Hello everyone,
I am very new to video editing and have lots of questions. For starter, I have a Canon HF10 that records in the AVCHD format. The picture quality is very good (at least to me) and my current PC is just not able to do any editing with these files. I purchased a copy of Procoder 3 to convert the files into other formats with the intention of editing these files in either Vegas Pro 8 or Final Cut Pro. While doing my reseach on workstations, I called Grass Valley and after answering my Procoder 3 questions, they introduced me to the Grass Valley Ediius NX express hardware system.
Question #1: Who would you say the target customer is for Edius products, versus Sony Vegas Pro 8, Final Cut Pro and Adobe Premiere Pro?
Question #2: When it comes to the software interface and functionality, what are the advantages of going with Edius Pro 4.5 instead of going with Vegas video Pro 8, Adobe Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro?
Question #3: I really want to be able to have a real-time preview of the 1920 x 1080 HD content I am editing on an external HD flat panel display. Assuming I am running a fast workstation (like a dual quad-core Intel system), what are your thoughts on going with a Vegas Pro 8 or Final Cut Pro running a Black Magic Intensity card (HDMI), versus the Edius Pro NX Express solution with it's real-time (component video out) card?
Question #4: Since the source material is AVCHD, but I have Procoder 3, what file format would be best to work with if I go with the Edius Pro 4.5 or if I go wth Sony Vegas Pro 8, Final Cut Pro or Adobe Premiere Pro?
Question #5: In your experience, what would be the MINIMUM processer, ram and hard drive recommendations to be able to do basic editing and rendering with the native file format you recommend from the previous question?
Question #6: Whether I go with a true PC workstation or a Mac Pro, is it worth the money to go all out and get a dual-quad core system and lots of ram? (I know that Grass Valley does not support MAC Pro computers)
Question #7: For those of you running Edius Pro 4.5 NX Express on a MAC Pro with boot camp, how many processors/cores and how much ram does Edius Pro 4.5 make use of? I ask because form what I've read on these forums, Windows XP only sees about 2 gigs of memory even if there is more on the MAC Pro.
Question #8: For those of you NOT running a MAC Pro, how many processors/cores are you running, what operating system are you running and why?
Question #9: What DVD authoring program are you using (or recommend) to create AVCHD discs, Blu-ray, or even HD-DVD discs? (yes, I know HD-DVD is dead)
Question #10: Since the Edius Pro 4.5 NX Express uses BNC connectors on the real-time component out card, can a BNC to RCA converter cable be used to pass the HD video out to a 1080p flat panel monitor that has RCA component inputs (but no BNC component inputs)?
Like I said before, I am new to video editing, but I'm willing to make the investment in a powerful new computer and a poweful editing system. I want a system that is friendly to use, is responsive while editing and offers practical render times. Lastly, I really want to be able to see a real-time preview of the HD 1920 x 1080 content I am editing on an external monitor, no matter what system I go with.
I know these are lots of questoins, but I really could use your expertise in making a solid decision on which system to go with. If you 'd like to add any additional recommendations, please share.
Thanks everyone.
Robert Sermeño
I am very new to video editing and have lots of questions. For starter, I have a Canon HF10 that records in the AVCHD format. The picture quality is very good (at least to me) and my current PC is just not able to do any editing with these files. I purchased a copy of Procoder 3 to convert the files into other formats with the intention of editing these files in either Vegas Pro 8 or Final Cut Pro. While doing my reseach on workstations, I called Grass Valley and after answering my Procoder 3 questions, they introduced me to the Grass Valley Ediius NX express hardware system.
Question #1: Who would you say the target customer is for Edius products, versus Sony Vegas Pro 8, Final Cut Pro and Adobe Premiere Pro?
Question #2: When it comes to the software interface and functionality, what are the advantages of going with Edius Pro 4.5 instead of going with Vegas video Pro 8, Adobe Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro?
Question #3: I really want to be able to have a real-time preview of the 1920 x 1080 HD content I am editing on an external HD flat panel display. Assuming I am running a fast workstation (like a dual quad-core Intel system), what are your thoughts on going with a Vegas Pro 8 or Final Cut Pro running a Black Magic Intensity card (HDMI), versus the Edius Pro NX Express solution with it's real-time (component video out) card?
Question #4: Since the source material is AVCHD, but I have Procoder 3, what file format would be best to work with if I go with the Edius Pro 4.5 or if I go wth Sony Vegas Pro 8, Final Cut Pro or Adobe Premiere Pro?
Question #5: In your experience, what would be the MINIMUM processer, ram and hard drive recommendations to be able to do basic editing and rendering with the native file format you recommend from the previous question?
Question #6: Whether I go with a true PC workstation or a Mac Pro, is it worth the money to go all out and get a dual-quad core system and lots of ram? (I know that Grass Valley does not support MAC Pro computers)
Question #7: For those of you running Edius Pro 4.5 NX Express on a MAC Pro with boot camp, how many processors/cores and how much ram does Edius Pro 4.5 make use of? I ask because form what I've read on these forums, Windows XP only sees about 2 gigs of memory even if there is more on the MAC Pro.
Question #8: For those of you NOT running a MAC Pro, how many processors/cores are you running, what operating system are you running and why?
Question #9: What DVD authoring program are you using (or recommend) to create AVCHD discs, Blu-ray, or even HD-DVD discs? (yes, I know HD-DVD is dead)
Question #10: Since the Edius Pro 4.5 NX Express uses BNC connectors on the real-time component out card, can a BNC to RCA converter cable be used to pass the HD video out to a 1080p flat panel monitor that has RCA component inputs (but no BNC component inputs)?
Like I said before, I am new to video editing, but I'm willing to make the investment in a powerful new computer and a poweful editing system. I want a system that is friendly to use, is responsive while editing and offers practical render times. Lastly, I really want to be able to see a real-time preview of the HD 1920 x 1080 content I am editing on an external monitor, no matter what system I go with.
I know these are lots of questoins, but I really could use your expertise in making a solid decision on which system to go with. If you 'd like to add any additional recommendations, please share.
Thanks everyone.
Robert Sermeño
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