[Alex Vargas]

Thanks Alex Gerulaitis!

If your calculations are correct, you are saying that I may be able to edit 2.5K RAW with this set up.
That sounds good. It means I am all good for editing XDCAM EX HD 1080p… 🙂

In your opinion, will this set up improve my current SATA II limitations considerably? As obvious as it seems to be, I am concerned that it may not improve much due to any compatibility factors that I may be ignorant about.

My boot drive would be the Accelsior E2 PCIe card (please refer to links on the original post) at much higher speeds than SATA II allows, as would be all other 6 drives through the ATTO R608 for my media (scratch), so all data flow would be above SATA II limitations, but will all this work out to be faster and stable with FCP7? Or are there any known incompatibilities?

Your time is appreciated!

Alex Vargas
filmmaker/composer
Macpro 5,1 12 core 48GB RAM – Macbookpro 15″ – FCP 7+/Logic 9

[Alex Vargas]

Thanks Rainer,

You response helps me consider the cost much better and clarify my “wants”. I am also happy to hear FCP7 is still preferred by some above X. (I will learn X if I have to, but will probably go with Premiere too).

The main reasons for wanting the internal RAID are:

– The ability to use full SATA III capability from each one of my internal drives.
– Space saving (my “studio” and home is UNUSUALLY small until done with this movie).
– Being able to finish this movie without bottlenecks that I have had on my previous Octocore.
– Cost
– Stability

I also want the possibility for this set up to be good for editing RAW next year, but seeing your response, I must accept that I can’t afford it at the moment. I looked into the card you suggest, but it would cost more than my 18 month old mac…the card (external box) alone.
I apologize for my initial post sounding as if I were ready to buy a $15,000 set up. I am not. I will correct it (if I can do that).

This is the first time that I read about internal RAID set ups all failing after around three years of life, so thank you for sharing that. So far all I have read about is what they are good for. Real experiences are valuable. Thanks!

My first conclusion is that I should forget editing 2.5K RAW on this set up and focus instead on my upcoming edit (XDCAM EX HD 1080p 30 fps on a Prores timeline in FCP7).

Will the system I listed be able to handle it?
Do you or anybody else foresee any compatibility issues?
(I am particularly curious about the Accelsior E2 card as a boot drive with FCP7)
Any suggested alternatives for similar speeds and reliability in this planned RAID?

Thanks again!

Alex Vargas
filmmaker/composer
Macpro 5,1 12 core 48GB RAM – Macbookpro 15″ – FCP 7+/Logic 9

[Alex Vargas]

Well, in my opinion, the software is excellent. What turned me off about it, is that I wrote to Imagine Products Inc to ask if I could instal it on my second computer, as I do with FCP and Logic. The response was:
“Alex,

You may install it as many times as you wish, but it may only be active on one computer at a time.

To move the license, click Deactivate in the App menu ;just above Quit). This removes the computer’s ID from our server allowing it to be activated elsewhere.

However, we don’t recommend relying on moving the software frequently as the web connection may not be reliable, server down, etc. It’s prudent to buy and install the correct number of copies and leave them be.”

-The fact is that deactivating the license has caused problems after problems and wasted my entire afternoon, even with great internet connectivity. My advice is to NEVER deactivate it, unless you want to be out of that tool for indefinite time. Granted, this happened today, so not only am I disappointed (more like pissed-off) due to the loss of business that this will bring me, but it is also Saturday, so maybe I should be grateful that Imagine even responded today.
I wish they would just tell you straight NOT to deactivate it and instead BUY one license per computer. That message would be much clearer. I have been out of work flow for six hours, uninstalled, re-installed, removed all software files, tried again, nothing. And no follow up from Imagine either.
I hope they respond soon, or I will not be able to work during the night and deliver to the agreed deadline. :0) Or of course, I could also just buy it again, but I am afraid that their servers might “still be down”.

Shotput is a great and valuable tool. But only one license/ one computer.

Alex Vargas
EX1/Elite/Nikon, Zeiss
Macpro 2.1, 3.0 dual quad, 8GB RAM
Macbookpro 15″
FCP 7+
Logic 9+

[Alex Vargas]

Hello Gary,

I have exactly the same question, but hope/heard Atomos might well come out with an HD-SDI version. Too early to know, but quite attractive to me.

:0)

Alex Vargas
EX1/Elite/Nikon, Zeiss
Macpro 2.1, 3.0 dual quad, 8GB RAM
Macbookpro 15″
FCP 7+
Logic 9+

[Alex Vargas]

Hello,

To the poster,

To the best of my knowledge, (and please correct me if I am wrong) if you are up to date with Mac OS and FCP updates (that’s what I know by personal experience only, maybe older versions work too) you can get what you need if you can get to your old mac. – Run FCP, then at the top left from the Final Cut Pro menu choose “about Final Cut Pro”. A window will appear with your name (if it was registered by you) and your serial number. Copy and SAVE it as advised by other posters.
It is my believe that by license law you can install and use FCS on your tower and your laptop. You just can’t run them both at the same time on the same network. One at a time only.
Check your documentation (surely the basic documentation can be found online somewhere or other). As other posters have mentioned, you would need to uninstall FCS from that old mac before you install it on your new one.

I hope this helps,

Alex Vargas
EX1/Elite/Nikon, Zeiss
Macpro 2.1, 3.0 dual quad, 8GB RAM
Macbookpro 15″
FCP 7+
Logic 9+

[Alex Vargas]

Mr Chapman,

I signed up alone to let you know that I highly respect your opinions. This site has been an extremely useful source of information and I am happy to join.

I personally like having a Macbookpro in the field, mostly to verify everything shot is in order right away and also because ingesting through the express card reader is fast. I have never even used a Sony usb reader. However, I do not work as much as many of the big boys here, so I have not had a need to ingest faster.

My powerful Macbookpro was unfortunately stolen. Used to the work flow, I bought the first used Macbookpro with express card reader I could find.
It is soon time to get a new one again.

In your opinion, are the speed differences through the Nexto that noticeable compared to a fast new Macbookpro w/express card reader? As a one man band (most of the time), am I not better off investing in a new Macbookpro 17″ and an external hard drive? (I use a 2TB G-Raid).

Thank you for your time,

Alex Vargas
EX1/Elite/Nikon, Zeiss
Macpro 2.1, 3.0 dual quad, 8GB RAM
Macbookpro 15″
FCP 7+
Logic 9+