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Wow, Mavericks, FCP 10.1, and HDMI monitoring on a 2006 MacPro 1,1
Just as an exercise, I got Mavericks installed on my old 2006 MacPro 1,1. It’s even the lowliest dual 2.0 ghz downgrade model! There are sites dedicated to getting Mavericks to install on those old supposedly 32bit machines and it runs just fine. So then you can upgrade to FCP 10.1.1 with Mavericks installed. And then, since I had a PC 5770 GPU (flashed to mac) that had a third monitor port which is HDMI (the mac versions don’t have an HDMI port) I tried plugging in my flanders to the HDMI port. There ya go! It works. This old MacPro has some life left.
The HDMI isn’t truly monitoring. I assume it’s the same with the nMP and the MBPros that have HDMI ports. It’s just a display extension in my case. Not actual YUV HDMI. Have to switch the monitor to RGB. And, although the menu bar goes away when X is open, you can still run your mouse over to the screen. Seems that 60hz is also the only option. No true 24p.
One bonus of it being essentially the same concept as desktop preview in FCP legacy, is that there is absolutely no lag to speak of. Your viewer and HDMI monitor are perfectly in sync.
So, great for field work if you have a laptop with HDMI. Can likely replace the need for a BMD mini monitor on location.
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8 Replies
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Hrumph! The nerve of some people breathing new life into obviously obsolete Ma Pro systems!
Really, though – great job. We’ve gotten two of our 1,1 systems up and running 10.9.2 and there really is life left in them. The only issue we’ve seen is that memory is tough to come by and you really need to get 12GB+ into the machine for real success. We also use “adapted” Nvidia Quadro cards (shout out to YoYoMarv!) and have had outstanding performance and compatibility from some otherwise South-bound hardware.
Tim
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Tim Jones
CTO – TOLIS Group, Inc.
https://www.productionbackup.com
BRU … because it’s the RESTORE that matters! -
I updated mine to 16gigs years ago.
Anoter note on this HDMI output is that if you’re using display mirroring, then using it as an output in X isn’t an option. Have to have mirroring off. But when you switch out of FCP X, as long as you hide X, it still functions as an extended desktop.
I assume this is how it functions on the nMP and MBPros.
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I’m also wondering how it would perform if I threw a seoncd GPU in it now that 10.1 supports multiple GPUs!
If I could get another 5770 on the cheap it’d be fun to see how if does.
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I’ve been thinking about trying a second 5770 in my 2006 Mac Pro as well. Since getting FCPX on my old Mac Pro I’ve found it can still render faster than my 2012 27″ iMac.
I’ve got a Black Magic Intensity Pro for monitoring and while the Mac only has 8gb RAM, it’s still very useable as an extra workstation.
I wonder if I’ll get as many years of useful life from the new Mac Pro when I get one….
Jeff Kirkland | Video Producer | Southern Creative Media | Melbourne Australia
http://www.southerncreative.com.au | G+: https://gplus.to/jeffkirkland | Twitter: @jeffkirkland -
I think FCP 10.1 runs better on Mavericks than 10.0.x did on Lion. Seems pretty solid and running off an internal SATA is pretty decent.
Since GPUs seem to be mainly for RT playback, it seems like a second 5770 would be helpful.
Thanks for the link to the site to get Mavericks installed a few months ago btw!
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Will you recommend one of “those sites to install Mavericks” on my Mac Pro 1,1?? I’m into the task right now…
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I think this is the one I used mentioned by Jeff Kirkland – https://oemden.com/?page_id=585
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That’s the simplest method I’ve come across and is working fine up to and including 10.9.3.
Jeff Kirkland | Video Producer | Southern Creative Media | Melbourne Australia
http://www.southerncreative.com.au | G+: https://gplus.to/jeffkirkland | Twitter: @jeffkirkland
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