More Megapixels and More Computer

[marcfs]

With Canon’s new larger megapixel cameras (50D and 5DMII) being introduced, what computer specifications do we need to have?  Also consider the addition and advantage of CS4. 

The system should be able to accommodate the 5D video output too.  Is there an advantage of a PC versus Mac?  Are the specs the same?

Is it possible to spend less then $2,000 for a new/complete system with monitor?

Marc Schoenholz

[Bob Atkins]

I think Mac vs. PC is more of a religious issue than a technical one!

You won't need a new PC for a higher pixel count camera, but photoshop operations and file transfers will be slower with larger files of course. As now, the faster it is the better. It all depends on how patient you are!

Both the 5D Mk II and 50D can transfer data via USB as well as HDMI. There are cards for PCs that have HDMI inputs (see http://www.blackmagic-design.com/products/intensity/), but I don't know what sort of software you'd need to read the HDMI signal and I don't know what software Canon will be supplying with the cameras. I suspect that the HDMI output from the camera is currently intended to go to an HDMI input capable HDTV rather than a PC/Mac.

Most PC with HDMI capability have it as an output rather than an input, so they can play DVDs and Blu-Ray disks and output the signal to an HDTV monitor

[KeithB]

I think your goal is reasonable, but I would like to point out that Hard drive size is very critical.  You need as mauch as you can get.  File sizes while only get bigger!

500 GB is the minimum I would get as a photographer theses days.

[Bob Atkins]

I agree that disk size is an issue, but thankfully prices on large drives have been falling.

I wrote this - http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/computers/maxtor_500gb.html about a 500GB external (USB) drive I picked up for under $100 on sale.

Don't forget that if you install a 1TB drive in your PC (which is quite easy and not not very expensive these days), you'll need at least  1TB of backup storage too. If you lose 1TB of data, you're not going to be happy!