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FCP7 and Retina MacBook Pros
Hi All
Having posed the question myself on WWDC day, I’ve been curious ever since ordering my rMBP how it would behave and look with good ol’ FCP7. After receiving mine yesterday, I’ve finally had a chance to find out. I also tried a little ‘unauthorised’ testing on the full 2880×1800 resolution, courtesy of the ‘Change Resolution’ app from Wineskin – find it via this link:
For info, I have the 2.6Mhz 15″ rMBP with 512Gb flash drive. The MBP came with 10.7.4. As is common with new Apple computers, YOU CANNOT DOWNGRADE the OS, even one percentage build.
The short version: FCP7 looks fine on this new machine. As a former owner of a 17″ MBP with a 1920×1200 display, I have mostly been using it at the ‘more space’ resolution offered in the new display controls (which annoyingly you can’t enable in the menu bar any more) which gives this ‘effective’ resolution. Although not native to the display, you cannot see ‘scaling’ common with using lower-than-native resolutions.
It’s clear that the text in FCP7 is not ‘retina’ – nor I am sure will it ever be. But it is as clear and readable as it ever was, at least to my eye. Although a smaller screen than the old high-res 17″, I find this size more than useable, as the display is so sharp.
CAVEATS: I’ve seen two problems so far. 1) FCP7 crashed at one point. I have been unable to repeat it, but it was also before I updated to 7.0.3 (the original install was 7.0 from the disks and I got impatient!) so may be related to this. Problem 2) is more of an issue: FCP7 DOES NOT LIKE RESOLUTION CHANGES.
As you will note above, I have installed a small app to change resolutions on the MBP. I assume (as it seems to have no lasting effect and is easily undone in prefs) that this is not causing the problem – but I first noticed this bug when using the unsupported 2880×1800 resolution and then changing back to ‘official’ resolutions – however, it does appear the bug appears even when you change between supported official resolutions as well. It happens EVERY time.
Essentially, the Canvas stops playing video, and flickers between a few current frames – irrespective of where you are on the timeline. I’ve seen similar issues in FCP7 before that appear to be caused by external video cards – but I currently have nothing installed on the system (I’ll be testing it with an MXO2 soon).
The bug can only be corrected by shutting down FCP7 and restarting it. Of course, this is not a problem if you open FCP7 and stay in the same resolution – as most will. I was changing res so I could compare them – hardly standard practice. It remains to be seen if this bug will be fixed by an OSX update – which seems possible given the newness of the rMBP – or whether it will never be solved for FCP software that will never see another update. It’s not a deal breaker for me, unless it turns out to be symptomatic of larger issues – especially with the use of video devices.
As a matter of preference, I found the ‘true retina’ setting of 1440×900 too small for me – as I said I’m used to bigger resolutions on 17″ MBPs and 27″ iMacs (and cinema displays), but either of the ‘more space’ settings were fine for general use in FCP7 – the ‘two up’ window layout in 1920×1200 mode gives video windows of HD material at 49% scale.
Now for the fun bit (assuming you are still reading) – I also used the above hack to run FCP7 at 2880×1800. Although this crashed once at this res running 7.0.0, otherwise it seemed useable. Hopefully I can embed a screenshot below at full size. By creating a ‘retina’ layout, with a smaller viewer and big canvas, and setting the text size to ‘large’ in the browser (and larger sized timeline) I was able to have a 100% HD (1920×1080 prores) canvas in FCP7! As someone who mostly uses shortcuts in FCP7, I found this surprisingly useable, although the buttons were predictably tiny!
I’d add that the canvas in FCP7 doesn’t (as far as I know) show full resolution in the Canvas – I believe it’s half res. In addition, the footage I have is 1080i, so shows interlacing. I couldn’t honestly say it looked super sharp (as the viewer does in FCPX), although it looked very nice. In addition, there was quite a bit of ‘tearing’ in moving video, where the screen struggled to refresh this monster resolution.
I will try to take a comparison shot of the canvas in FCP7 and X to see how the retina-ready FCPX compares in 100% playback. Incidentally, I think anyone using FCPX will be very pleased with the retina MBP….
Now for some screenshots:
First up (because I know you want it) here’s the slightly absurd 2880×1800 FCP7 workspace:
Now, here’s the same project at 1920×1200 resolution. I left the text size the same in FCP7 so you could see the difference in scale at play here:
Finally, here’s FCP7 running at ‘retina’ 1440×900:
I think it’s clear if you compare the menu bar to the app that there is no ‘pixel doubling’ going on in the text. I’ve also set the text scaling in the browser to the small size – otherwise if I’d left it, it would have been huge. Perfectly usable, but if anything the larger GUI text looks worse at this lower resolution. I think that’s because your eye gets so used to the pin sharp elements in retina apps so quickly. There really is no going back from the retina display. It’s a shame FCP7 will never be optimised for it – I expect to be using it for at least another 12 months.
I’ll be carrying on testing FCP7 with my MXO2 (via thunderbolt) and the rMBP to make sure it’s stable for an upcoming job. I’ll report back if I have any major problems.
I’ll also be installing CS6 this evening – keen to see how it looks before its retina update – but having seen FCP7 I’m not too bothered.
Let me know if I can answer any specific queries – I’ll see what I can do.
Ben
Edit Out Ltd
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FCP Editor/Trainer/System Consultant
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35 Replies
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Thanks Ben for a very in-depth review.
Your results on running FCP 7 on the Retina MBP are better than I expected….
…..which leaves me more undecided what Macbook Pro buy.
My main gripe with the retina version is….Losing firewire 800, which ALL my drives are,
Losing Ethernet
Losing the optical drive, I still have to burn DVD’s for clients on most projects.
Losing the audio line in port which means buying a USB microphone
Not easy to replace the storage, RAM and battery ( because in my experience owning 4 Macbook Pros, the batteries last 3 years at best.
I know you can get the external drives and converter leads but to me it’s clutter and I prefer them all to be on the laptop in the first place.
I’m still swaying toward the standard MBP but if I spec one up with a 512 SSD drive 2.7 processor and 8 meg ram it works out more expensive than the same spec retina version, including buying the external drive and converter leads !
I’m wondering if I don’t get the retina version I will regret it 6 months down the line.
I’m probably looking at using Final Cut Studio for another 12 to 18 months ( if Apple let me ) then maybe jumping to Premiere Pro.2 extra questions…
Can you monitor the FCP7 from the HDMI port ?
How did you install FCP 7 from disks under Lion ?Any advise on my decision from anyone really appreciated
Thanks
Paul
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Awesome review! Thanks for taking the time to write it up for us.
I imagine the HDMI monitoring would be really nice, as I have already been doing that via a thunderbolt adapter, plus you can get a couple extra screens connected, although they will integrate oddly next to the retina display. (as an aside, I have tested my MBP with an iPad 3 as an additional monitor – its amazing, though differing pixel densities between displays is something to get used to)
Ben, that “bug” you mentioned is nothing new, or unique to the retina MBP. FCP has reacted that way for years, across several OSes when you change resolution. Must have something to do with the underlying QuickTime architecture in both OSX and FCP. So I wouldn’t call that out as an issue at all. The crashing seems odd, but that just happens sometimes anyway, as we all know too well. Have to keep on eye on that.
For the record… I am jealous of that full res screen shot. I would push myself to use that full screen that way. I hate scaling my canvas, it’s 100% size or an output monitor only. Too many problems can be missed otherwise.
One more note, I’m really surprised that you don’t see scaling issues in “best for retina” resolution. I’ve seen some terrible samples of Photoshop in this configuration, which make the app unusable in my opinion.
Anyway, this is all exciting stuff. Thanks for sharing.
~j!
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Hi Paul
No problem.
As far as the adapter issues go – well, I guess that will bother some people more than others. I don’t see a big difference between a lead, and a lead with an adapter on it. I already own one thunderbolt drive, and see the firewire ones as legacy in the next couple of years – some of them are FW400 anyway, and already require a FW400 to 800 adapter anyway! I use ethernet sometimes to connect to SAN storage, so I’ll be getting a full set of adapters soon. Apple as ever is ahead of the curve here, but thunderbolt and USB3 is MUCH more useful to me than FW and ethernet – so I’ll take it. I can’t argue about the audio input – I own a single USB condenser mike for guide voicing, so this is not my issue, but can see it could be yours.
As far as battery goes – I had my 17″ with integrated battery for 2.5 years, used it every day and never saw any serious degradation in battery life, so I don’t have any big worries there. I also sold the 17″ for 50% of what I paid for it – and my guess is that the resale on these retina units will be far better in 2-3 years than the standard (soon to be obsolete) MBPs. I factor this into all my Mac purchases now – and I probably spend more than most.
Having the 512Gb SSD (or flash) is seriously useful. You can see the benefits all over the system and my brief play with CS6 shows how useful this will be for disk caching in AE. I’m seeing drive speeds of 400Mb/s on read AND write.
With regards to your specific questions:
1. Yes HDMI output works for vision AND audio. This is pretty neat – especially as it’s a standard HDMI connection, not some sort of mini adapter arrangement. BUT – brief tests I did with my Samsung HDTV showed juddering in panning shots. In other words – it’s a great addition, but is no substitute for a video output device. I look forward to adding an AJA T-tap as well as testing output from the MXO2. Mirroring the desktop via HDMI worked well, as well as extending the desktop – much more sensible than using a DVI-HDMI adapter.
2. I installed FCP7 from a disk image I keep on a USB drive for installing FCS. This is a great way to speed up installation (I have 3 Mac Pros that regularly get scrubbed and cleaned) as it’s much faster. However – I did do a disk based installation on a Macbook Air recently using Air Disk from the iMac in my office, and would think this would be a relatively simple alternative.
I’d also add another benefit. Although this machine is not as light as an Air (I have an 11″) it’s certainly lighter than the old ones, and after the riot shield of steel that was my 17″ MBP, I’d have to say I’m pleased with the portability. Even the new-fangled fans are nicer – and rarely seem to kick in.
Ben
Edit Out Ltd
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FCP Editor/Trainer/System Consultant
EVS/VT Supervisor for live broadcast
RED camera transfer/post
Independent Director/Producerhttps://www.blackmagic-design.com/community/communitydetails/?UserStoryId=8757
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Hi John
That’s interesting about the bug – I suppose I have been using FCP7 for so long on Cinema displays and laptops where I NEVER change resolution that I was unaware of it. The caveat still holds though – you may find yourself playing around more with resolution than you did on any other Mac. I still can’t decide what I prefer – the amazing text of the retina setting, or the increased space (and still relative sharpness) of the 2 scaled settings. Some applications suit some better than others.
As far as CS6 goes, quick tests opening AE and PS show clear differences in GUI text rendering. At Retina resolution, the text in AE is clear – whereas PS is fuzzy, like that bad Chrome rendering that was all over the web after launch.
However, switch to the ‘scaled’ setting, and it’s much less apparent – even the one-scale-up of ‘1680×1050″ equivalent makes it appear much sharper – although it’s already quite small at this res.
Ben
Edit Out Ltd
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FCP Editor/Trainer/System Consultant
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RED camera transfer/post
Independent Director/Producerhttps://www.blackmagic-design.com/community/communitydetails/?UserStoryId=8757
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Thanks for the info Ben.
With regards to the bug, toggling external video on/off has always fixed it for me.
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One more quick question on creating disk images of Final Cut Studio.
I am doing disk images as we speak for when I get the new Macbook Pro, but don’t you run into the same problems where Lion won’t let the installer run ?
I tried to install FC Studio onto my iMac running Lion and it wouldn’t let me.Thank you
Paul -
Hi Paul
My method has been unchanged for a while – and I’ve never had a problem. So let’s see if we’re doing this the same way:
1. Insert FCS installer disk
2. Open disk Utility
3. Click on the DISK (not the drive) in the left hand column.
4. Select “New Image” at the top
5. Select destination to external drive or desktop. (I leave the settings as they are ‘compressed’ etc)
6. Wait for disk image to write.
7. Eject external drive and take to new computer. Insert drive, and browse to the desk image you created, and double click.The image then mounts exactly as if you had inserted the disk. Anything on it can be installed exactly as if it were on the disk.
Sorry if this is exactly what you are doing – but I thought I’d lay it out in case it differs. Lion or not, I’ve never had a problem yet. I will admit, I don’t bother imaging all the media disks for FCS these days, as I use AE for most graphics work, and can’t stand Livetype etc.
Ben
Edit Out Ltd
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FCP Editor/Trainer/System Consultant
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RED camera transfer/post
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Thanks Ben…Yes that’s the same as my process, maybe it’s my iMac that has an issue.
Further to our conversation and your brilliant review, I went down to the covent garden Apple store this morning to look at the new Macbook Pros.
They couldn’t show me FCP 7 running on a Retina Display but they did show me other non optimised software ( Photoshop, Word etc etc )
I wasn’t as disappointed as I thought which has swayed me back to buying a retina display.
Knowing I won’t be using FCP 7 forever I guess I must look forward.
All I have to do now is decide if it’s worth buying the top spec model for loads of cash or not !One thing I will have to purchase is a USB microphone for guide VO’s
Can you recommend your one ?Cheers
Paul
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Hi Paul
I have a Samson USB mike – but I can’t really recommend it, and I use it infrequently. I hear good things about the Snowball mikes. Apple sell some in store – maybe ask to try one? Usually, we use a USB audio interface and a Coles lip mike to do voice-over in busy areas on outside broadcasts. I forget the name of the interface, but it has an XLR input and is inexpensive – I think it’s an older version of the M-Audio mobile pre. If you get one of these, you can probably use existing mics….
As far as ‘top spec’ goes – the 2.7Ghz upgrade and 756Gb flash upgrades CANNOT be worth the extra cash – I cannot recommend either. I’m pleased with my spec -the 2.6 comes as standard with the 512Gb memory (and I’ve already filled 100GB with Applications) BUT DO UPGRADE to 16gb RAM. It’s a must now for newer apps, and you CANNOT upgrade it later.
This may mean a ‘custom’ spec you can’t get in the Apple store – but mark my words it will be the most popular spec with resellers. I get my gear from the excellent Jigsaw24 – and I expect they’ll carry this spec in stock – when they can get them back in stock!
Ben
Edit Out Ltd
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FCP Editor/Trainer/System Consultant
EVS/VT Supervisor for live broadcast
RED camera transfer/post
Independent Director/Producerhttps://www.blackmagic-design.com/community/communitydetails/?UserStoryId=8757
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[Paul Jones] “Can you recommend your one ?”
Big fan of the Blue USB mics.
I have a Snowball for scratch VO.
https://www.bluemic.com/snowball/
By the way, the retina does support the Apple headset in, maybe there’s an adapter?
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