Which computer to use?

[dad2]

Hi,

I want to make personal copies of DVD movies which I own. I have been doing a considerable amount of reading on how to do this, on Doom 9 and other websites but have no actual hands-on experience as yet.

I know that a good computer is essential, but which one or kind? Cost wise my upper limit is $1000 or less, I would prefer a PC desktop, they seem to cost less in general, but my only experience with computers has been with low-end and ageing Macs (a PowerMac G4 AGP at the moment).

I would like to change over to a PC and I have been looking at various PC's for sale on Amazon and other places, as best I can tell something in the range $500-$900 should work, but really need some serious advice on which to buy!

If this is the wrong forum to post my request to please let me know. Looking forward to any and all advise!

Dad2

[DJ Bobo]

For DVD backup, a dual core like the Athlon X2 is more than enough.
On my laptop, I do a 2-pass DivX encode in less time than what it takes to actually watch the movie, and it's 1.9GHz. So you should expect an even greater performance with desktop models which usually run at 2.6GHz or greater frequencies. Prices start at around 400$.
If you get a system with an Athlon X2 7750 (like this one (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883229084) for 500$), you can even be sure to be able to upgrade the CPU to a quad core model if you ever feel like it's time to move to blu-ray backups, without changing anything else! it's that AMD didn't change the socket shape for their latest CPU line (Phenom II), and it will stay this way for the years to come. Something you can't do if you buy a dual core from Intel: they changed the socket shape for their latest processor line. Which means if you decide to upgrade in 2 years, you'll be able to get a modern faster AMD CPU (whatever AMD comes up with in 2 years), but if you go with Intel, you'll be stuck, since the socket would have become obsolete by then.

[setarip_old]

@dad2

Hi!I want to make personal copies of DVD movies which I own.If that is your primary interest/desire/concern, be advised that virtually ANY PC (Including many UNDER $500 each)will serve your purpose. Just make sure it includes a DVD burner (not simply a DVD-ROM/reader) ;>}

[dad2]

Thank you DJ Bobo & Setarip_old for the information about which kind of computer to use for making backups of my DVD's, it looks as though it's going to cost me a bit less than I thought it would to buy a computer that will do the job!

I've done some online searching since I posted my request a month ago, I found an HP a6750f on Amazon, large hard drive, eight gigabits ram, vista, etc. It seems like a good deal for the cost. However it does use a 64-bit operating system, the same for the version of windows installed. I don't know if it will work with software designed for 32-bit OS's. Could this be a problem with DVD copying software which is available at the present time?

Thanks again.

Dad2.

[burfadel]

You wouldn't need 8gb of ram to do that you want, 4gb is more realistic. Regardless you need to use vista x64 to make use of the 4gb let alone 8gb! 32 bit apps run perfectly fine on Vista x64 - in fact, they can actually run faster! (due to various reasons I won't get in to).

Honestly, if any newish app or hardware doesn't support x64, I wouldn't touch it. It shows the developer of the software/hardware doesn't give a crap about customer support!

[Blue_MiSfit]

Hi dad2,

As others have said - if all you really want to do is make backup copies of your DVDs, then literally any PC you buy off the shelf these days will be perfectly adequate :)

There's absolutely no reason to get a machine with 8GB of RAM specifically for this purpose.

However, Vista x64 will absolutely love all that RAM, and will aggressively cache as much as it can (one of the many reasons I actually like Vista a lot, unlike lots of folks).

As burfadel said, 32 bit apps run perfectly fine on Vista x64. There are a few exceptions, but most apps have no problems, and DVD Shrink will have no issues!

My advice would be to get a cheap Dell from their website. As a PC builder, I used to hate Dell with a passion, but they're building truly excellent products these days. I'd suggest getting something relatively stripped down, and then add your own RAM and a second hard drive if you need the extra space.

You can't really make a bad decision :) Oh, and if you go for Vista, make sure to get Home Premium. Home Basic doesn't have a lot of basic features, like the Aero UI.

Welcome to Windows. It's actually a pretty friendly place...

~MiSfit

[movmasty]

Hi dad2,

Oh, and if you go for Vista, make sure to get Home Premium. Home Basic doesn't have a lot of basic features, like the Aero UI Very useful for video encoding.....:devil:
xp still gives more compatibility, and you can have it for free today

As burfadel said, 32 bit apps run perfectly fine on Vista x64. There are a few exceptions
They are a few exceptions :D

As others have said - if all you really want to do is make backup copies of your DVDs, then literally any PC you buy off the shelf these days will be perfectly adequate :)Always been an AMD fan, but today intel rules for video encoding,
since you dont really need a Quad, dual are rather cheap now...

[dat720]

Very useful for video encoding.....:devil:
xp still gives more compatibility, and you can have it for free today

Do not give false advice.

You can't get Windows XP for free (legally), and last time i worked in a retail PC shop, (2007) you couldn't buy a retail copy of XP, you could only get OEM, and that stopped late 2007....

From http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-xp/future.aspx:
Can I still buy Windows XP now? I'm confused. Some places have it, some don't.

We understand your confusion. On June 30, Microsoft stopped distributing Windows XP as a stand-alone product shrink-wrapped in the store. We'll also stop sending it to Dell, HP, Lenovo and all the other major PC manufacturers who would sell PCs that exclusively run Windows XP.

All and all, Windows XP isn't going to disappear overnight. If you need Windows XP, you can still get it through what we call "downgrade rights" that downgrade a new PC with Windows Vista Business or Windows Vista Ultimate to Windows XP.

Also, you may see devices called Netbooks or ultra-low cost PCs (ULCPC) running Windows XP Home. We intend to sell Windows XP Home for these machines with limited hardware capabilities to run until June 2010. (Read about the ULCPC program on Microsoft Presspass.)

You may even still see copies of the software, or computers pre-loaded with it, as stores and PC makers work through their inventory. Smaller, local PC makers—known in the industry as "system builders"—can continue to sell PCs with Windows XP until January 2009.

[ArdenDag]

There are still a lot of OEM copies of XP circulating (on eBay, NewEgg (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116515), and the like). If you are building a new computer, it's the way to go (IMHO). There are even sites (like Pacific Geek) that bundle XP OEM software with bare (and I mean BARE) bones systems, for around $120 + shipping.

Arden

[burfadel]

Don't get XP, its archaeic now. For all those complaining about Vista (sp2 is just about to be officially released) & the upcoming Windows 7, they obviously have forgotten how bad XP was back in 2001 when it came out. It was pathetic, and didn't really start to improve until sp1, and sp2 was a very significant release for XP. The difference now is that peoples expectations are significantly higher, the hardare is more complex and diverse, and since XP was around for so long there are those that hate change that will not want to change over. Vista did have its problems to start with, but now its quite a decent operating system (especially with SP2 6.0.6002.18005 official build number).

Vista has been around for a couple of years now, if ANY program has compatibility problems with Vista it either means its an old programme, or the developers have very bad software support. I personally wouldn't use and especially purchase any fairly recent software or hardware that doesn't work on both x86 or x64 Vista as it means their support sucks.

[petran79]

Regarding people and higher expectations, dont bet on it. Unless you use the computer as a gaming machine or professional work, the majority of users are satisfied with the current hardware and software.

For Office work and Internet the computer can last many years. Not that an upgrade isnt necessary but it does not need to be so fast as it is with gaming and multimedia. Seeing also how the various Linux distributions evolve, I regretted I paid extra money to have a Netbook with Win Xp home pre-installed and not one with Linux. I do not think I'll switch to Vista or Windows 7 anytime soon.

[dat720]

On that note in my opinion Linux is better than XP, Vista and Windows 7!
I'm running Ubuntu 9.04 on my main PC and couldn't be happier... It makes way better use of the hardware, is not a resource hog, and its FAST!

Sure things like AnyDVD and AVISynth have no linux ports but you could always fire up a virtual machine, and if your processor supports hardware virtualising then its pretty much no slower than a real windows install...
I had virtualbox running Windows Vista and it reports my CPU as 4.5 Ram as 5.9 and HDD as 5.9! It even plays 720p movies smoothly in VLC!!!

[setarip_old]

Some of you folks sure do go off on a tangent ;>}

The O.P. has stated a simple need:I want to make personal copies of DVD movies which I own....

[dat720]

Everyone is entitled to their opinion....

People were trying to convince the OP that Windows XP is better than the other options on the market and i was simply pointing out that no version of Windows is better than Linux!

[jmfouts305]

DJ Bobo,

I followed your advice and I was so glad I did. Kudos to you for helping newbies out.