Matrox MXO & Apple Cinema VS Sony LMD-2050WHD

[Gary Alan]

Paul,

Thanx. I keep seeing that a 30″ will not work with the MXO, but I assume they mean on the output of the MXO.

I know about the pixel for pixel and color setup with the MXO. Will I get better realtime playback and FX with the MXO like an Aja or DecLink would do? I don’t really need those cards for input since I am only using SxS memory cards. I am now only working with Sony EX HQ 1080p30 and Pro Res HQ rendering out FCP. But add a one track of text or something and it’s red bar time. And the canvas window always shows low Q. Text always jaggy. I am aware of all the settings matching the clips, etc. I get realtime playback of one stream 1080p30 Sony EX, but adding one text track above it causes the red bar for render.

Gary

Mac Pro 3Ghz Intel Dual Duo, 6GB RAM, 30″ ACD
MacBook Pro 17″
Sony XDCAM EX with a Sachtler Tripod System

[Paul Escandon]

Correct – the 30″ ACD will not work as the device connected to the MXO – but if you happen to be using the 30″ as your workspace monitor and you hook a 23″ ACD to the MXO, there should be no problem with that.

As for acceleration – the MXO will not add any real time effects that you don’t already have. If you need to render without the MXO you’ll need to render with it. It’s purely for display/video out.

Oh, and are you sure you’ve set your timeline to Unlimited RT and not Safe RT? Safe RT will make you render in places where your computer can possibly handle it in real time with the orange bar.

* * *
Paul Escandon – Lead Editor @ Outdoor Channel
Producer | Director – Oremus Productions
http://www.oremusproductions.com
Apple Certified Trainer – Final Cut Pro
Adjunct Professor of Media – JPCU
—
MacPro Quad-core XEON
8Gb ram, ATI Radeon X1900 XT, 2TB internal RAID
2 20″ Dell UltraSharps + Matrox MXO & 23″ ACD

[Gary Alan]

I will go back to Unlimited RT. Thanx.

Gary

Mac Pro 3Ghz Intel Dual Duo, 6GB RAM, 30″ ACD
MacBook Pro 17″
Sony XDCAM EX with a Sachtler Tripod System

[Jerry Hofmann]

Yep! It’s a great box for what it does. Will down convert HD to SD in real time too so you can use an SD video monitor with it, or send HD to a plasma with HDMI outs, or to a broadcast HD monitor via SDI… very cool box, and there’s nothing else like it.

Io HD costs more, but does more… it will allow you to capture just about anything with it, and cross convert it on the fly to ProRes, or uncompressed SD, or any compressed HD. Right now I’m using mine to capture HDV as ProRes for example.. and it looks terrific, will color correct faster in Color, will render about the same speed as uncompressed SD etc… and remains HD.

Jerry

Apple Certified Trainer

Author: “Jerry Hofmann on Final Cut Pro 4” Click here

Dual 2 gig G5, AJA Kona SD, AJA Kona 2, Huge Systems Array UL3D

[Richard Jacobs]

Jerry,
I see from your post you’ve got a Dual 2.0 G5 in use with the MXO for HDV. I have only done basic (no output monitoring) HDV editing on my Macbook Pro, and would like to get set up for HD using the G5 2.0. The only output monitor I currently have is an old Sony PVM N5U, and it’s time to get HD monitoring in place.

I have two of these G5 systems in two separate locations, therefore need low cost solutions to edit HDV and P2 media, and HD monitoring. I have 4gig memory in one box, and 6 in the other. HVR m25u deck in use. Both have the 23 inch ACD with clear plastic.

Without buying the IO HD and using ProRes, will adding the MXO to both boxes do the trick with output to the 23″ ACD’s?

Do you know of a link where I can see a list of ideal or recommended gear to use with these old machines?

What other upgrades should I consider for this old box for HD/HDV editing?
Thanks,
Rich Jacobs
Conifer, CO

G5 2.0 wtih 4gb
23″ Cinema Display
Caldigit S2VRHD
Sony HVR m25U

[Jerry Hofmann]

I don’t see any problems using MXO’s with Dual G5’s… I’d think you’ll want beefy video display cards… 256mb VRAM units should do just fine. I’m using an intel machine now, but know of many others using G5’s without problems.

Jerry

Apple Certified Trainer

Author: “Jerry Hofmann on Final Cut Pro 4” Click here

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 MXO, CD’s