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MacBook Pro versus Mac Pro decision
Hello,
I did post this on the Color and FCP forum but also seems highly relevant for this forum as well…
I am i homing in on a final MacBook Pro versus Mac Pro decision to enable both real-time capture (argues for portable) and final cut – color – motion work flow.
i have a new sony HXR 5NU that provides me with 25 Mbps 1080p AVCHD 8 bit 4:2:0 from the camera or 10 bit uncompressed 1080i 4:2:2 via SDI or HDMI. The latter would involve a MacBook (not lugging a 45 pound Mac Pro around on the set) and an external MOTU HD Express HDMI or or a Matrox O2 LE.
The key question is if the extra information is significant in terms of final look, constructing quality masks, etc. I believe the answer is yes as it relates to simply comparing 8 bit 4:2:0 versus 10 bit uncompressed 4:2:2. Seems the answer is murkier with the trade-off of 1080i (the uncompressed signal) versus 1080p from AVCHD.
I do not know the internal workings of the camera, it is possible that it is 1080i off of the sensor electronics and a pull down is happening with the avchd encoder which means that it is not really a trade-off.
Any opinions?
Otherwise I just focus on getting the best out of my camcorder’s avchd output using a waveform monitor and go for a Mac Pro in Post.
Any thoughts on this?
Wayne
Portland -
5 Replies
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Mac Pro and AJA Ki Pro for the win- i.e. you’d not need to carry any computer to get the highest quality capture. And for serious Color work a laptop is not suitable…
Noah
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Thanks Noah,
Aja Ki Pro seems to be the consensus answer…
Wayne
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Yep, you might be able to get away with a MacBook if you’re just editing, but as soon as you step into Color, the MacBook goes out the window.
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Returned my “demo” macbook pro today and ordered a Mac Pro.
Now I just need to figure out screens! Pulling my hair out on that one as I want to do Color seriously as well.
w.
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The overwhelming consensus on The Cow is Flanders Scientific monitors. I’m getting ready to drop the dime on a LM2470W.
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