Grrr... Need some help with my PC.

[IvoryJ30t]

yup, defianatly get a nice video card with onboard A/D conversion/capture and a pentium 4 with 512 mb ram

[AZhitman]

You know it.

I think that's the specs on the one I'm considering. Not being very computer literate, I like the idea of having everything I want alreaady on the PC and the fact that it's set up for that type of work.

Beyond that, all I use my PC for is homework, NICO work, and letting the kids play games.

[IvoryJ30t]

that should cover it. i just spit that out off the top of my head. if you can get a prebuilt system [ i think you said VAIO] with that kind of capture, your set. also, sony VAIO systems come with the DV [firewire] port standard. my sony digital video camcorder has the DV port so you could connect it directly to a computer and save stills, video and 16 bit sound. mine doubles as a DAT recorder. ive just been to lazy to get the cable, so i have no pics.

[AZhitman]

Cool.

Thanks for the info.

[Rockenreno]

While VAIOs can be nice, I've always recommended Dells. That's what I've used for the past 5 years at least. Only reason I'm not going with them on my next computer is that I'm building it myself.

[szh]

Dell's are generally faster and cheaper than most Sony models of the same performance. But, the Sony ones tend to have the needed stuff for video all integrated properly (1394 port, software, etc.)

So, I'd also recommend getting the Sony to keep it simple. Just make sure that it has an analog video digitizer card so that you can input those older video's that you want, Greg.

Z

[BuudWeizErr]

Ugh... it kills me to see people buying prebuilt comps.

Build your own. I guarantee it will be faster, even with the same parts. Plus in a couple years when you need to upgrade something, it's easier to find drivers for them.

[Rockenreno]

Buud, some people don't know enough about computers to build one themselves. For someone like Hitman I wouldn't recommend building his own system. If something goes wrong he has nowhere to turn if he builds it himself. I've known people who nothing about computers build their own and the computers always seems to die a few months later. Once you know a bit about computers though, there is no other way to do it

[90Q45blue]

Ugh... it kills me to see people buying prebuilt comps.

Build your own. I guarantee it will be faster, even with the same parts. Plus in a couple years when you need to upgrade something, it's easier to find drivers for them.

Get real Buudy!

Greg and many others don't have the knowledge to build their own computers. Actually, I recommend people that don't know a TON about computers to always buy a name-brand one for one reason: tech support. If they have a problem, they have someone to talk to.

Greg,

I'd send you the XP cd but your computer won't handle it. I'm afraid to send you Win2k cuz so many compatibility issues arise that it would be a PITA to install. I'd just wait till you get that Vaio (good choice BTW) and it'll come w/ XP installed. But if you want the CD let me know.

If you have any question just give me call.

Nick

[AZhitman]

Cool - Thanks brothas.

Nick and Reno are right. For the tiny amount I'd save building my own, I can have it built with a warranty and tech support. Once you add the features and software packages that I want, the pre-packaged model is actually cheaper, believe it or not. Go figure.

Plus, don't think for a second that I'm gonna leave it stock - I'm doubling the RAM and upgrading the video driver before it even gets delivered...

[BuudWeizErr]

I know you don't have the knowledge to build it yourself. Get someone else to build you one.

Doubling the RAM does nothing if it only comes with 128. Put a MINIMUM of 512 in there, and I'd lean towards a gig of RAM if you could. And upgrading a video driver will do nothing. Upgrading a video card will. Unfortunately, I can't recommend anything because I haven't kept up on the technology lately. But I have a GeForce 4 Ti4400, 128MB DDR RAM and it kicks ***, and it's over a year old.

[AZhitman]

The one I'm looking at COMES with 512 of RAM - I'll be doubling that so I can process more video...

Plus it has a DVD burner and all the software to edit and title and record...

Sorry - I meant video card. Told you I was a computer doofus.

[szh]

Ugh... it kills me to see people buying prebuilt comps.

Build your own. I guarantee it will be faster, even with the same parts. Plus in a couple years when you need to upgrade something, it's easier to find drivers for them.

Yeah, I always build my own too! . Lots of performance and price savings.

But, for AZHitman, who is stating up front that he is not an expert in this (and for others in the same boat), it is best to get a pre-built, reliable, working machine. A little bit of extra cost, but you get a lot of support, extended warranty, etc., etc., that cleanly offsets the extra time spent (and later continue to spend) tweaking a system.

Z

[IvoryJ30t]

ive always built my own.

the one im using now is the one ive had for years.

Pentium 2 450 overclocked to 504MHz256 MB sdram20 gig quantum HD16x/12x/40x CDRWZip driveSoyo MB32 meg video [dont play games or deal with video]Creative Audigy soundcard w/firewire [do alot of audio crap]linksys LNE100TX LAN cardMotorola SB4200 cable modem 10mbit down/ 1mbit upWin XP Pro.

im thinking about upgrading, but all i do is surf the internet, burn cd's and program, so it suits my needs, and i have other things to worry about so it'll be around for a little while longer.

im very impressed with the way the pentium 2 chip has handled being overclocked for the past 4 years.

[lessthanjakejohn]

2.4 gigahertz Pentium 4512 Ram64meg nVidia TI4200proprietary mobo (Dell, IBM, sony)24+/24+/24+ CDRW60gig 7200rpm hard drive10/100 ethernetfirewireUSB 2.0

That will last you about 1.5 years before it becomes outdated IMODO NOT buy the most expensive equipment. This is marked up way past any reasonable price plus it may have bugs that would need to be worked out.

I got a highend Dell 2 years ago, it is 1.7 Pentium 4, 256 ram, 60gig hard drive, sound card, 32 meg video, DVD, CDRW, 17inch monitor. ($2200) If I had gone top of the line at that point (2 Pentium 4, 128 Video Card and 512 ram) it would of costed me $800-1000

[szh]

At work, we just got a Dell 2400 with a 2.4GHz Pentium 4, 512 MB RAM, 40GB disk, free 15" LCD display, 10/100 Ethernet, USB 2.0, 64MB nVidia graphics card, for about $699 (XP Professional for nominal extra) plus shipping.

The bottom line: you would be surprised just how low pre-configured Dell and Gateway and HP systems can be bought for nowadays!

Z

[lessthanjakejohn]

wow

[90Q45blue]

Please, please please do not get Gateway. Anything but Gateway. All you'll have is problems.

Nick

[AZhitman]

Nah - I'll probably buy it at Fry's Electronics. Every once in a while they have some SICK deals.

[Nathan]

Gateways...ugh, my girlfriend has had NOTHING but problems with hers but my Dell no matter what I do hasn't had any problems

[Rockenreno]

Also avoid Comcraps. I fried the motherboard on one of those by installing non-Compaq software How? I haven't a clue, but they had to replace the motherboard after I killed the computer by installing the software (Adaptec CD Creator a few years ago). Their BIOS system sucks apparently...

[szh]

To all the Gateway "poor-experience" posters above, I have to admit that I have not tried them, so ... your comments are noted.

However, I will strongly recommend Dell. We have 90+ Dell systems here at work and they all work well or have only needed very minor repair (all done within 24 hours with an on-site warranty). Laptops tend to get the most beat up with travel, typically needing keyboard replacement. Everything else runs fine, although a number of the systems are now somewhat outdated (from some years ago).

My wife's/son's PC at home is also a Dell and it has been going strong for over 3 years now - again, a bit outdated now, but that is fine for them!

Z

[Josh]

Ha!

I got on average 3.0kbps and on a good day 5-6kbps... Beat that ; )

Damn, dialup sucks so bad....