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MBP Travel System
Can anyone recommend an efficient, affordable and relatively trouble-free MBP system that you use for travel? I’m assuming I’d need a MBP, a AJA or Matrox I/O and external drives.
Any suggestions?
Thanks.
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27 Replies
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MBP, then G-RAID mini or Caldigit VR mini. Done. Unless you need to capture from tape on the road too, then you need to include the MXO2, MXO2 mini, AJA IOHD or IOHD Express. The MXO line is lighter, but the IOHD has better capabilities is some areas, like hardware convert to ProRes, unlike dependence on the computer for encoding, like the MXO2 does. Although I have captured to ProRes on my MBP with the MXO 2 and have yet to have an issue, it just isn’t officially supported.
But…this is just for EDITING and CAPTURE. YOu cannot color correct unless you add a monitor to the mix.
Shane
GETTING ORGANIZED WITH FINAL CUT PRO DVD…don’t miss it.
Read my blog, Little Frog in High Def -
[Shane Ross] “YOu cannot color correct unless you add a monitor to the mix.”
Not entirely true. BUT… Yes, it is ALWAYS a good idea to color correct with a proper monitor, but if you learn how to read your scopes, you’ll be dead on every time. Learn how to read a vectorscope, waveform and the parade scopes. It’s not that difficult and you’ll have an easier time outputting your projects properly for broadcast. This works with FCP and Color.
_______________________________
Wayne Carey
Schazam Productions
https://web.mac.com/schazamproductions
schazamproductions@mac.com -
[Wayne Carey] “but if you learn how to read your scopes, you’ll be dead on every time. “
ACCURATE…yes. But will RED look like you want it to look? Is that blue blue enough? Scopes won’t tell you that…that is up to your eyes.
Shane
GETTING ORGANIZED WITH FINAL CUT PRO DVD…don’t miss it.
Read my blog, Little Frog in High Def -
I agree. I’d rather trust my eyes. Are you referring to an Apple monitor or an NTSC monitor? With the configuration you mentioned, it’s not possible to preview video unless there’s an AJA or Matrox product somewhere in-line.
What do you recommend in terms of RAM? 6-GB or so? How does the P2 workflow work with the MBP? Thanks!
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[Rick DeSalvo] “Are you referring to an Apple monitor or an NTSC monitor?”
NTSC…Computer monitors aren’t good for CC. If you have the original MXO they will do a pretty decent job, but without…ugh. And the later MXO models don’t go out to computer monitors.
[Rick DeSalvo] ” it’s not possible to preview video unless there’s an AJA or Matrox product somewhere in-line. “
ON an NTSC monitor…no. You need a capture device to do that properly.
[Rick DeSalvo] “What do you recommend in terms of RAM? 6-GB or so?”
On a LAPTOP? Can you get to 6GB? 4GB is plenty….
[Rick DeSalvo] “How does the P2 workflow work with the MBP?”
Sucks. The only way to get P2 into the computer is via a Duel Systems adapter, and they are flakey. Or to use the camera, but that means you lose the camera for shooting while you offload. But if you rent or buy an HG10 or HG20 (P2 Gear) and use that to offload…then you are set.
Shane
GETTING ORGANIZED WITH FINAL CUT PRO DVD…don’t miss it.
Read my blog, Little Frog in High Def -
[Shane Ross] “Sucks. The only way to get P2 into the computer is via a Duel Systems adapter, and they are flakey.”
There’s also the PCD20 from Panasonic that is a 5 card reader.
The P2 workflow is good on an MBP. We do it a lot. It’s even better now that AVC-I is native to FCP.
Jeremy
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[Shane Ross] “But will RED look like you want it to look? Is that blue blue enough? Scopes won’t tell you that…that is up to your eyes.”
Very true… Specific looks do require that you have a color correction monitor. But again, using FCP is much like getting your pilot’s license. You’ll have to learn to fly by instruments before you can get your license.
I once had a college professor say that monitors lie, scopes do not. If creating a specific color effect, know your scopes and how the colors translate to it. This will keep you broadcast legal.
_______________________________
Wayne Carey
Schazam Productions
https://web.mac.com/schazamproductions
schazamproductions@mac.com -
I tried P2 with my MBP, but the Duel kept flaking. This is why I still have my Powerbook G4 with the built in PCMCIA slot. Offload to that, THEN work on the MBP. Can’t afford the Panasonic gear yet.
Yeah, success with it is sporatic…works for some, not for others.
Shane
GETTING ORGANIZED WITH FINAL CUT PRO DVD…don’t miss it.
Read my blog, Little Frog in High Def -
I have a AJ-PCS060 I use to offload P2 from a HPX 500. It’s a single-card reader but it’s better than using the camera. So to reiterate:
MBP
4-gig ram
RAID storage
MXO or AJA I/O
NTSC Monitor -
[Rick DeSalvo] “I have a AJ-PCS060 I use to offload P2 from a HPX 500.”
Perfect.
What else do you need this system to do? Is it only p2? Will you need to downconvert, edit, capture from tape, output to tape? If so, what format are you outputting to?
What is your RAID storage? How does it connect to your computer?
Jeremy
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