[Mitchji]

[Bob] “Actually, I was looking at it mostly in terms of how to deal with archiving media from the upcoming P2 HD camera from Panny. It records HD onto flash cards, which you offload to HDD. So though the final edit would be laid to some HD tape VTR, what to do with the source selects? Too much for any current DVD (assuming some files might be larger than the media).”

Hi,

You could set the maximum file size when importing or exporting from FCP to 4.3 gigs. This will create a semented QT file (one video spread out over multiple physical files). You can then burn these to DVD’s. You could even add a FW DVD-R drive and burn two at a time with multiple copies of Toast.

This will be a much more convenient workflow when affordable 20 gig Blue Laser discs and drives are available.

Best Wishes,

Mitch

[Mitchji]

Hi,

I second the Firmtek SATA recommendation. I think SATA is more reliable than FW. I would get the Firmtek four port external card even if you only plan to use two external drives at the present time. This card and the enclosures are reviewed here:
https://www.barefeats.com/hard46.html

Best Wishes,

Mitch

[Mitchji]

Hi,

Use a SATA RAID (either internal or external) instead of FW800 .

Cheaper, more reliable and probably faster than FW 800.

[Mitchji]

[Jim Blokland] “Is this because of any known issues with Crucial and Apple RAM? I just put in 3 GB of Crucial RAM, but I left the original 512 in…”

Hi,

I always do this. This should not cause any problems.

Best Wishes,

Mitch

[Mitchji]

Hi,

Would a G5 iMac with the iLugger bag work for you?

https://www.luggerbags.com/G5.htm
“See how you can go from desk to bag in 30 seconds. See how you can go from desk to bag in 30 seconds.”

“OK, we all wanted a G5 Powerbook… but it doesn’t look like they are going to make one for a while…. so make your G5 iMac portable! After all, its only 2 inches thick, weighs 18 lbs & has a dazzling display nicer than any notebook!”

A friend who uses one for FCP had this to say:
” just got my iMac today – infinitely faster than any powerbook I could have bought at three times the cost. I got the cheapest I could find: a new 1.6gHz 17″ with a CDRW/DVD and 256 RAM on eBay. I upgraded to 1GB RAM and got the iLugger bag.

[Mitchji]

[pd] ” I have a chance to pick up a refurb original dual 2 Ghz for a decent price and I’m wondering if it is powerful enough to run FCP 5 along with Motion. Does the original Dual G5 have PCI-X slots ?”

Hi,

It is powerful enough.

The original 2.0 has PCI-X and 8 RAM slots (just as important as PCI-X). You can verify the model number here (scroll down to “May 4th”):
https://www.barefeats.com/quick.html

Best Wishes,

Mitch

[Mitchji]

[walter biscardi] ” I picked up a couple of ADC to DVI adapters for about $80 each and they work very well.”

Hi,

Not as good as straight DVI for me. With the adapter I had to be much more careful booting with dual monitors or the dock and menu would come up on the wrong monitor.

Best Wishes,

Mitch

[Mitchji]

[walter biscardi] “still screwy to have one ADC and one DVI adapter on the card when all of Apple’s monitors have moved to DVI”

Hi,

ADC was a screwy idea to begin with. If Apple wants one cable (a good idea) they should design a single cable with pigtails on each end for DVI, power, USB, FW ect.

Best Wishes,

Mitch

[Mitchji]

Hi,

Would a G5 iMac with a case for easy portability work for you?

This is what a friend who is running FCP on a iMac on location says:
I just got my iMac today – infinitely faster than any powerbook I could have bought at three times the cost. I got the cheapest I could find: a new 1.6gHz 17″ with a CDRW/DVD and 256 RAM on eBay. I upgraded to 1GB RAM and got the iLugger bag.

[Mitchji]

Hi Michael,

Thanks!

Mitch