Best computer for FCP on college budget

Help! I am trying to decide exactly the machine I need to edit with Final Cut Pro at home. I am a college student so my budget is my student loan money (around $2000).
First, I prefer to be portable so that I can transport it to and from school(so maybe a powerbook?) but I know that is probably not the best choice.
Second, I would like to know what specifications I should be looking for in a computer that will be primarily devoted to FCP. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
iBook G4 Mac OS X (10.3.9) too slow for FCP

what version of FCP and what OS?
What other apps must this machine run?
What are your filmmaking aspirations?
If you're shooting DV and are planning to do the offline on your laptop, almost any Powerbook will do the job as long as it's got a 7200 rpm drive. You're not going to like it, though, unless you're limiting your expectations to FCP3 and maybe even OS9. These will do the job for you and for a lot less than $2k. that way you can buy a decent camera.
Here's what people forget to include in their budget:
1. Protective case ($100 to $400, your laptop is supremely vulnerable.)
2. Spare batteries ($150 each, you need three if you're doing video)
3. Backup FW drive and software (My dog ate my computer, professor, I can't turn in my movie.)
4. Additional power supply (because you won't listen to us about the batteries)
bogiesan

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Best computer for FCP

Greetings,
I have been editing feature films and video projects on my PowerMac G4 867Mhz for 5 years. I use FCP 5.1 and DVD Studio Pro mostly.
To replace my computer, I would like to buy a 24" iMac with a 7200rpm Hard Drive for smooth handling of HD footage. Does anyone know how this model performs with Final Cut Studio apps?
Also, I gave some thought to a MacPro, but it just seems like too much power for what I usually do.
I was thinking of buying a MacBook Pro, since I mostly do straight cuts and little 3D effects. Also, being mobile is a plus, but the price is a bit steep.
In addition to the iMac, I would like to buy a MacBook, where I could do simple cuts on the go (I know it is not supported, but many collegues have said FCP works fine on MacBook).
Any advice/ experience stories are appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

While some use the iMac for FCP, it is not an ideal solution as you can not add any additional internal disks for scratch drives nor add a pci firewire card or to isolate the camera from the external drive it is highly recommended you have. In addition, if you do decide to work at higher datarate formats, there is no way to add a pci esata card or an HD card either.
All in all, not a 'best computer for fcp'.
Go with a MacBookPro 17" which has a large enough screen to edit with on the go or a MacPro desktop. Both allow for expansion of capabilities.
good luck.
x

Need advise on best settings for FCP 7!

I am looking for some advice on the best settings for FCP 7 when I am syncing sound using pluraleyes, exporting into quicktime as one file and then importing that new file into FCP 7 for editing. I have noticed that sometimes my Quicktime files are very large (20 gb) and sometimes they are much smaller (130 MB), but I never changed the settings.
I am working on FCP 7 and shot using my Panasonic GH3 at 24 fps (which comes to 23.98). My frame size is 1920x1080. Compressor is H.264. Data rate: 8.6 MB/sec. Audio rate: 48.0 KHz. I have heard that FCP 7 does not properly deal with H.264. So, I am wondering, what should my settings be? Should I set to "Apple ProRes 422 (HQ) 1920x1080 24p 48 kHz"? Is there anything I need to know when I export to Quicktime 7 Pro in order to not reduce the quality of the video? Should I be changing my video files first before I even start to work on them?
I haven't edited in almost ten years so I am desperate need of some guidance!
Final Cut Pro 7, Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Hi Shane Ross,
Thanks for your help. So, I already synced all of my interviews in FCP 7 (using pluraleyes) before I changed the video to ProRess 422. Can I just go into FCP (in the same project) and compress the video footage, import the new video files and throw it into the timeline? Or will this cause issues? I tried this as a test and it seems to be okay but I just want to check that there aren't any issues that I am not considering.
Also, when I do compress, it seems to take forever (sometimes two hours). Is there any way to make this move along faster?
Thanks so much!

What is the best Computer for HD video editing where can I get it under $3000-5000? Thank you!

What is the best Computer for HD video editing where can I get it under $3000- $5000.00?

The wording of your question suggests you may be new to video editing, in which case the types of projects you will be doing may not be the most complex.
Please accept my apology if that assumption is incorrect.
The cheapest computer available will edit 1080p video perfectly well but if you must have the "best" you will be looking at nothing less than a MacPro.
Too many people get hung up about the equipment they use and blame it for any inadequacies . . . when the most important component is the operator.

Best mac for FCP

Ladies and Gentlemen,
Would anybody be so kind and tell me what is the minimal set up I would need for FCP? I'm not a professional and would be using it for dabbling rather then serious work. Would Mac Book be sufficient? How much memory would I need?
Best
Slon

check this out Sion, this is your best bet for
consideration of requirements
http://www.apple.com/finalcutstudio/specs.html
Thanks Andy,
Much appreciated
Slon

Best Setup for FCP X

So...I have a Mac Pro, Dual 2.8 Quad Core with 24 GB of RAM. I beefed up the video card and the RAM just for FCP X....but I swear, it runs painfully slow. I'm about to boot this thing and go for portability. Will the high end Macbook Pro deliver what I think FCP X should be like?

I feel your pain sszeto. I still have my old MAC Clone. Remember the UMAX 900? I have that in my sailboat and I'm still using it. Kinda useless but it does the job.
I still feel that going SSD is the way to go. Clinton might back me up on this one.
I believe, and still do that desktop are faster than laptops. I have a 4 year old i7 920 Windows desktop that is faster in Photoshop than my late 2011 MB Pro. I just went portable because I travel too much and I hate lugging around my desktop.
My suggestion: try out the SSD on your Mac PRO and if you feel that it's not helping, when you get your new MB Pro, you can install that SSD in your MB Pro and really see the difference in speed.
Makes sense?

Best workflow for FCP 7 HVX200 or XHA1?

I know these are older technologies but if you could get a great deal on an Canon XHA1 or HVX200 with 16gb card for roughly the same price (1500 for Canon, 1600 for Panasonic) what would you pull the trigger on?
I need a camera to take on the road to do some simple interviews for a documentary. The more complicated shoots will be done by my DP and his much better equipment.
But when I figure rental fees, convenience, and the likelihood I may need it to do some more simple projects by my lonesome in the future it could be a good investment if the price is right.
Both cameras are being sold from (seemingly) reputable industry professionals who are upgrading their own inventory and have given histories of the respective cameras uses, environments, hours, and any repairs.
My top priority is picture quality and workflow with FCP7. I know Canon has the better chips but is tape. How are the P2 cards with FCP7? What's the best bang for buck picture-wise? Of course other features will be taken into consideration. It's been a while since I shot on my own so I am a little out of touch with technology. Thanks for any insights!
Thanks,
BJ
www.bjbarretta.com

Both are very good cameras. The Panasonic uses P2 cards and the work flow on that (DVCPRO) and the HDV of the Canon are both supported in FCP7. The P2 is ingressed via Log and Transfer using the builtin P2 plugin which can easily be set for ProRes 422. The Canon uses basic firewire and log and capture. They both have 4 pin firewire connection and of the two the Canon is more renowned for being fidly and hard to connect. That said There are lots of XHA1 out there (I have an XHA1S no issues). Picture quality is fantastic on both and you pays your money ... your question was workflow's .. ingest the captured product either DVDPRO or HDV to ProRes and away you go..
Jim

What current model camcorder is best suited for FCP 4.0

I have a PM G4 FW800 Mirror door running 10.3.2 and decided to get into this video stuff. I am a Pro Tools user.
What camcorders will work with Final Cut Pro 4
Will any 1394 Firewire Camcorders work ?
How about current Cannon , Panasonic or Sony ?
Anyone with experience ?
thanks

Most 1394 DV camcorders will work with FCP. Some older models out there (think Hi8) lack device control, but will still import using Capture Now.
There is a list of "certified" camcorders for FCP, but its vastly incomplete. I have never seen FCP simply not recognize a camcorder with FireWire.
As far as brands are concerned, it should come down to what fits your needs and preferences. All three of those big name brands should be fully compatible.

Best computer for running FCP?

What's up people...
I am in the market for a new mac to run Final Cut Pro...
At the end of the day I want something that will give me decent render times and also be able to run simultaneous apps like photo shop and logic.
I was looking at a powermac pro with Two 2.26 GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon.
For 1500.00 more I could up to a Two 2.66 GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon.
Or I was just told that I don't need all that power and that I should just get an imac or laptop.
There is obviously a large range in price between all of these...
For me, performance always trumps cost. But I don't want to spend a whole bunch of money if I don't need to.
Suggestions? Cost/benefit analysis?
Message was edited by: madtimeinmadtown

It largely depends on how much that extra processing power is worth to you.
Do you generally let things render while you get a cup of coffee, or will it make you less productive if you have to wait 15 seconds instead of 10 or 12?
In general faster is always better for future-proofing, and if you can afford it I'd personally go for faster CPUs to deal with the RED footage.
However, I'm sure there are several here who work with RED footage daily who can tell you from experience if the faster processors are worth the big price bump.

Best Camcorder For FCP and FCE

Right, so I have a rough budget of £500 and I need the best camcorder I can get for money. It must be compatible with FCP and Express. Can anyone out there help me with my predicament??
Many Thanks

Better information, you'll get better responses over the next few days, keep reading.
Best for me includes excellent low light functions and excellent glass. I need neither digital zoom nor auto gain.
Decide on an acquisition format by determining what you expect to do with the movies you create. You may not need full 1080 but can get by with 720. Resist cameras that record in a codec that must be transcoded before editing.
bogiesan

Lower range apple computer for FCP

can some one suggest me... what would lowest range of apple Computer that would support FCP. lowest by cost and specification!!
i m new to this FCP and would like to buy 1 apple machine for Practicing FCP.

+Dropped frames are no longer an issue? When did this happen?+
If and when you go tapeless Zeb then dropped frames become very much less of an "issue".
+Perhaps when transferring data to a media drive USB is fine, but last I saw when I opened up Final Cut Pro, that data still needs to be streamed to the user interface.+
And how much of an issue that it is depends wholly on the nature of the work combined with the severity of the issue. The occasional dropped frame certainly doesn't prevent me from telling a **** good story.
+But, if what you say is true ...+
And it is
+... considering that the cost of firewire drives are hardly a premium anymore over USB2 drives why would one even risk dropped frames because of the protocol? Why not bother to set up a rig properly in the first place?+
Well I'm thinking our original poster from Bhutan is likely somewhat more limited in available resources and will want and need to use whatever is best available, especially seeing as they already noted that they were looking for the cheapest possible means to get their feet wet. Jumping all over privileged 11 year olds with spendy parents is one thing but not everyone is that lucky.

Best computer for The Sims 3?

I'm looking at getting a new computer to use for The Sims 3, and I rally have no idea what to look for. The laptop I've been using (Compaq Presario c700, wasn't intended for Sims when I bought it) is incredibly slow when I try playing. I need to be able to install the base game and most of the expansion packs, and not have it run annoyingly slow. I'm open to a laptop or a desktop and would prefer to keep it under $1,000.

Hello Beccax19,
I regret that your Compaq Presario c700 computer runs slowly when playing The Sims 3. As you know this model was introduced in 2007 with the Vista OS. Since there are no recommendations from the experts on this Best Buy Forum, you may want to review the minimum system requirements for TheSims3.
http://www.thesims3.com/game/systemreq
Vista and some of the other specs for the Presario c700 are included in these minimum requirements. If you are concerned that the PC is running slowly you may want to do a defrag, run virus scan or have it evaluated. I like for the members to make HP recommendations; if you want to buy a new HP computer you have good choices at http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olstemplatemapper.jsp?id=pcat17080&type=page&qp=q70726f63657373696e67746....
Let us know if you have other questions.

Best system for FCP 7?

Hi,
I am in the position to upgrade some of my Mac components. I will be upfront at the outset and confess I have a Core i7 Hackintosh running at 3.8 GHz with a Radeon 4870 1Gb, and 12 GB of RAM. I have a 60GB SSD as a boot and app drive, plus a 1TB media drive. (This all runs perfectly.)
My question is; will FCP 7 benefit from a faster processor, or a better video card, like the Radeon HD 5870? Where would my money be best spent?
Many thanks. Anil.

I am simply looking for other view points. I do not have a technical issue. Being a Mac user for nearly 20 years, and owning more Apple hardware than most it's not as if Cupertino hasn't received any money from me. FYI, I currently have 3 other "Macs" in my home and all my software is bought and paid for. And correct me if I am wrong but weren't EULA's considered non binding by the Supreme Court?
Hmmm..............
Anil.

What is the best computer for Xcode

I have a early 2011 macbook pro and I recently started using xcode on it. I found that my developer applications slow down the computer a lot. I started contacting applecare yestarday to find out how to speed up my computer. They gave me a few things to do to speed up the computer, it did not work. Today I called them back and said that it did not work they gave me a few more things to do then at the end they told me to backup my computer and reinstall the opperating system, and that's what I am doing right now. I don't think this is going to work. So do you have any recommendations, should I get a new computer, is there anything that I should be doing?
Please right back if you have any ansers,
Thanks!

Xcode should work on any computer. The slowdown may be due to capacity, which users have found that 85% is the max you can fill the drive before diminishing returns, or third party utilities.
Permissions can also get skewed by tools that ask for admin passwords. Disk Utility has a repair permsissions function.
Many third party USB devices don't like Energy Saver, and get unhappy when connected while the machine is asleep and slow your machine down.
The hard drive could be dying. Backup your data frequently, and once it is backed up we can suggest further action.

Best camera for FCP

Hola,
I am going to upgrade everything here in the next few weeks but I'm not sure what to get. I'm pretty sure I'm going to get another MacBook Pro fully decked out like last time however, I keep reading about all the time spent transcoding and rendering with all these new cameras. My question is, what camera shoots a native format to FCP? Or at least one that won't take very long to convert? Or should I wait a few more months? There is always something better coming out right?
I shoot weddings and I always try to do a same day edit so I want to make sure I make the right decision.
Thanks
Doug

Here's what I do now. Shoot the ceremony. Capture in SD for a quick same day edit. Re-capture later in HD and finish on a Blu Ray Disc. I'm not sure how much detail you want, but I hope that helps.
I guess I don't need a camera that captures natively to FCP but I'm hoping for one that won't take hours just to be able to get it on the timeline ready for editing. I know a lot of guys are switching to the Canon 5D and 7D but they hate the processing time associated with it.
For an example of what I do, my last wedding, which will be featured on an upcoming episode of Bridezillas, The ceremony started at 2pm, we finished shooting at the church around 4pm. The reception started at 6pm about 20 minutes away. I had a one song same day edit burned to a DVD in SD ready for the start of the reception. It definitely was not a choppy edit. The bride was very thankful (I doubt they will show that part).
Basically, I need to be able to keep doing things like this.

Best computer for FCP on college budget

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