Will FCS2 Run on a Base iMAC ?

[Ben Holmes]

Yes. It has (or had) the same graphics processor as the MacBookPro.

The main limitation is the firewire port, as you can’t expand anything else.

Ben

[Walter Biscardi]

Yep, it will run. How fast depends on what formats you want to edit on it.

Walter Biscardi, Jr.
Biscardi Creative Media
HD and SD Production for Broadcast and Independent Productions.

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[Mark Job]

Hi Ben:
What do you mean by commenting on the Fire Wire Port ? What’s wrong with the fire wire port on the iMAC ?

Mark

[Mark Job]

Hi Walter:
The only HD format we’re currently handling from our clients and our own production is HDV from our Canon XL H1. The majority of the rest of our work is still very much in SD with main output to SD DVD and Web formats.

Mark

[Jeremy Garchow]

What Ben means is that you can’t add any other storage or capture cards to the firewire only iMac. You’d best get a MacBook Pro as you can attach an eSATA raid to it and leave your firewire port for future endeavors, such as the ioHD.

With the iMac, your HDV deck and your firewire drives will be competing for the same bandwidth as ALL the firewire ports on macs share the same bus.

Jeremy

[Mark Job]

Hi Jeremy:
I see. The thing is, I don’t think I can afford a Mac Pro, since this computer is a little pricey. You see, I’m trying to recover from paying way, way too much for my entire Avid Xpress Pro setup, which has failed miserably to deliver on reasonable web encoding and in particular, fast and efficient DVD authoring. I’m trying to get in the door with a minimum configuration for now and upgrade later when I’ve recovered more on my past investments.
I like cutting on Avid, but I don’t like the third party apps bundle ! Nearly useless in my opinion and half baked ! Perhaps I can find a used, but in good condition Mac Pro on Ebay ? I’ll have a look.

[Jeremy Garchow]

You have a PC now? Try Premiere. That’d be the cheapest way to minimize spending.

Or if you are really set on a Mac, get an authorized refurb.

[Mark Job]

Hi Jeremy:
Uh, no. I will pass on Premiere thanks. I will have a look at the MAC refurbished computers and keep searching on Ebay.

Thanks,

Mark

[Walter Biscardi]

[Mark Job] “The only HD format we’re currently handling from our clients and our own production is HDV from our Canon XL H1. The majority of the rest of our work is still very much in SD with main output to SD DVD and Web formats.”

As Jeremy notes, your only storage option with an iMac will be Firewire drives which will compete for bandwith with HDV. It will work, just not be as efficient than if you at least had some SATA arrays your system.

Also, HDV is definitely slow to edit with with all the conforming that is required before you can output from your timeline. This is one of the big reasons we never edit in native HDV, we convert everything over to DVCPro HD prior to editing with our AJA Kona 3’s.

If you’re running a business off your editing system, I would not invest in an iMac. You really need a full fleged MAc Pro for the best performance off a system and the most expandability. If you buy an iMac now, the minute you want to upgrade anything, you have to start with a brand new computer. With a Mac Pro, you can start with a simple system and add video cards, faster arrays and such without having to upgrade the computer.

We have a 3 year old G5 Dual 2.0 still cutting HD documentaries because it can run fast SATA arrays and an AJA Kona 2 card that our brand new iMac would not be able to do.

If you’re looking for refurb, go to the Apple Store online and scroll down the left side to “Special Deals” and look at those refurbs. I have three or four refurbs running here, they’re great deals. Or if you go to eBay, look for at least a G5 Quad machine and you’re good to go.

Walter Biscardi, Jr.
Biscardi Creative Media
HD and SD Production for Broadcast and Independent Productions.

STOP STARING AND START GRADING WITH APPLE COLOR
The new Color Training DVD now available from the Creative Cow!

Read my Blog!

[Jeremy Garchow]

[walter biscardi] ” I have three or four refurbs running here, they’re great deals. “

Agreed. you can still buy AppleCare for them as well.

Walter’s advice is totally solid. Spend now so you won’t have to later.

Jeremy