[Glenn Payne]

Hmm. I’ll give that a try if i end up getting the new Mac. I guess I’d just link them via a FireWire cable/usb or would I copy files somehow on a jump drive/disc? Sorry, I’m inexperienced in transferring programs from one machine to another.

[Glenn Payne]

Good deal! I believe the version I bought was studio 2. So I wonder how much trouble it will give me to install. Hopefully I can manage a way using those discs.

Thanks!

[Glenn Payne]

Thanks Charlie!
Thanks for the thought on referbs. For some reason that hadn’t even crossed my mind. So it sounds like maxing out the graphics card is the way to go.

Have you personally ever used final cut 7 on a newer machine running Yosemite? I was a bit worried about the older program running on it.

[Glenn Payne]

THANKS so much to everyone for taking the time to respond to my question!
I’ve been editing my own films for years, tho I’ve always used my mac book pro and haven’t dealt with building a system based around editing specs so I’m definitely playing catchup.

I’ve been considering switching from Mac to PC for a while because of the massive amount of issues I’ve had with FCP7. The lack of a built in bluray burning option set me back a good while on my last project as well as some issues with final renders very often coming out flawed requiring attempt after attempt (followed by repeated quality check viewings on my feature film).

I really enjoy the workflow of fcp7 but the output has always given me epic pains. Perhaps my system was never strong enough to begin with. It was purchased quite a few years ago. Sony Vegas comes into play because a filmmaking friend of mine uses it and swears by it. He purchased a new PC system a couple years ago for around $1200 and has edited his feature film with no troubles whatsoever. (we are both using h264 footage from a Canon 60d).

I’ve been using Adobe Encore to burn Blurays and after many trials I’ve had SOME success. I’d love to continue using a mac but the price point difference between a diy PC and a new custom built mac seems to be incredibly large. I’ve never used fcx, but everyone I’ve met that has used it and everything I’ve read about it states that it’s a program to avoid (it’s possible that info is incorrect, just stating that’s the info I’ve gathered).

my friends system looks like this (just fyi):
i7-4770 CPU @ 3.4ghz
8 gb RAM
windows 8
AMD HD 7500 Radion Graphics
Graphic Memory 4,800 dedicated 1,000
1TB hard drive
Dell

I know you can’t have an amazing system for free, but I’m scraping pennies together to make a new system happen so I’m just trying to find the best setup for myself.

I’ve been with my current setup for a very long time. It just takes such an incredibly long time to render my films for output. An upgrade is definitely needed and I fear getting a quality mac option may be well out of my current budget. Tho I’m most definitely up for suggestions on what you guys think is the best way to go.

My current macbook pro setup is..
10.6.8
2.2 Ghz intel core 2 duo
4 GB 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM
GeForce 8600M GT
120 GB hard drive

Thanks again for all the help!

[Glenn Payne]

I media managed the clips in the sequence. Which then automatically placed them all into a new folder. I sent batches of those clips (straight from the new folder on my external hard drive) into compressor until they were all new prores files (stored in yet another new folder).

I believe you had mentioned that “You could use the RECOMPRESS option, but that is not wise if the files are differing frame rates…RECOMPRESS doesn’t do the frame rate conversion well.” Since I had a small number of clips that were a different frame rate I didn’t use the RECOMPRESS option.

BUT if I need to delete the folder of new prores clips and just use the RECOMPRESS option in order to not have to re-edit the clips then I can definitely do that. Whatever it takes to get the job done. I assume that either way I’ll have to additionally recompress those small number of clips that have different frame rates (they are animation shots).

Terribly sorry if that is worded in a way that makes no sense at all. Please feel free to ask for clarification if needed.
And THANK YOU again!

[Glenn Payne]

Shane,
I used media manager and got all the clips converted to ProRes 422. My next step is getting those clips back into the timeline. Is there any way that Media Manager will help me put them back in just as they were originally cut(edited)? Or do I just have to manually cut those clips and replace them one by one, replacing the h.264 footage that was in the timeline (which already has a sequence setting of proress)?

thanks so much for your help!

[Glenn Payne]

Thanks again! Just to make sure I’m doing this correctly.
In Media Manager (just the clips I needed in this sequence)

COPY
include render files: unchecked
include master clips outside selection: unchecked
delete unused media from duplicated items: CHECKED
**use handles: CHECKED 00:00:00:40 (**?**)
include affiliated clips outside collection: unchecked
base media file names on: existing file names
duplicate selected items and place into a new project: CHECKED
include nonactive multiclip angles: CHECKED
media destination: (my desired folder on external drive)

it’s very likely i have a few of those wrong. I also went through and gave all my clips a REEL NUMBER. Any corrections?
THANKS!

[Glenn Payne]

Thanks so much, Shane!! I’ll get on that asap. When you say “duplicate the sequence” I’m guessing you mean in the very same final cut project file. correct?

I’m gonna give this all a whirl and report back. Hopefully I won’t have to bug you with more questions.
THANKS AGAIN!

[Glenn Payne]

Thanks Shane and Dave. I appreciate the thoughts. Looks like I’ll have to convert the footage and re-cut it to match the finished project. So, I’m guessing the first successful render I got of the film and watched on a dvd was just pure luck? (that was the longer version)

Question: If I convert the original footage to ProRes can I just pick the in and out points on my edited h.264 footage and just piece it together clip by clip? I’m assuming the frame rate will stay exactly the same. Basically I’m hoping to copy to a new prores timeline and replace the h.264 with prores and save all the layers of sound design, audio, music, etc. Does this sound reasonable?

And given that you both appear to be experts I guess it’s safe to bet that is a 99% guaranteed fix…?
Thanks again!

[Glenn Payne]

Well crud, I’ve been doing this wrong for a good while. THANKS SO MUCH! I did a quick search that said to basically import the clips to compressor then render the batch with the prores setting. I’m assuming that is the best method (as I begin a new project). I’ll most definitely try the SEQUENCE>SETTINGS solution given that the feature is fully edited at this point.

After adopting the ProRes conversion does it seem to you that my editing setup should be able to handle this type of footage without much issue? Meaning this mac will last me a bit?

Thanks again for your help! I study these forums quite a bit when I’m having issues and I greatly value your time and opinion.

-gp