video editing on laptop with shared RAM

[j santos]

Preamble:

I was looking for some help on a system configuration to do some very light
video editing - mostly direct conversion from VHS/Hi8 to DVD. I've done some
school project work on my desktop before, which is:
Athlon 800MHz
128MB RAM
32MB graphics adapter.
The project turned out ok, but pixelated becuase I was only running USB1.1.

Now, I recently purchased a notebook with the following specs:
Athlon XP-M 2200
512 MB RAM
40GB HDD
shared video RAM
USB 2
I have the option to upgrade within a week to a system with an 80GB HDD and
DVD+/-RW. The laptop upgrade would cost me around $200.

Questions:
1)Will the upgraded notebook be able to handle light video editing? Or is
the shared video RAM not enough?

3) Can my PC handle to job with some minor upgrades?

2) Which would be more economical: the PC upgrade or the notebook upgrade?

3) What is a good low (not bottom) end configuration for this type of work?

Either solution, I know I'll have to buy capture hardware and another very
large HDD.

Thanks!

 

[Dan Wojciechowski]

Preamble:

I was looking for some help on a system configuration to do some very light
video editing - mostly direct conversion from VHS/Hi8 to DVD. I've done some
school project work on my desktop before, which is:

....

I am working on some very similar projects, and this is what I've
done/learned:
1. I've tried using uncompressed captures, (i.e. AVI) but the size was
unworkable
for 2 hour tapes.
2. I've tried using MPEG2 capture in software with an Athlon XP 2000+ and
2600+,
but either dropped frames occasionally or had pretty blocky video
anytime there
were fine details and motion.
3. I've tried a basic capture card that does MPEG2 compression in hardware.
Without a doubt, this is the only way to go for great quality analogue
video
capture for DVD. I paid around $100 about 6 months ago.

Without MPEG2 hardware support, you will need every bit of processor you can
get for the capture and compress. Once you have the MPEG2 hardware, you
don't *need* a lot of processing power, but it will be nice since it will
reduce the
time it takes your PC to render the DVD. I've never timed it, but with my
XP 2600+ system (512MB 333DDR RAM, 7200rpm drive) takes something like
1/2 hour to render a complete DVD (give or take 15 minutes). Obviously,
slower
processors will take longer, as will adding menus and audio overlays, etc.


--
Dan (Woj...) [dmaster](no space)[at](no space)[lucent](no space)[dot](no
space)[com]
===============================
"Father please forgive me for I can not compose
The fear that lives within me
Or the rate at which it grows
If struggle has a purpose on the narrow road you've carved
Why do I dread my trespasses will leave a deadly scar"