After Effects better on PC or MAC?

[Steve Roberts]

Of course, Todd and I are speaking about OpenGL with regard to After Effects.

However, with regard to 3D apps, OpenGL is very relevant.

[David Johnson]

At risk of inciting yet another platform war that I would gracefully bow out of, I felt compelled to offer my two cents …

Most of these debates seem to blatantly disregard that the user is always the weakest link in the chain … not the hardware, software, or platform … in other words, since the capabilities of both platforms are definitively equal nowadays, but each person is usually much more familiar with one platform or the other, the right platform for you and your situation is the the platform on which you are most proficient and that best fits the needs of your situation (software you run in addition to AE, etc.) … regardless of my opinions or anyone else’s.

As far as the the definition of “PC”, the bottom line is that all computers other than severs, etc. are “PCs” despite the erroneous contention that “PC” (aka personal computer) applies only to Win machines … however, nowadays, it seems generally accepted that “PC” refers to Win machines while “Mac” is more obvious.

It is definitely true that it requires a little more effort and know-how to run a “clean” Win system than it does to run a clean Mac system since virus writers, etc. simply don’t focus on a 10-20% market share (not counting cell phones, iPods, etc.) for obvious reasons, but from the perspective of someone who has done so successfully on both platforms on a daily basis for many years now, it is absolutely possible to run a “clean” Win NLE without excessive effort and any inability to do so is purely and exclusively user-error.

The platforms are equal in capabilities when user error is eliminated from the equation so it boils down to which platform a particular user is most efficient on when all things are considered. Personally, I find the customizability of the Win platform most suitable for my needs (i.e., the wider range of available software, as well as greater hardware and software customization options). However, one reason I work on both platforms every day is the fact that each has strengths and weaknesses that are interchangeably relevant in the varying scenarios that arise in my work.

One of my opinions on this subject does relate to price in that I’ve found the vast majority of Win-Mac comparisons to be Apple-Orange comparisons (forgive the pun) … in other words, it simply doesn’t make any sense at all to me to compare the performance of a $2k Win machine to that of a $5k Mac machine. Having done many comparisons using truly comparable systems and wide range of needs, I’ve found AE to perform best overall on well-equipped and cleanly run Win machines, but I also prefer the simplicity of the Macs for less complex projects, although I’m sure others have had opposing experiences based on their particular needs.

With all of that said, the bottom line is that the “best” platform is a balance between the one a particular individual is most efficient on (with years of learning curve adequately factored in, if one decides to switch from the platform with which he/she already has years of experience) and the one that is most suitable for the needs of a specific situation, which are inherently different for every individual.

In conclusion, I respectfully concede to the nay-sayers … yes indeed, both of my platforms suck and yours rules. Cheers.

[Werner Ingram]

Hi Jimmy

Please man you’ve got to help me. Looks like you have wrestled with this same problem that no one seems to have a clear answer about.

I’m doing broadcast design in South Africa, which is also on PAL. And i’m finding it impossible for someone to clarify whether i should be working in 0-255 or 16-235 colour space.

My ads are loosing colour etc when they are broadcast, i’m not sure whether its cause i’m working in 0-255. I am colour correcting that in Colour Finesse so i cant understand what is still wrong. Should i be working in 16-235 which obviously limits the colour palette, which is why i have not wanted to work in that if it is not necessary.

I am also not convinced that there might be slight problems kreeping in when the feels are transferred in Johannesburg to betacam, so i cant be sure whether the final product on tape is correct that arrives at the stations. Luckily next time i’m using a server so uploading the file digitally to the broadcasters. But i still need to know what colour space to use to ensure that my vectorscope is displaying the colours on the correct colour space. Otherwise its useless anyway.

Have you figured this out for sure by now?

Thanks!
Werner