[Andrew Kimery]

What are your exact sequence settings and what is the specific, step by step process you’ve used to export the footage so far?

3.2GHz 8-core, FCP 6.0.4, 10.5.5
Blackmagic Multibridge Eclipse (6.8.1)

[Andrew Kimery]

Back-up storage and redundant storage are two separate things. RAID 1 and RAID 5, for example, offer redundant storage which helps minimize downtime if a drive fails but they are not a back-up solution. If a power spike fries your gear or you accidently delete a file a mirrored RAID won’t help. For back-up and/or archival storage data tape is the best way to go. If that’s not an option for you then I’d suggest mirrored hard disk back-ups.

For example, what we use at work is a WiebeTech RTX-200 QR enclosure to make mirrored, HDD back-ups. This enclosure is designed to swap drives in and out so we just pop in pair of drives, back-up the data, pop the drives out and store them on a shelf (WiebeTech also sells plastic cases to store the drives in). We spin the drives periodically to check their integrity and the only problem we’ve run into so far is the firmware problem that some Seagate drives had a year or so ago.

I’d find a quality RAID that’s big enough to hold your active projects and then keep all of your back-ups and/or archived material on a completely different system. And remember, if it’s not saved in two different places it’s not saved at all. 😉

-Andrew

3.2GHz 8-core, FCP 6.0.4, 10.5.5
Blackmagic Multibridge Eclipse (6.8.1)

[Andrew Kimery]

I could pretty much say the same things about FCP, Grin. People are questioning Apple’s commitment to the post industry, some software is only getting ‘up keep’ type updates (ex. the current version of DVD Studio Pro is 5 yrs old this month), etc.,. I look at Avid and, especially given the work environment I’m in, I see things like media management, asset management, open timeline (that works right), script sync, AMA, a better multi-user environment, etc., and I start turning green w/envy.

I know Adrenaline burned a lot of people but when I look back at what Avid, as well as Adobe, have been doing over the past 3-4 years they just seem like they’ve got more fire in their belly than Apple does w/regards to post.

I still say your grass is greener. 😉

-Andrew

3.2GHz 8-core, FCP 6.0.4, 10.5.5
Blackmagic Multibridge Eclipse (6.8.1)

[Andrew Kimery]

I guess the grass is always greener on the other side ’cause as someone who has been cutting on FCP the past 4-5 years (after nearly as long working solely w/Avid) I look at the new features Avid, and to a lesser extent Adobe, have been rolling out the last few years and I want in on that action.

-Andrew

3.2GHz 8-core, FCP 6.0.4, 10.5.5
Blackmagic Multibridge Eclipse (6.8.1)

[Andrew Kimery]

[David Roth Weiss] “They’ve actually had several talks on this subject, but Rafael continues to tout Pro Res HQ come Hell or high water despite Gary’s attempts to dissuade him. Rafael is very stubborn on this one particular issue for some reason.”

I’ve noticed.

-Andrew

3.2GHz 8-core, FCP 6.0.4, 10.5.5
Blackmagic Multibridge Eclipse (6.8.1)

[Andrew Kimery]

[Rafael Amador] “Which tests are you talking about?
Quick tests and sporadic observations means nothing.
If you want to know how a codec should be tested, see the work of Marco Solorio.
Your work may be very creative, but your tools are pure science.
rafael “

I was referring to the write up about ProRes that Gary Adcock did.
ProRes: A Closer Look (it’s the first hit). If you have problems w/the methodology talk to Gary not me.

In Gary’s tests ProRes ran smoother than ProRes HQ, in my admittedly casual test ProRes rendered faster than ProRes HQ and the OP said that ProRes rendered faster than ProRes HQ. I don’t need to use the scientific method in order to look outside my window and say whether or not it’s raining.

-Andrew

3.2GHz 8-core, FCP 6.0.4, 10.5.5
Blackmagic Multibridge Eclipse (6.8.1)

[Andrew Kimery]

What ‘type’ of HD are you working with? Have you asked the animator to give you files that match the size and frame rate that you are working in? If it is impossible for the animator to give you the files in the correct size you could use Compressor to transcode the animations into what you need.

W/regards to your Q about the JPEG images, are you watching this on your computer monitor or on a broadcast monitor?

-Andrew

3.2GHz 8-core, FCP 6.0.4, 10.5.5
Blackmagic Multibridge Eclipse (6.8.1)

[Andrew Kimery]

I did a quick test and 1 min of XDCAM EX 1080p30 footage rendered in a ProRes 422 sequence took about 10% less than time than the same clip in a ProRes 422 HQ sequence. Not exhaustive testing by any means, but there it is.

I have read the ProRes white papers and I’ve also read numerous posts referencing Gary Adcock’s test results about when ProRes HQ makes a difference and when it does not.

-Andrew

3.2GHz 8-core, FCP 6.0.4, 10.5.5
Blackmagic Multibridge Eclipse (6.8.1)

[Andrew Kimery]

A beefier GFX card will improve performance in Motion and Color but not so much in FCP.

3.2GHz 8-core, FCP 6.0.4, 10.5.5
Blackmagic Multibridge Eclipse (6.8.1)

[Andrew Kimery]

Well, it sounds like the playback display is the issue because you are not getting any playback on the display. 😉

Since you’ve made sure your Video Playback settings in FCP match your Sequence settings I’d try reinstalling the drivers for your I/O card and/or contacting the maker of the card for tech support. Have you tried just powering the whole machine down and rebooting?

3.2GHz 8-core, FCP 6.0.4, 10.5.5
Blackmagic Multibridge Eclipse (6.8.1)