video editing computer

[jtwise]

I am trying to set up a good computer to capture video, edit video and convert it and burn it to dvds/blu-ray. What are software and system specs that anyone recommends.

[SHines-IT]

What's your budget?

[jtwise]

well its more, like getting a better video card, capture card, software, etc

[Sussudio]

i do a fair amount of video editing on mine...just to help you start out:

i recommend:
-at the very least 4 GB of ram.
-quad core processor (especially since they're so cheap these days). if you can't spring for that a dual core will suffice depending on how heavy duty the editing you're performing is (i.e. using smoke, after effects, any of those type programs is much more demanding on your system)
-if your budget allows some of the best video editing graphics cards are nvidia quattro's. keep in mind they are not meant to handle intense gaming, just multimedia-based activities
-for software, if you want to go with industry-grade programs, get either Final Cut Pro (if you get a mac - in which case a quad core is a must), or Adobe Premiere for windows. You could also go with Avid, but that will run you a lot more $$. If you want to save some money in this area and don't need industry grade stuff, get the "lite" versions of each program - Final Cut Express or Adobe Premiere Elements.

those are some basic starter tips. if you have any other questions i'd be happy to help you out and I'm sure others with more expertise would as well

[LynxFX]

For software I'll also add in Sony Vegas Pro. Can do everything Final Cut/Avid can do, HD native, and Blu-ray native. You can burn a blu-ray disc straight from the timeline. Also one of the best programs for audio mixing. Best thing is that it is cheaper than the rest and if you are starting out, very easy to use. I've used it for many professional projects.

[jtwise]

what do you recommend for blu-ray burners and capture cards?

[LynxFX]

What will you be filming on? Are you going to need to output to tape decks via SDI or analog, or capture from said decks?

If it simply a matter of capturing from a home video camera does it have firewire? If so, then all you need is a cheap firewire card. The software does the rest. If you are doing pro stuff, then you would need something like a Decklink card or AJA box rich run in the $1k-$3k range. But it all depends on the camera you are using and what it records to. Luckily even with most pro stuff you can get away with a simple firewire cable for capturing.

If you are going from old home video tapes, or dvd's and such I had good luck with a Pinnacle firewire capture box. It would take analog from any source, DVD player, VHS, etc and convert to digital. Costs about $150.

[jtwise]

One disc is a dvd with footage on it, not copyrighted, but haven't copied it onto the computer in a usable format, the other is a finished dvd using sony handycam, the final product after editing and mixing different parts of the films would be dvd and blu-ray

[LynxFX]

If that's the case you could use Sony Vegas and just rip the dvd's right to your timeline. No capturing neccissary. If you go with a different editing program you might just look for a good dvd ripping program. One that can rip it to avi or mpeg2. Then you can edit that.