Do you need a Multimedia Computer?

Increasingly, people are using their computers to manage and edit their media, including video, digital photos and music. If you are interested in the following, a multimedia computer is a good choice for you:

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: Organizing large files of images, archiving or sharing photos 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, which is more like an entertainment center component than a desktop.

In this site, you’ll find articles related to multimedia computers, as well as comprehensive reviews and a side–by–side comparison to help you make an informed decision on which computer is right for you. At TopTenREVIEWS — We do the research so you don’t have to.™

What to Look for in a Multimedia Computer

Multimedia computers require higher–end components than general use computers. We looked at thirteen different systems, from a variety of providers, and compared their ability to handle media applications. We selected products with a retail price of under $2500 and most of them are marketed as “multimedia computers.” Below are the criteria TopTenREVIEWS used to evaluate multimedia computers:

• Processor – The processor should run at a minimum of 3.0 GHz, with a front bus speed of 800MHz+. Those that offer dual processors are better at running multiple applications and rated better.
• Memory – Multimedia requires a large volume of memory, both in the hard drive and in RAM. The best computers offer at least a 500GB hard drive and 2GB of RAM.
• Graphics Card – An exceptional graphics card is required for playing DVDs, TV, digital video and games successfully. The best PCs come with at least a 256 MB card.
• Multimedia Features – Systems configured for multimedia should include a DVD and CD burner/reader as well as surround sound capability and ports for connecting video, peripherals and 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, the ability to burn DVDs and edit video, 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. The company ought to publish comprehensive online help through FAQs, tutorials, drivers and downloads. We also noted which companies provide free shipping.

To begin your search for the perfect multimedia computer, see Hewlett Packard’s HP TouchSmart.