[Tvgsuper]

Mark,

Thanks for the info. This particular vendor is actually supplying our server. The main issue I’m having with them is the fact that they are ‘file pushers’ for lack of a better word, not Editors or anyone that understands our current post process and/or needs. We are actually attempting something that we probably shouldn’t…going with an IBM SAN solution for FCP. Why we are not going with the XSAN? Well, once we get everything worked out to the point I can share infor with you? I’ll let you all know! Wish us luck!

Ray

[Tvgsuper]

Thanks guys!!! I’m going into an Engineering/Tech meeting in about a minute. The general concensus I’m getting is that if I want to play in the IMX pool, IMX50 is my best bet to stay a float.

There is definitely a communication issue between the Post side, Engineering side, and our Vender’s IT and R&D. Our definition of ‘multiple streams’ differs from each other. Turns out that our Vender thought that ‘multiple streaming’ was the same as ‘multicam’ and was having a difficult time trying to get ‘multiple streams’ of video to play back well – mind you they were live streams, and we’ve told them from the beginning that this was something that we do not do.

Thanks again…I’ll keep you all posted (no pun intended).

[Tvgsuper]

Sorry…wrote that in a bit of a hurry. Our system config is as follows:

Mac G5/2.7GHz/DP/4GB/250GB/16xSuperDrive/Rad9650 which is connected to (2) 1 terabyte drives, running FinalCut Studio with BlackMagic DeckLink Extreme

Anyways, when we attempt to consolidate through the Media Tool, Final Cut crashes. Other times it just hangs and we get the neverending spinning wheel of doom. We need to consolidate as we are not on an XSAN or Unity type server. We are currently running off of 2 terabyte drives and as with any production, the Producers do not want to throw anything away, but once shows are finished, in the Avid world, we’d consolidate the show, and dump any unused media.

My tech support is telling me that this is due to the Project file sizes, idealy (in their opinion) Project sizes are not to exceed 20MB. I find this to be an impossibility with an hour show – on any current NLE system. They tell me that there shouldn’t be nested sequences in squences, nor should there be any JPEGs in the sequence until you output. There may also be an issue with how long the sequence is – yes, he actually said that. The one show we have been trying to consolidate is at 63.8MB. On average, a 1 hour Special in Avid land would be about 80 to 100MB.

Now, I’m told (by another source) that I’d have better results if I make the current project an ‘Offline Project?’ Any thoughts on that? Can anyone recommend a better way to consolidate media? Is the FCP Media Tool as probematic as I’m now being told? I ask, again because, I am an Avid guy who has literally jumped into the Final Cut pool – the deep end. A little help?