GPU for Video Production

[VanTheMan]

I'm building a video editing rig on a budget for my friend's new company and I was thinking about a 6600GT for it. One thing he wants to do is use all 3 outputs at the same time. I can't seem to find any information about it anywhere. Does anybody have experience doing it? I'm also open to suggestions on other sub-$130 cards for the sole purpose of video production (Premier Pro, After Effects, etc.).

 

[BassBomb]

im sure u cant use all 3 outputs, but just 2

 

[VanTheMan]

Does anybody know of a card that 3 outputs could be used on? My friend wants to be able to edit in Premier Pro on two monitors and play previews via the TV out.

 

[Sketcher]

http://www.matrox.com/mga/workstation/cre_pro/products/apve/home.cfm

They have AGP and PCI flavors as well. I've used the AGP and I have the APVe PCI-Express version. I'd bought mine for exactly the tasking that you mention; but I do more gaming than video editing so it's sitting on the shelf.

You can use multiple cards to accomplish what you want to a fashion, but there are trade-off's. There isn't a better single card solution than the Parhelia for linear video editing on a PC; especially for maintaining color and frame sync between the displays, tv monitor and final production. If you add up the cost to do multiple monitor and tv all with quality feed you'll spend more than you would on a single Parhelia and you'll still have two, mabye three levels of visual inconsistency to be aware of.

*You did say sub $130; but you also said it's for business solely dedicated to video editing. Considering the 'business' aspect; though it's important to consider initial cost of equipment it's also important to consider the tradeoffs. You can spend a lot of time tinkering with hardware and software to get it right and that's not time you're able to bill the customer. Inconsistencies hamper workflow and result in an unpredictable product.

On the other hand, there are hundreds of incredible film projects that are edited and produced on little more than a $1k laptop w/a tv-out card. However, as soon as a project goes beyond fan film or portfolio to paid work the first expenditure for business equipment is usually dedicated hardware and software to more professionaly get the same work done.

 

[VanTheMan]

I've talked to them about spending more to build it, but their budget is constrained. They're happy enough editing on their personal computers, but they just want something dedicated to editing that's on or above par with their personal systems. What do you think about using multiple PCI (not PCI-E) video cards to accomplish the goal? PCI cards are far less expensive, albeit it limited in selection, than AGP and PCI-E. Since they don't need the raw power required for 3D gaming... Could a couple 128MB PCI cards get the job done?

 

[Sketcher]

You get what you pay for. Like I said, using multiple cards has its trade-off's. Perhaps it'd be good to know what kind of product their business is creating to know why a matter of a hundred bucks is a make or break deal or worth handicapping your business for in the first place.

You asked for my opinion and it is this; if you want to run a business on less than a shoe string budget than you need to become intimately familiar with hardware and software because you're going to spend a lot of time tweaking it to give you consistent, predictable results that are worth selling to customers.

BTW, you can find the PCI variant of the Parhelia GPU in the price range you're looking for. That solution is better than using multiple cards and it gives you full spanned desktop linear editing accuracy. If your associates don't know what linear editing is; I have to ask again what it is that they're producing for sale. Answering that question would be good to do.

I'd have to say at this point if you are indeed building a video editing rig for them, it's time to cut bait and hand off the learning curve to those who need the work done. Duct taping a production rig for them will only tie you in to being their sole support system and the disappointment or failure of any aspect of the gear will lie solely on your shoulders. Business isn't kind.

Now, if you're building a shoe-string video rig for yourself; as in a business is not relying on the system, mixing/matching graphics cards can yield you some excellent results. I'd still recommend a PCI version of the Parhelia though as it would give you better results.

just my 2 frames.

 

[VanTheMan]

We have made a range of videos for our university (new student orientation, several different kinds of advertising, departmental promotional, etc.), we've made a documentary for a nearby town about the revitalization of the town, videos for summer camps and a lot of portfolio material. They're hoping to make training videos for different public service and healthcare professions in the near future.

The main reason the budget is so constrained is that they're just getting out of college and have lots of bills to pay. Capital has been spent on cameras, lighting, some sound and other things of that nature. Money is being saved to spend on the more expensive filming equipment they want to get. They are able to produce results that meet their current expectations with their own systems, but they want something dedicated that several different editors can have unrestricted access to. I've tried talking them into spending a little more, but they really can't, so I'm trying to find a solution that will work for them. It sounds like the PCI Parhelia might be a good way to go. I'll do some reading about it. Thanks a lot!

 

[gsellis]

Two screens and a monitor, right? Not sure of the exact product mix with PP. With my editor, it can be done with the Breakout box version (BOB) for SD, and one of the guys (used to be the manager of tech support, so his word carries weight) is saying you can get a HD monitor to work with an AIW. *BUT* do not expect Premiere Pro to behave the same way.

The Matrox solutions are suited for PP. The RT100 series may be needed for monitor out. As Sketcher mentions, the Parahelia might be the way to go. Here is a sample from Matrox. You can also use the Premiere forum at Adobe to find folks running the exact components for fine tuning.

And remember, a monitor is NOT a LCD or CRT. It is specifically designed to be a calibrated NTSC/PAL/HDTV device to tune video for broadcast. Places like B & H PhotoVideo sell such parts.

 

[VanTheMan]

Ah, I didn't even think to check out the forums at Adobe. It's sounding like the Parhelia is going to be the best solution for them, but I'll read up at Matrox and Adobe a little more. Thanks!

 

[Fraggable]

I don't know if this helps or not, but I recentely tried using 2 LCDs and 1 HDTV at the same time on my 1800XT and it didn't work. I could only have 2 of the 3 running at once.

 

[VanTheMan]

If nothing else, it tells me not to get them an 1800XT for their system.

 

[gsellis]

Originally posted by: Fraggable
I don't know if this helps or not, but I recentely tried using 2 LCDs and 1 HDTV at the same time on my 1800XT and it didn't work. I could only have 2 of the 3 running at once.

Natively, I would not expect it. I am using an advanced video editor.

 

[VanTheMan]

Well, we ended up going with a GeForce 7300. They decided that using all three outputs at once wasn't worth the extra money right now. Let's just hope it gets the job done for them.

 

[zephyrprime]

Just buy another video card and put it in. Before the dual head video cards existed, the only way to use multiple monitors was to use multiple video cards. It's no big deal to use multiple video cards.

I took a look at ati & nvidia. It seems like their products only have dual dacs so you can't use all three outputs at the same time. Matrox is the only choice for an all in one solution it seems.

 

[VanTheMan]

They might just end up using one of the PCI graphics cards they already have for the third output. They were also talking about using firewire, so I'm not sure what will end up happening. Once they start making more money, I'm sure they'll upgrade to a PCI-E Parhelia.

 

[framerateuk]

You could try any standard graphics card with Matrox's new "TripleHead2Go". Lets you connect 3 monitors to one vga output.

All the monitors have to run at 1280x1024 or lower though.

 

[pkme2]

My Matrox Parhelia AGP 256MB runs 3 LCDs at a time.
I'm planning on replacing my 2 LCDs with one Dell 2405 later this year. The 24" Dell is perfect for my singular wide workspace.
I use A outlet, to run video playback, and B outlet, with Y-splitter to run the other 2 LCDs.

One could use a card like Nvidia Quadro or ATI FireGL, but that would be for a professional video workstation.

If money is limited, an ATI 9700 Pro 128MB card would suffice.