Imac for FCP studio

Is anybody using an imac to run FCP studio out there? I wanted some opinions on getting an imac for my second computer at home to edit with FCP studio. I have a macpro in the edit bay at work for running motion as well as using it for rendering and the heavy stuff. I just want to be able to run FCP studio smoothly at home for fine tuning, sound editing and rough cutting projects. I have a couple of external hard drives so storage won't be an issue. I just wanted some input, what works/what dosen't, etc.before I buy.
thanks in advance.

Been running FCP Studio, Logic Pro, Reason, After Effects, Photoshop, and everything else I can stuff on my hard drive on a refurbished i5 27" imac. The machine will be a year old in April. No problems at all....that's only because I got Applecare when I bought it It's a beautiful machine.

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I need to update to at least 10.4.4 for FCP studio UB

I need to update to at least 10.4.4 for FCP studio UB to run.
Does anyone have any recommendations?
Should I stop there or go to 10.4.5 or 10.4.6 ?
What issues have occurred with .4, .5, & .6
I'll use the combo updater regardless & I'll do a Super Duper or CCC backup.
I have a project starting Friday where I need FCP studio UB (upgrade from Soundtrack Pro).
I'm on 10.4.2 now with everything else working well.
See my sig for the rest of my setup.
Thanks,
AzMills
Dual 2.7g G5 3gig RAM Mac OS X (10.4.2) Using Logic Pro 7.1, Soundtrack Pro 1.03 Ableton Live 4.1.2
Dual 2.7g G5 3gig RAM Mac OS X (10.4.2) Using Logic Pro 7.1, Soundtrack Pro 1.03 Ableton Live 4.1.2

I decided to install 10.4.6 this morning after cloning my drives last night to a triple partitioned external firewire HD using Super Duper.
The OS update appears to be the smoothest one I've done yet. It went very fast. All of my most important apps opened and seemed to function properly, time will tell.
I did have an issue with my AMT 8 USB midi interface. It wasn't being recognized by the system or audio-midi setup. I've had other USB weirdness recently (XS key not found{heart attack}, firmware update not needed), so I hope I'm not having USB bus trouble.
I swapped the connector with another device's port & all is well so far.
Tonight I install the FCP studio UB.
I haven't got much time on the new OS yet, so I'm still holding my breath.
So far, so good,
AzMills
p.s. What is up with my sig ? Too many edits ?
Dual 2.7g G5 3gig RAM Mac OS X (10.4.2) now OS X (10.4.6)
Dual 2.7g G5 3gig RAM Mac OS X (10.4.2)
Dual 2.7g G5 3gig RAM Mac OS X (10.4.2)
Dual 2.7g G5 3gig RAM Mac OS X (10.4.2)
Dual 2.7g G5 3gig RAM Mac OS X (10.4.2)

System Requirements for FCP Studio 2

System Requirements for FCP Studio 2
I would like to find out if this system configuration would work with FCP studio 2
• Processor: 2.66 GHz
• Memory: 2GB
• Hard Drive: 250GB
• Graphics: NIVIDIA GeForce 7300 GT 256MB SDRAM
• Is the Fibre Channel card, the card that they refer to in the NOTE below that I will need because the integrated Intel graphics processor is not compatible with FCP? Or is the PCI card one of the the NIVIDIA cards?
"NOTE form website:
"An AGP or PCI Express Quartz Extreme graphics card (Final Cut Studio is not compatible with integrated Intel graphics processors)"
• Fibre Channel Card: Dual Channel PCI Express Card
I was told that I don't need this card and would like to confirm that with someone who actually works with FCP.
Advice would be appreciated.
G5 Mac OS X (10.4.9)

You don't need a fibre channel card unless you need fibre channel connectivity, e.g. to a high speed disk array. If you're on Firewire drives (for example) you don't need one.

Massive Update Download Prob for FCP Studio / DVDSP

since a few week I will download the latest FCP 5.1.4. Update and since today the DVDSP Update. But everytime when I insert my Apple FCP Studio Serialnumber the ApplePage tells me, that I've donwloaded the latest Version ? but I do not . . . .:-?
What I must tell: I will download it from a another Mac because my Work Mac is not on LAN and only on 56k Modem.
Al previous Updates work fine with this Method, but now - not !
Any workaround ?
Thanx for help

hhhhhaaaaa, so, I called the Number . . .nad what tells the guy on the line ? Oh, that's a Problem, so the only way you can download it is via the Mac and the SoftwareUpdates Function in OSX . . . Question: So, when I move the FCP to another Mac I can't download any Update via the Apple Web Site ? mmh, yes, I think so . . . .
uuuuuhhhhh . . . I can't understand this . . .
But thanks for the tip
Karlheinz

MacPro optimization for FCP Studio 2

I am sure this has been discussed so can anyone point me to the best configuration for performance on a Mac Pro and FCP Studio 2?
I have a dual quadcore MacPro with 8GB of RAM, two SATA drives configured as a Raid 0 plus an external G-Raid via FW800, a KonaLHe and the NVidia GeForce 8800GT video card.
My main issue is getting a pinwheel when I work in FCP. It stalls when accessing the drives. I have checked the settings and the drives are not sleeping. also renders seem to take longer that I thought they would (Full Res HDV 1280x720). I had a MacBookPro 17" and hoped the performance would be much better on this new system. It is for the most part but I know there are some tweaks I can do to increase the output.
Thanks

First - thanks for the reply.
It is a new machine (Purchased in Feb '08) with Leopard 10.5.2. I did remove some apps like iMovie, iDVD, Photobooth, Front Row. It has a 500GB system drive plus the other two internals. There is several hundred gig available on the system drive. I use JVC HDV gear (BR-HD50U)and capture via component with ProRes codec. I do view everything at full res, especially in Motion yet nothing too complicated - flying logos and such.
This delay mainly occurs when the system first accesses the storage. Once I start working with it, it runs smoother. Even if I change apps to answer an e-mail and return to FCP I get the start up delay.
Thoughts?

Are FCP Studio 2 manuals good for FCP Studio 3 upgrade?

Hey there people: Just received the FCP Studio 3 upgrade from FCP Studio 2, and the tiny manual that comes with it. Are the FCP Studio 2 manuals good for detail about FCP 3?

BenB wrote:
The tiny books are all already on your computer in the Help menu inside FCP. And none of the tiny books are User Manuals.
In FCP 7, go to the Help menu, you have direct access to the User Manual (and other manuals, including the tiny printed book) directly from within the Application itself. You can zoom in/out, you can also search them with keyworlds. Very powerful, very handy, very easy, very clearly written, way better than paper.
Downloaoding them only puts a second copy on your hard drive, taking up more room, waste of time, since you already have it on your hard drive, as I just stated. And printing them would take literally thousands of pages of paper.
Good grief.
The complete set of FCP and studio documentation is accessible from the Mac Help system just by holding the Home button. You do not need to have FCP open at all. The problem with Mac Help is the window comes forward and blocks all underlying windows making it difficult or impossible to perform the operations described.
Being able to open the documentation in Preview or Acrobat is remarkably useful (excellent chapters, bookmarking, indexing, searching not available in Mac Help) so downloading the PDF versions is not only a good idea, it might be exactly the solution you need.
And the documentation is so a "user manual."
Final Cut Pro 7: User Manual
Provides comprehensive instructions for setting up a Final Cut Pro editing system and using Final Cut Pro to ingest media, edit video, and output completed projects.
Last updated: 2010-03
bogiesan

Upgrading from OX 10.3.9 to OX 10.5.4 for FCP Studio 2

I hope this isn't a dumb question, but here goes. I have G5 running OX 10.3.9 and Final Cut Pro 4. Recently purchased Mac Box with OX 10.5.4 and Final Cut Express. I like the Leopard OX and decided to take the plunge and upgrade my G5 to the latest software packages. I upgrade my G5 memory to 8 GB in anticipation of upgrading to OX 10.5.4 and Final Cut Studio Pro. Ok, here's my dumb question.
If I purchase the FCPS2 upgrade package, do I first need to install FCP4 onto my new OX 10.5.4 operating system (I plan to do a clean install, erasing the hard drive (leaving my second hard drive alone which has all of my FCP source files.)
If I do have to first install FCP4 then the upgrade, (and here's the real question) is FCP4 compatible with OX 10.5.4. Or, can I skip loading the FCP4 and install just the upgrade. (sorry for the long complicated question, but I don't want to screw it up and risk losing my source clips that I have already loaded onto my second hard drive).
Thanks for your help.

If I purchase the FCPS2 upgrade package, do I first need to install FCP4 onto my new OX 10.5.4 operating system
No. Just install the upgrade, then enter your FCP 4 serial number when prompted.
FCP 4.5 is NOT compatible with OS 10.5 or later versions of QT.
-DH

Dual core 2.3 or dual processor 2.5 for FCP Studio 5?

I'm on the fence whether to buy a dual core 2.3 with a 7800GT card or a refurbished dual processor 2.5 with a x800 card. The saleman today was pushing the 2.5 b/c he said it was faster, though he said the x800 would run around 20% slower than the 7800GT. I had actually read that if anything the dual core 2.3 was faster. I've been looking all around (including barefeats.com) but can't seem to find much to confirm the graphics card statement. Thought I had read in a post here that they were also about the same speed. Is he right about this?
Untimately, I'm looking for something to run FCP 5 Studio and things like Boris Red and Combustion with. With the price difference being about $380 b/t the two options, which one would be faster and the better bet?
Thanks ahead of time for any help!

FCP doesn't care about your card. Much. Not now anyway, we have no idea what will happen in the next rev but the trend is toward offloading much of the work to the OS and GPU.
Buy what you can afford and buy what you think you need to make money now. You can always upgrade in 18 months when the second generation of the Intel machines are likely to be shipping.
Are you using Motion or Aperture? Different criteria. Dunno 'bout no Combustion, never been using it.
bogiesan

How do I change a serial number for FCP Studio entered in error

I recently had to reinstall everything and I used the serial number for a co-worker's software by mistake. I have the right serial number, but when I try to re-install, the pane for entering the serial number never comes up and I end up with the same problem. I've tried deleting everything, including the p-list, before re-installing. I've also downloaded Preference Manager for that.

look for the FINAL CUT STUDIO SYSTEM ID in your hard drive>library>Application Support>ProApps
Drag it out of the folder into the trash and relaunch

Optimum setup for FCP Studio on MBP

This is my first FCP install on a laptop. The last time I installed on my old desktop I had 3 partitions (System, Scratch, Work Disk captured on ext FW drive). Should I partition the MBP drive?
What else should I consider before install?
I plan on capturing media to an ext. FW drive.
17" MBP, 2.16, 2GB RAM Mac OS X (10.4.6)

Partitioning does nothing for performance. Indeed, it can make the drive work harder as the heads may have to move farther to run everything than if the disk is just one partition and the files are more closely packed.
It is highly recommended you work with a second disk for media capture and editing.
have fun with the new toy.
x

Extra license for FCP Studio

Hi, I am very disappointed about Final Cut pro X
Before going to professional Avid, can I get/ buy extra license numbers for my Final Cut Studio to install on my new Mac Pro.
Otherwise maybe best to cancel that and go PC with the new edit system? Apple seems to be more for the home consumer market and amateur.
Anybody out there who knows?

I just noticed that the Media Composer crossgrade is $1000 at B&H. Might be something to consider. That way, you can still use your Mac, but know that as a professional, you won't be left out in the cold while your editing software company puts all of its time, resources and passion into consumer toys.

Where do I find the 'Universal' upgrade for FCP studio 5.0??

Can't seem to find the rumoured upgrade. Just bought a new MacBook Pro, want to install my FCPStudio 5, but need the Universal upgrade ... which I can't seem to find very easily on the Apple site.
All ears,
Ben

Its a crossgrade, look up http://www.apple.com/universal/crossgrade/.

Best minimum iMac for running FCP Studio

A client of mine has hundreds of hours of tapes\film she wants to turn into a film. I want to set her up with an 'inexpensive' iMac powerful enough to run FCP Studio ...
I want to transfer (up-rez) all her footage to an HD ProRes format (not sure which yet), so she will be working in HD.
She needs to be able to view her footage and rough cut it into manageable chunks. Then I'll help her with the editing ... right up to final post-production, at which point we will move it into my studio which has all the bells and whistles.
So I'm looking for just enough power to capture all the footage, to work in HD, but not so much that she goes broke setting up an edit suite she may only use for this one film.
All ears,
Ben

Check the minimum system requirements for FCP Studio. That will tell you what minimum hardware is required to use it. According to the Apple site:
*Minimum System Requirements to Install All Applications*
Mac computer with an Intel processor
1GB of RAM (2GB of RAM recommended for working with compressed HD and uncompressed SD sources; 4GB of RAM recommended for working with uncompressed HD sources)
ATI or NVIDIA graphics processor (integrated Intel graphics processors not supported)
128MB of VRAM
Display with 1280-by-800 resolution or higher
Mac OS X v10.5.6 or later
QuickTime 7.6 or later
DVD drive for installation

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

Can't load fcp studio on new macbook pro/os 10.6.2

I just got a brand new macbook pro and wanted to load my fcp studio 1 but it is saying I don't have the proper hardware. It want tell me exactly what hardware. I just bought this computer, so I can not understand the prob. Is it the operating system---OS 10.6.2?
I bought upgrade disks for fcp studio 2--what happens now? Has Apple made it so an older version of FCP isn't compatible with newer macBooks?

FCP versions 1, 2, 3, 4, 4.5 and 5 will only run on a PPC processor Mac.
FCP versions 5.1 and 6 will run on both PPC and Intel Macs.
FCP version 7 will only run on IntelMacs.
-DH

Imac for FCP studio

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