Topic: whats the best computer for video/audio EDITING?

[hulahupiehippichicki]

What computer do you all recomend me to get for proficient video editing?  I'm starting collage and don't even know if I should get a laptop with external hard drive, or a bigger PC.  I've heard that iMac G4's are good, but i need advice.  fellow music fans, help a sister out!

[Javier Cinakowski]

Well first off, welcome to taperssection!!!
  Second, nice breasts in your avitar!!!

Third, a mac is the way to go for video editing

[nihilistic0]

you can get a desktop for cheaper than a mac, and will work just as well



also, build your own

[Fatah Ruark (aka MIKE B)]

If your the "creative" type DEFINITLY GET A MAC (and make sure you get an Intel CPU).

I'd get a desktop for the most/easyist upgradability.

I just got an iBook and I ONLY use OS X for everything except audio processing and recording.

It is cheaper to build your own PC though. And it's pretty easy too.

[sunjan]

If your the "creative" type DEFINITLY GET A MAC (and make sure you get an Intel CPU).

I'd get a desktop for the most/easyist upgradability.

I just got an iBook and I ONLY use OS X for everything except audio processing and recording.

It is cheaper to build your own PC though. And it's pretty easy too.

Agree on all this, depending on your budget of course.
If you're rich, get an Intel Mac. But right now it would still cost you more than they're worth (and you'll lose out on the price drop when the next upgrades are released)
If you're on a tight budget, a PowerMac G4 would still cut it.
If you're a hardware techie on a reasonable budget, assemble your own PC.

And before you get a laptop/iMac or similar, consider expandability.
My uncle picked up an iMac, decided he wanted to import analogue video and realized there were no PCI slots! Yes, he sourced for an external breakout box, but the functions are limited and cost even more...

/Jan

[phanophish]

I just picked up a Dual Core Dell with 2Gig of ram for less than $1000 with a 20" Flat Panel monitor.  It is great for audio stuff and is speedy.  It also does great at video as well, the only problem is about the only good high end video editing tool for the PC is Premiere from Adobe.  Final Cut for the Mac is probably a better software package, but they stick it to you on the full desktop Mac hardware.  I did see some pretty solid pricing ($900) on 17" educational iMacs with the Intel Dual core stuff, it might make a good choice with a nice big external hard drive.

[tonyvt]

Your best bet for video and audio editing is a Mac.

[spearheadtaper]

Your best bet for video and audio editing is a Mac.

final cut pro and dvd studio are all you need  

[tonyvt]

Your best bet for video and audio editing is a Mac.

final cut pro and dvd studio are all you need  

Very true. you can't beat the Video Apps from Apple.

[Fatah Ruark (aka MIKE B)]

I'd like to add that if you are going to school for video production I would ASK YOUR PROFESSORS what software you will be learning on!!

We had an Avid system at my school running on a Mac.

I don't think many of us could afford to get the same setup my school had (around $10,000), but if you had a more basic version of your schools rig(s) then you could do some editting at home.

I know there were plenty of times that I wanted to do some work on our single Non-linear editting station and someone was already using it. I would have been psyched to been able to at least do some basic work at home.