Best Mobile Avid configuration on Laptop?

[Joe Womble]

Alex,

I have used this type of configuration on a regular basis for on-location assignments around the world. Just don’t forget to have a power transformer to change world power to the 120/60 that we are used to in the US for some things like powered speakers, etc. Most laptops will be able to use 220/50 OK…can’t remember right away if the Mojo can or not…when in doubt, use a transformer! I regularly traveled with a set of Monsoon powered speakers, which sounded great and were made well. A pair of Genelec 6010A would be the way I’d go today. Depending on how long you are on location, I always try to include a second LCD monitor and small WACOM tablet, if space and budget allow. I can be more productive as an editor if I’m not compromising my eyesight and wasting time mousing a lot. Choose a monitor with both DVI/VGA and Component inputs and you can play your sequences out full screen for your clients (I use full screen playback on my laptop monitor, but only if I don’t have Mojo playback on an external monitor). If you are not doing complicated motion effects or more than four or five layers of video, then investing in external USB drives (even the 7200 RPM 2.5″ drives with external cases) will let you edit and use the Mojo at the same time.

My laptop of choice was was from the Avid approved list.

https://www.avid.com/US/products/Media-Composer-Software/system-requirements

It just never made any sense to me to spend my time working through problems and associated workarounds when I could otherwise be EDITING making MONEY.

That being said, since you are working with an older version of MC, an older laptop like the HP nw9440 and Dell M65 can be bought cheaply and slice your footage like a hot knife through butter…and have the power needed to run peripherials like the second monitor. That’s my opinion.

If you really need to go your own way, pay attention to the video card. Using one other than the Avid approved ones are the source of most of the problems people report. If you can swing an approved system, Avid (and this community) is great on support for getting you up and editing.

Regards,

Joe Womble

[Alex Bond]

Hi Joe,

Thanks for taking the time to respond to my post. Cash is key unfortunately and I don’t have any! This is why we’ve not been able to go to the Avid approved list and I’m afraid I’m looking for a work around (but then working in TV is all about that anyway isn’t it?!).

So after a long install process yesterday, I’ve managed to get a copy of Avid Media Composer 2.8.1 running on an HP laptop I found and using the right dongle.

The Machine specs are below and it seems to work however I need to be able to convert files to .flv (from the Same as Source QT movies exported from the Avid) – these will be uploaded on location to the webtv channel we’re filming/editing for.

Unfortunately there seems to be a problem with the QT files in that RIVA encoder won’t process them. We’ve had this before and solved it by flattening media, reexporting etc but nothing’s working this time – any ideas?

System Model HP Pavilion dv6000
Version 5.1.2600 Service Pack 3 Build 2600
Total Physical Memory 2,048.00 MB
Available Physical Memory 1.44 GB
Total Virtual Memory 2.00 GB
Available Virtual Memory 1.96 GB

Name NVIDIA GeForce Go 7400

[Joe Womble]

Alex,

Glad to hear that the HP laptop seems to be working. As for converting to .flv, are you able to scare up a copy of Sorensen Squeeze along with your Avid software? That should give you the ability you are looking for. Just export or “Send To” Squeeze the QT Reference files from Avid.

Joe

[Alex Bond]

I’ll give that a go 🙂