Will Video Editing on a PC ever truly work?

[Lucas Windsor]

I hate to sound preachy, but you really need to buy a Mac Pro. I edited video on a PC for over 10 years and I hated it. When I switched to Mac almost every issue vanished. Leopard is such a stable OS that you run into so many fewer issues it is great! Plus its just more fun to use.

Windows Vista is bad for hardcore editing because Vista has horrible memory management so you get tons of issues and errors when running out of memory. Under Mac OSX you can edit a full length movie on just 4GB of ram and still be running quite well, although I upgraded to 12GB of Ram since more is always better in the RAM department.

If you don’t want to switch then I would recommend Vista 64 bit, but you should also consider at least 6-8GB of Ram. Vista has horrible memory management and it takes up way to much system memory. If you want things to run smoothly then you need the extra memory.

For your non-pro purposes you should not need a Matrox card. With a quad core processor and enough Ram you should be able to see most transitions and effects in near real time. Don’t waste your money. Save up for a Mac, there is a reason most video editors use them, they are great!

[Eric Addison]

I edit on a Vista64 workstation, as well as a Vista32 laptop, with CS4 and I have very few (if any) problems. I think the bottom line is what kind of system do you have? My advice is unless you know about computer hardware don’t try and build your own system – buy an HP, Dell, or something like that. I also don’t have Matrox, or any other card like that – I edit all the formats natively.

A windows machine is just as capable to edit video as a Mac. I will say this – if you’re editing HD, get as much RAM as possible.

—Eric

[Lucas Windsor]

They are as capable, just not as stable.

[Eric Addison]

[Lucas Windsor] “They are as capable, just not as stable”

I would argue that – I think they can be both. My systems are very stable – I very rarely have any crashes…but I do admit that they are systems dedicated just to editing – not much software on them other then CS4.

—Eric

[William Urschel]

I’ve been running Adobe CS3 and more recently, CS4 on Boxx computers built to run these and similar programs well, and have had very few problems, and none whatsoever, no crashes, etc., on the most recent Boxx 4850. They are designed for these applications, are highly reliable, and run like a good dream!

Of course they cost a LOT more than what you may be talking about – but no more, and probably less than comparable Apples.

I’m running Vista 64k with NVidia CX card, plenty of RAM, and Cineform, the latter, by the way, which I have had for years and would never be without.

My own experience, after many, many machines, for video editing,
has been exceedingly positive with Boxx, followed by Apple (yes, I did utilize them for several years until I was too frustrated by the non availability of certain applications and programs with which I was familiar), followed by HP. After many Dells, I just refuse ever to purchase another.

Good luck to you in your future choices, don’t give up, perfection with PCs is quite possible.

[Ramil Pasibe]

Hi Jerry,

I do have a quadcore with 8 gigs of RAM running vista 64 bit and I have edited several projects on it – including a TV SPOT. I have experienced no letdowns. I guess it all boils down to the basics

1. Don’t install other stuff in it aside from your pro applications
2. keep your drives defragmented – if possible use 3 drives – for the system, another is for the Raw Materials and the last one is the drive where you would be exporting to.

Although I’m no stranger to working on a MAC ( I use Final Cut Studio in my office) – I can asssure you that I do run into a few bugs now and then.

Just like everyone said – both systems are just as capable.

Ramil

[Jerry Cast]

Thanks everyone,

Again, for those of you who missed it in my original post, I “do” have a dedicated machine, as well as a Quad Core Laptop.

So, if I’m understanding this, if I upgrade to Vista, add more than my 4 gigs of memory, upgrade from CS3 to CS4…I should not have any more problems.

Once in a while Premier freezes, but if I’m hearing correctly, this will “never” happen upgrading to the above specs? Sounds promising.

The Matrox card is for power users who need to view realtime effects without rendering so that they can make quick, artistic choices I guess. I don’t really need it (or would go with them a 3rd time).

Thanks again.
Jerry
https://www.jerrycastaldo.com

[Lucas Windsor]

I’m no crazy Mac head, but over the course of many years with our systems we have always seen way more issues with our Windows based machines. If you build a nice PC rig and take care of it things will be ok, but overall we know that our Mac systems stand the test of time.

[Deleted User]

Hello Jerry,

I had problems on custom built machines to save me money. In the end I got a HP xw8600 running Vista 64bit, 8gb of ram with Adobe Production Premium cs4, I put the new update on 4.1 I have not had a crash yet. I work on the MAC as well, I prfer Windows due to the native file format support and software available.

I think it’s down to having a computer which is certifed by Adobe to run. i heard the HP workstations are fine tuned for CS4, not sure what the differences are but it has a warranty the workstation so any problems for 3 years HP will come out the next day.

I used the Rt2000’s and always had problems with them and the RTX. i think 64bit will solve your out of memory issue when you are dealing with a bigger project undr Adobe cs4.

Hope that helps. I have had loads of Adobe issues on cusstom build and I was in the same situation as you. I got the HP and it just works fine. let me know if you need nay help.

Leo

[Jerry Cast]

Thanks Leo,

ADK Designs of Kentucky built me a Video/audio only machine with CS3, Quad Core, 4 gigs mem, Win XP Pro, and it’s been the most stable system I’ve ever had. I’m running CS3.

It wasn’t a matte of saving money either, as this system (after bargaining) still cost me $2800. I purchased the CS3 suite separately on my own.

I also have a Quad core laptop running CS3, but that has other “day to day” programs on it, so it’s just a backup to work in a pinch.
I’ve even built another daily use desktop that’s also Quad core and loaded with programs and internet access and I’ve also gotten CS3 to work on it, but haven’t really stressed it out to see about crashing.

It’s just the occassional crashes and memory warnings that are annoying, still, I’m able to work as long as I’m savings projects every few minutes and backing up well.

Sounds like going to Vista, going to 8 gigs of RAM, and possibly updating my 512 meg video card to 1 gig may all help, as well as the usual things like keeping the drive defragged and OS on one drive, files on another, and rendering to yet another.

Oh, going to CS4 may help too, huh?

Thanks again.
Jerry

Jerry
http://www.jerrycastaldo.com