jmpwme 0 #1 April 29, 2005 This may have been covered in other threads, and I'll cross-post in RW forum, but thought the video folks might have some ideas. I'm looking for suggestions for the best laptop to use for video editing, video storage and video review during a training day. Currently we are using a DVD recorder to record jumps, but doing dubs at the end of the day is time consuming. Also, no good for storage or creating/keeping a "best of" section. Also would prefer that it be window's based as it will be used for other non-skydivng applications as well. Of course, if somebody can make a VERY compelling argument for going MAC I'm happy to listen. Happy to hear both no cost and budget limited options. Looking for a laptop that (a) has good memory (how much do we need), (b) has good slow-mo on the playback for debriefs, (c) built in DVD burner, (d) video out so we can play on the larger TV screen and (e) decent video editing software. I suppose it should also have wireless capabilities for mouse, external keyboard and internet. Anything I'm missing??? Thanks. Steve GT Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndyMan 7 #2 April 29, 2005 Virtually any laptop currently on the market should be able to handle basic video editing just fine. Look for 1.5 Ghz processor or better 512 MB Ram or better 40 GB hard drive or better. Firewire. You should be able to find that for under a grand. These are intentionally low system requirements because while video editing used to tax processors, that's largely no longer the case. If you want to archive video on your hard drive for long periods of time, you'll need a lot more than 40GB. However, given that laptop HD's are notoriously prone to data errors, you'd be wise to get an external HD for that purpose. _Am__ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kris 0 #3 April 29, 2005 QuoteHowever, given that laptop HD's are notoriously prone to data errors, you'd be wise to get an external HD for that purpose. That may have been true "back in the day", but current laptop 2.5" HDD's are pretty reliable pieces of equipment. However, most laptop drives are still 5200 RPM with notoriously low cache, so I second the reccomendation of a good 3.5" HDD in an external fire-wire enclosure.Sky, Muff Bro, Rodriguez Bro, and Bastion of Purity and Innocence!™ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stratostar 5 #4 April 29, 2005 Go try out a mac for yourself and see the ease of editing, FUCK WINDOWS! ~you can't pay for kids schoolin' with love of skydiving! ~ Airtwardo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
newshooter12 0 #5 April 30, 2005 MACs crash too... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymedic 0 #6 April 30, 2005 4 months plus on my mac...and i have yet to have mine crash...and I do lots of multiple programs running at once...recording music...video...dvd creation...etc.etc.etc....no crashes.....YET..that is. Marc otherwise known as Mr.Fallinwoman.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Luza 0 #7 April 30, 2005 Well, u got a lot of laptops with 7200 rpm disks now....whatevere u are going to use the laptop for - choose one with a 7200 disk - u woun't regret it. I just got a new Dell a couple of months ago, and I just love it - widescreen is perfect for videoediting. Btw...it hasn't had a crash yet either..... But I guess it's just a mather of time....just like a reserve ride.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tso-d_chris 0 #8 May 1, 2005 Quote 4 months plus on my mac...and i have yet to have mine crash...and I do lots of multiple programs running at once...recording music...video...dvd creation...etc.etc.etc....no crashes.....YET..that is. It's only a matter of time-- give it another year or two. Everyone I know who does serious video editing on their computer uses a Mac. They simply do not have time for computer issues. They are skydivers, not computer geeks. Reliability and user friendliness of Macs is unrivalled by PCs. Macs are far less likely to be infected with viruses or have adware installed than (non Mac) Windows machines. I've heard many people complain about their PCs. Mac users tend to love their computers. You rarely hear about people switching from Macs to PCs, but switching from PCs to Macs is not at all uncommon. I know one guy who accepted his job with the condition that he got a Mac to use instead of a PC like everyone else had to use. I've never seen anyone that devoted to their PC. For Great Deals on Gear Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kris 0 #9 May 1, 2005 QuoteI've never seen anyone that devoted to their PC. You can have my x86 processor when you can pry it from my cold, dead hands.Sky, Muff Bro, Rodriguez Bro, and Bastion of Purity and Innocence!™ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
murrays 0 #10 May 1, 2005 QuoteQuoteI've never seen anyone that devoted to their PC. You can have my x86 processor when you can pry it from my cold, dead hands. The exception to the rule. -- Murray "No tyranny is so irksome as petty tyranny: the officious demands of policemen, government clerks, and electromechanical gadgets." - Edward Abbey Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 15 #11 May 1, 2005 QuoteYou can have my x86 processor when you can pry it from my cold, dead hands. You'll have to pry it out of my cold dead hands too. I support Mac's up to OS 10.4 and all versions of Windows. I'll take a windows issue any day of the week over Mac.Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mccordia 73 #12 May 2, 2005 If you can afford/find it, take one with a 17 inch (or bigger) widescreen. The widescreen layout makes editing much easer in programs like Premiere/Media Studio/Mire Studio/SpeedRazor... The layout of those programs is mostly based on a widescreen or dual monitor setup...(although, ofcource it also does work okay on a 4:3 screen..but believe me when I say widescreen is easyer on your eyes)JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndyMan 7 #13 May 2, 2005 Put me on the PC list, too. Mac zealots can be annoying. I MAY go with a Mac next year, but only to use PPC-Linux. _Am__ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mccordia 73 #14 May 3, 2005 QuoteEveryone I know who does serious video editing on their computer uses a Mac. Here in Holland you did see a lot of Macs (mostly setup with 'media100' as editing machines) at professional studios, but more and more are switching back to PC based editing solutions (mostly because of cost..as performance wise, there aint much difference) In my experiences, people complaining about non-working computers (PC's), are the ones that use it as a big messy internet-porn-warez junk-pile...(use a seperate computer for that) I think PC stability is not an issue if you use a computer as a dedicated graphic workstation. My laptop is working like a charm, and I'm using it for 3D animation photoshop work and video editing almost 24/7. And after over 2 months of heavy abuse, I'm yet to see it crash for a first time... I have no problems working on either a Mac or a PC....It's mostly a matter of personal preference IMHO (unless you're seriously into 3D animation...the you're basicly F*cked if you use a mac)JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tso-d_chris 0 #15 May 3, 2005 QuoteI think PC stability is not an issue if you use a computer as a dedicated graphic workstation. My laptop is working like a charm, and I'm using it for 3D animation photoshop work and video editing almost 24/7. And after over 2 months of heavy abuse, I'm yet to see it crash for a first time... I have no problems working on either a Mac or a PC....It's mostly a matter of personal preference IMHO I agree its a matter of personal preference. I use a PC at work, and at home have access to a 2 PCs running Windows and Firefox, a PC running Linux, and a Powerbook Mac. The Mac is the most user friendly and most reliable, and is the one I prefer to use, but I am comfortable on all three. Most of my PC issues have gone away since I stopped allowing Internet Explorer access to the internet, and switched to Firefox. For Great Deals on Gear Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cbennettjr 0 #16 May 5, 2005 I run a Mac server and an NT server at work, side by side. The Mac server has gone 18 months without a crash...NT crashes on an average, twice a month. As for video laptops...Any of the newer Macs will do fine. I've also got a Sony that I run presentations on. It rips video almost as quick as the Macs. If you really want speed, a Firewire Raid is nice. Most importantly...fill it up with all the RAM you can afford. You can never be too rich, jump too much or have too much RAM .02 chuck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kris 0 #17 May 5, 2005 QuoteI run a Mac server and an NT server at work, side by side. The Mac server has gone 18 months without a crash...NT crashes on an average, twice a month. You do realize NT is no longer supported, right? I have a 4-CPU Win 2000 box, running an 83GB Oracle database, and it's been down once in the last 6 months. And that was to up the memory on it.Sky, Muff Bro, Rodriguez Bro, and Bastion of Purity and Innocence!™ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cbennettjr 0 #18 May 5, 2005 QuoteYou do realize NT is no longer supported, right? Hey, it's not my fault I work for people that hate to give Microsoft (AKA- The Evil Empire) money. Personally...Linux is the only way to go. Hey...does anyone remember OS2 Warp...Once again Microsoft forces a superior product "nearly" down the tubes. End of Rant. jmpwme did you get that laptop yet? chuck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
danielangulo 0 #19 May 6, 2005 mac is the best... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jmpwme 0 #20 May 6, 2005 Update - I have not purchased yet. I'm looking at a G4 that I saw in the classifieds on this site. BUT - there is software that I want to use to time and store training jumps that may require pc. Project should be over soon. S. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mdrejhon 8 #21 June 10, 2005 QuoteQuoteI've never seen anyone that devoted to their PC. You can have my x86 processor when you can pry it from my cold, dead hands.Didn't you hear? Mac can now run on x86 processors now! (The new Mac OS X coming next year runs on Pentiums!) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MSG45 0 #22 June 10, 2005 I just got a mac (g4 powerbook) last month, as my PC is bogged down with porn and adware (Just kidding about the ad ware) I have had great success with it mixing videos for tandems and burning photo CD onsite at the DZ. It integrates it's software very well and I have had virtually no major problems. HEY AND THE KEY BOARD LIGHTS UP IN THE DARK!!!!!! I am happy I got it, I believe a comparable PC used only for video would do a good job as well. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
murrays 0 #23 June 10, 2005 QuoteQuoteQuoteI've never seen anyone that devoted to their PC. You can have my x86 processor when you can pry it from my cold, dead hands.Didn't you hear? Mac can now run on x86 processors now! (The new Mac OS X coming next year runs on Pentiums!) You won't be able to install OS X on any old Pentium PC. However, you will likely be able to install WIndows on a new x86 Mac.-- Murray "No tyranny is so irksome as petty tyranny: the officious demands of policemen, government clerks, and electromechanical gadgets." - Edward Abbey Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
