[Ryan Holmes]

Yes you can edit HDV on an iMac from 2003, but like was said you will render forever. However, a G5 is adequate to hadnle HDV. Where you will notice the speed difference (between an Intel based mac and a G5) is in your downconversion. To produce your SD-DVD you will have to downconvert your long-GOP HDV format to the appropriate mpeg-2. We run 3 G5’s and 2 Intel mac’s at our shop and the downconversion time takes about twice as long on the G5’s.

Now if your producing pieces that are 5 minutes long – no big deal. But if you are producing 30, 60, or 90 minute movies, weddings, corporate videos, etc. you will be likely be watching the encode much longer than overnight. The extra money spent on an intel based mac is worth it for rendering/exporting/downconversion times alone. Even more than that is to have an updated computer capable of handling FCP 6 (which is likely being debuted tomorrow) and providing full adaptability when Leopard drops in October later this year.

Additionally, if you plan on using Motion or any of the fcxPlug architecture in FCP then a beefy video card is a must. If you opt for the G5 you will need to drop another chunk of change on upgrading the memory and the video card (and likely larger hard drives). If you opt to upgrade to FCP 6 where the fxPlug archtecture is likely going to drive much of the visual FX within the software then a G5 with a poor graphics card will leave you with no hair screaming at your machine. Spend the money now for the Mac Pro (you don’t need the new 8 core, just a nice dual-core machine) – you won’t regret it!

Ryan