• Avid Media Composer

  Fastest Mac running Media Composer 8

  Posted by Adam Duplay on September 23, 2005 at 9:39 pm

  Hi Guys,

  I work at a TV station, and we have just recently replaced two Media Composers v.8 with new Adrenline systems.

  We would like to keep the Media Composers becasue they are still good for offline, but in their current configuration (Mac G4 450 Mhz) they are too slow to functionally burn DVD’s or run After Effects. So…

  Is it possible to replace the CPUs with something faster and then reinstall MC? What is the fastest Mac computer that is still capable to running MC8?

  My research so far has uncovered the fact that dual processor G4s have been known to interfere with MC’s 3D functionality.
  Any real world experience? Ideas?

  Thanks ahead of time,

  Adam Duplay

  Adam Duplay replied 20 years, 7 months ago 3 Members · 4 Replies
• 4 Replies

• 

  Jon Zanone

  September 24, 2005 at 3:43 pm

  I upgraded my MC Meridian from a G4 544 mhz to a single processor (dual is recommended) G4 1.25 mhz box, and ver MC12. It’s a little buggy (which I attribute to single vs. dual processors), but the color correction was definitely worth the effort. Keep in mind you can only use OS X ver 10.2.6. It may require a little hoop jumping to get (I started with a lower version and got the upgrade through the Apple site. Some things to keep in mind:

  Switching to OS X means everything else (PShop, AE, whatever) that worked in OS9 needs to be upgraded. Apple says you can use classic mode to run the old stuff, but I’m either to stupid to make it work or it’s all just hype…

  All your media drives need to be ‘carbonized’. Which means all your media needs to be moved somewhere else. Come to think of it, I’m not sure OS 9 media will work in OS X – Anyone have a better handle on this?

  One particular thing that popped up recently. I installed Cleaner XL and it kept crashing. After a little investigation, it turned out the Quicktime version was too low for cleaner, and a higher version of QT required a higher version of OS X (you’ve got to keep 10.2.6). Now I’ve got Cleaner on my AE machine, hooked up through the network. I export same as source QT’s, and it works like a champ.

  Eventually, I’m planning on going to Adrenaline, but until then, I have to make the Meridian warhorse work.

  HTH,

  Jon
• 

  Adam Duplay

  September 26, 2005 at 6:10 pm

  Thanks so much for the help.

  Acutally, I was intending to remain in OS9 and only upgrade the box to something with a faster processor.

  So my question is this: Can I reinstall MC8 on a G4 dual 1.4, for example? Or does the dual processor or new mother board cause problems with AVID?

  Adam
• 

  Dave Schweitzer

  September 26, 2005 at 8:37 pm

  I went down this road a few years ago, and found the older meridien boards won’t work in any thing newer than (hazy memory here) the AGP graphics mac system you may already have. It’s due to the motherboard. Somewhere in the knowledge Base there is a table which shows the Meriden board sets and the Macs they will function in.
  A possibility would be to try various processor upgrades (Sonnet worked well for me on an old 9600 system). Maybe order a few different models from a place with a 30-day no questions return policy like outpost.com. It may take a little trial and error.

  Good Luck
  Dave
• 

  Adam Duplay

  September 27, 2005 at 9:12 pm

  Thanks again guys.

  I had a feeling that this wasnt going to be straightforward.

  Cheers,
  Adam

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