Recommendations for a FCS workstation

D

Daisy

New member
INTRO:
Since 1990 I have been involved in the video production, post production, networking and webcasts for a Fortune 500 company.

I/ we would write, produce and direct the projects but utilize outside production/ post production facilities for their people expertise and hardware.

For many projects we used our arsenal of Betacams and DVX100Bs. All post was offlined in-house. IT only allowed PCs so offline was via Premiere Pro on Dells and then we would take the CDL and post on outside Avids.

Because of some corporate downsizing I opted for a generous severance payment. Thus, I plan to use this windfall to initially set up a FCP workstation. And after NAB I hope to select some P2 equipment.

QUESTION:
Since you guys are more knowledgeable about this than I what would be your dream FCS system? Not extravagant but just good robust equipment that will last for near future

MacPro---
External Hard Drives---I have many G-Raids
Ram---Should I purchase from Apple or get less expensive from Crucial or OWC?
Monitors---Apple 30" or several 24"
Keyboard---Bella?
Audio---What near field audio monitors do you recommend KRK, Myer Sound or???
Final Cut Studio---I already have for my MacBook Pro
Adobe CS3 Design suite----I already have for my MacBook Pro
Furniture---Have Anthro Desks with Herman Miller Aeron chairs

Did I forget any essentials?

Thanks,
Daisy
 
I had a system meltdown in the middle of a project that necessitated a new MacPro so I didn't have quite the time to shop around for best prices, but I am happy with my system.
I got the dual 2x2.8 Quad Core Xeon, which I am very happy with and to be honest, for the work I do, I doubt the extra $1000 plus for the faster systems would have made much sense for me.
I now have 12 gigs of RAM. I got it from OWC. When I found out that Apple charged as much for 2 gigs as OWC charged for 8+ the decision was easy.
On my old system (a g5) I used MacGuru's RAID enclosure. I am really happy with it, other than a latch that tends to rattle. It's fast and affordable.

I use Blue Sky Media monitors - I like them a lot, more than the KRKs that I have heard - but maybe that is just because they look nicer :)

And then there are a bunch of other goodies - I would prefer a higher end capture card (I have the BMD intensity pro - although I do like the HDMI out.) But if I had a large budget, I think I would sink a lot of money into a good client monitor. My computer may only survive 3 years, but the monitor should last quite a bit longer.
 
I have 10gb ram from crucial. Be careful with them thoug I got the 667mhz ram instead of 800. They arent very up to date but they were cool about letting me keep it till they got 800mhz and then swap it out.
 
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