Purchasing Question

[ItsJanosz]

Hi all,

I have some questions about FCP systems. I'm looking to purchase a (likely used) Mac system and FCP. My questions are about what minimum specs I should be looking for.
I'm primarily looking to edit footage from my DVX, perhaps other media down the road. I'll be working with mostly standard operations - don't use many crazy effects or motion. Color correcting, filters, transitions, etc. And a fair amount of audio work too. I don't need something super fast, but I also don't want to be sitting around staring at rendering bars for hours either...

Given that, what specs would you suggest? Probably G4, because G5 is a bit out of my price range. How fast of a processor? RAM? Hard drive size? Other specs to be aware of? Helpful programs in addition to FCP?

Also, along the same lines, does anyone have any suggestions of places/sites to find good used Mac and FCP systems?

Thanks for the help!

 

[CaptainMench]

Minimum --

1.25 Dual G4. I've got that setup with the stock graphic card and I can do everything except run Motion.

I wouldn't go with anything less than that.

1 gig ram is min. I've got 3 250gig internals and a stock 80 for my system drive.

FCP -- DVDSP are musts. After Effects?? Not so much with you saying you don't want effects and such.

You could buy a 9800 (??) video/graphics card and run Motion. Great simple(ish) program for effects and titles.

Good luck,

CaptM

 

[ZaniacMedia]

I'm running a dual 1Ghz G4, 1Gig RAM, with two interal 120GB HD's, and two LaCie 250GB external drives. FCP 4.5, DVDSP 3.0, After Effects 5.0. This was top-of-the line when I bought it. That didn't last long! But it's fast enough and it does what I need it to do. But as the Capt Menchioned - I wouldn't go any lighter than that.