Avid MC 5.5 on an iMAC i7

[Brendan Maghran]

The new imacs will work wonderfully. I’m currently running it on an older model just fine.

[Jeff Greenberg]

Works great. Just taught a class using them.

Best,

Jeff G

Apple Master Trainer | Avid Cert. Instructor DS/MC | Adobe Cert. Instructor
————
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Compressor Essentials from Lynda.com
(older but still good) Marquee, Media Composer (3.5) and Basic/Advanced Color DVDs (1.0) from Vasst.com
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[Molly Mckinley]

Can someone tell me how best to configure the iMac for editing. I understand that it should have the 3.4ghz processor. What about memory and hard drive? anything else a must-have?

I edit mostly verite doc-type shows, with some effects, but not effect heavy. Using an external drive. Might be doing a film with a lot of flat art and stills to be manipulated. I’d like to be equipped, but don’t want to spend a mint getting all the bells and whistles if I don’t need them.

thanks!

Molly

[Jeff Greenberg]

Currently speaking according to this Avid document you don’t need the 3.4 ghz processor, but it’s a good idea.

Memory: the minimum is 4. I’d suggest 8…and the current models can do 16 (for today, eh, for tomorrow, yeah!)
Make sure you’re getting the Radeon Graphic card (although it doesn’t look like you get a choice beyond 1gb or 2gb on the card.)
The stock drive is 7200 RPM – you could use it in a pinch. Make sure your external drives are that speed.

The biggest suggestion I have for you? Is a hardware RAID 5 from someone like Gtech – to protect all that media you’re editing.

Best,

Jeff G

Apple Master Trainer | Avid Cert. Instructor DS/MC | Adobe Cert. Instructor
————
You should follow me (filmgeek) on twitter. I promise to be nice.
New- my book (with Richard Harrington and Robbie Carman)- An Editor’s Guide to Adobe Premiere Pro
Compressor Essentials from Lynda.com
(older but still good) Marquee, Media Composer (3.5) and Basic/Advanced Color DVDs (1.0) from Vasst.com
Contact me through my Website

[Molly Mckinley]

Thanks Jeff.

Is there an advantage to working off the internal hard drive? Would it make more sense to soup that up and not use an external? (except for having the backup RAID)

m

[Jeff Greenberg]

There are no advantages, no. We generally have media external to our OS/Application drive to have less stress on the pipeline in general – and just in case you accidentally fill up your internal drive. It’s such a common mistake that Avid has s Media Setting to help you not make that mistake.

Best,

Jeff G

Apple Master Trainer | Avid Cert. Instructor DS/MC | Adobe Cert. Instructor
————
You should follow me (filmgeek) on twitter. I promise to be nice.
New- my book (with Richard Harrington and Robbie Carman)- An Editor’s Guide to Adobe Premiere Pro
Compressor Essentials from Lynda.com
(older but still good) Marquee, Media Composer (3.5) and Basic/Advanced Color DVDs (1.0) from Vasst.com
Contact me through my Website