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Question

Building new system

May 9, 2011 1:37PM PDT

I have managed to scrape $2000 together and it's time for a new computer. I've been struggling along with computers I bought in second hand shops and re-built a couple back in pre-USB days so I understand the basics and know how to install hardware. I'm lost when it comes to the system itself.

The principal job of the computer will be to capture analog signals and convert them to avi files. It would need to have good video and audio editing software.

I have 50+ hours of video recorded in 3 different tape formats, 2 drawers full of audio cassettes, I cupboard full of vinyl records, 1 keyboard full of my music/backing tracks for my songs. I need to get all that lot into my computer so I can produce video clips, dvds and cds. I also have several thousand negatives from photos I have taken throughout my life so a scanner that can handle negatives would be good too.

What system do I need to handle that particular job?
Here's what the local computer store have recommended:
CPU - I5-2400 3.1 quad core lga1155
MB - ASUS P8H67-M SKT-1155
RAM - 8GB Kit DDR3 (2X4GB)
DVD - DVDRW SATA 5.25"
POWER - 600W ThermalTake SP-TTW0103
VIDEO - ATI 5770 Video card
HD - 1TB SATA hard drive

I also need advice on the hardware/software used in capturing analog signals. The Computer Store offered me Compro-C500 but the reviews I've seen for it didn't inspire me with confidence. What are my options? What is a firewire and do I need one?
Sorry there's so many questions here, but can't afford to get this wrong. Tired of always playing "catch-up" and want to be future proof at least for a while.
Thanks in advance for any advice you can give me.
Rob, Qld

Discussion is locked

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Clarification Request
About firewire.
May 9, 2011 2:12PM PDT

I'll stop short of duplicating ready web content but if you have some device that needs it, then you add it. Otherwise you can ignore that.

I must ask why you would build a machine today. The problems I find today are folk that discover how hard it is to get Windows installed proper makes me hesitate. That is, if you ask about firewire it may be a moon shot effort for you to get Windows working properly. No offense meant but this is not a good sign.

Why not use a ready to use machine?
Bob

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Re: Firewire
May 9, 2011 2:43PM PDT

Hi Bob,
I'm working on the theory that it costs less to buy all the bits and put them together myself. Basically, I walked into a computer store, told them I need a good computer that can handle lots of video and the specs in my first post are what they recommended and the price they quoted me included them assembling it and presumably me not owning my own copy of Windows 7.. That's where I'm up to. Is that what I need to do what I want to do, or are there indeed ready-made computers that could do the job? The question would then go to the analog capture device, which for me is the most important part. Doesn't matter how great the computer is if this device doesn't do what I expect from it. I've been reading a few reviews about a few capture devices and some mention firewire and some don't, so don't know if I'm going to really "need" one or not at this stage. I guess I still have a bit more reading to do... Happy
Rob

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For desktops, adding firewire is a cheap thing/card.
May 10, 2011 9:11AM PDT

Here it runs 10 bucks on amazon.com.

I have to disagree building our own today is going to save any money. Just look at the posts here asking for help trying to fix a balky built it my self machine. And the story about installing Windows never seems to end.

-> About firewire. If your devices need it, get it, if not, no need to get it.

Let's tackle this another way. What are you using today for video and audio work? It might be that the usual i3/i5 machine ready to use would be light years ahead and ready to go to work in one afternoon.
Bob

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Windows...
May 11, 2011 12:49PM PDT

Must admit, installing Windows does seem to cause a few problems. My current computer has "No audio device" since re-installing XP. I then installed my mum's copy of 7 and it worked great, and my audio device problem went away. However of course I had registration problems with 7 (presumably as it's already registered with my mum) so had to re-install XP again, so this computer works fine on XP, just no sound. The whole computer cost me $125 from a second-hand shop and is ancient.
At the moment I'm not using anything for my video and audio work. The whole project has been in limbo for over ten years now while I've waited for digital technology to develop to the point where it is affordable and for my 50th birthday at the weekend my dad gave me $1500. I've managed to save about $700.
I guess the reason I'm fixated on building my own is because I'd like to learn how to, and there would be nobody to blame but myself if it f***s up. Happy
I have enough "projects on hold" to keep me busy for years - films, songs, music, photographs, memories. I am very eager to get stuck into it and if it wasn't for the analog capture card thing, I'd have probably already gone and bought the first computer I saw (if there is a world championship for buying "lemons", I'd win it...)
I've never owned a new computer before. Trotting off to Harvey Norman to buy a computer off the shelf would be easy and I'm still not ruling that out. Are the "off the shelf" computers any good? Is the system I've been recommended a good system (assuming I manage to put it together correctly...)?
Rob

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Answer
Similar set up
May 10, 2011 10:38AM PDT

I was interested in what answers you got 'cause I have a very similar set up which I took possession of just over one manth. From start to finish I selected the components and had a shop build the whole thing. Reason. Very simple. No-one here locally sold a set up remotely similar and even worse, at a price which I intended paying. For the same money they all tried to flog me a machine which just would not have been up the quality of the machine which I now proudly own. Some people on here seem to think that everything on the go is available in the area you live in and you don,t want to deal with a postal purchase!
CPU - I5-2400 3.1 quad core lga1155MB( I got the i5-2500k) - ASUS P8H67-M SKT-1155RAM (I got the P8P67) - 8GB Kit DDR3 (2X4GB) (I could only afford 4 Gb at the time but will U/grade to 8 Gb asap) DVD - DVDRW SATA 5.25"POWER - 600W ThermalTake SP-TTW0103VIDEO (i got 750 as it was strongly recommended by the shop) - ATI 5770 Video cardHD - 1TB SATA hard drive
So, as you can see for yourself the system I had built is so similar to your intended machine. I love mine so there you have it from an owner!
ps. I bought the O/s myself and the shop installed (W7 Ultimate) with not bit of a problem.
Enjoy your machine!

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Thanks
May 11, 2011 1:01PM PDT

Hi! Thanks for the reply. It's good to hear it's possible to do. The computer shop re-quoted me this morning for the cost of the components only and the price dropped $400. They still haven't been able to suggest a capture card yet though, so still waiting to hear back from them on that.
Rob

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Answer
I suggest...
May 11, 2011 11:10PM PDT

I'll agree with Robert that if you get your hands on a basic entry PC nowadays will do alot of what many users want. You can then go up from that entry level and "customize" more to get what you feel you need. Now, visit say Dell and build a PC online and then get a cost reference and see what's available, though you NEED NOT order it. You do get a feel for the costs, etc. Since, you seem that local will do, the research what the costs of those items you've listed will come to and compare what a local builder wants. If the labor is too much, its not going to be worth it. Now, provided you have some skills you can simply put this together yourself. Having all new and using Win7 shouldn't be too much of brain drain, but again that is something you have to gauge. To me, $2000 is alot of PC, a whole lot. If you check gaming PCs which tend to build to top specs, many of them are offered well below $2K and $1K will fit the bill, IMO.

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thanks Willy
May 12, 2011 12:14PM PDT

thanks Willy.
For me, it's the analog capture which is the most important thing. Seems I can do it using a capture card or a stand-alone device using a firewire connection. Once I've made a decision on that, I'll check minimum system requirements and take it from there. For the sheer volume of video/audio it's gonna need to handle though it will need a bit of grunt.
I have built one computer from the motherboard up before so the thought of building another doesn't daunt me. The local computer shop re-quoted me for $400 cheaper if they didn't build it, but they're still $200 above what I've priced the components at over the internet. The "off the shelf" option is still open to me but having seen the problems my mother keeps having when she buys a "cheap n nasty"....
Yes, I know $2000 is a lot of money for a computer, but if I go with the Canopus capture device which looks great, there's $750 gone already. If I have to wait another month and save a bit more money, I will. But yeah, itching to spend it. 7 years on the Disability Pension, 3 years homeless... this computer is gonna help me to re-launch my career. 35 years of projects on hold, all waiting for technology to evolve and become affordable. And now I can afford it.

Thanks everyone for your advice so far. Please keep it coming.
Here's where I'm up to:
Looking at getting the Canopus AVDC-300 which retails at about $750AU. I have seen deals where this also comes with Adobe Premiere editing software. Is it better than Pinnacle 12/13? I've used Pinnacle 8 and found it to be idiot proof to use but dropped a lot of frames in capture. The Canopus would rectify that though (I hope) as it has Time Base Correctors included and I understand that this is important when working with old tapes?
Rob