New review, MSP7.2 tests, new monitor

[Hulk]

Hey everybody. Although things have been a bit slow in here lately I think the upcoming HDV revolution will get things going shortly. Until then I have some things that might be worth checking out:

1. You'll notice my system configuration changed. I picked up a Presonus Firepod. It's an 8 channel multi-track recording interface. My usual long-winded review will be up on this site but until then you can check out the review on my benchmark site here: http://www.hyperactivemusic.com/MSPr...epodreview.htm

2. I've also finally jumped on the LCD bandwagon. After spending an hour in CompUSA on Saturday checking out 17", 19" and 20" LCDs I decided it has to be a 17" or a 20". 1280x1080 is just too low a resolution for me at 19", every thing is just too jagged. I like a high resolution display so I can scale fonts up and have a nice smooth looking display. Anyway I went with the Dell FP2001. Dell had a 20% off, free shipping, $40 of $400 deal on Sunday so I got it for $719 all up. Should be here tomorrow so I'll check back with my opinions on it. I'm looking for to both the huge display area and taking back my desk from my CRT!

3. I upgraded my RAM from 640MB to 1024MB and as I have been saying for years, if the OS is not starved for RAM then render times will not increase with more RAM. That was the case after running the MSP7 test. So why did I buy more RAM? Testing is a best case scenario, reality is often a worst case scenario. Sometimes I'm editing a project, typing a document, doing some image processing, and scanning a document all at the same time. And there's usually a deadline associated with these projects. That's why I upgraded. Now I have some RAM headroom so to speak.

4. I reran the MSP7 test after the 7.2 update. NO difference with the DV portion of the test but there was a slightly better performance noted from the MPEG-2 encoder, about 20 seconds faster on my machine, or 1% faster.

5. Finally, I upgraded my old WD600BB secondary drive to a 160GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.7. Very fast and very quiet, I like these fluid bearings. I was thinking about buying a new PC but at this point in time there isn't a really worthwhile upgrade from my P4 3.06. Prescott P4s are only slightly faster and I don't like the thermal specs on them. In addition the 915/925 mobo will shortly have 1066fsb and I like my AIW graphics adapter, no affordable AIW's in PCI-X format are currently available. So a new P4 system is out the question right now.

The only suitable AMD upgrade would be a socket 939 A64 at 2.4Ghz but they are still too expensive. The current rig will be around for a while yet.

Take care,

- Mark

[Hulk]

20" Dell LCD came in yesterday and I must say that I was thinking that I may have made the wrong decision while unpacking it. I've been using my iiyama Visionmaster Pro 17" CRT since 1998 and rarely come across monitors that match it.

Well you can imagine how happy I was when I was greeted with an amazingly clear display from the Dell LCD. I'm using the DVI connector at the native 1600x1200 resolution and the only adjustment I needed to make was turning down the brightness from 50 to 40.

Of course the increased screen real estate is fantastic. Editing in MS Pro 7 is a real pleasure, preview windows can be 3488x366 with V2 showing at 60x45 thumbnail size and A3 showing at 32 height.

Displayed text is and video look great. I'm not noticing any refresh problems, though I rarely play games, just a little CoD with my brother every now and then. Text is much better than my old monitor, video is better in terms of resolution, almost as good in terms of color reproduction. But I have calibrated the monitor yet. I usually use a test pattern do calibrate.

Of course my color correction and such when video editing is always checked on a CRT television monitor anyway.

I thought I relay my LCD experience as I've been thinking about making this move for a year now.

- Mark