[Ben Holmes]

Explain to your IT dept that USB (assume USB2) will not handle the sustained transfer speeds needed for video. It tends to deliver data inconsistently, and as such is totally unsuitable for video editing. You were lucky you got away with it for a while. FW, eSATA or TB are infinitely preferable, but you should still insist on pro-video vendors like G-Tech or Caldigit who fit RAID controllers in drives that will sustain good data rates when the drives fill. Oh – and don’t get cheap – losing data to cheap drive failure is an expensive business. Point out the cost of a single reshoot.

Ben

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[Ben Holmes]

Hi Becky

There’s no real mystery with installing both FCP7 and FCPX. The issue is that both apps are called ‘FCP’, so it won’t let you put both in the root of the Application folder without over-writing one. I have no idea why Apple thought this was a good idea, but…

… Good news – you don’t need to set up seperate partitions or bootable volumes or any of the recommended ‘safe’ options. All you need to do is put whichever you install first in its own folder WITHIN the apps folder. I have done this both ways around with no problems : If you install FCS first, why not make a folder called ‘Final Cut Studio’ in your apps folder and drop FCP7, Soundtrack, etc in it. Now you can install FCPX from the App store. Otherwise, install FCPX first, then drop it in a folder called ‘FCPX’ you’ve created in the Applications folder.

In my own experience, and those of everyone else here, such as Shane Ross, there are no ill effects from running both versions on the same install. The only reason for maintaining dual-boots of OSX would be if different versions of the OS were recommended for different versions of FCP. However, up to 10.7.4 this is not the case – both run fine on Lion. Anecdotal evidence is that Mountain Lion is fine as well, but it will be a while before I make that leap.

Hope that helps!

Ben

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[Ben Holmes]

Hopefully this should answer some of your questions:

https://forums.creativecow.net/thread/8/1161034

Bottom line – both the current OS and the Retina MBP are fine with 7.0.3 – the only issue I’m having is the ‘change resolution’ bug where FCP needs you to turn on and off external video monitoring when you change resolutions – which you will do with the Retina. In addition, the HDMI output doesn’t seem to give smooth playback when used for video monitoring in desktop preview mode of external video settings.

The weirdest thing about the retina display is how it looks pin sharp at any resolution – I use FCP7 mostly in the ‘more space’ mode which apes the 1920×1200 display on my old 17″ MBP, and it looks great.

I love the retina – the size makes a difference when travelling, and the twin thunderbolt and HDMI outputs make extending to other screens and fast storage very easy. Oh- and the 512Gb of FLASH storage is stupidly fast (I could actually recommend occasionally editing off it – and viewing broadcast masters) and makes the high price tag actually look somewhat reasonable.

Ben

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[Ben Holmes]

USB2 or USB3?

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[Ben Holmes]

Speaking as ‘that guy’ I’d say it’s really a personal preference here.

I’d go for 16gb ram for starters (not sure if that’s an option for the normal MBP) – I’ve found it makes a massive difference having more apps open – and you will see a benefit in FCPX.

Beyond that, it depends on whether or not you prefer size over upgradability – either are fine machines, but I found the 512Gb flash drive (faster than the 256gb SSD I think) with the 2.6gb retina too good to miss. It means you can even store some broadcast-quality media for viewing/editing – something I’d never otherwise recommend. On the other hand, if you don’t care about the extra speed, you can fit a larger HDD in the standard MBP. Not sure I see the point of bumping up the cost of the standard MBP over the ‘standard’ Flash storage in the retina.

One thing – I’d go thunderbolt for storage, over USB3 – although I use one for transfers to and from other computers.

Either way – you’ll be happy.

Ben

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[Ben Holmes]

Amen to that Steve – shame it won’t happen. I still recall training at a UK sports-based TV channel that had NO video monitors in 4 FCP suites. The material and channel output were interlaced. Oh dear…

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[Ben Holmes]

You need to check the anamorphic flag for the footage as well – in the browser window. If you scroll across all the columns available there you will find one call ‘anamorphic’ which you can tick. To save time, drag the column across to the name so you can browse it easier.

Ben

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[Ben Holmes]

[John Collucci] “I am curious about what caused your HDMI output judder. Have you previously used that display as a client monitor without issue?”

OK – few more test done now. I’ve successfully connected my Thunderbolt Lacie drive and MXO2 to the laptop. Output from the MXO2 via HDMI to my TV is smooth – no frames dropped.

Output direct via HDMI has juddering – whatever the settings. And yes – I’ve matched the TV to 50Hz with 50i material etc.

I’m going to post findings above.

Ben

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[Ben Holmes]

Further testing using my rMBP with my Samsung TV has failed to produce smooth motion on the HDMI output – I get some juddering frames. The same output in FCPX seems smoother.

Please note – this is not a scientific test. Your mileage may vary. Also, this is feeding external monitoring via the ‘desktop preview’ route – not via a video I/O device. There are 3 options – normal, full screen and ‘raw’ via HDMI. All show juddering.

Ben

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[Ben Holmes]

[John Collucci] “I am curious about what caused your HDMI output judder. Have you previously used that display as a client monitor without issue?”

No I haven’t. I tested the Macbook at home, with my 46″ Samsung series 7 LCDTV. I have a JVC 24″ HD-SDI monitor I use for broadcast monitoring.

I couldn’t call this a scientific test – but what I can say is that I left the TV set up how I use it with my Apple TV and Sat box – and the monitor settings in display prefs were set to 1920×1080 50Hz. The material was 1080i HD video.

I’m going to test the MXO2 tomorrow, and will compare the HDMI output from this with the laptop itself. I’ll give it a more thorough testing and report back – but again, I can only try this on my own HDTV.

Ben

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