[Hhv_pro]

Dell Precision 490/690 workstations. Also might want to check out HP xw8400 Workstation. Boxx also has good systems.

You should at least get the system with RECOMMANDED system config.
Go with most CPU/Memory/graphics/storage that you can afford.

[Hhv_pro]

For DVCPro HD I would look start with RECOMMANDED System Requirement for editing software that you will be using.
Here are few suggestions and make sure you at least get the dual core CPUs.

HP nw8440 Mobile Workstation
HP nw9440 Mobile Workstation
Dell Precision M90

[Hhv_pro]

One more thing On tape its DV25 only. You can NOT record DVCpro50/or any HD.

[Hhv_pro]

On tape you can record 30 frames, 24p and 24pA in NTSC models.

[Hhv_pro]

Is this 2GB/3GB/4GB?
Here is explanation:
In 32 bit Windows XP:
Physical memory (RAM) 4GB, Total Virtual address spec per 32-bit process 2GB/3GB if booted with /3GB switch.

In 64 bit Windows XP:
Physical memory (RAM) 128 GB, Total Virtual address spec per 32-bit process 2GB/4GB if compiled with /LargeAddressAware

And the bang: Virtual address spec per 64-bit process: 8TB (Yes TERABYTES)
Biggest misconception out there is that 64-bit native app will be faster on 64-bit OS then 32 bit native App on 64 bit OS. In both case The performance will be identical but 64 bit app has larger addr space so you will be able to perform complex task that were not possible in 32 bit world.
In both cases the performance gain would come from grater efficiency of x64 processor and increase in number of registers, and improved sub systems.

[Hhv_pro]

This spec would be ok with DV25.
However if you are considering HD, then my suggestion is Dual quad-core Xenon based system with 4GB of memory for 32 bit/Max you can afford for 64 bit OS. This will take you for at least next two-three years.
With this spec you will be able to edit HD with ease, but in term of performance(as compare to dual core CPU) you will not see major gain in PPro. The gain you notice will be in term of switching between PPro, AE, Photoshop and Encore, and AE’s rendering/previews as it does take advantage of multi tasking.

For video card I would stick to PCI-express based NVIDIA Quadro FX 1500 or higher.

On storage you will be better off with 4-8 drives Raid0 based array.
What good is you superfast processor if it doesn’t get the data fast enough?

[Hhv_pro]

Use AE to convert QT to uncompressed AVI.
Another thing, I’ve notice is AVI files are always faster to encode on PC side. It may not be a PPro issue but may be QT/Windows interface. For example MPEG-2 encoder would take four time more time to encode the QT then AVI ver of the same QT on same PC.

[Hhv_pro]

My understanding is AJA(Xena) is not supporting DVCPRO HD/50 with premier Pro. Please be sure to verify before you buy it.
Matrox does support it but there are trade-offs.

I’m utterly dismay at the feature set provided in so-called major upgrade. There is not important feature like 64 bit OS/multithreading or native P2, DVCPROHD/50 support. It’s looks to me that Adobe Ppro guys simply don’t care for Professional users thinking that they would prefer Avid/FCP over PPro. Unless Adobe provides these features why would a Pro editor stick to Ppro? Better integration with AE/Photoshop does not look that appalling when you spend time capturing P2 cards, that other app. would work natively and you can start editing right away.
As a user I expect that all major formats should be natively supported in the editing app. You should not be buying third party plug-ins/hardware, sparred from The hassle of figuring out where the problem is. If Avid/Apple can offer it so can Adobe if they decided to do it. So we’ll just have to wait until hopefully Ppro CS9 release…

[Hhv_pro]

It will run under 32 bit subsystem in 64 bit OS, so where is the bang?

You may want to consider also the new quad core dual Xenon based system. Hardware guys are way ahed. Now software needs to utilize this true multi tasking/threading are way behind.(except some of Autodesk/Avid softwares). This will definately give you more bang for your money regardless of 64/32bit-XP/Vista.

So in my opinion if your system is capable of handing the current load then stay with it. Wait for a year or so to all these issues worked out and prices will be lower, then make a jump with better hardware/OS and hopefully truly multi-threded Adobe CS-6 or so will be there… if not swith to Avid.

[Hhv_pro]

My suggestion is that wait for all the issues/dirvers/bugs are fixed with Vista (or at least microsoft releases spervice pack for Vista). One hand you are going from a familiar to unproven OS and if you can’t afford system down then better stick to Windows XP.

Another question: Adobe is not supporting 64 bit so why would you want to get 64 bit OS? to utilize the true power of 64 bit the code has to be written ground up.(and that require resources…so I dought that Adobe will do it in near future)
You may get into lot of comatibility issues, and not much performance gain.