New to Mac - Configuration Hardware Advise for Final Cut Professional

I am switching over for Avid IBM to Finalcut. I am going to be doing a lot of documentary video editing in HD and after going to the apple store and I am seeking some experienced hardware advice. I don't want to have any regrets 6 months into this since I need hit the ground running and cost is pretty much not a limitation. I will be docking into a desk suite with my mac book i just don't know how much on the road editing I will be doing. Would like to do a large monitor and a color coded keyboard later.
My question are:
15" or 17"? 17 has ATA drive slot faster ext drive access. I don't know final cut desktop workspace enough yet whether the ext 1" will be appreciated. Its a lot bigger and not much more weight 1 lb.
Internal Drive? - Solid state is very expensive. Looks like 500 gig largest internal
Ext drives - Going with 7200rpm - my projects are going to be about 30 mins each. I'm thinking more smaller drives than one big 4 TB drive. What is a good rule of thumb for how much drive per final edit time for a shot intensive project? Recommendations for running compressed or uncompressed?
How much ram? 4 or 8 gig? (I'm also thinking 8 just of resale later when I upgrade)
Software - Do I want the Final Cut Suite? other stuff I may need?
Training? Online computer guided? I like software training the best I'm getting the $100
Cabling etc?
Thank you in advance for any help you can give me. I have to purchase this system asap and make the plunge into a mac from IBM Avid.

UlfLaursen wrote:
...  Would that extra power og the graphics card, …  be worth an extra $1200?
I'm taking up on this board a very, very radical p.o.v.:
Speed is no issue.
When using optimzed media, even my stoneold c2d/4GB Mini I had before had no trouble to handle multicam-streams... (Windows-using-friends in shock "Really??")
A faster hardware outperforms when? On transcoding/rendering. But:
a) you can start editing BEFORE transcoding is accomplished (one of the many marvels of FCPX I don't understand but like)
b) you can keep editing a project while it is exported .. one of the many marvels of... ok, we had that
c) '33% faster' means what? 20min instead of 30? wowy, use this spare time for writing a book, healing cancer, give world peace..
No, as long as you're not in a newsroom and HAVE to deliver on time, as long as you don't get paid that extra 1.200€ by your clients ('cause you're an amateur like me), it is plain nonsense to dig into the specs of costly SSDs, GraCas, internal busses, tranffer rates and what not.
... if you're a 'hackintosh'-builder or a Linux-woreshipper, all this stuff is a wonderful, time-eating hobby.
But for using FCPX 10-20x a year for some 20min YouTube-family-video... ?
c'mon!! Get alive!
Speed is no issue.
… and:
Compounds are evil.
'nuff said ... LOL!
mane tak for listening...

Similar Messages

  • 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.

  • Will the new GeForce 8800 make a difference for Final Cut Express?

    Planning to buy soon a new 24 inches iMac, I am wondering if the new GeForce 8800 graphic card will make a significative difference compared with the ATI 2600 Pro?

    Basically, no. The additional VRAM may enhance your overall RT Effects capability and may provide some general benefit if you run 2 monitors in extended desktop mode. But it won't make a difference in general editing or playback of your videos.

  • Canon EOS MOVIE Plugin-E1 for Final Cut Pro Now Available...

    There's been so much talk about the 5D, 7D, 550D on this board that I'm going to point to the EOS MOVIE Plugin-E1 for Final Cut Pro. This is supposed to speed to transcode of Canon Camera H.264 to FCP-friendly formats and let you add more metadata along the way.
    Enjoy!
    Canon webpage. Under Drivers & Downloads. Once you select your OS, "Mac OS X", the download should appear near the top of the "Software" list.
    Note: (from Quickstart Guide)
    This plug-in software allows you to convert MOV movies shot with an EOS Digital camera into ProRes files at high speed in the (Log & Transfer) window of Apple's Final Cut Pro.
    FWIW: The quick start guide says cameras involved are 7D, 5D, 1D, no mention of 550D. Sort of odd.

    For users in North America to make the Canon EOS REBEL T2i work (550D for Europe):
    1. Install the new Canon EOS MOVIE Plugin-E1 for Final Cut Pro (http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/co...nloadDetailAct)
    2. Go to Library/Application Support/ProApps/MIO/RAD/Plugins/CanonE1.RADPLug/Contents/Resources/
    2. Open up cameras.plist
    3. After the 7D info add the following lines of code (keeping to the coding structure):
    <key>T2i</key>
    <array>
    <string>Canon EOS REBEL T2i</string>
    </array>
    4. Save the text file. Close it. Everything should work now.
    Cheerz.

  • New AJAVideo Mac & Windows Plug-Ins for @Adobe CS6

    New #AJAVideo Mac & Windows Plug-Ins for @Adobe #CS6 now available! Read more http://bit.ly/IfTKL9 download http://bit.ly/JcwWfx

    First off - yay.
    In the little amount of time I have had to test, the first thing I notice is that the video out to my ext. monitor seems to lag by a few frames from the program monitor in Pr.  AJA support is great in their help, but I'm wondering before I bother them, is anyone else seeing this - is there a setting to be tweaked? 
    Also, the video out is looking a touch soft to me - I have a Flanders Scientific Grade 1 monitor, so it is not the hardware.  I may need to test this a bit more with other footage, but it was my first impression.  Wonder if the settings here need to be tweaked as well.
    I had visions that Transmit would output the hoverscrub, but it looks like you have to click on the clip and play back before it is displayed exernally.  But, on second thought, I don't know how that would be utilized, since the video out would have to suddenly switch every time you hover your mouse over the clips in the bins.
    Having said all that, I am thrilled to finally have this driver!

  • Why is there no disc for Final Cut Pro X, is there one coming, and how do I transfer the program to a new machine from the download?  Thanks!

    Hello:
    Why is there no disc for Final Cut Pro X?
    Is there one coming?
    Can and how do I move the downloaded application from my old machine to a new computer?
    Thanks!

    You purchase FCX in the Mac App Store, there is no disc. You can reload past purchases under your account within the app store. You should also be regularly backing up your system

  • Hi! I'm new to mac so I need for help.Why when I open safari also open some pages that I don't click?

    Hi! I'm new to mac so I need for help . Why when I open safari also open some pages that I don't click? What should I do ,get any cleaner ?

    Please review the options below to determine which method is best to remove the Adware installed on your computer.
    The Easy, safe, effective method:
    http://www.adwaremedic.com/index.php
    If you are comfortable doing manual file removals use the somewhat more difficult method:
    http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT203987
    Also read the articles below to be more prepared for the next time there is an issue on your computer.
    https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-7471
    https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-8071
    http://www.thesafemac.com/tech-support-scam-pop-ups/

  • Anyone use a 2012 mac mini for final cut pro x?

    I am considering buying a 2012 quad core mini to use for Final Cut pro X.  I've looked everywhere on the web, and can't really find an answer as to whether or not this is a good idea.  The main reason I'd do this over a 2011 refurbished iMac is for the USB 3.0 ports.  I'm currently using a 2010 mid-level iMac, and find that I need to use proxies if I do anything multi-cam.  I do know that buying the mini, thunderbolt display, and mouse/keyboard costs about as much as buying a new 27" iMac.  Would the ivy bridge mini be faster than the 2011 refurbished quad core iMac for rendering and exporting, or slower because of the intel 4000 graphic chip?
    Thanks

    OK...here's an interesting tidbit...320M is supported by OpenCL according to The Oracle, aka Wikipedia
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OpenCL
    However, a look at the official Apple Snow Leopard docs suggests that they withdrew support for 320M.
    http://support.apple.com/kb/SP575
    Sometimes The Oracle is wrong.
    Message was edited by: S. Michelle Klein-Hass to note differences between what is up on Wikipedia and the most recent version of the Apple Knowledge Base article.

  • Suitable macs for final cut pro?

    Hello everybody,
    I decided to switch to a MAC, in order to learn Final Cut Pro, but I need a clarification.
    I'm interested in an iMAC 21.5inch, base model, so with a graphic card "NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics processor with 256MB of DDR3 SDRAM shared with main memory" (taken from the site).
    I'm afraid that final cut pro is not supporting such a system, can you please confirm (or not) my impression?
    Thank you very much!

    Final Cut Pro will work perfectly on the cheapest iMac.
    The graphics card may impinge on the performance of Color (one of the apps included in Final Cut Studio) but if you are an amateur you are unlikely to be too bothered about that.

  • Interfacing Video Camera to Mac Pro for Final Cut Express HD Use

    I have a lot of Video8 tapes that were made on my Sony DCR-TRV310 that I want to move to my Mac Pro and edit with Final Cut Express HD. The Sony camera only has the three (R,Y,W) output ports and my Mac Pro only has firewire input ports. Does anyone know of a cord solution or do I have to use an additional interface. Thanks

    Hello,
    Unfortunately there is no "cable solution" You will need an external interface. Something along the lines of an external tv tuner. Elgato Systems makes a few, i've had great success with the Hauppage WinTV PVR USB2 Tuner. This cost me about 150$ Canadian and is compatible with Mac's after a software download from the manufacturer's website.

  • New Canon EOS Movie Plug-in-E1 for Final Cut Pro

    Just thought your would like to know. From canonrumors.com
    http://www.canonrumors.com/2011/04/canon-updates-e1-plugin-for-fcp/
    Canon today announces the latest update for EOS Movie Plug-in-E1 for Final Cut Pro – the company’s custom-developed software application that provides quicker and easier editing of EOS Movie footage in Apple’s Final Cut Pro software suite.
    Launching to coincide with the start of the 2011 National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Show in Las Vegas, EOS Movie Plug-in-E1 for Final Cut Pro version 1.2 will make the importing of EOS Movie files even easier, allowing users to transfer files from any folder, without needing to mirror the folder structure on the camera itself.
    The update also enables smoother importing from Canon’s EOS 7D, EOS 5D Mark II and EOS-1D Mark IV models, allowing users to import footage without requiring the THM file generated by the camera.
    Originally launched in February 2010, EOS Movie Plug-in-E1 for Final Cut Pro is designed to quickly and seamlessly convert EOS Movie footage from Canon’s leading range of EOS DSLR cameras to Apple’s high-quality ProRes 422 codec. The plug-in allows users to convert footage at approximately twice the speed of Apple’s standard conversion, creating a smoother workflow for the rapidly growing number of videographers shooting HD video content on DSLR cameras.
    EOS Movie Plug-in-E1 for Final Cut Pro version 1.2 will be available to download for free from 25th April 2011.

    And I just spent over an hour yesterday explaining to a client how utterly essential it was to maintain the exact folder structure for proper log & transfer:/
    If I say that once a day to students, I say it a thousand times.
    On top of that I just started Carbon Copy Clone today with all my updates in my editing lab. Not the end of the world but it's a little time consuming on 80 stations. Oh well.

  • Change for final cut pro HD from Pinnacle Studio 10

    Hello,
    After lots of problems with Pinnacle Studio 10 (windoooooows.....) I finally chose to change for final cut pro HD on Mac OS 10.3.9
    So far so good, I did lots of tutorials to learn but there is one very remarkable thing I really miss. Maybe there is just a thing in my configuration to fix...
    Is it possible to view a part of a movie without randering it after every simple change? It must be technically possible because studio does it for years now, even with overlays.
    Because I just upgraded my ibook with lots of RAM just to try out final cut for the moment, everything runs fine but rendering does take a few minutes/hours.... Well it is ok just to try out maybe I would get a macbook pro if final cut would assure me.
    I feel like cutting blind!
    Studio renders right before exporting, this may take a few hours but I would do this during night...
    As I said, maybe its all my fault and I just have to change some configurations....
    thanks for help
    Fabi

    Make sure your RT settings (upper left menu in the timeline) is set to UNLIMITED RT. This means that the render settings will be adjusted to play back at the best resolution they can without rendering. You might get a green render bar or orange render bar. If you get a red render bar, that means that you have a filter or two that isn't RT and requires a render, or you have too many layers to allow for RT playback.
    If you simply drop a raw clip into the timeline and have to render, that means something is wrong. Your clip settings and sequence settings don't match. You need to choose an Easy Setup that matches your footage, then create a new sequence.
    Shane

  • WHAT IS THE BEST VIDEO CARD FOR FINAL CUT PRO and MOTION?

    Hello folks,
    I have found a lot of posts regarding all kinds of troubles with ATI READEON X1900 video card.
    When I talked to people from Apple, trying to decide which videocard to install in new MAC PRO, Ati Radeon X1900 was the one they did recommand for FCP and Motion. So are there any other cards which would actually suite better for Final Cut Studio2, or is Ati Radeon X1900 really the one to go with?
    Thanks for any suggestions,
    Kootenay

    Techreport has some more information on the new 55nm Radeon (X3000) which should be another "mid November" releases, as well as an updated 8800 GT that still is under wraps.
    So seems Intel and everyone else is trying to get new products out before the end of the year, if possible.
    Drivers for graphics controllers may or may not need the work that sometimes seems to plague companies.

  • Can´t locate recent path to my Keypoard Layouts for Final Cut Studio!

    Hi Community,
    Couple years ago I configured my own Keyboard for Final Cut 7 and since I got a new Macbook Pro 15" I wanted to copy that file to my new laptop.
    But I´m having problems to locate the path where the file is actually hidden. It looks like that this folder - LIBRARY under my username doesen´t excist???
    I provided a screenshot with my problem and would be grateful if someone could help me.
    Thanks so much.
    Florina Steiner

    >It looks like that this folder - LIBRARY under my username doesen´t excist???
    The User Name/Library directory is hidden by default in Lion and higher.
    To bring it back permanently, open Terminal and enter this command:
    chflags nohidden ~/Library
    Then press Return. You can copy/paste the command from this reply if you want.
    To get temporary access, bring Finder to the front and click the Go menu bar item while holding the Option key. "Library" will appear in the drop down list.

  • Student Help advice! what is best iMac model for Final Cut Pro and logic pro

    Hi
    I am currently looking into getting a iMac, but is toggling to device if I need a 27inch or a 21inch(top model),which will be used for Final Cut Pro and logic
    There is a lot of money being invested iMac, and I really not want to be stu k with a computer that not going to keep up with the amount of work load in the future.
    The specs that I have on mine are..
    21inch 
    Upgrades include
    Sdd drive 512gb
    Intel core i7
    16gb of ram
    Or
    27 inch
    Upgrades
    Fusion drive or sdd 250gb
    Intel core i7
    (Possible graphic card) NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680MX 2GB GDDR5 [+ £105.60]
    (Ram is way to expensive so will buy from second party)
    Anyone who has brought a iMac for final cut or logic what would you likely buy?..Am really stuck on the hard drives between the 27inch fusion and 512gb on the 21inch
    My budget is £1900
    My fear is that the 21inch top model's graphic card may not be good enough for advance editing on Final Cut Pro In the future when I start to get more deep into editing..logic really only needs 8gb to run smoothly..buts its the final cut specs that am having problems deciding. I know iMacs are not future proof or technology lasts for that matter, but I do expect to have it run good for a number of years before I upgrade again.
    If anyone can give me some advice, or even tell me about there set up they have for media work please let me know.

    All kinds of things affect system & HD performance, I can't tell you why your 4 year old Mac is slow.  Just because your old Mac is slow doesn't mean that a new iMac will be equally slow.
    You are correct about the issue with the smaller fusion drives.  It's one of the reasons I am not high on recommending them.  Everyone thinks they want power & performance but don't understand the gap between marketing and real life performance.  The 1TB fusion drive however should give you a good combination of rapid access and sizeable storage capacity.
    I have used external FW800 / 7200rpm drives for years and have never had a problem with any of them.  I consider them very reliable but admittedly I DO NOT use consumer drives like the WD MyBook that the big-box stores sell.   For the most part I assemble my own with OWC Mercury Elite enclosures.  In the past few years I have centered on WD Caviar Black and WD Scorpio Black drives.  I also have some Seagate Barracuda 7200.xx drives.  They all perform excellently and reliably.
    Pls. refer to my earlier post for what i recommended to you.

Maybe you are looking for