David Johnson
Forum Replies Created
-
I don’t claim to be an expert on building/fixing computers of either platform, so I can only tell you of my own experiences and my understanding from reliable sources I’ve read and knowledgable people I’ve talked to.
With that said, AMD processors are usually faster and cheaper (what a combo!) than Intel. I’m less certain about this one, but believe that AMD’s Opteron processors are better for video/mograph work. You’ll also want a graphics/video card recommneded by Adobe and as much RAM as you can afford (comparable to a G5…ours have 2Gb and dual 2Gb CPUs).
I wouldn’t recommend using the Dells for a couple reasons. Pre-built/pre-loaded systems typically have a lot of crap on them that may be harmless to the average web surfer, but can cause problems for “power-users”. I’d highly recommend a “pretty hefty powerhouse PC” to the degree budget will allow. People often compare G5s to run-of-the-mill PCs and deduce that Macs are better/more stable…consider a G5 cost several thousand so you need a PC in that range, if you expect the same level of performance. A G5 is top-of-the-line from a company that makes very little for low-end users, while Windows-based systems are made at many more levels to meet the needs of ANYONE. I’d recommend buying PCs intended as NLEs from a company with a good reputation for building PCs specifcally for that purpose, if not a “turn-key” system. For example, while I don’t have personal experience with them, I’ve heard good things about https://www.adkvideoediting.com/ and am considering them for my next system.
Keep in mind, video editing/mograph are among the most difficult things you can ask a computer to do. So, NLEs of either platform should be considered “special use” systems that shouldn’t be treated like any old computer. Your IT dept. may have a few people who are more familiar with these types of systems and you may be able to get maintenance of your NLEs assigned to a specific tech(s).
As someone accustomed to the Mac world, also understand that you MUST protect PCs from viruses, worms, adware, spyware, etc. or they can be rendered useless very quickly. It can be done sucessfully and is not hard, but you have to do it right and immediately. I have NEVER had a virus, spyware or the like on ANY of my PCs because I never let them see the web, a network or external drive until they are properly firewalled, have the best up-to-date anti-virus/internet security software (Trend Micro) with regularly and/or automatically updated virus definitions, and are NEVER touched by ANYONE who is not knowledgable enough to avoid doing anything to put them at risk. You should also avoid loading up any NLE with a lot of uneccesary software (especially freeware or other unproven/unsupported software).
I hope this info prevents you from having to learn some of these things the hard way. Best of luck.
-
Did you happen to “move” the file via a CD-ROM from a PC with any O/S prior to XP? Not sure if this applies when going to a Mac, but when you transfer files via CD (even between two PCs with O/S prior to XP) the files are automatically Read-Only until you change it in the properties. Maybe that’s waht’s happening, but the Mac doesn’t allow you to change the Windows set Read-Only property. Either way, a workaround might be doing a Save As on the Mac instead of trying to overwrite the original file.
I doubt this is the problem, but other cross-paltform issues to consider are that the Mac may not like a long file name that Windows has no problem with or the Mac may not like the file extension used by Windows since it doesn’t typically use extensions.
-
I’m in exactly the same situation you described, but the decisions you’re trying to make were made before I got there. They went with Macs (even though we have an IT dept of 3000 that will not provide ANY support for the Macs) and I suffer from that decison every day.
That’s not a condemantion of Macs…just an agreement with the points Mylenium made.The bottom line is that, the recipients of our productions are almost exclusively Windows users…that’s especially true in my situation since we’re in the financial industry. On a daily basis, I deal with a variety of issues related to all the cross-platform work. One small example is that PCs have no problem with Mac file types (MOV, AIF, etc.), but Macs do have problems with AVIs and even some MPGs (in AE).
Keep in mind that print designers/artists don’t have nearly as many issues working on Macs because they don’t have to try to integrate the variety of hardware, software and other equipment required for video/mograph work…just a Mac and the software. And, in my opinion, there are no longer any compelling reasons to do creative work on Macs only…those days are long gone.
As far as going from Avid to FCP, keep in mind that, even though Avid may not be perfect, their systems are undeniably PRO-level NLEs that have been proven in the industry over many, many years…despite the hype, FCP is a pro-sumer level system that is not proven and is very buggy…something it’s advocates (many of whom have never worked on a true PRO-level NLE) ALWAYS fail to mention (I use FCP now, although not by choice).
About conversion & compression software, I started using Media Cleaner at version 3 and was previously a big advocate of the software. However, it sverely went down hill after version 5 and is very buggy (as user comments on Discreet’s own site will prove). I now consider Canopus ProCoder the best conversion & compression software (Ben Waggoner, a well-known media compression guru/author, says the same on the COW and other forums…do a search for comparisons).
At work, we use ProTools for audio, but I use both Adobe Audition and Sound Forge at home and like both of them very much (in that order).
Hope my 2 cents helps you avoid a lot of headaches and sleepless nights.
-
Glad to be some help, but wish your problem was actually resolved. There might be something lingering from the adware/spyware you found since they can be extremely hard to eliminate…the best solution is prevention.
According to the https://www.answersthatwork.com/ task list, “ctfmon.exe” is a standard part of XP. You’re right that you should get the PC looked at since it could be a hardware problem or something else.
The best of us have dealt with similar problems…the most important thing is that you learn from the experience and protect your PC…especially if it makes your living.
Good luck.
-
Search the COW for a more definitive answer, but if I recall correctly, PS plugins haven’t worked in AE since AE6.
-
Not to overstate the obvious, but a virus scan won’t do much good if 1) virus definitons aren’t current 2) the problem is spyware, adware or the like, which can have a similar effect in that they hog system resources without you knowing.
That’s where the Task Manager (and/or software like SpyBot) comes in for diagnostic purposes (a firewall and/or softwre like Symantec Internet Security can help with prevention). If you’re not already familar with the Task Manager, I won’t be able to give you an adequate explanation here…plus it’s only helpful when you’ve got a reference point. For example, I always take a screenshot of the processes running in a systems TM as soon as the system is first fully loaded (O/S & all critical software & drivers), but before it ever sees the web or a network. That way, I can compare that list to the TM at any time to see if there’s something running in the background that shouldn’t be (adware, spyware, virus, etc.).
The TM basically lists all the processes (software, etc.) that are running on your PC, tells you how your system’s resources are being used and allows you to force quit processes when necessary. But, I wouldn’t suggest messing with it if you don’t know what you’re doing. We’re getting way off the topic of PS problems so you’re best bet is probabaly to get an IT pro to look at your system then, once the problem is resolved, make sure it is properly protected thereafter. Also, keep in mind there are other things that can cuase similar problems (bad RAM, etc.).
Hope this helps.
-
Dave, thanks for being one of the two who were not so offended by my opinions that you were willing to offer a possible solution. The problem originally occurred when trying to start a new project, but also with many existing projects including ones from the AutoSave vault. Several days later, after repeatedly trashing prefs, restarting the G5, etc. it just mysteriously started working again (not as a result of anything I did). I can do some work now, but the problem was never really diagnosed or resolved so I expect it’ll happen again (this was the second time). Next time I’ll be sure to mention in my post how wonderful FCP is so as not to irritate the FCP Gods.
Cheers. -
Some combination of the following can help some, but the simple answer is to get more RAM. There are probably other options I’ve forgotten to mention, but I’m sure others will chime in. The cons of each method are in parenthesis.
allocate more RAM to AE (too much can also cause problems)
lower resolution (um, lower resolution)
use SHFT+RAM Preview (skips specified number of frames)
turn off layers you don’t need to preview (won’t see complete comp)
buy more RAM ($) -
Point taken. It just seems to me that since the software and O/S are coming from the same place (unlike most NLEs), they should play nicely together without all kinds of workarounds…current versions, that is. My comments weren’t intended as a blanket condemnation of the software…I know many out there are having better luck with it than I. Rather, they’re simple observations based not only on my current problem, but also previous problems in a relatively short time period (on a system that is VERY well maintained by a VERY qualified Mac Tech), as well as the numerous similar posts I’ve read on this and other forums (including Apple’s). Even so, I shouldn’t have let my obvious frustration make it’s way into my attempts to find a solution…I just want to be able to get some work done!
-
Then it seems it is a system problem…investigate everything that has changed between now and when the problem started:
new software/plugin/update installs may have introduced a software conflict
background tasks…one should always be familiar with what should be vs. what is running
downloads may have introduced a virus, spyware or the likeIt sounds very much like something that you don’t know about is using up system resources (CPU, RAM, etc.) so I’d start with a good virus scan, then the task manager (don’t recall what the Mac equivalent is called), but be careful if you’re not familiar with using it.