Tom Volotta
Forum Replies Created
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Assuming you have the slot, isolate the AJA Io to the Mac’s built-in Firewire port by installing a FW PCI card and using that as the interface for the Tascam mixer, Firewire drives and oher FW devices.
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If you have an open PCI slot, consider running the second display from a card like the ATI Radeon 9200. That way, VRAM-intensive apps like Motion (and playing High Def H.264 ?, and even some aspects of FCP5 ?) can utilize the full 256MB your X800 XT has available, rather than splitting it 128/128 to drive a second monitor connected to the X800 XT.
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Although not as delicate as your wafting coffee aroma, the FEDEX commercial “Sweeps” is worth watching both for the excellent effects techniques, and also because it’s so terrifically funny.
Watch it:
https://www.boardsmag.com/screeningroom/commercials/1504/Credits listed here:
https://www.adweek.com/aw/creative/best_spots_05/050222_08.jsp -
Walter,
I know it’s only a typo on your part, but just so Gracias doesn’t get confused…
It’s 20MBps (MegaBytes per second) and 30-40MBps, not megabits per second as the lower-case ‘b’ in “8bit…20mb/sec” implies, for 8 and 10-bit UC. e.g., DV/DVCAM is 25Mbps.
Gracias, download the AJA Data Rate Calculator to determine size and data rate for a wide range of formats. Be sure to open “Preferences” for details on Binary and Decimal measurement.
https://www.aja.com/support_Io.html
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The original Hollywood requirement was to fit 133 minutes on a single sided DVD-5. This included one Dolby Digital 5.1 and two 2.0 audio streams, along with three SubPicture streams for subtitles, and a handful of relatively simple Menus. This allows for an average MPEG-2 video bitrate of 4.5 Mbps, which will yield very good quality.
In general, MPEG-2 encoders would prefer to see a 4:2:2 input source rather than 4:1:1.
There are a wide range of inexpensive software and hardware encoders that can do the job quite well.
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Agreed.
I was just noting that Apple made a distinction, and also didn’t provide details on models or ‘other’ manufacturers.
At $200 the Behringer BCF2000 does look very tempting. With FCP5 expanding MCP’s use, I’d except to see several new control surfaces to appear, maybe from M-Audio/Digidesign, Contour Design (Shuttle Pro), Alesis and more.
…Tom
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As for what’s ‘official’ or not, Apple isn’t being very specific about that, in fact it’s a bit vague.
Basically they’re saying Mackie, Yamaha, Tascam and others have been tested and work with FCP5 and Soundtrack Pro, although none have been certified. ‘Others’ would seem to be a broad category.
Not sure how much of an official endorsement ‘work with’ is. I’m guessing that since integrating the Mackie Control Protocol is so new, a full certification program just isn’t in place yet.
There are probably many devices out there that do use the MCP, but you have to dig into the product descriptions and specs for find out. You’d think Mackie would have this info (who has licensed MCP) on their site, but they don’t.
As was said in another post, best to check with dealers and manufacturers about compatibility before buying. Once Apple has a list of certified products and people begin to use and abuse them, word will get around about what works best.
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Yes, which devices are MCP-compatible sometimes seems a bit vague.
I would have thought a Mackie Control Protocol label, logo or seal of approval would be highlighted in the specs for the various devices, but instead, you have to dig to find out what’s what, and then it’s sometimes still a question.
Apple and Mackie should step in here to help identify the gear. It would also be good to see some sample systems configurations.
BTW: Apple states that several MCP control surfaces have been “tested”, but none “certified” for use with FCP5/SoundTrack Pro. Same with I/O devices.
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The Tascam FW-1082 and 1884 are also 24-bit/96KHz A/D and D/A converters, so in addition to being Mackie Control Protocol mixers, they are excellent audio interfaces.
The Yamaha 01X, also with MCP, has similar capabilities and pricing to the FW-1884.
Apples says “others” are MCP/FCP5 compatible, but doesn’t provide a list.
In building a FCP5 system from scratch, I’d at least want to include an MCP Control Surface. Finding one that combines a Mixer & Interface is a great way to go, although the Control Surface and separate Interface has it’s advantages.
Another point of including the Mackie Control Protocol is that you can add numerous audio software applications (Logic, DP, Nuendo, etc.) that can map to your MCP device for situations where FCP5 or SoundTrack Pro fall short of what you need to do.
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I believe all that’s necessary is FCP version whatever be installed and ‘serialized’ (verifies the app is legit and registered with Apple?) on your machine.
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