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Can a MacBook run FCP (5.1.4)?
Hello.
I’m grateful for the chance to ask questions here.
Since I last posted in July, I’ve been learning by doing, and it’s been intense; I have a very solid basic understanding of how to use FCP 5.1.4. In fact, I’m elated with the program, but for one thing, one big thing:
With any clip I apply Motion effects to, with any effect, and even when I simply move clips that have already been rendered: I have to render everything, all the time, no matter how tiny. This applies to video, not audio; I can do a lot with audio and not have to render it.
Just as an FYI:
I’ve got a white MacBook: OS 10.5.7, 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 4GM RAM, 250 GB SATA @ 5400rpm. All of my FCP files and all of my video files are stored on an external drive, an Other World Computing Mercury Elite, connected via FW400, at 7200RPM.I may have made a mistake by purchasing a MacBook instead of a MacBook Pro, or a desktop. If that’s so, I can deal with it, and I will, probably by buying a desktop.
But perhaps there’s something I’m missing.
Would anyone kindly care to offer any suggestions? Have editors used FCP on a MacBook without having to render everything, all the time?
You thoughts are much appreciated, and thanks for your time.
Greg Wishnev
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6 Replies
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Your macbook is plenty fast enough to handle your version of FCP. You problem is more than likely that your clip settings need to match your timeline settings. In newer versions, by automatically dragging your captured clips onto the timeline it will ask you if you want the timeline to match your clips.
In 5 however, you will have to change it manually.
Choose a setting from the Easy Setup in the FCP menu, make sure your settings, frame rate, audio rate and dimensions (4:3, 16:9) all match your files you captured, THEN, create a new sequence as the one you were previously using will not match your files. It’s best to just delete the old sequence and create a new one…
Keep in mind, some effects you add will still need rendering, but you shouldn’t have any other problems with rendering basic editing. I hope this helps and feel free to ask any other questions!
Brett Vaughn
Video/Edit/GFX
https://mediavaughn.com
(202)701-DOCS -
Macbooks aren’t designed for pro video editing, and people have a lot of trouble with some of the studio apps on a Macbook (namely Color, which for fcp 5.x doesn’t apply, but you’ll upgrade someday). You absolutely need a macbook pro if you want to do any heavy lifting with FCP. You can technically run it on your machine, sure, but you’re setting yourself up for frustration.
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I have my old TiBook 667 (2.002) with FC 5.1.4 and still working.
Your MB should work without problems. FC 5.1.4 do not relay in GPU.
With Color, Motion or FC 6 (Fxplugs) would be different.
I guess that you are working with DV/HDV, so I think you will have good RT performance.
What is really short is your driver speed.
If you can work with FW 800, FC would be much more happy.
Cheers,
Rafael -
Brett,
Thank you for your gracious and very helpful reply.
I understand the concept of sequence settings (though it took a while).
Perhaps my question is more like: What are the tangible differences in using FCP with a MacBook Pro versus a MacBook?
I’m guessing things render faster; but does the difference in power between a MacBook and a MBP allow you to view effects without having to render them, that allows viewing your entire sequence with as yet unrendered elements?
I hope my question is clear, even if the answer isn’t necessarily straight forward.
Again, thank you for your time.
Greg Wishnev
(310) 659-0926 -
Rafael,
I greatly appreciate your response. Thank you for helping out beginners like myself.
Greg
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Craig,
Thank you for your candid, clear response.
Greg
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