which os w2k or xp for editing/authoring

[nunchalnaomi]

Hi,

I just ordered a custom built computer for graphics, capture, editing, and authoring dvd's. Which os is better 2k or xp? One friend says xp , because of the support/ stability. One says w2k , because of copywrite issues and because he thinks w2k is more stable. So I decided to ask the experts. It is the same cost.

My system will be based on the matrox rt.x100.
asus p4 533c
p4 2.53
4 x 512 1066
40 gb system
240 gb raid a/v drive
80 gb export ( removable)
soundblaster 2 audigy
matrox g550
matrox rt.x100
430 enemax p/s

What would you chose and why? Is there copywrite issues with xp?

[Brian Ellis]

W2k SP2

[AmSci]

That looks like a very nice system. Are you using this ONLY for video work? Do you plan on playing games or anything like that? If so, I'd multiboot XP and 2K sp2. Use 2k just for editing, and use the other OS for general computing.

[Dr Mordrid]

Though Matrox recommends WinXP I'm using Win2K-SP2 and it presents no problems.

Dr. Mordrid

[funky-d-munky]

XP works great out of the box, and is a little more future proof. If they are the same price its a no brainer.

AmSci- why would you tell someone to dual boot 2000/XP? One will do.

[wkulecz]

Yup its a no brainer, since W2K lacks Windows Product Activation, buy it instead.

--wally.

[AmSci]

Originally posted by funky-d-munky
AmSci- why would you tell someone to dual boot 2000/XP? One will do.

I like to keep a clean OS just for the work I do with video. Rather than going through the trouble of disabling antivirus, power saving features, etc etc etc etc every time I want to capture video, I'd rather just boot to a fresh OS. I'm sure thats standard practice around here, to keep video isolated from the rest of your general computing.

[wkulecz]

You pretty much have to dedicate a computer to video editing if you expect to get any real work done. video is enough of a house of cards on any flavor of windows that installing other software is always a bit of a risk.

Once it ain't broke, stop fixing it!

Dual boot doesn't offer any real protection should your general computing encounter a nasty virus unless you use win9x and Fat32 for general stuff and NTFS for video, but even then you still might lose the partition table.

--wally.

[AmSci]

Originally posted by wkulecz
Dual boot doesn't offer any real protection should your general computing encounter a nasty virus unless you use win9x and Fat32 for general stuff and NTFS for video, but even then you still might lose the partition table.

--wally.

I'm not concerned with that. My video OS is pretty much solid, I never make changes to it. I drive-imaged it, so if it ever got lost I can just simply restore it. I'm covered security-wise on my XP partition, and even though I'm not running antivirus/firewall, etc on my video partition, the network card is disabled, so theres no chance of infection on that OS.

[nunchalnaomi]

Hi

I don't think I'll be playing games on it. My old computer and my playstation 2 are fine for gaming. This will be strictly audio and video editing. So far everyone seems to think w2k with sp2. Thanks for all your advice. I have to let him know by friday morning, so I'll continue looking here for any more suggestions. Oh by the way , I forgot to add the ricoh multiformat and a plextor cd burner. Nunchal