Hi Every one

                     Im a cameraman that wants to make that move and start to edit and have discovered the mine field that goes with it in a digital world. Will this computer run Media composer 3.5.4. I have used the 14 day trial and love it and now need to buy the hardware to work the magic...so will computer

 HP Z800 E5520 Xeon Quad 2.26GHz 6GB FX580 XP Vista

Thanks in advance Kiwi Wayne

I think we had a thread about it, yes I found it, seems even to be one of the certified ones for 3,54, if you want to go certified all the way, the video cards in the quadro x800 series is the latest ones to be certified , ( 1800 - 3800 - 4800  )

And, as you can see from the Avid info, Vista 64 business is the OS that are recommended, I would also recommend to add 6 more gigs of ram, getting totally 12 gigs of ram, as you are running a 64 bits sys, this machine will be a screamer I think.

My concern was really is that this model Im looking at of  HP Z800 E5520 is not the one stated on the specs sheet, and the X5570 is.
Before I rush in and have this computer sent down from the  United States to New Zealand at great expence ( trying to save a buck and buying on Ebay  )  Im wanting to be absolutely 100% sure that this little beast will do the job ?

OK, I see what you mean now, as these machines are so very new, I guess that you might get no other answer than " should work " nothing in the world is 100 % however, I guess that you will be the first one to try and tell us others if you go for the offer

I could see how this could be very confusing and a very expensive mistake for a new player into the editing world that may not understand the difference between the two computers. I might add I dont completely understand the finer points of myself. When you look at the specs from Avid they say that a single 2.93 quad core x3540 is ok on HP z400 and when you get to the HP z800 its dual 2.93 quad core x5570..... So will anything else in between work from one model to the next or is this it.

The price difference's between these machince's are huge and I could see how when you are trying to save a dollar to get the job done in the set up stage that you could get burnt big time if you are not careful.

I think with respect Avid could be a little more concise with their specs and fill in the gaps a bit more as to what actually works and what will not,  even with there stated models.

myeyeonu:

I think with respect Avid could be a little more concise with their specs and fill in the gaps a bit more as to what actually works and what will not,  even with there stated models.

You have to realize that to test every varient of every machine would not be cost effective for AVID. I'm sure it's hard enough to test every function in AVID for the few machines they do certify. I'm sure they could test everyting, but think of the manpower that would require. Right now you can buy AVID soft for $2,500- would you pay $10,000? $20,000? for them to test everything?

Sure, I'd like to have more choices too. Right now I'm editing with MC 3.+ on an uncertified machine, one I bought for Xpress Pro & it worked when I upgraded to MC, but if I want to go for the latest & greatest MC 3.5+ and a more powerful computer I'd sure think seriously about going through a dealer & buying a certified machine.

Steve

           I do agree with you to some extent, but in saying that if you have read all the threads to the question that was posted from the start, you would understand that we are not talking US dollars here for this set up and if Im correct add another 40% to everything you see quoted in US dollars to get this system up and running. Trying to save a buck is pretty important to us all and for any one who has enough knowlege to try and find a solution for themselves, and to also find a system that works for them should not be discounted and given all the possible options avaliable.

I would have thought it was about market share all over the world and not just in the USA ,as the product is just fantastic, that we all agree on. But for those just starting out, there are other options with other products, so why make it harder than it should be to come up with the right combination to make it all work ?

  Food for thought. 

myeyeonu:

I could see how this could be very confusing and a very expensive mistake for a new player into the editing world that may not understand the difference between the two computers. I might add I dont completely understand the finer points of myself. When you look at the specs from Avid they say that a single 2.93 quad core x3540 is ok on HP z400 and when you get to the HP z800 its dual 2.93 quad core x5570..... So will anything else in between work from one model to the next or is this it.

Just changing Cpu speed shouldn´t affect a system to much, if it isn´t a very huge change of course, what video card that is used is much more important.

the only other major compeditor is FCP, with that you have even fewer computer options than avid.

no one thinks twice about spending 3 to 5 grand on a mac, but for a PC, people are always trying to cut corners.

just saying.

Why not buy an Apple MAC PRO you can then have Avid and FCP and you can run windows on a MAC if you want.

Does anyone know why and how Avid are not supporting the analogue mojo and adrenaline box  on the new Z800 workstations. It can't be a firewire issue as they are continuing to support the mojo-sdi.

Any ideas anyone?? 

We just bought a z800 a week before they got certified. For starters upgraded Xpress Studio Complete to AMC 3.5.4. and Pro Tools 8.0. Have both Analog Mojo and Digi 002 connected . We are currently editing a demo HDV 1080i/50 project and everything runs smoothly even if we got the Z800 with only 1 QC 2,4 Ghz, 3 Gb ram, XP-32  and use old parts like Quadro Fx 1500 plus 2 x pyro firewirecards (PCIe). Have some problem with Pro Tools plugins loading but haven't had time to look into that yet. (My first guess would be IE8 conflict).

Might ugrade later the z800 - to 2 x QC 2.4 (or whatever) and windows 7 (which you can get through HP for free if you bought the machine after 29.6.2009.

The AVID qualified Z800 is pretty sick. What I googled the processors (2) cost around 6000 euros here plus 1800 euros for Quadro card. Okay I go for that when I get rich. LOL I'm a nerd. I love computers. especially the z800. The only bad thing I can say about it was that when we got it I didn't come with a kid like this. I was a bit dissapointed.

Anyways - in my humble opinion - there are two different thing - AVID supporting this and that officially - and then what is working fine anyways. Of course it also depends what ypu plan to do with the machine.

EDIT: Just follow up in case anyone would stumble upon this thread later. Yeah the Pro Tools problem was solved by removing IE8 and when installing take note that some of the plugins may take as long as 30 mins to install so if it looks like the install hangs be patient.

On the MC side everything okay - the one processor doesn't seem to be a big problem while editing but sure could have more hoarse power while exporting / transcoding. I don't like vaiting.

Oh and I almost forgot: As I updated to AMC 3.5.4 and PT 8.0 from the Xpress Studio Complete I did find out that some of the PT plugins do work in PT 8.0 too on the contrary of what I have read earlier. The DVTK2 won't run with the DVTK licence of course - there is an upgrade on that in the Digidesig Store but if you install Digitranslator 2 it will work with the iLok licence key that came with the Studio and so will latest DINR LE and VocALign. Which all you can downlad from the digidesign site.