When I setup my first FCP edit system I didn't have a lot of choice. I had a G4 with a Medea SCSI RAID, and a Kona SD Card. Since then I've upgraded a bit, and am currently running a Kona 2 with a HDPro. Totally love it.
Today there are a lot more options out there, and here is what I learned over the years. Buy a product that is good reliable and not overpriced. I've see these companies come and go and I was lucky to be on the right track.
For the capture card, it's all about how you work. Take a close look at what you need to do. I love the AJA IoHD, but it just is not as piratical for me as the Kona 3. It gives me the extra flexibility and fits into my suite very well. The IoHD would work, but since I've started building with the card it make more sense for me. And like I said it all about how and what you work on.
The same goes with the storage. I'm on my 4th RAID. Now times have changed, but this is the biggest pain in the rear. I'm always in need of more storage, but the stuff is expensive. It's the last thing that I want to be upgrading every year. I've got an Xserve RAID. Its great, but these days it just does not compare to the HDPro. The thing is twice the capacity, twice as fast, and cost about a quarter of the price I paid for the Xserve RAID several years ago. I really wish it would have been an option back then because I'm really happy now. The thing is rock solid and really like where CalDigit is going. They've got some really cool new products on the way, and they've given me exactly what I need as an editor. I took forever to set up the Xserve RAID, with the HDPro I just plugged the thing in and I was good to go.
With that said, yes there are other brands out there besides AJA and CalDigit. I don't have much experience with them, they may be good fits. These two companies have definitely made my company successful. But in the end the best advice I can give you is look to the future and the what you might be needing to do in 2 or three years, and buy based on that. You'll save money and your clients will appreciate the forethought.
Oh and one more piece of advice. Was to buy until you need it, new products come a long, prices get cut. While the latest and greatest toys are really cool, you can save a lot by being patient.
Jared PicuneIdea Spring Editing, Inc. Denver Final Cut Pro UGGeeky Mac | FCP Tips & Tricks
