FCE on a G4 Mini?

I have a G4 Mac Mini, 1GB RAM with tons of disk space vie FW400. Is FCE usable on this computer? I will only be editing SD material from a mini DV camera.
I want to move to FCE as soon as possible but don't want to buy a new computer until Feb 2007. Then I'll likely be getting the 24" iMac. But I have a backlog of tapes and want to start working now.
I did a forum search and I see this question come up but they refer to the new Intel Mini. I've got a G4 PPC Mini. Yes I know performance will not great I'm only asking "Is FCE usable on this computer?"
Thanks,
Chris

I have a Mac Mini (the original single processor) one that I use as a second computer. Earlier version of FCE on it. Mostly I use it for capturing as my biz requires tons of tapes for multiple ongoing projects and this frees up the G5 for editing.
I do some light editing on it as well. It has the 1 Gig of RAM and everything works but rendering, of course, is slow, and working with multiple sequences open can cause grief. I definitely cant do anything else while doing intense stuff like the render.
I also use the Mini to burn DVDs from disc images; again, very slow but it works
If you had other options I would go for the dual core Minis or, better yet, an iMac but yes, you can certainly edit on it. For HD, intense work flow, etc ... well, it would not be my first choice

Similar Messages

Do you have experience with FCE on a mac mini?

Just looking for any comments on experience using a mini for FCE and importing AVCHD files.
I've got a Mini that I maxed out the ram and dropped in a 7200 rpm drive. I also have an external drive (usb) for my movie files - will go with a firewire drive soon. My camera is a Canon HG10. I'm only doing small videos so budget is my biggest concern.
I've been using the old iMovie HD (the quality of import/conversion when I tried iMovie08 is really bad - and don't like using it anyways.) I found that 4Media Video Converter has done the best conversions so far (Voltiac dies if the file is too big). But would like better quality - would FCE handle that on this system?
Thanks in advance,
Neil

Hello, I think you're out of luck with the toolbar, but not on 10.9 to check right now, you can change the minimum font size used in Safari Prefereces for web pages.
Perhaps Zoom will work for you...
http://support.apple.com/kb/PH14358

FCE HD with Mac Mini

Hi there,
I loaded my new FCE HD upgrade onto my Mini & downloaded the software updates (I thought!!). When I went to use the application it said it couldn't find my AGP Graphics Card! What's that all about? I thought my Mini would be compatible as it has a Intel GMA 950.
Could anyone answer the query for me??
Here's my real interest, I want to put my photos to slide show. Should I use FCE HD or IMovie or IDVD (08)?
Anyone have any suggestions??
Cheers

Yup, that's what I did Martin & I also found this online... which worked!!
Unfortunately aftering registering my v.3 Apple won't except the serial number so that
I can update to v3.5, any ideas?
Cheers
+1. "ctrl" click the icon of FCE (Final Cut Express)+
+2. click "show package contents+
+3. click "con... Read more >tents" and then "ctrl" click the icon that says "info.plst"+
+4. mouse over "open with" and then click "other"+
+5. when the box pops up click (at the top) recomended applicaitons and change it to all aplications+
+6. now open it with text edit+
+7. when text edit opens with all of that HTML. go to "edit" (at top) then "find" then "find..."+
+8. in the "find" box write "AGP" then in the "replace with" box type "PCI" then uncheck "ignore case" and then click "replace all"+
+9. save the file and reopen FCE. It will work now+

Cold Start FCE 3.5 taking 17 min's!

I've tried a re-install as per this article:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=301182
But after boot or restart the first time I run FCE it takes
17 min's to load. Any re-launch is quick, seconds!.
The project that is loaded is big, 40+ GB, but I never
had this issue in v3...

Hi Nicholas.
Could the problem lie in your computer?
Have you tried Repairing Disk Permissions with Disk Utility?
Do you regularly do the Cron Maintenance tasks? Try the FREE MacJanitor if you don't:-
http://personalpages.tds.net/~brian_hill/macjanitor.html
Is the project a 3.0 one or a 3.5 ?
Have you tried opening a more moderate sized project to see how long that takes?
Ian.

I have just bought a new Imac and it will not load my copy of FCE 3.5 as it says "PowerPC applications are no longer supported". So how do I get to use the version of FCE I am used to and have paid for ?

I have just bought a new Imac and it will not load my copy of FCE 3.5 as it says "PowerPC applications are no longer supported". So how do I get to use the version of FCE I am used to and have paid for ?

I do not have any experience with Final Cut, but if you have existing projects that you MUST access; then you are in need of a solution on your new iMac in Mountain Lion!
Unfortunately you got caught up in the minor miracle of Rosetta. Originally licensed by Apple when it migrated from the PowerPC CPU platform that it had used from the mid-1990's until the Intel CPU platform in 2006, Rosetta allowed Mac users to continue to use their library of PPC software transparently in emulation.
However, Apple's license to continue to use this technology expired with new releases of OS X commencing with Lion (and now Mountain Lion). While educational efforts have been made over the last 6 years, the fact is that Rosetta was SO successful that many users were caught unaware UNTIL they upgraded to Lion or Mountain Lion.
Workarounds:
1. Purchase a used Mac that will run Snow Leopard (with the optional Rosetta installed) and continue to run FCE on that Mac (you can actually use Screen Sharing with a "headless" used Snow Leopard Mac Mini and use the 27" screen from your iMac to view and work FCE in the Mac Mini environment);
2. Upgrade to an Intel compatible version of FCE and hope it converts your existing projects to its newer format correctly. There is much debate that the newer version of Final Cut are eliminating many needed features; for example Final Cut Pro X vs. Final Cut Pro 6 -- many users are staying with version 6;
3. Install Snow Leopard (with Rosetta) into Parallels and then install FCE in the Snow Leopard environment:
[click on image to enlarge]
Full Snow Leopard installation instructions here:
http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1365439
NOTE: STEP ONE of the instructions must currently be completed on a Snow Leopard or Lion Mac and the resulting modified Snow Leopard.cdr install file can then be moved over to your Mountain Lion Mac for completion of the remaining steps.
NOTE 2: Computer games with complex, 3D or fast motion graphics make not work well or at all in virtualization.

Final Cut Express on new Mac Mini

I have been running FCE on my Mac Mini (bought in 2008) with OS X10.9.5 Mavericks. When the old Mini went bad, I replaced it with a refurbished Mac Mini Model A1347, Part No MD387/LL/A., also running Mavericks 10.9.5. I restored the data from the Time Machine backup. All my applications and files appeared properly. When I now open FCE, the program requests my name, organization and Serial Number. I enter the number from the original materials that came with the software, but the response is "serial number not valid". What can I do next?

Gerald Pressman wrote:
I did find a file in the ProApps folder called "Prodict Registration". When I tried to open that file, I get the message "You can't open the application 'Product Registration' because PowerPC applications are no longer supported." Could this be the source of the problem?
I don't know. Is the version you are trying to unlock an upgrade from a previous version? Upgrades require two serial numbers, the 1st being the serial number of the full version, and then the Upgrade serial number - although I am not sure if this applies to migrated software.
MtD

Using fce 4.0.4 with a Canon SX1 IS

How easy is it to use the Canon SX1 IS with my version if fce? I'm pretty comfortable using fce with DV and mini DV source material though directly from the camera and/or digitized files. Thanks.

The media from this camera is not directly supported in FCE. You'll need to convert it to QuickTime using the Apple Intermediate Codec. You can probably use MPEG Streamclip to do this.

Files captured with FCS2 not working in FCE 3

Not sure which forum to post this in so I'll try this one:
I have FS2 on my G5, FCE 3 on the Mini
For logistical purposes, I capture SD DV footage on the G5, using FS2. Took that HDD to the other puter, created a new FCE project and imported the QT movies I captured. I have done this in the past with older versions of FCP with no issues.
This time, the clips are coming in with only one audio track, as opposed to the two mono tracks they should be. Is this just a compatability issue with the two issues? Surprising cause I thought both would create the same kind of QT movie.
Playing the files with QT player everything looks OK.
Nothing wrong with the original tapes, both audio tracks there and they work perfectly within FCS
The only thing I can think of: The G5 which captured the clips is running Tiger with QT 7.1 and the Mini still running Panther with QT 6.5
Any thoughts? Thanks

Both systems should probably be running the same QT version.
-DH

Apple Final Cut Express 3.5 on Lion doesn' t work

Hello everyone,
My Lion runs great, but I've now bought Apple Final Cut Express 3.5 andwhen I try to install it it says: "You can use the" FinalCutExpress.mpkg "not open, because the PowerPC programs will no longer be supported." Cansomeone help me and does anyone know how to Lion "uninstall" again?
Sorry for my bad English

I know this babowa has had their question answered, but I thought this could be helpful to others.
If you have just one hard drive in your computer (12 steps - total time: about an hour):
1. Go to Disk Utilities and select your hard drive.
2. Click the partition tab, click and drag the current partition smaller by about 20 GB (if you have it to spare)
3. Click the + at the bottom (it should fill the blank space remaining), select the new partition, name it "New_Snow", set the format of the new partition to Mac OS Extended, and then click "apply".
4. Insert your Snow Leopard disc, and reboot holding down the C key (this should boot to the installer).
5. In the installer, select the "New_Snow" partition that you created (NOT THE BIG ONE WITH ALL YOUR STUFF ON IT), click the customize button when you see it and deselect everything - this installs just the base operating system and will be the quickest.
6. When the computer reboots, hold down the "Option" key, and select the "New_Snow" partition to boot to.
7. Once in the Snow Leopard OS (can check by seeing if Launch Pad is in the dock), insert the Final Cut Express disc, and install it and whatever else you want to your "New_Snow" Partition.
8. Open the apps, register them, and enter in the CD key.
9. Use the software updater (found in the apple menu) and choose to update anything associated with Pro Apps and Final Cut Express.
10. Reboot. Hold down the Option key again, and select the Lion partition this time.
11. After you have booted into Lion, go to Applications>Utilities>Migration Assistant, and select the following settings:
a. From another Mac, PC, Time Machine Backup...
b. From a TimeMachine backup or another disk.
c. Make sure your "New_Snow" disk is selected.
d. Deselect everything but Applications, and continue with install.
12. If you want, keep the other partition as a backup (it has FCE on it already and everything) or use DiskUtility to remove the 2nd partition, and resize your Lion partition back to full size.
Here is the short version of this method for people who know how to partition hard drives and do reboots, etc:
1. Create a new partition on your hard drive
2. Install just the base SL OS to the new partition
3. Boot into your new SL installation, install FCE, open it and register it, and run the FCE-associated updates
4. Boot back into Lion, and use the Migration Assistant to transfer only Applications from the SL partition to the Lion partition.
Total time spent using this method is about 1 hr + (including FCE updates).
5 mins to set up the new partition
20-25 mins for the base OS install
10-15 mins for the FCE install
10 mins for updates
5 minutes to transfer apps from the SL partition
Notes:
I bet the "install Rosetta Stone" method would have worked too, but I didn't try it. I already had a second partition set up on my computer with Snow Leopard; so, all I had to do was boot to it, do the FCE install, then transfer it to my Lion install with the migration assistant.
Hope that helps someone else who doesn't want Final Cut Pro X or doesn't/can't afford the upgrade for $400. I figure even if it took you 4 hours to do, you're still likely saving $100 per hour.
FCP X download - 3 hrs
Installation - 15 minutes
Immediate learning curve issues, etc. - a few more hours
Updates - 30 mins
total alternative cost about 8 hrs and $400.
Good luck to all.

Capture ended due to lack of disc space

I am currently trying to capture a large amount of footage into FCE from 6 separate mini DV tapes. I captured the footage from the first tape ok but half way through the second tape capture stopped and an error message occurred saying disk space full. I went into system settings and changed the scratch disc to my 750gb external hard drive. When I resumed capture now the next 9 mins, 25secs and 5 frames captured ok then it stopped again with the message saying "capture has been ended due to lack of disk space". However, my hard drive says there is 670.9 total free space. Can anyone tell me where I'm going wrong? I am now capturing just 9 mins, 25secs and 5 frames at a time.
Thanks

That's your problem.
Your HD is formatted for Windows - many are when you get them.
You need to reformat it (which will wipe off anything already on it).
You use Disk Utility which is kept in the Utilities Folder in your Applications Folder.

Good Deck Reccomendation

Hello-
I want to get a decent deck that I can use with FCE that will import Mini DV and VHS. Any assistace would be greatly appreciated.

miniDV decks are expensive.
I use a standard VHS deck and I also purchased a used miniDV camera in great condition on Ebay to use as a "full time" allways connected deck for my FCE editing system. My video camera has analog inputs so I hook it up between my VHS VCR and my Mac. It works great for under $200 total for both decks. You NEED the analog inputs in the video camera for the VHS tape capture. I do not know of a cheaper way to go and I do not think you could get any better quality of "capture" at any budget even if you spent 1-2 thousand on top of the line decks and a box. You may have everything you need to hook this up now. I purchased mine because I wanted it to stay connected to the computer all the time. It will also save wear and tear on my "GOOD" video camera I use for shooting. Your capture deck will see alot of wear and tear from pausing, FF, RR, etc.
Hope this helps.
Frank

FCE 2 not working on my mac mini

Is any one using FCE 2 on a mac mini running OS 10.4.2. I have FCE HD running at home fine with OS 10.3.9 I decided to bring FCE 2 to work and run it on my new mac mini. I get a missing file error at startup and then FCE quits. The message reads "Unable to start Final Cut Express. You must have at least 1 Easy Setup file. Please re-install Final Cut Express and try again."

Sorry for taking so long to reply. My Mom had a heart attack and I am now in Montreal instead of home in Edmonton Alberta.
To install FCE 2 on the mac Mini I placed the apple orignal disk into the mini drive and followed the steps. The registration number was accepted. The install completed. When I tried to launch FCE 2 for the first time I got the above error message and then FCE quits. No way to get to the easy setup. I deleted all the FCE 2 files and repeated the install a second time. I obtained the same error message the second time.

Getting my new Sony Handycan DCR-DVD92 mini disk data into FCE

Getting my new Sony Handycan DCR-DVD92 mini disk data into FCE?
The mini disk will not work in the Powerbook G4 slot reader, so I hear, and the software for editing the data runs on the dark side.
I am aware that I could do it OK on the PC and probably burn a regular DVD disk that I could then read into FCE.
However, I would like to leave the PC and the dark side behind and do it all on the Powerbook. Addonics has an external tray firewire reader supposed to work OK on a mac. Is their stuff any good?? This is their Mobile DVD/CDRW 16x52x24x52 Firewire unit. $125.00. Will it really work on my Powerbook?
Assuming it works, can FCE work with the Sony format? Probably not. Is there any software to convert the Sony to FCE's liking?
Lucky Man
PBG4 17 Mac OS X (10.4.5)

Dear Mr. Chroma,
Al, you may have supplied the answer. I do have a DV tape camcorder and perhaps I can dub from the Sony mini-disk to the DV tape. And then go to FCE! Yea!
The Addonics thingey is an external DVD drive with a firewire link and it has a tray for the input. The mini-DVDs cannot be used with the Powerbook DVD slot, but can be read with a tray drive.
Thus, I could read the mini-DVD data into the Powerbook. However, I am not sure that I am out of the woods at that point. Maybe I am. I have read that the mini-DVD is in MPEG-2.
I like your suggestion because I already have the DV tape camcorder and can find out if the data is compatible with FCE without spending more money.
I do not believe that there will be any analogue to digital conversion. Everything is digital all the way. The results when playing the mini-DVD from my camcorder seem to be very good, according to the Amazon reviews. And, Wikipedia says that MPEG-2, with some modifications, is also the coding format used by standard commercial DVD movies.
However, the proof will be in the pudding.
I do not have FCE yet. It is supposed to be delivered tomorrow. I am just doing a lot of homework right now.
Thanks again.
Lucky Man
PBG4 17 Mac OS X (10.4.5)
PBG4 17 Mac OS X (10.4.5)

Do mini DVD camcorders work for FCE?

I'm sure this question has been asked here before but I can't find anything on it.
Am I correct in assuming that the camcorders that burn directly to a mini DVD instead of using the mini DV tapes are unsuitable for use with FCE? I would imagine that the quality of the footage would not be as high as mini DV tape, if indeed they are downloadable to the MAC at all.
Thanks

That's correct. I don't know anything on the Mac that will read the files off the disc directly from the camera.

Slow render speed: Mac Pro vs. Mac Mini (FCP Vs. FCE)

About a year ago I purchased a Mac mini (2gb ram, 2.0 dual core processor running OS 10.4) and using Final Cut Express. Understandable, rending and exporting took awhile.
A week ago I upgraded to a Mac Pro (10gb ram, 2.8 8-core processors running OS 10.5) and Final Cut Pro Studio 6. I assumed that I would see a rather dramatic decrease in in the time it takes to render (and to export).
However, the I am seeing virtually no difference whatsoever in rendering speed between the Mac mini running FCE and the Mac Pro running FCP. I'm very disappointed.
What gives? I'm editing virtually the same material and it's just as slow as before.
Any ideas anyone on what may be causing this?

I am generally using SD video imported (log and transfer) directly from the hard drive of a Sony HDR-SR12 camera, although I also use captured video from a Panasonic HVX200 camera. My "Easy Setup" setting has been DV-NTSC for both Final Cut Express and now Final Cut Studio.
The rendering that I'm talking about, for example, is when I put an effect on a video track that requires rendering before I can play it.
I'm then typically exporting the finished video to a Quick Time movie DV-NTSC setting.
Again, there is no improvement at all in the time it takes to render and export using the Mac PRO vs. the Mac mini using identical settings. I would think there should be a significant improvement.

FCE on a G4 Mini?

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