[Ben Holmes]

I’m aware of the architecture changes David. The point I was making is that Apple compares the 3.2Ghz previous Xeon with the 2.93Ghz Nehalem, quoting speed increases (from memory) of between 2.4 and 1.5x speeds.

Unfortunately, that’s like comparing an old Mac Pro to an iMac, as there’s a massive price difference between these two systems (around £1000 over here plus tax).

Of course, you also get 6Gb of Apple RAM (a pretty inexpensive upgrade) and a newer graphics card.

My point – I will wait to see if the huge price increase on the top end system is justified by the huge performance increase, as these Apple figures are usually – well – a little generous

I’m with Walter – a refurb in the summer would suit me fine.

Ben

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[Ben Holmes]

I think you could say the same thing about the RAM. A classic Apple ploy to regain some marketshare.

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[Ben Holmes]

It’s been a year since the last updates – that’s an eternity even for Apple, who had been updating every six months or so.

None the less, that’s the world of tech for you.

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[Ben Holmes]

[walter biscardi] “What I find really amusing is that Apple recommends 1GB per Core. So why does the 8 core come with 6GB RAM? “

So they can sell you the extra 2Gb as an extra! Why else do this – at one swoop they have ensured you won’t scrap the 2Gb in the machine and buy elsewhere, if you want matching RAM. I’m just trying to figure out if it’s a good deal – and I guess that depends on the processor costs.

I also see from the usual websites the standard keyboard has had the number keys removed (and the middle section as well) although I gather there’s a no-cost option to have the old one somewhere. I’ve got about 4 of them cluttering my desk, so a small one for non-edit work is fine by me…

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[Ben Holmes]

£4,500 for an 8-core 2.93? I think I’ll need to see some FCS benchmarks before I commit the money, as keen as I am to cut HD render times.

Essentially you’re now paying the same for an 8-core 2.26Ghz Nehalem as you were for an 8-core 3.2Ghz previous gen Xeon. That’s 1.4x processor speed difference, so if the benchmarks are around 1.9x faster for the 2.93Ghz Nehalem compared to the 3.2Ghz Xeon, the cost/speed difference is a lot lower than it appears, if you follow me.

I know those new chips are expensive, so it’s not really Apple’s fault – but what’s with Apple’s new policy on RAM? Are they being newly reasonable or ensuring they regain some of the profits going to Crucial et al? Looking forward to seeing a price breakdown as well.

I’m still keen to upgrade one system soon – been waiting a while. Nice to know there’s a higher end solution, at a higher cost…

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[Ben Holmes]

Great – I was looking for a whole new key layout! (English sarcasm alert)

Personal view – due to lag in the system when jog/shuttling through unrendered material on a timeline, I think all wheels are a waste of time in FCP, I prefer a mouse or tablet.

Each to their own – but if you’ve already learnt FCP, why would you want this?

Ben

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[Ben Holmes]

I’ll note that no one is inclined to answer my actual question, although thanks for all the un-asked for assurances about yourselves – I think I’ve been in the industry long enough to filter out opinions given impartially or otherwise, and had long ago decided both you and Shane acted for better motives.

Alas for anyone else who cared, but I saved $700 yesterday. I am still at a loss to understand how the advertising carried here precludes me posting information about someone else having a sale elsewhere (which may be of genuine interest to other users). If the Cow genuinely feels it does, then I feel it have lost sight of the point of forums like this, and the reasons people visit them – impartial imformation and advice. As the post was removed from this specific forum, I have no interest in pursuing it outside here, as this would be the proper place to explain why the post was removed.

Feel free to move along – I have. I thank you all for all the help you have been in so many threads here, and wish you all the best for the future.

All the best,

Ben

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[Ben Holmes]

Walter

I never made any comment about your own advice here – I said that people often respond in relation to equipment questions when they are financially connected to the company – for example people who work for equipment suppliers. I know nothing about your relationship to your suppliers, nor do I care to – you put in a lot of time here on many subjects. None the less, my statement is true, whether you care for it or not.

The post I left (which was there until I refreshed the Cow page this evening) related to a sale promoted by a company with whom I am not a registered user, and which is freely and publically available on their website. Clearly they are making money selling it at this price, and I genuinely thought others might benefit (as I have) from such an unusually big saving on an expensive product.

I’m still confused about why it was removed.

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[Ben Holmes]

How do you expect FCP to create a 5.1 mix and encode from a dual mono timeline? If you have the discrete tracks needed in FCP (because you’ve already done a surround mix), then make sure the sequence settings specifiy (say) 6 audio outputs, all dual mono.

It would be very difficult, however, to create a discrete 5.1 audio mixdown in FCP as there are no surround panning options.

If you want to create a 5.1 mix for output, use Soundtrack Pro. It’s a great surround mixing option, and can output the audio files you need for any use. I export Dolby AC-3 files directly from there to use on DVD or Blu-Ray, and export the video from FCP to match.

Hope this helps.

Ben

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[Ben Holmes]

Got a couple of nice solutions lined up for you Darren – Editshare is a good option definitely.

As ever, the best advice is a good, independent systems integrator.

Don’t go spending all that money on Unity, for a FCP setup – it’s madness!

Speak soon,

Ben

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