just upgraded to a mac, have a few Questions

maranfilms

maranfilms

Veteran
I finally upgraded to a mac ( imac 27") To be honest, Im lost. Been using Premiere pro cs4. I need to buy editing software, Would you mac users recommend buying premiere PRO for mac, or final cut. or just install cs4 for windows. ( not sure how)

I did hear i can use PC software on a mac, how would one go about it, and is it recommended.

Also, can anyone tell me the easiest way to connect my xha1 to this computer, i didn't see a firewire input. Will I have to get a firestore, datavideo recorder to input my footage to edit?

Any other tips, tricks, or just advice for a mac newbie. And sorry for such basic stupid questions, I feel like a dipshit. lol thanks
 
Your iMac has a firewire 800 port, you are used to 400. You can get a cable that is fw800 on one end and fw4pin on the other end for your camera. Software is a personal preference thing, I love FCP. But I would never recommend using a mac as a windows machine full time or anytime for myself. You are much better off using Mac software on a mac than windows emulation for serious programs. If you come from a Premiere background that might be the right choice for you.
 
you can install a copy of Windows on a Mac by using boot camp, which is a utility that comes with the computer. This will basically create a partition on your disk with one part running Windows and the other OSX. You choose which to run when you boot up the computer. I haven't done this so I can't say personally, but Apple claims Windows programs will run at normal speed.

So that would be your cheaper option especially if you have other Windows programs you'd want to use.

FCP used to be much better than Premiere but I'd say the consensus now is that PPro is at least as good and probably better -- especially CS5. Notably, Premiere can edit AVCHD natively whereas FCP requires transcoding.

FCP is still a great program and presumably it will get a badly-needed refresh before too long. But if you're comfortable with Premiere I'd say there's no point in switching.
 
FCP comes with Color and Cinema Tools, things Premiere doesn't do. I'd never edit a Long-GOP format codec naively anyway for a variety of reasons, on any NLE. That Log & Transfer saves a ton of time in the long run.

Not sure what "consensus" you're talking about, but FCP still has 50% market share, PPro is still down around 8%.
 
Regardless of whether those numbers are accurate, part of that "8%" includes the BBC, so take that for what it's worth.
 
And FCP is in more TV stations than that. Simple fact of life. TV shows are switching en masse to FCP. Films are done in FCP more than Avid now (lost tons of market share, hope they come back). PPro has a long way to go to catch up.
 
Ram sos, Thanks for the help, Im going to order an adapter tonight, I appreciate it.
hendosan,mountainradio,Benb, Thanks for taking the time to answer, I appreciate the input.

I looked around a bit for finalcut pro hd, I did notice there's a discount if I were to buy the academic edition. Is this a stripped down version? Would it be advisable to go with it, or just buy the regular version?

I was talking about it with my wife, She thought I was crazy to even consider thinking of staying with adobe. It's funny because she sees first hand the frustration I go through at times, with sudden crashes, and quirky bugs. I guess it's just the learning curve that makes me nervous, I ve been using premiere for years. And I have always said, "If i could afford a mac, I would get one asap, well here I have a brand new one, and im thinking of ways to make it run like a pc. lol not good.

Oh yeah, one more thing, I cant get the keyboard to work, I put the batteries in correctly, tried, several new sets, but the keyboard will not turn on, so the bluetooth function can't find it. any tricks? do you think I got a faulty keyboard?, im using a usb now from my old pc.





if you guys think of anything else that may make my lefe easier with the transition, feel free to chime in at anytime, thanks again:)
 
Academic license states you are going to use it for education purposes, not commercial. You also can not upgrade it to new versions, but can update to downloadable patches. Otherwise, no differences.

Keyboard? Bluetooth? Open the Bluetooth pane in System Preferences, go through the steps. OS X should see the keyboard, if it's OS X compatible.

I also find the Magic Trackpad the most wonderful device for using with FCS apps, too.
 
Thanks, Ben For some reason, the wireless keyboard doesnt even turn on, From what I have read, there should be a little green led, that lights up when powering on, it's not turning on, I think thats why the computer doesnt see it, it tries, but never completes the find.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top