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Need advice, HD on a G5
I have a G5 dual 2.7 with ATI radion 9650, 4GB of ram, external 4 drive SATA raid, and BlackMagic Decklink Extreme. I need to edit my first HD project and therefore, need to upgrade some things.
In general, I will edit projects for broadcast, straight to DVD, and the web. Currently, I do all work in DV. I will likely work in DVC Pro HD for HD projects.
- I have to replace my SD only capture card. This G5 has PCI-X slots. I could get the Kona-3X, but considering that I will likely replace the G5 with a Mac Pro sometime in the next year or so, it almost seems a waste of money. Would I be just as well off with the BlackMagic Decklink HD Pro PCI-X for half the price, or a different Kona card? I like the idea of the IoHD, but I don’t think it will work on a machine this old.
I have an AJA converter for Componant to SDI, so analog in isn’t necessarily a requirement. I will occasionally have to upconvert a clip or two, but I’m thinking I could get away with Magic Bullet Instant HD for that, since it’s only occasionally. I work at home so setting up a software upconvert and letting it run overnight isn’t a problem.
Any ideas? Will any one capture card help my old system work more efficiently with HD than another one?
- I have to add an HD monitor to my mix. I have a friend who uses the BlackMagic HDLink to convert SDI to DVI for pixel-for-pixel viewing on a LCD computer monitor. He says that between that and scopes, he can do basic and acceptable grading for his clients. I can add the HDLink and a Dell 24″ for under $1,000. Is there a better alternative for around the same money? If not, will that work for basic color grading? Before you answer, I already know that most of you would not suggest this. Unfortunately I just can’t afford to add an HD broadcast monitor right now.
- Dell has the ultrasharp 2408WFP for $689 and the S2409W for $349 right now. I assume “you get what you pay for” holds very true between these two monitors. Any thoughts on that for use as a TV using the DVI in? Any thoughts on that used as computer monitors for FCP?
- Will this system bog down with HD (DVC Pro HD) as compared to my current setup and DV or will I be OK for a while yet? Again, money is tight. I’ve been strictly freelance with small amounts of time to work freelance. My time is freeing up so I’m trying to bring in more business to support further and better upgrades, but I need to get as much out of this system as possible for a little while longer.
Thanks,
Gary - I have to replace my SD only capture card. This G5 has PCI-X slots. I could get the Kona-3X, but considering that I will likely replace the G5 with a Mac Pro sometime in the next year or so, it almost seems a waste of money. Would I be just as well off with the BlackMagic Decklink HD Pro PCI-X for half the price, or a different Kona card? I like the idea of the IoHD, but I don’t think it will work on a machine this old.
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4 Replies
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1) Get an AJA I/O HD. It connects via firewire 800. WOrks on G5s and MacPros and MacBook Pros.
2) Basic color grading…yes. BROADCAST color grading…no. But it will be fine for other needs.
3) THe difference between them are the connection types. the 2408 has component and composite and s-Video in…the 2409 does not. That is the price difference. The 2408 would be OK for a CLIENT monitor…for them to see the image all big. Not recommended for color grading for broadcast.
4) The system will be fine for DVCPRO HD. I still use my Dual 2.0Ghz G5 for this and it is still a work horse. The only thing you can’t do is work with formats that require intel macs, like ProRes and AVCIntra and AVCHD.
Shane
GETTING ORGANIZED WITH FINAL CUT PRO DVD…don’t miss it.
Read my blog, Little Frog in High Def -
Thanks for the reply Shane. Sounds like a plan, but just for clarification…
“1) Get an AJA I/O HD. It connects via firewire 800. WOrks on G5s and MacPros and MacBook Pros.”
So, the requirement for intel processors is only for ProRes? The box works in every other way? I’ll be able to capture from single link HD SDI to DVC Pro HD, SD SDI, and SD Analog Componant to DV or Uncompressed without problem, and playback SD Analog Componant or HD SDI without problem for monitoring or print to tape?
“2) Basic color grading…yes. BROADCAST color grading…no. But it will be fine for other needs.”
Do you have an alternate suggestion for close to that price?
“3) THe difference between them are the connection types.”
Are you saying that they look the same, or just close enough that I won’t care? I only need a DVI input, so that doesn’t matter.
Thanks,
Gary -
Would I be better off with the Sony LMD-2030W LUMA Series 20″ Professional LCD for less than $1300? The only discussions that I’ve found about it here seem to be from those discussing SD. I know there are interlacing and upresing issues to display SD on a low-end HD monitor, therefore I don’t plan to do that. I’ll stick with my CRT for SD projects.
I know it’s a low end HD monitor, but is a better solution than the dell and HDLink for HD only?
Thanks,
Gary -
Maybe. Those SOny’s are really rough though. All the others are better. But haven’t compared the Dell HD Link option to that monitor…so can’t really say.
Shane
GETTING ORGANIZED WITH FINAL CUT PRO DVD…don’t miss it.
Read my blog, Little Frog in High Def
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