I could use some help.

[ambersagoddess]

Yeah, I know I havent been around in a while and therefore are in no place to ask favors, but I needed to find people I trust to give me some good solid computer advice.

As a senior who needs to start getting ready for making big college choices, I've decided that now is the oprotune time to get a new computer.

As a studet with dreams of becomeing a director/producer/editor/DP, anything, I've decided a Mac is my best option, as I'm much better with iMovie than Windows movie maker. It just seems that for video media arts, Macs rule.

I've also decided it should be a laptop, I need to be able to take my stuff places and all that.

My main issue is that it needs TONS of storage. The most possible. I'll be dumping 20 min of footage at a time into this thing. Hours of storage is hard to find.

Here's the thing. I need to narrow down my search.

My grandma has given me a project (I've VERY severely broken my arm and there's really nothing can do right now but wait) and that is to basically generate a proposal including a few choices for both a laptop and a digital camcorder (Did I mention I need one of those too?--Cant use the school's stuff forever) to present to her and my grandpa in hopes of getting some financial aid in this department.

Any advice on good websaites or good equiptment would be great. Point me in the right direction here?

Much love and sorry I havent been around much.

-Rei

edited because I'm typing with one hand and thus making many mistakes.

[diamondforever]

Hey Rei (I don't think you remember me from waaaaay back when!)!

If you're shooting for a Mac and a laptop...I guess the logical thing to suggest would be the Macbook. If you go on the Apple website they have the newest ones on display. For the space issue...have you thought of an external harddrive? That has made my life so much easier.

Take care!

[Zooeys_Bridge]

I'm not necessarily reviving the topic of this thread as much as I am asking a new one.

It seems I may be in New York this summer but am really nervous about it, living on my own, having an internship, etc;

Anyone know anyone in New York that needs a roommate for the summer?

-Rachel

[Foomatic]

Hey Rei,

I totally feel ya. I am a Mac whore, and I do a lot of video editing as well. Personally, I think the best set up would be a desktop Mac Pro, but it's way expensive and as a college student you'll probably want something a bit more mobile, like a MacBook Pro.

If at all possible, get the fastest processor and the most RAM you can afford. Video editing is going to take a toll on your machine, make sure it's up for the challenge. When I got my Mac 7 years ago, it was top of the line and way expensive, but hey, it's lasted me 7 years, a lot longer than any PC I've ever owned.

You're going to have to decide if you want Final Cut Studio or Final Cut Express. Studio comes with all the bells and whistles, but for basic editing, Express will do the job for you. And it's more in depth than iMovie.

As for storage, figure about 13 GB for every 1 hour of digital video you capture, even more if it's HD. Then you have to make room for rendered video, and your final file output. External hard drives are good to use; a guy I used to edit for used to give me externals so I could work from home.

As for digital camcorders, I'm not up to date with all the new technology. I've got a miniDV Panasonic that works for the stuff I do. It's just a little consumer camcorder, nothing fancy. If I need something a little more professional I usually rent it from a local AV place. Most of the ones now are HD, and they record on SD cards, which eliminates the need for tapes. I've always been partial to Canons, but again, it depends on what you're going to be doing with it.

Well, I hope that answers some of your questions. If you need anymore info, you can PM me.

[Dorothy]

camcorders... been drooling all over the RedOne, but expensive doesn't even begin to cover that. Sona has some nice ones too, I'm saving up for one with full HD and a manual focus now. also with replacable batteries it comes with an 3,5 hour one but can be upgraded. Way cool too, not as cool as the red one but like 5% of the price