Minimum requirements for editing DSLR

Cracker Funk

Cracker Funk

This subject has popped up in numerous threads, on many occasion. Broke-folk wanna know how much computing power they need to edit DSLR. Finally, I can report on what is needed as a minimum.

Prior to my recent RAM upgrade, when I edited DSLR footage, it would only play smoothly for a few seconds, then it got choppy -- really choppy. I actually edited my entire feature this way, and surprisingly, I didn't find it all that difficult, since I typically edit dialog first (and audio runs smoothly), and then all cuts are done on a precice frame-by-frame basis. Anyway, the choppiness was nevertheless rather annoying.

All I needed was a little more RAM. With this upgrade, the choppiness is (almost) completely gone. It's still there a tiny bit, but barely at all, and only occasionally. Anyway, here's what I've got running (without using neoscene):

-Premiere CS5
-Windows 7 64-bit
-Athlon dual-core 3.1GB
-inexpensive video card (I don't even know what kind, but it's name-brand, and the bare minimum for Windows 7 64-bit)
-8GB RAM (previously 4GB)
 
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ok..so you are talking playback of 1920x1080 ??

I run Linux with an i5 mobo 4gb RAM w/ a 1gb video card and a dual monitor setup. I get choppiness and some shearing in playback of raw MOV files and edited MOV. I also get some shearing on playback of an HD file played of an MP4 h.264, mostly as a result of dual monitors. Less w/ MP4 h.264 than MOV 1920x1080, but still noticeable. Mebbe I need more RAM and need to play w/ my video settings. it is mostly fine w/ h.264 HD though minor stuff.





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IndieBudget said:
ok..so you are talking playback of 1920x1080 ??
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Well, yeah, I'm talking about playback, but strictly within my editing program. And in CS5, you can choose to play at a lower resolution (I do so choose).

You're not talking about regular playback, with a media player, are you? I've never had any choppiness issues with that, at any resolution, or any file format.
 
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Do you have dual monitor setup ? I get choppy & shearing w/ a media player & w/ editor. Im using an Nvidia 1 gb vid card 4gb memory Ubuntu 10. something









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Single monitor. Only used to be choppy (4GB RAM) during playback within CS5. Never choppy in media player. Now (8GB RAM) only very slightly choppy, almost none at all.
 
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I've read that w/ Ubuntu and dual monitor, you will get some shearing..that is what I get.. but mostly w/ Full HD.. h.264 not so bad. I'm willing to suffer to have dual monitor..that way I have my 28" for playback and my 19" for timeline and tools/FX windows on Cinelerra ( my NLE )
 
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Amen CF its the ram. I have a slower processor (though its an intel quad core) with everything else the same.. editing is fine.. so far..

I say so far because I just took the plunge and upgraded to CS5 last night! I was running CS3 on windows XP 64 bit. Now Im CS5 on Win7 pro 64
 
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Right, I run with cineform, but for testing today I tried a file right from the camera, it worked pretty good. Iv not tried running multiple streams yet, that's where the rubber meats the road!
 
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I contemplated cineform. I opted against it, simply for financial reasons. By the time we finished production of "Antihero", my bank account was WAY overdraft, and I hadn't worked in a month. Oh, and I didn't pay any bills during production, so I had some serious catching-up to do. I wanted to get editing as quickly as possible, so even the approximately $300 to run cineform (cineform would've required a great deal more storage) was not in my immediate budget.

Now that I've got more RAM, I don't really see any need for cineform. Choppiness is gone (almost entirely, anyway).
 
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richy said:
Must get Neoscene. Must get Neoscene. Must get Neoscene. Yes.

CF, where is the link or something to your movie? Must see. Must see. Must see. Yes.
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Oh, thanks man. Within a week or two, I will decide if I'm either going to have a private online screening, or if I'll sell a few DVD's. For now, all you've got is the trailer. It's a rough-cut trailer; the final-version will be done in a week or two. Cheers!

http://www.antihero-movie.com
 
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