Set up your computer for video editing

Computer components: for suggested components eg graphics cards and processors, have a read of this thread.

• Move your Swap File/Paging File off your Windows (C:\) hard drive to another partition or drive (the best option is to have a second physical drive in the computer):

• Right click on the My Computer icon; go to PROPERTIES,

• Click the ADVANCED tab and then the Performance SETTINGS button;

• Click on the Advanced tab;

• Click on Virtual Memory Change button,

• Set a custom size of the amount that is recommended on Virtual Memory screen "Total Paging Size For All Drives" bit (about 1.5 times your RAM amount eg 1500/1500 for 1gb of RAM), and preferably on a partition/drive that is not your Windows drive. If both the values the same, the Paging file will not fragment.

• If you can, put it at the start of the drive with your defragging program.

• Windows XP memory tweak: not for the faint hearted, here's a tip from EIkeDD, a Magix junkie. Back up the registry first! I use ERUNT.

• Make sure your hard drives are running in DMA mode. Running in DMA mode will minimise dropped frames during video capture.

• Don't run other programs while capturing, encoding, or burning.

• Install Startup Control Panel
  to allow you to select which programs you really want to start when Windows starts.

Some other good tips for speeding up your computer are here:

http://www.blackviper.com/WinXP/supertweaks.htm

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