Desktop Video: Furniture for Editing Computers

As a video-editing hobbyist, you probably spend a great deal of time thinking about your computer. You continually consider the capacity of your hard drives and regularly revisit your recommended RAM. You muse over monitors, mice and menu structures, strain over software solutions and agonize over edit decisions. You also spend a lot of time in front of your computer when you are actually editing. Let's face it, even a short video project can take upwards of eight hours to edit. That's a lot of time to spend at a dinky desk.

When you consider the number of hours you spend editing a project, space and comfort become key considerations. A small desk may be fine for home computing, but when you decide to outfit your editing setup with an additional VGA monitor for dual screen operation, a TV for previewing NTSC output, a dedicated play and/or record deck, and any of a hundred other editing accessories, you're going to need more space. That will mean shopping for a workstation that really works.

When it comes to editing workstations, you have several options. Among them are: Standard computer stands, modular models, fine furniture and specialized professional editing equipment racks.

You don't have to spend a lot of money to get a suitable editing workstation. Many standard computer stands are well-suited to video editing. L-shaped computer desks that offer a great deal of space start at just a couple hundred dollars. These desks are typically made of particle board and metal, and assembly is required. Be cautious, however, about the quality of the materials used in the construction of these units. Be aware that just because a desk looks large enough does not guarantee that it will have the strength to support your system, especially if you intend to add many monitors. Some models at this level have been known to sag visibly after holding a large monitor for just a few months.

A quality modular unit may be just what you need. They are typically lightweight and easy to assemble, and often offer enough space to hold all of your gear. Many have wheels, making rear-access easy when you need to swap cables. Companies like Anthro (www.anthro.com), Biomorph Interactive Desks (www.biomorphdesk.com) and NRG Research(www.nrg-research.com) offer modular, some-assembly-required workstations that you can customize and accessorize to meet your needs. Anthro's Curved Cart (starting at about $900) is designed for a multi-monitor editing suite. Biomorph's ergonomic desks range from the compact 38" x 37" xo2 ($329) to the well-endowed maxo ($2,195), measuring 95 x 54.

If you need a desk that will be functional, but will also look nice in your living room, shop your local furniture stores and spend some time visiting the Web pages of companies like Bush Furniture (www.bushfurniture.com), Sauder (www.sauder.com), Intelligent Designs (www.id-furniture.com) and Nextech Desk Solutions (www.nextechcorp.net). Stylish and modern-looking, steel, glass and wood workstations are also available from companies like Boltz Steel Furniture (www.boltz.com) and Turnstone (www.turnstonefurniture.com). These manufacturers offer a range of high quality workstations that will provide the space that you need, without compromising style or quality. Expect products in this category start around $900 and range upward to well over $3,000.