[HollyG]

I am configuring a new system to use with Adobe Premiere Pro. The camera is a Panasonic DVX100A. I want to go with Dell, as I was very happy with my old computer. I want to make sure before I order it that the setup will run with Adobe.
This is what I have so far:
Dell Dimension XPS Gen5
1 GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz
80GB Serial ATA HD (for first HD)
Dual drives: 48x CD-RW Drive + 16x DVD+/-RW w/dbl layer
Sound card: Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS It comes with the IEEE 1394
Not sure about the video card.
I'm also not sure how big the second drive should be for video storage. So far I have about 6 hours worth of video. Would 160GB be enough?

[lister]

should be.
Why a CD-RW and a DVD-RW? Not going to get a ROM?

[photolady]

Your video card should be at least 128mb card with either Radeon or Nvidia chipsets. I have had good luck and better photos with Nvidia line. As for drive size, 160 sounds good too. Lots of space there, enough to handle videos.

Both drives you're getting should be sufficient, and I see no reason to get just a ROM (Read Only) drive. Both you have mentioned, have that capability also.

[lister]

DVD-ROMs tend to have faster Read speeds; so if you want to read data or watch a DVD (or copy data directly of a CD or DVD to burn 'on the fly'), then I would use my ROM drive first.

CD-RW - won't read DVDs unless it's a combi.

Some folk say that CD-RW write to CDs faster than DVD-RW - haven't tested it myself though.

[linskyjack]

Sorry Photolady, you dont need 128mb to run Premiere or most of the prosumer NLE's out there. I run Vegas and Premiere flawlessly with a piddling Matrox 550 duel headed card with 32mb onboard memory. As far as the computer that Holly is looking to configure it looks good but there are some things she should consider. First of all, you will need an extra drive---you can either get an external firewire, or an internal IDE or Sata. This drive will be used for nothing but the capturing of your video--all other applications and files will sit on your C:drive. Since video capture eats up huge amounts of drive space, get the largest drive you can afford. Also, if you decide to go with an external drive, don't use the Soundblaster firewire port---it is known to have problems and drop frames. I recommend that you purchase a firewire card if you decide to go the external route.

[HollyG]

I am going by what Dell has available on their site and trying to configure it from there. I'm not sure of all the technical specifics that are required, and don't know how to order parts and then build it myself. I did mention that I would get a second HD that will only be used for video storage, but you're saying that Dell's HD with the Sound Blaster is not good for that? So in essence it's not a good idea to build a system through Dell for editing video footage with Adobe Premiere Pro?

[linskyjack]

No---the Dell hardisk comes loaded with the operating system and whatever other junk they throw on there---You need to add a disk--7200rpm 8mbcache to hold your video. The Soundblaster card is fine--what I was saying is that the firewire port on it will give you problems. ---If you are looking to buy a dedicated video editing machine, then there are some excellent builders out there who can build you a system that is tweaked to edit video. If you want the names then let me know.

[HollyG]

That would probably be the best idea.

[linskyjack]

Okay--check out www.videoguys.com or www.promax.com Both are very good.