New Computer for Video Editing. What do I do now?

Question

Hello! I recently bought a new computer to hopefully use it for video editing. I plan on doing this as a career in the future and would like all the practice I can get as a kid. Here are the System Specs (I'm not sure what some of these thing mean, lol):

eMachines T5088 Desktop PC
Windows Vista Home Basic
Intel Pentium 4 HT Processor; 3.20 GHz
512 MB DDR2 Dual Channel Capable
15 in 1 High Speed Digital Manager
160 GB SATA II; 7,200 RPM with 8 MB Cache
DVD(+,-)RW Multi-Format Double Layer Drive
Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950
Up to 224 MB Shared Video Memory
PCI-Express slot available

I have no clue what most of that means. Go here to find more detailed system specs: http://emachines.com/products/products.html?prod=T5088

Does anyone have any ideas what I can do or buy to make this computer the best it can be for video editing and production? Also, any tips on cheap software besides Windows Movie Maker 6.0?

Thanks!

Kyle R.: I know it is a very basic computer. But I'm only 14 and that's all I could afford, lol. I want to know what I can do with little or no money. I don't have a job yet! I will upgrade that stuff eventually but not now because I'm broke!

Answer 1

Sounds Like A Nice Machine, you Should Be Able To Do Some Basic Video Editing As It Is. (With Some Software) If You Don't Have Any, Check The Web For Free Or Low Cost Shareware. You Could However, Use A Video Card With Dedicated (NOT Shared) Video Memory. And More Ram Definitely Wouldn't Hurt. But As You Are Just Starting Out, Work With What You Have Now. And In Time You Will Better Understand What You Need. Good Luck!! P.S. I'm A Mac User Myself And As Much As I Love My Mac (I've Owned 7 So Far ) It Isn't The Only Computer That Can Do Video (But, If You Are Going To Make This A Career, And You Decide To Get A Mac At Some Point - Far In The Future, You Won't Be Disappointed)

Answer 2

I built my own PC. Here is something to AIM for in the future for your PC for video editing. My software of choice: Sony Vegas My System: Intel Core 2 Extreme 8 GB of memory (DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)) Two WD Raptor 74 GB 10,000 RPM Hard drives Two 500 GB Lacie external HD's for storage. Two 256MB Video cards with dual DVI output for Quad Screens. (more than one screen is extremely helpful) That is an expensive set up but if you plan on doing video editing for your career, or a hobby like I do then you need something fast, really fast. You could also go with a mac. Which are AWESOME. But the ones good for video editing are about 10 grand, and they are barely better than my setup. My advice is to save your money and get a better system, if your in a pinch and need something NOW then get something with ALOT of memory, (2gb is fine) a good CPU (atleast a dual core of some kind). and don't let your HD bottle neck your system and go with a aftermarket WD Raptor and try and then buy an enclosure for the stock HD and use it for external storage. You should be able to do that with 1000 dollars

Answer 3

Two editing softwares are:
1)PINNACLE STUDIO SE Version 10.5 – $29
2.)Sony Vegas Movie Studio+dvd 6.0 - $69
There are many more, but prices vary because of the complexity and fuctionality of each software.

If you are starting out to learn about editing movies, the computer you have is fine. You are a beginner and you don't need an expensive computer to learn. Once you master the basic principles of moviemaking, are older, and have money, you can purchase a $5,000 computer and a professional video editing software $1,000-$3,000.
Good-Luck!!

Answer 4

Its a very nice system to start with for what you want to do with it, two things of note that you really should consider when editting digital media like videos. 1) you should purchase 2gigs of PC4200 Dual Channel Memory and replace the 1 stick of 512 that is currently in your system. The dual channel memory will increase your systems speed in which it can access your system memory. Digital media editting is very system resource intensive, most low end videos are usually 1-3gigs of data, so with only 512mgs available (and that being shared by your onboard video) your machine is going to be doing alot of swapping in and out of your virtual memory on your hard drive, which slows your editting ability down. 2) Purchase a PCI-express x16 Video card and install it in the open PCI-express x16 slot on the motherboard and connect your monitor to that. The best ones for this are the Nvidia Quadro cards as they are intended for workstations doing this type of work, but be warned, they are at least 10 - 20x more expensive than the general release PCI-express video cards that should work just about as well for you without the major expense of the Quadro cards. I would recommend considering at least a 256mg video card, but your might want to consider a 512mg if you can afford it. Here is a link to XFX's line available at Tigerdirect.com, these are all 256mg cards so you should be able to find something in your price range here: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/category/category_slc.asp?MfrId=1439&Nav=|c:1558|c:1560|&Sort=3&Recs=10 . By installing one of these cards you are freeing up that portion of the system resources called shared video graphics memory that you are currently using. Windows Vista takes 128mgs just to run the operating system, then you will have other programs like anti-virus programs, and your video editting software taking up even more of that total system memory, that is why I would recommend you add the video card and increase your total system memory to 2gigs as that is the maximum your motherboard can support. I hope this helps.

Answer 5

lol get a better video card, more ram, faster processor, more hd space. Sorry but thats like very low grade for anything other than like browsing internet and 2d games.

Look for something with dual core processor (core 2 duo, amd x2) um around 2gb ram ddr2, and 300+ gb hd, and ask for a good graphics card for video editing.

Answer 6

IJust want to say that check weather your hadware support 64 bit or not ask while buying computer it is very important for your video rendering good luck

Answer 7

Too late now, but if you had bought a mac computer, then it would have came with iMovie and iDVD. Both great apps. If you had extra money, which you said you dont, you can also buy Final Cut Pro, but thats expensive. Er, with the computer you have, there wont really be any suitable, decent software, sorry.

Answer 8

Yea a Mac has everything you need.


I have not ever had any luck with emachines or vista

Answer 9

that is telling you what you have in your computer