[Martin Curtis]

Lazy man’s solution: export from Quicktime X using either the “Computer” setting or the “AppleTV” setting under the Share-> iTunes menu.

Playback using QuicktimeX. Command-F for fullscreen. Command-L invokes looping.

Check playback on the hardware first (and with plenty of time for a re-do). I’m concerned you mention “iBook” rather than Macbook. The iBooks are getting a bit long in the tooth, probably don’t have QuicktimeX installed and may have trouble playing hi def footage of any codec. Make sure they have the right adapters to hand, too.

[Martin Curtis]

When I need to convert an MP3 into AIFF, I open the MP3 in QT Pro. Since I’m usually doing this from iTunes, I select the track in iTunes, right-click, choose “Show in Finder”. Then I open it in QT Pro. File -> Export -> Sound to AIFF. Save it in my FCP (or FCE) project’s folder.

Standard options work for me (Linear PCM, Stereo, 48 kHz, normal quality, 16 bit). Back to FCP and I use Propellor-I to bring it into FCP and I’m set.

[Martin Curtis]

Everything these guys say is true.

At work, I have a 2.8 GHz C2D 27″ iMac with 4 GB RAM, 750 GB HD, 256 MB video card, 1 TB external HDD (USB2.0, Time Machine drive), Sony DSR11 deck, Sony PD150 and HVR-V1 cameras and a Panasonic 14″ broadcast monitor hooked up via the DSR11.

I run FCS2 – mainly FCP and LiveType and teaching myself Motion.

The system runs just fine – no dropped frames and FCP doesn’t seem to need to render too often. In fact, it’s a perfect little workhorse. However … everything I do is standard def in DV format with no more than 5 video tracks in FCP, it is all for distribution on DVD or mangled into WMV for intranet; nothing is ever intended for broadcast. I work for a public hospital and getting it out looking OK and doing it inexpensively is more important than perfectly polished. I can see/hear the flaws, but I work within the limitations imposed by the iMac and the (time and money) budget. Having said that, I recently completed shooting and editing a 30 minute education video (my first of that length) that looks pretty damn good. IMHO.

If my manager ever hints at high def, I’ll hit them up for a Mac Pro with as many trimmings as I can get. Just like these guys said.

While I think you could spec out an iMac to be a reasonable system (quad core i7, 512 MB video card, external FW800 drive, second monitor) equivalent in power to a lowend Mac Pro, a professional would be pushing its limitations from day 1.

If you’re young enough to be doing an unpaid internship for a while, do it. Let someone else buy you a system to learn on. You’ll pick up heaps of knowledge and you’ll learn to be fast. Buy the iMac for home to experiment with and consolidate what you learn during the day.

HTH.