Apple Event: May 7th at 7 am PT

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Level 1

0 points

Video Editing (PC vs Mac)

I do a lot of video editing: (transcoding from DVD to mp4, transcoding from windows DVR format to mp4, trimming out commercials, personal video editing using adobe) etc, and my old windows machine is very slow - these files are also very big (a bluray can be about 8gig once it is transcoded). I use my windows machine as a DVR - run the cable box right into it to capture the TV shows I want, then I transcode/edit them to play on devices such as my kids TV and the ipod/blackberry.

I am contemplating my options:
1. upgrade my windows machine with new cpu, board, memory, gpu etc) or
2. buy a mac... so I am guessing I would have to go mac pro to get the performance I want.

Any thoughts? Will the Mac do what I want QUICKLY (the speed is very important because I am sick of sitting around waiting for files to be processed). I also want to know if the mac supports recording TV and if so, which program does that?

Thanks in advance for your advice.

My current Windows configuration is:
XP MCE, Pentium 4 (yes it is old), 2 Gig ram.

Windows XP

Posted on Sep 24, 2009 5:08 PM

46 replies

Samsara

Level 4

1,321 points

Sep 28, 2009 1:30 PM in response to hamtickle

Actually I'm not sure what those perspectives are, maybe just the degree of emphasis we put on them. I thought the options were pretty well spelled out already though.
Tom really has all the best answers though. His suggestion of trying out what you do on various machines I think is the ideal one. Tough to arrange maybe, but ideal.

There is one last thing I will say though, but you have to keep in mind I haven't used PCs at all.
If you could manage it, you would not be sorry getting a Mac. Aside from an excellently thought out machine, you have a company that has been at the center of the Graphic Arts world since it's inception. Not only do they have their own excellent software, but they also have long standing ties with Adobe and similar companies. You wouldn't have to get top of the line, even the 08's are great machines and can be gotten with good savings. Since it's Apple, I would even consider one of their refurbished models.

But it's all up to you. Are you only looking to do better what you are doing now, or are you looking for a bigger change. A Mac will do both for you but the cost might not make much sense if the machine you have now is capable or able to be made capable.

Good luck,
Steve

Video Editing (PC vs Mac)