RCummings4885
Member
So my power Mac G5 that I got 6 years ago has finally bit the dust and I am needing to get a new computer. I have seen numerous posts regarding desktop versus laptop and the general concensus is that laptops can basically match desktops on processing speed at this point in the game and you also get portability as well. While that all sounds right and good I was wondering if anyone could shed some light on the more specific nature of the specs included in different computers and the adaptability issue of desktops versus laptops.
I have Final Cut Studio 7 where I use FCP, Motion, Compressor, DVD Studio Pro, Live Type and will also be using AFter Effects (I would assume the most needy of all the programs mentioned).
RIght now I edit mostly HVX200 footage both in 720 and 1080. From what I understand the HD footage from the HVX is compressed before it hits your computer from the P2 cards but on future projects we will potentially be using higher end digital cameras let's say like the Viper and/or the Red where I believe the footage is uncompressed HD which to my understanding is quite larger in file size and processing needs. Now of course you could always edit with lo-res offline versions of the videos but eventually we would re-capture at hi-res for final edit/output and so it'd be nice to know if the computer I'm buying could handle it.
Now as far as hard drive space goes I have plenty of externals with Fire wire 800. Is this acceptable or should I get some RAID and do I need to make sure the computer has a specific port for that or is that just through a firewire as well? (don't really know much about those just that I've ssen people with cooler setups than mine have them).
Also I have a 23 inch HD APple Monitor already that I got with my G5. What kind of output on my new computer (laptop most likely) do I need to make sure it has so I can use that to monitor video and let's say use the laptop screen strictly for my editing board? I also like to hook my computer up to my 42 inch HD TV as well. Same question again I suppose, what do I need for that? Is it strictly HDMI and do MacBook Pro's have HDMI outs or do I need to get an adapter?
FInally could I get some clarification regarding the specs listed on the different macbook pro's in regards to sort of set up I'm looking to handle.
1. Now of course I know the INtel Core 2.0 and the Intel Core i5 and INter Core i7 are different processors of which I would assume the i7 is the fastest but my question is how much faster and what else is to consider here (like bus speed, RPM ect?) and is it extermely important I get the fastest? Like I said, I've been using an old power Mac G5 whose processor wasn't even 2 gHz and wasn't even an Intel and it lasted me 6 years so can the Core 2.0 get the job done or should I opt for at least the i5?
2.) What's the difference between the NVIDIA GeForce 320M graphics card and the NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M card with 256MB? (aside from 10m apparently?) and does the Intel HD graphic found in the higher model make a difference as opposed to not having it? And what is it exactly?
And finally I installed some new RAM in my G5 a year ago, can I use that and put it in a laptop if I get one or are laptops not adaptable like that due to space constraint? Are there ways to externally mount additional RAM on MacBookPros?
Also should I not expect a 6 year lifespan on a laptop as opposed to a desktop? I was told that charging the battery to 100% , unplugging it and letting it drain to zero before charging it back to 100% again is one way to extend the life of the battery. Is this true?
Well I guess that's about it for right now. Any light anyone could shed in the most specific way possible would be great. Also, aside from DVXuser of course are there any other websites/resources anyone would suggest for a filmmaker who is primarily artisticlly concerned with things who wants to get more of a handle on the intricate technical aspects of all things from compression and codecs to frame rates and editing timebases and media management and export ect....?
Thanks again everybody and go easy on me, I'm just a stupid filmmaker.
Ryan
www.NittyGrittyStudios.com
www.AllGodsCreaturesFilm.com
I have Final Cut Studio 7 where I use FCP, Motion, Compressor, DVD Studio Pro, Live Type and will also be using AFter Effects (I would assume the most needy of all the programs mentioned).
RIght now I edit mostly HVX200 footage both in 720 and 1080. From what I understand the HD footage from the HVX is compressed before it hits your computer from the P2 cards but on future projects we will potentially be using higher end digital cameras let's say like the Viper and/or the Red where I believe the footage is uncompressed HD which to my understanding is quite larger in file size and processing needs. Now of course you could always edit with lo-res offline versions of the videos but eventually we would re-capture at hi-res for final edit/output and so it'd be nice to know if the computer I'm buying could handle it.
Now as far as hard drive space goes I have plenty of externals with Fire wire 800. Is this acceptable or should I get some RAID and do I need to make sure the computer has a specific port for that or is that just through a firewire as well? (don't really know much about those just that I've ssen people with cooler setups than mine have them).
Also I have a 23 inch HD APple Monitor already that I got with my G5. What kind of output on my new computer (laptop most likely) do I need to make sure it has so I can use that to monitor video and let's say use the laptop screen strictly for my editing board? I also like to hook my computer up to my 42 inch HD TV as well. Same question again I suppose, what do I need for that? Is it strictly HDMI and do MacBook Pro's have HDMI outs or do I need to get an adapter?
FInally could I get some clarification regarding the specs listed on the different macbook pro's in regards to sort of set up I'm looking to handle.
1. Now of course I know the INtel Core 2.0 and the Intel Core i5 and INter Core i7 are different processors of which I would assume the i7 is the fastest but my question is how much faster and what else is to consider here (like bus speed, RPM ect?) and is it extermely important I get the fastest? Like I said, I've been using an old power Mac G5 whose processor wasn't even 2 gHz and wasn't even an Intel and it lasted me 6 years so can the Core 2.0 get the job done or should I opt for at least the i5?
2.) What's the difference between the NVIDIA GeForce 320M graphics card and the NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M card with 256MB? (aside from 10m apparently?) and does the Intel HD graphic found in the higher model make a difference as opposed to not having it? And what is it exactly?
And finally I installed some new RAM in my G5 a year ago, can I use that and put it in a laptop if I get one or are laptops not adaptable like that due to space constraint? Are there ways to externally mount additional RAM on MacBookPros?
Also should I not expect a 6 year lifespan on a laptop as opposed to a desktop? I was told that charging the battery to 100% , unplugging it and letting it drain to zero before charging it back to 100% again is one way to extend the life of the battery. Is this true?
Well I guess that's about it for right now. Any light anyone could shed in the most specific way possible would be great. Also, aside from DVXuser of course are there any other websites/resources anyone would suggest for a filmmaker who is primarily artisticlly concerned with things who wants to get more of a handle on the intricate technical aspects of all things from compression and codecs to frame rates and editing timebases and media management and export ect....?
Thanks again everybody and go easy on me, I'm just a stupid filmmaker.
Ryan
www.NittyGrittyStudios.com
www.AllGodsCreaturesFilm.com
