Just got a Digital8 - what should I buy for it?

[cameron_veil]

I just not a Sony Digital 8 and not I have to upgrade my computer. I'm thinking about at Pentium4/1.6gig and a ATI all-in-wonder 8500DV (64 or 128meg).

Does it matter if I get a 64meg card or a 128meg card? Would I notice the difference?

I'd also like to know what kind of stuff I want to have on a motherboard.

Any other advice is also welcome.

Thanks.

[MuFu]

The 128MB version (called the All-In-Wonder 128MB) does not have a firewire (DV) input, so if you are going to need that then get the 64MB 8500DV.

The AIW 128MB model is clocked at 275/275MHz while the 8500DV clocks in at 230/190MHz, making it appreciably slower in games.

As for the upgrade, make sure you get the 1.6A P4 and plenty of RAM (at least 512MB I'd say). I guess the issue falls into another forum though.

Have fun.

MuFu.

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KG7R
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PlecksRyta 16/10/40A
Pie-on-ear 16x DVD
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WyndoesXP

[Todd a]

Do what I did. Get the Sound Blaster Audigy from Creative Labs. It is a nice sound card and comes with one FireWire connector. If you get the EX version it will have all the nifty plugs in a breakout box the hook up to your Digital Dolby 5.1 suround sound system.

Also you might want to make sure you are running WindowsXP. It is set-up nice for DV. It will load the video software automatically when you plug in the DV cammera. The editing software is better then what you camera likely comes with. It also copresses directly off the camcorder. This is nice since a one hour tape in DV will blow about 20GB of hard drive space. A compressed file using Widows Media Video (I think it is based on MPEG-4) will take up about 1/10th or less with good image quality.

The other thing you will want is a LARGE HARD DRIVE (especially if you are using uncompressed DV files). 80GB is a nice place to start. 2-80GB drives in a RAID set-up is better.

A CD recorder is a must. DVD player is nice too since you are looking at a graphics card with tv-out.

What model you get? I have the TRV-820 with the built in full color printer. The image is great. added a 3 hour battery, light on top, and stand alone charger. The still pictures are not the best, but the nightshot is COOL. The software that they sent with it did not work. It would not detect the camera. The software I got free with my cheap $60 camera worked fine though. Then I upgraded to WindowsXP (nice). I wanted the 730 (better still pictures,but less features), but the 820 was being discontinued and they sold it to me for 50% off and through in a 4 year warrenty for free. I couldn't pass it up. It was my Christmas pressent to myself.

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AthlonXP 1600+ 1.65v 42'C
FOP32-1 Mod w/80mm 30db
Epox 8KHA+ KT266A
256MB Crucial DDR266 cas2
GeForce2 GTS (210/410)
Sound Blaster Audigy
Antec SX-630 Case (mod'd)
TTGI TT-350-SS 370w PS

[cameron_veil]

I didn't know about that sound card - thanks, but I think I'll probably go for the all-in-wonder. I have to buy a video card anways (I have a 16meg card) so I might as well pay $100 extra for the all-in-wonder. As for editing, I'll probably use adobe premier. That suck that I need that much ram, I have 384meg now and I don't think I can afford more. Actually, I don't have the money for a new processor either!

[wetling]

Well, you don't necessarily need more RAM, but it will definitely help.

For video editing, I really like Pinnacle Studio 7. And make sure you have a firewire port on your camera before you start worrying about needing one on your computer.

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[dfgsd]

what system do u have now?.....you will probaly have to buy new ram for the pentium 4 if you want it to run at its best

[Todd a]

That is likely enough memory. How profesional do you need? The editting software in WindowsXP is pretty good for home use. Also sinse you have the option to copress it directly into WMV, it saves you a ton of hard drive space at a very small reduction in image quality.

Almost all Sony HandyCams come with FireWire. The newer ones (x30's and x40's) have USB 1.1 and FireWire adn the older ones (x20's) have Serial (ICK!) and FireWire. I tossed the serial cable as it would take forever to transfer videos.

If you do not use 3D gaming much, you might just spend $40 on a TV tuner card. This will let you input video, output video, and have a fully functional TV tuner. That also lets you upgrade your video without having to buy a new TV tuner card each time. Some of the nicer ones have remotes and possibly full hardware DVD decoders.

Go cheap to start and work your way up as you need to.

So what camera, system, and OS you got?

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AthlonXP 1600+ 1.65v 42'C
FOP32-1 Mod w/80mm 30db
Epox 8KHA+ KT266A
256MB Crucial DDR266 cas2
GeForce2 GTS (210/410)
Sound Blaster Audigy
Antec SX-630 Case (mod'd)
TTGI TT-350-SS 370w PS

[cameron_veil]

dfgsd - you're right. I just learned that the new motherboards won't take my SDRAM. So what I ended up with is:
P4 1.6GHz (512k)w/845 chipset
284M DDRAM
ATI 8500DV 64meg (128 is out now for $100 extra)
13gig + 80gig drive harddrives
WinXP home Ed.

I suspect this will be a lot better than my PIII-450! As for software, I was going to go with Premier 'cause a friend of mine could teach me how to use it but I'll look into Pinnacle Studio 7 if I can find it on an FTP - or I'll just use whatever comes with the 8500DV.

BTW - another cool thing about the 8500DV is that is comes with some free games and software as well as a free radio remote. Sweet.

Thanks to everyone for their thoughts.

[MuFu]

Nice! The RF remote control is awesome.

Make sure you get the latest drivers for that 8500DV from ATi's website (or even some of the later, unofficial drivers available around the web). Whatever you do, do not install the drivers from the ATi installation CD (3276), they are AWFUL!

MuFu.

P.S. Is that 384MB of RAM not 284MB? Should be fine.

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[This message has been edited by Mutha Funker (edited 05-06-2002).]