New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Video Editing?

post #1 of 15
2/1/05 at 9:30am
Thread Starter 
Newbie here!

I am not a gamer but a professional video producer looking for a laptop edit system. In my research it comes down to Alienware and Sager...I am most impressed with Sager thus far. I will be capturing DV video via firewire and editing with Adobe Premiere (either 6.5 or Pro)...quite a bit of rendering and authoring/burning of DVD's, as well as heavy duty Photoshop work and digital still image processing. Is the 9860-s the one for me? I was thinking 1gb of ram, 2 60g 7200 rpm drives...but to raid or not?

Is anyone out there doing similar? Any input would be appreciated!
Reply
Reply
post #2 of 15
2/1/05 at 10:13am
I use Vegas and edit on ly 3790 2ghz with 1gig mem and 80gig HD with no problems. Just did a wedding the other day. The built-in dvd burner can in handy to preview and burn copies in the field. I tried a dell XPS with a "real" p4 but it was too heavy/hot/short battery, you name it. Sent it back and got the 3790 and have been very happy with it. Sure, it's a llittle slower, but the other trade-offs are well worth it. The Sager doesn't fry my legs while surfing in bed.

Almost forgot to mention. For video, I'd recommend getting the WUXGA screen. The higher resolution give much more room for the video app.
Reply
Reply
post #3 of 15
2/1/05 at 10:32am
9860 will be fine for you, as long as you dont use avid (there seem to be compatebility issues) 1 gig is fine, but if you really use it alot for video get two, smoother operation, the 2x60 will work, but def raid0 (you got the option, use it) video editing is one of the applications where it actually makes sense to have raid0! forget about the alienware, same computer higher price and even worse tech support.
Reply
Reply
post #4 of 15
2/1/05 at 11:17am
i frequently use premiere pro and encore dvd with photoshop, illustator, maya, lightwave, 3dsmax, and capture from DV and the 9860 has far surpassed my expectations, i think its the one for you. See specs below in my sig.
Reply
Reply
post #5 of 15
2/1/05 at 12:36pm
I have the same questions as well. I want to use my future purchase of the 9860 for projects in Maya, After effects, and Premiere. As of now, is it best for me to wait for Nvidia or go with ATI? I know Raid0 is good for video, but how about Maya?

My current order would be

Sager 9860 3.6GHZ P4
2048MB 533DDR2 (4 DIMMS)
Primary Hard Drive: 60GB 7200RPM
Secondary Hard Drive: 60GB 7200rpm
Bay 1 Media Drive: 8x DVD+- combo w/ DVD+R DL
TV Tuner: NTSC & Multi Pal TV Tuner
Internal 802.11g wireless + Bluetooth
Reply
Reply
post #6 of 15
2/1/05 at 12:57pm
on raid0 you get actually better performance with the 5400rpm sata drives
Reply
Reply
post #7 of 15
2/1/05 at 1:34pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fix-ated
Newbie here!

I am not a gamer but a professional video producer looking for a laptop edit system. In my research it comes down to Alienware and Sager...I am most impressed with Sager thus far. I will be capturing DV video via firewire and editing with Adobe Premiere (either 6.5 or Pro)...quite a bit of rendering and authoring/burning of DVD's, as well as heavy duty Photoshop work and digital still image processing. Is the 9860-s the one for me? I was thinking 1gb of ram, 2 60g 7200 rpm drives...but to raid or not?

Is anyone out there doing similar? Any input would be appreciated!
I think it's a great computer for video editing. The only thing I would change about your config is get 2 gigs of ram - you'll thank yourself later. Skimp a little on the processor if you need to. (an extra gig is about $250, the difference between a 3.6 and 3.4 is about 200 ... the ram will give you a much greater performance increase than the .2 ghz.)
Reply
Reply
post #8 of 15
2/1/05 at 4:10pm
Hey Fix-ated, I do the same with my 9860, definately get 2gig it will be worth it, also make sure you get the NEC DL DVD-Writer, I received the toshiba DL and had problems with encore and nero burning data DVD's and movies. Sager kept on telling me it was a software but i knew better, so i went down to their location and had them replace my toshiba with the NEC, no problems what so ever, it burns and recognizes faster. Oh by the way do not get an Alienware unless you have money to burn
Reply
Reply
post #9 of 15
2/1/05 at 4:32pm
interesting bout the toshiba/nec. my 9860 have toshibas and i was running into glitches ocasionally. might should try to get a nec for one and check it
Reply
Reply
post #10 of 15
2/1/05 at 5:31pm
Good recommendation on the WUXGA. Although I like SXGA for normal applications I would have to agree when you are doing video editing the extra screen width is worthwhile.

The 2GB of RAM as both Lucidchaos and Jald said is a better investment than a slightly fast CPU. AV programs chew memory like crazy.

As to RAID 0 - definitely. When I switched to RAID 0 my Premier Pro setup just flies. Worth the money. As to which disks to get - always go for higher rotational speed. If you can afford the twin 7200RPM you will thank yourself later.
Reply
Reply
post #11 of 15
2/2/05 at 10:58am
dont know about your faster drives, i have one 9860 with twin 60/7200 and one with twin 80/5400 and the twin80 is quite a bit quicker with audiofiles. otherwise there is nothing to afford about 5400 vs 7200 60'ies since they cost the same (at least where i buy).
Reply
Reply
post #12 of 15
2/23/05 at 11:14am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by LSDeep
9860 will be fine for you, as long as you dont use avid (there seem to be compatebility issues) 1 gig is fine, but if you really use it alot for video get two, smoother operation, the 2x60 will work, but def raid0 (you got the option, use it) video editing is one of the applications where it actually makes sense to have raid0! forget about the alienware, same computer higher price and even worse tech support.

Ok...regarding Raid 0...a system builder I was talking to said you bet use it if there are 2 drives PLUS your system drive. Apperently for Adobe Premiere you need to keep your video files on a seperate drive from you system.

Any input?

Thanks!
Reply
Reply
post #13 of 15
2/23/05 at 12:51pm
You can do it with only two drives you just have to stripe them. There has been some talk about installing a 3rd drive in the 2nd optical drive slot so you could have system on one and media on the other two. I don't know if anybody has been able to do this though. I have been waiting on a post on adding a third HD for a while...
Reply
Reply
post #14 of 15
2/23/05 at 1:16pm
Adobe Premiere works best if you have a seperate channel and device for the working files. RAID-0 will not be as benificial - IMHO, as a unique "work" drive for this application. SATA on the 9860 provides seperate channels - the ATA, IMHO does not (this point can get to be a religious discussion that Idon't want to start/get into here).
Reply
Reply
post #15 of 15
2/23/05 at 1:55pm
I'm using the 9860 for video editing with great results. RAID 0 with two 80 gig SATA's, 3.4 P4.

QUOTE: LSDeep- "9860 will be fine for you, as long as you dont use avid (there seem to be compatebility issues)"

I'm using AVID Xpress. The one issue was that the application was not compatible with the new onboard audio system. You needed a soundcard like the Creative Audigy to make it work. But with the latest Realtek drivers (released earlier this month), the issue is solved- works great with onboard audio.
Reply
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Sager & Clevo Notebooks