Hi All,
My current Dell Desktop computer is about to die. Does anyone have any recommedations for computer or hardware that I should purchase when this one goes? I have a Sony DCR-DVD505 Handycam.

I personally think the HP Pavilions are a great value and excellent performers. And if you get a Core 2 Quad processor version, you will be good to go with a AVCHD camcorder in the future without reservation.

From what I've heard, the Intel Core 2 processors work much better with AVCHD than the AMD processors do. If it were me today, I would play it safe and get a Core 2 Quad. They are really quite reasonable today and seem to be the norm now. You almost have to look hard to find a desktop that isn't a Core 2 Quad, unless it's a AMD.

__________________
Ernie
Sony HDR-SR1 AVCHD HDD User

Thanks EScheidl,

Do you know what components of the computer are the most important for video editing? I am not going to be do anything crazy, just basic home movies and such onto DVD. I know you mentioned the Processor is Core 2, but i was not sure if Video Card, Motherboard, DVD burner etc.. are also important. I was going to go to my local computer store to ask for their recommendations, but I might also go the Dell Route as well. My most important feature is that the computer be able to be upgradable.

Thanks!

Well, I am by no means a computer expert. But from what I've read and experienced myself, video editing is more about number crunching than display performance. I use a 17" laptop with a Core2Duo T5500 1.66GHz processor and 2GB of RAM. My video card is a nVidia GeForce GO 7600 that has 256MB of memory. This setup edits AVCHD just fine using Vegas Pro 8 or Nero 8UE. I can't use Pinnacle Studio 11 to edit my AVCHD because it's system requirements are too high and my system isn't fast enough for it. So if I were in the market for desktop computer, I would definitely go with a Core2Quad 2.4GHz with 3GB RAM and I wouldn't hesitate to have a video card with 512MB of memory just to be sure it was covered. Also, I would stick with a 32 bit Operating System because there are fewer compatibility issues. But I tend to keep a computer longer than most, so I shoot for overkill just so it will keep up with new software longer. My current desktop is 5 years old and I can't edit my video on it. At the time it was a pretty high end setup. Today, I can still use it to edit my photo's and surf the net. But I have to use my laptop for editing my video. I want to wait a couple of more years to replace my desktop so I can get even more bang for the buck since I can get by OK with my laptop. If you were to stick with your DVD505, you could get by with a lot less computer than I would get. But if in a year or two you get a wild hair to go HD and you end up getting a AVCHD cam, you don't want to have to get a faster computer as well. Just a thought.

I don't know much about motherboards or which brand of DVD burner is the best. That's probably best left to the computer experts. I guess that's why I just get a brand that I know will work right out of the box. If you go with a computer assembled for Multimedia, chances are that the included peripherals will do everything you want with a minimum of hassle. Especially if you stick with a quality name brand.

__________________
Ernie
Sony HDR-SR1 AVCHD HDD User