Chris Lund
Forum Replies Created
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After getting a response elsewhere, I discovered my main problem was not having matching settings – now that HD camcorder and FCP device control / capture / sequence settings are all HDV 30, I can import to FCP.
Which just leaves the question of whether there is any advantage to having a separate capture card or deck?
Chris Lund
Mac Pro, 2 x 2.66 GHz xeon dual core, 7GB RAM
MacBook Pro, 2.4 GHz dual core, 4GB RAM -
I’ve been checking out the FCS2 Tutorial DVD and it takes a different approach than last time around.
With FCS 1.5 (Academic) I received (1) a video DVD with tutorial clips, and (2) an Apple data DVD looking exactly like the others and entitled “Final Cut Studio Tutorials” containing project files for Final Cut Pro, Soundtrack Pro, Motion and DVD Studio Pro. (The data disc was not labeled Academic or Educational.) The video tutorials began with an overview of each app, then stepped the user through a “how to” utilizing content from the data disc. Only a couple of processes were covered per app, but being new to FCS at the time, I did check them out.
The new FCS2 (Academic) video DVD is limited to overviews showing what’s new in FCS2. The lessons begin with content already in place and do not step the user through specific processes. This is probably fine if you’re already up to speed with FCS 1.x, just not so helpful for new users.
Chris Lund
Media Director
Wenatchee Free Methodist Church -
Since you’ve already received specific hardware recommendations, I’ll just give you my input from two perspectives. First, I have edited with FCP 1.5 on an iMac G5, a MacBook Pro and now a Mac Pro. There is no comparison to the speed I have experienced with the Intel based Macs. Even after being spoiled by my Mac Pro/Quad Core early this year, I was impressed how well a MacBook Pro with the Intel Core Duo and just 1GB RAM did editing a couple video projects. They weren’t very ambitious projects, but I was not at all disappointed. Then I had to work on an old project at home using my year-old iMac G5, and let’s just say I was very disappointed!
Secondly, I sympathize and applaud you making the step from PC/Premiere to Mac/FCP. I have used only Macs at home for almost 20 years, and only PC’s at work for 11 years (not by choice!). I’ve been satisfied with the Adobe Production Studio capabilities for the past 4-5 years, but it has been well worth my time learning FCS so that I can finally use Macs for video editing. Not only is it a more enjoyable experience, my productivity rose almost instantly since I wasn’t having to solve software/hardware problems all the time. I haven’t had time to learn Color yet, so I still use After Effects on my PC now and then…. Although I’m glad to see Adobe finally releasing Mac video apps again, I can’t see them being worth my investment.
Chris Lund
Media Director
Wenatchee Free Methodist Church -
I recently uninstalled FCS 1.5 (including FCP5) and installed FCS6. I’ve been able to run all apps successfully, which leaves me to wonder how you uninstalled FCP5. If you don’t find another less comprehensive solution, here’s how I made the move up to FCS2.
After much searching of forums and even an unproductive phone call to Apple, I did the most complete uninstall I could short of removing content files, as follows:
1) Followed detailed advice posted on Apple’s message board under the topic, “how do i uninstall final cut pro?”
2) Followed the same general pattern for the other apps in FCS. Not all use the same prefs or system files, there are only so many places Mac OS X saves these files.
3) Did manual searches for files containing FCS app names just in case.
4) Ran Disk Utility to clean up disk permissions and verify disk.
5) Ran Tech Tool Pro to check for everything else (okay, so I like to be thorough with my diagnostics, I admit it!)
6) Posted a note on Apple’s forum requesting they include an Uninstall app with their programs!Chris Lund
Media Director
Wenatchee Free Methodist Church -
I have opened a few FCP5 projects in FCP6 (from FC Studio 2 Academic) without problems. I did get a warning the file would need to be updated, then making it unusable by FCP5, which I did not mind doing but I would probably save the new project file separately just in case.
Chris Lund
Media Director
Wenatchee Free Methodist Church -
I’ve been searching various forums for advice on how much RAM to buy for Final Cut Pro Studio 2, with little success. In case you are still looking for input, I’m using a MacPro Quad Core with 5GB RAM bought from Crucial after many recommendations. I chose the Radeon X1900 card because I just wanted the best speed and monitor options, even though I don’t have Apple’s Cinema Displays. I also did quite some research and bought 3 WD 500GB HD (model WD5000AAKS) from NewEgg for only $140/ea, and have been extremely pleased. Now that RAM prices have dropped so low, I’m trying to decide whether to fill the remaining slots with 1GB or 2GB modules – for once I can afford the 2x2GB but don’t want to buy more than I’ll really use….
Chris Lund, Media Director, Wenatchee Free Methodist Church