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“My only question though would be woul the G4 macbook pro with the PCMCIA card slots run the newest version of Apple OS Leopard & FCP6 that are rumored to come out soon?”

Well there is no such thing as a G4 macbook pro, there are G4 Powerbooks and Macbook Pro. I assume that you mean the G4 Power book because it has a PCMCIA slot where the Macbook Pro has a ExpressCard Slot.

Nobody can say what the system requirements of the next version of Final Cut Pro will be because it officially douse not exist yet. You will have to wait like the rest of us to find out.

[13]

you can always recapture later if needed, just keep a backup of your FCP project file, any graphics files etc.

[13]

its up to you, if you have the need now, then do it, if you want to wait then wait.

[13]

More info is needed to say wether or not it will work.

What is the Processor Speed?
What version of Final Cut Pro?
What type of Hard Drives are being used?

Using the Apple Intermediate Codec requires a lot of hard drive space
“Apple Intermediate Codec HDV 1080i60 approximately 14 MB/sec.
(equivalent to approximately 49 GB/hr.)”

along with needing a lot of hard drive space they need to be fast drives, so you will need to get a eSATA raid (fire wire drives probably wont cut it for AIC). To add a eSATA raid you will need a SATA card for the computers PCMCIA slot, if it is a 12″ Powerbook it will not have a PCMCIA slot.

here is a link about the Apple Intermediate Codec
https://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=301599

[13]

if you want to use your SATA drives you will need a macbook pro it has the expansion slit that you can get a SATA card for the macbook has no such connection you will have to use firewire drives

[13]

“Applejack — it says you should use this only in single user mode or disaster might ensue. I have one “user” listed in Finder, “Bob.” Does that qualify as single user “mode?” ”

no that is not single user mode, for that restart the computer holding down the s key, however I don’t see any big advantages to using Applejack I prefer to keep a external drive with a copy of the OS that I can boot from for trouble shooting.

“Carbon Copy Cloner — okay for Intel Mac? Disk Warrior — okay for Intel Mac?”

Yes

“Trash/Restore Prefs: FCP Attic seems great to me, but I’ve heard lots of praise for FCP Rescue. Should I flip a coin or is one better?”

Never used FCP Attic always used FCP Rescue

[13]

what format is your firewire drive

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“I’m currently using Final Cut Pro 5.0.1”

FCP v5.0.1 is not optimized for the intel processor, you need 5.1 or newer ( I am surprised it even let you install 5.0.1 on a intel machine) If in fact it is 5.0.1 that you are funning that would defiantly cause FCP to run slower,

It also sound like you are using your main hard drive (the drive with the OS installed) to edit your video from. NEVER edit from your main drive. The drive running the OS and applications has enough to do, having it also handle your video streams will just chock it up.

[13]

My HDV run through compressor looks GREST I would check your compressor settings

[13]

Don’t move over the preferences I am willing to bet it is just a corrupt preference file for the mail program or the program used open them.