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What about basic value and ease-of-use? I think PCs offer a better value -- you can get more power for your money on a PC. And I think that both operating systems are equally easy to use. The ease-of-use advantage the Mac once had over the PC is history. Many will viciously disagree with me on this point, but most who disagree with me so vehemently about this issue haven't spent much time with the other platform. Each operating system is quite deep, and to really know what you're doing on either one requires lots of experience. But both have also made themselves invitingly accessible, and draw you in with their attractive graphics and refined interfaces. Usability experts on both the Mac and Windows platforms have done an exemplary job, spending lots of time getting these two systems to the point where they can be used by almost anybody. I will say one thing: The advantages of using the most current of the two operating systems -- Windows XP (for the PC) and Mac OS X -- are well-known at this point, and both offer much better reliability compared with their consumer-oriented predecessors, Windows Me on the PC and Mac OS 9.
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| Sony VAIO RX600 Digital Studio PC |
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Another tip is to learn as much as you can about DV editing before you take the plunge into getting your own system. Not that I'd want to toot our own horn or anything, but the site where you are right now is a great place to start -- there are hundreds of reviews, editorials and tutorials right here that can show you much of what you need to know about the wonderful world of DV. I would also suggest that you find someone at school, work, or in your neighborhood who is already doing DV editing, and learn from that person's experience. Once you get a system, if you're not happy with it, it's difficult to go back. Maybe you could find someone who has a system who's looking to get a better one, and you could pick up their used system that's already working, for a bargain price.
Here's a final thought. Before you edit, go out there and shoot some compelling footage with which to work in your new edit suite. It's no fun dealing with unexciting shots. If you have video of people in action, doing compelling things, or beautiful scenes, shot at that golden time of day, or people you love doing the things that make them so unique, you'll have much more fun putting together sequences with this material. Oh, and one more thing: While you're using your video camcorder to acquire shots, don't call it "filming." There's no film in that camera! Call it "shooting," or "making a video," but don't call it filming unless you're actually using film -- something that's hard to do when you're using a DV camcorder! And before long, those in the know just might be fooled into thinking you're an industry veteran. Good luck!
Charlie White has been writing about new media and digital video since it was the laughingstock of the television industry. A technology journalist and columnist for the past eight years, White is also an Emmy-winning producer, video editor and shot-calling PBS TV director with 27 years broadcast experience. Talk back -- Send Chazz a note at cwhite@digitalmedianet.com.
Click for the lowest price on Adobe Premiere, Apple iMac, Vegas Video 3, Pinnacle Studio 7, Sony VAIO RX600 Digital Studio PC, OHCI-compliant DV cards.
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