DTV Edit Suite

DTV can be expensive to set up, though there are different configurations to suit your finances. I will look at Mac systems, though there are systems for the other computer platforms out there, but Macs are best. At present there are 2 types of Mac available, iMacs and G4's. iMacs are are aimed at the home user whereas G4s are aimed at the pro-sumer & broadcast markets. As system specs change I will give only basic info, and you can change a configuration anyway by ordering from the Apple Shop.

There are 3 types of system, the amateur system is always the cheapest and easiest but lack the power a professional requires, such as the dream system.

The Holiday Video
The Spielberg Hopeful
The Dream System

The Holiday Video.

If all you want to do is edit your holiday video then an iMac DV system is ideal for you. Its a self contained DV system (you need a DV camcorder) which will allow you to capture your clips, edit & add FX and then output it to tape.

Computer System

The new iMac400 DV range are ideal as they were designed for editing home videos. The iMac DV 400 SE is the best one for editing. You will need at least 128Mb of RAM and a 10Gb drive for your footage. These iMacs have Firewire built in, (a special digital connection for sending digital data between camera/VCR and computer). This means you will need a Firewire equipped camcorder/VCR, as your old camcorders will not work (though digi8 might be possible-I will have to look into this!)

Software

These iMacs come with iMovie editing software, which is all you will need for holiday videos.

Video System

You will need a camcorder/VCR with a Firewire in & out connection. This is very important as some DV cams/VCRs cannot record from the computer. You can use your camcorder, but a seperate VCR will ease the strain on the camcorder and extend its life.

Optional Extras

Additional disk drives for holding more footage is always useful, as is more RAM. A CD-R or Jaz drive for saving your footage for a later date might be useful also.

Cost

For the iMac alone you will need approx £1,400 to £1,600 +VAT. Digi cams cost an extra £700+

The Spielberg Hopeful.

For the more ambitious such as media students or business TV units you will require something a little more powerful. If you can afford it, go digital all the way as the picture quality is excellent. But, if like me you need to keep your existing analogue camcorder until you can afford to go digi then this is the system you (& I) will need.

Computer System

A mid range G4 (450MHz) Mac with at least 256Mb RAM a Zip drive and a 20Gb drive will provide a very powerful editing platform to work from. Unlike the iMacs, the G4's can be easily upgraded by adding extra PCI cards or internal devices. G4's have built in Firewire so can easily be hooked up to digi video equipment, but, if you use analogue systems (Hi8, S-VHS, VHS, Betacam or U-Matic) you will need a capture card to digitise the video footage to store it onto the disk drive. There are plenty around. The Miro DC30Plus is the cheapest at around £500 but is very good. Others include Video Vision Studio and the Broadcast quality Media 100le. If you are just starting out go for the DC30+, but if you plan to make money out of the system then get a Media 100le.

Software

Most capture cards come with Adobe Premiere for editing. This is a very powerful program and is the most popular. Others include Apples own Final Cut Pro which is very powerful, if somewhat daunting at first.

Video System

You can use a digital camcorder/VCR via Firewire in & out connections. for anolgue users a seperate VCR connected to the capture card can be used. I playback on Hi8 and record onto S-VHS, but you can use one VCR to do it all.

Optional Extras

Extra disk drives (such as LaCie's 37Gb FireWire drive) and RAM are a must. A CD-R or Jaz drive for saving your footage for a later date might be useful also. Additional software such as Adobe Photoshop and Adobe After Effects are very useful for special effects. 3d programs like Bryce 4 and Infini-d are also a must.

Cost

A mid range G4 costs around £1,700 + VAT. You will also need a monitor (at least 17" which costs around £320+VAT). Add a capture card and the cost increases. Expect to spend at least £2,500 (+VAT) for an G4, monitor & analogue card

The Dream System.

If you have more money than your average media student then you need the dream system. This will comprise a broadcast quality NLE system which you could hire out and recoup the costs.

Computer System

A top range G4 (500MHz) Mac with at least 512Mb RAM a Zip drive and a 27Gb drive will be required for broadcast work. Use broadcast VCRs such as Pro versions of DV-CAM or other DV formats. Analogue systems such as Betacam SP or even Digital Betacam can be used. You will need RAID disk arrays as you will be capturing footage at a very high data rate, even with Firewire connections. For analogue systems use either an Avid system or a Media 100xr broadcast system for best results.

Software

Adobe Premiere 5 & Final Cut Pro are aimed at the pro markets, though Avids and Media 100's will come with their own very powerful editing software

Video System

Use broadcast equipment with Firewire or Component connections. If you can afford it go Pro-Digi, the quality and versatility are fantastic.

Optional Extras

Large disk arrays and tonnes of RAM are a must (the G4's can have as much as 1,500Mb of RAM !! . A CD-R or Jaz drive for saving your footage will be required, (the G4/500 comes with a DVD-RAM so you can back up 5.2Gb of data) especially if your hard drive corrupts. Additional software such as Adobe Photoshop, Adobe After Effects, Bryce 4 are all used by the broadcast world even though the young Spielberg can get hold of them. Broadcast programs like Commotion and Lightwave (each costing over £1,500 each!!) are priced well out of his range but again are very powerful. Commotion was used extensively on the feature film "Pleasantville" and Lighwave is used on the Star Trek films and series.

Cost

A full Media 100 G4 broadcast system will probably set you back around £10, 000 or more !!! If you can afford this setup however you can hire the system out to broadcasters and get the money back. Media 100 edit hire charges can cost around £300 per day !!

Computer System	The new iMac400 DV range are ideal as they were designed for editing home videos. The iMac DV 400 SE is the best one for editing. You will need at least 128Mb of RAM and a 10Gb drive for your footage. These iMacs have Firewire built in, (a special digital connection for sending digital data between camera/VCR and computer). This means you will need a Firewire equipped camcorder/VCR, as your old camcorders will not work (though digi8 might be possible-I will have to look into this!)
Software	These iMacs come with iMovie editing software, which is all you will need for holiday videos.
Video System	You will need a camcorder/VCR with a Firewire in & out connection. This is very important as some DV cams/VCRs cannot record from the computer. You can use your camcorder, but a seperate VCR will ease the strain on the camcorder and extend its life.
Optional Extras	Additional disk drives for holding more footage is always useful, as is more RAM. A CD-R or Jaz drive for saving your footage for a later date might be useful also.
Cost	For the iMac alone you will need approx £1,400 to £1,600 +VAT. Digi cams cost an extra £700+

Computer System	A mid range G4 (450MHz) Mac with at least 256Mb RAM a Zip drive and a 20Gb drive will provide a very powerful editing platform to work from. Unlike the iMacs, the G4's can be easily upgraded by adding extra PCI cards or internal devices. G4's have built in Firewire so can easily be hooked up to digi video equipment, but, if you use analogue systems (Hi8, S-VHS, VHS, Betacam or U-Matic) you will need a capture card to digitise the video footage to store it onto the disk drive. There are plenty around. The Miro DC30Plus is the cheapest at around £500 but is very good. Others include Video Vision Studio and the Broadcast quality Media 100le. If you are just starting out go for the DC30+, but if you plan to make money out of the system then get a Media 100le.
Software	Most capture cards come with Adobe Premiere for editing. This is a very powerful program and is the most popular. Others include Apples own Final Cut Pro which is very powerful, if somewhat daunting at first.
Video System	You can use a digital camcorder/VCR via Firewire in & out connections. for anolgue users a seperate VCR connected to the capture card can be used. I playback on Hi8 and record onto S-VHS, but you can use one VCR to do it all.
Optional Extras	Extra disk drives (such as LaCie's 37Gb FireWire drive) and RAM are a must. A CD-R or Jaz drive for saving your footage for a later date might be useful also. Additional software such as Adobe Photoshop and Adobe After Effects are very useful for special effects. 3d programs like Bryce 4 and Infini-d are also a must.
Cost	A mid range G4 costs around £1,700 + VAT. You will also need a monitor (at least 17" which costs around £320+VAT). Add a capture card and the cost increases. Expect to spend at least £2,500 (+VAT) for an G4, monitor & analogue card

Computer System	A top range G4 (500MHz) Mac with at least 512Mb RAM a Zip drive and a 27Gb drive will be required for broadcast work. Use broadcast VCRs such as Pro versions of DV-CAM or other DV formats. Analogue systems such as Betacam SP or even Digital Betacam can be used. You will need RAID disk arrays as you will be capturing footage at a very high data rate, even with Firewire connections. For analogue systems use either an Avid system or a Media 100xr broadcast system for best results.
Software	Adobe Premiere 5 & Final Cut Pro are aimed at the pro markets, though Avids and Media 100's will come with their own very powerful editing software
Video System	Use broadcast equipment with Firewire or Component connections. If you can afford it go Pro-Digi, the quality and versatility are fantastic.
Optional Extras	Large disk arrays and tonnes of RAM are a must (the G4's can have as much as 1,500Mb of RAM !! . A CD-R or Jaz drive for saving your footage will be required, (the G4/500 comes with a DVD-RAM so you can back up 5.2Gb of data) especially if your hard drive corrupts. Additional software such as Adobe Photoshop, Adobe After Effects, Bryce 4 are all used by the broadcast world even though the young Spielberg can get hold of them. Broadcast programs like Commotion and Lightwave (each costing over £1,500 each!!) are priced well out of his range but again are very powerful. Commotion was used extensively on the feature film "Pleasantville" and Lighwave is used on the Star Trek films and series.
Cost	A full Media 100 G4 broadcast system will probably set you back around £10, 000 or more !!! If you can afford this setup however you can hire the system out to broadcasters and get the money back. Media 100 edit hire charges can cost around £300 per day !!