PC or Mac?

OK so I know we can all write many pages on this question but my PC is grinding to a stop so maybe time to spend some money. Mostly the things I do work well for either but for editing video MAC is supposed to be better but can you get free software like for pc? I use packages like virtualdub, flaskmpg, snagit are there equivalents for the mac for free, or low cost? Thanks in advance :)

Reminds me of a song I'm encouraged to sing when I've had a skinful.

Mack the Knife. :)))

mac all the life!

@elmo and @shirtfull - thanks guys this is all good for me, you learn lots if you ask the questions in the right place :)

@knacka

to do that on a mac.

download and install Perian, Xvid and MPEGstreamclip. all freeware
to rip the DVD (Vob files) you need the Quicktime MPEG Component €20 from Apple as well.

Insert DVD open with MPEGstreamclip edit and export to Xvid avi.

No free screen capture for Mac that I'm aware of, so do the following.
Rip and download the Youtube .flv straight from the Safari browser to HD, open in MPEGstreamclip and export as above.

you are aware of the term "Think Different" :-)

@ Knacka

It looks like you compress to Avi twice!!

Try DVD Decrypter to rip the dvd in ifo mode with no file splitting.

Here

[hidden link - please register]

Then use fcc handler mpeg plugin for virtualdub to open vob files in virtualdub and then edit before compressing to Avi.

Here

[hidden link - please register]

Thanks for comments.

@elmo: If I am recording etv for example I record to dvd then us flaskmpg to rip the dvd and create avi file, then use virtualdub to edit and compress the file, usually with xvid codec. Snagit is excellent to capture video from screen e.g. a webcam or youtube it creates again an avi file which can be edited with virtualdub. Sometimes I record to hardrive and capture using a usb capture device direct into vitual dub then edit, but this usually is not as good as rip dvd because i'm not very good a getting setting right :)

@equation: I am aware of linux but don't think at the moment it is a good windows desktop substitue, too much cli needed I use it for work a lot but not for gui things

on any Intel mac, introduced 2006, anybody can also install Win XP SP2 or better on a separate partition*, it is more stable than on any Win machine i've used. it does not run in emulation mode!!!! despite all the rumours.

so if you really want a win machine you can do both - only requires a new start.

Linux can also be installed, again on a separate partition.

re Mac OSX -  it is the most stable OS that I have used. it is UNIX with a Mac frontend gui.

Re: Quicktime - it is a must on a mac, it is the complete multimedia software package, all other apps. require QT to run. ( the whole iLife software package is also free with every Mac)

upgrading Quicktime to Quicktime Pro with the MPEG component will cost €50,-

having tried all kinds of other permutations I can only recommend these machines and software.

DB is only correct in saying that there are not as many applications as for Windows. but a suitable substitute is available for most of them.

* there are of course some limitations. more on this and software equivalents in depth by request.

@ Knacka what do you do with flaskmpeg, virtualdub and snag it ?? I am familiar with the software and have used the 1st two.

Yes, we can start a WW3 on this, and DB didn't even mention Linux :)

Even if you really want to change all your PC, you could anyway keep the old one in order to make some experiment and get used to some easy to use Linux distribution, especially the ones aimed to multimedia like Ubuntu Studio http://ubuntustudio.org/ 64 Studio http://64studio.com/ or dyne:bolic http://www.dynebolic.org/ just to mention the most popular (though any multimedia programme can be installed and used on any Linux distribution).

Alas there always are talkings about bringing Cinelerra to Mac, but no real official news yet.

Avidemux is available http://www.afterdawn.com/software/alternative_platforms/mac_software/avidemux_for_macosx.cfm

Thanks for that, why didn't I know that site before? A good argument is healthy so bring it on, makes a change from arguing about which eurotic model / mod is the worst.

You could start World War 3 with a topic like this -))

elmovision is a Mac user and he will answer you better but methinks there is little or no free software for a Mac.

The cheapest is Quicktime Pro but I have no idea what it can do. (I do know that you would have to pay for the mpeg2 plug-in seperately)

Apple Final Cut seems to be the lowest cost option.

Take a look at [hidden link - please register] under tools for an overview.