New and need advice

[natureflixs]

I am making the jump from SD to HD. This means a new camera and editing system as my old Premiere 6.5 and computer are ancient. Most of my output will be DVD (see www.natureflixs.com for my primary subject matter) with Blue-ray in the future. After comparing the HPX170 and EX1 it looks like the EX1 is my choice. Now on to a computer and editing system that compliements camera choice.

After reviewing this and other forums for the past 6 months, this is what I am looking at. Any advice is appreciated.

- NLE software = Edius 5 with HDspark card. Ext. 1080p display Vizio 22" HDTV.

- Computer setup.
CASE: Antec 900 - 2
POWER SUPPY: Corsair 550 watts
MOTHERBOARD: Asus P6T deluxe Version 2
PROCESSOR: i7, 920 Quad
MEMORY: Ocz, 6GB(2x3) Platinum TXT PC3-10666DDR3 (7-7-7-20)
GRAPHICS, Sapphire HD4830, 575mhz, 512mb
SYSTEM DRIVE: WD 160GB caviar sata 3
SECONDARY DRIVE: WD 750GB, caviar black sata 3
DVD BURNER: Samsung SH-S223 sata connect
CARD READER: Rosewill RCE-IM5001 usb connect
SOUND CARD: Creative sound blaster audigy SE, PCI
OPERATING SYSTEM: Vista 64 home premium
DOCKING STATION: Thermaltake BlackX w/sata interface
DOCKING STATION DRIVE: WD caviar black (various GBs)

Plan to use the docking station and drive for current work project. When done, store drive and replace with new drive for next project. The EX1 and system described is the very upper end of my budget.

Thanks,
Mark

[Rusty]

Spring for a larger power supply... 800w min.
Buy a second storage drive to create at least RAID-0 to work with .mxf files from the EX1.
What's your backup strategy?

[natureflixs]

Thanks Rusty,

So bigger power supply sounds good and what about software raid using two drives then use the docking station as the backup device?

Thanks,
Mark

[Rusty]

Software RAID will work, but your MoBo should have hardware RAID built in.
With EX1 files, it's good to have a redundant backup. I'm currently leaning toward the DroboPro.

[sunflow]

Have you check out Panasonic HMC 150

[natureflixs]

Yes, it produces some nice images but is still a little soft IMO compared to the EX1. Of course it is about 1/2 the cost.

[Claire]

If you decide at some point to add a FireCoder Blu to speed up Hi Def rendering you need to choose the Asus P6T BASIC mbo, not the deluxe Version.

(The deluxe version lacks the 1x PCIe slot necessary for Firecoder Blu).