Strong enough computer for HD at DVinfo.net

Alex Sprinkle · December 22nd, 2008, 10:11 AM

I'm looking to build a computer that I can use to edit HD footage in. I'm used to a basic mac for all of my SD stuff, but this is a big step. What would you suggest that I look into?

Also, I'm used to editing on a mac, but I've been reading that Macs can't burn blu-rays due to DVDSP dropping the ball on that. Will I need to pick up a PC as well just for burning those DVD's? Should I make a complete platform switch? Is that worth it? I've been using FCP since 4.0 was new, and I'm very adjusted to that, but I also know that NLE's are basically the same with different cookies here and there.

**EDIT** This is, of course, mainly to be used for weddings. I won't be making a Star Wars film on this, so I don't need to go that over the top.

Chris Estrella · December 22nd, 2008, 03:47 PM

You might also get some answers from the High Definition Editing and Non-Linear Editing for Mac forums here in dvinfo.

I'm rather new to editing HD myself (I'm on a Mac Pro 2.8ghz 8-core), but from what I've read, a high-end iMac can handle HD editing fine, but if you're making videos professionally, a Mac Pro will serve you well.

I've read about simple Blu-Ray movies able to be burned on Toast 9 (with an additional plugin) but you won't have flexibility on your DVD authoring. The other option is Adobe Encore for PC (and remember you can install Windows on your Mac now), and I've seen threads about workflows with FCP to Encore but it seems complicated, difficult, and painful...if authoring Blu-Ray discs are important to you, you might want to do a forum search for such workflows and see if it's doable for you...

Peter Szilveszter · December 22nd, 2008, 05:57 PM

Strong Enough??? Try a titanium casing, I think HD footage is very heavy so might need to also get re-enforced flooring :PPP just kidding.

If you are shooting HDV then what you have should work fine, just rendering times might be a bit long so a Mac Book Pro or something with at least fast dual core (quad core recommended) would fly and other formats ar pretty good except for AVCHD, at this stage nothing is fast enough :P because of the lack of great optimised codec support but even that you can transcode pretty quickly.

As Chris said look through the other sections there should be plenty of answers.

December 22nd, 2008, 10:11 AM	#1
Alex Sprinkle Major Player Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Moore, Oklahoma Posts: 408	Strong enough computer for HD I'm looking to build a computer that I can use to edit HD footage in. I'm used to a basic mac for all of my SD stuff, but this is a big step. What would you suggest that I look into? Also, I'm used to editing on a mac, but I've been reading that Macs can't burn blu-rays due to DVDSP dropping the ball on that. Will I need to pick up a PC as well just for burning those DVD's? Should I make a complete platform switch? Is that worth it? I've been using FCP since 4.0 was new, and I'm very adjusted to that, but I also know that NLE's are basically the same with different cookies here and there. EDIT This is, of course, mainly to be used for weddings. I won't be making a Star Wars film on this, so I don't need to go that over the top. __________________ What if hand guns were really hand guns? Last edited by Alex Sprinkle; December 22nd, 2008 at 03:20 PM.

December 22nd, 2008, 05:57 PM	#3
Peter Szilveszter Major Player Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Yeppoon, Queensland Posts: 332	Strong Enough??? Try a titanium casing, I think HD footage is very heavy so might need to also get re-enforced flooring :PPP just kidding. If you are shooting HDV then what you have should work fine, just rendering times might be a bit long so a Mac Book Pro or something with at least fast dual core (quad core recommended) would fly and other formats ar pretty good except for AVCHD, at this stage nothing is fast enough :P because of the lack of great optimised codec support but even that you can transcode pretty quickly. As Chris said look through the other sections there should be plenty of answers. __________________ www.livinglens.com.au \| www.livinglens.com.au/blog

December 22nd, 2008, 03:47 PM	#2
Chris Estrella Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Richmond, Canada Posts: 117	You might also get some answers from the High Definition Editing and Non-Linear Editing for Mac forums here in dvinfo. I'm rather new to editing HD myself (I'm on a Mac Pro 2.8ghz 8-core), but from what I've read, a high-end iMac can handle HD editing fine, but if you're making videos professionally, a Mac Pro will serve you well. I've read about simple Blu-Ray movies able to be burned on Toast 9 (with an additional plugin) but you won't have flexibility on your DVD authoring. The other option is Adobe Encore for PC (and remember you can install Windows on your Mac now), and I've seen threads about workflows with FCP to Encore but it seems complicated, difficult, and painful...if authoring Blu-Ray discs are important to you, you might want to do a forum search for such workflows and see if it's doable for you...