New iMac as FCP workstation?

If someone were to invest in one of the new iMacs...how would one output video to an external monitor? Just a hypothetical question. Are the any options out there? Just curious.
Best.
Tom

<edited by host>
Ben, I worked the show floor at NAB...in the Matrox booth, manning the MXO2 station. I don't recall meeting you, talking to you, nor saying ANYTHING about how the products don't have HD SDI. OH, I see you edited part of your comment out of your posting...let me add that back, from the automated email I receive on this topic:
"Matrox, they haven't said anything about adding HD-SDI to the MXO, but I assume they will. FW800 can't do HD-SDI, without HD-SDI you can't use a professional production montior properly, so let's hope they add it. I couldn't get a straight answer out of them at NAB. If someone knows for sure, post the documentation. That's be cool for them to add. No commited release date set, just a rumored release date."
The Original MXO, as Andy stated, HAS HD SDI out. Always did. Every single model of the MXO2 has HD SDI, save one, the MXO2 Mini. EVERYONE in that booth knows that. Who did you talk to? Not me, and I worked every day, every hour that the show floor was open. In the MXO2 station. Never saw you there. And I'd remember meeting you.
So now you are just trying to spread outright lies.
I own the original MXO... it has HD SDI. I own the MXO2...HD SDI input and TWO HD SDI outputs. Don't believe me? Let's look at the documentation:
http://www.matrox.com/video/en/products/mac/mxo2_family/mxo2_connections/
OOP...there's HD SDI!
http://www.matrox.com/video/en/products/mac/mxo2_family/mxo2le_connections/
Hey look...HD SDI.
http://www.matrox.com/video/en/products/mac/mxo2_family/rack_connections/
That looks like HD SDI to me.
http://www.matrox.com/video/en/products/mac/mxo2_family/mini_connections/
OK...no HD SDI, but as stated, by Andy and myself, Matrox users, the Mini is the ONLY product that lacks HD SDI.
Wait...what else do I see here?
http://www.matrox.com/video/en/products/mac/mxo2_family/features/
"10-bit realtime hardware up/down/cross conversion on capture and output"
On ALL the models? Wow... I thought you said only AJA had that...
<edited by host>

Similar Messages

New iMac and FCP?

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Hello-
I've recently purchased a new iMac, first in about 6 years. I'm looking for some advice about optimizing my work flow in FCP. I am largely self-taught, using FCP for hobbyist/amateur video.
Until this new computer, I have been using FCP on other people's Macs (schools, arts institutions, etc), only resorting to my old Powerbook when absolutely necessary. So I have not had to worry about performance issues until now.
I am shooting on a Kodak Zi8 pocket cam in 1080p HD .MOV files, 1920x1080 H.264, AAC audio.
In my first attempts at editing the footage, I find that I am getting dropped frames on playback at every edit point - any time I cut between shots, add titles, etc.
(I also tried editing some much smaller, compressed files (QT 854x480, H.264, AAC audio) in the timeline and had the frame drop problem.)
Also, when I add titles, they do not preview render - I have to render them completely to be able to playback.
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...its a little frustrating to get these performance issues on this new computer, so I hope that someone here can help me resolve some of my problems. Hopefully this is a work flow issue, but if its a lack of hardware, well, shame on me for not looking into it enough.
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That's kind of unusual, because the 5.1 upgrade I thought was a disc swap.
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i am looking into getting the new imac with the i7 processor. i plan on running FCP 7 along with the usual motion and photoshop cs4 adobe after effects and lightroom 3 or lightroom 2 but my concern is this set up strong enough to run these apps without getting the {not responding] where i have to keep force quiting the apps. I have an older imac intel and i get not responding quite often when running FCP and is somewhat slow using photoshop. just before i plunk down this cash just want to know if this computer would be able to hold up.

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Hi gang...
It's a sad day -- I've been running fcp 5.1.4 using Tiger on my PowerMac G5 (dual core 2.3GHz, 2.5GB of memory) for years now -- few real problems besides operator error.
All has been good.
Along comes a client shooting XDCAM footage and suddenly I'm feeling VERY behind the times. I'm unable to edit with this codec since it's not compatible with fcp 5.0. And since my G5 is pre-Intel processor, I'm unable to upgrade to fcp 6 or higher (is this accurate?)
So what are the pros and cons of purchasing one of the new iMacs to run fcp 7? Although my G5 was installed with a DeckLink card, I never did any external monitoring using an NTSC monitor. Most of the stuff I'm doing is long form programming, straight cuts/dissolves, minimal graphics. I'm creating alot of content for the web, delivering some (non-broadcast) masters on dvd.
Do the iMacs have external monitoring capabilities? (I'm under the impression they don't)
Am I really at the point where I need to purchase new hardware? (I've been so happy with my G5.)
What will be my minimum investment, and is the Macmini ($599) a viable option?
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FCS3 (FCP7) is only supported on intel processors. FCS2 (FCP6) runs fine on G5s.
iMacs do not have external monitoring capabilities beyond using firewire out for DV. I don't know how the mini-dvi port works with something like the original Matrox MXO. It may work fine.
Still, there is no way to hook up esata drives, replace the video card with something that supports Motion or Color or add any one of dozens of nifty bells and whistles.
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Get a MacPro.
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FCP on new iMac or keep present PowerMac?

Perhaps this sounds like a silly question, but then again, perhaps not...
I currently have:
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Would the new iMac be faster?
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Hi Singit
Its hard to make a call as i don't know if you are an up and coming post house or a bed room industry..or whether you work on DV.Digibeta or HD..whether you are loaded or scrapping by making a living
Well..in this ever changing world it is tempting to upgrade, switch machines/models (whihc is what the corporation want), but reading your specs I would say that your MAc isd pretty spec happy. I must admit that I don't know what the exact up grading capabilities of the new imac is or how the new intel processors will work..but my advice is don't bother. The G5 will be much better regards upgrading (adding capture cards such as decklink..adding extra ram)..it sounds like you've already spent a decent amount of money on your machine and if it ain't broke don't fix it. The money a new Imac would cost..you could get a HD and SDI Decklink capture card (£260 in the UK), more drives..hire in a digi machine..buy a DV camera or a good DSLR. I run a small but busy post production house in the UK and I WOULD NOT use imacs full stop. I have a G4 Imac at home and the problem with it is that its a self contained unit. If the screen goes I've had it and also its about as upgradable as an Ibook
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Hello!
First, excuse my rusty English.. I hope you manage to read it
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Launch the Console application in any of the following ways:
☞ Enter the first few letters of its name into a Spotlight search. Select it in the results (it should be at the top.)
☞ In the Finder, select Go ▹ Utilities from the menu bar, or press the key combination shift-command-U. The application is in the folder that opens.
☞ Open LaunchPad. Click Utilities, then Console in the icon grid.
The title of the Console window should be All Messages. If it isn't, select
SYSTEM LOG QUERIES ▹ All Messages
from the log list on the left. If you don't see that list, select
View ▹ Show Log List
from the menu bar at the top of the screen.Click the Clear Display icon in the toolbar. Then take one of the actions that you're having trouble with. Select any messages that appear in the Console window. Copy them to the Clipboard by pressing the key combination command-C. Paste into a reply to this message by pressing command-V.
The log contains a vast amount of information, almost all of which is irrelevant to solving any particular problem. When posting a log extract, be selective. A few dozen lines are almost always more than enough.
Please don't indiscriminately dump thousands of lines from the log into this discussion.
Please don't post screenshots of log messages—post the text.
Some private information, such as your name, may appear in the log. Anonymize before posting.

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On-Site Video wrote:
mlaughbaum,
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On-Site Video
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I put the install disc in, and a message of powerpc discs will not work. However, in the folder (on the disc) it says system requirements can be Intel Duel...
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Thanks in advance for any help.

The biggest complaint about FCX is that it isn't FCP. It's all new software with different methods for editing. Takes relearning how to import, organize and edit. Some fine it easy, some find it hard. There's a 30 day trial, so you can find out for yourself. Don't attempt this without training...it's VERY different.
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Hi John
Thanks for replying,
My current setup is this, my non apple router is accessed wirelessly by all my computers, ie imac, mac mini and macbook pro, ipad & iphones for internet.
My printer is in another room so therefore I cannot connect the AEBS (airport extreme base station) with an ethernet cable (I have intially in order to update the firmware and other updates) so in following the attached guidelines are you saying that I have to have the AEBS connected with the ethernet cable to the router?
I was hoping to wirelessly connect.
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Any other advice
Thanks
Regards

New iMacs and Final Cut Pro

I apologize in advance but since the Search function is disabled, I am unable to search for answers on this topic.
How well does FCP run on one of the new iMacs? I am not looking to use Motion but just FCP and Compressor. I am currently running FC Studio on the first generation MBP and would like to move these functions over to a dedicated iMac. The iMac's sole function would be capture, edit, and encode QT clips.
I am currently using Final Cut Pro Studio and have not upgraded to FC Studio 2.
Thanks for any insight and ideas.

John,
It depends on which iMac you choose. I don't think FCP would run all that well on the 1.83GHz iMac but it runs great on my 2.33 GHz iMac with 3GB RAM. So to answer your question: yes, FCP runs quite well on an iMac.
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Hopefully this information is helpful.

New iMac as FCP workstation?

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