Ben Holmes
Forum Replies Created
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Yes. It has (or had) the same graphics processor as the MacBookPro.
The main limitation is the firewire port, as you can’t expand anything else.
Ben
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What format? A Macbook limits you to firewire 400, so you can only work with and capture DV quality codecs. Other than that, most of it should run well enough.
Ben
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You sound like you’re past the basic answers, but just in case, have you made sure you’re not rendering whites to superwhite in the render options?
Just thought I’d check…
Ben
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John
You can use compressor to do a standards conversion, or use the excellent Nattress plug-in. Doing what you suggest will not fix the differences in frame rate, and may cause scaling issues due to the different number of lines.
Ben
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[Mark Job] ” Can FCS2 be run on a MAC mini ? “
No. not any more, although I still use mine occasionally for the odd encode in DVDSP.
[Mark Job] “There are three main tasks we do for our own productions and for our clients. They are as follows…….
1. Batch Capture VHS,BetaCam SP(Via RS-422),and HDV to edit. “
Then you need a MacPro with a decent capture card. I have spent the last few years using Kona gear – it’s excellent but pricey. I now use a Decklink Multibridge, which is excellent value (half the price of the AJA IO HD) and supports everything from Uncompressed 4:4:4 HD to HDV. It even has an HDMI output, so you can use a cheaper monitor until you can spend out on a pricier model.
Get 4 gig of RAM for it to start – OWC (www.macsales.com) can sell you it for a couple of hundred dollars. I have 8 gb in mine, but 4 will do you. Fit 3 extra SATA drives inside the Mac Pro for a rapid and reliable video array (3x500Gb drives is CHEAP, and quick, look on OWC). You will love how easy it is to fit the RAM and drives in the machine, and the card for the multibridge – you don’t even need a screwdriver. The whole thing will cost you a few thousand dollars, and will be a very powerful system. Get the lower specced Mac Pro, 2.8 Ghz – it’s still a screamer for your work.
[Mark Job] “2. Output to SD DVD. “
DVD Studio Pro is excellent for SD DVD work – quick and powerful – and Motion let’s you create great menus. If you prefer to run after effects or CS3, go ahead and use that, but it’s mostly all there in FCS2.
[Mark Job] “3. Output to web formats (Flash 8 & WMV) “
Well – that’s not FCS’s forte, for sure. I would recommend Flip4Mac pro for wmv exports, and the Adobe Flash exporter, but there are more experienced people than me who can help you with this. It’s doable, for sure.
Can you do all this for $1000-1500? Not really, but you can do it for cheap. Get a basic capture card (say the basic decklink card), an internal array, some RAM and FCS2. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.
Ben
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Zack
Neither. Get an external drive and use it for your media. Using the internal drive is just not a good idea.
Ben
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The raw footage will not be improved, no. However, greater accuracy when adjusting clips can improve the results for treated footage, for example removing some banding issues, or at least not worsening them. Let’s say you have a sunset shot, and you bring the video levels up on it. Doing that on footage that has been converted to uncompressed may yield better results, but will not remove the original banding completely – just not add to it.
DVCPro is a pretty good codec however – I’d want a good reason to move to uncompressed. It certainly won’t help with things like keying. That depends on the quality of the original, and you can never improve on that.
Ben
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Just a thought (you may already know), but you don’t have Perian installed on your system do you? Causes havoc with P2 and AVCHD transfers.
Ben
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Mike
Converting to a 10 bit codec will give less banding issues if you treat or colour correct the footage, but at the expense of file size. Prores HQ is 10 bit, and keeps the files and bitrates sensible. You’ll also need faster drives for uncompressed (obviously).
Hope that helps.
Ben
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Aaron
Not ideal, I know, but if you just dial back that red a little, it will improve the transfer considerably, and still look vivid enough in most cases – around 80% should do it.
Best I got for you.
Ben