Should I buy a new system or add dvd burner to existing system?

[bka1967]

Hi Folks:

I am sure many of you might have seen similar posts. I am not up to speed on the latest technology, so all help may be appreciated.

Issue: Need a desktop for DVD burning and converting home videos to DVD from (Hi8 Camcorder).

Current System: PC chips 810 LMR, 1.1 G AMD Athlon, 256 MB PC 133 SDRAM, WIN 98 SE. I use this mainly for web/email and my 5 year old has some games.


Option 1 :
Either upgrade this system to WIN XP and add a DVD burner, and add memory if needed. Note - I have never upgraded BIOS.

Or

Option 2:
Build a new system for DVD/Video Conversion. Any suggestions to start with! Just want a stable PC without spending lot of $s.

Or

Option 3:
Buy a system from Dell, Tigerdirect etc.

Advantages:
I will use desktop for web/email and dvd burning only, and I have cable as well as dsl (current) modems. I can get discount on WIN XP thru a friend thru his work. Should I get Home Addition, Professional, or Media Center Addition?

Thanks

[Billforce]

Considering you utilization of the desktop...If it were me (have built several PC 810 LMR) I would consider upgrading first the bios, then the processor (?) and memory to 512 PC 133 running Win XP Pro. Use Nero Burning software and a good burner like Lite-on 48X and it will do a good job for you. I installed a new video card on an Identical system yesterday except it was an Athlon 1.4 ghz. One caution though. This particular customer had to upgrade the POWER SUPPLY to accomodate the added devices. Fast burners are power hogs. Just for your info. I have 4 operating systems on my PC and find that Windows 2000 does a much better job than XP for burning disks. XP is a memory hog also.

[bka1967]

Thanks a lot!

How would I start upgrading the BIOS? I do not believe I can upgrade the CPU, it is at limit for this motherboard. I can sure add memory and another HD to assist my existing 20 GIG HD. I have NERO, It came with Cendyne CDRW that I bought. I don't think it can bun DVDs, but I can check. But I can always upgrade or buy a new if it does not come with the DVD burner.

Can you help me starting on updating the BIOS and suggesting a good video card.

Thanks a lot

BKA

[Rrip]

tigerdirect.com has been offering a $90 dvd burner for a while, and I think *i may be mistaken here* that they also offer a plextor one for less than $150.
Nero is the best cd burner out there.... nero 6 can burn dvds, i don't know bout 5 though.

[Billforce]

Go to the PC Chips page and down load the updated bios for your motherboard...also download their INSTRUCTIONS for updating (flashing) the bios. Very good explanation. I think you will find after reflashing the bios, the motherboard will then accept a faster processor!

[BipolarBill]

The BIOS page is here:

http://www.pcchips.com.tw/bios/bios.asp?module_id=4

Note the specific 810L board that you have by checking the PCB version.

I would upgrade the power supply, add the burner and stick with what you have for now.

[Strawbs]

That system is going to struggle to deal with Video Editing and DVD burning even after upgrading everything to the max allowed by the MoBo.

I would go with a new Processor, Ram, Mobo, Burner ...oh! and a new power supply unit. You should be able to get all that pretty cheap in the "land of the free, home of the ...yadayada" (if that's where you are).

I'm sure someone here can point you to the best online store over there.

:t

[diamonddvd]

Now, I'm using AMD 1700+, 512 DDR, 60G + 120G for DVD back-up and encoding. For DVD working, I'd recommend 2 hard drives, otherwise it takes twice time for transcoding and encoding !!!. Basically, memory and hard drive are main concern for DVD something. I use pioneer 105 with firewire enclosuer.:x

[Mm9004]

I would get a new system form Tigerdirect.com OR build one.

If money is tight or you don't want to get something that you don't need to use alot then upgrade. The suggestion for Option 1 in you first post looked pretty good for such a scenario.

If you plan to edit video you will get poor quality with a standard ATA or IDE HDD. Even SATA doesn't give the best performate but it is definatly a step up from the ATA. It all depends on what you want... or need. Professionals use SCSI; their expencive, so dont' get one unless you're going to make professional video. Otherwise I would go with either a SATA or ATA depending on what you want. Get an 8MB cache, with really low seektime. 60 Gigs at least. SCSI: 36 Gigs becasue they're so expencive!

PSU? Go with something that will hold you. Plan your system and THEN accuire your PSU accordingly.

CPU? P4 or AMD 64bit-er. Again, power is the question here.

Get RAM. 512 MB of DDR will sufice. However, you could go all the way to 4GIGs with todays technology if you needed.

Finally: get a drive that can read DVDs OTHER than the Burner. That's if you wanted to RIP a copy of one DVD to another.

Unfortunatly, I'm not up-to-date on the latest DVD burners so just go with what everyone else says.

[bka1967]

Thanks a lot you all!

I am going to build a new system. I have not searched for components yet, but I would appreciate if you can look and SUGGEST the following items that I will need.

I will go for Pentium P4, (Pentium good for Media/DVD)

Motherboard: Intel D865PERLK @125.00 (Which chipset?, How Good are Intel's MB)

CPU – Intel P4 2.6Ghz / 512k Cache / 800Mhz FSB / Socket 478 / HyperThreading / Processor @ 225.00

CPU Fan - ?? (Have had an experience with one burning out, which are best?)

Memory - PC3200 2 x 512 MB @ 180.00 Corsair?

Hard Drives - 2 Western Digital 120GB EIDE / 7200 RPM / 8MB / 8.9ms / ATA-100 / Hard Drive @ 220.00

Video Card – Need help and need to do research for capturing videos - $150,00

400+W power supply computer case @ $ 75.00. Clear Side? 2 Fans in rear? (Match case for USBs in front)

CDRW – Got two already

Network Card –??

DVD Burner -? $225.00

Additional CD/DVD Drive - $100.00? Need additional for ripping?

Ethernet Networking Card -?

Sound Card - ??

Misc. Floppy, Mouse, Keyboard - $100.00

WHAT ELSE AM I MISSING (I am sure I am missing a few and may not have the best combo)

My Budget – $1,500.00, I hope $1,500 can get me components to build a good stable system, no games, no o/c, UPGRADING FOR DVD/MEDIA ONLY :-), otherwise very happy with my W98, AMD 1.1 GHz and my DSL Modem for Excel/Word/Email/Web.

I know I have to do lot of research, but I wanted to post something to thank you. Please share your thoughts.

[diamonddvd]

I'm just wondering if you have digital8 or digital camcoreder, then it's simple. Even you may borrow from your friend. B/c analogue conversion to DV avi w/ hardware is better than w/ software . Most DV camcorder have pass through function so by passing DV cam you can store DV avi on your computer via firewire card. Just 1-2h from your friend if you don't have, then you can save money.:) (you don't need to spend much time to solve hidden problems)

For DVD writer, you can buy at most $150 for +/- usually 120~130 even A06

I'm not sure but encoding time is up to your system and from several hours to 10 hours. For me, I clicked edcoding button at night and sleep next morning it's done w/ my amd 1700+ 512 DDR. It also save my time b/c even high tech computer still need 2~3 h for that and that time I can do nothing w/ my com.
Just my 2 cents

[diamonddvd]

If I have $1500 for DVD ,then
I will set-up relatively good PC and buy inkjet printer which can print on DVD.
amd 2500 $85
512 M 3200 $85
M/B @120
case $100 w/ P/S
G/C $150
A06 $150
2 W/D HD 120G $240
total ~$940 for PC
S/W tmpgenc $50 +?(for DVD back-up , DVDshrink,free)
printer ~$250 for printing DVD surface and case
ritekG04 printable or apple printable $1.5 or 4.5 for EA

Overall : $1240 + ?(for s/w) + media = $1500

My budget is $400 for PC so,,,,:(

[koonthul]

Not build a new system, at all. A 1.1 Ghz processor is fine for what you want to do. Here is what I would do, since I am already knee deep in a lot of video editing (film school and all).

You definitely need more RAM, at least another 256, if not a single stick of 512 all together. Heck, PC133 is cheap, go for the gusto and max that puppy out.

OS. DEFINITELY need the upgrade, and ONLY do it AFTER you have gotten the RAM situation figured out. WinXP Pro SP1 for my tastes.

Next, Hard Drive. You really shouldn't overlook this. I would definitely go with two smaller end drives that are at LEAST 7200 rpm with 8 meg cache. I have a 120 gig that cost me 90 bucks. Very nice indeedy. I would pick up two 80's or two 60's. Don't forget the cache! That really helps with speed.

Now, Firewire capture card (if you are pulling video from your handy cam). I would get one that you KNOW will work. Check out dv.com forums or go to avid.com for a list of certified cards. If you use anything like that, of course.

Now, for the burner. I haven't gotten myself one yet cause I am waiting, but I know they are dropping like rocks. Definitely check out newegg.com and read some reviews. The ones mentioned above are pretty good. For the nitty gritty, I would really recommend www.dvdrhelp.com

WHATEVER YOU DO, DON'T BUY STICK ON LABELS FOR YOUR DVD-R's! ALWAYS PRINT DIRECTLY ON THE DISC! I can't stress that enough. From what my peeps in the biz tell me, DVD's spin faster than CD's in the drive. This melts the glue on the label and messes up the disk.

*Forgot* You should probably think about a 400 watt power supply, and a good one at that. I get lucky with the cheapo's, but I wouldn't recommend skimping on the price for this component.

Also, what NLE (non-linear editor) are you using? I have say that I am not very happy with PC choices these days. Mac has the independant market cornered with FCP. I haven't heard to many good things about DVXpress Pro or 3.5 from Avid. Something else to think about. Premeire is fine for very low end, but if you get serious about it, it isn't great at all.

Good luck! Let me know when you find your burner and how it works out, I wanna start getting into that.

[bka1967]

Thanks for posting.

I could not do any further research @ new system. After your post, I got thinking that I hardly use my desktop for games or even CDRW use.

If you are telling me that you have burned dvds on 1.1 Ghz AMD (WHAT KIND OF SYSTEM YOU USE AT SCHOOL), then I am thinking why spend $s on a system that I am going to burn only a handfull dvds.

Your post is interesting but I have very little info/knowledge on Firewire and NLE (what is NLE editor). I am only going to make backups of children's dvds since I have few with scratches already and burn dvds of home movies (no chapters etc., excat copy as the tape from my Hi8 cam).

Thanks

If RAM, WIN XP Pro (I have it), NEW HD, Power Supply, and DVD burner, Vidoe Card can do it, then even if dvd burning takes time then I will be happy.

[koonthul]

Alright folks, here's the nitty gritty with the vid editing here in the biz (I'm just south of Hollywood at USC.)

We here at USC edit on ancient Pentium II 500 mhz systems with SCSI raid removeable drives running Avid DV Xpress 3. Yeah, I said 500 mhz systems. Why, do you ask? Because processor speed isn't important for video editing. What is important is a sufficient amount of RAM and a VERY fast Hard Drive. Video editing in the NLE (Non-Linear Editing) fashion is basically taking a single clip of video and making reference points (numbers) out of it. THIS IS EASY TO DO WITH A 1.1 ghz SYSTEM. Most people think, when they sit down in front of an NLE and start chopping footage is that they are actually CHOPPING video. YOU ARE NOT! You are just making a list of numbers for the computer to reference points in the atual footage. SO, when you go back to make a "digital cut" out onto a piece of tape or other medium, your computer says "find this part here, and that part there, and this here" and it puts it all together. Capiche?

With the speed of consumer Hard Drives and do it yourself parts for PC's these days, this process is simplified. Standard IDE hard drives are fast enough now-a-days to allow you to capture and outsource video to your hard drive no problem. Provided its a FAST hard drive.

HECK, when I was working for a small production company in Venice, CA, we would do our professional editing on an old PowerMac 9600!!!!! Do you know how fast the processor is on that bad boy? 300 MHZ!!!!! THAT'S RIGHT, Avid Media Composer 7.1 on an old Mac. We had a lot of nice RAM in there, and a super fast SCSI raid system, but didly squat for processing speed.

Another production facility, called Wood-Holly, also edits on similar systems. They have a much larger array of storage space, and a few graphical plugins, but pretty much the same type of Mac system.

Now, DVD burning on the other hand takes a lot more heft, because you are needing to have large through put from your Hard drive, to your mainboard and then back out to your Burner. With at least 760 meg RAM and a 1.1 GHZ system, you will have NO problem in doing so, provided that your power supply is around 350 to 400 Watts. I would look at Enermax or Vantec for a good one.

Capturing Data with a good fire wire card should not be a problem with a fast hard drive. I would look into a firewire card such as the ones talked about HERE
http://www.desktop-video-guide.com/choosing-best-firewire-card.html

If you are new to nonlinear editing, you need to start simple. I would start with Premeire 6 to get a handle on things. If not that, then start with Windows movie maker, comes bundled with XP Pro. I don't really like either of those choices, but they are good for beginners. If you get serious, then you need to think about Avid DV Xpress Pro.

That's a good place to start. Just google for info man! Look up DVD burners and what not.

Now, what I burn DVD's on here at school has changed, and I am quite spoiled at the moment. We just got 5 new G5 macs (for my department, not the cinema school), so we are using DVD Studio Pro 2 and burning with the latest of their super drives. The old school way of doing it was an external firewire drive Pioneer 2 speed I believe. It wasn't great, but it worked.

Hope that helps you all out. Let me know.

[diamonddvd]

I have recently read a good article and it would be interesting for building or buying new pc for DVD editing.

http://www.dvdrhelp.com/forum/userguides/181153.php

I decided to buy than build because I got good deal from dell by chance.
Thanks

:)

[rsfnatik]

I'm currently using an Athlon 1.0Ghz, 512MB PC133 and 2 x Maxtor 80GB/7200RPM drives to capture video from my Panasonic PV-DC252 via FireWire. All is well...

Most of the work i'm doing is web-based and i'm often converting to DivX. With this system it takes ~2 hours to covert 30 minutes of captured DV and audio (single pass)... i'm sure this could be improved with faster CPU/memory, but it's not needed right now.

I can't really comment on creating/burning DVD's as I have not yet purchased a DVD burner. That being said, I don't believe building an entirely new system is necessary in this case... more RAM, faster/larger drives would do you some good.