AJA LHe or Second Editing Workstation?

[Jeff Brown]

What kind of work are you doing? And in what format? What is your deliverable?

That might help folks better advise.

-jeff

[Jeron Coolman]

If you are really working with uncompressed HD (which is the assumption when you say “HD” in reference to a Xena card) and not a compressed version like HDV, then there might be some workflow logistical problems when trying to introduce a separate “render workstation”.

Trying to share a terabyte or more of media between two machines might be more hassle than just having your workstation render overnight.

Also don’t forget to factor in the cost of extra software licenses for the second machine like Premiere Pro and any plug-ins you use.

[Tim Kolb]

I think I’m with Jeff…I’d like to know a bit more about your -current- typical project scenario (including project settings) before I make any recommendations…

TimK,
Director, Consultant
Kolb Productions,

Creative Cow Host,
Author/Trainer
http://www.focalpress.com
http://www.classondemand.net

[Richard Eary]

Sorry about the delay in my response. Here is a quick overview of what I am doing.

What kind of work are you doing?
Promotional, documentaries, and event

And in what format?
Standard and high-definition (1920×1080)

What is your deliverable?
Broadcast, Internet, and digital media (DVD/Blu-Ray)

The majority of my work is standard definition with a few jobs in high-definition. Al thuogh, any work done in high-definition seems to take a while to process. Prospect 2K seems to improve my workflow. Al though, it makes my Blackmagic-Design equipment useless.

I believe it is best to go with the AJA LHe for the below reasons:

– Color Correction (using broadcast reference monitor)
– Compatibliity with Prospect 2K
– Ease of Preview and Editing
– HD-SDI / SDI input and output connections

The second machine can wait because it is more important for my primary machine to be properly configured. Plus, the hardware I need for a second machine will be cheaper in the future.

Additional notes:

Second computer – $2600 (dual Xeon 5300, motherboard, 4 gig memory, case, and Win XP Professional) I should mention that I already have the remaining hardware needed and planned to use and old copy of Avid Liquid 7.2.

AJA Upgrade – $2300 (LHe and Hi5 (analog to broadcast monitor and HD-SDI -> Hi5 -> LCD wirescreen)

So in your opinion, does it look like I am thinking straight? or a second workstation makes more sense so that one job does not delay other work because of rendering issues? I would probably only install Liquid and Lightwave onto the second workstation in a dual boot configuration (32/64-bit).

[Jeron Coolman]

The addition of an Aja card is not going to make the machine render any faster.

You need to decide which is a bigger problem…

1. Work not getting done because the machine is tied up rendering (buy a new machine)

or

2. The lack of an HD-SDI connection (buy an Aja card)

[Richard Eary]

I decided to purchase the AJA card because of the HD-SDI connections. My second priority is to setup a second machine to help workflow. This is something I plan to do after the new year. Maybe the hardware prices will be less.

Do you have any recommendations for a HS-SDI to HDMI convertor? I am interested in the two below.

Blackmagic-Design HDLINK Pro
AJA Hi5

[Jeron Coolman]

I’m not sure if this is released yet, but Convergent Design makes good products…

https://www.convergent-design.com/CD_Products_nanoView.htm

… it lists for $325

[Richard Eary]

I will check that out.. thanks.

[Frank Tucker]

I believe that you will need to upgrade to the Avid Liquid Chrome Xe in order to edit uncompressed HD. The Avid Liquid 7.2 will handle the HDV ok but not uncompressed HD (??)

This Aja card (Xena LHe) is the recomended hardware to use with the Avid Liquid Chrome Xe software.

Copter Doc
The spin starts here (;->)

[Jeff Brown]

Richard, you may have considered this:
Get a somewhat cheap 2nd machine as an “offline” edit machine, and use it to edit DV downconverts, use the beefy machine for finalizing.

-jeff