720/24p to macbook to usb2.0 ext. drive recording

L

leejam99

Active member
I've been reading for 4 hours on different workflows ...my head is dizzy..

my main question is this. I want to use macbook (not pro) to capture directly using FCP. is the internal hardrive fast enough for 720/24p recording? I also want to capture to an external USB2.0 hard drive for more space. Does this work? I've read so many different opinions...can someone chime in that has this exect setup and work the flow?

thanks all!
 
I am currently using a Macbook Pro with a 5400rpm 100gb internal drive and have used it extensivly to capture Via firewire from footage ive been shooting. Ive captured 1080i 60i and 720p 24p, and both have captured for longer than 20 minutes , around 30 with NOT A SINGLE DROPPED FRAME! (knocks on wood).

Ive also tested capturing directly via Firewire from the HVX, to an External USB 2.0 Hard drive in both modes, and didnt drop any frames in a 20 minute test of 1080i 60i dvcpro HD, so i can conclude that Firewire in using FCP to capture to either the internal 5400rpm drive, and the external 7200rpm usb 2.0 drive is do able and reliable.

You will only be able to capture normal 1080i 60i, or 720p 30p/24p though, no pN modes via firewire.

So its worked for me no problem which is great because most of the stuff we shoot is longer takes like 20 minutes long, and its been reliable so far.
 
No, it won't, the graphics card in the MacBook is the Intel Extreme Graphics 950 GMA and won't hold up to the demand. It's mentioned in the tech specs for FCP. From Apple, here's the FCP requirements:

General System Requirements
* Macintosh computer with 867MHz or faster PowerPC G4, PowerPC G5, Intel Core Duo processor, or Intel Xeon processor
* HD features require 1GHz or faster single or dual processors (authoring HD DVDs requires a PowerPC G5, Intel Core Duo processor, or Intel Xeon processor)
* 512MB of RAM; 1GB of RAM for HD features (2GB recommended)
* Display with 1024-by-768 (or higher) resolution
* AGP Quartz Extreme or PCI Express graphics card (Final Cut Studio is not supported on systems using the Intel Extreme Graphics 950 GMA)
* Motion requires the standard graphics card found in any Mac Pro, MacBook Pro, iMac Intel Core Duo, Power Mac G5, iMac G5, a 1.25 GHz or faster PowerBook G4, or a 1.25 GHz or faster flat-panel iMac.
* Mac OS X 10.4.4 or later
* QuickTime 7.0.4 or later
* 4GB of disk space to install all applications
* Additional 42GB to install all optional templates, loops, content, and tutorials (may be installed on separate discs)
* DVD drive for installation
* Playback of DVD Studio Pro 4-authored HD DVDs requires a PowerPC G5, Intel Core Duo processor, or Intel Xeon processor
* Replication of DVD Studio Pro 4-authored DVDs requires a DLT drive
* Minimum supported graphics cards: ATI Radeon 9800XT, ATI Radeon 9700 Pro, ATI Radeon 9600XT or 9600 Pro, ATI Mobility Radeon 9700, ATI Mobility Radeon 9600, NVIDIA GeForce 6600 and 6600LE, NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GT, NVIDIA GeForce Go5200 or FX 5200 Ultra
* Recommended graphics cards: ATI Radeon X1900 XT, ATI Radeon X850 XT, ATI Radeon X800 XT, ATI Radeon X1600, NVIDIA GeForce Quadro FX 4500, NVIDIA GeForce 7800 GT, NVIDIA GeForce 6800 Ultra DDL or 6800 GT DDL
 
its offically not supported but works fine according to many users on the forum including Jarred so I think i'm gonna go buy a MP for capture. even though its not Pro, its still faster than my dual 1.8 desktop according to benchmark results (all of this was discussed in another thread).
 
when on location i check my dailies with my powerbook, 1.5mhz, and only 512 ram, it does ok... but barley meets the mins... havent had any problem with droped frames, but ive kept my capture to small amounts with it

as far as the usb, i recomend against it. but only due to my instructors saying so. im currently in a Editing class that uses FCP at my school, we had to buy portable drives to store our stuff on. the guidelines for the class are as follows:

slightly revised
Firewire Drive, get a FW drive with min 7200 rpm, (formated mac os extended) with journaling turned off. "ive been happy with my lacie d2's and recommend them" "a few semesters ago several students had maxtor drives fail, which included burning out and loss of data...recent maxtors seem to be more reliable but use with caution... "NOTE; lacie porche drives... are not recommended because of a tendency to overheat and stop working untill they cool off."

keep in mind this knowledge comes from a woman who is a expert in her field. (im just learning myself) has done Professional Feature and documentary work and assisted Walter Murch on Jarhead amognst others.



we use our drives for about 6-8 hours a day, on dual 1.8 G5's , ive had no problems thus far.
 
lucidstudios said:
when on location i check my dailies with my powerbook, 1.5mhz, and only 512 ram, it does ok... but barley meets the mins... havent had any problem with droped frames, but ive kept my capture to small amounts with it

as far as the usb, i recomend against it. but only due to my instructors saying so. im currently in a Editing class that uses FCP at my school, we had to buy portable drives to store our stuff on. the guidelines for the class are as follows:

slightly revised
Firewire Drive, get a FW drive with min 7200 rpm, (formated mac os extended) with journaling turned off. "ive been happy with my lacie d2's and recommend them" "a few semesters ago several students had maxtor drives fail, which included burning out and loss of data...recent maxtors seem to be more reliable but use with caution... "NOTE; lacie porche drives... are not recommended because of a tendency to overheat and stop working untill they cool off."

keep in mind this knowledge comes from a woman who is a expert in her field. (im just learning myself) has done Professional Feature and documentary work and assisted Walter Murch on Jarhead amognst others.



we use our drives for about 6-8 hours a day, on dual 1.8 G5's , ive had no problems thus far.
Click to expand...

I would much rather go to FW800 HD but the macbook only has 1 FW400 which will be used for the camera....
 
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