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Final Cut Pro on Mac Mini?
Hi!
I’m considering a Mac Mini 1,66GHz Intel Core Duo with 2Gb of RAM for my Final Cut Pro 5 editing software?
Would this be recomended for basic DV-editing? (do not need HDV-support for now).
Will I experience trouble in any way—compared to any general Mac Pro? -
10 Replies
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Apple’s specs for FCP 5 specifically state that the graphics on a Mac mini will not support FCP 5. so the short answer is no… in fact I don’t think it will even install.
Jerry
Apple Certified Trainer
Author: “Jerry Hofmann on Final Cut Pro 4” Click here
Dual 2 gig G5, AJA Kona SD, AJA Kona 2, Huge Systems Array UL3D
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So how can someone be running FCP 5 just fine on a dual 500mhz G4, but not a mac mini? Are you sure that’s not the specs for FCP Studio? Which would require a graphics card for MOTION? Because FCP doesn’t use the graphics card for squat.
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FCP 5.1.2 uses the Graphics card to accelerate FX Plug effects now that they’re supported. The reason FCP will run on an old G4 but not a mini because of their respective graphics capabilities is because, I believe, FCP requires an AGP (or PCIe) graphics card. The G4 has it and the mini doesn’t.
Zak
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Aha. Good info.
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FCP runs fine for me
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That’s it exactly… Look at the specs for FCP studio…. it says specifically it won’t run on the graphics system that the mini has. Just doesn’t mention the mini by name, but does mention that the graphics that it has is not supported…
Jerry
Apple Certified Trainer
Author: “Jerry Hofmann on Final Cut Pro 4” Click here
Dual 2 gig G5, AJA Kona SD, AJA Kona 2, Huge Systems Array UL3D
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OK, I gave it a try. I’m typing this an a Mac mini running FCP 5.1.2 under OS X 10.4.8 without any problem. Three HDV1080i50 streams running picture-in-picture in realtime from the internal HD …
Regards,
Uli
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Hey Uli!
What kind of mini did you try it on? G4 or Intel Core Duo?
And you realy say it works all fine – thats awesome! -
It’s a Mac Mini with Intel Duos 1.66 GHz, 2 GB RAM. Even Motion works better than on my ‘aged’ G5 with it’s original graphics board (only the expensive X800 is superior)
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I posted on FCS on a Mac Mini a few months ago – a search would have turned it all up.
FCS 5.1 will ALL run on a Mini (I have the dual 1.66) although it won’t all run well. Apple specify that FCS is not supported on the Mini as Motion requires quartz gfx. In fact, Motion DOES run on my mini – I used it recently for some animated DVD menus. However, it doesn’t (as you might expect) run very well.
One more thing – plenty of RAM is essential, as you’re leaning on the CPU pretty hard without a seperate GPU. FCS on a basic spec mini = spinning beach ball of death.
I haven’t tried using fx plugs in FCP 5.1.2, but as I have never had an issue in Motion (from whence they came) I would expect it’s OK.
Ben
Editec Broadcast Editing Ltd
EVS & FCP specialists for live OB operations. FCP systems just used on Sky Sports coverage of the Ryder Cup – live from the K Club.
“The Supercar Run” now available for international distribution from http://www.electricsky.com
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