Gary Bettan
Forum Replies Created
-
Videoguys is a ProAvio dealer. We tested the drive and we liked the performance. For under $1,000 the 8TB model is a great value. eSATA, USB3 & FW800.
https://www.videoguys.com/Brand/Proavio.aspx
Gary
COW members get 5% OFF with Coupon COW5OFF
https://www.videoguys.com 800 323-2325 | We are the video editing and production experts!
-
The COW5OFF coupon is for purchases at Videoguys.com only
Gary
COW members get 5% OFF with Coupon COW5OFF
https://www.videoguys.com 800 323-2325 | We are the video editing and production experts!
-
We just posted out updated Thunderbolt Guide. In it we spec out what we recommend for configuring your iMac for video editing.
Videoguys’ 2013 Update on Thunderbolt
Gary
COW members get 5% OFF with Coupon COW5OFF
https://www.videoguys.com 800 323-2325 | We are the video editing and production experts!
-
I’ve read the same stuff, but I’ve also spoken to product & engineering guys who tell me there is no hard technical reason why this can’t work. It’s one of Apple (and possibly Intel as well) not giving them access or support to make it happen. So it stays on my wish list!
Gary
COW members get 5% OFF with Coupon COW5OFF
https://www.videoguys.com 800 323-2325 | We are the video editing and production experts!
-
Larry Jordan has posted some great articles on configuring a new iMac for video editing. We posted this one on our blog https://www.videoguys.com/Blog/K/iMac/Larry+Jordan+Editing+with+the+New+iMacs/0x3253f24285d94934c2dd5261f2d31e7b.aspx
We’re in the process of updating our Thunderbolt Guide. (should be posted tomorrow) https://www.videoguys.com/Guide/E/Videoguys+Guide+to+Thunderbolt+July+2012+Update/0x3eed8c5e8ed41e21f4e9636e7c732480.aspx
In the update I give this advice:
What iMac configuration does Videoguys recommend?
We get asked all the time what kind of computer you need to run the latest NLE software. On the Windows side this is a complicated answer with many options. With a Mac it’s easier to answer. If you go with the higher end model iMacs, Mac Minis or Mac Book Pros with i7 quad-core processors you will get excellent results.
If you want the best configuration for a new iMac for video editing, Videoguys recommends the 27 inch iMac with:• Intel Core i7 processor
• 32GB RAM
• 1TB Fusion Drive
• NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680MX GPUThis is a fully loaded machine, and it’s going to cost you about $3K, but it will run any Mac based NLE great and has all the power you need for all HD tapeless workflows.
If are on a tight budget the first place to look to save is by dropping down to the GTX 675MX GPU which will save you $150, the next place to cut is your RAM, down to 16G, but we can’t recommend going down to just 8GB. That brings the cost down below $2500. If you are serious about editing video on a new iMac, that’s the bottom. While you can configure the 21.5″ model with an i7 processor, you are limited to the GTX 650M GPU, which only has 512MB of RAM, which just isn’t going to cut it.Gary
COW members get 5% OFF with Coupon COW5OFF
https://www.videoguys.com 800 323-2325 | We are the video editing and production experts!
-
From our perspective when Apple jumped to the Intel Xeons, they caught up to HP. For both performance and value. When the XP8400 was the workstation of choice on the PC side, the 2nd gen Mac Pro w Intel was just as solid a performer and value. I actually gave Mac Pro an edge then, because the 3rd party hardware folks had much tighter drivers for Mac Pro then Win.
With the z800 series HP jumped ahead, Apple gained some ground, but the lack of GPU support was an big issue. Mac Pro was still a good a value, but a z800 offered more performance and options.
As we all know with the z820 and new Dell workstations, the Mac Pro is now very far behind.
I’ll go back to the original post. I don’t see Apple releasing a new Mac Pro this year. I’d love to see them push technology forward, but I just don’t see it happening. Big high end hardware does not match up with their current corporate strategies or goals. Of course, that can change at any time, and with Apple NO ONE knows anything, we are all speculating.
Happy New Year to all!
Gary
COW members get 5% OFF with Coupon COW5OFF
https://www.videoguys.com 800 323-2325 | We are the video editing and production experts!
-
Craig, some very good points.
I don’t see Apple releasing a multiple XEON CPU computer with multiple 16x (or faster) PCIe slots. It’s just not that lucrative a market and HP / Dell are far ahead of the current Mac Pro.
I don’t see them sticking with only mobile platforms either.
Below is not my speculation, but a kind of dream/wish list:
What if Apple released a scalable solution, perhaps built around optical Thunderbolt, that would allow users to add additional performance as needed. A modular system that would include the ability to add a GPU module or additional CPUs or huge banks of memory. Now that would be sweet!
So you get a base iMac Pro, then you can attach via optical thunderbolt a Mac Mini like device that accepts multiple GPU. Or an external box filled with RAM or additional CPUs.
When the Sony Playstation 3 first released, I heard rumors about the engineers in Japan running Vegas Pro on multiple Playstations pooling their CPUs together for massive acceleration. Something that never materialized, but really opened my eyes to the potential. Could optical thunderbolt be the missing link for this??
Gary
COW members get 5% OFF with Coupon COW5OFF
https://www.videoguys.com 800 323-2325 | We are the video editing and production experts!
-
nice post.
Now that Apple has finally given us Mac Book Pro w/ Retina and iMacs that have NVIDIA GPUs, we can finally run Adobe CS6 on them without having to sacrifice performance. This is a huge upgrade, and as I said initially, it means that with these models they can cover the bulk of the NLE business. I use the 90% figure, feel free to use your own.
I’ll go back to my original rant. With 90% of the market covered, and the new FCPX driving even more sales at $299, I just don’t see Apple needing or wanting to stay in the high end workstation market. I know Apple editors WANT a new Mac Pro, I just don’t think it’s going to happen. I’m thinking we may get a hybrid type machine – call it an iMac Pro or even a Mac Mini Pro. I can even see Apple designing a new expandability that allows you to cluster them into a more powerful beast. I just don’t see them actually ever releasing a new line of hi end workstations. But once agoan, that’;s just my opinion.
Gary
COW members get 5% OFF with Coupon COW5OFF
https://www.videoguys.com 800 323-2325 | We are the video editing and production experts!
-
Jeremy, you make a very good point about Apple’s channel plans. I don’t have any idea on that, because Apple keeps sending VARs mixed signals as well.
Pro Video VARs can’t hit their sales goals anymore selling just video. If you can’t hit your goals, you can’t make good profit margins. It becomes a downward spiral that threatens your business model. You have to branch out into other areas, beyond video. Not everyone can successfully do that. Many have shifted away from Apple or away from video, or BOTH. As a result Apples core Video VAR channel is a shell of what it once was.
WOW! This has really exploded into a great discussion thread. I appreciates everyone’s opinions, feedback and speculations.
Gary
COW members get 5% OFF with Coupon COW5OFF
https://www.videoguys.com 800 323-2325 | We are the video editing and production experts!
-
Brett,
I hope you are right and that we do see a really new, really powerful Mac pro. I just don’t believe we will. It is just my opinion based on the info I have and talking to people I respect in the industry.
It’s OK to disagree and it’s OK to question my motives. While I don’t sell computers, I definitely do sell video editing software, hardware, storage, plug-ins, I/O peripherals and more.
And to be fair – I’m always selling!
I’ll be the first to admit that my reviews and articles are biased towards selling more stuff. But I also think I try to be fair and objective at the same time. I took a ton of heat for killing FCPX a few weeks prior to it’s release, based on all the info I was able to gather post NAB. I felt pretty sure it was going to leave my professional post customers short. And I was spot on!The funny thing is I like FCPX, I think Apple added some amazing new features and performance. I LOVE the magnetic timeline, but I know it’s not for everyone. (I also like the Avid Smart Tool, while most pros initially hated it, and some still do) But I also understand how FCPX falls short for my professional customers workflows. FCPX is getting better, but so are the other NLEs that compete with it!
Great discussion here. Everyone have a great New Year.
Gary
https://www.videoguys.comCOW members get 5% OFF with Coupon COW5OFF
https://www.videoguys.com 800 323-2325 | We are the video editing and production experts!