Is VideoStudio the right editing software for me?

AlanF · Post by **AlanF** » Sat May 31, 2008 1:52 am

Hi,

My head is beginning to spin - I have purchased a camcorder last week (a SONY DCR-36e) and am looking for the best editing software available that is appropriate. I have spent so much time looking at various products, and reading numerous reviews and feel that I like the sound of VideoStudio. My problem is that I am beginning to get confused as to whether VS is compatible or not with what I have.

As I said the camcorder is a SONY DCR-36e
My system is XP Home Edition - SP2
Hard Drive 80Gb
Processor AMD Athlon XP 2800+
Physical Memory 512 MB
Video Card NVIDIA GEFORCE MX440

I know that I do not have the highest spec around, but would I be able to operate using VS with what I have outlined above, or do I need to look for something else?

Many thanks for any advice that you may be able to give.

Regards,

AlanF

Black Lab · Post by **Black Lab** » Sat May 31, 2008 2:34 am

Your RAM and HD seem to be a little on the low side, but both of those are easily, and reasonably affordable to upgrade.

My advice would be to download the free trial and give it a test drive to see how it performs.

Post by **Ken Berry** » Sat May 31, 2008 2:36 am

Welcome to the forums!

Unfortunately, I have not been able to pin exactly which model camera you have, and I am assuming it is now somewhat old... Is it a DCR-TRV36e or a DCR-SR36e? The latter is definitely a hard disk camcorder, but I cannot even find a specifications list for the former. However a photo of it makes me guess it is a mini DV model.

If it is the latter, then yes, your computer can handle it without problems using Firewire for the download. If you don't have Firewire installed on your computer, the cards these days are cheap and easy to install in a spare slot in your motherboard. Most also come with a cable, and you will need a 4 pin to 6 pin Firewire cable. Be aware that Firewire is sometimes described as IEEE1394 or, by Sony, as iLink.

You might want to think about adding more hard disk space, though, since DV has large files -- 13 GB for around 1 hour of video. And when editing it, and especially if produce another file in the same format, then you should plan on having roughly twice the space on your hard disk that the DV file takes up. That being said, in standard definition video, DV is about the best quality and easiest video to edit.

If it is the hard disk model, and an older one, then it will film in mpeg-2 format and can be downloaded via USB 2.0. It will usually already be in a format which can be burned to a video DVD. However, mpeg-2 can sometimes be difficult to edit and is also a lossy format. However, your computer should be able to capture and edit with no problem using Video Studio.

AlanF · Post by **AlanF** » Sat May 31, 2008 8:23 am

Ken Berry wrote:Is it a DCR-TRV36e or a DCR-SR36e? The latter is definitely a hard disk camcorder .......

If it is the latter, then yes, your computer can handle it without problems using Firewire for the download.........

You might want to think about adding more hard disk space, though, since DV has large files -- 13 GB for around 1 hour of video........

If it is the hard disk model, and an older one, then it will film in mpeg-2 format and can be downloaded via USB 2.0..........

Thanks Black Lab, and thanks Ken, for your replies, much appreciated.

I can confirm that the camcorder SONY DCR-SR36e is a hard disk model, and looking at the handbook does record on MPEG2-PS format. It came bundled with a USB 2.0 lead amongst other things, so that seems to be the connectivity mode.

I am somewhat relieved to know, that although my spec is not perfect, I will still be able to use Video Studio.

Concerning the disk space on my computer, I do have a 400GB exterior drive available. Is there any reason why I would not be able to utilise that? I do have 6 USB ports on my computer, so connecting other drives is not a problem in that respect. I look forward to your thoughts on this point.

Regards,

AlanF

Post by **Ken Berry** » Sat May 31, 2008 8:41 am

Mpeg-2 files take up about one fifth the space of a DV/AVI files, so space is less of a problem when editing it.

That being said, you will get mixed response about using an external drive for editing. Personally, I would only use it for storing videos once they are edited. There can sometimes be write caching problems with them (though I have yet to experience any with my own USB drives, but quite a few people do). But you could always try it and see. I would still think seriously about adding an extra internal hard disk...