Equipment Upgrade Experiences at DVinfo.net

Harry Simpson · April 15th, 2011, 07:06 AM

I've been using the heck out of a fairly inexpensive computer system and it works but I wonder how much easier my life would be with a beefed up system. Anyone upgraded a part of their system that really showed a marked improvement in your video processing workflow??

My system now is

Running Windpows Vista Home Premium
on
Hardware Base processor - Athlon X2 (B) 4050e 2.1 GHz (45W)
2000 MT/s (mega transfers/second)
Socket AM2
Chipset - GeForce 6150SE nForce 430Video Graphics - Integrated graphics

Motherboard - HP/Compaq motherboard name: Iris8-GL6 or Ivy8-GL6

Memory Installed 3 GB
Maximum allowed 4 GB* (2 x 2 GB)
Actual available memory may be less
Speed supported PC2-6400 MB/sec
Type 240 pin, DDR2 SDRAM

Sound/Audio - High Definition 6-channel audio •ALC 888 chipset

Edward Troxel · April 15th, 2011, 07:21 AM

With the price of systems today, I'd consider just getting a current system with Win7 and a current processor.

Harry Simpson · April 15th, 2011, 08:33 AM

I've heard that just going from VISTA to Windows 7 can make life better....

I'm rendering 50 minute HD mp4 clips and It's usually a start before bed and see the finished product in the morning deal.....

Any of you using two computers - one just for rendering, cineform conversion, DVD burning and one for editing so you can multi task?

Edward Troxel · April 15th, 2011, 08:46 AM

I do have Vegas on multiple machines but always finish a project on the same machine I started it on. I'm just thinking that updating to a faster processor is going to be best served if the other components are also updated as well.

I see you live about 3 hours south of me. Nashville is a nice place for us to visit.

Jeff Harper · April 15th, 2011, 09:02 AM

Yes, Edward is right.

The questionyou should be asking is how much you need, how much you have to spend. The key is the processor speed and having 4GB of ram minimum, 6GB is better.

You simply have to choose a system with the fastest processor you can afford, that is the key. Avoid integrated graphics, and you'll be fine.

The new Sandy Bridge is supposed to be very good. That is what I would look at.

But yes, a faster processor will render your 50 min project in a couple of hours at most depending what you buy.

Harry Simpson · April 15th, 2011, 10:22 AM

Thanks Jeff

I'll google Sandy Bridge and check that out.

Yup I was thinking it'd be a rpita to cross a project across two servers...

Think I may get this faster desktop and possibly use the present for other tasks.

Edward give me a call next time your're in Nashville and we'll grab a beer/coffee. My email is harry@harrysimpson.com

Jeff Harper · April 15th, 2011, 10:28 AM

You might look at the Dell website and the HP website. You can cut through all the research by getting the best Sandy Bridge you can afford, system with dedicated graphics, and you'd be all done.

Jeff Harper · April 15th, 2011, 10:30 AM

Oh, yeah, insist on a system that come with a disc for reinstallation! Most don't and those folks that don't get that with their purchase are often pretty put out over that. I know I would be.

John Woo · April 19th, 2011, 01:10 AM

Take a look at the Lenovo W520 notebook which was just release 2 to 3 weeks ago. I just got mine few days back. It has the latest Sandy beach I7 Quad core, 15.6" Full HD LED display and dedicated Nvidia Quadro 2000M Graphic with 2GB DDR3 RAM that supports upto 96 CUDA core. It also supports Intel latest mini mSATA SSD HDD where you can load OS and boot up from it leaving the traditional 2.5" HDD solely for data storage.

Mine has 12GB of RAM and I replaced the DVD writer with a Blu-ray writer. Total cost was $1999 for the notebook, $198 for the mini SATA SSD, $119 for the internal blu-ray writer

I went for this notebook mainly due to it's Expresscard slot availability ( I use SxS card). I am surprised a lot of the newer Sandy Beach Notebooks no longer has Expresscard slot. I think Alienware still has but it is beyond my budget and too heavy to lug around.

I will be loading and testing Vegas 10 these few days but I am confident this NB will pass with flying colors

Harry Simpson · April 19th, 2011, 02:29 PM

Sounds like a nice system! Laptop would be nice but I always felt I needed a desktop system cause the video card and the huge number of USB outlets I require...Are you tapping into another system via wifi for printing etc?

John Woo · April 20th, 2011, 03:19 AM

The notebook have 1 USB 2.0, 2 USB 3.0 and 1 eSata
enough for my usage. When I am at home, I will hook up to my 24" external monitor for editing. If you need more ports, you can buy the docking station which provides up to 6 usb ports

Yes, I use wireless printing

Mike Dulay · April 26th, 2011, 10:01 PM

Hi John, what's your experience with the battery life of the W520? The spec sheet says about 10 hours and another website suggests maybe up to 7 hours actual usage. Stills sounds too good to be true. It would sound nice to be able to review video or do some other work on a long flight then go full power running Vegas 10 when you're home/hotel.

April 15th, 2011, 07:06 AM	#1
Harry Simpson Major Player Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Nashville, TN. Posts: 581	Equipment Upgrade Experiences I've been using the heck out of a fairly inexpensive computer system and it works but I wonder how much easier my life would be with a beefed up system. Anyone upgraded a part of their system that really showed a marked improvement in your video processing workflow?? My system now is Running Windpows Vista Home Premium on Hardware Base processor - Athlon X2 (B) 4050e 2.1 GHz (45W) 2000 MT/s (mega transfers/second) Socket AM2 Chipset - GeForce 6150SE nForce 430Video Graphics - Integrated graphics Motherboard - HP/Compaq motherboard name: Iris8-GL6 or Ivy8-GL6 Memory Installed 3 GB Maximum allowed 4 GB* (2 x 2 GB) Actual available memory may be less Speed supported PC2-6400 MB/sec Type 240 pin, DDR2 SDRAM Sound/Audio - High Definition 6-channel audio •ALC 888 chipset __________________ Nashville TN using Canon 5D MK3, Canon 550D, RODE SVM mic, 70-200 f2.8L II IS, 24-105 f4L IS, 50 and 85 f/1.8, Vegas Pro 11, Zoom H4n, Blackbird, Lilliput Monitor, Lightroom

April 15th, 2011, 07:21 AM	#2
Edward Troxel Sponsor: JET DV Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 7,953	Re: Equipment Upgrade Experiences With the price of systems today, I'd consider just getting a current system with Win7 and a current processor. __________________ Edward Troxel [SCVU] JETDV Scripts/Scripting Tutorials/Excalibur/Montage Magic/Newsletters

April 15th, 2011, 08:33 AM	#3
Harry Simpson Major Player Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Nashville, TN. Posts: 581	Re: Equipment Upgrade Experiences I've heard that just going from VISTA to Windows 7 can make life better.... I'm rendering 50 minute HD mp4 clips and It's usually a start before bed and see the finished product in the morning deal..... Any of you using two computers - one just for rendering, cineform conversion, DVD burning and one for editing so you can multi task? __________________ Nashville TN using Canon 5D MK3, Canon 550D, RODE SVM mic, 70-200 f2.8L II IS, 24-105 f4L IS, 50 and 85 f/1.8, Vegas Pro 11, Zoom H4n, Blackbird, Lilliput Monitor, Lightroom

April 15th, 2011, 08:46 AM	#4
Edward Troxel Sponsor: JET DV Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 7,953	Re: Equipment Upgrade Experiences I do have Vegas on multiple machines but always finish a project on the same machine I started it on. I'm just thinking that updating to a faster processor is going to be best served if the other components are also updated as well. I see you live about 3 hours south of me. Nashville is a nice place for us to visit. __________________ Edward Troxel [SCVU] JETDV Scripts/Scripting Tutorials/Excalibur/Montage Magic/Newsletters

April 15th, 2011, 09:02 AM	#5
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Re: Equipment Upgrade Experiences Yes, Edward is right. The questionyou should be asking is how much you need, how much you have to spend. The key is the processor speed and having 4GB of ram minimum, 6GB is better. You simply have to choose a system with the fastest processor you can afford, that is the key. Avoid integrated graphics, and you'll be fine. The new Sandy Bridge is supposed to be very good. That is what I would look at. But yes, a faster processor will render your 50 min project in a couple of hours at most depending what you buy. __________________ "The horror of what I saw on the timeline cannot be described."

April 15th, 2011, 10:22 AM	#6
Harry Simpson Major Player Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Nashville, TN. Posts: 581	Re: Equipment Upgrade Experiences Thanks Jeff I'll google Sandy Bridge and check that out. Yup I was thinking it'd be a rpita to cross a project across two servers... Think I may get this faster desktop and possibly use the present for other tasks. Edward give me a call next time your're in Nashville and we'll grab a beer/coffee. My email is harry@harrysimpson.com __________________ Nashville TN using Canon 5D MK3, Canon 550D, RODE SVM mic, 70-200 f2.8L II IS, 24-105 f4L IS, 50 and 85 f/1.8, Vegas Pro 11, Zoom H4n, Blackbird, Lilliput Monitor, Lightroom

April 15th, 2011, 10:28 AM	#7
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Re: Equipment Upgrade Experiences You might look at the Dell website and the HP website. You can cut through all the research by getting the best Sandy Bridge you can afford, system with dedicated graphics, and you'd be all done. __________________ "The horror of what I saw on the timeline cannot be described."

April 15th, 2011, 10:30 AM	#8
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Re: Equipment Upgrade Experiences Oh, yeah, insist on a system that come with a disc for reinstallation! Most don't and those folks that don't get that with their purchase are often pretty put out over that. I know I would be. __________________ "The horror of what I saw on the timeline cannot be described."

April 19th, 2011, 01:10 AM	#9
John Woo Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Singapore Posts: 160	Re: Equipment Upgrade Experiences Take a look at the Lenovo W520 notebook which was just release 2 to 3 weeks ago. I just got mine few days back. It has the latest Sandy beach I7 Quad core, 15.6" Full HD LED display and dedicated Nvidia Quadro 2000M Graphic with 2GB DDR3 RAM that supports upto 96 CUDA core. It also supports Intel latest mini mSATA SSD HDD where you can load OS and boot up from it leaving the traditional 2.5" HDD solely for data storage. Mine has 12GB of RAM and I replaced the DVD writer with a Blu-ray writer. Total cost was $1999 for the notebook, $198 for the mini SATA SSD, $119 for the internal blu-ray writer I went for this notebook mainly due to it's Expresscard slot availability ( I use SxS card). I am surprised a lot of the newer Sandy Beach Notebooks no longer has Expresscard slot. I think Alienware still has but it is beyond my budget and too heavy to lug around. I will be loading and testing Vegas 10 these few days but I am confident this NB will pass with flying colors __________________ Sony PMW-EX1, Canon 5DM2,60D, HV20, Sony Vegas 11 Last edited by John Woo; April 19th, 2011 at 02:41 AM.

April 19th, 2011, 02:29 PM	#10
Harry Simpson Major Player Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Nashville, TN. Posts: 581	Re: Equipment Upgrade Experiences Sounds like a nice system! Laptop would be nice but I always felt I needed a desktop system cause the video card and the huge number of USB outlets I require...Are you tapping into another system via wifi for printing etc? __________________ Nashville TN using Canon 5D MK3, Canon 550D, RODE SVM mic, 70-200 f2.8L II IS, 24-105 f4L IS, 50 and 85 f/1.8, Vegas Pro 11, Zoom H4n, Blackbird, Lilliput Monitor, Lightroom

April 20th, 2011, 03:19 AM	#11
John Woo Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Singapore Posts: 160	Re: Equipment Upgrade Experiences The notebook have 1 USB 2.0, 2 USB 3.0 and 1 eSata enough for my usage. When I am at home, I will hook up to my 24" external monitor for editing. If you need more ports, you can buy the docking station which provides up to 6 usb ports Yes, I use wireless printing __________________ Sony PMW-EX1, Canon 5DM2,60D, HV20, Sony Vegas 11

April 26th, 2011, 10:01 PM	#12
Mike Dulay Major Player Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Somerville, NJ Posts: 304	Re: Equipment Upgrade Experiences Hi John, what's your experience with the battery life of the W520? The spec sheet says about 10 hours and another website suggests maybe up to 7 hours actual usage. Stills sounds too good to be true. It would sound nice to be able to review video or do some other work on a long flight then go full power running Vegas 10 when you're home/hotel. __________________ DIY, 35mm, HV20: http://www.primitivebuteffective.net