[Benito]

Hello, all...especially those that responded with help to my first ignorant posts!

I have ordered and expect delivery of a new computer this week (specs below). I would appreciate any comments, suggestions, criticisms, or general discussion of the new box...for my own edification! I enjoy doing video editing (I am relativey new and inexperienced with it). I do it for fun and it keeps me off the streets. I have been frustrated with the Roxio software in the past. My discovery of this forum was indeed a welcome and positive developement!

OH.......the processor is Intel 3.2 GHZ dual core

This post has been edited by Benito: 14 August 2006 - 07:18 AM

[Beerman]

Benito, on Aug 14 2006, 10:13 AM, said:

Hello, all...especially those that responded with help to my first ignorant posts!

I have ordered and expect delivery of a new computer this week (specs below). I would appreciate any comments, suggestions, criticisms, or general discussion of the new box...for my own edification! I enjoy doing video editing (I am relativey new and inexperienced with it). I do it for fun and it keeps me off the streets. I have been frustrated with the Roxio software in the past. My discovery of this forum was indeed a welcome and positive developement!

My only comment is that if your computer comes with pre-installed video editing software and you want to use Roxio, you might do well to remove the lite version of the preinstalled software to avoid possible conflicts.
I think you're 'Good to Go'.

[John at Roxio]

Well, one thing I would recommend is to not assume you have the latest drivers/firmware for anything, just because the system is new. Go ahead and check for any updates to the hardware/drivers you can find.

[Benito]

Thanks, Paul. No software except XP home OS will be pre-installed. I also will check firmware for the hardware.

[REDWAGON]

Your new computer looks great Benito. It looks to me that it has about everything you will need in a system for using EMC. I'm glad you have found some good helpful information on this forum. What versions of roxio have you had in the past ? And was the program downloaded or was it a retail copy. If your EMC program is retail you might want to check for any new updates, as the original CD set that came with your retail version might not have all of the updates. Have fun with your new computer and let us know if your Roxio program got installed O.K.

BTW, previous suggestions regarding updated drivers, firmware and other conflicting programs, is a must in my opinion also.

Frank....

[Liqvid]

"256 MB PCI Express video card"

That’s a little generic, no?
You should check if it comes with any Video-in ports, as those can sometimes be useful. If it does, you "may" be able to gather video from analog devices (like VCRs and even gaming consoles). I stress the "may" because EMC 8 is a little touchy when it comes to these things. Some work, some don't. However, I find that there is usually a way around it, like not using EMC's Media Import tool to gather video streams. If you use a different program, save it as a .mpg or .avi or whatever, and import it into EMC then things work nicely.

Of course, if you got EMC 8 Deluxe then it doesn't matter, because you'll get the "Dazzle" video capture thing anyway, which works well with EMC.

Other than that, its a pretty sweet setup. The only thing thats missing is a sound card. Not completely necessary, but useful sometimes.

This post has been edited by Liqvid: 14 August 2006 - 07:44 AM

[Benito]

Wow! Instant responses. Thanks.

A sound card is included. A Hauppage capture card is also included. I have used it in the past to capture from VCR VHS video tapes. Some of the tapes are over 20 year old home movies that I am putting on DVD.

The first project I did, Frank, was using EMC7. Home movies on 8mm film were converted to DVD by a local vendor. I then edited the result...and used maximum restraint to prevent a complelte cranial meltdown between my own ears! It was, however, a great learning exercise and eventually a personally valuable end product.

I will be using downloaded EMC8 (with vendor supplied CD copy) in the new puter.

[Patty]

A suggestion, make sure it is the Deluxe Suite, many more features.

[Benito]

Thanks, Patty. I think, though, that I am at the stage of development that needs more simplicity and ease of use. More features too often are simply more distractions for the user. I also cynically wonder if it is really a job ensuring program for programmers and software delevlopers who could use their talents more usefully for their employer (Roxio, for example) by assisting their customers. But I say, again, thank YOU. My current fav phrase is "choices make life richer but often not easier".

[Patty]

Benito, on Aug 14 2006, 10:11 AM, said:

Thanks, Patty. I think, though, that I am at the stage of development that needs more simplicity and ease of use. More features too often are simply more distractions for the user. I also cynically wonder if it is really a job ensuring program for programmers and software delevlopers who could use their talents more usefully for their employer (Roxio, for example) by assisting their customers. But I say, again, thank YOU. My current fav phrase is "choices make life richer but often not easier".

Of course it boils down to your choice, but I don't think the deluxe will be any more complicated and as you progress it will have features that you might like to use. They are both about the same as far as using it, it is just that some features are greyed out in the other version. Whichever you decide on, I hope you have lots of fun with it, I know I sure do. It brings out the creative side....

[Benito]

Thanks......I am looking forward to learning new things

[Benito]

To use an archaic geek online word : WooHooooooo !

I took delivery of my new computer last week and have been up to my earballs, eyesockets, power sockets, etc. with hookup, loading software, modifying, and other activites that fortunately for the world kept me off the streets!

My limited knowledge indicates the loading of the internet downloaded version of EMC8 was accomplished with minor glitches. When I loaded disc 2 (content) I got an error message relating to a .tmp file that was not located. I do not know if all the features I paid for are loaded. I have quickly tested features of capture (from PCI card, digital video cam, and DVD drive), MyDVD, and other minor functions which seem to work well. It is a pleasure to have an adequate computer for the job!

My greatest frustration and accomplishment involved the firewire and USB2 ports on the new puter. The firewire port did not download data from my digital videocam. After HOURS of hair-pulling, cussin, and testing the software for capture etc. I took the old PCI card with USB and firewire ports out of the slomo box and installed it in the pristine FAST new box. It worked!

Thanx to all (especially Frank and Patty) who offered suggestions, comments, criticisms, and as the kids say, WHATEVAH!
My idea is : onward and upward!

[Patty]

Glad to see that all is well with your new computer. Isn't it great to have a machine that is built to do what the software requires. Hope you have a great time with the Roxio software, I know I do.

[sknis]

Benito, on Aug 23 2006, 08:01 PM, said:

My limited knowledge indicates the loading of the internet downloaded version of EMC8 was accomplished with minor glitches. When I loaded disc 2 (content) I got an error message relating to a .tmp file that was not located.

Were you able to get that content to install?

With the download, most of the time the program downloads to a temp file and then transfers the download to the place where you want it. The download will read 99%, there will be a pop-up windows, a transferring window and then after some time from seconds to minutes, the download will show 100%. Only then is it done. Where did you get the notice?

If you loaded the program, then you have all the features. The content disc has all the goodies like templates, other transitions, etc. There was a note pinned to the top of the install board to the effect that you need to install the program, reboot, open VideoWave or MyDVD, close it and then install the content. Since you have already opened the program and played with it, you might try to now reinstall the content.

[jojoand]

Patty, what features in the Deluxe version do you like and use a lot? I'm thinking of upgrading from 8 to 8 deluxe via the download update option, but don't want to spend the money if it's for something I'll seldom use. Also, do you think Roxio will update version 8 to support Vista when it comes out, or will we be forced to pay for a new version? (I've only had 8 since spring.) In that case, I'd want to wait for the new version because I'm about due for a computer update (5 years old next March), and it would probably come with Vista.

Patty, on Aug 14 2006, 07:04 PM, said:

Of course it boils down to your choice, but I don't think the deluxe will be any more complicated and as you progress it will have features that you might like to use. They are both about the same as far as using it, it is just that some features are greyed out in the other version. Whichever you decide on, I hope you have lots of fun with it, I know I sure do. It brings out the creative side....

[Patty]

jojoand, on Aug 24 2006, 09:24 AM, said:

Patty, what features in the Deluxe version do you like and use a lot? I'm thinking of upgrading from 8 to 8 deluxe via the download update option, but don't want to spend the money if it's for something I'll seldom use. Also, do you think Roxio will update version 8 to support Vista when it comes out, or will we be forced to pay for a new version? (I've only had 8 since spring.) In that case, I'd want to wait for the new version because I'm about due for a computer update (5 years old next March), and it would probably come with Vista.

I am really not privey to what might be coming out, but if you think you will be getting a computer with Vista, soon, I think I would wait. Get use to what you have and when you get your new computer see what is out then. Be sure and get one that has a high end video card. New video editing programs depend on the video card a lot. Just keep that in mind. A lot of people think because they aren't a gamer, they don't need a powerful video card, that isn't the case. If you go on the Roxio website it should give you a chart that tells you the difference between the program you have and the deluxe. The Deluxe is well worth having, but as I said with the fact that your going to get another computer, I personally would wait.

[Benito]

You said :With the download, most of the time the program downloads to a temp file and then transfers the download to the place where you want it. The download will read 99%, there will be a pop-up windows, a transferring window and then after some time from seconds to minutes, the download will show 100%. Only then is it done. Where did you get the notice?

Thanks, Sknis for the info. I actually paid for a disc (sent by Roxio or their agent. Too many cooks spoil the broth!) when I ordered the EMC8 software online. I installed the software on my puter from the discs that I received and got the error message I mentioned. I am still not sure if the installation of the content was successful.

Further note: After I wrote the above, i installed disc2 (content) again. I got the same error messages that involved a very long address for .tmp files that had something to do with "business" and apparently was some kind of options. I aborted the content installation. I could send you (Sknis) a screen shot (.JPEG) of the error mesage if you like.

This post has been edited by Benito: 25 August 2006 - 11:43 AM