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FCP SYSTEM QUESTION: Advice on getting the best FCP system for Uncompressed HD workflow
Good morning,
I am a freelance Reality Producer, who last year launched a small Boutique Production Company. We have just been awarded our first HD show. Usually I just rent all my equipment as needed per production, but I want to bite the bullet and purchase a full blown NLE system that will allow me to smoothly work with Uncompressed HD. I’ve talked to some people and most recommend the Latest FCP system. I prefer FCP because I find it to be extremely user friendly. I have received a few quotes, from resellers and the prices for the systems vary. I know it’s all dependant on the equipment ordered, but to be honest, I’m really not sure exactly what equipment is essential and what equipment is fluff.
I would love some feedback as to:
-What capture card to get?-How much Ram do I need, if we were to work at 1:1?
-What is the best and/or most cost effective storage solution that I need to be considering? (again if we were working at 1:1)
-Suggestions on some retailers of tunrkey systems that I can trust to offer me the best advice as well as the best price?
When It comes to Producing shows I’m pretty savvy as to what’s needed for the final result. When it comes to technology I’m a bit illiterate, but I am eager to learn.
I look forward to any feedback.
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7 Replies
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[INNOV8TV ENT] “Suggestions on some retailers of tunrkey systems that I can trust to offer me the best advice as well as the best price?”
Nationally, ProMax in California. http://www.promax.com
On the East Coast, WH Platts Company. http://www.whplatts.com
Overall system: Mac Pro Quad 3.0 with 4GB RAM minimum, AJA Kona 3, CalDigit for Storage. CalDigit has the S2VR HD can handle a single stream of 10bit uncompressed HD and you can stripe two of those units together for over 400mb/s speed.
We’re running three Kona systems here for 720 and 1080i HD broadcast television.
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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Only one mac, or a couple of macs working together ? Xraids are nice, but a complete xsan system might be a good idea if you plan on expanding with more editing suites in the future.. Do you have a price limit ? The xsan system is very userfriendly, but you can probably find cheaper stuff around
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Walter Thank you for the reply, I have been on the Promax site many times and they are in contention of receiving my business. I have not heard of the CalDigit systems. In your opinion, do you feel that it may be a better option as compared to X-serve, Medea or Ciprico?
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We are starting with one system with the hopes of expanding once we sell more shows. Right now I have a 20 episode order with a fairly relaxed delivery schedule. As far as my budget for storage solutions; between 5K-10K.
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“As far as my budget for storage solutions; between 5K-10K.”
If you have the budget for it, go with a Ciprico Huge system. They are rock solid and if you ever have any problems, support is wonderful. Depending which product you go with you have the option of running it in either a RAID 3 or RAID 6 configuration. Having your storage protected like that is something the CalDigit does not offer at the moment, I belive it just runs in a RAID 0 (someone please correct me if I’m wrong on this point). At some point or another, you will have a drive go down and it never happens at a good time, so protected storage can be very key, especially if you are working on a project over a period of time that is longer then a week. Just my 2 cents.
best regards,
jeremy
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[Jeremy Newmark] “aving your storage protected like that is something the CalDigit does not offer at the moment, I belive it just runs in a RAID 0 (someone please correct me if I’m wrong on this point)”
No you can actually set up in RAID 3 I believe on the S2VR HD. What we did with the money we saved, we purchased a 2TB LaCie Biggest for under $1,000 and that now backs up our 3.7TB S2VR HD. It’s working so well we’re looking to add another CalDigit product to our second suite in a very short time. I prefer RAID 0 because it’s just so darn fast for the price.
It’s two different markets with the Fibre Channel vs. SATA. I was totally sold on Fibre channel for HD until I tested the CalDigits. Now I’m a believer in SATA and can see the real potential for these. If you look at the price of two S2VR HD’s you can stripe together two 3.7TB units and get more speed and space than most single Fibre Channel arrays. We’re looking at that option as well since we can run 4 units off one card and all of them can be run independently or striped together for some ridiculous speed.
BUT you really can’t go wrong with Ciprico either. really great products and good tech support.
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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Hire someone….
All of the knowledge on the COW is not going to connect the wires and look at what the issues are. Emergencies can be dealt with in minutes with them and the info you need may take hours to get someone that can really answer the question here.
There are any number of ins and outs that can help you or sink you. IF you are going to be doing this for money pay someone to be your guide until you learn the ropes
gary adcock
Studio37
HD & Film Consultation
Post and Production Workflows
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