[Tom Daigon]

Thanks Robert.

Tom Daigon
PrP / After Effects Editor
http://www.hdshotsandcuts.com
Mac Pro 3,1
8 core
10.7.3
Nvidia Quadro 4000
24 gigs ram
Maxx Digital / Areca 8tb. raid
Kona 3

[Tom Daigon]

So which specific systems do you guys recommend?

Tom Daigon
PrP / After Effects Editor
http://www.hdshotsandcuts.com
Mac Pro 3,1
8 core
10.7.3
Nvidia Quadro 4000
24 gigs ram
Maxx Digital / Areca 8tb. raid
Kona 3

[Tom Daigon]

Be very careful what you use the Google maps for. I used it without getting the Professional License to do so. Google saw the TV spot I did and came after the producer. A word to the wise.

Tom Daigon
PrP / After Effects Editor
http://www.hdshotsandcuts.com
Mac Pro 3,1
8 core
10.7.3
Nvidia Quadro 4000
24 gigs ram
Maxx Digital / Areca 8tb. raid
Kona 3

[Tom Daigon]

Don, just remember, the ONLY time you need to render is when the timeline wont playback in real time. Thus rendering allows you to see the timeline playback as you edit. Using any accelerated Adobe effects you can will help since you have the Q4000 to play them back in real time.

Tom Daigon
PrP / After Effects Editor
http://www.hdshotsandcuts.com
Mac Pro 3,1
8 core
10.7.3
Nvidia Quadro 4000
24 gigs ram
Maxx Digital / Areca 8tb. raid
Kona 3

[Tom Daigon]

Nice one Jon! I forgot about the Titlers ability to generate feathered shapes. I still tend to DL into AE cause its really fast and flexible there.

Tom Daigon
PrP / After Effects Editor
http://www.hdshotsandcuts.com
Mac Pro 3,1
8 core
10.7.3
Nvidia Quadro 4000
24 gigs ram
Maxx Digital / Areca 8tb. raid
Kona 3

[Tom Daigon]

As I mentioned Jon, playback of certain codecs like h.264 can be problematic on certain machines. Native playback is a great concept but isnt always practical. The workflow needs to fit the tools. I will look forward to hearing what kind of experience Donald has.

After a year with PrP Im convinced that the option of background trancoding to an Adobe intermediary codec would be a wise thing to implement to allow users to accommodate their circumstances. Ideally an offline / online option will be needed when that part of the software is fixed, hopefully by CS7. 😀

Tom Daigon
PrP / After Effects Editor
http://www.hdshotsandcuts.com
Mac Pro 3,1
8 core
10.7.3
Nvidia Quadro 4000
24 gigs ram
Maxx Digital / Areca 8tb. raid
Kona 3

[Tom Daigon]

Don sounds like you are on the right track. The transcode should lighten the load. You have a powerful CPU with a good GPU on its way. Ram sounds like a nice amount and faster external drives will really be crucial to a good edit. Good luck!

Tom Daigon
PrP / After Effects Editor
http://www.hdshotsandcuts.com
Mac Pro 3,1
8 core
10.7.3
Nvidia Quadro 4000
24 gigs ram
Maxx Digital / Areca 8tb. raid
Kona 3

[Tom Daigon]

Hi Stephen. It drives me bonkers when I have to use a Boris Red 5 filter OR dynamic link into AE just to feather a matte. I feel your pain 😀

Tom Daigon
PrP / After Effects Editor
http://www.hdshotsandcuts.com
Mac Pro 3,1
8 core
10.7.3
Nvidia Quadro 4000
24 gigs ram
Maxx Digital / Areca 8tb. raid
Kona 3

[Tom Daigon]

Whether to transcode really depends on…

1. How much power your system has in order to maximize performance of the Mercury Playback system (ie CPU/GPU/Ram/ Raid Speed)

I can play h.264 just fine on mine.

2. How long a project you are doing. H.264 on a long form might be more problematic.

Tom Daigon
PrP / After Effects Editor
http://www.hdshotsandcuts.com
Mac Pro 3,1
8 core
10.7.3
Nvidia Quadro 4000
24 gigs ram
Maxx Digital / Areca 8tb. raid
Kona 3

[Tom Daigon]

Did you guys try trashing your Preferences and rebuilding your Permissions (if you are Mac based that is :D)?

Tom Daigon
PrP / After Effects Editor
http://www.hdshotsandcuts.com
Mac Pro 3,1
8 core
10.7.3
Nvidia Quadro 4000
24 gigs ram
Maxx Digital / Areca 8tb. raid
Kona 3