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new day in computer editing
I’m looking to upgrade my system and I’m looking for some input. First, I have a MacPro G5 Quad w/9GB RAM, about 500GB on board storage, FCP Studio, a ton of other pro apps, a LaCie 2.5GB SCSI Raid, and a number of LaCie firewire drives. I am usually using HD video and NEF stills in my projects, some which are quite graphics intensive. I also have an extensive library on BetaSP, so I have the AJA IO to help with the ingesting. I also use a MacBook Pro G4 (started my system with this one). Both are old enough that many /most of the new apps don’t work and are beginning to suffer from connectivity issues.
I have heard a couple of stories on NPR about how “tower” computers are on the way out and that laptop processing speeds are now fast enough to handle the work we’ve been depending on our towers for. Just need to use fast external storage units when you’re editing.
No, I’m not a computer whiz — I like to tell visually compelling stories and the computer has allowed me to do that without owning a warehouse full of equipment. I’m looking for some advice and recommendations on my next step. Can I get away with a laptop now? I went to the G5 because my laptop couldn’t handle uncompressed material. I ask the guys in the Apple Store these questions and they help as best they can, but they haven’t been through the non-linear evolution (Media 100, Avid Media Composer, Final Cut — each on different platforms) and don’t know what they don’t know.
How much better is the Solid State Hard Drive? Should I stick with the Raid? Somebody talk to me please 🙂 -
4 Replies
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Even the latest 13 inch MacBook Pro is faster than your tower. The problem is not processor speed, it’s connectivity. So, when you ask about keeping your RAID, that’s an issue, because there’s no way to connect it on most laptops. The 17″ MBP is the only model with an Express Card slot, which means it is the only model capable of handling a SATA controller card for most RAIDs.
Solid state drives as the system drive for a laptop are probably fine, but remain untested by enough users to really know how they hold up over time. As media drives, they are too small and way too expensive to even begin to consider. So, delete that idea from your internal data bank immediately, cuz it’s a pipedream.
David Roth Weiss
Director/Editor/Colorist
David Weiss Productions, Inc.
Los AngelesPOST-PRODUCTION WITHOUT THE USUAL INSANITY ™
EPK Colorist – UP IN THE AIR – nominated for six academy awards
A forum host of Creative COW’s Apple Final Cut Pro, Business & Marketing, Indie Film & Documentary, and Film History & Appreciations forums.
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[chris rust] “I have heard a couple of stories on NPR about how “tower” computers are on the way out and that laptop processing speeds are now fast enough to handle the work we’ve been depending on our towers for. Just need to use fast external storage units when you’re editing. “
That’s true for business & office type of apps, but HD video still requires being able to connect to a very fast drive array- still a problem for most laptops.
What’s more, your typical laptop (both Mac & PC) will have no more than one express slot, so it will be impossible to connect to both high speed storage & video I/O. IOW, you’re not going to be able to work with uncompressed video and see it live on a monitor, let alone capture or lay off to tape.
Arnie
Post production is not an afterthought!
https://www.arniepix.com/ -
Office and biz aps are not very taxing on computers, and this what the majority are used for. An 8 core machine to run Word is overkill squared. Given identical speeds, laptops were always more expensive than a tower. Most businesses buy the least expensive tool that does the job. Now there seems to be some role reversal with these new inexpensive netbooks.
That being said there are still people that are running specialty software, that aren’t quite at the level of needing a custom built super-computer, but need a really fast powerful machine(s). This is something the video professionals, and the science and engineering communities have in common, the need for machines like the Mac Pro. These additional users are probably helping keep the Mac Pro alive. But I don’t see much future for machines like the iMac, or the generic PC desk tower with the prices if laptops falling.Scott Sheriff
Director
SST Digital Media
https://www.sstdigitalmedia.com -
I can give you the reasons why I recently upgraded to a MacPro tower. David has already pointed out the most important issue of connectivity.
I need PCI slots so I can choose my I/O card (in my case I needed Kona 3 features) and spares for esata interfaces. I need firewire 800 connectors too. I like having dual ethernet connectors as my machine is part of a bigger network.
I have an internal RAID which gives me 4.5TB before I start to connect externals.
When a better graphics card comes along I can upgrade it so that software like Color or Da Vinci will work on my machine.This will happen in the working life of this machine. A laptop can leave you high and dry in a matter of months.
I have choices in the monitors I use and the ergonomics of how they are positioned relative to the keyboard. Ergonomics with a laptop is poor and long days and weeks on the job are common.
I can have the tower in a separate room with the drives and just extend the monitoring and keyboard/mouse. No noise, no heat. If an idiot spills their drink on my keyboard, I plug in the spare and keep working.
Frankly I suggest a tower for edit work and get a cheap laptop for other things to keep the tower install lean and clean.
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