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Capture cards, RT playback AND Render improvements?
FCP says that offloading visual-effects handling to a capture card will improve RT playback capability (for the effects that each card is designed to handle). Was this true more during the days before FCP4.5, or is it still true?
Since the implication is that FCP can pass off some of the RT processing to the capture card, wouldn’t it be the case that the capture card can also simultaneously process those same effects during rendering?
I’ve heard various opinions about this over time. I’m considering buying a video capture card. I don’t really need it for capturing since I only have a DV deck and it has Firewire. I’m considering it primarily because I’m putting off upgrading my Mac until Mactel G6 and FCP 6 are ready and I’m looking for any low-cost reductions in render time.
Can anyone vouch for render speed improvements with a capture card? If yes, Aurora PipePro, Kona LS or Blackmagic Design ProLink?
kstheory
FCP 4.5, G4 Dual 800, G-RAID 320, 1.5G RAM -
4 Replies
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Not all capture cards offer real time acceleration. Those that do may only offer it for some codecs & some effects. I’d read up carefully on each of the cards you’re looking at to see what, if any, RT they offer.
Arnie
https://www.arniepix.com -
The Aurora, Aja KONA and Blackmagic cards I mentioned were three that mentioned support for RT effects in FCP. I just can’t tell whether that means anything much.
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I see nothing on any of those manufacturer’s websites saying that any of those cards will provide any acceleration for DV. The Kona does not promise any realtime at all. The other 2 only say that they’re compatible with RT Extreme. I don’t know what that means, really, so you might want to call or email them & ask for more specifics. Or speak to a reliable reseller that handles all 3 cards & ask them.
In general, though, an FCP 4x or 5x system’s RT performance is determined more by CPU & hard drive speed than anything else.
Arnie
https://www.arniepix.com -
I’m still trying to figure out what AJA means by HDV support. My Kona2 doesn’t do HDV but it has support for it? Can anybody explain this to me? I’ve tried to email AJA last week but I still haven’t gotten a response from them on this.
And, the Kona2 doesn’t accelerate any RT effects for me that I can tell.
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Wayne Carey
Schazam Productions
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