Do You Need a Multimedia PC?

Increasingly, people are using their computers to manage and edit their media, including video, digital photos, and music. Looking to convert all your VHS home videos to DVD?  Compiling a multimedia library? 

Multimedia computers will serve you best in the following tasks:

• Editing Video: Editing, adding effects, animating or converting file types with programs like PowerDirector, ShowBiz or Ulead VideoStudio.
• Audio Editing: Creating music mixes, recording Internet radio, converting file types or restoring music with programs like Dexter Audio Editor, GoldWave Digital Audio or Blaze Media Pro.
• Photo Editing: Editing images, creating slide shows or photo galleries with programs like Adobe Photoshop Elements, PhotoImpact or Digital Image Suite.
• Burning DVDs: Creating/copying slides shows, burning backup DVDs, restoring or converting/compressing files with programs like DVD Cloner, 1Click DVD Copy or Clone DVD.
• Organizing Photos: Organize, archive, or share your family’s digital photo album with programs like Adobe Photoshop Album, Digital Image or Corel Photo Album.
• Recording Television/Music: Recording programs utilizing software like Genuine Windows XP Media Center 2005.
• If you are primarily interested in watching or storing DVDs, recording TV, listening to Internet radio or managing your music files, you may want to consider a Media Center PC, which is more like an entertainment center component than a desktop.

Multimedia computers require higher quality components than general use computers. We looked at several different systems from a variety of providers, and then compared their ability to handle media applications. We selected products with a retail price of under $2500 and were marketed as “multimedia” computers.

Below are the criteria TopTenREVIEWS used to evaluate multimedia computers:

• Processor: The processor should run at a minimum of 3.0GHz, with a front bus speed of 800MHz. Those that offer dual or quad-core processors are better at running multiple applications and thus, rated better.
• Memory: Multimedia requires a large amount of memory. The best computers offer at least a 500GB hard drive and 2GB of RAM.
• Graphics Card: An exceptional graphics card is required for playing and recording DVDs, TV, digital video and games successfully. The best multimedia PCs come with at least a 256MB card.
• Multimedia Features: Systems configured for multimedia should include a DVD burner/reader, surround sound, and inputs for connecting video, peripherals and other media devices.
• Accessories: Accessories include keyboard, mouse, software, monitor or other devices. Software can be costly, so it is nice if the system comes ready to run with an operating system and the ability to burn DVDs and edit videos, photos or audio.
• Value/Price: Cost effective computers offer above average features at a below average price.
• Customer Service: Setting up a system can get complicated, so it is useful if the manufacturer offers helpful customer service by telephone, email and chat. Some companies may publish a comprehensive online FAQ or tutorial, as well as offer driver and software downloads.