[Nick Ravich]

Thanks Nick. I’ll give it a shot.
Nick.

[Nick Ravich]

Understood Michael. Yeah, in my new found hate for L&T tool forgot about those 2 pretty significant benefits. TC also extremely helpful for transcribing – which we do a lot of. So thinking I’ll stick with L&T to do the bulk of our transcoding work and just be careful not to do anything else on FCP concurrently, and then do spot duration checks after the transfer.

Ryan, thanks for the Automator suggestion. You’re right – an awesome app. Might not use in this particular situation, but guessing can be really helpful in with other stuff.

Thanks everyone, Nick.

[Nick Ravich]

Thanks Ryan. Guess I’ve been a little naive in trusting L&T. Starting to think I should try another method.
One thing, part of the reason I like L&T is the batch re-naming it does. If I go the MPEG SC route, I don’t think I can re-name in that app, can I? Any good batch re-naming apps I can use, after I’ve done the batch transcode out of MPEG SC.
Thanks, Nick.

[Nick Ravich]

Many thanks Michael. Definitely makes sense – have noticed FCP gets a little wonky when I try and multi-task in the app when there’s L&T transferring going on. Will definitely leave the app alone when transferring. Or start using MPEG Stream Clip or Compressor to transcode. Nick.

[Nick Ravich]

Addendum to this.

If I go the consolidate route, which I think I’d like to do, then thinking that at the end of the offline, when I’ve got my final sequences, I can just transcode all consolidated tapeless clips to whatever flavor of DNxHD codec the onliner is using (presumably 145 MXF.) And that way can completely avoid the hassle of having him re-link to the consolidated media drives or the camera original pre-consolidated media back up drives. Even if he wants to do the project using AMA, he evenutally needs to transcode it anyway (broadcaster requires a 1080 60i HDcam deliverable.) Easy and smart, yes?

So I guess the question is – is there a difference in me transcoding from the consolidated media on my Mac-based Media Composer system vs him transcoding from consolidated media or cam original media on his PC-based Media Composer Nitris DX (at least that’s what I think he has)? A difference that has an impact on his ability to color correct?

Thanks, Nick.

[Nick Ravich]

Just bought this Mac Pro refurbished from Apple Store – 2.4 GHz 8 Core
“Westmere”
https://store.apple.com/us/product/FC561LL/A?mco=MTkyMTM1ODQ

So I wimped out a bit on the processing speed (didn’t get the more expensive 2.9 GHz 8 Core), but still hoping the 2.4 has enough heft to handle the HD workflow I first described.

Also, thinking I’ll do the Final Cut Studio install myself – or at least use our generic IT folks. Wondering if there’s any crucial things I need to know for install? Tips for optimizing? I know QT version is crucial.

And any reccomendations for RAM on this? I know FCP only taps a max amount. This 2.4 8 core has 8 slots, 8GBs max per slot. Comes with 1 6GB chip installed. (In current FCP-running Mac Pro, the 2.93 8
core, I’ve got 12 GB total, 6 2GB chips.)

Nick.

[Nick Ravich]

Thanks Jeff. All the evidence is pointing against the deck. Nick.

[Nick Ravich]

Thanks everyone. Seems like we got a good, heated debate going about this. A lot to take in, but think I’m siding to the more cores, less RAM argument. And of course, upping the connection ante on my drives would be a good idea. Nick.

[Nick Ravich]

Thanks for the advice.
Yeah, iMacs would be cheaper option – but don’t think they’re going to have enough FW ports. Would force me to daisy chain 4 drives.
And yes, though we’re not using a separate video monitor, and yes it is a web project, still prefer the visual real estate 2 sync.ed monitors are going to give us. So I think I’d like to stick with MacPros.
But overall, sounds like any kind of Quad Core Mac is going to give me what I need? I guess the big overall question with FCP7 – what really gives me my performance boost – is it RAM, # of cores, processing speed?
Nick.

[Nick Ravich]

Thanks Andrew. So RAM is going to get me more bang for the buck than cores. Thinking maxing out the RAM on this computer – Refurbished Mac Pro 2.93GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon, https://store.apple.com/us/product/G0G80LL/A?mco=MTEyMDExNzg – will get the job done? Nick.