[Tracy Smith]

There are several functions with Final Cut Studio that require the G5 or Intel chip set to function properly. It was explained to me as a “squared root mathematics function” We have a G4 (1.42 dual) edit bay. I was warned not to take it past Tiger. Leopard’s memory requirements would push FCP into the mud. We did have the G4’s graphics card changed. I know it is the biggest ATI card the machine can take…but I can’t give you the model number right now. I’ll make a later post when I hit the office today.
What I have noticed with using Studio 2 on the G4
1. The suite round-tripping does not work well.
2. When using Motion it’s better to export a movie (for compositing) from motion, rather than using the motion file direct
3. Soundtrack Pro does not always hold on to it’s settings, and will not round-trip or export properly when you start hitting 20 plus layers of audio.
4. The “FX” plugs can get you into serious trouble.
5. Motion smoothing is something to leave running overnight.
6. HD Files are still a time consuming issue on a G4.
7. Color and Pro Res Codecs (pro res simply does not function right) are better left alone on this machine. Instead take into account render times, and use the color controls in FCP and enhance them with Nattress Filters.
(Even though Color is a cool program, there are a lot of things Nattress can do that Color can’t) Remember FCP is one heck of a compositing tool by itself. (Keyframe away!)

Everyone says don’t let your creativity get mashed by technology. I agree, If you don’t have the coolest most up to date tech. Plan and execute your creativity.

The G4 is getting “long in the tooth” as a production weapon but it is still a weapon, and if you have them keep them working on the stuff they do well. And know it’s limits. It’s a great machine. Always was.

Tracy Smith
Black Hawk Entertainment Inc.

[Tracy Smith]

Here’s another solution,
I am not a fan of allowing Final Cut to export to compressor when all the layers are sitting there. I prefer to flatten the movie first. (Export using time line settings) Then put it in Compressor manually. Select the way you want it to encode, (high quality or fastest) using the 16 x 9 choices. Once you have your compressor output files. Open DVD studio pro, make sure you are working in 16 x 9 in your preference settings. Import Your assets into DVD Studio Pro.

1. Make sure your menu settings are set to 16 x 9 display modes
2. Make sure your general track settings are set to 16 x 9 letterbox (this will force the letterbox on 4 x 3 screens)
3. Save your settings…

Finish all the disc design and settings, then build and burn!

I know Apple says you can export and interact with the encoders from both FCP and DVD Studio Pro. In some circumstances it’s okay. But for the highest quality you can get, my advice is to use Compressor separately to encode your assets. It seems to work better. And seems to control the 16 x 9 aspects better too.

Tracy Smith
Black Hawk Entertainment Inc.

[Tracy Smith]

The problem is digital (FCP) to Analog (BetaSP) to Re-encode (Network) to (Digital) (Direct TV)
The conversion to Beta then back to digital is actually a huge knockdown to your original edit, then when it hits the re-encode you wind up with more problems.

( To see this process yourself,just keep hitting the “re-compress” switch on your NLE)

Sometimes it’s as goofy as someone using composite outs on the beta machine. And you can’t always check this.

The real solution to this problem we are all experiencing is to find out what the final “Transport” streams are going to be. Transport streams are muxed audio versions of Program Streams. (what’s on a DVD) Meaning the Audio is embedded not running separate Tracks. Try to cut out the intermediate transfers as much as possible.

One way to do this: Find out what the transport streams settings are, and make it for them. On a MAC use Compressor to create the transport stream. You will see these settings in the inspector box. We have done this several times for companies, because I was so fed up with having the projects look like crap when they hit air. Burn the stream to a disc and give it to them….”drag and drop”.

Sometimes you have to really push to bypass the intermediary (the “bread” as we have always baked it) But once people see the results and the loss of extra labor, they get it.

Hope this helps a little!

Tracy Smith
Black Hawk Entertainment Inc.