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Replacing my G4
Hi Everyone,
I shoot and edit at Michigan State University and I will soon be replacing my “elderly” G4. The senior member of our video unit has control over what we purchase and he is leaning toward buying a Mac Mini or a new iMac instead of going with a G5. This is based primarily on budget. We will keep whatever computer we purchase for the next five years, so I think we will get our money’s worth out of a G5. And besides I think we spent almost the same anmount of money on the G4 when it was new. We produce primarily informational videos and documentaries and I do a fair amount of compositing. I feel that going “smaller” is not the way to go when replacing the heart of you editing system. Am I correct or making too big a deal out of this.
Thanks for your thoughts,
Scott
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4 Replies
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I think it would be helpful to tell us what video formats you’re using and might be using in the next five years. That’s a very very long time in both the computer and video worlds.
The mini and the iMac will limit how you can ingest material, how you can output your product, and what kinds of drive interfaces you can use.
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I’m sorry to say that your senior member is having a senior moment. He cannot seriously be considering a mini. That would be great if you are using iMovie and in high school. MSU! Come on! If you are shooting DV an iMac would get you by for a few years. If you are trying to go five you should consider a Mac Pro Quad (there are no G5’s anymore) with 4 gigs RAM, try and fill out the HD bays with 500 gig hard drives for media. And then you will upgrade to FCS2. Just my thoughts.
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We are currently shooting DVCam and I have purchased two HVX200 cameras, and would like to use those here at the University to shoot HD. I also shoot projects on the outside and use the HVX200s for those. A lot of our file video is Beta SP.
I have no idea what will be happening five years from now, my crystal ball is a little foggy.Thanks for the input.
Scott
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I 2nd the Mac Pro suggestion, even if you settle on a 2.0ghz or 2.66ghz model to save some $$$. 5 years is to long of a time to build on the PPC given the future advantages/requirements of software needing an Intel processor.
If you don’t want to buy used, shop the Apple refurbished site for deals.
I just picked up a refurb Mac Pro 8-core and it’s up & running no problems. It even came with a x1900 card instead of the 7300GTwhich was a pleasant surprise.
Happy shopping
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