Final Cut Studio 2 (Mac Pro Or iMac)

Hi,
I am new to macs and I have not yet bought one. I need FCS2 for video editing but I was wondering if the new iMac with 4gb of ram and 1TB storage would be ok or should I go for a Mac Pro with as close specs as possible.
Regards
Kenneth

I would stick with the Mac Pro option. You can save some money by buying a refurbished model from the online Apple store. This is what I did with my G5 tower. You still get the same warranty as a new one all of the accessories are very complete and exactly like new the only difference is that the box and firmware indicates the computer is a refurb. When you get into editing you will want to expand your capabilities with better capture devices, additional storage, etc. The iMac will cramp you.
Best Regards,
David Finell

Similar Messages

Which system for Final Cut Studio upgrade...iMac or MacBook Pro?

I am currently using FCE on a Powerbook G4 and am considering upgrading to Final Cut Studio. Which system would give me better performance: New iMac 24" (2.8 Penryn processor) or MacBook Pro (2.5 Penryn processor)? Does the NVIDIA graphics card for the iMac upgrade significantly improve editing performance.. or is the AGI 2600 Pro card sufficient? Anything else worth considering when comparing these systems?
Any input is appreciated... thanks.
Message was edited by: Jeff Morgan1
Message was edited by: Jeff Morgan1

FW 400 is enough to deal with DV footage,
Not all HD formats require eSATA drives, DVCPRO HD for example can be handled by FW 400 or FW 800 drives and HDV streams pretty much the same DV does.
Things change if at some point you need to deal with Uncompressed SD or HD, ProRes etc.
eSATA then would become mandatory.
If you'd like to set up a desktop then MacPro is what I suggest.
If you don't make a living from editing then I guess an iMac will do for a while.
A MacPro allows you to host/replace multiple internal drives, host/replace capture cards or GPUs if you need for business purposes.
Increase RAM up to 32GB etc
iMac does not offer such options.
Your call,
G.

Installing final Cut Studio (2005) on an iMac

I recently bought an iMac with the intent of doing some video editing. I was assured by various people (including the specialist in a local Mac reseller) that I could run the 2005 Final Cut Studio (which I already owned) on the new line of iMacs, but when I tried installing the software it told me I didn't have the required hardware.
Have I just been given misinformation and now have to buy the new studio pack, or is this an issue that can be sorted with a download?
Message was edited by: Kmadden2004

It depends on the version number of your copy of Final Cut Studio.
If memory serves me correctly, the version of Final Cut Studio in 2005 was a non-universal binary, or PowerPC version, designed specifically for pre-Intel Macs. This version put Final Cut Pro at version 5.0 and went up to version 5.0.4.
The Universal Binary version was a paid upgrade and wasn't released until early 2006. At the time, it was a very good deal, however, after multiple extensions, that upgrade program was discontinued shortly before the release of Final Cut Studio 2 in 2007. The UB version allowed the installation of FCS on Intels and Non-Intels. This changed the version number to 5.1.
EDIT: I've heard of people installing pre-UB versions on Intels and having them work, but it's not supported and not recommended.
Message was edited by: Michael Trauffer

Final Cut Studio 2 on new iMac..

Hello I just recieved a new 27 in imac with OS 10.8.4...I need to run Final Cut Studio 2 on it I will be getting Final Cut X soon and will need to be able to edit older projects too.. ..I've seen some options on how to get it to install but am a bit confused..If someone could walk me throught it..it would be much appreciated

Michael Grenadier wrote:
Here's a tutorial
http://www.secondchairvideo.com/?p=1975
Although this tutorial suggests creating a bootable drive with the OS installer on it, that's not necessary. You can just create disk images as he describes and mount them.
I am not sure why you did not just post this tutorial instead of requesting me to describe a workflow.
In the time it took me to research a workflow for Pacifist for a link for the OP, it seems he spent 6 hours of wasted time.
Michael:
Have you ever "uninstalled" Rosetta after installing it on a Lion or Mt. Lion Mac? and
I believe you told me earlier you do not use FCS2. Is that correct and if so what is your connection to offering so much repeated installation advice about a product that you do not use yourself?
I note that I also do not use FCS2, but I am attempting to get a copy to attempt to implement the Jeremy Johnstone "Text Edit" solution (no dangers of using Terminal). Unfortunately, all sources of purchasing a copy of FCS2 are just too expensive for me with no ultimate need for the program, after I figure out how to install it.
If you know of a copy of FCS2 that can be "lent" to me for "fair use" educational means of figuring out how to install it (and thereafter erasing that copy from my Mac), please let me know.

Final Cut Studio 3 and an IMac

The new 21.5'' IMac with 3.06ghz Processor
4gig Ram
GeoForce 9400M Shared Graphics Card
Will this work with the new final cut studio?
Will I be able to edit HD well?

FCS will run on it, but that doesn't mean you will be happy with the performance.
Better to step up at least to the next model (21.5" with the ATI video processor and 1TB hard drive). The discrete video processor improves performance and the larger hard drive will also improve performance as well as give you more disk space.
Have you considered a refurbished iMac? Currently there's a 21.5"/ATI model for $100 more than the basic iMac you asked about; and a 27"/ATI model at the same price as a new 21.5"/ATI model. (I have purchased a number of refurbished Macs from Apple and they have all been perfect.)

Final cut studio 2 on new imac 24'' 2.8 GHz

Hi,
I am, in the near future, starting wedding videography and my idea is to purchase Final Cut Studio 2 and the new imac 24" 2.8GHz with 4gb RAM and the 1TB hard drive.
My question is this, will this computer be powerful enough for me to run the Final Cut Studio "smoothly" while editing HD quality video?
My business will be based on this so i want to be sure!!!
Thanks in advance!

I am, in the near future, < </div>
How do you communicate with us then?
Do not start your business based on a computer and a piece of software. Research the business first, then decide what you will need and then figure out a way to finance it. When you get down to starting your event photography business, the computer is going to be the smallest captial investment you make; do not scrimp on it.
The iMac will only satisfy your needs for a few months but it will do the job. You must also have printers, scanners, backup routines and external drives. Umm, insurance.
bogiesan

Installing Final cut studio on a new iMac without dvd reader

How do I install Final cut pro studio on my shining new imac. There is no place to put in the disks...
Atle Kold Hansen

Use an external optical drive or click here and follow the instructions.
(80740)

Final cut causes mac pro to crash

Hi, I have been editing hd footage on my macpro, which is only two months old, and it can't handle final cut pro or motion. It crashes constantly when ever I try to play the timeline back. The timeline is set to safeRT and it is always rendered.
Is there somthing wrong with my mac or is there somthing that I have not configured?

try the time tested method of trashing preferences
try these
FCP rescue
FCP Attic
un YASU to purge your system from tme to time
also make sure your sequence settings match your capture presets, and your hard drive (external to your system HD I hope) is not too full (80% capacity at most)
hope that may help
andy

Final Cut Studio 2 to new iMac w Lion

Ok I'm seeing I might have an issue right from the start. I just bought a brand new iMac 27" loaded w RAM etc. Obviously it is running Lion and version 10.7.2. I did get Adobe M.C. up and running and all functioning seems fine.
Now I have a brand new Studio 2 with upgrade from my original FCStudio. That also got upgraded a few years back when I was on my G5.
I'd like to avoid nightmares so am asking advice -before I do anything to begin the installation of FCP and its Studio mates...
What do you suggest first... ? And will I need Java to begin?
Tim

Read the second half of this thread:
FCPS 2 work on Lion?
Everything you need to know is in there.

Final Cut Studio 3 activation - Temp. on one computer till new one arrives?

So I would like to purchase and install Final Cut Studio 3 on my iMac for a while, until I count my pennies right and purchase a Mac Pro.
Will there be any issues in regards to the serial key and activation/registration?
For example, in the Adobe Creative Suite I can deactivate my registration so I will not have any issues when I re-install the software on another computer.
Is there a deactivation option in the Final Cut Studio 3 suite? Do I only have one opportunity to install FCS3 on the computer I intend to keep it on? How about if I choose to format and install Snow Leopard?
Thanks in advance guys!
Andrew

As an artist, and a youngin', I actually disagree. As long as someone doesn't say they created my art, I would be happy if my art was so ingrained in society that someone thought to do a mashup. It's free publicity. The way to protect your intellectual property is to *be the best provider of it*. If someone sees your work on YouTube, and you have marketed it successfully, people will seek out the best version. If you have that, you control it. Don't think for a second that the MPAA or RIAA are interested in protecting intellectual property. They are protecting their business.
For reference, take a look at Disney. Look at the first animated feature he made. It was called Steamboat Willie, and was a parody of Steamboat Bill, Jr., a Buster Keaton film. He didn't make it up. He stole it. Do you think Andy Warhol paid royalties to the guy who designed the Campbell's soup logo? Do you think the general masses thought that HE designed it? No. People are not stupid. They know what the real thing is, and what a rip off is. This subject is so open right now, and a lot of people are slow to realize that there is a huge paradigm shift in how art is delivered to the people. The value of a Picasso painting is not in the image. It's in the actual canvas that he painted on. The texture he used, which can't be duplicated, no matter how good of an artist one is. It's in the materials he used, and the conditions under which it was painted. It's the age, and the fact that it was cared for and protected to last. No lithograph takes that away.
Before you criticize my post, know that I am a filmmaker and photographer. I think I am very good at it, but my work has not infiltrated the Hollywood shield, but if any of you want to use, mock, mashup, or whatever... my stuff, go ahead. On the honor system, I just ask that you let people know that I was the original creator.
Go ahead, call me names, tell me I don't know what I'm talking about. I am not going to argue with any of you, I've done it too much on this forum, and frankly, it makes it less fun to be here. But I think things will progress much faster and better if people learn to develop a new model rather than clinging to one that is no longer viable. Fact is, the internet and sharing of content will NEVER be controlled. Take a look at Open Video on the Web. There is a lot going on, and people are making TONS of money giving stuff away. Look at the mashups of Steven Colbert. He even prompted people to use parts of his show. And everyone loves it.
If you see your stuff on YouTube, and you don't want it there, report the post, and they'll take it down. If it had a lot of views, take note. Search the Web for people asking where they can see that cool video that was taken down from YouTube. Post your video on a pay site, then answer the posts and tell them where they can see it. YouTube just got you your first 1000 viewers... Or, put it back on YouTube, but on YOUR account, ask YouTube for an advertising deal, and make money. They only make those deals with people who's videos get a lot of hits, but the "What The Buck" guy is making hundreds of thousands of dollars making videos in his home office using a Web cam and a blue sheet hanging behind him.
You can't stop progress, but you can be left behind...

Final Cut Studio is crashing a lot using a Mac Pro (nehalem) 2009

Greetings,
I have a video workstation based on a Mac Pro (2x2.26GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon Nehalem, 6 GB RAM, 640 GB HD, 512 NVIDEA VRAM) with a Blackmagic Decklink HD Extreme 2009 and an Highpoint RocketRAID 4322 card (properly connected to a RAID 5 array).
I'm editing, with Final Cut Studio 3, a big TV project with some TGA and loads of HD XDCAM EX 35mbs video footage.
*What is happening wrong?*
Final Cut Pro is crashing to many times and dont let me work with the flow that is supposed. I start to work and i do a bit of scrubbing in the timeline and suddenly the rainbow spyral starts to spin and kaput! FCP just crashes.
I've tried to many things. Re-installing everything from the baseline, plug out the 2 PCIe cards (and not even the drivers are installed). Even so FCP still crashes with the project.
Funny thing is... This symptom only happens with the Nehalem Mac Pro. I have another station based on a Mac Pro 2x2.66 GHz Dual Core Xeon 3 GB RAM 2006 and when i run the project... everything works fine. FCP here doesn't crash.
This is what makes me believe that the problem must be with the new Mac Pro.
I have the reports generated by the FCP after the crash. You can find it here:
http://www.ideiascompernas.com/reports/
I'm getting frustrated because i've invested big in this workstation, safe in the knowledge that it was going to be stable to complete my requirements.
Is there anything that i or Apple can do to resolve my problem. Is it the processor? Extended Hardware Test says that everything is ok.
I'll be waiting,
best regards, thanks,
Pedro

You may want to also post here:
Final Cut Studio forum:
http://discussions.apple.com/category.jspa?categoryID=123
Content creation with Final Cut Studio
http://discussions.apple.com/forum.jspa?forumID=1137
I see you have the GT120, not a very nice card really but maybe it is 'enough.' I'd upgrade. To ATI Radeon 4870, once you get it stable and working.
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=10251193&tstart=0
I see your crash is kernel panic actually.
Exception Type: EXCBADACCESS (SIGBUS)
Exception Codes: KERNPROTECTIONFAILURE at 0x0000000000000000
Crashed Thread: 194
Almost always that is memory related, are you seeing parity errors?
Watch System Profile - Memory tab
Replace the RAM (I'd even up it to more memory, 6 x 2GB is what I would have configured for)
Have you tested your RAM? run Apple Hardware Test?
Disabled ALL USB and Firewire devices?
Is the RR4322 okay to run in slot #2 (16x) rather than in slot 3 or 4 (4x)?
Getting RAM replaced, advanced exchange, or go out and getting some Kingston or Crucial etc for your system, and swapping, really is one good method, trial and error, to find the cultprit or rule out RAM.
Errors like this can mean flushing your caches is a must, and possibly due to errors and crashes, clean system install, checking data (both time consuming) and being careful to recheck your drives with Disk Warrior and/or TechTool Pro 5 to insure there are not any corrupt files (not perfect either which is why restore the system from known good backup image can be a must).

How can Install Final Cut Studio in my Mac Pro Early 2009 ??

I have Final Cut Studio 7 NOT installed yet and Mac Pro Early 2009 with OSX 10.9.5. I have Final Cut Pro X Version 10.1.4 installed. Can I installed Final Cut Studio here together with FCPX ?? Maybe not. What is the best way to install FCP Studio??
Do I need to make a partition? How? If so, what is the best OSX Version for FCP Studio ?? 10.6, 10.7, 10.8, 10.9 ??
Thanks for any help I can get
Alberto Marban

Here is the Best Practice Guidelines from Apple:
Final Cut Pro X, Motion 5, Compressor 4: Installation best practices - Apple Support
MtD

Final cut studio 3 and my mac pro major and unnecessary issues

just a heads up, sorry for my grammar, I have been using final cut pro since it was 3.0 on my old g4 upgraded to every version since. ive edited on final cut pro ruffly 40 hours+ per week since. now i just upgraded to final cut studio 3 about 2 weeks ago and ive been having major issues with speed and freezing and rendering and the new sharing features and motion and everything.
lets start from the beginning.
i have a mac pro 1,1 with dual core intel xeon 2.66 ghz
7 gb of ram
osx 10.5.8 (cant upgrade to snow leopard just yet due to sxs problems and heard its even slower)
NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GT (thinking may be the culprit)
i have 2 monitors one 22" and my main 24" running both through a dvi cable
now the first hour i started working the computer froze up completely, mouse frozen and everything
(never happened before) after a day of unexpected quits and constant restarts i disconnected my second monitor.
im still having the speed problems sometimes even seeing scrambled images for icons on my os dock. i dont know what to do. ill leave something to render over night, wake up and check on it and the program quit. again. i have a deadline on a video coming very quick, and ive been searching this issue on all the discussion boards here and creative cow and haven't seen an answer yet. spoke to customer support early in the issue and tried everything they said ie: new user, different drive, yada yada yada. the only thing i havent done is reinstall osx and flush my whole computer. im definatly not prepared to do so and then still have the problem. anyway. if anyone can get through this runon of a post please please help im despreate. let me know if you need anymore info and ill be glad to provide it, and if anyone that helps lives in the ny area i would be honored to buy you a drink in return for your support.
thanks for your time.

HOW did you upgrade? Install FCS 3 on top of FCS 2? That is not the best way to do it. Plus some of the issues you are having seem like OS issues. The best thing to do is the "scorched Earth" approach. Fresh install of the OS and fresh install of FCS 3. Always when upgrading this is the best method. And the make sure that you can go back if things don't work is to get a NEW hard drive, install the OS and FCS3 on that, and keep the old drive. Or clone your hard drive (carbon copy cloner), then erase and install. Or at least clone your drive before you update what you have (which is not the best way).
Too late now, I know, but file that away for the future. Now you should backup all your data, then erase and install Leopard again, then install your Apps. This will take a day, maybe a day and a half, and then you will be up and running. Better than trying to stuggle for days or weeks with a staggering OS.
Shane

Final CUt Studio 2 will not run on my Mac Pro & Macbook Pros simultaneously

I was under the impression that the licensing contract for FCPS2 allowed for the software to be installed and run on a desktop and a portable machine simultaneously. Am I wrong? I purchased Final Cut Studio 2 legally, and have installed it on my Mac Pro and my Macbook Pro, but if I try to open one of the FCS apps while one is running on the other computer, I get a protection error message and have to shut down the app. Does anyone know a workaround to this other than shutting off airport on one of the machines?

I was under the impression that the licensing contract for FCPS2 allowed for the software to be installed and run on a desktop and a portable machine simultaneously. Am I wrong?
Yes, you are wrong.
The license allows for the installation of a copy on each machine but they can not run simultaneously. The intention is to allow users to work with a laptp while away from the main editing machine. If you need the capability running two copies at the same time, buy another copy.
Good luck,
x

Looking for advice on a new Mac Pro system mainly for Final Cut Studio 2

We are a small video production company that works mainly on broadcast and internet projects. We're looking to upgrade from an aging Avid system to a Mac Pro running Final Cut Studio 2. The primary thing we want from this system is to be able to work quickly in Final Cut while at the same time doing other operations, and we're willing to spend what it takes to make that happen. We've done a lot of research but still have some issues where we could use your expertise - it's a big investment and we want to nail it.
Here's the configuration we're considering:
Processor: Two 3.2GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon (8-core)
Memory: 16GB (4 x 4GB)
Hard Drives: 300GB 15,000-rpm SAS (for OS X, Final Cut, & other programs) plus 2 x 1TB 7200-rpm Serial ATA 3Gb/s (for video storage)
Graphics: NVIDIA Quadro FX 5600
We're thinking about spending the extra $1600 to get the best processor available, since we want this machine to be the hub of the business for about five years. Any thoughts on whether to save a bit and go with the 2.8GHz? We've also heard the bus speed presents a bottleneck so the Quad-Core processing power can't be fully utilized - should that have any bearing on our processor decision?
The memory choice seems right - we'll see how well that works and retain the option to double the RAM, particularly as prices fall and new applications or hardware upgrades become tenable. However, we're thinking of perhaps buying some or all of the memory third-party - any advice on whether this tends to be worthwhile, where to get it, and what to watch out for? It looks like there may some issues with getting proper heat-sinking.
We like the hard drive plan, though we've heard a 15,000-rpm drive may generate a lot of heat - any thoughts on this?
The graphics card is where we're most torn - specifically between the Quadro 5600, the GeForce 8800, or perhaps even getting the computer with the standard card (or no card) and getting a different third-party card. We do mostly DV now, but we foresee doing HD projects in the future. We often use a green-screen that's in our studio and also apply minimal 3D effects as well as 3D text. We're debating whether to get the Quadro 5600 right off the bat and hopefully have no issues with it, or whether to get the GeForce 8800 for now and if we have issues then consider upgrading to the Quadro 5600 or potentially something else that would best suit our needs at that time. Would love to receive any and all advice on this issue.
Also, it looks like we're gonna buy Final Cut Studio 2 and are considering also getting Final Cut Server. It seems the combination would allows us to use the Final Cut suite on other computers (both Mac and Wintel) that don't have their own version of Final Cut installed. Is that the correct interpretation? Any other advice on whether to get FC Server would be appreciated.
Thanks very much for reading - we look forward to getting any and all advice you may have.
Dave & Tom

interdiscipline wrote:
Here's the configuration we're considering:
Processor: Two 3.2GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon (8-core)
*Don't do it!* Stick with the dual-2.8GHz config. A jump from that to the dual-3.2GHz gains you only an approximate 9% increase in power at a 52% increase in cost! Not worth it all. That money is much wiser spent on RAM, RAID array, or a broadcast monitor.
Memory: 16GB (4 x 4GB)
Hard Drives: 300GB 15,000-rpm SAS (for OS X, Final Cut, & other programs) plus 2 x 1TB 7200-rpm Serial ATA 3Gb/s (for video storage)
Graphics: NVIDIA Quadro FX 5600
We're thinking about spending the extra $1600 to get the best processor available, since we want this machine to be the hub of the business for about five years.
The processor is only one part of the whole, and as I just mentioned, the power:cost benefits are not good.
The graphics card is where we're most torn - specifically between the Quadro 5600, the GeForce 8800, or perhaps even getting the computer with the standard card (or no card) and getting a different third-party card. We do mostly DV now, but we foresee doing HD projects in the future.
Quadro 5600 is pricey, but I'm not sure about its benefits for people in our field. Even if I had the money for it, I would be hard pressed to consider it considering, again, money is liekly wiser spent elsewhere.
Also, it looks like we're gonna buy Final Cut Studio 2 and are considering also getting Final Cut Server. It seems the combination would allows us to use the Final Cut suite on other computers (both Mac and Wintel) that don't have their own version of Final Cut installed. Is that the correct interpretation?
I don't know much about FCServer, but my impression is that it is -- simply speaking -- Final Cut version of Avid Unity. In other words, I am pretty certain that your understanding on that is false. I may be wrong.

Mac Book Pro and final cut studio 2

Hi,
Bought a MBP last year and am looking to purchase Final Cut Studio 2 Universal. After looking through some discussions I'm still unsure how well this package will run with my setup. Yes it will be fine, or yes it will run but with some limitations, or yes it will run but I should get a different video card, etc.....? A definate yes or no would be appreciated and any limitations or known issues. I will be using a120GB external hard drive for my video footage.
Thanks, Mick
Sorry if this is posted in the wrong area or if these questions have been answered. I'm new to Macs and forums and wouldn't like to spend that much cash on a maybe!
Mac Book Pro 15 Mac OS X (10.4.9) Intel core duo 2.16 GHz 2GB ram/Radeon X1600 256Mb 80GB hard drive

Yes, it will be fine.
The only limitation is Color which needs an external screen with at least 1650x1050 to be kind of useful though it runs at smaller resolutions.

Final Cut Studio 2 (Mac Pro Or iMac)

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