Need New Graphics Workstation

Hello,
I am trying to put snapshots (prints) on CD-DVD or to print them in collage books. I do not intend to edit video. My workstation has been fine for printing the books (using LumaPix) but not for the apps for CD-DVD I have tested so far: Magix Pictures to CD & DVD and Nero 6. I get error messages and system dumps when burning or when running slide shows. I will be testing more apps, but I am thinking I need to either upgrade my workstation or get a new one. My current workstation:
AMD 1ghz
AZZA KT-133TX motherboard
ATI Xpert2000 display card w 32mb
30 and 60 gig hds partitioned for multiboot w98/w2k/w2k
(I implemented the guidance in RAD's stability/ghost guides)
512 MB 133 memory
using directx 80a or 9.0b as desired by apps
dedicated install of w2k

It seems to me that I need to consider replacing my motherboard at a minimum. I noticed RAD's recommendation (at radified.com in the graphics workstation guide at http://radified.com/DV_NLE/dv_nle_1.htm) for an ASUS P4T. The current model of this is P4T533 at http://usa.asus.com/products/mb/socket478/p4t533/overview.htm. However, this motherboard appears to me to need new memory and a new processor, which to me means, why not a whole new box.

Do I need to get a new box; if so, is this still the motherboard of choice (RAD's guide for workstation seems to have been written a while past since he mentions the Asus P4T-E which is gone). If just a new motherboard, can I use the same memory? It seems like the bus speed of motherboards has improved over the last two years, regarding what is affordable. What bus speed is recommended (cost versus performance), and should I get new memory as well. It seems logical that if bus speed increases above 133, that memory must also be upgraded for the motherboard bus speed.

All comments very welcome!

Tom In Dallas

 

Hi Tim in Dallas..
"I get error messages and system dumps when burning or when running slide shows. "
Could you share some of the error messages.
Another program option for creating CD burnable files... but requires XP. Try or maybe other poster have used Movie Maker 2. Video or still slide show, adding audio tracks, numerious special effects, this is a easy drop and drag process. Besides outputting to computer file, can also prepare file for CD and DVD burns along with VCR or digital tape.

 

Tom,

You're in essentially the same place that I am, but I'm compiling DVD from VHS. This requires more power than my 1GHZ Gigabyte VX7B4X, 512MB SDRam (PC133) and 200GB of HDD. (although the drive space is almost adequate ).

I'm going to donate my current workstation to my son and soon begin building my new workstation. Because of the CPU intensive processes I'm working with I'll go with either a Hyperthreaded P4 or Dual P4. (no slant on AMD, I just prefer Intel). I'll also be compiling photos to digital images like you.

When looking around for software to do all these things with, I keep finding better features.... unfortunately with higher system requirements - this is how I'm convincing my wife about the new system anyway.

The new systems we both need will undoubtedly also require new Ram, CPU's and perhaps a better PowerSupply. The HDDs may do well, but I'm considering SATA vice PATA (serial drives).

I'll keep you up on how mine works out but for the time being, it comes down to a complete new system. You also may consider this. If you will be using large amounts of graphics utilities, a few extra bucks into a high-end video card and hideously large amounts of Ram (2GB or more). Reducing the wait time from 8 hours to 2 will be worth the extra $$ for me.

Hope this helps.

Alan

 

Alan,

Please let me know what system you settle on. I am thinking I will get a new system but I may delay getting it until the new calendar year (taxes).

The only video card I am familiar with that has multimedia capabilities is the ATI All In Wonder. (I have been using the ATI Rage 128.) However, I am also wondering about incompatibilities. When any piece of hardware tries to do everything there can be problems. However this card seems to be well known, perhaps many graphics apps are tested with it. Wonder what the most popular card is for this stuff?

There is a USB2 hardware made by Dazzle that I have also seen that plugs into VCR.

So far I have discovered that LumaPix Fotofusion2 (collages) and Photodex Photoshow Gold (VDC/SVCD slide shows but no video) will run on my existing machine. I have also learned that the quality of media is critical in being able to burn a CD that will run on a DVD player without image breakup. I have tested HP CD-R media successfully after reading guidance at http://www.cdrinfo.com/Sections/BurnersCorner/MediaQuality.asp.

Also you should definitely read the guides at radified.com to understand why you need to have two physical HDs that are thoroughly partitioned to permit heavy use of Ghost. I think at this point I would get 2 120s and place at least four 8 gig partitions on each for multiboot operating systems and system versions (including versions of DirectX). Also I would place some additional partitions to back up data.

I think you are right that many people who have shot video of their kids probably are not set up to tranfer VHS to DVD, and that is a good business area to be in. I am also interested in how you will price services, could you send me a link to your web site by message?

Anyone reading please jump in regarding graphics video cards or anything for a graphics workstation.

I probably need to find a newsgroup or additional forums for multimedia.

Tom In Dallas

 

There is plenty of Video adapters. I am not into this Video burning/dvd burning multimedia.

So no real reccomendations there except high onboad ram on whatever card you pick. I would look closely at what the hardcore gamers are using.

This is the only area that I personally, might consider at least looking at a MAC!

BUT..

Based on my Hardware with Intel/AMD, M$ OS experience, a couple of comments

consider at least "dual" Xeons (somewhat of a luxury)

memory is cheap consider 6-8g

highest speed FSB possble

Intelligent high ram caching disk controller ( a real luxury here)

Ultra SCSI drives (somewhat of a luxury)

Do all of the above including Luxury items and you will have a Dream machine. A HOSS!

But no bargin, checkbook will be much lighter.

Also important the OS should be streamlined for this. So no unnessesary programs or services enabled.

Just some thoughts!


mike

 

Since I bought a digital video camera I have learned a little about what you can and cant do on particular systems.

After I got my camera (Mini DV) I taught myself Pinnicle Studio 8.
I have 2 computers I use.
My laptop:
Sager 8700 custom built.
PIV 2.66 Ghz
ATI MOBILITYâ„¢ RADEONâ„¢ 9600 PRO Graphics
with 128MB DDR SDRAM
512 DDR
5400 RPM 60 GB HD (fastest at the time)
As you can see that's a pretty smokin laptop.
The Processing is fine however the hard drive is too slow to play high res AVI formats.
This computer pulls video off the camera fine via fire wire but is very choppy trying to play it back.

Second computer;
Asus A7N8X Mother board
AMD 2500+ Barton (333 fsb)
ATI Radion 9500 128 MB DVI out into a Viewsonic VG181 19" Digital LCD Monitor.
2 512 mb sticks of Corsair XMS 3500 (running dual channel)
2 Maxtor 60 GB Ultra 133 7200 RPM drives using onboard Promise Raid in RAID Zero (Striped)

This machine will absolutly eat raw video for breakfast!
I think the key is hard drive speed. When running in Raid 0 your capable of burst transfer rates of 200 MB per second.

I was shocked that my laptop would not run the AVI files but came to the conclusion that hard drive speed was the limiting factor.

They are now making a 7200 RPM laptop hard drive which I an checking into now.

 

Can you tell me how your Raid works? Do you install an application that accesses two partitions on two separate physical drives for data activities? Or is this hardware based, where two 60gig drives are totally duplicated and function as one drive, I suppose based upon a driver. And what brand, what package did you puchase? Are you puting just data on the Raid drives or your OS as well?

Thanks,

Tom in Dallas

 

Tom,
Several mother boards come with the RAID on board already.

The most common way is with a pci card like THIS one.

There are 2 basic forms of RAID (Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks) for this discussion.

RAID 0 This is where 2 drives become one. The system would see two 60 gig drives as one drive of 120 gig.
The Data is "Striped" meaning half the data is on one drive and the other half on the other drive.

Think of it this way: You are going down the interstate and it is very congested. So the goverment builds an identical interstate parallel to the existing one and every other car takes the new interstate. That cuts the traffic in half allowing more room and essentially doubling the capaticy of the interstate.
Same way with RAID 0. No partitioning, and this array can also be your boot drive with your OS on it.

RAID 1 is more for preserving data and not for performance.
In a RAID 1 array two 60 gig drives are seen as one so you have redundant data on both drives. Not any faster but more secure.

Now let me throw one more into the mix.
RAID 0 + 1. This is a combo or mirror and stripe. It takes four identical drives to acomplish this. You get the performance of Stripe and the Security of Mirror. Four 60 gig drives would be seen as one 120 gig partition.

Most Motherboard onboard RAID chips only do what is called RAID Lite. Meaning they will only do RAID 0 or 1.

After I typed all of that I found this on Adaptec's Site.