The infamous “R” Word: Rendering

[Jerry Hofmann]

Depends on more than just the CPU… HD might take a very fast disk array to get RT from it for example… but most titles and dissolves are RT here using a dual 2 gig machine with very fast array so new dual 2.7 should do a bit better. You’ll need a capture card in any event to work in HD unless you are talking about HDV Or the DVCPRO100 codecs(which will support RT) But fast drives matter.

Jerry

[Walter Biscardi]

[James Mulryan] “Does FCP with the latest G5 require rendering dissolves and titles for true non-preview HD output or are cards
required to ease the pain?”

with SCSI or Fibrechannel drives you’ll get comparable RT to the Media 100. I switched from M100 four years ago and you’ll appreciate FCP’s flexibility.

Walter Biscardi, Jr.
Creative Genius, Biscardi Creative Media
https://www.biscardicreative.com

Now in Production, “The Rough Cut,” https://www.theroughcutmovie.com

“I reject your reality and substitute my own!” – Adam Savage, Mythbusters

[Dino Sanacory]

If your talking about real uncompressed HD, you’re gonna have to render. There are a few potential real time effects depending on which i/o card and computer you use but I wouldn’t trust them for final output. To get decent real time in HD you have to step up to something expensive like the DS from Avid, a bizarre but somewhat impressive system. And I still render for final output on that.

Something else to think about regarding what is real time and also overall render time is the growing range of settings and options in the systems (not just Final Cut) that are available today. Easiest is the choice of media at 8 or 10 bit. 8 bit is faster, 10 bit is better. Then there is the choice of render precision: 8 bit, 10/16 bit, and 32 bit float, as you may have already guessed, the bigger the number the more accurate but slower the render. I usually keep rendering set at 8 bit while I’m working then shift to a higher setting for final render.

Keep in mind (and your clints mind as well), HD is a LOT of data. It just isn’t going to be all real time and anything that is (other than a linear suite) is cutting corners. Let them be aware of the render time up front. Even the top Discreet (sorry, Autodesk) product need to render.

Also, Media 100 does have an HD product now. Not trying to sway you away from FCP, for the money, it’s damn impressive, just not as good as the hype.

Good Luck