Reply #3: Basics ... [View All]

[RoyGBiv]

Assuming a "PC" system and not a MAC, the basics:

Over a 1 GHz processor for MPEG-2 capture, which is what you want if you want the clips to have any quality at all. I'd recommend at least 1.8GHz or thereabouts.

A large, *fast* hard drive, preferably with a good sized buffer. The raw clips, before compressing into an AVI or MPEG or whatever file can be enormous. I'd go with a 120GB to start. The Seagate ST3120026A is good, not top of the line, but a reliable 120 GB drive with an 8meg buffer. I would also recommend a dedicated drive for your clips if you plan on doing this much. The process can fragment a hard drive quickly, and if you're using the same drive you use to boot your system and store other programs and data, you'll end up slowing everything else down over a period of time.

A good graphics card with capture abilities or a good graphics card and a video capture card. ATI makes an ALL-IN-WONDER version that is both, but another respondent indicated there may be problems. *I* haven't personally experienced those problems, but then I've never used ATI's codecs nor their software. One key here is that with what you say you want to do, you can capture directly from a television signal with this card without any problems.

You could get a different video card and a third-party capture card, but I'm not familiar with them and so can't give specific advice. Some cards include circuitry that effectively removes the copy protection from those VHS tapes that include it, thus removing the need for software that deals with it. Again, I can offer no specific advice here other than what I've said elsewhere. I have no personal experience with these devices.

As always, the more memory the better. Again, make it fast memory. I wouldn't try much video editing without at least 512MB, but if you can afford it, get a Gig or more.

Then there's the software. Worry about that once you have the system. Simply know that what you need you will not be getting from a mainstream computer hardware dealer, so don't even bother to ask. Avoid Microsoft and all of ATI's proprietary software. For best results, after you get the system, get some optimized drivers for your graphics cards. Omega Drivers are good, and they also have updated drivers specifically for video capturing that will help tremendously.

You'll probably also want a CD/DVD burner to save your work off your hard drive eventually.

Now, having said all that, I'm sure a MAC user will tell you that MACS are the best solution for video editing. I can't disagree, but I don't own one and so cannot offer advice there.