College Computer « Videomaker Community Forums

quicksilver8907
Member

I am about to graduate from high school and currently have a compaq presario running an athlon 64 3000+. I would like to get a new computer to persue my video editing career. Would I be better off getting an apple g4 dual processor or a macbook or a macbook pro. Keeping in mind that I am a poor high school kid moving on to college. Thanks for any advice you can give me.
Tyler

Posted 5 years ago #
compusolver
Member

Tyler, probably more money gets tied up in software than hardware for an editor. I would think it would depend on your current software library and on where you go to pursue your video editing education as some classes might favor one OS over the other. (Don't overlook the importance of other subjects, like English!)

Posted 5 years ago #
cfulton
Member

An Athlon 64 3000+ isn't too bad. The only thing that won't be really good at is intensive HD work.
You don't want a G4 at this point. I expect that all of the future Mac software you'd want to run will probably be Intel-only in a year or two. Apple offers academic pricing, but I think the savings is maybe $50-100--not exactly a jaw-dropper, but they do sweeten it a bit.
Consider this, in addition: most of the big software developers also offer academic pricing. Some of those licenses are a really great deal. (For examples, check out the following company who came to the top of my head who does not advertise with us and does not constitute a comprehensive listing of companies selling educational software licenses: http://www.journeyed.com/home.asp .)

Posted 5 years ago #
quicksilver8907
Member

What is a good program for be to be using to learn how to do video editing. Currently I am using premiere elements, what are some other good ones that I should use. How much ram should I be using? Also, I am thinking of going to CSU Monterey to pursue my editing career, is that a good college for that or should I go somewhere else? Thanks

Posted 5 years ago #
cfulton
Member

One of the best places to learn more about the software offerings out there is our online editing software buyer's guide at http://www.videomaker.com/grid/video-editing-software/ .
I haven't heard a lot about CSU, Monterey Bay's offerings. As an alumnus, though, I can tell you that CSU, Chico has some great offerings. :D You probably want to take a look at the Web sites of a few of the CSU system's schools as well as the UC system, as well (though UCLA is definitely geared more toward film than video from what I understand about their program.)

Posted 5 years ago #
quicksilver8907
Member

What is the difference between film editing and video editing?? I want to do hollywood type stuff so would that be film or video? How much ram should I be running on my athlon 64 3000+?

Posted 5 years ago #
compusolver
Member

I want to do hollywood type stuff so would that be film or video?

Your best bet would be to invest in a couple of 35mm film cameras. :)

Posted 5 years ago #
BarefootMedia
Member

I would not invest in film as an aquisition format for movies. The money it takes to purchase a decent 35mm film camera is a sizable expense, but when you add in the cost of film, processing, work prints, internegatives, the seperate audio tapes & locating editors, or going the digital intermeadite route when you still process the film & pay for the scan to digital for post, it all gets expensive. Especially when you consider that the film "Miami Vice" was shot totally with digital cameras and in a recent article in "Millimeter" Clint Eastwood states he expects to be shooting in digital in the foreseeable future. More & more major motion pictures are moving into the digital realm. And it seems that the majority of independent productions are already totally digital up to the point of distribution. So invest your energy in digital production techniques & your money should follow.

Good Luck, Tony Clark

Posted 5 years ago #
compusolver
Member

Tony's right of course. I thought my post would be seen as another of my attempts at humor, but I guess Jay Leno's job is in no danger from me! X-D

Posted 5 years ago #