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Issues running FCE on G5
I recently purchased Final Cut Express 4 to run on my Mac G5 and everything was running fine until I began to make color enhancements to clips in the timeline.
Here is an example of my error message:
https://support.apple.com/kb/TS1165
I performed its suggestions without any success.My Mac specs are:
MAC OS X
Version 10.5.8
Dual 2GHz PowerPC G5
3 GB DDR SDRAMThe video footage files reside on my desktop
The mac store suggested I purchase the new 27″ iMac with Intel.
I’m a professional graphic designer and feel that maybe its time for an upgrade but I first would like to know if my G5 can perform the FCE tasks required.If I need the iMac what is the best configuration to run FCE smoothly?
I appreciate any feedback
Scott W
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20 Replies
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The specs on Apple’s site say it should run on your software OK. Can’t work with AVCHD files without an intel Mac is all.
Maybe you need to perform a clean install.
Jerry
Apple Certified Trainer, Producer, Writer, Director Editor, Gun for Hire and other things. I ski. My Blog: https://blogs.creativecow.net/Jerry-Hofmann
Current DVD:
https://store.creativecow.net/p/81/jerry_hofmanns_final_cut_system_setup8-Core 3.0 Intel Mac Pro, Dual 2 gig G5, AJA Kona SD, AJA Kona 2, Huge Systems Array UL3D, AJA Io HD, 17″ MBP, Matrox MXO2 with MAX – Cinema Displays I have a 22″ that I paid 4k for still working. G4 with Kona SD card, and SCSI card.
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Jerry,
Thanks for your input. I just got the thumbs up from our CFO to upgrade to an Intel iMac. It’s in my IT’s hands now to order one that has the power to run FCE smoothly.
I just briefed over your DVD. Looks like another good investment.Scott
If you happen to have any input regarding my new iMac I’d appreciate it.
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Video footage should not be on your desktop. It should be on fast, separate drive dedicated to your media. What format video are you working with?
All the best,
Tom
Class on Demand DVDs “Complete Training for FCP7,” “Basic Training for FCS” and “Final Cut Express Made Easy”
Author: “Final Cut Pro 5 Editing Essentials” and “Final Cut Express 4 Editing Workshop” -
Tom,
We were also wondering if the footage should be on a remote drive. Should it be firewire? Any suggestions since we need to purchase one?
My footage is both mp4 and AVCHD…though I convert all clips to .mov using voltaicHD and quicktime 7.6.9
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iMac’s will run the software OK, but they aren’t very expandable. Viewing externally isn’t easy with one, and they aren’t as fast as the towers are. I really like running NLE software on beefier machines, that’s for sure.
But if a tower isn’t in the budget, get the most iMac you can. I believe that Matrox’s MXO will work to send video out to a TV or monitor full screen, which you really should be using for color correction. Also you’ll be confined to FireWire drives with an iMac. No slots for eSATA or faster. (another reason I like the towers).
iMac’s are completely sexy though.
Jerry
Apple Certified Trainer, Producer, Writer, Director Editor, Gun for Hire and other things. I ski. My Blog: https://blogs.creativecow.net/Jerry-Hofmann
Current DVD:
https://store.creativecow.net/p/81/jerry_hofmanns_final_cut_system_setup8-Core 3.0 Intel Mac Pro, Dual 2 gig G5, AJA Kona SD, AJA Kona 2, Huge Systems Array UL3D, AJA Io HD, 17″ MBP, Matrox MXO2 with MAX – Cinema Displays I have a 22″ that I paid 4k for still working. G4 with Kona SD card, and SCSI card.
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WHat format are you converting the files to?
I’d look no further than a Caldigit drive or those made by iStoragePro. Both companies put out great products and the service from them is good.
Jerry
Apple Certified Trainer, Producer, Writer, Director Editor, Gun for Hire and other things. I ski. My Blog: https://blogs.creativecow.net/Jerry-Hofmann
Current DVD:
https://store.creativecow.net/p/81/jerry_hofmanns_final_cut_system_setup8-Core 3.0 Intel Mac Pro, Dual 2 gig G5, AJA Kona SD, AJA Kona 2, Huge Systems Array UL3D, AJA Io HD, 17″ MBP, Matrox MXO2 with MAX – Cinema Displays I have a 22″ that I paid 4k for still working. G4 with Kona SD card, and SCSI card.
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Scott, since you have a new iMac (not an old one?) it should have a gigabyte? gigabit? network connector built into it just like a new Macbook. Run don`t walk to Bob Zelin and the Arrays and Raid topic (or same here?) for advice typically on external hard drives on the giganetwork while the capture/ edit card usually fires up on the firewire. Things won`t be too slow while waiting for the Intel Mac. Also keeps the old one useful for second jobs.
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Thanks for the input Jerry & Fred.
Don’t think a tower is in the budget so a full-blown iMac is on order along with a firewire External drive.
This has to speed things up and run smooth. Right? I don’t do a ton of video..yet… (mostly graphics in CS4) so this is all new to me. Just call me newbie.
Whats up with Adobe Mercury playback engine. A necessity?
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Mercury Playback allows for multiple source formats to play in real time during the edit in the same sequence. It needs a cuda supported graphics card/chipset to work.
Jerry
Apple Certified Trainer, Producer, Writer, Director Editor, Gun for Hire and other things. I ski. My Blog: https://blogs.creativecow.net/Jerry-Hofmann
Current DVD:
https://store.creativecow.net/p/81/jerry_hofmanns_final_cut_system_setup8-Core 3.0 Intel Mac Pro, Dual 2 gig G5, AJA Kona SD, AJA Kona 2, Huge Systems Array UL3D, AJA Io HD, 17″ MBP, Matrox MXO2 with MAX – Cinema Displays I have a 22″ that I paid 4k for still working. G4 with Kona SD card, and SCSI card.
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[Fred Jodry] “Run don`t walk to Bob Zelin and the Arrays and Raid topic (or same here?) for advice typically on external hard drives on the giganetwork while the capture/ edit card usually fires up on the firewire. “
The current generation of iMacs do have gigabit Ethernet, but they do not support jumbo frames. This reduces the bandwidth available over a network (and therefore the number of streams of video) and makes dropped frames more likely.
See this thread for more:
https://forums.creativecow.net/thread/197/857544
Walter Soyka
Principal & Designer at Keen Live
Motion Graphics, Widescreen Events, Presentation Design, and Consulting
RenderBreak Blog – What I’m thinking when my workstation’s thinking
Creative Cow Forum Host: Live & Stage Events
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