Perfect MacBook for HDV

[KDR]

I recently purchased a Sony HDV cam and am considering a computer to capture the content and perform minor editing. I will be working with family movies and am interested in archiving in a more usable format like dvds, or maybe even an external hard drive. I don't expect to be doing any crazy editing or effects. Probably mostly capturing, cutting and burning.

I don't want to run this on the family computer and don't have the space for another desktop, so I am leaning toward a laptop. Being a pc user at work, I am looking at the Sony Vaio AR, but am also considering a Mac. How would you recommend configuring a Macbook Pro for this purpose and how will it compare to the Vaio? I assume that it's best to capture to an external drive?

Lastly, I hate buying things when something better is just around the corner. I know this is always the case, but are any major upgrades imminent on the mbp?

 

[zioxide]

Well, first off, iMovie is way better for a new user than any simple editing software you're going to have on a PC. Or if you're feeling ambitious and want more flexibility and control, you could get Final Cut Express HD.

Now, right now I'm stuck with an iBook G4 and I can edit HDV on it fine, its just slow as hell for rendering. Therefore, every computer in Apple's lineup will be able to handle HDV fine.

If you want a laptop, I would recommend a Macbook because they're way cheaper than the Pro, and the only difference is the screen size and graphics card. Video editing is not dependent on the graphics card.

So I would probably go with a 2Ghz Core 2 Duo Macbook. Make sure you get the one with a Superdrive so you can burn DVDs. And you'll definitely want 2GB of ram. Anything less than this will make it much harder to edit. As far as hard drive space, HDV takes up 13GB an hour. So you'll need a pretty big hard drive. However, it's still preferred to use an external hard drive for storing all your video clips too, so if you want, look for a external FIREWIRE drive. You need to make sure it's firewire because it has a higher sustained data transfer rate than USB.

As for the screen size, 13.3'' is decent for iMovie but might be small if you're using final cut. However, you can get a 19'' widescreen samsung monitor for like 200 bucks off newegg, which is way cheaper than you'd pay to upgrade to a macbook pro.

 

[juanster]

YES, the new platform by intel for portables will be out on may(santa rosa) and i don think it will be too long for apple to get get new upgrades on the new platform. i expect this will happen late may maybe, beginning of june with leopard, so if you can wait i d suggest you do so. Also, if you are just going to be using this laptop for your camera and stuff around the house I think a MB will do, obviously if you ve got the money for a better machine (MBP) go for it...

 

[KDR]

thanks to both.

 

[kolax]

I switched from PC to Mac in January with my purchase of a MacBook Pro. I've never looked back. Everything has simply become a hell of a lot easier.

iMovie HD is perfect for editing, adding basic transitions and finalizing home movies. It is so simple to use, and work will perfectly with your Sony HDV.

The user interface compared to Windows is a lot slicker too, quicker navigation and the applications talk to each other a lot more efficiently. iMovie HD talks to iDVD for burning your footage to DVD like a dream. So simple and easy.

If you have the money, I'd urge you to get the MacBook Pro as opposed to the MacBook. Larger screen with higher resolution is essential for video editting. You'll need space to view the video in reasonable size, aswell as having your edit tools and timeline.

The BBC has recently switched a major part of their production systems to Mac's, and using Final Cut Pro to do professional editing. As are many other big film producers.

Get your money's worth with Apple.

Apple are releasing Leopard - their latest operating system since the release of Tiger in 2005. This could be worth waiting for if you aren't desperate although you can easily upgrade to Leopard once it is released. Rumours say Apple might bring out a new set of Mac's in conjunction with Leopard's release, but could be well into the summer before they do.

If you live in the UK, buy the Mac from John Lewis. Get a free 2 year gaurantee (compared to Apple's 1 year) and if anything did go wrong, you won't get screwed over.

 

[spyderracer393]

I recently purchased a Sony HDV cam and am considering a computer to capture the content and perform minor editing. I will be working with family movies and am interested in archiving in a more usable format like dvds, or maybe even an external hard drive. I don't expect to be doing any crazy editing or effects. Probably mostly capturing, cutting and burning.

I don't want to run this on the family computer and don't have the space for another desktop, so I am leaning toward a laptop. Being a pc user at work, I am looking at the Sony Vaio AR, but am also considering a Mac. How would you recommend configuring a Macbook Pro for this purpose and how will it compare to the Vaio? I assume that it's best to capture to an external drive?

Lastly, I hate buying things when something better is just around the corner. I know this is always the case, but are any major upgrades imminent on the mbp?

I know you mentioned you don't have space for a desktop, but if you don't need the portability of a laptop, I would recommend the iMac. The footprint is small, it is all in one, and just as fast as the MBP, but with a bigger screen and cheaper.