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How to Set-Up Mac Pro Dual Core for HD Digitizing and Playout
Hi,
I realize this question has probably been answered before, so please forgive me for making you repeat yourself. I am a production assistant at a film marketing company (so unfortunately, my technological understanding is limited).
We normally work with Avid machines, but we have a Mac Pro (Dual-Core, not Quad) with FCP Studio 2 installed, and we are thinking of using this machine for our online editing needs (specifically – we usually create 2K trailers that we then deliver as DPX files for film outs). Our input material can come as DPX files on lacie drives or on HD-Cam (SR) tapes. We do not have an HD deck, so we would be renting this from a facility if we needed to digitize in HD tapes.
However, we are not sure if we need to make any hardware/software upgrades in order to edit at true HD quality and also to hook up an HD deck in order to digitize the material. I believe we also have Blackmagic software installed, but I’m not aware of the particulars. I can try to find out what are current software/hardware we have installed if that would be helpful.
Some people have suggested we might need to upgrade the following:
-Graphics Cards
-RAID
-PCI Express Card
-Capture CardsAlso, I saw something about I/O needs (SDI, Component, Firewire, Y/C, Break-out-box, direct connections), etc?
I realize it might be somewhat difficult to answer the question of “what should we do now?” but if you have any advice, I would greatly appreciate your help.
Kindest regards,
Katie -
4 Replies
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Post the specs of the machine itself, and which graphics card it already has. If there is a Blackmagic card also in the computer post that. Is there a raid already attached? If so, what is it?
Jerry
Apple Certified Trainer, Producer, Writer, Director Editor, Gun for Hire and other things. I ski.
8-Core 3.0 Intel Mac Pro, Dual 2 gig G5, AJA Kona SD, AJA Kona 2, Huge Systems Array UL3D, AJA Io HD, 17″ MBP, Matrox MXO2 with MAX Cinema Displays
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Call a VAR!
Steve Eisen
Eisen Video Productions
Vice President
Chicago Final Cut Pro Users Group -
You need to speak to a value added reseller or a consultant who specializes in setting up online suites or FCP suites. There’s a good possibility that the shop that sold you your Avids may also sell FCP. Check with them first, then maybe find another shop or 2 to get bids from.
Arnie
Post production is not an afterthought!
https://www.arniepix.com/ -
Hi Jerry,
I hope this is the information you are after:
Mac OSX
Version 10.6
Processor: 2 x GHz Dual-Core Intel Xeon
Memory: 6 GB 667 MHZ DDR2 FB-DIMM
Graphics: ATI Radeon X1900 XTRaid: 2 x 500.11 GB ST3500 630AS x 2 = 1 x 999.53 Striped RAID set
(At one point, the Disk Utility showed one of the drives failing, but this no longer seems to be the case).As for Black Magic, I’ve opened up the various Black Magic related programs installed on the machine (such as the Deck Controller, etc) and it is listed as v6, with the HD Link Utility listed as v 2.3.1. I’m not sure how to check for any other information …
Please let me know if I’m missing any details you’re after!
Thanks,
Katie
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