mac for t2i video editing

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dylanpipe

Active member
Wasnt too sure where to put this, as I did not see a mac specific thread.
I'm looking for a macbook of some sort for video editing. I am using a t2i, so I
will want it to be able to edit smoothly with 1080 and 720 HD. Currently, I am
filming and having someone else edit, but I would like to edit them my self. I
will be using Imovie to edit, since buying the mac would not be cheap. Also,
could you guys lemme know if there are things I should know about uploading the
files and whatnot. I would like to keep the price as low as possible, since I am
only 16.
 
Its been a very long time since I've touched iMovie, but I believe it will need to transcode the footage first since it can't natively edit Canon's H.264 video. You may need to use iMovie to import the footage instead of just copying the files off the card in order to do that, but the good news is that means you won't need as fast of a computer to actually do your editing on (since Apple's intermediate codec is much more processor friendly than the stuff that comes out of the camera). Keep in mind that you will need space to store larger files. Preferably a good, fast external drive.

But, if cost is really a hindrance, may I perhaps suggest that you not rule out a PC counterpart? Apple's machines are beautiful and solid, if you can afford it. But it is an often misunderstood concept that they are somehow better at video editing.
For the same price as a decent macbook, you could buy a faster PC and the entire Adobe Production Studio. Sure, it wouldn't be a Mac, but you would have a more powerful setup that renders in less time and saved you money. Just sayin.
 
Buy a used macbook on ebay or amazon. I know you are on a budget, but this is your work here. You need the right tools to work with.

Make sure you convert the files that come out of the camera from H.264 into an editing format like DVCPRO HD or Apple ProRes before editing.
 
CapVideo said:
Buy a used macbook on ebay or amazon. I know you are on a budget, but this is your work here. You need the right tools to work with.
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*sigh*

Your advice is assuming 2 things;
a) That this is, in fact, his "work", and not just the hobby of a high school student. He did mention that he was 16 years old.
and
b) That a Mac is somehow "the right tools" to work with. I'd like to think that the whole Mac is better for video editing stigma is long behind us, but every now and then I come across a post like this that reminds me it is still alive and well.
Apple makes some fine machines, no question about it. And all things being equal, their durability, customer support and resale value are all excellent. And if you're a fan of Final Cut, you don't really have another option. But make no mistake- buying an older (and obviously slower) Mac just to use iMovie won't help make better videos unless the alternative for the OP was to use Windows Movie Maker. Quite honestly, iMovie doesn't sound like the right tools for job either. Recommending that a kid blow their budget to just get entry into the Apple club, and leave nothing left for a decent editing package seems like sensationally bad advice to me.

That same money can be used to buy a PC laptop and a fully-featured editing suite like Production Studio CS5.5. Or, if on a really tight budget, get a moderately fast PC with Sony Vegas. The learning curve is very light and its miles more capable than iMovie.
 
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I won't jump on the mac vs. PC deal; if you're set on a Mac, get MPEG Streamclip (free) to batch process all your shots into something more iMovie friendly (ProRes for iMovie? Don't know, certainly for FCP). You can even do your trims and rename the files, and then it can batch process hours of footage.

Even a PPC based G5 tower will edit prores just fine. And they're going for a couple hundred bucks. Hunt around on eBay and see if you can find one that includes final cut 7.

if you're a student, look into student pricing from Apple (or Adobe or whomever you go with) for software. I believe you used to be able to get final cut for about $300 as a student.

Final Cut Express is very well liked as well - I don't believe it will edit prores files though.
 
Michael Carter said:
I won't jump on the mac vs. PC deal; if you're set on a Mac, get MPEG Streamclip (free) to batch process all your shots into something more iMovie friendly (ProRes for iMovie? Don't know, certainly for FCP). You can even do your trims and rename the files, and then it can batch process hours of footage.

Even a PPC based G5 tower will edit prores just fine. And they're going for a couple hundred bucks. Hunt around on eBay and see if you can find one that includes final cut 7.

if you're a student, look into student pricing from Apple (or Adobe or whomever you go with) for software. I believe you used to be able to get final cut for about $300 as a student.

Final Cut Express is very well liked as well - I don't believe it will edit prores files though.
Click to expand...

Sure you can get Final cut for $300. Or you can get Premier Pro, After Effect, Photoshop, Audition, Speedgrade, Prelude, Illustrator, Flash, and Encore in production Premium for $450.
 
Victor Nhat Nguyen said:
Sure you can get Final cut for $300. Or you can get Premier Pro, After Effect, Photoshop, Audition, Speedgrade, Prelude, Illustrator, Flash, and Encore in production Premium for $450.
Click to expand...

Not only do you get all that for only $150 more, but if you go the PC route you'll save that extra $150 and then some, and probably get a much faster computer that renders in less time while you're at it.

Don't get me wrong, I love Macs. They just are terrible choices for anyone on a budget.
 
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