MacBook Pro? Or....

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ROCKST*R Films

ROCKST*R Films

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Hello! I am in the market for a Notebook, and i need some help! I am going to be using it for mostley Editing. I have had my eye on the MacBook pro 17-inch, but before i go to the Apple and pick one up, i want to know what you guys think. Would that be a good choice for what i am going to be doing? Or should i look else where? I know it runs on Intel Core 2 Duo so it will run windows ,wich is what i am most familiar with. I was also looking at the XPS M1710. I heard that it was a great notebook. But, what do you guys think? Thanks in advance..

~Kc James
 
Eastside Parkway said:
Go with the Mac.
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Yeah i just read that the XPS M1710 is for gamers (I don't do much gaming). I just want to make sure i get the right notebook. But yeah i am leaning towards the MacBook Pro. Anyone else think the Mac is the way to go?
 
I used to have pc's, but once I went, back, I never went back. I don't have anything against pc's now or anything like that, I just like pretty much on a Mac better. OS, programs, interface, and build quality.
 
Another vote for getting a Mac. Check out apples refurbished section on there website. You get same warranty and product at a less price.
 
You're going to use it with the DVX?

There is NOTHING better-integrated with the DVX than Vegas (Windows-only). There's a reason why almost every moderator on this board is on Vegas.

And it'll cost you a lot less money to boot.
 
David Jimerson said:
There is NOTHING better-integrated with the DVX than Vegas (Windows-only).
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Um, last time I checked, the DVX used the same camera-computer integration system as every other camera and NLE on the market - firewire (which was invented by Apple, by the way).

Not to mention, every Mac program can handle 24p, etc, just as well as Vegas. I think what you're saying is nonsense.
 
Of course you think that.

Anyway, ROCKST*R, if you want a simple 24p workflow where you can just capture and then edit in 24p without worrying about capture settings, "Easy Presets," whether you used Advanced pulldown or Standard pulldown, then you want Vegas (or PP 2.0).

If you want to be able to edit footage shot with 24p standard pulldown, in native 24p (necessary for making 24p DVDs), without having to take the footage to another application to remove the pulldown manually, or want the option of editing the footage in either 24p or 60i and even being able to switch on the fly, then you want Vegas.

If you want to mix 24p and other frame rates on a 24p timeline (like 60i for slo-mo) and do it without having the render the other timebase, then you want Vegas (or, as above, PP 2.0).

If you want to be able to convert any other format/timebase/frame rate to 24p from the timeline, then you want Vegas.

If you want to able to export back to tape using advanced pulldown or standard pulldown, with pulldown flags intact, then you want Vegas.

And if you want to do it for $500 or less, with no hardware restrictions on performance other than speed of render, then you want Vegas.

Like I said, there's a reason almost all the moderators are on Vegas.
 
David Jimerson said:
Of course you think that.

Anyway, ROCKST*R, if you want a simple 24p workflow where you can just capture and then edit in 24p without worrying about capture settings, "Easy Presets," whether you used Advanced pulldown or Standard pulldown, then you want Vegas (or PP 2.0).

If you want to be able to edit footage shot with 24p standard pulldown, in native 24p (necessary for making 24p DVDs), without having to take the footage to another application to remove the pulldown manually, or want the option of editing the footage in either 24p or 60i and even being able to switch on the fly, then you want Vegas.

If you want to mix 24p and other frame rates on a 24p timeline (like 60i for slo-mo) and do it without having the render the other timebase, then you want Vegas (or, as above, PP 2.0).

If you want to be able to convert any other format/timebase/frame rate to 24p from the timeline, then you want Vegas.

If you want to able to export back to tape using advanced pulldown or standard pulldown, with pulldown flags intact, then you want Vegas.

And if you want to do it for $500 or less, with no hardware restrictions on performance other than speed of render, then you want Vegas.

Like I said, there's a reason almost all the moderators are on Vegas.
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Almost all the non-moderators use FCP. It doesn't really matter either way, honestly, but your list of positives are all based on capture and timeline settings. If you know what you're doing with FCP, all the issues you posted are either null or at the very worst minor inconveniences. This is the one area where FCP has flaws and it's the only really valid argument against it. But it's also pretty simple to deal with these problems.

Besides, there are bigger issues, like interface, features, etc....

Vegas is fine, but I'm so sick of this argument against FCP.
 
I actually Own Premiere Pro 2.0 (wich i am fairly happy with), and i shoot with a JVC GY-HD110U. I have a PC Desktop that i do all my Editing on, i am going to be doing some traveling here pretty soon, so i need a good Notebook that will do the job. So far most of you say i should just get the MacBook Pro.. and some still say the PC. I was also thinking of switching over to Final Cut Pro 6 i heard some good things about that software (Witch only runs on Macs). Most of my friends use it, But i'm still not for sure about that yet.. Grr I wish it was not such a hard decision to make.
 
Policar said:
Almost all the non-moderators use FCP. It doesn't really matter either way, honestly, but your list of positives are all based on capture and timeline settings. If you know what you're doing with FCP, all the issues you posted are either null or at the very worst minor inconveniences. This is the one area where FCP has flaws and it's the only really valid argument against it. But it's also pretty simple to deal with these problems.

Besides, there are bigger issues, like interface, features, etc....

Vegas is fine, but I'm so sick of this argument against FCP.
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The guy asked what people thought. Everyone else chimed in in the pro-Mac side; I'm giving my opinion as to alternatives. Note it wasn't about Vegas vs. FCP until someone else made it that way.

Of course the points are about capture and timeline settings, because that's where the differences in handling 24p come into play. Considering the price points, it's absolutely worth mentioning the integration differences for 24p, considering that's why most people buy the DVX in the first place. You may think the "flaws," as you put it, aren't any big deal for you personally, but not everyone may conclude the same.

As for the "bigger issues," the Vegas interface is almost 100% customizable, and the feature set is superior, unless you add in all the separate applications you get in FCP Studio -- and then there's the price point issue.

And while it's true that among HVX users, most are on Macs, it never comes out that way when non-HVX users are polled here. Seeing as this is about the DVX, it, too, seems worth mentioning.

So, obviously, it's up to ROCKST*R to make up his own mind. He asked what we thought; I said so. I don't see where what I said was any more egregious than the posts which came before.
 
I'm a mac user (but not an Apple fanatic), and I use FCP. I have used Vegas. Personally, without having used FCP 6, I must agree Vegas is superior - easier to use, and more powerful in some ways (sound handling). FCS can compete here only because there's a bunch of programs thrown in - of course, you pay more. Then again, if you start doing package bundling, you may as well do that with Vegas.

My only argument why you may want to use a mac + FCP is that this is what's becoming a given in professional editing, so if you ever want to become a pro, knowing FCP is very helpful (along with Avid, of course). However, if you're only doing it for yourself, and have no desire to turn a pro editor, Vegas is the better choice IMHO, for pure editing. The Mac has other nice things of course :)
 
It depends on which software you wanna use. If you want FCP, get Mac, if you want Premiere or Vegas, get PC, if AVID its an either or type of deal. MacBook Pro is alot more expensive for what you get IMO but it depends on if you want to spend the money for the Mac. I can get a Dell thats great for editing and all purpose things for about 1300.

Dell E1505 $1383
1.83ghz C2D (2.0ghz isn't that much more) 2MB Cache
1GB RAM
100RPM 7200RPM
7300 GO 256MB RAM
CD/DVD-RW Dual Layer
15in WXGA+

MacBook Pro $1999
2.15ghz C2D 4MB Cache
1GB RAM
120RPM 5400RPM
ATIX1600 128MB RAM
CD/DVD-RW Dual Layer
15in WXGA+

Its a tough call, but since my money is limited, when I get a Laptop its gonna be the Dell. I own a macPro btw, so im not a PC purist OR Mac purist.

Your choice ;)

- Kyle
 
Another Mac vs. PC debate, it always happens.
When I said I like the programs on Macs, I meant overall, not just FCP.
 
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