I pick based on what connections I need. How is the monitor connected DVI or VGA? What type of keyboard and mouse do you use USB or PS2? Do you need audio switching as well?

For the BEST quality check out www.stage6.com The only negative is that the DIVX web player is required. But the video is the best webvideo by far I have seen.

http://www.freshdv.com/2007/12/so-you-want-to-edit-a-feature-film.html " The director of The Tracey Fragments has Creative-Commons licensed the film’s raw footage and music score and made it all available for download in multiple 4GB+ Bittorrent packages. Re-edits can be submitted in a contest to win a “Final Cut Pro Prize Pack”. Note that the contest

I haven't tried or heard anything about using the V3HD as so. I myself was wondering how the V3HD presented itself to the computer. I was hoping it would present itself as a DVCPro HD deck. Please do lets us know if this works out.

Another person was asking about a program to convert a powerpoint to a video, and it reminded me that tech smith is giving away Camtasia Studio 3 for free. Its a few versions old but it still has tons of features. http://www.downloadsquad.com/2007/11/22/techsmith-offers-free-camtasia-studio-download/ Camtasia is a screen recording/casting application

patrickgi: Thanks Guys, One last question: What software could I use to covert a Powerpoint Show into an mpeg or Mov? Camtasia Studio works great. And currently they are giving away an older version for free! http://www.downloadsquad.com/2007/11/22/techsmith-offers-free-camtasia-studio-download/ Highly recommended.

I second the Logitech MX1000. Wireless, rechargable, laser mouse. I have had one since they came out and it is still working like new. Also some people swear by their giant trackballs. John

I hear the absolute best is... http://www.neatimage.com/ Never used it, heard great things though.

32 bit programs can only access 2GB of ram. PERIOD! It doesn't matter how much memory windows can see or you physically have. a 32 bit program can only access 2GB of ram at a time.

Minimum CPU I would go with would be the 2.0ghz 5130. This is because it is the cheapest chip with a 1.33ghz FSB. Big performance increase over the lower chips.