Buying a G5 for DVCPRO HD

Mac or PC same difference. I can currently run Mac OSX on a pc with final cut pro with no problems. Remember, the new intel macs will allow pc users to run mac osx as well. For the money, you can easily purchase a faster pc than a mac. Pcs have always beaten out macs in speed tests doing video editing. So if you have some decent knowledge on comps, i'd say pc, or if you prefer avid to fcp. Or if you aren't too comp savy, get a mac, but be prepared to pay out the....and be limited as far as non business applications are concerned.
 
Mr. Blonde said:
Mac or PC same difference. I can currently run Mac OSX on a pc with final cut pro with no problems. Remember, the new intel macs will allow pc users to run mac osx as well. For the money, you can easily purchase a faster pc than a mac. Pcs have always beaten out macs in speed tests doing video editing. So if you have some decent knowledge on comps, i'd say pc, or if you prefer avid to fcp. Or if you aren't too comp savy, get a mac, but be prepared to pay out the....and be limited as far as non business applications are concerned.
Click to expand...

What are you using to run OSX on a pc?
 
mcgeedigital said:
What are you using to run OSX on a pc?
Click to expand...

The beta versions of Intel-OSX have been leaked on the net and lots of people are running them on PC hardware. I have OSX running on an HP ZD7000 notebook PC. Pretty cool, for the geek factor, but not usable on that system because no usable drivers for the FX5600GO video and other hardware in the system.

Once Intel Macs are available, the only thing keeping OSX off of generic PC systems will be the copy-protection ROM in the Mac, which is easily circumvented with a small software patch. IMO, Apple is moving to Intel and will try to push their systems for a little while, but I think once things settle down a bit, Apple will continue to sell their systems as the "certified" hardware solution, but OSX will be a direct PC competitor to Windows Linux. And I say bring it on, we need more options and competition in the PC market.
 
Just want to clarify a couple points brought up here.
(As a disclaimer, I don't work for Apple, but I do make my living working on Macs, and always recommend them over PCs.)

To get back to the original question: the speed of computer you need depends on the amount of work you will be doing, regardless of the format.
If you are making a living editing, get the fastest computer available. If it's more of a hobby or once in a while, get what you can afford.

Motion runs OK on my dual 2 GHz G5 (2.5GB RAM) but bogs down if there are more than 2 tracks going at once. I think it will do much better if I increase the RAM, but right now I'm only using FCP so don't need to.
I haven't done any HD editing, so I can't answer that question directly. No reason for it not to work fine on the lower-speed G5s, though.

I've said this before on another thread - don't wait for the Intel Macs if you need a computer soon. Chances are the first ones will be buggy, and who knows how long it will take for all the software to be recompiled to work. If I was in the market, I'd get a G5 right now, and in a couple years would make the jump to Intel. By then, all the kinks will be worked out.

As far as a timeframe for Intel Macs: next week will most likely bring iBooks and the Mini with Intel inside. iMacs and Powerbooks will probably surface no later than summer and the towers (can't be called G5 anymore) either over the summer or in the fall.
Don't hold me to this - these are flat-out guesses, but based on decent evidence and previous Apple patterns.

OSX on PCs - well, it certainly can and has been done, but I don't think I'd trust any important data to it. The versions that are out right now are betas, and I have a feeling Apple will be much more aggressive about disabling the ability to do this when it releases the "real" version. That won't stop anyone from doing it, but I'd be a bit nervous about stability.

That's all for now.

Jason
 
The current OSX on a PC is a novelty. Many people cannot get FCP to run and most who CAN...dont have firewire. I am a PC guy in general but used Macs as well, I have a QUAD and it SMOKES my 64bit dual core PC machine...

FYI, Motion needs better video card, not more ram...


ash =o)
 
uncompressed dvcprohd, how?

uncompressed dvcprohd, how?

I am new to hd content. Workflow: 720p 24, via p2 cards to fcp, to dvd sd. Will be doing everuthing on one dual g5. Will I gain an advantage in color correction quality by using a card like blackmagic or like? (will not do any sd i/o). What I haven't grasped is, if fcp will compress the content in case I use no card, and if a card will then let the mac work uncompressed?
If this is the case, what is the difference between 10 bit 4:2:2 and the compressed stuff?

Hope someone can be pedagogical about this :thumbsup:
best, soren
 
Which video card you use can affect the speed at which you can color correct but the difference in output quality between most new cards is negligible. The reason the DVCProHD codec is not that great for color correction is because its 8bits. If you plan on working in HD uncompressed you’ll need more than a good graphics card, you’ll need some fast drives and a very fast file system, uncompressed HD runs north of 192MB/sec, DVCProHD is running @ less than 100Mb/sec.

Currently I’m editing HDV on a PC using AspectHD which is a 10bit codec. The quality is very impressive however editing HD on PC’s is sketchy. I have an nVidia FX540 which gives me component HD out to an HD monitor but it is real finicky. Is there a graphics card that provides a component HD output for the G5? What are you guys using to monitor HD in real time while editing?

FYI, Motion needs a better video card and MORE ram… Motion can never have enough ram.
 
G5 output + 8 or 10 bit?

G5 output + 8 or 10 bit?

Hi Chuck,
Thanks for the info. Leaves me puzzled, though, as I always thought dvcpro 100 was 10 bit. Well, ain't easy being a non-techie, newbie documentarist coming from music.

Check this link to HD cards for the g5. A variety of outputs possible:
http://www.blackmagic-design.com/products/hd/
best, soren
 
I'm a PC guy who now owns a Mac G5 also.

I'm a PC guy who now owns a Mac G5 also.

Applied Visual

Does your PC run better on the Mac operating system and where do you find it to try it? I like my G5 for video better than P Pro and a PC. The operating system is alot more stable and FCP seems to have more editing power. With that being said, did your PC see any inprovements in speed or stability?
 
I will use my G4 and then by the end of this year maybe upgrade to a Mactel machine but it will probably be a laptop versus a desktop. If they come out with a 17 inch Apple/Intel Laptop I think I'll have to figure a way to get one. My thing is I'd get very squeamish about taking my brand new laptop around town. The good part is that G4 Titanium prices will plummet and I can get one for just for writing and internet use, ect. Now that I think about it I may sell my G4 later on and get a Mactel laptop and older titanum. The desktops are usually more powerful. I can't wait until monday.

-Nate
 
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