Please help with editing computer!

[luzcanon]

Hi,
my name is Matt and I'm new here. I've been editing with the old Storm2 system for yrs and never made the switch to edius. I'm in the process of trying to have my own system built to use with Edius Pro. My lack of knowledge with computer configurations is prohibiting me from making the best decision. I have a couple of options a builder has provided me with that I found to be the most cost effective for me. I do mostly event video, weddings, bar mitzvahs, etc. I want to have a system capable of handling HDV, even though I am not to that point, I'd like to be ready for it. If anyone can shed some light on if either of these systems will work well for what I need, it would be very much appreciated. Here are the options the builder has provided me with.

• Intel Core 2 Quad 64Bit CPU
• 4 GB RAM
• 7200RPM 250GB SATA Boot Hard Drive + Two 7200RPM 500GB SATA Data Hard Drives (one in a removable bay)
• 256MB NVidia PCI Express Dual Display Video (VGA/DVI)
• 20X DVD-R/+R Dual Layer DVD/CD Burner
• 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet Network card
• 6 USB USB 2.0 Ports/ 3 Firewire 1394A Ports
• Keyboard & Mouse
• Windows XP Professional
• ADS Pyro DV hardware
• Backup System Restore DVD, in case something goes wrong, you can revive your system to where it was the day you got it.

OR I can have the same system but with Dual Xeon Quad Core CPUs. I don't know how much more power this will give me and if it is even necessary.

Again, any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Matt

[sarahstaar]

I built a system last week using the Edius NX card.

almost the same as yours except i used the ASUS P5K3deluxe motherboard.

I use it with DVCPROHD and it works like a dream...

[Imagine Video]

Check out my sig at the bottom and do a few searches on this forum for sytem specs.

I Shoot, Edit in HDV 1440 1080i and the spec below is great! BUT it will depend upon what you want/need from the system.

ALSO check out the approved motherboard list on the canopus website! The P5K64WSPRO is on it


Cath

ps the Graphics card need not be the same as mine a far more inepensive saphire 3850 will do the job!

[Rusty]

Hea Matt, welcome to the Forum!

The ADS Pyro is a really bad waste of money. Most MoBo's have 1394a. Good enuf for HDV, etc.

I wouldn't recommend 4GB RAM with a 32bit OS, 2GB works better for me. And, although some have gotten it working, Edius is not (quite) 64bit friendly yet.

I'm not sure why one of the 500GB drives would be in a removable bay... you'll want to configure them as RAID-0, so make them both removable.

[luzcanon]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I was wondering about that capture hardware and how it would work with edius. I'm guessing the best option would be to purchase edius nx to get the hardware and software? Does anyone use any other capture hardware with edius that works just as well? Just trying to save a few bucks.

[Stereodesign]

If you can, go for NX, its worth it in the end as it works so well with Edius.

[Rusty]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I was wondering about that capture hardware and how it would work with edius. I'm guessing the best option would be to purchase edius nx to get the hardware and software? Does anyone use any other capture hardware with edius that works just as well? Just trying to save a few bucks.

NX is an awesome piece of hardware and worth saving your money for.

I use the MoBo 1394a to capture HDV on my Shuttle XP without a hitch.

[tingsern]

Not only the NX is an awesome piece of hardware, it also provides you with real time preview of your video in component output in HD. It also comes with its own 1394a port - so you can capture video from your tape deck / camera.

[luzcanon]

Ok, but here's where my confusion lies...which version of Edius NX? The only thing I don't like about canopus' site is it really doesn't explain a whole lot, or at least I don't seem to be getting it. I see Edius NX Express, Edius NX Express (PCI-X Version), Ediuis NX (PCI-X Version), and then there's the HD Expansion kit. From what I read, all versions handle HD, so what is the expansion kit needed for? If anyone can shed some light on what is the actual difference between all of these, in laments terms?

[Rusty]

The NX PCI-x requires a fully compliant 64 bit PCI slot (mostly found on server boards)

The NX PCI-e uses the more common 1x PCI-e slot (the short one)

The Expansion Board offers Component video output without the (ochi) lag. (Is that all it does? oh, it makes toast too) It requires a common 33mhz PCI slot.

Be aware that all NX boards ship with a copy of Edius, so if you're considering a software-only purchase, you may reconsider.

[tingsern]

As Rusty has said - it depends on what kind of motherboard you have. If you have a server class motherboard that comes with 64 bits PCI slot - get the NX PCI-X. If your mobo has a normal PCI-E (PCI-Express) slot, go for NX PCI-e. If your mobo has both kinds of slots (64 bits PCI and PCI-E) then the PCI-64 will be a better bet - in terms of performance, both are about the same - and both will give you real time overlay + realtime preview via HD Component out - BUT, in some mobo, the PCI-E is just too loose - and the tail end of the card shakes (vibrates) with a strong draft inside the box (especially if you have a powerful ventilation fan).

[GrassValley_BH]

The Expansion Board offers Component video output without the (ochi) lag. (Is that all it does? oh, it makes toast too) It requires a common 33mhz PCI slot.

You can't get Component HD from OHCI... so the Expansion Board is the only way to get that.