On 6 Apr 2002 11:21:36 -0800, abnigatingcessity@yahoo.com (theDVstudent) wrote:

>For a school project I am building a DV editing system and going to
>make a documentary film about amateur film makers.
>I am buying the CANON GL1 and I don't want to be stuck with a great
>camera and a worthless computer. My questions are...

I would start by buying a cheaper and generally better camera, the Sony TRV900, or maybe one of the new
Panasonic models. The GL-1 is the least "able" 3-CCD camcorder around
in terms of general picture and sound quality for most
purposes. Use the money saved for the computer. More, at:
www.David-Ruether-Photography.com/camcorder-comparison.htm

> I have a very limited budget and can only afford about 800 - 1000
>dollars to build the computer. Will 800$ be enough to build a decent
>workstation?

With a Dell or other good ready-made, not "state of the art"
computers, with a second HD for video files added and good
editing software and FireWire card, this will still be a
squeeze. Grab some money from the GL-1 purchase...
BTW, the current PC Magazine has a comparison of some
camcorders (it is a far better article than is usual in
magazines, which generally just "sell" gear...) and
editing programs...

>In order to get the most out of my camera what video capture cards
>will be sufficient enough for my needs? What editing software should
>I get?

FireWire "OCHI" cards bundled with software are the best
deal, and the Pyro Platinum with Adobe Premiere is a fairly
fancy way to go with this - and you can get the better
MainConcept DV-codec later, for about $50.; other
combinations are cheaper; the Raptor-Premiere bundle
is better, but more...

>How much RAM do I need?

128-megs min., 256 is good...