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Building an FCP HD capable system
I am an FCP editor who has primarily worked in the SD world and am trying to figure out how to upgrade my setup to allow for HD, HDV, DVCPRO-50/100…
I could really use some basic recommendations on I/O (namely which Blackmagic or AJA cards are right for me), storage (the CALDIGIT S2VR HD looks promising), and monitoring work best and are still somewhat affordable. I am mostly working on independant and low-budget documentary and feature projects and don’t require a totally high-end system, but want to move up to the next level. I am using the latest FCP Studio on a non-Intel Dual 2.7 GHz PowerPC G5 w/ 6.5 gigs of RAM and 2×23″ Cinema Displays. Basically, where do I go from here?Thanks everyone.
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4 Replies
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I would recommend KONA LH (PCI-X) and CalDigit S2VR HD or S2VR Duo with PCI-X host adapter card.
For monitoring, you have some options. You can use your current SD monitor to display analog or SDI output from KONA. You can get down-converted output from KONA even if you’re working on HD resolution.
If you want to monitor in full HD, you can use your Apple 23″ with AJA HDP or Blackmagic HDLink.
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The problem with upgrading your current machine is that you will have to do it all over again when you upgrade your computer. PCI-X cards do not work in the new Intel PCIe machines. So if you’re making an upgrade to HD, I would upgrade the machine as well. Otherwise your internal cards will all need to upgraded again when you switch so the money you save today by purchasing PCI-X stuff will be moot when you have to purchase it all again.
Look at a Mac Pro with the Kona LHe and the CalDigit S2VR HD. We’re running the HD right now cutting DVCPro HD 1080i 50 and 60 all day, every day and it’s a solid performer so far. For monitoring, the Panasonic plasma displays are incredibly cheap right now and in fact if you hurry, you can get a 50″ Panasonic plasma for just $1799 at B&H Photo. Depending on your room, they have 37, 42 and 50″ models that will serve you well.
If you really want to get into proper color corretion, you can look at the Panasonic 1700W LCD display, though I will say the Panny plasmas are mighty accurate.
Walter Biscardi, Jr.
https://www.biscardicreative.com
HD Editorial & Animation for Food Network’s “Good Eats”
HD Editorial for “Assignment Earth”“I reject your reality and substitute my own!” – Adam Savage, Mythbusters
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Thanks for the responses. I was worried about the potential for obsolescence with my current machine (it being nearly a year and half old and all). Good to hear the CalDigit products seem to deliver what they promise. What about external I/O set-ups? Is there anything out there that might transfer to a new system or are they too slow by using only Firewire?
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[Yidahartha] “What about external I/O set-ups? Is there anything out there that might transfer to a new system or are they too slow by using only Firewire?”
Nothing that I know of for HD. The AJA Io series is great for Uncompressed SD, but they will not work with HD. I use an AJA Io LA in conjunction with our Kona boards and they work well together and yes, it does transfer across all Mac models.
Walter Biscardi, Jr.
https://www.biscardicreative.com
HD Editorial & Animation for Food Network’s “Good Eats”
HD Editorial for “Assignment Earth”“I reject your reality and substitute my own!” – Adam Savage, Mythbusters
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