[CIMC-work] Pricing for video editing computer

[Ian Bicking]

We've been talking about video editing.  I thought I'd do a rough spec
of what it might cost.  I think a Mac makes sense for this, though we
probably could do it for significantly less on a PC.  I really just
don't know what's required in a PC, but I'd expect it costs 30%-50% less
for the hardware, similar price or more for the software.

eMac:
  $1400
iMac: 
  $1900

The iMac has a 1GHz processor, vs. 800GHz.  Both with 512Gb RAM.  The
iMac has a 80Gb hard drive, cs. 60Gb.  iMac has a 133MHz system bus. 
I'm not sure about HD speed.  The iMac has video out, so for instance it
could be hooked up to a VCR (but $70 extra).  Video in isn't included in
either.  The eMac might not have proper audio in.

Final Cut Pro is $1000, but Final Cut Express is only $300.  I'm not
clear on the difference.  To produce a DVD you need DVD Studio ($500) or
iDVD (part of iLife, $50).  iDVD would probably be sufficient.

A 200Gb firewire drive is $400.  Quicktime Pro is $30.  

So, I would suggest:
iMac              $1900
Final Cut Express  $300
iLife/iDVD          $50
Video Out adapter   $70
Quicktime Pro       $30

Total:            $2350

I'd add in a couple hundred for accessories, like a VCR, extra cables
and adapters... and probably some other stuff I can't think of.  A
firewire drive would be nice, mostly for people to use as a scratch
drive... though it would also be easy to steal.  So, another accessory
-- cable locks.

It probably would be nice to add some audio editing software in as
well.  I don't know anything about such software, though.

If we're thinking about this, we should also think about where it would
be located.  I don't our office is accessible enough.

  Ian