Computer for Editing Video

[Mint]

Hey Guys,
I'm in the market for buying a new computer and editing some videos I shot with a canon gl2. I ultimately want to burn them onto DVDs. Can anyone suggest the minimum computer specs to get this done. And if I should upgrade from 4 gig ram to 6 gig of ram for an extra $250. If anyone can suggest a editing software they like let me know that too. Thanks Guys. and I need a pc not a mac

[Tom Mussatto]

4 gigs of memory is more than enough to work with SD video. Of more importance is your processor and amount of hard drive space. Dual core or quad core processor of at least 2.4 ghz with a good, fast graphics card. You will also need a firewire card if you do not already have one, preferably a 3 jack card. They are relatively cheap and plug and play installation.

Video files, even SD video, are extremely large. If you have a single internal hard drive only and it’s big enough, I would suggest you partition it off and keep your programs on one side and  your working files on the other. Better yet is to have two internal drives, or external drives for working with your video files. Your system will run much quicker and smoother if you keep your software programs (including your editing program) on separate drive than your working files.

I canned Avid and went to Vegas several years ago. Great program, less expensive than Avid and Adobe, and not power hungry on your system. There are several good programs and you can download most of them for a try before you buy for 30 days free. Pinnicle is the only one I'm personally familiar with that I would recommend avoiding.

[Mint]

Thanks Tom, I appreciate the info, that is exactly what I needed.

[Clay Hayes]

I'm in the market for a new puter as well.  

As far as external hard drives go, if I choose to get one and keep all my video files and Vegas on that, will it cause things to run slower than if everything was installed on an internal drive?

Mint, do yourself a favor and download a trial version of Sony Vegas.  If your only looking to make a home movie, the trial may be all you need.  I was able to learn enough to make some cool videos in the 30 day period.  

Sony gives a few basic tutorials on their website but if you do a search on youtube, you can find all sorts of tutorials for vegas pro.

ch

[Tom Mussatto]

Clay, your system will run smoother and faster if you keep your program software (in this case Vegas) on a separate drive from the drive you store your working files. Install Vegas on your main internal drive and your working video files on your external drive or secondary internal drive.

If you are using a firewire external drive you should experience no loss in speed over an internal drive. Especially if you use 800 firewire. USB drives will definately run slower and 2.0 USB drives do not handle large video files all that well.

BTW, my son recently informed me that WalMart is now selling Lacie external 500 meg and 1 gig external firewire drives at reasonable prices.