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encoding prores on macbook pro
I currently use a macbook pro for editing hdv and dv but want to make a switch to prores. I do not currently own a macpro or iohd. I want to capture to prores from my canon xh a1 or hv20 using the intensity pro card. I now its a PCIe card and does not go into a mbp but what about if i used a express card to PCIe card. I have looked at specs of the Lycom EK-108 specs of intenstiy pro and it seems to work spec wise together. My question is i know you need a intel mac to capture to prores but does that mean it has to be a quad or when they say intel would a mbp work. i know other companies like cineform use core duos and their codecs and say it is enough power to capture and encode in their codec but what about prores. Reason i ask is because this setup would cost less then 500 dollars instead of upgrading to macpro or iohd which both are many tiimes this cost. i would use a firewire 800 raid 0 to capture the media too. I know their is a firewire to prores now and could use that route but also would like the ability of live capture to stay in 422 instead of 420. Anyone have a clue or who to ask to find out
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3 Replies
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It would probably work fine, but without testing it in real life you’ll never know. I don’t believe anyone has tested whether or not the dual-core of the MBP can handle HD ProRes. Just make sure you have the option to return whatever you buy in case it doesn’t work out.
Having said that I think you are making a mistake. If you are working with HDV, you should capture and edit HDV natively. That is the superior workflow. And FCP 6 allows HDV footage that is not “cuts-only” to be rendered as ProRes. So it’s a lossless workflow.
EDIT: I just re-read the end of your post, I see you want live capture. So like I said, it will probably work but the only way to know for sure is to test it yourself.
Sean
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The 4:2:0 of HDV is not nearly as bad as it sounds, and nothing at all like the 4:2:1 of DV that makes us all cringe. There is a white paper on the subject by a Sony engineer somewhere on the Web that you can Google.
Personally, I really like workflow of capturing HDV directly to Pro Res via firewire.
David Roth Weiss
Director/Editor
David Weiss Productions, Inc.
Los AngelesPOST-PRODUCTION WITHOUT THE USUAL INSANITY ™
A forum host of Creative COW’s Business & Marketing, and Indie Film & Documentary forums.
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It’s not just the colorspace. HDV is extremely lossy. Capturing the raw uncompressed feed – there’s a lot to be said for that.
Sean
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