When setting up your editing suite most thought usually goes into computer hardware and software purchases, here are five often overlooked things that are worth considering when setting up a suite.

1. Don't Skimp On A Cheap Chair.

Editing is an unhealthy business and does not provide any daily requirements of exercise or nutrition of any kind. Basically buy a good adjustable office chair with lower back support. Adjust your chair so that your arms rest on the keyboard with a 90 degree bend in the elbow. Not suffering from back pain's and RSI feels really good. The quality of your editing will benefit form your good mood.

2. An Egg Timer.

An egg timer you ask? Its simple, keep an egg timer on the desk, set it for ten minutes. When it rings, save all of your work, set for another ten minutes and repeat. Another option is to set up auto saving in your editing and other applications which will save a defined number of copies of your project. It’s a good idea to save the backups onto a different hard drive if you have this luxury.

3. Consider Your Environment.

Firstly keep your computer away from the glare of window light. Blackout curtains are a must during the day. Secondly set up your studio in the quietest part of the house. Thirdly color hues can be cast onto your screen from surrounding walls, and even by the bright tie died shirt that you might be wearing. If your serious about the color of your video place your suite in the most neutral room, dull grey rooms work best. Also if your keen on your sound monitoring, old mattresses and egg cartons make great sound absorbers.

4. Monitor.

High end suites have properly calibrated PAL and NTSC broadcast monitors that provide stable broadcast color reproduction. But if your just starting off any old tv with video input will do. An external monitor will allow you to view your film in full screen while editing which clients really love, while giving you a better idea of how your films color will look with TV gamma.

5. A Surge Protector.

Often over looked, not only is your computer hardware worth thousands of dollars, but the time taken to edit a big project can be weeks. To lose it all with a single power surge can be devastating. It’s worth dropping a few extra bucks on a quality protector.

You want your suite to be a stress free place of comfort and focus. Hopefully these tips will help you create such a space.