Unlocking turnkeys: plug it in, power it up and edit. That's the promise of a turnkey editing computer.

Just two years ago, editing computers were highly specialized machines manufactured by a few dedicated companies. Standardized sub-$30 IEEE 1394 (FireWire) cards and the overwhelming dominance of Mini DV in the consumer space have changed all that. Indeed, including IEEE 1394 right on the computer's motherboard is almost a standard feature these days.

Turnkey Specialists

Technically, any computer with FireWire and basic editing software already loaded on it when you unpack the box is a turnkey. Compaq, HP, Dell, Gateway, Apple and dozens of others build systems that edit video. These system integrators deal with huge volumes and can offer significant discounts. Due to the wide range of products and services that they offer, however, it is tough to find video experts at these companies (although they surely exist). If you have done your research and know what you need, customizing a general-purpose computer may save you some money.

Companies that focus on video editing build more complex and specialized turnkeys. These companies build tightly integrated computers specifically designed with video in mind. In general, the smaller companies that build these machines may be more experienced with video, may be in a better position to make recommendations and may have more accessible technical support.

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