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New computer system requirements (hardware/encoder boards)
I’m looking into purchasing a new computer system and was wondering what others out there are using. I’m currently running Premiere Pro 1.5 and Encore DVD 1.5 with a Dell Precision 2.8Ghz with only 512M RAM and the Canopus DVStorm encoder. I’m going to also need to do realtime MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 capture from both analog and digital sources. I’m also considering upgrading to v2.0 of Premiere and Encore but am hesitant because there seem to be a number of bugs/issues cropping up in these versions. Anybody have any words of wisdom for purchasing a new computer system and running Premiere?
Thanks,
— Devin -
9 Replies
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Computers have gotten quite powerful compared to the one you specified above. At this point, I would ask you the question “what is your budget”. You can get a dual core system with 2gb of RAM for approximately $1000.
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Well I guess money is always a big factor! I don’t want to say that money is no object, but I’m always of the mind to spend a little more $$ to get a better/faster product (within reason). I’m hoping to spend around $2000-2500 including computer and monitor, encoder board and possible upgrades to v2.0 for Premiere and Encore. I haven’t had many problems with the Dell although I think Premiere would run a lot faster and better on a new system. I tried a HP Media Center PC several months ago but it wouldn’t run Premiere at all — it rebooted upon program start (it had something to do with the on-board audio system conflicting with Premiere) that I could only resolve by disabling the audio in the BIOS (which obviously didn’t do much good for video editing) so I finally gave up and went back to my old system. Any computer brands you could recommend or system specs for a Dell? Thanks again.
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If you like Dell, I would definitely look at the higher end XPS series. Or, another company now owned by Dell that I really like is Alienware. For specs, a dualcore as Aanarav mentionned is the way to go. If you are going for a 64 bit system, just know that you’ll need over 4 gigs of memory. Stay away, as you already found out, from anything that says “integrated” or “on board” Video / audio.
Vince
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I would reccomend against the 64 bit processor, because Encore really doesn’t play well with such systems.
Also, could you define what you mean by “encoder board”. If you are referring to DV Storm, then you should know that it is no longer supported with Premiere Pro 2.0
Aanarav Sareen
premiere@asvideoproductions.com -
Thanks for all of the info so far; I’m starting to get an understanding for what to look for. And yes, I’m calling the DVStorm the “encoder board”. As far as I understand, Premiere Pro 2.0 works with any OCHI-compliant card. So, Aanarav, when you say that the DVStorm is no longer supported in 2.0, does that mean that it won’t work at all so I should just throw my DVStorm in the garbage? I will need to not only digitize DV/DVCAM footage via firewire but also have S-Video and composite inputs and outputs and also be able to encode MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 files in realtime (using a separate application). Hopefully I’m explaining what I’m looking for well enough. Thanks again.
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Devin,
That is correct. The DVStorm is really suited for the garbage. However, if you still want to capture analog sources, take a look at the new Matrox card. Expensive, but does a decent job.Aanarav Sareen
premiere@asvideoproductions.com -
Not to be bitter against Matrox, I have the RT100, and they dumped it, and came out with a new card. So I dumped Matrox. This just gets tiring when the software moves forward and the hardware does not. Oh I know I can buy the new card for $$$$$$ and then thew will do this to me again it a year. NOT
Thanks
Tom -
I am using the full Production Studio Premium with the RTX100 and find it behaves itself O.K. so far.
I’m grateful to Matrox for writing new software for each incarnation of Premiere since version 6 when the RTX100 came out and making it available for free.
Mark W.
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Devin,
I.M.H.O. You have a very stable platform with the Adobe 1.5 suite and it plays well with the DVStorm (I am assuming it’s a DVStorm2 with Encoder board). Put the $$$ into the PC and your SW/HW combo will do you for now (barring any HD requirements that may come). The Storm does capture and realtime edit of MPEG-1, 2. If you haven’t already, go to the Canopus site and DL the SW utility that allows it to happen. If you need to go to PPro 2 then all bets are off with the Storm. Since Canopus (Thompson/Grass Valley) has there own NLE (Edius) they are no longer supporting PPro. But PPro 2 can be on the same machine as 1.5, so you can pick and choose how you Cap/Edit.
Good Luck,
Bob
BTW. Canopus’ site does have a forum with many long time users that could help you further with this, and the Cow does have a Canopus section also, you may want to look in those places for info also.
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