Specs for a $1000 HDV editing system?
 

Help - I have pored over the threads, archives, etc. I see a lot of generic advice - but is there anywhere which says, here is a $1000 PC based HDV editing system. The PC problem is things change too fast, so "get AMD" doesn't help much.

I generally know the Mac I can afford for about $1000-1200 (e.g., a G5 20" imac). Now I am looking for an exact components breakdown for the PC.

If people put their suggestions, I will edit this request to provide the "buildable" system.

I am editing for family off an HC1.

The main thing you want to look for is something with a dual-core processor from either Intel or AMD. Both Dell and HP should have pre-built dual core systems starting for around $1000, or you can hand-pick your own components if you want to go that route.

A potentially easy route:

A- Read the *recommended* specs for your editing system you want to use. Make sure your machine will meet those recommended specs.

B- Check hot deals sites for your country for hot deals on computers. Look for a dual core Intel or AMD machine. It's very common for Dell to have really good prices on a dual core Intel system.
gotapex.com is one of them. fatwallet.com, bensbargains are some others

The downside to Dell is:
-Potentially mediocre tech support.
-They aren't very upgradeable. Easiest thing to do is to replace your computer in 2-4 years, when computers get 2-4 times faster anyways.
Other computers you'd probably replace after 2-4 years anyways.

C- Throw in your own upgrades. Check newegg.com for parts and prices
This can be significantly cheaper than Dell.

I added this up from Newegg prices and it came to around $1200 - though you might be able to get closer to $1000 if you bought the ram and harddrives on Sunday morning discounts/rebates. (Oh and I cheated and didnt price in Windows XP).

Asus A8N5X m'board $75
AMD 4200+ X2 CPU $375
Antec SLK2650 case with 350W power supply $75
6600GT video card $120
Liteon 16X DVD+/-R $44
Seagate 80GB 7200rpm IDE system drive $50
2 x Seagate 160GB 7200rpm SATA drives in Raid 0 for video $146
19" LCD monitor $220
2 x 512MB Corsair valueselect CAS2.5 SDRAM $84
USB keyboard $10
Optical wheelmouse $10
Firewire PCI card $10

I'd recommend getting Nvidia's Purevideo (software) acceleration, and a second monitor as soon as you can afford it. (Edit: ooops I meant Antec not Asus for the case....fixed)

Graham, the weakest link is that PSU. I would get a Seasonic/PC Power Cooling and a case w/o a PSU (I currently am running a Vantec). The PSUs in case deals usually suck. A bad PSU can kill a motherboard when it dies (2 Dell PSUs did that for me.) Otherwise, a good list.

Options on Graham's list. 2 x 250 WD 250GB drives ~= $180. A Creative Labs Audigy 2 ZS OEM card including 1 Firewire port ~= $65.00

This is probably considered heresy on this site but also look into refurbished machines. Tigerdirect has quite a few Gateway refurbs for around $699. Alot of them come with integrated graphics but editing computers don't need alot of graphics power. At least my Edius doesn't. Also visit techbargains.com from time to time. They advertise Dell specials too. I was able to get my 2.8 dualcore for around $648 with 2 gigs of RAM and have been pretty happy with it.

Chris Watson
Watson Videography
www.dynamovideo.com

George - I basically agree. I bought a PSU-less case and a Seasonic myself for one machine, and the Antec I listed for another. Both have been equally reliable so far at least, however the Seasonic fan is a bit quieter.

Graham has good advice
 

Only things I would change. You can now get a 7600GT card for under $200. the extra 128 MB video ram is probably more important than the additonal speed (depends on which software).

I'd go for 2 GB of Ram if you can afford.

FYI, this table has some useful info on Nvidia card support for Purevideo MPEG acceleration: http://www.nvidia.com/page/purevideo_support.html