[Ben Holmes]

Sean

I really hope you’re right. Some are suggesting they could be a lot faster for certain tasks, like H.264 encoding, due to certain routines embedded in the chips.

I fear, based on other info on the architecture, that we will not see the gains until OSX10.6 and FCS3 are a reality, and who knows when that will be. Even then, many gains may be seen on existing 8-core machines.

I’m also watching Barefeats avidly for info – but I’m planning to waiting a while based on current info/pricing, based on their current advice.

Edit Out Ltd
—————————-
FCP Editor/Trainer/System Consultant
EVS/VT Supervisor for live broadcast
RED camera transfer/post
Independent Director/Producer

[Ben Holmes]

I won’t assume you are trying to use an mp3 illegally – many stock music libraries sell audio as mp3 now, and you may (like me) work in an environment where your client (say, a broadcaster) has a blanket agreement to allow the use of all music. Or you may write your own music. Whatever – I’m sure you are aware of copyright laws when it comes to distributing material for profit.

I make regular use in the field of my iTunes library – it would be impossible to carry everything with me any other way.

You’ve probably noticed by now that FCP doesn’t like mp3’s. Oddly, iMovie has never been so squeamish about it. There are, however, solutions.

For many years, I’ve burnt the track I needed to a CD, then dragged the AIFF into my media folder, and imported that into FCP. At a few pence/cents a black CD, it’s pretty quick and easy – if a little crude.

Alternatively, you can now use Digital-Heaven’s excellent ‘Loader’ – for a small price this automates this process, and does a lot more besides. Highly recommended:

https://www.digital-heaven.co.uk/loader

Hope that helps.

Edit Out Ltd
—————————-
FCP Editor/Trainer/System Consultant
EVS/VT Supervisor for live broadcast
RED camera transfer/post
Independent Director/Producer

[Ben Holmes]

[Peter Corbett] “With the release of the new Xeon “Nehalem” processors, what would be the best bang-per-buck for general Final Cut Pro use? “

A refurb/reseller discounted 3.2/3.0Ghz last gen Xeon. Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like the new machines will be any faster per dollar spent, and an 8-core machine is likely to be the best way forward with 10.6 and (maybe) FCS3 some months/years away. Of course, if you have the cash for an 8-core, 2.93 Ghz machine, it’s gonna be a screamer…

You’ll get cheaper RAM, FW400 and 800 connections (yes, I know about 400/800 leads), a gfx card with 2 DVI connections, a proven architecture and compatibility.

Leave these new machines to the early adopter ‘must have’ types – I think most pro’s will stick for a little while.

Ben

Edit Out Ltd
—————————-
FCP Editor/Trainer/System Consultant
EVS/VT Supervisor for live broadcast
RED camera transfer/post
Independent Director/Producer

[Ben Holmes]

I’d post this on the RED forum on the COW – you’ll probably find the answer there.

Edit Out Ltd
—————————-
FCP Editor/Trainer/System Consultant
EVS/VT Supervisor for live broadcast
RED camera transfer/post
Independent Director/Producer

[Ben Holmes]

[John Kersten] “Should I be worried about disks overheating inside an enclosure?”

Not if you buy a decent drive, and are not planning to shoot and edit in the Gobi desert.

I’ll spare you the usual “I use these” answers – there are plenty of good, reliable eSATA drives advertised to the left and right of this post.

If you want a good balance of speed/safety, I’d go with a RAID 5 system for editing. For field storage and backup, mirroring is fine, but I wouldn’t edit with both drives connected, just use one to backup captured media.

Ben

Edit Out Ltd
—————————-
FCP Editor/Trainer/System Consultant
EVS/VT Supervisor for live broadcast
RED camera transfer/post
Independent Director/Producer

[Ben Holmes]

Exactly the point I made above to David. The comparison of the new 2.26 to the old 3.2 8-cores is really the relevant one – as they are approximately the same price.

I’m reserving judgement until barefeats get their hands on one, and benchmark it.

Edit Out Ltd
—————————-
FCP Editor/Trainer/System Consultant
EVS/VT Supervisor for live broadcast
RED camera transfer/post
Independent Director/Producer

[Ben Holmes]

Oops – didn’t see your reply…

Edit Out Ltd
—————————-
FCP Editor/Trainer/System Consultant
EVS/VT Supervisor for live broadcast
RED camera transfer/post
Independent Director/Producer

[Ben Holmes]

Use travel matte luma as usual, apply the ‘invert’ filter to the alpha layer. Done.

Edit Out Ltd
—————————-
FCP Editor/Trainer/System Consultant
EVS/VT Supervisor for live broadcast
RED camera transfer/post
Independent Director/Producer

[Ben Holmes]

Choose the PAL DV Easy setup. Check that video is not disabled on the audio/video section of the log and capture window. Check your firewire connection – power down the computer, disconnect deck, repower computer, connect deck, open FCP.

Any joy?

Edit Out Ltd
—————————-
FCP Editor/Trainer/System Consultant
EVS/VT Supervisor for live broadcast
RED camera transfer/post
Independent Director/Producer

[Ben Holmes]

A little research shows that the 2.26Ghz Xeon sells for around $500 and the 2.93Ghz for around $1600. That’s volume pricing by the way.

So that’s a couple of grand more chips in there….

(Prices very approx – official price list for volume does not list these processors yet)

Edit Out Ltd
—————————-
FCP Editor/Trainer/System Consultant
EVS/VT Supervisor for live broadcast
RED camera transfer/post
Independent Director/Producer