PC Editing Systems for the Matrox RT.X2

Matrox RT.X2The Matrox RT.X2 is a PCI-Express video In/Out card (based on the higher-end Matrox Axio) with additional video processing hardware to decode/encode DV/HDV/MPEG2 video. Even with its onboard hardware, the host system requires a lot of CPU & GPU power in order to process HD real-time effects without rendering, although the effects capability in Standard Def will be considerably better (ie more simultaneous layers/effects). Therefore a current-generation CPU is advised, and the Intel Core Duo, i3, i5 & i7 CPUs offer a good balance between cost and performance.

The spec of the sample video editing systems on this page is based around the Matrox recommendations with Intel Core Duo or the new i7 CPUs, which we feel give good value for money. However, all video editing PC systems are built to order so we will always quote for your particular requirements.

Matrox RT.X2 PC edting system from ZEN Computer Services
One of four i7 920 - RT.X2 LE editing systems supplied to Wyke 6th Form College, with dual 23" LCD PC & TV monitors

Common features for Matrox RT.X2 PC systems
Asus Intel-chipset PCI-Express  motherboard with on-board SATA, audio, 1394, USB2 & gigabit ethernet, Antec 300 black mid-tower case with 650W PSU & 120/140mm quiet fans, 500GB + 1TB SATA-II hard drives (for system & video), dual optical drives (Dual Layer DVD+/-R/RW), 512MB 9800GT dual output PCI-Express graphics card (excludes monitors),
Windows 7 Pro 64bit O/S, and Matrox RT.X2 LE & Premiere Pro CS4 bundle (includes Encore CS4 & On Location)

Intel i7 920 on Asus P6T DeluxeCPU/RAM Options & System Prices
Dual Core i3-530 + 4GB DDR3 RAM  - 1,995.00
i5 750 Quad Core + 4GB DDR3 RAM - 2,055.00
Intel i7 920 Quad Core (with hyper-threading = 8 threads),
P6T motherboard + 6GB DDR3 RAM  - 2,145.00
i7 860,  P7P55 M/B + 8GB DDR3 RAM - 2,205.00
i7 930, P6T M/B + 12GB DDR3 RAM - 2,385.00
Intel i7 Six Core (with hyper-threading = 12 threads),
i7 980 Extreme, P6T Deluxe  M/B + 12GB DDR3 RAM  - 2,925.00

LG Dual-Layer 8x BluRay Burner upgrade - 120.00

22" Wide LCD monitors (1920x1080) - from 125.00
23" Wide LCD monitors (1920x1080) - from 150.00
23" Wide LCD multi-function TV/monitor (1920x1080) - 250.00
Matrox hardware prices

(All PC video editing systems are built to order, so just ask for any required options.) Prices subject to availability. E&OE

Hard Disk Options available  Monitor Options Available  Video editing system demos available in Manchester  

Note - all prices quoted on this site are UK pounds - ex VAT & delivery

What we're about . . .      ZEN is not a traditional Audio-Visual dealer who started selling computers, nor is it a computer shop that also sells video editing systems. You won't get any salesmen giving you the "hard-sell" when you call, just straightforward advice and information - which for some callers is the knowledge that they don't need to buy whatever it is they thought they needed! Above all you'll be dealing with someone with a wide range of experience and knowledge of both PCs and video production. We're not the biggest, nor necessarily the cheapest, but we are one of the longest established computer/video specialists in the UK.

Company history . . .      ZEN was started in the 1980s by Martin Kay, then working for ITV at Granada's Manchester studios, who built his first 6502-based computer in 1979 from an Ohio Scientific kit, bought in the USA whilst working as a Sound Recordist on a film shoot for World In Action. With the advent of the Amiga, which could be gen-locked to a video source, Martin started writing a variety of video-related software. This included subtitling & tele-prompting, ident clocks, scoring software for sports & gameshows, and specialist software to mimic other computer displays for use in TV film dramas like Cracker, Prime Suspect and A Touch of Frost. Martin left Granada in 1993 to concentrate on his computer-video activities with ZEN, following a natural path into non-linear editing systems, now the main focus of the business, although he still maintains an active interest in video production.

ZEN - Home Page Phone 0161 736 5300 Copyright © 2010 Zen Computer Services.
All rights reserved. E&OE
Revised: 28 May, 2010