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editing Editing Canon t2i footage

tokenwhiteboy

tokenwhiteboy

Ok, got a Canon t2i and man I love how the footage looks.

Now here is the issue, I don't have a great computer nor do I have high end editing software.

I have an hp pavilion laptop with a crappy graphics card running corel video studio 12 for a very basic project - problem is the computer is running very hot, the editing program can't handle the MOV files so I'm converting to mpeg hd 720p which makes the files about 1/2 the size and bearable to work with.

I plan on shooting a feature length project in the spring. I have avid hardware based system (10 years ago) and FCP experience and use the Canon t2i or the same type of camera (t3).

Now here is my question... Do I buy a new computer? And if so, what would be the very basics for editing the original MOV files? Also, assuming a desktop so that I can upgrade when it comes time to edit the feature.

I know their with be FCP peeps out there, but I'm not down with Apple. PC only please.
 
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T2i on a PC - you're a man of my ilk!

Convert your footage with cineform. It's FREE and works wonders. I imagine you'll probably be able to leave it in 1080p. http://gopro.com/3d-cineform-studio-software-download/

For lowest-cost software, I'm a fan of Vegas. Pro is only 80 bucks, and it's a solid editing program. It also has an option of downloading a 30-day trial!

I'm gonna let someone else tackle your hardware question, cuz I think you should cross that bridge when you get to it. For now, I think these two recommendations should definitely help.
 
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Cineform also has larger file sizes, which seemed problematic for the op on his laptop. Not so on a brand-new pc, though.

Btw, op should be able to convert those .mov files into 1080p at 1/3 the original size; the current 1/2 size output at 720p ain't optimal.

TokenWhiteBoy, any new low-end pc these days would be pretty suitable unless you really go ultra-cheap on the options. Don't skimp on the RAM. That's really the only thing you can't get enough of. You can get away with inexpensive add-on video cards. You need a fast harddrive of at least 7200rpm (10k rpm is fairly common now), and ports to plug in your external harddrives that you'll need... and those are cheap these days, as well. Obviously, more is better if you can afford it, but if you only have $500 in your budget for a desktop you should still be able to do okay. Just don't try playing any graphic-intensive online gaming. :cool:

Sony Vegas is a fairly popular editing choice, starting at a low cost and with add-on bells & whistles upgrades if you get into more advanced stuff.

Adobe makes Premiere Elements, which is pretty similar. It's $99. For $150 you can get a bundled version of Premiere Elements & Photoshop Elements. That's a good deal, if the larger Adobe Suites are out of your budget.

From what I understand, the latest versions of Vegas & the Adobe software both can use DSLR footage natively without any fancy pre-transcoding. There's probably a dozen reasons why you might still want to anyway, but that's for another time.
 
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Zensteve said:
Cineform also has larger file sizes, which seemed problematic for the op on his laptop.
Click to expand...

True that. Depending on the project and the size of the hard drive, it may or may not be a problem. Regardless, it's definitely part of the equation to be considered.

And yes, both Vegas and Premiere edit DSLR footage in its native format, but it requires a beast of a computer to handle smoothly. On the same computer, cineform will dramatically increase performance. Cineform is water, native DSLR is a McDs milkshake, and your computer is trying to sip them through a straw.
 
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My editing preference is Premiere Pro. Then Final Cut or Vegas. I would not go near Elements (personally) coz I hate it. If you're a student you can buy Adobe gear for an amazingly cheap price which is only just more expensive than Elements anyway. If you're serious about editing and plan to pursue it do not buy Elements..
As far as hardware, if you're going for PC, you can get some amazing setups for just $1500 these days if you look at the right place (deaktops that is)
 
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mussonman said:
download mpeg streamclip, avid codecs, convert the files to prores.

Problem Solved, no quality lost
Click to expand...

have to say thats the easiest way around it. because MOV files from the eos550D.t2i as you know it are extremely compressed files. editing with prores files is alot simpler and doesnt require pre renders. Downside is it blows up the file size to its original huge sizes. What you could do is use adobe encoder and convert to m4v or avi from there. Its a much more friendlier conversion program. Good Luck
 
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