Digital editing p.c for £2000

[digital_biscuits]

I've got myself about ?2000 (U.K pounds) to get myself a top notch computer to use primarily for digital editing. I have a nice 21" monitor, so i dont need one of those. I went on www.meshcomputers.com and got a nice deal, the specs as follows:

Processor: Upgrade to Intel ? Pentium ? 4 - 3.0GHz
Mainboard: ASUS Technology Motherboard
Memory: Upgrade to 1024Mb (2x512) PC2700 DDR (333MHz)
Hard Disk Drive: Upgrade to 120Gb Ultra Fast with 2Mb Buffer (7200rpm)
Graphics: Upgrade to 128Mb ATI Radeon 9700 (8xAGP) TV Out + DVI
DVD-ROM Drive: Upgrade to Panasonic DVD RAM/R Burner Drive
CD Rewriter: CD Re-writable (48x16x48) + Buffer Under Run Technology
Sound: Upgrade to the new Creative Soundblaster AUDIGY 2 at
Modem: 56kBPS V92 Modem, featuring voice, data and fax. at
Internet: Virgin Free Internet and E-mail
NIC: Integrated 10/100 Ethernet Adaptor
Keyboard & Mouse: Microsoft Internet Keyboard & Microsoft Intellimouse
Firewire: Add a PCI Firewire Card
Software: Windows XP & Lotus Smartsuite

Price Including VAT + DEL: ? 1958.73


What do you guys think- a good deal? is there any specs that i should improve? Is there anywhere else in the U.K that can do a better package than that?

Thanks for your help guys

[Patriarch]

I dont know if its a good deal.. but I do know its an amazing computer! [img]graemlins/thumbs_up.gif[/img]

[machead]

Its sad to watch someone make a mistake and has the money to 'think different'

[SoulJacker]

You *** .

[Ralph Snart]

I noticed you didn't mention software.
poorly chosen software can lead to insanity.

If I were to start over from scratch.
Ask this and get answers.
"Let's say I am working on a project that has a deadline and financial obligations to meet. Your software starts causing problems
Such as: 1 Moving files into an indiginous directory that can not be found.
2 Hours of editing is being destroyed by hard crashes that occur on a random basis.
3 The produced outcome is vastly different than what was being shown on the monitor.
4 AD NAUSM
What do I tell the peeople who are expecting a return?

You do not need to actually have that problem but what if.

[Xendar]

Hi digital_biscuits,

The systems OK about from two main things.

1) What chipset does the motherboard use? This is quite important as certain chipsets are not video friendly especially with video stuff. If the motherboard is any of these:
Asus P4B533
Asus P4T533
Asus P4P-E
Then they will be fine. Or if they use either the Intel 845 or Intel 850 chipsets they will be fine too.

2) I would recommend 2 hard drives. This is because ideally you should capture your video to a second hard drive and use that just for video editing. Capturing to your boot drive (the one with Windows on) could result in dropped frames. If you were thinking of putting a dedicated capture in there istead of a standard Firewire card a second hard drive is essential.

One other thing to consider is that Mesh are not video specialists and I would be surprised if they could support you on any video editing related problems. I would strongly recommend looking at some of the specialist NLE dealers to see what they have to offer. They will be able to supply you with a pre-configured and tested system so that you can start editing as soon as you get it out of the box. Now, I am biased saying this as I work for a NLE solution provider. However in this case I'm going to recommend one of our competitors as they have a showroom in London and I see that you come from London. They are called DVC (www.dvc.uk.com) and they have a very good reputation. Even if you are still going to buy from Mesh DVC will be able to give you a demo on their systems and offer some useful advice. Just for the record I work for Planet PC (www.planetdv.net). OK I still got my shameless plug in.

I hope this helps.

[Ralph Snart]

I hate to tell you this.
But many of the problems you are going to encounter are going to be because of the fact that software companies will blame anything on anything to keep from saying they released a block of software with a bug so deep it may never be fixed.

If I hear well video software is new and+++++++++++.

Hold your software companies to the mat on this.

We are getting ****** in THE **** and it is nothing but poor workmanship on the part of the programmers.

Many would be talents never get a chance because if .............

It goes on and on.

IF your computer will run Startrek Armada you should be able to edit video.

Yes hardware is a concern.

[miker]

much as i hate to say it, if i had that sort of money burning a hole in my pocket and ALL i wanted was video editing ... i would consider one of the newer macs with OS-X. at least have a dabble with the display model.

your proposed system certainly has plenty of grunt, but even the cheapest PC you can buy today is capable of [near] real-time DV editing. i guess if you intend to do lots of fx work and rendering then the 3GHz is justified ... or Doom3.

why not spend ?1K on a new 'puter and ?1K on a 3CCD miniDV cam ??

and remember, a PC worth ?2000 today is worth nowt tomorrow.

don't think different for the sake of it. you're unique - just like everyone else. use that.

[miker]

as i get older macs get sexier.

[digital_biscuits]

I've used Macs when i was at the New York Film Academy and Uni, and though i liked them, and Final Cut Pro for that matter, I've already lashed out lots on Final Draft and load of other p.c progs.
I havent got ?2k burning a hole in my pocket, i'll prob get a little loan to buy it . I have a decent three chip cam, but hiring out editing suites is costing me a packet.
Arnt the places that specialise in NLE p.c's really expensive? I checked one out a while a go, and they started at ?8k!!!!!
As for software, i was thinking of Premier 6.5 or Avid Express DV- i've used Premier 6, its decent, loads of cool plug ins on-line etc.
Two Hard drives? Couldnt i just partition the 120gb hard drive?