I think I will mention AMD here.

I don't think it generally makes much sense to edit AVCHD natively, with mainstream desktop PCs (even built around an i7). The number crunching power just isn't quite there yet (will be soon though - in a couple years or so). Using an intermediate codec, like Cineform or Canopus HQ, works great for many purposes, and doesn't require a particularly screaming powerful CPU (by today's standards).

When we are talking about the current crop of mainstream quad core CPUs, a lot of folks don't realize that AMD's offerings have become quite competitive. Phenom II quads are now arguably more cost effective (at today's prices), than the comparable Intel Core 2 quads.

Right now, Newegg is offering the Phenom II 965 (3.4GHz) for $215 (using a promo code this weekend). The Phenom II 965 will outperform an Intel Q9550, by almost any measure.

Motherboard options for Phenoms are also arguably more attractive than those for Core 2, especially for those with onboard graphics, which can often be quite adequate for editing purposes. For example, a motherboard built around a 780G chipset will work just as well, for editing with an NLE like Vegas (which doesn't really rely on the GPU at all), as a motherboard combined with a discrete graphics card, and costs a lot less.

Using DDR2 memory (rather than DDR3) can save a little chunk of cash as well (again, at today's prices). Realistically, much "faster" DDR3 memory won't offer any noticeable performance increase (if any at all*), compared to much lower cost DDR2 800 (still the best bang for the buck right now).

*I've tested encoding time on a couple of occasions now, and with a few different codecs, changing memory clock speed in setup, and there just isn't any difference to speak of.

Chris Vaglio · October 2nd, 2009, 07:04 AM

Thank you for your help and insight

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tripp Woelfel

There are lots of options out there but one should keep the old racing adage in mind, "Speed costs money. How fast do you want to go?"

You haven't said what format your HD will be. HDV can live quite nicely with a Quad Core system. AVCHD needs the fastest processor you can find. There are lots of variable to consider and what works for you will depend upon the work you plan on doing. Are you going to do multi-camera editing, a lot of compositing or color correction? Keep that in mind when you check out the options. I don't believe that one brand is any better than another. If you favor one brand, you can stay with it. If you're technically minded, dig into the specs of potential systems because sometimes an obscure detail can make a significant difference.

I don't believe that there's just one, best system out there for everyone. It's important to understand what you want to do with your system before you plunk down your cash for one. Planning ahead will serve you well in your ultimate decision.

August 27th, 2009, 10:33 AM	#1
Chris Vaglio Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Rockaway, NJ Posts: 29	Help building an HD system So I am at the stage now, where I am beginning to edit higher end HD stuff (live concerts and stuff of that nature) and I do like working Premiere - I have been doing so the last 8 years. I have been told many things by many people as to what kind of system I should get next, so I wanted to throw this out to there to the pros out there, what do you recommend as a system if I were to stay PC. Thank you in adavance for all of your help. As a side note I see that B&H has a few PC turnkey systems, does anyone recommend any of these? __________________ Sincerely, Chris Vaglio Director/Producer/Editor Grey Sky Films www.greyskyfilms.com Last edited by Chris Vaglio; August 27th, 2009 at 10:47 AM. Reason: adding on

September 22nd, 2009, 12:36 PM	#4
Ed Hecht Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Silicon Valley, CA Posts: 60	Laptop specs Hi All, My brother-in-law is pulsing me on a laptop configuration for editing AVCHD files from his Sony Blu-ray camcorder. I know there are other things to consider (RAM, drive speed). But is this processor adequate? Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Extreme Mobile Processor QX9300 (2.53Ghz, 12MB L2 Cache, 1066MHz FSB) It's for editing home movies really. Any input is much appreciated. Thanks! Ed

September 22nd, 2009, 03:45 PM	#6
Pete Bauer Wrangler Join Date: May 2003 Location: Eagle River, AK Posts: 4,100	I hesitate to disagree with Harm because he knows his stuff. No doubt, the faster the computer, the better and at a given price point, laptops aren't as fast as desktops. But for CASUAL home editing, it CAN be done on a fast laptop -- not ideal and as soon as you do anything fancy, it'll slow down. I really had no trouble doing basic edit and color correction on HF10 footage as described (with a couple hours worth of 1080 AVCHD clips in bins): http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/1265147-post20.html Hardware choice also depends on which OS and which NLE you use as well, so if the budget is limited you need to look at the whole package before deciding. For example, if you have a 32-bit OS (don't do 32 bit, but if you do...) then anything above about 3.25GB of RAM just won't help you. __________________ Pete Bauer The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science. Albert Einstein Trying to solve a DV mystery? You may find the answer behind the SEARCH function ... or be able to join a discussion already in progress!

October 1st, 2009, 11:34 AM	#7
Dale Guthormsen Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Saskatchewan Posts: 3,048	Good afternoon, I upgraded to an I7 processor in a Dell, once by a few problems it has run perfectly well for me and it did not break the bank!!! In the vegas forum there is a lot of talk about the I7 and making your own. http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/what-hap...users-yet.html It is the only way I would go __________________ DATS ALL FOLKS Dale W. Guthormsen

October 1st, 2009, 12:00 PM	#8
Mark Williams Trustee Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Deep South, U.S. Posts: 1,526	Chris, I recommend narrowing it down to the componets you need to be compatible with Premiere as Harm suggested, then go to avadirect.com and build a system online to see how it will price out. The advantage being you can choose top of the line performing parts as opposed to a Dell or other similar company. I made the switch to an HD system earlier this year and purchased a PC from them that met my needs. In my case I was on a low end buget ($2,700) and chose not to stay with Premiere (old longtime 6.5 user here). Instead I went with Edius 5 and the HDspark card for realtime preview on an hdtv which I installed myself without any problems. My final costs worked out like this.. - Computer $1600 from avadirect.com - Edius5 with spark card $745 from videoguys.com - 19" Samsung HDTV $280 from B&H (very accurate color via hdmi connection to HDpark card). - Amtron P2 card reader $100 This system works really well with Panasonic P2 media from my HPX170. __________________ Mark videos: http://vimeo.com/channels/3523 Stock: http://www.pond5.com/artist/mark29 Last edited by Mark Williams; October 1st, 2009 at 05:10 PM.

August 27th, 2009, 03:30 PM	#2
Harm Millaard Trustee Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Rotterdam, Netherlands Posts: 1,832	Maybe this can help: Adobe Forums: How to get the best from a PC? Some...

August 29th, 2009, 06:19 AM	#3
Tripp Woelfel Trustee Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: North Conway, NH Posts: 1,745	There are lots of options out there but one should keep the old racing adage in mind, "Speed costs money. How fast do you want to go?" You haven't said what format your HD will be. HDV can live quite nicely with a Quad Core system. AVCHD needs the fastest processor you can find. There are lots of variable to consider and what works for you will depend upon the work you plan on doing. Are you going to do multi-camera editing, a lot of compositing or color correction? Keep that in mind when you check out the options. I don't believe that one brand is any better than another. If you favor one brand, you can stay with it. If you're technically minded, dig into the specs of potential systems because sometimes an obscure detail can make a significant difference. I don't believe that there's just one, best system out there for everyone. It's important to understand what you want to do with your system before you plunk down your cash for one. Planning ahead will serve you well in your ultimate decision.

September 22nd, 2009, 02:59 PM	#5
Harm Millaard Trustee Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Rotterdam, Netherlands Posts: 1,832	Ed, For AVCHD a laptop is out of the question. Way too slow. You need at least an overclocked i7 for that and only if all the other components fit the bill as well. My notebook had a more powerful CPU than the QX9300 and is way too slow in comparison to my desktop. My laptop scores 790 on the PassMark benchmark test, my desktop 6055, approximately 7 - 8 times faster and it still is not comfortable with editing AVCHD.

October 1st, 2009, 07:49 PM	#9
Robert M Wright Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Minnesota (USA) Posts: 2,171	I think I will mention AMD here. I don't think it generally makes much sense to edit AVCHD natively, with mainstream desktop PCs (even built around an i7). The number crunching power just isn't quite there yet (will be soon though - in a couple years or so). Using an intermediate codec, like Cineform or Canopus HQ, works great for many purposes, and doesn't require a particularly screaming powerful CPU (by today's standards). When we are talking about the current crop of mainstream quad core CPUs, a lot of folks don't realize that AMD's offerings have become quite competitive. Phenom II quads are now arguably more cost effective (at today's prices), than the comparable Intel Core 2 quads. Right now, Newegg is offering the Phenom II 965 (3.4GHz) for $215 (using a promo code this weekend). The Phenom II 965 will outperform an Intel Q9550, by almost any measure. Motherboard options for Phenoms are also arguably more attractive than those for Core 2, especially for those with onboard graphics, which can often be quite adequate for editing purposes. For example, a motherboard built around a 780G chipset will work just as well, for editing with an NLE like Vegas (which doesn't really rely on the GPU at all), as a motherboard combined with a discrete graphics card, and costs a lot less. Using DDR2 memory (rather than DDR3) can save a little chunk of cash as well (again, at today's prices). Realistically, much "faster" DDR3 memory won't offer any noticeable performance increase (if any at all), compared to much lower cost DDR2 800 (still the best bang for the buck right now). I've tested encoding time on a couple of occasions now, and with a few different codecs, changing memory clock speed in setup, and there just isn't any difference to speak of.