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PC Hardware and Software:
Because of the breadth of options in the PC world, you’ll find plenty of PC
brands and models that are touted as being ideal for working with digital
video—and, of course, you’ll find just as many that aren’t designed to handle DV at all. (This is in contrast somewhat to Macs, as every current
Mac model offers FireWire ports, iMovie, and the promise that you can
accomplish some video editing.) A number of manufacturers are adding
special video editing packages to their consumer computing offerings,
bundling software, required cables, and even such extras as DVD burners
and DVD label machines to sweeten the deal.
As for editing software, there’s no doubt that the PC offers more video
editing software packages than you’ll find for Macintosh, although many of
the major packages are available for both. In the case of the PC, however, the
only movie editing software made by Microsoft is Windows MovieMaker,
which is aimed strictly at the consumer rather than the professional. Seekers
of high-end editors turn to third parties for editing software.
Mac or PC?
If you’re looking for an argument to help you choose a Mac over a PC, it’s fairly
straightforward—the Mac offers integrated tools for digital video that can all be acquired
directly from Apple, if you elect to go that route. Buy an iMac or eMac equipped with iMovie,
iDVD, and a SuperDrive, and you can edit and burn DVD movies without ever leaving Apple’s
domain. Likewise, at the higher end, Final Cut Pro and DVD Pro can work together to help
you accomplish even more.
If you’re looking for an argument for PC over Mac, here’s another easy one—speed.
Intel-based PCs are capable of higher raw processing speeds that can, at times, result in
faster rendering of titles, effects, animation, and so on. In head-to-head contests, for
instance, the Power Macintosh G4 can come in second to some high-end, name-brand PC
workstations when both run Adobe Premiere through the same battery of tests. This isn’t
true across the board and in every instance, but in the aggregate, PCs are a bit faster, at
least as of this writing.
If speed doesn’t sway you, you’re joined by a good portion of the video editing
community that remains a Macintosh stronghold. Mac hardware is often seen as “sexy,” and
Apple software programs such as iMovie and Final Cut Pro are generally category leaders,
bringing in accolades for ease of use and integration and causing many professionals to
swear by (and frequently at) the Macs they refuse to give up. That said, either platform is
fully capable, and you’re free to use whichever makes you more comfortable.
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